Preparing for Big Game Hunting Season

Written By: Tiffany Hill

Preparing for Big Game Hunting Season

Eeeek…can you say I am getting excited? Yes absolutely! It’s time to begin preparation for Deer Hunting Season, and I’m sure if you’re into Big Game Hunting, I know that you are getting excited as well.

Big Game Hunting Season is practically the absolute highlight of my year. I wait with great anticipation and begin counting down the days until opening day. I honestly can’t recall getting this excited about an event or an experience other than Christmas Day. How do you get ready for the season? I can most definitely say it takes preparation, preparation, preparation.

Preparation

For example, if you had to sit for a big exam, would you wait until right before you were going to take your test to review your study material? No, you would give yourself ample enough time to read, review, and learn the material so you can pass your test.

The same goes with hunting; you wouldn’t wait until opening day to map out where you’re going to hunt, and how you plan on executing your hunt would you? No, you would begin preparing months in advance scouting your area, clearing your area for overgrown brush, creating a food plot, observing where their water source is coming from, and being knowledgeable of the game you are hunting. In other words, observing, and learning their patterns and how they function.

Sure, we all would like to harvest a big buck, or a big turkey but that’s definitely not what it’s all about. I do not classify myself as a trophy hunter because that is just not my focus.

Just being surrounded with family and friends along with the meat that I harvest is what is most satisfying and priority for me. But you definitely have to be on point with your skills in order to have a successful hunt, or season.

Essential steps to prepare for big game hunting season

Let’s pause for a moment, and review some essential steps in preparing for Big Game Hunting Season. I cannot reiterate enough how important it is to prepare yourself during pre-season. One thing you must know is that preparedness for hunting does not happen overnight. If you are new to hunting, I would recommend you be patient, give yourself time to prepare, and your experience will be one of much enjoyment and reward.

Create a strategy and Condition your body

I definitely know from experience that succeeding in anything, you must have a plan and a strategy. There’s no exception in the case of hunting. As you are preparing for big game hunting, you should have a clear picture of the wildlife you have your eyes set on to hunt. In hunting, It’s very important to have a goal and the ambition to achieve it.

You have a lot of ground to cover as you’re hunting, so you must get yourself in shape. I’m conditioning now, and pushing myself to exercise and work out. I’m not telling you to be a Shero or She-ra from He-Man, but you definitely need to condition your body and prepare it for long walks through the woods and exertion.

Familiarize yourself with the hunting area

If you don’t familiarize yourself with the area that you hunt, then the possibility of your success becomes minimal. First, find the location where you are wanting to hunt whether it be on private or public land. After selecting your location, it’s time to research and learn the area. To learn and familiarize yourself with the land properly, you have to spend time with land maps. Study the land using the maps and find out where the animal can most likely be, suitable water source, any danger points that you should be aware of, and other factors that can help you to hunt successfully.

Practice your aim

In hunting, having a good aim is one of the most necessary skills that a hunter should possess. The only way to achieve perfect aim is through practicing. The more you practice, the better you will become. Many hunters spend a large amount of time on the gun range to have a better success rate of getting their target. It’s so important to practice with your rifle or bow before the season begins so you can definitely gain a better chance of hitting your target. Our goal as hunters should be to get one clean perfect shot that delivers a quick humane kill.

Manage your food plots

Planting and maintaining a food plot is another way to lead to a most successful hunting season. In creating your plot, the placement of the plot is definitely key. They aren’t just going to say here I am, come get me during the season. You have to create a place for them to come and draw them in. When I do my food plot, I always try to place it near a water source and make sure that I place my tree stand or box stand in close proximity to the area.