‘Summer lull’ between hunting seasons a myth
With the end of spring gobbler season rolling around, and several months before archery season comes in, most are left believing that the “summer lull” is here.
But according to Jason Beck, president of the National Pike branch of the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA), it’s anything but a “lull.” Instead, it has the potential to be some of an outdoorsman’s busiest months.
“There’s never dull moments. There’s something to do every day of the week, if we want to,” Beck said. “There’s always something to do, all year round.”
Beck said for starters, it’s about having a level head and making a plan for the future.
“What do you want your property to be like in the future? Have small, short term goals, and long term goals,” he said. “Don’t kill yourself with monster goals. You’re not going to get it in the first year. Make small goals.”
One of the first ones he recommended was working on the habitat in which you hunt.
“You can manipulate habitat,” Beck said. “If it’s your property, start cutting brush breaks, getting the deer where you want them to go.”
It also might be a matter of creating water sources for wildlife by rerouting water or burying kiddie pools. Beck said not to underestimate how much deer, and other wildlife, rely on a solid water source.
While out and about in your hunting land, it’s also recommended to start identifying and removing invasive species. Beck said it’s a good time to knock out the non-native flora and fauna.
“Go out and find them — oriental bittersweet, Japanese knotweed, barberry — there are so many invasives out there,” he said.
And for those who don’t own property or instead hunt state game lands, Beck said this is the time to familiarize themselves with local game lands.
“Put the miles in now, and you don’t have to worry now about bumping deer. You’ll know where they are and where they’re moving,” he said.
These months are also a time for hunters to get better with their own equipment, whether it’s their bow, shotgun or rifle.
“Go to 3-D shoots, get out there and practice, go to local clubs and make friends there and find more places to go shoot,” Beck said.
As for food sources, though a bulk of food plot planting takes place later this year, now is the time to test the soil and take action if needed, whether it’s adding lime, fertilizer, ashes or weedkiller.
A less physical, potentially more enjoyable activity to start now is running trail cameras.
Beck said it’s a way to get a handle on the deer population you have on your property, and start to determine the buck-to-doe ratio.
“You can really get a good idea of what you have,” Beck said, adding that it’s typically not until August, though, that you can really see distinguishing factors and potential antler growth, at which time you can start labeling and tracking them.
Beck ultimately referenced a quote from Theodore Roosevelt: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
“My message is to use these months — don’t waste them. They’ll fly by,” Beck said.