The NFL has its preseason. The MLB has its spring training.  All great programs have time to prepare and plan for the upcoming season. We, in the hunting community, are no different.   There is a designated time when we are out in the field enduring the challenges of pursuing our targeted species. The rest of the year we are planning and preparing for what lies ahead.  Now, asking my wife which is more taxing or irritating to her, it may be a toss-up.

Montana is known as an opportunity state. There are separate archery and rifle seasons;  which is about three and a half months long.  I do archery and rifle hunt.   Considering all hunting seasons in Montana and that would only leave you with about two and a half months of off-season time.  I would be willing to bet if you are reading this you likely upland and waterfowl hunt too.  So, to keep things simple we are just talking about the big game seasons.  Now, I don’t want to stray away from the main topic and get lost in this whole multiple season business.  So, I am looking at about eight months of the off-season.

Before you get too much further in this piece, I want to lay out some info for you.  I am not a pro at any of this. I don’t get paid by any company for products to talk about or use, although that would be sweet! I’m not going to pretend like I know all about any of this.  I know the things that work for me, and I keep learning more each year.  It’s a guarantee that at the end of each season I will regret something I did or wish I did something different.  I always have plans on what to change, do more of, do less of, or work harder at the end of each season. So with all of that said, take the rest of this with a grain of salt. For the sake of this article, whether it’s worthwhile or not, I want to split the off-season into three topics. Those three topics are Gear, Practice & Training, and Research.

Let’s roll right into research.  Probably the one area where I know the least and need to put in the most work. Every year I think about new spots and different regions to be hunting in. I’m a product of what is comfortable. I have a small handful of places where I know the area well, and I stick to that.  I believe this is a product of my upbringing.  I very vividly remember sitting down at the kitchen table with my father filling out draw permits.  Every year we would put in for the same areas right outside of town.  These were some of the same hunting areas that he and his dad hunted too. We knew the land like the back of our hands.I find myself mentally wondering past the boundaries I understand.  Isn’t that partly why we hunt?  To go outside, in the unknown, and explore what we don’t understand.  It’s our quest to see what’s on the other side of the mountain or just around the next bend.  It’s that urge that keeps me heading out in new directions.  It was a genius move for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to put maps in the regulations.  I open that book up every year and instantly start thinking about the next location.  I probably don’t spend as much time looking at application draw rates and percentages as I should.  Whether its a special draw or general region is always sifting through my thoughts as I scroll through the maps.  I’m also looking for the biggest bang for my buck, no pun intended.  Every year I tell myself I need to spend more time scouting and exploring new areas. It’s just not as easy as it sounds. Life gets busy and time flies by.  Thankfully there is a company out there helping me out.  OnXmaps has changed the way I plan and prepare for hunts.  OnX is a Montana based company that has revolutionized mapping and landowner details. This app has allowed me to plan, organize and explore more country than I have ever before. This app has changed the process and time that it takes to explore a new chunk of dirt. Hands down worth every penny for the year subscription. Also very worth looking into it if you don’t have it. I could go on and on about this app.  It is a game changer in the pre-hunt planning.

Now that you have some pre-planned hunting locations picked out you need to make sure you are ready. Practice and training are a little different for everyone.  When do you start or is it always happening?   Do you practice shooting your bow year around or do you take some time off?  Are you a gym person or do you train outside? All great questions and different for everyone.  We all do what works for us.  One of my hunting buddies and close friend has recently encouraged me to get into trail running. Now, if you know me at all, I am not a runner by any means. Trail running has been good though. It has been getting me outside and out of a rut.  It is much different than running on a treadmill or just down the sidewalk.  My training also depends a little on my last season.  How worn out is my body? What time of rigor did I put it through?  For example a couple of years ago I went on a late season elk hunt with my buddy. It was single digit temperatures with knee-high snow for two full days.  Each day we put in eight to ten miles of hiking. During the last evening of the hunt, we both were able to harvest an elk; which led to the next several hours of dragging out elk in knee deep snow and freezing temperatures before getting back to the truck. Talk about an adventure.  When it was all said and done I felt whooped. I was spent and ready for a break.  It took me several months before I wanted to get back out into the woods.  That was a great example of just needing some downtime.  I’m certainly not a workout expert or hardcore training type of person.  There are a few things that I have picked up from experience though. Most hunting seasons aren’t a sprint. They are long and sometimes drawn out.  You will more than likely put in the miles. I would be willing to bet that quite a few of those miles will also be up and down mountains and skirting side hills.  If that is the case, that is how I would train.  If you have ever played competitive sports, you probably have heard someone tell you to practice like you play.  That is the same mentality I put into training and working out for the hunting season. If I know that I will be spending some time in the mountains during hunting season; I will be spending some time training on training to hike up hills.  I know there are going to be days in the field where I am, literally hiking all day.  Spend some time in the offseason doing the same.  Load up a backpack with some supplies and head out to the woods.  Make it as real as possible.  Train like you hunt!

Speaking of backpacks, that brings me to the last section of this offseason rambling, gear.  Here are a couple of disclaimers.  I’m no pro. I have not used everything out there.  I don’t get paid to use any of it.  There are dozens of options for a lot of things. I found a couple that I love and use all the time.  There is much more out there that I haven’t had the opportunity to try and is probably just as good.  I thoroughly enjoy talking about and using different gear.  I’m sure a lot of you have several not PG terms we could use.  My wife prefers “spender of money we don’t have”! The first very general thing I will say about the good, top of the line gear is that it is a complete game changer.  Maybe it is the jacket that keeps you warmer or the pack that allows you to carry more comfortably. I have spent many years hunting in a pair of jeans and a cotton shirt.  I’m not saying it can’t be done I’m just saying there is a more comfortable way to do it. Even as I am writing this now, I hesitate to mention specific company names for the sake of there being so many great ones. But I’m going to do it anyway. FHF Gear is a small company that makes unique, high-quality gear for those who know what they need. They are also a local, Montana based company.  I have their bino harness, rangefinder pouch, and bear spray holster. Honestly, I have two sets of the before mentioned gear!   Have to have an orange and camo set. When hunting, especially elk, it is critical to have your binos with you and ready for action.  FHF Gear bino harness does just that. My binos are always protected and ride extremely comfortable against my chest. It has little pockets on each side to hold your wind checker or calls. There is even a zipper pocket in the front for tags. I can’t recommend this company enough.  Everything from the products to the customer service is top notch. In my mind, you can’t find a better bino harness set up. If you are in the market, it is worth checking them out at http://www.fhfgear.com.  So, keeping right along with the name dropping.  Mystery Ranch is another one of those companies that rise to the top of my list. I’ve been using Mystery Ranch packs for a little over six years now.  I’m sure there are just as good and maybe even better out there but its what works for me. Mystery Ranch has a line of packs for everyone.  Whether you are a day hunter or the guy who goes out for a week at a time in the backcountry, there is a pack for you.  I’m a known over packer.  I take way too much into the field with me.  I always think about the “what if” situation.  Mystery Ranch packs allow me to take what I need and pack it with ease all day long. Just this last year I packed out a whole mule deer, solo, in one trip. The design of the bag and the overload sling made it easy to do.  There is more on that hunt in a future post.  I even have a Mystery Ranch bag that I use every day for work.  These bags are tough as nails and built for the long haul. From my tool bag in my truck to meat hauling hunting pack to everyday office bag, Mystery Ranch has all my needs met.  I really could go on and on about all the gear that is now in my pack, knowing full well that could take hours to cover it all.  I haven’t talked about knives, game bags, clothes, optics, and so many more things. The last item I do want you to consider checking out during the offseason is your food. Whether it’s a day trip or an overnighter, good food is critical.  I think it is crazy important to have a strong snack game.  From great coffee in the morning to a sweet treat in the afternoon.  If you are a coffee person and that is how you start your day you need to go check out Dark Timber Coffee Company.  They have mastered the backcountry coffee needs. As a bonus, they give back to conservation with every purchase.  I also have your sweet treat covered too. Heather’s Choice Packaroons is a must.  Heather’s Choice is a company that makes great tasting, healthy, dehydrated meals. You need to have food in the woods that agrees with you and does what you need it to do.  There isn’t a time when I don’t have a couple of packs of her Packaroons in my bag.  Like I said before there are tons of food options out there but if you have any special dietary needs or just a super sensitive digestive system Heather’s Choice is worth it. Click here to check them out http://lddy.no/uhg.

Ok, so here’s the deal. I could continue to ramble on about more gear I use and different ways I use it.  The only thing I enjoy more than talking about this stuff is getting out and using it.  So on that note, I’m leaving you with a couple of things.  If you are as passionate about the outdoors as I am, there is no off-season.  I am always thinking about what is over the next mountain and round the next corner. I’m always striving to be better at something. Take this time right now to do just that. Spend the time to get better, plan your next hunt, and make your next story happen.