Off Season To-Do List
By: Ron Hustvedt
If you are like me right now you are chomping at the bit for the opportunity to do some duck and goose hunting. It might be a few weeks off but there are a few things you can do right now that will make the upcoming season run more efficiently than the last one. Take the time now and your opening day to closing will go a lot smoother and you’ll have fewer headaches to contend with once the busy season gets going.
1. Clean all your decoys (pulling them all out and washing them with the garden hose and a rag renews the brand new look they once had).
2. Take inventory of how many decoys you have and determine if more will be needed.
3. Repairing any damaged decoys.
4. Check decoy strings and weights--repair and replace as needed.
5. Wash all Gore-Tex waterproof clothing with Sport Wash (it is made to be used with this type of clothing).
6. Recondition your hunting boots.
7. Check waders for leaks and fix as needed.
8. Clean calls and start to practice so you get the bugs out of your calling.
9. Make sure to locate all chargers for any motorized decoys and make sure they still work.
10. Clean up your decoy trailer.
11. Clean your gun(s) and make sure it is ready for the upcoming season—that means going to the range and patterning your shotgun.
12. Check your shell inventory and stock up as needed.
13. Locate all hunting clothes and wash as needed.
14. Take you dog out for plenty of off season work and conditioning. Keep it fun and watch the heat.
15. Try and take the time to hit the trap/skeet/sporting clays range to touch up and fine tune your shooting.
16. Make sure any blinds are in working order and ready to hunt.
17. Make sure you have the dog supplies needed for the season.
18. Pick up the new Foiles “Fallin’ Skies 7” waterfowling video to get you fired up for the upcoming season.
19. Make sure any hunting property relationships are still on and actively look to get permission for new land to hunt.
20. Clean your blind bag out from last season and repack for this season.
21. Go over your tentative hunting schedule with loved ones so no surprises happen this fall (This can prove to be the most important one of all!).
22. Clean your scouting binoculars.
23. Locate your landowner maps and purchase new ones as needed.
24. Purchase licenses when available.
25. Thoroughly review the hunting regulations from the USFWS and your state DNR. Check for any new regulations that may have been passed.
26. Make sure duck boat and motor are ready to go (trailer lights, motor issues, boat leaks etc.).
Good Hunting!!
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