They’re right.

According to records from Ohio and Pennsylvania, it will be better than ever. Arguments and discussions about adding crossbows to the early archery season will abound.

If you agree or disagree with the onset of crossbow legalization in the early archery season, one thing is for sure — there will be more people hunting for deer, younger and older. It’s time for arrows and bolts (the term used for crossbow arrows) and hunter awareness for others in the woods.

As we prepare for the New York Southern Zone Early Big Game Archery Season, a checklist can be a valuable tool. It ensures that we have all the necessary gear ready for the first day in the woods.

As we gear up for the NYS Southern Zone Early Archery Season, thorough preparation is key to a successful hunt. A comprehensive checklist can help ensure all the necessary gear is packed — it helps instill a sense of readiness and confidence. Photo by Forrest Fisher

Legal hunting begins 30 minutes before sunrise and continues through the day until 30 minutes after sunset. Both early and late periods of the day are the best times to hunt, but they are also the most dangerous. Visibility issues for hunters can be foggy, and a safe shot is of the utmost importance. The checklist helps us to be fully prepared for these conditions, increasing our chances of a successful and safe hunt.

Visibility for the deer is not an issue. One of the latest and most reliable sources of information for many of us, including me, is the National Deer Association. Their motto, “United for Deer,” has captured my attention for a long time. According to one of their recent educational articles, deer have a huge eyesight advantage during dusk and dawn periods. NDA says, “With their horizontal pupils and reflective retina layer shaped to gather light from along the horizon, deer eyes function best at dawn and dusk. Research at the University of Georgia Deer Lab estimates that deer can see 18 times better than humans can at dawn and dusk, which is when they are most active.” To read the entire article, visit https://deerassociation.com/facts-about-deer-vision/.

The article is eye-opening.

For most of us archery hunter folks, the first day in the woods is always a learning experience. It’s a time to recall all the little things we’ve learned over the years and put them into practice. The quiet camo outerwear, hat, gloves, face mask, the camo backpack with your deer bleat and grunt calls, cover scent, and so many other little things that matter. This pre-season preparation is not just a routine, it’s an opportunity for growth and learning, key to a successful hunt. Having the “right stuff” helps assure preparedness and confidence as you head out into the woods.

The best advice I ever got on opening day came from my dad. He said, “Lay out your gear the night before and pack your bag early. You only know what to pack if you have a list. So, make a list. Opening morning is when we hunters leave knives, gloves, licenses and ammo behind.”

I’ve done some of that many times. He was right. I miss him dearly, but his sage advice lives on with me, as if he is sitting right next to me every season. The camaraderie of hunting is what makes it truly special. It’s the bond we share with our hunting family and friends, a bond that lasts a lifetime.

Here is the checklist: Hunting license and deer tags/permits. Use the HuntFishNY app if you have a smartphone. Depending on where you hunt, do you need a landowner permission slip? Get it done. Is your bow or crossbow sighted in, clean, and ready? Check your arrow/bolts and extra arrows/bolts for proper knock alignment. We still have a few days. For clothing, ensure you have weather-appropriate layers (base layer, mid layer, outer layer, as the season progresses), waterproof boots (broken in and comfortable), gloves, and a beanie/neck gaiter–also, a backpack or strap-on hunting pack.

Make sure your cellphone is fully charged; carry offline maps in case service is spotty. I still carry a compass. Add to your list, binoculars, rangefinder, deer calls or rattling antlers, scent attractant or cover scent. If you’re going vertical in a ladder stand or climber, remember to wear your full-body safety harness and tether (if climbing). Safety should always be a top priority. Carry some small first aid supplies (band-aids), a headlamp/flashlight with extra batteries, and a safety whistle, just in case. Of course, you will need a sharp hunting knife, game processing gloves (especially if you are new to hunting, but we should all wear them), game bags or a tarp for your vehicle (keep the deer ticks in check). A rope or paracord (for dragging your deer). Keep a cooler with water and ice in the truck; do this the night before. For food and comfort, a water bottle or two, high-energy snacks (jerky, trail mix, protein bars), hand warmers as needed for the time of the year, a seat cushion or portable stool, and I always carry a small notepad and pen to write down the things I forgot for next time.

Lastly, and most importantly, treat your hunting clothes, boots, and exterior gear with Permethrin spray. It is odorless and kills deer ticks on contact. Do it a few days before the season starts — it lasts for six weeks or six washings. Read the label. For exposed skin, such as your neck and ears, use Picaridin spray or lotion. It too is odorless. Each of these costs about $15 at your local retail store (Walmart, Bait Shop, etc.). These two products are lifesavers. In case you do not yet know, deer ticks carry Lyme disease. They acquire it from infected white-footed mice when the ticks are born, then they search for other sources of blood supply (they seek blood) as the ticks grow (including you, me, our dogs, and any warm-blooded critters). Even full-size adult deer ticks are very tiny (the size of a poppy seed and smaller) and can be challenging to see (they are so small), and their bite is painless. Trust me when I share that you do not want to get infected with Lyme disease. Stay protected. Remember, safety is paramount in the woods.

Gotta love the outdoors.

Outdoors Calendar

Sept. 27: National Fishing and Hunting Day at ELMA CONSERVATION, free, open to public. Bring a kid.

Sept. 27: NYS Hunter Education, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Carroll Rod & Gun Club, 1111 Frew Run Rd., Frewsburg, NY.; Visit: https://dec.ny.gov.

Sept. 27: NYS Free Fishing Day, no license needed to fish in NYS for residents and non-residents.

Sept. 27-28: NYS Western Zone waterfowl hunting youth days for 12-15 yrs of age, mentors rqd., see syllabus.

Oct. 1: NYS Southern Zone Big Game early archery/crossbow hunting season opens, through Nov. 14.

Oct. 1: NYS Southern Zone hunting season opens for coyote, cottontail rabbits, varying hare, ruffed grouse, bobwhite quail. See syllabus for various species season end.