what are you doing to get ready for fall bow?

[mazzgolf]

I've only started hunting since 2013 I guess it was - I really love it. And I'm talking all kinds - turkey, goose, squirrel, upland, deer, even crow now. But lately, I just haven't felt the urge to go out and scout and prep for the upcoming fall bow deer season (I even have permission for a small private spot in an EAB zone starting in a couple weeks - though its got trespasser issues - and I haven't even been out there since January). I dunno, I think deer is my least favorite of all the hunting (could be because I haven't actually harvested one yet, I've seen a few deer while in the stand, just hasn't all come together). I found myself looking more forward to the start of small game - and I can't wait for fall turkey to get here. I'm just not as excited for deer season.

 

Anyway, what are folks doing right now to prep? I feel like I'm late doing "something" but I'm not sure what I should be doing. This time last year I had scouted several spots on different WMAs, I had several trees picked out for my climber. This year, I've done nadda.

[Rusty]

I do most of my scouting in late winter.  I'm in the woods several times a week from January until green up.  So right now it's mostly making sure the bow is shooting true.  

Edited August 29, 2016 by Rusty

[LittleM]

Just waiting for way cooler temps

[Buck154]

Just making sure to clear all shooting lane from the stands. Don't want to be messing around later during season.

[Myreezoning]

could be the heat this summer could keep you out of the deer woods, besides running up to Whittingham to work the parking lots, running a 6 weeks archery league, lugging targets for the UBNJ jamboree, I was able to have one weekend to go to Boston with my lovely wife to enjoy a few beers in Fenway and a walk on Cape Cod, I'm running two cameras, and about 5 mineral sites I've been attending to since turkey season. I shot my bow all summer to build up my ailing left shoulder I've been in therapy since April. If you wake up one cool morning and you don't feel fall is in the air and it's time to get in a stand, find another hobby.

[Haskell_Hunter]

I have to get off my arse this weekend to get things going.  I stayed away from my spot all summer to minimize the foot traffic.  I did check on it once, and the place was in shambles.  Someone or something dropped my feeder bucket to the ground, and my blind was on its side with a snapped frame limb.  I reset everything and will go check on it this weekend.  A little duct tape might keep the limb in place, but it probably won't last the winter.  Not sure if it was a malicious act or if it was one of these spring wind storms we had.  It'll suck dropping another $100 to replace something I got last year.

 

Feed and bait will go out this weekend.  The squirrels and chipmunks are looking a bit peckish, so it's time to feed them and the raccoons.

[dlist777]

Trying a new (for me) strategy this season.  I did all my scouting in Feb/March.  All my hang ons were set up then and all my trees to climb were marked on my GPS.  Went back in late July and did a little trimming and clearing paths.  Haven't set foot in the woods otherwise.  It's been hard to stay away.  All my cams were down by the time my stands were set up so I avoided the temptation to check on pics.  We'll see how it works out...itching for opener.  

[BowhunterNJ]

Trying a new (for me) strategy this season. I did all my scouting in Feb/March. All my hang ons were set up then and all my trees to climb were marked on my GPS. Went back in late July and did a little trimming and clearing paths. Haven't set foot in the woods otherwise. It's been hard to stay away. All my cams were down by the time my stands were set up so I avoided the temptation to check on pics. We'll see how it works out...itching for opener.

I did that my entire life growing up until baiting started and changed everything. Unfortunately all that scouting could become meaningless once someone drops bait nearby and shifts the deer patterns and bedding areas. Good luck, hopefully you're in an area where maybe that won't occur, just been through it before too many times. Miss the good ol days before bait :/

 

 

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[Gruntmaster]

Waiting on some cooler weather.....trying to stay cool myself.

Edited August 29, 2016 by Gruntmaster

[smoking gun]

mazzgolf you ain't late with nothing them deer change so rapidly you have to make changes in the game plan along with them.we got stands setup we gotta hang maybe like 3 or 4 more then we just wait for the opener.gonna get a couple more shooting sessions in with the mrs.she's been the driving force believe me I never hunted this early season eab heat wave crap I've always waited tip the last week in October then hunted hard in November and esp in late Dec and Jan I love the winter bow.so don't pressure yourself mazz just relax take your time and don't burn yourself out

[Silver Belly62]

 Miss the good ol days before bait :/

 

 

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[bruiserbucksoutdoors]

I have been doing a little bit of scouting, trying to find heavy trails leading to food sources. I have set up 6 tree stands so far. I have five trail cams out on three different properties. I am trying to pattern the deer and find out if some spots are better to hunt in the morning or in the afternoon. I have been putting out whole corn and of course my rackgetter scents, lures, and attractants. I have some nice 8 point bucks on camera so far. But honestly, I am hoping to get something different on camera such as a non-typical. I like the kind of bucks that pop out and just look different in general. All I have ever shot was 8 point bucks. I am hoping this is my year to get something bigger. I have been putting in the time setting up and I have been shooting my Mathews Bow multiple times a week. If you keep yourself busy with setting up trail cams I think it will help you gain more interest. I found that using trail cams to not only get pictures of big bucks but to try and pattern them that it really excites me to get out in the stand.