No rest for the wicked, or so the saying goes. We’ll quickly be staring down summer weather with all it’s drudgery, including ticks and mosquitoes, but there’s plenty of work to be done before then. Here’s how to triage spring chores that should be done now. 

Trim those lanes

The chore perennially on top of my spring list is trimming out shooting lanes for all stands. I’ve had a few funny looks over the years for doing this chore in spring rather than summer or fall, but spending the time doing this in spring pays off in spades. First, the woods prior to full green-up look exactly like they did in late-October and November. Anything that was a problem last fall should still stick out. I like to trim a little more than I think I need to in order to compensate for summer growth, and I have yet to encounter any issues with new growth come fall. The beauty of this is two-fold – by trimming lanes in the spring, I just freed up a lot more time in August to be working on food plots or shooting my bow, and I also won’t be tramping through the woods making a huge impact and leaving human scent all over just prior to bow season. 

Scout, then scout more

Never does a deer hunter have more freedom to be intrusive than right now. I have no fear piling into bedding areas or sanctuaries this time of year looking for last year’s sign. Those rubs, scrapes, and trails are all easily visible in the spring, and I’ve been able to cobble together multiple pieces of the puzzle strictly from spring scouting. Even on ground that I’ve hunted for years, I still pick up new tidbits each spring. Apart from that, this is an ideal time to scout new pieces of public land to hunt this fall. In one day, I can rapidly assess the potential of a couple properties I’ve never stood on before, and if the sign is promising, I’ll begin mapping out stand setups and access for the fall. I’m a firm believer that one can never have too many spots to hunt. No two years are the same, deer populations fluctuate, hunting pressure shifts, and having the ability to fluidly hunt multiple properties in multiple areas has been my ace in the hole for consistent success. Make sure to get out on new pieces of public ground this spring to give yourself extra options come fall to maximize your opportunities. 

Take inventory

No time like the present, as they say, and that includes taking stock of all hunting equipment and identifying things that need repair or replacement. Most pieces of hunting equipment have a shelf life, and figuring that out now makes it much easier to address the problem than if you wait until September. Things to pay especially close attention to are your tree stands, climbing sticks, and associated straps and cables. This has the potential to be a literal life-and-death matter, so take it seriously. Replace any straps or cables that have been chewed on by rodents, and if there are any squeaky or creaking parts, lubricate or replace them to eliminate the noise. 

Another area that I give extensive examination to is my bow and associated archery equipment. If you’re like me, your bow takes a beating over the course of a hunting season, and I’d be lying to you if I said I wax my string as often as I should. Inspect the string and cables and replace if needed. Check out the cams, test thoroughly for any loose parts or screws, and find any areas that make noise to address any problems now. 

Take special care to inspect your rest. I’ve long thought this is the most under-appreciated piece of archery equipment, and identifying an issue now will save you multiple headaches later. Your rest is literally the consistency machine of your archery setup, and it deserves the attention to make sure it is still functioning properly. 

If you don’t know what to look for, it’s always worth the time and money to bring your bow to a pro shop and have them give it a fine tuning. A hunter is only as good as their weapon, and taking these simple steps now is cheap insurance to keep equipment from malfunctioning when we need it the most. 

Start shooting your bow

Just as it’s easy to put off scouting or equipment inventory, practicing with the bow is almost too easy to forego until it’s too late to matter. I have had years where I practiced religiously, almost daily, from early May through bow season, and I’ve had years that the bow hasn’t left the case until the end of August. I can state objectively and with no hesitation that my accuracy and shooting form is startlingly better on years that I make the time to shoot. 

Final thoughts

Though vegetation will be greening up soon, there is still precious time to accomplish those tasks that can make all the difference once fall rolls around. Make the effort now, and your future self will thank you when you wrap a tag around a chocolate main beam.