(DNR) – What do hunters do over the summer? Plan and practice for the next hunting season!
Envision your next hunt as if it were tomorrow. What do you need to make it the best hunt ever? Here are some ideas to start thinking about for fall.
- Identify logistics. Budget your travel, look at scheduling days off, recruit your hunting partners, know what tags you need and apply for them.
- Assess your equipment. Make sure your shooting gear (shotgun, rifle, bow) fits you properly and, if needed, get it adjusted and tuned up for the summer practice season.
- Add a tool to your hunting toolbox. Whether it’s paddling, navigation, dog training, shooting archery or something else that will enhance your hunt this fall, take a step toward learning it. Summer is a great time to learn skills.
- Stay in shape. Hunting involves a lot of walking over terrain, climbing trees and dragging and carrying game. Even “being quiet” is easier when you’re not breathing hard and you feel light on your feet. Keep up your cardio and weight training (and take your dog, too).
- Explore. You can’t find honey holes until you cover new ground. Commit to hunting somewhere new this fall and spend the summer scoping it out.
- Give back. Whether on the computer or the ground, volunteering with your favorite conservation or hunting organization benefits the entire community (human and ecological).
- Make practice a habit. For the skills you’ve prioritized, look at your schedule and practice as much as you can.
- For target practice, many gun clubs, archery shops and shooting ranges offer summer leagues to help you get on a schedule.
- Dog training clubs for pointers, retrievers, flushers and versatile hunting dogs exist throughout the state and often meet regularly.
- The DNR and partners organize regular wildlife area and habitat workdays where you can learn and practice land management skills. You’ll also get a close look at potential new hunting spots.
We have outdoor skills clinics, hikes, habitat workdays and more on the DNR Events calendar.
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