When the last gobble fades and spring starts shifting into summer, our thoughts drift toward fall. Toward frosty mornings in the stand. Toward bucks ghosting through timber. Deer season might feel far off, but what you do now sets the tone for the whole year.
At River Brothers, we know that good hunting doesn’t start on opening day—it starts months before. Here’s how we prepare the land, the stands, and ourselves before deer season rolls around.
Start with Food Plots: More Than Just a Snack
Food plots aren’t magic, but when done right, they’re close.
We start early—late spring to early summer—testing soil, spraying weeds, and prepping seedbeds. Brassicas, clover, oats, or winter wheat… the best mix depends on your soil and goals. Want to build a buck’s nutrition over time? Go perennial. Want to draw them in during the season? Think fall annuals.
The key is consistency. Deer learn where to find quality food. The more reliable your food source, the more your property becomes part of their pattern. We mow, fertilize, and keep plots clean—not just for aesthetics, but to create a plot they’ll use year-round.
Scouting: Boots on the Ground and Cameras in the Trees
Food plots are one part of the story, but deer movement is the other.
Summer scouting is quiet work. We glass fields in the evening and run trail cameras to get a feel for antler growth, fawn recruitment, and doe groups. It’s not just about identifying “the big one”—it’s about understanding the herd.
We also walk the land. Not all sign is fresh, but old rub lines, bedding thickets, and travel funnels reveal patterns. If it’s been used in years past, it’ll probably be used again. And when the time comes to hang a stand or set a blind, we’ll know right where to do it.
Gear Check: Fix It Now, Not in the Stand
Deer season has a way of sneaking up on you. Don’t let it find you unprepared.
We go over everything—from safety harnesses and treestand straps to broadheads and boots. Trail cams get new batteries and SD cards. Bows get tuned. Rifles get zeroed. Every piece of gear gets the once-over because when a mature buck steps out at 20 yards, there’s no room for “I forgot to…”
This is also when we mark trails, hang stands, and clear shooting lanes. Doing it now gives deer a chance to adjust and keeps us from disrupting things come October.
Plan Your Access: Hunt Smarter, Not Harder
It’s not just where you hunt—it’s how you get there.
We study wind patterns, access routes, and bedding areas. The best stand in the world won’t matter if you blow your scent through the core of your property every morning. Every trail we cut, every entry point we choose, is planned with pressure in mind.
Sometimes that means taking the long way in. Sometimes it means skipping a spot until conditions are perfect. It’s all part of thinking like a deer—not like a hunter.
Tend the Land, Respect the Herd
Managing for deer means more than just hunting them. We check for habitat quality—thick bedding cover, clean water sources, and browse availability. We keep a running tab on predator activity, herd health, and population balance. It’s stewardship, not just sport.
Final Thoughts
Pre-season prep is work. But it’s the kind of work that pays off in the quiet before sunrise, when a deer steps into range and your heart starts racing.
Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or getting ready for your first season, this time—right now—is when you lay the foundation for a successful fall.
