Americana Outdoors E-Magazine - June 2023

moment of truth and increase your chances of making a clean and ethical shot. CREATE AND MANAGE YOUR FOOD SOURCES

Before the hunting season starts, it’s important to check all of your gear to ensure it’s in good working condition. This includes your firearm or bow, ammunition, clothing, boots, and any other hunting accessories. You don’t want to be caught with faulty gear when you’re out in the field, so make sure everything is in top condition before you head out. START A WORKOUT ROUTINE

For those hunting on a deer lease or your own private land, creating and maintain a feeding program on your property can really payoff. It doesn’t matter if your food source is a food plot, protein blocks, a free choice feeder or a timer feeder, a constant supply of food will keep your deer in better shape for the entire herd and also keep them in your area. LEARN ABOUT DEER BEHAVIOR

Taking walks through the woods or around your neighborhood will help you build endurance. Hunting can be physically demanding. Whether you’re walking from your vehicle to your stand or hiking up mountains, with all the gear you bring along it can take a toll. We aren’t saying you need to hit the gym every day, but start off taking a walk every week can help build your endurance. From there, you can start walking farther, turn those walks into runs, start carrying your hunting pack with you, etc. By building up your stamina during the off-season you’ll notice a difference come opening day. PRACTICE SHOOTING To be an effective hunter you need to be a good shot. That means practicing your shooting skills during the off-season. Whether you’re using a firearm or a bow, spend time at the range to hone your skills. One thing to try is to practice shooting sitting in chairs (if you hunt in a ground blind) or even up in our treestand to simulate how we would be lining up our shot out in the woods. This will make you more comfortable during that

Deer behavior is complex and can vary depending on the time of year, weather, and other factors. During the off-season, take this time to learn more about deer behavior and how it relates to hunting. Putting out trail cameras is a great way to do this. Trail cam photos will help you understand when and where to look for deer, the