John Keltgen
Making A Checklist For The Hunt
By John Keltgen
Jun 7, 2005, 09:17
 

John Keltgen

Make a checklist that covers everything you’ll need to do before the hunt and go through it starting a few weeks prior to the hunt to allow yourself enough time to replace or repair parts if needed.

To minimize the need for major overhauls I make a post hunt list so I can make sure all equipment that needs to be replaced or repaired is done after the season so I don’t have to do it before. I have found my post-season checklists to be extremely helpful when storing gear for the off-season. For instance, the checklist reminds me to put a fresh coat of wax on my boots, to keep the leather from drying out while in storage. It reminds me to unstring my recurve and take three turns off my compound to take the stress off the string.

Another reminder is to buy replacement items, such as spare bowstrings, broadhead blades and parts for your arrows (nocks, fletching, inserts, and glue). I keep those items in a tackle box specifically for my bowhunting gear. There is nothing worse than going to your local archery shop, to replace your frayed and certain to break bowstring, only to find they are out of the exact string that you need. You don’t have to buy everything at once, just one or two items here and there. Remember to keep a good inventory so you can replace items once you’ve used them.

While things beyond our control do happen I have found my checklists do keep them to a minimum. Of course, Murphy can always cover that electric fence up with weeds…

Pre-season Checklist:

Bows and stuff:

1. 1. Inspect bow string, limbs, risers, cams, rests, sights, peep sight, peep aligner, and silencers (recurves and Airmaster). Replace or repair as necessary.
2. 2. Inspect arrow fletching, nocks, inserts, outserts, and check to se if arrows are straight.
3. 3. Inspect release aid and oil where necessary.
4. 4. Inspect quivers (both of them) and replace if needed.
5. 5. Inspect broadheads for wear, rust, or other deficiencies. Sharpen or replace blades if needed.
6. 6. Check all calls, lanyards, and rattling antlers. Replace if needed.

1. 1. Inspect all camo and Scent Loc clothing, gloves, head nets, socks, and hats for holes, tears, etc. (including all your winter stuff too!)
2. 2. Wash all in Scent free detergent (except for the Columbia).
3. 3. Go out and get pocket gopher dirt, put in a CLEAN five-gallon bucket.
4. 4. Hang all clothing and dust with dirt.
5. 5. Replace plastic bag in bin, put all clothing in bin and drop in a new scent wafer.
6. 6. Inspect all boots for wear, cracks in leather, holes in rubber, and frayed or torn laces. Replace all that is possible.
7. 7. Put new coat of Snow-Seal on all leather portions of boots.
8. 8. Replace plastic bags in boot bin, drop in new scent wafer, and place boots inside.

1. 1. Check all scents to figure out how much is needed.
2. 2. Check all Scent Shield bottles to figure out how much is needed.
3. 3. Inspect deer stands and tree steps for stress, cracks, rust, or frayed materials. Repair and replace if needed.
4. 4. Inspect day pack zippers and inspect for holes, fraying, or tears. Spray with Carbon Blast and place into bin.
5. 5. Inspect First Aid Kit, replace ALL items needed.
6. 6. Inspect survival kit and replace items as needed.
7. 7. Sharpen knives and inspect saw, sharpen saw if necessary.
8. 8. Inspect folding binoculars and make sure there are no cracks in lenses and no fraying in neck cord.
9. 9. Go to the 3-D range and find arrows for goose hunting!

Post Season Checklist:

1. 1. Turn back limb bolts on compound THREE turns.
2. 2. Check bow/s over carefully for any damage or wear.
3. 3. Replace limbs on recurve (put on the 45 # limbs for bowfishing season). Put 60# limbs in the hard case with the compound.
4. 4. Wax bowstrings, use Rem-Oil on cams and idler wheels.
5. 5. On bow sights, mark where the pins are (in case they move while bow is being stored). While your settings may change in storage it will be easier to sight in if you start from the previous years settings.
6. 6. Inventory all scents left over even though I usually purchase fresh lures each year.
7. 7. Wash ALL clothing and day pack (empty it first, duh!) in clean water (no detergent unless it is a scent free wash such as Robinson Labs and Wildlife Research), dry outdoors. When dry, inspect for holes, tears, or discoloration.
8. 8. Replace plastic bag in clothing bin, put in dry clothing, replace scent wafer.
9. 9. Replace drying agents in gun safe.
10. 10. Remove blades from broadheads, inspect them, replace if needed, wrap individually in lightly oiled paper towels.
11. 11. Check predator tapes and Johnny Stewart caller.
12. 12. Check all arrows and repair or discard as needed.
13. 13. Thoroughly clean treestands, oil all hinges and check straps.
14. 14. Clean up all tree steps.

1. 1. Make certain all boots are cleaned and thoroughly dry.
2. 2. On all leather boots, put on a HEAVY coat of Snow-Seal.
3. 3. Take off laces and if still good, put them in the gun safe.
4. 4. Inspect all boots for tears, holes, and make sure the soles are good.
5. 5. Replace plastic bag in boot bin, replace scent wafer, and store next to gun safe.

1. 1. Inventory everything.
2. 2. Determine what needs to be replaced or repaired.
3. 3. Determine approximate cost of repairs and replacement products.
4. 4. Plead with wife to include hunting costs in the budget again this year.

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