Deer Hunting Prep Activities and Projects

[Friend]

Deer season is already sneaking in on me as many projects have been completed while many numerous projects still remain.

What deer hunting prep and/or activities have you completed and plan to complete by deer season?

What are you doing differently this year?

[dnovo]

I went out yesterday and cleared up some deer trails and moved a ladder stand about 25 yards. There was a couple dead trees had fallen across the trails so I cut them out of the way for the deer to keep using those trails

[Sam McMichael]

I have a couple of projects that need attending to very soon. One, a number of the trails on my place have grown up a lot. They need to be cleared so vehicles can move around. Secondly, several stands need maintenance, especially the straps that I hook my safety harness to. Since I leave my stands out all year, straps only last a couple of seasons. I seldom need to relocate stands as I have got this area patterned pretty well, so heavy duty scouting is not often required.

[smokin joe]

Yep. I have to get out and replace all of the safety ratchet straps. I have a few brush piles that need some work too.

[GCook]

It never stops here.  Always stand work, fence, coon trapping, water toughs,or just plain pig thinning to do.
Work gets in the way sometimes.
Soon though the cows will rotate out of our pasture and we can start supplemental feed and get plots ready for he fall planting.
I need to find a new disc though.  We chopped out a bunch of cactus earlier this year.

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[Friend]

My deer hunting projects begin in February.

* Scout Areas for next fall

* Identify prime locations...much hinge cutting to move trails...several hours may go into arranging trails such that 3 main trails are w/I 18 yards of a ground set...the newly built trails may be dirt by July…plenty of thought and strategizing is required. I have 9 ground sets

* Moving several 1000# 6X8 ground blinds deep in the woods is often quite challenging...setting a new 6X8 tomorrow...have already cleared the woods.

* Revisit current setup areas in order to ascertain required trail maintenance and additional hinge cutting requirements

* Continue camera scouting thru March

* Only overseeded one foodplot this year

* Planted 2 new foodplots and will bush hogg  three more times before season

* Have three winter annual foodplots to plant in August

* Effective cover for the large blinds is challenging...takes some effort...camo covered a roof on a blind this morning

*Set 3 rope scrapes…have 3 more to set and 2 T-Post scrapes to set

*Two horizontal rub setups to be implemented

* Have identified three promising stand locations…not permitted to climb so I will be recruiting some help.

* Working mineral licks now...seeing some promising velvet racks already and the main 6 week growing period hasn't started

THERE IS MUCH MORE

Some individuals are totally consumed with the deer hunting prep, strategizing, project implementation, evaluating the results and the complete hunting, camaraderie and outdoor experience….NOT ME!

[Possum Head]

This evening I couldn’t hold out any long. I had to answer the call of the wild. Loaded the canoe and set out to a place a few snuck by me last fall. This place is a ridge between two Gum ponds that’s about 50 yds wide. It’s benefits are twofold in that it’s suited for travel and food. There are several large Swamp Chestnut Oaks and multiple mature Water Oaks. Last Fall the side opposite of my stand was the preferred route. Today I slipped in early evening as it was only 95 degrees and cut poison oak vines at the base of several trees and cleared a few lanes as well. I’ll slip back in late August and check acorn production. The rumble of thunder sent me back to the canoe prematurely!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I have been trying to socialize the does on my farm. Been able to get 2 of them to watch me so far as I walked within 50 yards.  Of course that will all change when I am carrying a bow and not a hay bale. 

[SlowBowKing]

Friend, season opens for us two months from today—wow!

*I’ve done the initial setup on a couple of natural ground blinds. Need to finish brushing them in and cut shooting lanes.

*Got two stands I need to move.

*Set up ladder stand in yard so I can practice shooting from elevated position.

*Freshen up mineral licks again.

*Put out a couple of extra trail cams.

*Need to bare shaft tune my new setup, then order some broad heads. My goal is to get everything proficient and then shoot every day between now and season to see what my effective range is going to be! (First time hunting with a trad bow). 

[kevsuperg]

Geez ya I guess Aug 30th isn't to far away.
 Been making up some new arrows, 2 dz GT blem shafts I bought yrs ago from big Jim at ETAR.
 Been hiking and scouting, pouring over onX hunt and google earth.
 Ordering new backpacking supplies for my epic journeys this season

[Bchunter1]

Put up climbing sticks last week , stand yesterday . Made 3 licking sticks . Pulled the card on my camera and I had a couple pic of a bear and he knocked the camera a lil out of position and had the ass end of a deer in one frame . Hope to see the 8 I almost had a shot at last years.


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[Friend]

A lot of good stuff is happenin….

[Bowguy67]

I’m not doing anything dif. I’ll make arrows, sharpen knives. Maybe pack a fanny pack and long range scout some areas w binoculars. Wish more guys did that instead of the mad dash to bait trees, hang stands, check cameras. Puts lots of human activity into hunt areas and tips em off. It’s ok though I scout fwd. In other words where they’re gonna be not where they are now.

[ron w]

I'm starting all over this year, I'm new to Georgia and this will be my first hunting season. Finding a place to hunt, how to access it, some scouting. All new terrain and weather patterns.....I have my challenges ahead. But I do believe that there is more game down here than in my part of New York. All part of the challenge I guess......

[Medicare Bhtr]

Since this will be my first season hunting my own farm, lots to get done.
Stand and blind sites selected. Decided to use pop up blinds this year to determine best places for box blinds.
Already have one plot, two mineral licks and a new pond. Couple new fall plots being prepared.
Many pics from seven cameras. Lots of wildlife including at least two bucks to get excited about.
Time to start my mock scrapes and licking branches.
Good luck to all you guys that are planning and working hard toward your goal!

[jonsimoneau]

I tweaked my setups that needed it in March. Not a lot I’m doing now other than watching bean fields trying to get an idea of what bucks are around and shooting a lot to make sure I can put it where it needs to go when he finally walks by me.

[YosemiteSam]

We only have another 5-6 weeks until the season opens.

Rather than hiking up solo into the high country, I'm opting to stay at an RV campsite.  A more seasoned hunter has offered to let me join him.   He invited me up last year for the rifle season & I found my first buck in 4 years on that first evening out.  I figure I'll learn more hanging out with him for a few days than I will on my own.  His wife told me that he doesn't hunt solo anymore so I think he's happy to finally have somebody who can join him for the archery season.  Should be a win/win.

I got drawn for a late season either-sex tag along the coast as well.  It's a long hike in with hardly a soul in sight for days on end.
 I've taken a bow the last couple times but haven't gotten close enough to take any shots.  This year, I'm taking the smoke pole out for that hunt so as long as the weather doesn't get too crazy, I should be able to get within range a little easier.  If I manage to get something, I'll have my work cut out for me getting it all out.

[GCook]

When I got to the lease or ranch to work I'll leave the sweaty shirts from the weekend tied to my stands.  I have noticed the more I'm around the less the deer associate my presence/scent with danger.

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[stickandstring]

I’m in the process of transitioning to another state. Going from hills and valleys to flats, agricultural and near the sea. Have to relearn everything.🤔

[Friend]

One more completed project: 6 x 8 Blind set, painted, windows cut and meshed and brushed in