Winter Things To Do

Many hunters lose their deer-hunting focus during the winter months. It's easy enough to do with ice fishing, getting past the holidays, and getting ready for Income Tax Day. That day is not fun to look forward to, but I refuse to worry about it this early in the year.

So, what can sportsmen do during the winter months that will keep them somewhat wired for the upcoming deer season next October? There are countless things to occupy your time, and I'll add some, and I'm sure you can think of many others. There's no need to flop down in the easy for the entire winter.

Most hunters are just getting all of our gear stowed away from last hunting season. This is one of the best times to check over our equipment and make certain it will be in fine condition next fall.Now me, whether I hunt with a bow or firearm, I always strive for one-shot kills. This thought always figures into my mid-winter plans.

A friend who know of my penchant for one-shot kills and sent me this cartoon.

The first thing I do is to check if the bow string shows any fraying on the serving or around the ends where they attach to the bow. A frayed string or serving should be replaced. If the string and serving looks fine, a coating of bow string wax will help keep it in good shape.

It pays to check for anything loose on the bow. Unless a bow is dropped or the bottom limb hits something when a shot is taken, it should be fine. If you have a red-dot sight, check now to see if it is turned off. You can remove the battery if you wish, wrap it in Saran Wrap, and tape it to the bow.

Some people let off the poundage on their bow before it is stored, but not me. I shoot my bow almost every day, and it would be a hassle cranking the poundage up and down. I leave it set at my hunting weight, and it keeps me in tune through constant shooting.

A release requires very little care. Just store it in your bow case or in a drawer where it can easily be found whenever you shoot.

Take care of your gear, and when the right time comes, your gear will take care of you.

Boots and clothing need to be replaced when necessary. I like to get my clothing washed and put away, and I've been wearing the same set of coveralls for several years. Pulling them on is something that just feels right. People ask when I'm going to get new coveralls, and I tell them that my present clothing is good for another 10 years.

Many people carry a backpack with little odds and ends inside that may come in handy. Check it now, and replace whatever is missing, and it will be ready to go hunting when you are. I sometimes take a good flashlight with me on a hunt, and it is usually set aside for use during the off-season.

I seldom carry much with me into the field. My binoculars, bow, quiver, arrows and a flashlight is about it. In December, if the temperature is cold, I will carry a little heater that runs off a small bottle of propane. It gives off just enough heat to take the chill off my hands before a shot.

I often take a walk here and there. I check tracks in the snow in midwinter, and I make it my business to know what is happening on my land. I like to know what trails are being used most often during the winter, and I do the same thing during the spring and summer.

Glassing the open fields and woods often reveal where deer are bedding down if the weather is decent. If the weather turns bad, I know they will be in heavier cover but I want to know which patch of heavy cover holds the most deer.  Binoculars or a spotting scope are handy for checking areas without having to walk around too much near the bedding or feeding areas.

I spend some time looking for coyotes, and often have my .264 Winchester Magnum rifle with me at the time. I've taken plenty of winter coyotes, and it helps keep the predation of young deer to a minimum. I also use the abundance of snow to check for new and old trails to check where whitetails move in and out of my land. Sometimes I have to move stands to a new area.

Time spent this winter can lead to a nice buck next fall.

If I see crows or occasionally an eagle, I go to check the situation. A young deer may have died or been pulled down by coyotes, or a big buck may have been gored and died after a fight with another big buck. All demand my investigation.

Winter is just a temporary inconvenience. It gives me time to pursue things that were impossible to do during hunting season. But ... I'm always thinking about the upcoming deer season.

It's those thoughts of next fall that give me great pleasure. Shooting a deer isn't nearly as important as studying and learning from the animals.

Posted via email from Dave Richey Outdoors