Season Preperation

[A_Brandt]

Was wondering what everyone’s thoughts are for season preperation? I know depending on everyone’s situation, set up, and scenarios it’s a broad topic to speak on. Time of year to start, practices implemented, precautions taken, etc.

I find myself getting first round of cameras implemented around Memorial Day weekend. Usually set them up spaced out in different potential hunting locations and place them on heavy trail crossing or by ag fields. Also try to get out a mock scrape right next to the area to get a community scrape for the year started early and established. This is just to get rough head counts and see what potential might be looking like for that location. Locations that are slow or dead after two weeks usually get picked up and relocated.

I don’t personally use plots as here in Indiana we are in no shortage of ag fields such as corn, beans, and alfalfa.

I know some people also like to start “keep up” on their property from mowing lanes to trimming brush and so on. I find there might be potential for “intrusion” on mature bucks with this process that more times than not have no tolerances for pressured human sightings, especially when they can move on down the road and not have to worry about that threat anymore.

Usually by the end of July or beginning of August I like to have my “target” bucks picked out and then move into the phase of trying to pattern them or atleast get an idea of how to hunt them with the given scenarios. Shortly after before going into September I like to have my stands put up with all my line of sight trimming accomplish in one fell swoop.

Would like to hear everyone else’s thoughts on how they go about getting started for preperation with deer season. Is it hard work pays off? Or are you better off throwing all that aside and just going out opening morning to grandpas old stand that’s been grown into the same tree for the past 20 years?

 

[K9kodi]

I would assume pressure to mature bucks as your speaking is relative.

My farm is in farm country, heating equipment n seeing or smelling or hearing people is part of life.

I am messing w cameras and getting into food plots.
I’ll plant brassicas late July early August depending on rain and winter wheat and cereal grain August / Sept depending on rain.

This year instead of spraying I’m gonna disc the areas to be planted every time I’m up there to see how that works.

There’s still roughly 200 -300 acres of land I haven’t stepped foot on , it gets a little overwhelming having this much land to learn and master

 

[brancher147]

I use less cameras every year. Hung a couple yesterday on spots I plan to monitor throughout the season…not particularly spots I plan to hunt. Other than that I plan to wait until velvet sheds and scout scout scout until I find somewhere to hunt. All the preseason prep and cameras I have just lost some interest in and plan to go old school a little bit. Just scout for hot sign and hunt. I know areas well enough that I feel like I don’t need cams and I am not looking for some huge target buck…that’s just not as much fun for me with limited time to hunt.

 

[IsThisHeaven]

I have a couple cameras up but am not a huge camera guy. I enjoy looking at pictures more than picking out target bucks. There are plenty of bucks I’d be happy to put my tag on. Many of the bucks I get on camera this summer won’t be around in November and there will be bucks I don’t get a pic of all summer that will be around in November.

I am trying to shoot regularly. For me that means 2 or 3 times a week. In July I will get my stands and blinds out and make sure they’re already to go. I will hang stands and put blinds out Labor Day weekend. Our season doesn’t open until October 1.