Make must-do lists for next bow season

                           

One squeak will spook this buck. Make sure all stands are properly secured.

It's an easy thing to do. Most of us, including me, know that certain lists must be made and kept up to date. If we don't write a thought down when we think of it, that item will be easily forgotten.

It’s happened to me many times before. I'll make a list, be driving to the woods, and suddenly think of something else that has to be done. Often it requires me to head back home to get something for one of my ground or tree stands.

Driving and writing notes isn't a good idea so I postpone writing down the thought until I get to where I can safely pull off and write a note. Sometimes all it takes is for a hunting buddy ri ask a question, or a problem needs to be solved, and the thought disappears from mind. Make a list of these to-do items, and keep marking them off when completed.

A detailed lists reduces the chance of forgetting a stand problem.

Planning ahead for hunting stand repairs means writing them down. Some stands need very little or no care, but others always require some preseason attention or work.

As I've noted over nearly eight years of writing bow-hunting blogs, some of our elevated stands are enclosed coops on stilts or somewhat open box blinds. The stress of changing seasons from hot to warm to cold and back to warm, plus rain and snow and high winds, can take its toll on wood stands.

We pay particular attention to wooden stands. We check to see if the wood is worn or rotted, if nails or screws are starting to pull lose, and whether the railing or steps are stable. An unstable railing or step, and a slip, can throw a person against the railing. It could break or tear loose, and lead to a bad fall.

We don't want oneus or anyone else hurt, and that is why we are so picky about checking out each stand before hunting starts. Right now, just after the bow season has ended, is the time to start making a list of must-do projects for next spring. We doing repair in the spring and deer have months to become reaccustomed to that stand.

Check all blinds and stands in the spring to avoid autumn problems.

We climb into the stand and check the chairs or stools. We check the floor carpet, and we grab hold of a wall or shooting window, and push and pull it. We are trying to locate any squeaks. A loose nail or screw can lead to a creaky board, and that can make enough noises as a hunter comes to full draw on a good buck next fall.

We like our stands as air-tight as possible, but it's difficult to do when windows must be opened to shoot. We check windows to see if they make noise when opened. We make sure that doors close tightly and latch firmly.

We double-check the wooden steps leading up to the elevated stand. We test every step to make certain it is safe, and if we have an extra heavy hunter, they usually will hunt from a brand-new stand that is as solid as Sears. This doesn't mean that some stands are not sound; a new stand hasn't been through one or two three-month hunting seasons with frequent weather changes. The chance of a problem is minimal with new stands.

We make certain that all windows are clean, and we usually kill off any hornets or wasps and remove the nests long before hunting season begins. For some reason, these insects love wooden coops on the ground or in the air, and one buzzing around when a buck approaches, can result in a hunter being seen swatting at the bug.

Our ground blinds get the same degree of inspection as elevated stands receive. It's difficult to fall out of a ground blind, but we make certain the footing is good leading to ground blinds. Years ago, we built a stand for a friend that uses a wheelchair. The doorway is shorter than our other stands, and I must remind other hunters to duck their head going into or out of that stand. I keep thinking about painting a sign on the inside and outside of the door that says "Duck Your Head!" Maybe that should go on my list.

Windows must be tested as well, and although some ground coops are built on the dirt, most have solid wood floors. We try to remove any loose-board squeaks. The doors must shut tight, and dark cloth curtains on the windows must be replaced almost every year. I’ve solved the problem of guests who want to look out back or side windows. I screw them shut to remove the tempation of trying to look out to spot an in-coming buck.

Make sure that all windows can be covered with a black cloth.

Think of it this way: If you are in a darkened coop, but a window is uncovered behind you, any movement made can and will be seen. Dark cloth prevents people from being skylighted and spotted by wary deer.

Checking out all of our ground and elevated stands is an ongoing thing. We test every blind long before the season opens, check them again when we start hunting, and ask people if they encounter any problem. The answer is almost always "no," but we don't believe in leaving anything to chance.

If anything, we err on the side of caution and urge friends to do the same. We always warn them to be careful, and provide any advice possible to make their hunt safe and successful.

Posted via email from Dave Richey Outdoors