3 Things Public Land Deer Hunters Can Do In July To Prepare For The Fall Deer Hunting Season

We absolutely love the challenge that comes with hunting big mature bucks on public land. It's not easy, but it's addictive. We think about it all year round, but as the summer months roll in and fall is around the corner, we really start dreaming about finding that monster public land buck. In fact, now is a critical time for many hunters.

But, as most experienced deer hunters will tell you, a successful hunt isn't just about showing up on opening day in the early fall and hoping for the best, especially when it comes to deer hunting on public land.

A lot of preparation is involved. You need to understand the land you're hunting on, learn about how the deer travel in that landscape, and you'll need to keep your skills sharp throughout late summer and the offseason. This is where pre-season preparations come into play.

To that end, here are three things public land deer hunters can prepare to start doing in the middle of July to prepare for the fall hunting before the season opens.

Scout

The first and arguably most important thing you can do right now is to learn more about where you're hunting. You need to do some scouting. Scouting isn't just about taking a leisurely stroll through the woods.

It's about gaining a deep understanding of the area in which we plan to hunt, which means you've got to be paying attention. Start by using topographic maps and trail cameras to get a bird's-eye view of the terrain and how deer might move through the area.

These tools can help you identify places and trees where deer might enter and exit new areas or where they would be likely to travel when they feel pressured. This is particularly useful during the period that many hunters refer to as “the October Lull”, when deer seem to disappear from their regular fall routines (turns out, they don't disappear, they just move to different trees and areas due to pressure and changing food sources, which is why looking for these things is so critical).

Once we have a game plan and a solid understanding of the land from a bird's-eye view, it's time to put on our boots and explore. Walking long distances is part of the game plan and prep work.

While eScouting provides a lot of valuable information, it is by no means a substitute for the knowledge gained from boots-on-the-ground experience. Look for signs of deer activity on property like old rubs and locations on trees where deer make scrapes year-round. Locate deer bedding areas and familiarize your property and yourself with the types of food sources and trees that deer in your area are likely to favor.

Understand the mast crop of the year in your location. Understand where deer enter and exit swamps or adjacent crop fields. Knowing where deer sleep, move, and eat is key to a successful hunt in early season. This is possibly the single most significant step you can take all year to increase your chances of success when hunting public land in the fall.

Practice

The next step in preparing for a successful hunting season involves actually picking up your bow and flinging some arrows. Use this time to work on your form and accuracy. Make your practice sessions as similar to real-life hunting scenarios as possible.

Get your heart pumping and practice shooting under pressure. Try shooting from an elevated position or at odd angles and distances. We've done everything from hanging tree stands in the backyard to shooting lanes, to getting up on a ladder.

Additionally, aim to replicate the uncomfortable and unexpected situations you are likely to encounter during the hunting season. Maybe it's from sitting on the ground or in an awkward position on your knees. Get creative with it and have some time.

It could also be beneficial to practice shooting at animals on a 3D target or even visit a local 3D range to get used to shooting at an actual animal.This is extremely helpful and about as much fun as you, a deer hunter, can have shooting at a target. Plus, adding the stress of having your judgmental hunter friends look over your shoulder as you shoot will no doubt help expose you to pressure.

One thing to add: you don't always need to spend hours shooting your bow every time you head out. Sometimes, the best practice is to shoot a single, well-executed shot. This is probably the most common way we stay sharp during the middle of the season, but it's a great way to add extra pressure to the success of each arrow you send down range.

Get in Shape

Last but certainly not least, it's time to focus on physical fitness. This goes for everyone, not just the guys and gals out west in the backcountry. Hunting on public land is often physically demanding, requiring a great deal of hiking, climbing, and, if you're fortunate, packing out a deer. It might serve you well to find workout programs targeted toward hunting gear and backcountry athletes.

These programs are specifically designed to improve strength and stamina in ways that directly benefit hunters. And don't forget about flexibility! Stalking an animal often involves a lot of crawling, inch-worming, and other weird maneuvers. Incorporating flexibility training, such as yoga (that's right, yoga), into your preparation and hunting routine can make these movements easier and reduce the hunter' risk of injury.

Conclusion

Your success this fall is largely determined by the preparation you put in during the off-season. This is especially true for those of us hunting on public land, where we have to outthink and walk the deer and other hunters.

The work we put in now, be it time spent in the woods, honing our archery skills, or sweating it out in the gym, lays the foundation for the results we'll achieve later this fall and season. So, this July, get out there and start preparing for a successful fall hunting season. Your future hunter self (and your freezer and trophy wall) will thank you.

Go get 'em, deer hunters! And remember, better deer hunting starts with summer prep.