FEEL THE BURN

If you’ve kept up with the process of scouting, hanging stands, cutting trails and tending to your food plots throughout the summer, let me be the first to say ‘congratulations’. But, if you’ve slacked off a little or thought the heat wave of July would eventually break and provide ideal conditions for outdoor work, it’s time to get out there. 

Although the unappealing mix of heat, deer flies, mosquitoes and assorted thorns and nettles will greet you, the clock has ticked to the point of now-or-never. Further procrastination could have disastrous results on your deer season so this is the last chance to feel the burn and get as much work finished as possible. 

Personally, not all of it feels like work but one thing that does is tending to food plots. Although this summer has provided ideal growing conditions, along with those conditions it has rained and rained and a few of our food plots need to be re-planted. On top of that, we’re trying out some new fall plantings, which need to be plowed and planted. But, it’s worth it. 

Another part of the process that certainly feels like work right now is hanging stands. I love hanging stands because every one provides me an opportunity to enjoy the fall on multiple occasions, but when I’m 17 feet up wrestling with a portable stand while swatting mosquitoes and sweating buckets, I often wonder if it’s worth it. But, of course, when I’m up there on a beatufil late-October evening I’ll feel pretty smart about getting ahead of the game. 

One part that I do truly enjoy is the last-minute scouting that comes in August. The buck’s racks are nearly filled out and they are insanely visible in their bachelor groups. Their reddish summer coats show up extremely well in fields and they are about as relaxed as they’ll ever be. Sneaking in with quality optics is one of my favorite summertime endeavors and even though I know a lot of the bucks I watch munching alfalfa in August will disappear on me by mid-September, it still fosters confidence knowing they were ever there. 

Even though it’s ridiculously hot outside, we are on the eve of bowhunting openers across the country. If you’re ready, good for you. If you’re not quite there yet, prepare to feel the burn. It will all be worth it, I promise.