It’s Not Over Until It’s Over

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Lou_heads

Lou Marullo

Well it is hard to believe, but another season has passed us by. I am not talking about autumn, but another deer season. I hate to think about it. I absolutely love bow hunting deer, and when it ends, I feel lost.

I have no more excuses at home; and jobs that I had decided to put on hold, are now waiting for me. After looking over my “honey-do” list, I see that my wife forgot one of the most important jobs waiting for me. I have to take the time to go through my hunting gear and make sure I re-stock what I need to.

I reminded her that this job just HAS to get done. After much discussion, we finally came to a decision, but I went ahead and got my hunting gear out, anyway.

I do not know about you, but before the season begins, I make sure that everything in my hunting pack has a place. Of course, by the third week, I cannot find a thing, but I know I have it in my bag — somewhere.

I have a check-off list that I follow to make sure I do not forget anything. My friends tell me all the time that I carry too much in the field, but the way I see it, you never know what you might need, and I try to cover my bases.

I carry everything from extra batteries to extra flashlights and everything in between. I have a strong suspicion this it is why my friends call me to go hunting. Then if they forget something, I usually have it.

The first things I check are my tree stands. I make sure they are not missing any parts and are still safe to hunt out of. It might need a little maintenance where a few drops of lubricant is the answer. Are any of my ratchet straps weathered? Do they need to be replaced? If so, then now is the time to take care of it, so it will be ready next summer when you set them back up again.

I inspect my bow carefully. I want to make sure that there are no small pieces of hardware missing. Once I had a lock washer gone, and I never knew it. The only way I found out was when I brought my bow to a professional bow shop to have them give it the “once over.” Imagine my surprise.

One thing I like to do at the end of the season is to go through all of my hunting clothes. I grab some garbage bags and separate my warm clothes from my lighter ones. Under Armour and any insulated underwear go into one bag. Insulated coats and warm vests along with my cold weather pants go in another; Gloves, hats and hunting socks in yet another.

I find that before the season, when it is time to wash my hunting clothes, I can do them in sections. This way, I know I have not forgotten anything. By taking the time now, you will be ready to go and have no trouble locating your outer gear when you need it next hunting season.

I also gather up my smaller items and place them in a plastic bin. Things like my range finder, releases, scents, knives and all of my calls go in this bin.

Talking about smaller items, how about those field tips and broadheads. You should always remove the broadheads from the arrow after the season. I just do not like the idea of razor sharp broadheads around. Put them away in a safe place where little hunters cannot reach them.

Here is a helpful hint: some people choose to use plastic bins with covers that fit tight. I have done that myself. If you use the clear plastic containers, then it makes it much easier to see what is in the bin. If the plastic bin is being used for storing your hunting clothes (which is a great idea), then use a few of the scent wafers. I will tape an earth scent wafer to the inside lid. I might even decide to use a couple of them, if the plastic bin is large. This really works well. The earth scent permeates the hunting clothes which, of course, will help to control your human scent.

If you are not  yet tired of waking up at oh-dark-thirty in the morning, then be happy you live in Texas. Although whitetail season might be over, there are still plenty of opportunities to take game with your bow. Exotics are available all year long as well as wild pigs. Personally, I have never hunted for exotics.

I have, however, hunted pigs with my bow and loved every minute of it. If you have never done it, then I suggest you grab your bow and have at it. Remember, with a bow and arrow, you must wait for the pig to quarter away from you to get the best shot placement possible. The natural shield that pigs have behind their shoulders will affect how much penetration your arrow will have.

If you are not an exotic hunter and just do not feel like hunting wild pigs with a bow, then it still is a perfect time to get out there and do some shed hunting.

Hey, it’s Texas! There is always something to hunt here. Don’t you love it?

Have fun and hunt safe out there.

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