It’s never too early to start planning for the next deer season. One of the most important steps in preparing for a successful 2025 hunt is reflecting on your 2024 season. Take the time to analyze what worked well and what could have been improved. Consider whether you saw enough deer, if your stand placement was effective, and how well you executed your shots. Identifying both successes and mistakes will provide a solid foundation for building a better season ahead.
Develop a Plan for 2025
For myself, the 2024 season did not go as I had hoped. In late September, I had a mature buck, who I had been watching on camera for several weeks, at six yards, and couldn’t do anything about it. The buck showed up forty-five minutes earlier than the previous three days. Unfortunately, the buck was under my stand, about twenty minutes before legal shooting light.
In November, I shot a buck at close range with my rifle while hunting out of my tree saddle. Moments before the buck came into range, I had been watching another deer through my scope at maximum power. When the buck quickly showed, I failed to turn my scope back down, hitting the deer in the knee cap. Luckily, the buck was spotted doing fine days after my happenstance with him. Later in the month, I encountered one of the largest bucks I have seen on the property I have hunted for the past few years, and this time, the buck stayed behind a metal gate, then ventured in thick brush, never providing a clear shot. My season was filled with close encounters, but nothing to show for it. My 2025 plan is to fine-tune my tree stands and where I will be hunting from my saddle to get into a better position to make a shot. Plus, I am on a quest to use more game cameras, find where bucks are traveling, and then move into closer range.
After reflecting on last year’s hunts, it’s time to set yourself up for success in 2025. A well-thought-out plan can make all the difference when the season opens. Here are a few critical areas to focus on.
Find Better Hunting Spots
Although I had numerous close encounters, which indicated I was in a good hunting spot, I need to improve this year. Even if you had a productive hunting area last season, scouting for better locations is always wise. Utilize trail cameras, analyze deer movement patterns, and converse with local landowners to identify prime spots. If you hunt public land, consider exploring areas with less hunting pressure. Refining your scouting can help you capitalize on making a harvest when you had to settle for “getting close” last season.
Fine-Tune Your Treestand or Blinds
Fine-tuning your scouting is essential, and improving your treestand and blind setups can increase your chances of success this coming season. Look closely at last season’s stand and blind positions to determine if they were set up for optimal deer movement or if wind direction caused any issues. Make necessary adjustments now by trimming shooting lanes, relocating stands, or enhancing concealment. Preparing early minimizes disturbance in the weeks leading up to opening day. If setting up stands too early isn’t ideal, mark locations on a GPS hunting app and return later in the summer to set them up.
Improve Your Shooting Skill
Did you have a miss last year that has been haunting you ever since? When I made the mistake of not adjusting my scope back to the appropriate setting, I also made a mental note never to do that again. However, practice remains the best preparation a hunter can have. Whether you hunt with a bow or a firearm, accuracy is key. Many hunters only practice a few weeks before the season, but consistent practice throughout the year can significantly improve shot placement. Spend time at the range, shoot from different positions, and simulate real hunting scenarios to enhance your proficiency. Even now, with four inches of snow on the ground, I am already on a quest to shoot two or three times a week with my Hoyt RX-8 compound bow, aiming to be the most accurate shooter I’ve ever been by the time the season begins in mid-September.
Get in Shape for the Season
My physical condition has been one of the most critical factors in my preparation for the hunting season over the past three years. Hunting can be physically demanding, especially when hiking through rough terrain or hauling a harvested deer out of the woods. Starting a fitness routine that focuses on endurance, strength, and flexibility is essential. Simple activities like walking, running, hiking, weight training, and cardio workouts will help you be in top shape when it matters most. For the past three years, I have consistently run three to four times a week and have incorporated rucking, which involves carrying a weighted pack or sandbag while walking.
Additionally, I strength-train with weights. This helps ensure I am in peak condition before hunting season arrives. When you feel good, you perform better as a hunter.
Planning for your 2025 deer season will give you a significant advantage when opening day arrives. By reviewing last year’s successes and mistakes, improving your hunting locations, fine-tuning your setups, honing your shooting skills, and getting in better shape, you’ll increase your chances of filling your tag. Start preparing today, and you’ll be ready for your best season yet!
