If you're like us, you may be wondering what to do when deer season ends. Well, here are our thoughts.
If you’re an avid deer hunter, the end of the season can be somewhat of a sad time. Those experiences both in camp and in the woods are now over. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to prepare for next season, which, if you think about it, is really not that far away.
From processing meat to cleaning and storing hunting gear properly, the post-deer season checklist can help keep you occupied in the spirit of deer hunting even if you’re not actually pursuing game. You may also take some time to reflect on your experience - what worked well and what could be improved next year? With a little bit of preparation now, you will be ready when deer season rolls around again!
Clean and Store Your Gear
One of the most important tasks is cleaning and storing hunting gear properly. This will help ensure that everything is ready for the following season and that your equipment remains in good condition throughout the off-season. Things like oiling and maintaining your rifle, cleaning your optics, storing your clothes, and taking down stands can help preserve your gear for many years. It will also save you the time of looking for and fixing things when the next season rolls around.
Process Meat
If you have the right setup and equipment, butchering and processing deer meat is a cool part of the whole experience. Not only does it provide you with delicious, healthy venison to enjoy throughout the year, but it also allows you to make use of more parts of the animal than what you can get from a local processor. Should you choose to go DIY, it can be a very satisfying thing knowing you had a hand in every part when you finally get to eat it. Just make sure you have the proper space, ie. the kitchen table may not work out so well!
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Scout for Next Season
Start researching new local spots as well as any locations where you may travel to hunt. Scouting potential places gives you a head start on the season and allows you to get familiar with different areas. In fact, this time of year is the perfect time to explore those bedding areas you wouldn't dare enter during the season. Post season is also a great time to set cameras to see what bucks survived and what others may be cruising through your area.
Keep Those Shooting Skills Sharp
Sending rounds down range in the offseason is an important part of the whole process. It helps you become a better and more accurate shooter, which can help you extend your range and make more difficult shots. Additionally, practicing your shooting skills in the off season allows you to identify any potential problems with your rifle and even consider a backup rifle just in case.
Attending a long range shooting school is not only educational but a lot of fun banging steel at 1,000 yards!
Pursue Other Outdoor Activities
After deer season is over, many of us think what now? You can only spend so much time processing meat, storing your gear, or practicing your shooting. So what about some other outdoor activities until turkey season rolls around, such as fishing, camping, or bird watching? Like the solitude of sitting stand, they are a great way to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Any outdoor activity, really, will help sustain your physical and mental health. It’s also another great way to spend time with your friends and family.
Time to Reflect
At the end of deer season, I often find myself reflecting on my experiences and the things I learned from September through mid January. It's always a bittersweet time. While I'm somewhat sad it's over, I'm also grateful for the opportunities I was given.
Starting now until the season opens again, I'll spend plenty of time thinking about what worked well - such as stand placements - and what could be improved - becoming a better meat processor.
Taking a little time now to put a plan together helps me get ready when deer season rolls around again. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what it brings!
