Clothing
For many or most deer hunters- the season is over. Seems like it was just yesterday when we were anticipating that first sit of the year, and now it’s over. This is the perfect time of year to do an inventory of all your hunting products. While the season is still fresh in your mind this is the best time to write down all your broken, lost, ripped, old or just worn out items that you need to either repair or replace.
I break my list down into three separate categories;
Clothing-including boots, hats, facemasks, gloves etc.
Accessories-calls, binoculars, scopes, shooting sticks, scents, blinds, stands etc.
Weapons-guns, bows, bullets, arrows, broadheads etc.
Clothing:
If you’re from the Midwest you probably have to cross a fence or two during the hunting season. If you happen to be tall enough to cross fences without ever catching a leg, crotch or other area of clothing you’re lucky. I usually manage at least one or two rip’s a year. This is also a time to look at old worn out clothes that are way past their prime. After season clearance sales are a great time to take advantage of lower prices to replace these items of clothing. If you wait until pre-season prices will be higher as demand is far higher. This is also a great time to look at donating these items to a charity or local hunting chapter. I started donating usable clothing to a local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. I give this with the stipulation they are given to new hunters or hunters that are getting young hunters started into the outdoor lifestyle. You can usually get a tax donation form for this type of donation. If items are in great shape there is always eBay or Craig’s list too.
Accessories
Accessories:
I wish I had all the money or items I have lost in the woods over the course of my hunting lifetime. I’ve lost or forgotten calls, hats, gloves, safety harnesses, bow hangers and you name it!! I even lost a few pair of binoculars and knives in the excitement of cleaning and hauling out deer. These are the items that you may forget about until next season when you get back into the woods for the first time. Put them on a list!! They make great gift ideas for the holidays and birthdays!! Surprise everyone with a list of what you might need or want, it takes all the guess work out of what to get you. This is also a great way to pick up a few items throughout the season as you have a few extra bucks available or when you see items on sale.
Weapons:
Weapons
This is usually more maintenance than buying new. However, you have an entire year to prepare research and put away money to acquire new. A word of wisdom, all manufacturing companies reveal their new products no later than the SHOT show in February, however they may not be better than the previous year’s products that are already on the market. Sometimes, newer is just newer!! Confidence in your equipment is key, so buy early and use it often to prepare for next year.
Your list may include many other items, or be set up by priority, price or however. The key is to take an inventory while everything is fresh in your mind right after the seasons close. It’s a bitter sweet time of year for me. But I find it to be far more prepared for next year-this year!
