5 Things to do After Your Hunting Season is Over

Hunting can be a year-round task for the avid hunter. Just because the time to hunt is over, does not mean your work is done. There are many things that you can do during the “off-season” to help get yourself ready for the next hunting season. These tasks can ensure a successful season, as well as help keep you active during the down months between seasons. Here we will highlight just 5 tasks you can do to improve your success for the next deer season.

1 - Work on your tree stands:

Whether you have a steady place to hunt or you are a public land hunter, the winter months are a good time to take down and re-hang tree stands. Check your local laws for public land tree stand regulations. After deer season is over, you don’t have to worry about pressuring the deer as much and can move the tree stand to different locations. You may not know the exact location you will need a stand during the next season, because deer movement changes, but maybe you have seen a popular travel route or bedding area that you want to move closer to. Another tip for while you are taking down your tree stand is to perform maintenance on them. Replacing rusty bolts, straps and other components is always a good idea to keep you safe while sitting 20 ft up.

2 - Learn and improve the land:

There are many ways you can improve the land for not only deer, but all the animals in the area. You can provide additional food sources with food plots, additional bedding cover or even add a water source your hunting area. As always, check local regulations before adding anything to the area. While improving the land can help you be successful during the next season, learning the land can be just as helpful. While you are out doing improvements or doing tree stand work, take a look around. How are the deer using the property? With the vegetation being lighter this time of the year, you can get a better view of the lay of the land and how you can use that to your advantage.

3 - Post season trail camera survey:

A lot of hunters will run trail cameras all year long to keep tabs on the activity on their properties. Running trail cameras after the hunting season has ended allows you to see what deer have made it through the season. Perhaps you weren’t able to connect with your target buck this year, but a trail camera check shows he made it through the season. Running cameras after the season is over also allows you to see the health of herd. You can compare the photos from after the season to ones you had before and during the season to help identify the deer that are still on your property.

4 - Improve your shooting skills:

During the off season is a good time to work on your shooting skills. Practice often, it’s not the best idea to shoot 100 or 200 arrows in a day or a box of bullets. Rather shoot more often and focus on proper form and techniques. Now is the time to try out new equipment and get yourself zeroed in with your equipment to allow yourself proper time to get proficient with it. 3-D archery shoots are a good way of practicing your shooting in a fun environment.

5 - Educate yourself:

I am no expert on hunting, so I always find it good to learn as much as possible. Reading articles, watching videos and learning about a new piece of equipment will never hurt you. Maybe you’ve found yourself less proficient in an area and want to improve on it during the off season. Picking a topic and learning as much as you can about it will only make you a better hunter and help you have more confidence in yourself and your skills.

I hope everyone had a great hunting season, and we look forward to seeing the results of the hard work you put in now!

-Adam Sites, Fall Obsession Pro Staff