5 Things to Do After Deer Season

Although the deer season is over, hunting opportunities are still available. Quail season is in full swing and waterfowl, cottontail rabbits, and predators are challenging animals in which to hunt.

Taking young hunters in pursuit of small game allows them to develop skills such as firearm safety and appreciation for the outdoors - skills they will carry with them as they mature and, eventually, pass them on to younger hunters. In addition, small game give young hunters a chance to learn lessons in patience and hard work.

Join a Conservation Club
Private conservation organizations are the backbone of the modern wildlife management movement and their members help provide financial and in-kind support for many worthwhile conservation and education projects.

For starters, Quail Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, The National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever, Safari Club International and other organizations are available to interested sportsmen even if you don’t have a local club available. By joining a conservation club you can network with like-minded sportsmen in supporting habitat enrichment programs and educational ventures in your area.

Learn to Identify Plants
One of the best ways to improve your outdoor skills hone your appreciation of nature is to learn to identify plants in the area in which you hunt. By doing so, you’ll gain a more complete understanding of game animals and learn more about non-game species as well. Learning about plants also helps you realize the importance of species many people consider merely weeds.

Take up Photography or Videography
If yo want to preserve the memories of a hunt, spend more time outdoors, and learn more about nature, start by looking through the lens of a still or video camera. Do yourself a huge favor by toting a camera during preseason scouting trips. By documenting scenes from the field, outdoor enthusiasts can capture those special moments forever.

Keep a Journal
Every time I go afield to hunt, photograph or just look, I carry along a journal. Immediately after the trip, while my memories are still fresh, I record everything. By keeping a journal, I can record my thoughts and feelings about the natural world. As I grow older I can relive my memories of trips afield and it will be an enduring record of my outdoor adventures that I can pass on to my children.

-Russell

Texas