Checking Cameras Too Much
This might be the number one mistake eager hunters make before and during season. Let’s be honest, every hunter is anxious to see which bucks made it to the next season, and how big they’ve gotten. In lieu of this eagerness we simply minimize the fact that each time a hunter checks a camera he or she is leaving scent and pressure in that designated area.
In fact, there’s a good chance when September and October arrive some of those bucks will no longer frequent the area. It’s possible they have moved on to another area of their home range, or even worse, it could mean they’ve already begun patterning you as the hunter.
Though it will be difficult, set the camera up and leave it for as long as possible. If that means until the rut or until after the season then do it. If you must check it, place it on a fringe where you can drive or walk directly up to it without entering a deer safety zone.
Procrastinating On Projects
This is easy to do. Life simply gets in the way. However, when deer season rolls around and these little items haven’t been crossed off the hunting ‘to-do’ list than you’ll end up spending more time playing catch-up than planning what you need to.
This includes, but not exclusive to, placing deer stands, checking straps, trimming shooting lanes or shooting your bow just to name a few. All of these help make you a better, more prepared hunter when the season gets closer. Our tendencies are to take short cuts if we haven’t finished these when the season rolls around.
Forgetting to Use Bug Spray
I’m guilty of this. By the time I realize I need bug spray I’m already in the woods working on something. I simply don’t want to stop what I’m doing just because I don’t have insect repellent. Next time you’re at the store buy a good permethrin based bug spray and leave it in your vehicle.
With diseases like Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and red meat allergy, it’s not worth taking the risk. Think about it this way. Your whole hunting season, or at least a significant portion of it, could be in jeopardy if you contract one of these. Take the safe route, use bug spray, wear proper clothing, shower and check yourself within 24 hours of leaving the woods.
If you’re one of the few that have successfully avoided these mistakes what else are you doing to prepare for that big, mature buck?
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