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The firearms deer season has come to Indiana for a couple of weeks.  While the firearms hunters are flocking into the field, it’s time for me to take a break, review the season so far, and make adjustments to my gear and my tactics.

On my hunting days, I’ve gotten a later start than I really wanted.  I’ll have to get moving earlier.  The deer get moving about daylight, so I need to be in place before they’re moving.  I need to be prepared to stay out all day and head home after the sun goes down.

Gear

Bow:  One day in the field, I realized why I had to make such big adjustments when I tied on my new D-loop and peep.  When I installed the nocking point, I forgot to position it 1/8 inch nock-high.  I installed it exactly level when the bow wasn’t drawn.  So, I have to reset the metal nock.  I have to follow that with french tuning again – adjusting the sight and the rest at 9 feet and 9 yards, respectively.  After that, I head outside to walk-back tune the bow.  Check where the arrows fly left-to-right at 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 yards.  If they aren’t in a pretty tight group, I’ll have to adjust the rest some more to make sure my shots don’t “walk” left or right as I move back.

Field Bag:  I inventoried my bag to see what I haven’t used.  I want to keep weight down as much as possible, so a periodic inventory is a good idea.  I didn’t use the miniature folding chair, the small binoculars, or my field dressing kit.  I’ll keep the field dressing kit in my bag in hopes of a successful hunt.  The other two have to go.

Clothing:  It’s getting colder, so I’ll have to add some layers to my clothing.  I got thermal inserts for my boots, and I’ll have to start wearing my field jacket.  All of my clothes need to be re-washed, including the field jacket, in nothing but baking soda.

Tactics

I’ve been hunting exclusively from the ground.  It may be time to move up into the trees above the deer’s nose.  I think saddle hunting will be lighter than a full-on tree stand, but I need practice with the climbing gear before I try to use it in the field.  With only about a month left in the season, saddle hunting may need to wait until next year.

I’ve left my pop-up blind at home all season.  I guess carrying it out into the field with me will be my best option, along with picking up a bottle of doe estrous in an effort to bring that big buck in just a little closer.

What mid-season adjustments are you making or did you make?