The winter blues are in full swing, and the off-season can be particularly tough on us outdoor types. However, if you push yourself to get out there, you can really step up your game for next season. If you’re committed to staying consistent while hunting BIG deer, here are a few ways to make the most of the off-season to keep your skills sharp.
PREDATOR TIME
Calling coyotes can be a ball and really keep your shooting skills in tune. It’s a great way to get some exercise and spend some time afield. I love mouth calls and e-callers and have combined them with great luck over the years. Helping control predator numbers is a win-win and it will do nothing but good for your deer population over the tough winter months.
SHOOT OFTEN
We never seem to shoot enough, so the more lead you can put through your barrel or arrows through your bow, the more confidence you will have in your abilities and weapons. The off-season is a great time to get out and work on some new loads, running a couple of new contenders through to see if they can outperform your current load, or try a new bow or arrow/broadhead combination if you are contemplating change.
Keeping your skills sharp as a razor will give you that upper edge when the buck of your dreams finally appears in front of you. When you’ve worked so hard for that moment, you’ll want to make sure you’re more than ready to wrap your tag around that massive antler.
TRAIL CAMERAS
Your SPYPOINT trail cameras are your best friend throughout the year, so don’t put them away once the season is over! The off-season is a great time to start looking ahead to next fall and learn more about the bucks that will be at the top of your hit list next September.
Personally, my trail cameras never get taken down. In fact, I like to set up even more cameras around food sources, bedding areas, or other places that are trickier to get in to during the hunting season. The cameras let me to keep an eye on things throughout the year; see what made it through the season, when they are shedding their antlers, how they look after shedding, if they seem to be wintering well. I’ll keep watching as they grow their new antlers and observe how they are shaping up. Using trail cameras puts the deer more at ease by keeping unnecessary footprints out of the woods but still ensures you stay up to date with their every move.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
A surefire way to quickly learn natural funnels and travel corridors in a new area is to look at aerial and satellite photos of your hunting hot spots. You might find a little meadow tucked away in a chunk of timber, a perfect bedding area, a watering hole, or a key location to set up a new stand. There is simply so much you can learn from studying imagery.
Once you’ve pinpointed a few key spots, it’s time to tie up those boots and put your feet to the ground. Find the least intrusive ways into these newly found areas, taking time to establish the best way by playing different wind directions. This is all crucial homework that’s best done in the off-season. Don’t forget to pay close attention to potential areas littered with sign, rubs, beds and old scrape lines. Putting all these little pieces together might just be the thing to take you to that next level.
Don’t waste your winter months on the couch. Make the off-season your time to step up by getting out there and putting in what you want and expect to get out of your upcoming season. Remember… success is earned, not given. Sharpening your skills in the off-season will only help you in the long run.
Article By Jeff Schlachter
