I have done very little "hunting related" since mid January when our local season ended. However, that is all about to change. I drew a colorado deer tag for unit 76 a few weeks ago, and drew a New Mexico Gila wilderness elk tag tonight. That will be two different hunts in September both about 8 hours away from home and a total of 10-12 days of hunting. While I have hunted the NM area several times, this will be my first trip into Colo unit 76 and I hope to make at least one and hopefully two scouting trips within the next 6 weeks. Local bow season will start the very first of October. I got a new 320 acre property this year to learn and hang new stands (and possibly one more.... I am waiting to find out for sure from the landowner). Not including the new property, I already have around 20 existing stand sights that will need to be put up and trimmed. On top of that I will begin to shoot at least three times a week, scout from a distance in the evenings every chance I get, and continue to work hard cycling and hiking in order to be in shape for my Western Hunts. From this point until my first hunt on Aug 28th, if I am not working or attending one of my son's baseball games, practically EVERYTHING else I will be doing will directly related to hunting. Ain't life grand? How about you? Are you in your "busy" mode yet as it relates to preparing for the upcoming hunting season.
I guess I am. I have started to prep some plots and hung a stand the other day. I just ordered and received my back up bow, but it needs setup. Trail cams are out and running. We're getting there.
Right now I am just shooting, and shooting more than I have in the 10 years I have bowhunted. 90% of my scouting was done from January-March.
I was doing some Velvet scouting today. Got a glimpse of the one I'm chasing today also. Hes around 170" and his main feature is double split G2's. I've done the usual food plot maintenance as well. I haven't stopped shooting since season so its hard to start that back up.
I'd say yours Is Jack. Excellent times ahead of you my friend!!! Best of luck this year!! I've been collecting bear bait all winter In hopes that I get drawn for a Mn bear license. Sounds as though tomorrow I'll find out. Other then that, haven't done a damn thing really preparing for hunting this fall. If I get drawn for my bear license, my game face will be on big time!!
My hunting gears always seem to be moving. I've actually started to lay out 2013's hunts (Bulgaria and Hungary have opened up limited bowhunting-I'm thinking red stag, fallow deer, roe deer, and wild boar). I shoot nearly everyday at work during lunch or at the end of the day (I'm blessed with a beauitful indoor 60 yard range). I lack the routine physical workout but by doing construction work I tend to stay pretty fit. I am so ready for my cape buffalo hunt in July.
Seems like now more since I received that email, like you, from NMDGF. I have been shooting but have been doing a year round routine to be in better condition for this upcoming season. Not a day goes by in my life without the thought of being in the west in the fall. Congrats on your upcoming season, look forward to hearing of your trips
This will be my first year hunting with a bow so I have been shooting.. ALOT. I also have made a few scouting trips to areas so I can decide wich deer I want to hunt this year. Blcktail or Muley.
Got my plots in the ground Memorial Day weekend. Have cleared a few new stand sites but haven't started shooting or hanging cams yet.
I did 95% of my grunt work this early spring before the heat and bugs arrived. I hung stands, cleared shooting lanes, did major scouting, made a man-made fence line funnel. I also hung a trail cam 3 weeks ago. I am planning on leaving it till the end of June before I check it. I also am shooting 3 times a week and have my bow in pretty good tune. One of the biggest things I need to do is shoot longer distances and fine turn the bow at those longer distances. Overall, I've never been in as good as shape this time of year as I am right now.
My season never ends! I scout year round by either picking up sheds to trail cams ran all year. My wife has even said "If I ever made you pick either hunting or me I think I would be packing my bags!" I replied "Just keep thinking that way, that way you dont ask that question!" I do love her!
I already mowed my clover plot back in May (earliest ever), and will be mowing again here in a week or two. Most of my stands have been in place since last year, I just need to check things over, and trim shooting lanes. I need to hang two more sets, and in reality, I'm ready. I'm not shooting as much right now, but I have everyday all summer to squeeze in sessions between now and the end of August.
I'm always thinking or doing something related to Bowhunting. I took a stroll through my hunting territory last weekend. I'll get Cams back out soon and start setting some Tree Stands in my spots that always produce here in the next month. Just hoping for a little cool down Dan
