Why Deer Hunters Need the Off-Season

Adam Moore Jul 18, 2024

In his memoir, A Moveable Feast, Ernest Hemingway discusses his writing process and experience as an American expat in Paris, France. While writing and dining in Parisian cafes, Hemingway would step away from his work and stroll through Champs-Elysees or by the banks of the Seine to take a break from writing. During these strolls, he made it a point not to think about his work. Hemingway believed his subconscious continued working during these mental breaks even if he wasn’t actively thinking about his work. He found that his time and thoughts away from writing actually helped when he returned to the pen and paper, and he felt refreshed and full of new ideas. Deer hunters, take note.

Hunting might not carry the weight of writing the great American novel, but is no less mentally and physically demanding. Scouting, habitat work, early alarms, and cold treks in the dark can make you long for the last day of deer season like an old friend. Make no mistake: the highest forms of success, whether you’re writing, throwing a football, or chasing a giant buck, require laser focus and dedication. This is something only the best hunters maintain.

For the rest of us, physical and mental breaks away from hunting will do us more good than harm. In fact, they’ll probably make you a better hunter (and person) in the long run. Still, that doesn’t mean current hunting literature and social media won’t make you feel like you’re behind the 8-ball if everything you do doesn’t revolve around hunting. Unless your livelihood depends on the hunting industry, it’s okay to take a break, see something new, and return refreshed.

Other Interests Can Improve Your Hunting

Just because you aren’t working on deer-specific tasks, doesn’t mean you’re not getting better at hunting. For instance, focusing on your fitness and overall health can have a direct impact on your hunting, yet it requires zero time in the woods or on stand.

If you nearly had a heart attack dragging out your kill last season, you might want to think about incorporating some cardio or weight training into your daily routine. Even if hunting is the only reason you decide to start running or training, it’s still a great way to think about deer hunting without thinking about deer hunting. If you can push your physical and mental capabilities during a workout, you’ll do the same during the dog days of deer season.

Working out isn’t the only way to indirectly improve your deer hunting though. If you’re dedicated enough to pick up your bow and establish a shooting routine right after the season, consider trading your stick and string for a fly rod (at least briefly). Bowhunting whitetails requires patience, accuracy, and dedication. So does fly fishing.

Whether you’re wading a trout stream or poling through a salt marsh, you’ll need precise, well-timed casts to be successful and not spook fish. That type of patience and finesse can translate to bowhunting. Swap a few weekends on the water for your range sessions. Who knows, you might even have fun. But even if you aren’t interested in fly fishing, there are plenty of other ways you can challenge yourself outside of hunting.

Avoid Burnout

Burnout isn’t just for overworked employees or the drag strip. Hunters experience it, too, whether it’s in season or out. I’m not saying you should go months without working on your deer hunting goals, but intentional time off can give you a fresh perspective and new motivation. It’s sort of like rest days for working out. They’re necessary even if they feel unproductive. Instead of grinding your body to a pulp or risking injury, you’re giving it time to recover and, ultimately, become stronger. Sure, there’s a time for digging your heels in and pushing through, but strategic rest days are pivotal.

Similarly, time away from deer scouting and work allows us to take a step back, evaluate the previous season’s mistakes, approach the new season with a fresh set of eyes, and make deer hunting fun again. Summer is a great time to do this. With temps flirting near triple digits and the parade of creepy crawlers in the woods, you’re better off learning a new sport or target practicing. A one to two-week break from your deer dreams won’t kill them.

Pace Yourself

If you take deer hunting seriously, then you know there isn’t really an off-season when you think about the prep, hunting, running trail cameras, and post-season work. Throw in a string of bad seasons or mishaps, and other hobbies will start to look a lot more appealing. That’s why it’s important to take intentional breaks away from working or thinking about deer hunting, even if just briefly.