It's a crisp November morning, one of those inevitable "slow days" in duck hunting. The annoying, and loud cadence of a duck call is now ringing your ears, your buddy is now using this time as a chance to work on his duck calling. DON'T be that guy! We discussed last month that Duck season never ends, so here are 10 things to do to get ready for next season. One of them being... you guessed it
1- Practice Duck Calling
Now is a great time to fine-tune your Duck calling. Maybe you've been wanting a new call, now is the time to get one, or two. And now practice, practice, practice. Sit at a local pond, and listen to real Ducks, how they sound, and interact. Then try to mimic those sounds. YouTube is great and all, but nothing beats the real thing. Don't wait till your sitting in the blind, get that calling fine tuned now.
2- Clean Your Guns
If you haven't already... Sometimes we just shove our guns away at the end of the season, and forget about them till next season. Don't do that. If you haven't already, or if you have, get them out, break them down, and give them a good deep cleaning and oiling. You will thank yourself later, when someone else's gun jams because they didn't.
3- Check Your Waders For Leaks
Remember that cold water on the inside of your thigh last December? Lets not let that happen again opening day this year. Get them waders out now and find that leak, or leaks and patch them up now. Or if it's time for a new pair, now is a great time to find great sales on some good waders.
4- Upgrade Your Gear
Speaking of good sales. Now is the time to upgrade your hunting gear, you can avoid those "premium" prices during, or right before the season starts. Coats, hats, gloves, and waders are usually all on sale right now. Your shivering cold December- self will thank you for the warm, and dry hunting gear.
5-Plan/Book Trips
Been wanting to do an out-of-state hunt? They book up early, and they book up fast. So now is the time to text your buddies, and find an outfitter in the state or area you want to hunt. Come late summer and early fall outfitters are usually fully booked up. Don't let another year go by, wanting to do that out-of-state hunt. Book that trip now!
6- Scout Hunting Land
Now is a great time to get on ONX, or simply drive around and check out new spots you have been wanting to try and hunt this fall. Crop heights are still low, allowing you to easily see low spots, and property lines that you can't always see in the fall. So now is a great time to get out and do this, it also times up perfectly for the 7th thing we can do when its not hunting season.
7- Ask Permission
Some of us are old school, we simply knock on doors to ask if we can hunt fields,and properties. Afterall, the worst they can say is no. Now is a great time to start asking for permission to hunt properties, and getting phone numbers to call in the fall when the season,and the hunt is on. The sooner you start, the more opportunities you give yourself to get a YES.
8-Build/ Re-Build Duck Blinds
Duck blind needing some TLC? Or maybe a complete blind overhaul? Now is a great time to start that project. You won't be rushed like you always have been because you decided to wait till a week before opening day. You can do a good quality job, and take your time. Making sure its waterproof, stable, and as comfortable as possible. At the very least, you will be able to spend a day out in the blind again to help ease those out of season blues.
9-Train Your Dog
Nothing is worse than an unruly dog in the blind, or someone and their dog flaring birds because the untrained dog is trying to find the bird that was dropped five minutes ago. Don't be that dog owner, now is the best time to get out and make sure that your best friend is ready for this season. Remember, they miss duck season just as much, if not more than you do. Get out and practice some retrieves with them.
10- Spend Some Time With Your Wife And Family
This may sound simple, but it can also be very strategic. Most of us completely disappear during duck season. So now is a great time to make up for that time, or to get in some "good graces" for when the season is here, and you are nowhere to be found. So use this time as an opportunity to make up for that lost time, and to stack up days in your favor.
There is obviously PLENTY to do in between duck seasons. Get started now, and the season will be here before you know it. By getting a jump on these things now, will set you up for the best season yet. What things are you going to get started on now, or what other things can you do to get ready for this coming season? Go ahead and share below. We'll see ya in the blind!