July is coming fast and so is deer season. I have been doing some gear reviews lately and testing out plenty of other equipment. Some of the gear tested was spectacular and some show little promise. You’ll be seeing more reviews soon, but until then I am getting excited for mule deer season. 

I opted for the Archery Only tag and an A31 tag for this year. It allows me more time to get out and hunt, but gives me more options, too. I can take a doe or a fork-horn buck and that makes me happy. I have a new area I am going to scout and I am sure to scout one or two more areas with some of the DIY guys. I can’t wait! 

So what am I doing to prepare? First, I am reading Backcountry Bowhunting: A Guide to the Wild Side by Cameron Hanes. I’ll give a report on it when I am finished, but so far it has been full of great stories and tips. I have been practicing as often as I can, but not as often as I want to. I would love to everyday, but having limited time and area to shoot puts a damper on that. I am ever increasing my range time to be sure I get my arrows in that sweet spot. I inventory all of my gear, pack my pack and decide what it is I want/need to take hunting. Most of the gear is essential, but depending on how far I am hiking will determine the weight of my pack.

Here’s what I still need to do before I get out there and try to bring down some freezer meat. I need to cut my new arrows down, fletch them, practice with them and get comfortable with the Easton FMJ’s. I will also need to tune the bow with my broadheads. One of the major things I need to do is lug my arse to the gym at least two times a week and hit the StairMaster and weights. While most of the hunting might be glassing from the truck, once I do spot my quarry I will need to hoof it to have a chance at a shot. I want to be prepared not only for the hike to the animal, but also when I have to pack it out. It’s only fair to the animal that I get the meat packed out and on ice as quickly as possible. No hunter wants spoiled game and I am hunting way to hard to want that to happen. I need to print out a few more maps of the area and tighten up my GPS skills. I have been testing out some maps for the Garmin and so far they have been on the money.

It’s going to be hot when I am hunting. No doubt about that. I know I will sweat and I also know it will be worth every second if I am able to put an arrow into some venison. I’ll be sure to post a few more gear reviews soon and give you the play-by-play of my preparation. I have a bear tag and a pig tag, too. That means I can do lots of hunting this year. Time to break in the X-Force and finally bring down a SoCal animal.