Cherry Festival is done, we’ve gone through our first of the last three heat waves between Aug. 1 and Oct. 15, the back-to-school supplies are already gathering dust at the stores, Hobby Lobby has started to put out Christmas decorations, and the calendar is filling up with the “one mores” — one more beach day, one more stop at the ice cream shop, one more summer cookout, one more hike or bike ride.
That means it’s time to get down and dirty serious about preparing for the hunting seasons.
If you’re like me, you’ve had good intentions all summer. Actually, scratch that — you’ve had intentions since that last blustery weekend back in February or March when you were snowed in. Everything was going to get cleaned out and sorted and made ready for this time, right now. I’m staring at a hunting and fishing “closet” that hasn’t had any love since last fall.
So, in addition to cleaning, there’s preparing. What does our to-do list look like so that, once the licenses are bought and the coming dawn commences the 2025 hunting season, we’re ready? I don’t hunt — nor have the equipment for — every species in Michigan; I can see Chris rolling his eyes right now: “You haven’t tied on a decoy anchor in 25 years!” Even so, let’s take a look.
1. The closet. Everything should come out, or nearly so, I suppose. Do those jackets and bib overalls and brush pants and hunting shirts still fit? Did you wish you had a sweater last year against a cold duck morning? Patch holes, replace buttons, upgrade to newer or warmer materials, and, importantly, discard unused or threadbare items — unless they bring back fond memories, then by all means keep it; it’s now an heirloom.
2. Seal up leather boots. I prefer Sno-Seal. I cleaned my leather boots last March and reapplied the paste, melting it into the leather; a few weeks ago, on a hike, I stepped into the Boardman and water beaded right up. It’s worth the extra elbow grease for, dare I say, more old-fashioned waterproofing.
3. The gear. It’s time to spread it all out and see what works and what doesn’t. Are the dog collars recharged? Do you carry a couple extra packs of batteries for the things needing them? Go ahead and rail on that duck or goose call in the house to loosen it up; better to find out now if it squeaks than when the first birds of the year are coasting in. Binoculars, scopes, gear bags, whistles, knives, cases… it all needs a once over.
4. Ammo and arrows. This is where the rubber meets the road. While ammunition prices have moderated somewhat, there is, at least, much more available than a handful of years ago. Think about your trips and consider how much you fire the gun in a year. You don’t need to stock up like it’s the Apocalypse, but you also don’t want to swing by the store the night before a hunt. Same with arrows. Now’s the time to inspect for damage, make sure the broadheads are sharp, and that you have all the ancillary equipment you need.
5. Firearms and bows. Are they cleaned, oiled, and in proper working order? If something’s broken, you won’t get it back from the shop in time for the season, so I hope you took care of that this spring. This is the best time for a deep clean, too; if you did that in the winter prior to them going into the safe, then a good wipe down should be all that’s needed.
6. Practice. I am absolutely terrible at this, but now that both the ammunition and weapon are out, you might as well go practice. And practice like you play – try to replicate an actual hunting situation as much as possible. Take target practice from a deer stand; shoot clay targets with your gun not pre-mounted; wear some of your hunting clothing and jackets, even if it’s uncomfortable. And run a few of your actual game loads through the gun and not just light target loads.
7. Car kit bag. These are items not necessarily needed for the hunt but good to carry in case of emergency. Things such as matches, flashlights, emergency whistles, water carriers, kennel crates, extra garbage bags and paper towels, extra clothing, in addition, of course, to things designed to help fix a vehicle. A well-stocked car kit provides peace of mind.
8. Med kit. But nothing provides more confidence than not only carrying a well-stocked medical kit but knowing how to use the items in it, too. So empty out the kit from last year, inspect the contents, replace what you’re low on, and, if necessary, do some YouTube refresher training. If you can squeeze in certification on CPR and other life-saving practices, do it. The Red Cross also offers a free pet first aid app for use in pet emergencies. Familiarize yourself with it.
9. Decoys. This gear item is its own category because it can occupy not only a large physical footprint but also the attention span of many a decoy-obsessed hunter. Are the anchor lines strong and knots solid? Anchors in good shape? Goose silhouettes sorted and stacked for easy transport? Touch-up paint needed? I know a certain Smith who wiles away many August and September evenings fixating over each and every decoy in his platoon for that magical moment when he can fill the boat with them only to set out half of what he brought.
10. Boats, motors, and trailer. Another waterfowling staple, now’s a great time for one last summer run to make sure the boat and motor are in tip-top shape and that the trailer lights work.
11. Scouting. It will be hot and bug-infested, but inspect your covers, find new spots, get the deer stand up if you can and are allowed. That piece of public land they did a clearcut on a while ago might be just right for grouse and woodcock.
12. Get in shape. It’s probably too late to get into great shape, but you can at least have a puncher’s chance if you start taking some hikes; and bring the dog. Nothing is worse than spoiling an opening day we’ve looked forward to because neither us nor the dog could take another step. Or get out of bed the next morning. You don’t need to be running half-marathons, but there are plenty of incredible hiking trails around. Break in the hunting boots and go for a stroll.
Can you feel it? It’s getting to be that time! Please enjoy a safe hunting season!
Making room for wild game The freezer. First, make sure it’s still functioning well, and then dig out any remaining packages from last year. It’s a fantastic way to get excited for the coming fall, making a series of game dinners with what’s left so that it doesn’t languish and eventually go bad. In addition to now making more room in the freezer, check out your processing equipment, too. Knives, saws, vacuum sealers, grinders… the world of game processing is wide and varied and addictive, especially when you up your culinary skills, too.