Delaware Archery Deer Season Opens September 1
Here is my article that appeared in The News Journal on 8/5/2010.
When the Delaware deer hunting season ends each January, I try to keep my mind somewhat focused on hunting by creating a list of hunting-related chores that I promise to complete before the next season begins.
Somehow — year after year — many of those promises go unfulfilled.
This year is no different. Sept. 1 marks the opening of mourning dove, resident Canada geese and archery deer seasons. Rather than counting the days to opening day like a school kid counts down to summer vacation, I find myself trying to add days to the calendar.
I want to shoot my bow more, because after all, practice makes perfect. Sounds hokey, but it’s true. I put on an old pair of eyeglasses this week (since my everyday pair was lost when I was buying salt licks for my deer hunting spots) and began practicing with my bow. Something about the glasses was causing me to shoot high. To make sure my bow sights weren’t off, I switched to a newer pair of prescription sunglasses. I shot perfectly with them. I am now scrambling to get a new pair of glasses and practice with them before archery seasons opens.
There’s nothing like waiting ’til the last minute.
Likewise, I really need to scout some more deer hunting spots and hang some more tree stands. I joined a new hunting club in June. I am embarrassed to say, I have spent less than an hour familiarizing myself with the property, and I have placed a whopping total of zero deer stands. I really don’t want to get lost walking through unfamiliar woods at 5 a.m., and I would rather hunt from a tree somewhere above the early season vegetation and bugs. However, with only several weeks to go before opening day, I am asking myself where the summer went. As one who frequently discusses the benefits of scouting and choosing hunting locations wisely, I have been lax in my preparation.
It gets worse.
In my June column, I talked about the importance of realistic-looking decoys, and I went so far as to write, “Upgrading my decoy stock is now on my summer agenda.”
After my experience with the bald eagle attacking my turkey decoy, I vowed to get new goose decoys before Sept. 1, and I am considering purchasing new duck decoys and maybe even a deer decoy. Well, guess what? Not only have I not even purchased a single decoy, I haven’t even started researching decoys yet.
I really need to get on the ball.
While many of you are snickering and asking how I procrastinated on completing my list of offseason chores, I know some of you are thanking me for reminding you of the uncompleted items on your list. It’s OK. We still have nearly four weeks to get our acts together.
If there is no way to finish up before opening day, there is a fallback plan. We can complete our chores on Sundays during the hunting season (unless Delaware finally drops one of its last blue laws and joins the other 40-plus states that allow Sunday hunting).
