Prepare Now!

by Janice Baer
Field Staff Coordinator
Minnesota

With hunting season just around the corner, it's time to prepare your accessories for the job right now.

It's easy to forget about the little things, but hopefully this will prompt you to prepare before you head out into the woods.

Boots: Spray your leather boots with a conditioner/sealer NOW to keep them at their best. I lined up all my boots and gave each of them a good spray coating. If you wait till hunting time to deal with them, your boots will carry an odor that will not be beneficial to your harvesting success. You don't want stinky boots while walking through the woods!

(Left) Spraying boots with a can of Kiwi boot spray, available in most stores.

Also check to make sure all your boot laces are in good condition. If you find any fraying, replace with new ones. Broken laces when you least expect it can make your boots difficult to fit properly while out in the field, so check them now.

Knives: Be sure all your knives are super sharp before you need to field dress your deer. Nothing says "frustrating" more than a dull knife. If you are a bowhunter, make sure your broadheads are sharp too!

Safety Harness: If you own the kind that doesn't have a built-in vest, be sure you have the straps untangled before you use them. Why not even mark "Right arm", "Left leg", etc. on the correct straps to make it less confusing when you put on your harness. Can you put yours on in the dark with ease?

Treestands: Make sure any squeaks to your platform are oiled and bolts are tightened fully. A noisy stand when you need to make the shot, will only put the deer on high alert. Don't risk it, make your stand quiet! 

Treestand Accessories: Do you have a foot rest or bow or gun holder attachment on your stand? Do you want one? If so, now's the time to put them on.

(Left) Aftermarket bow holder/rest keeps bow always at the ready.

 
(Above) Aftermarket foot rest--I would like one on all my stands!

Cushion: Is your treestand cushion in good condition or should you purchase another? I have one stand where a squirrel had chewed the seat to where chunks of foam are missing. Now I always make sure I have an auxiliary cushion to use with it. Actually, I bought a nice big comfy cushion that I take and use on all my many stands. (My sciatica demands it!)

My extra cushion seat is from Gorilla Treestand

Ground blind: If you use a ground blind while hunting, check for little pinprick size holes that could make your shelter drippy on a day that forecasts precipitation. Spray it with a water-resistant spray and perhaps add a little duct tape on the inside to cover any tiny holes. The idea is to stay invisible and dry.

Clothes: Make sure all your hunting clothes are pre-washed in an unscented detergent that has no UV brighteners in it. Then make sure you store them in a tightly sealed bag or box with nature scented wafers in them. Remember, you want to smell like the outdoors, not like a human.

NOW is the time to prepare for a successful hunting season. These are just a handful of items to check on to get you started.