The 2014 season is just getting under way, and yet some hunters will have not even checked their gear, got some practice in, or thought about where they’re going to hunt. Like anything else, and even perhaps more so with bow hunting, you get out what you put in. Don’t assume your equipment is still dialed in and ready to go, or that your favorite grounds from last year will still give you the best results. Here’s my top tips to getting the most of this season.

 Work on your form.

When it comes to bow hunting, accuracy is everything. Proper form starts with the proper stance. Feet should be shoulder width apart, bow sitting correctly in your hand, and drawing elbow held up high when at full draw. Make sure to follow through correctly and don’t move your head. As the old saying goes, to see a bad shot, just look at it. You should practice your form until it becomes automatic, because when you’re out on the range, only the first shot will count.

Maintain your equipment  

While many bow hunters enjoy spending money on their hobby, many fail to keep their bow maintained after the initial setup period. Make sure to regularly wax your bow string, which can extend the life of your string. Sights, rests and other things can also loosen after months of shooting, timing can get off and string loops can break. Give your bow a regular checkup to make sure it’s going to perform perfectly for you when the season starts. Finally, just before you go out, check it over carefully for any small nicks or damage.

 Supertune your bow

There’s nothing worse than getting everything else in place and then having your bow let you down at the final shot. Some hunters spend the off season shooting with field points, only to find themselves having to adjust their sights once they’re using broadheads out on the range. Take your time, and tune your bow so that your field points and broadheads both fly true.

Study the animal

To be a successful hunter, you need to understand the animal you’re hunting. This will help you understand how the animal is going to behave in certain situations, giving you the advantage. Learn both their habits and habitat before you go out on the hunt. This can help build your confidence as well as being an enjoyable experience.

Practice as you mean to hunt

Practice doesn't mean perfect if it’s not done in the correct way. Many deer hunters shoot from tree stands, but few practice shooting from an elevated position. Dress in your hunting gear as often as you can to practice before the season. Do not underestimate what even just the feel of a heavy outer layer can do to your shot. If you plan on hunting in low light, practice in low light. Your maximum effective range will almost certainly be shorter than you expect.

Practice shooting from different positions

Being able to shoot from different positions is vital for anyone who hunts with a bow. Although many hunt from a tree stand, you may also be interested in using a blind, or stalking. A good position to master is kneeling. Kneeling allows you to hide out of sight from the animal when necessary, and is also similar enough to standing that you can maintain good form. It’s also an easy position to get into when on the move.

Research your hunting grounds

Don’t just assume that the perfect spot you found last year will still be the best place to go. Explore new places. Technology these days enables you to get a birds-eye view of hunting grounds, including images detailed enough to help you pick the best spot for a tree stand, all from your living room. A tip you may not know about Google Earth, if you zoom in you can even see deer trails in the fields.

Scout your spot early

Nothing sets animals on alert like a pack of hunters scouting around right before the season starts. Start early, and know the area extremely well. It’s a good idea to scout before and after the season as well, so you know the land like the back of your hand.

Be patient

Perhaps the most heard tip from experienced bow hunters, patience is most definitely a virtue when hunting. Don’t lose hope if you haven’t taken a deer by the end of the rut, and also be patient when developing your skills each year. Your skills, and therefore your successes, will improve every season.

Never give up accuracy for speed

Unless you are a perfect shot every time, always favor accuracy over speed. Fast bows may offer more forgiveness for bad yardage estimations, but it’s often not worth it. A bad shot is still a bad shot, no matter how fast it goes out.

Practice good scent control

Many hunters take scent control very seriously, and with good reason. Unlike hunting with a gun, a bow hunter needs to get close enough to take an accurate shot, without being detected by your prey. There are both homemade options and commercial scent neutralizers you can use. It can also benefit you to avoid strong scents such as gasoline, cleaning supplies, perfume, smoke, and chemicals. Don’t forget to also use your chosen scent killer on anything you take out into the field with you.

Master the wind

That said, scent control is just one side of the coin. Use sprays and soaps if that’s your preference, it can’t hurt. But to get really close to deer as often as possible, you’ll need to know how to hunt according to the wind. Whitetail deer have over 200 million scent receptors. Hunt smart, and learn to use the wind to your advantage.

Consider hunting with a partner

Many bow hunters typically hunt solo, but there are situations where taking a friend can be a big help. Having another hunter to help keep track of a buck when stalking or someone else to manoeuvre a decoy can help make the difference between getting the shot or not. A good hunting partnership is based on communication and respect. You must be able to trust each other and be considerate of each other’s methods and skills.

Take care of the basics

So you’ve found the perfect place and have sat for hours waiting for the perfect prey, only to bump into a branch at the last minute. Make sure that your bow clears your stand when you’re setup to shoot, and that it has a clear path. If your arrow so much as glances something on the way, you can miss your shot.

If you have anything that requires batteries, take extra, and also pack a backup of anything small but important, such as your favorite release.

Make the shot count

Put all that time waiting to good use. Most missed shots when bow hunting are due to yardage estimations. While you’re waiting for a deer, range trees at different distances and remember them as mental landmarks. Don’t jump the minute you see a deer in the distance, take the extra second to use your landmark and get the shot right. Make sure your arrows are in good condition, and check for sharpness before each hunt.

Safety first, and always

If hunting in a tree stand, at the very least wear a harness, and better yet consider a lifeline and attach it as soon as you start climbing the tree. Don’t become a statistic. Make sure someone knows where you’re going. It’s an old one, but it matters. If you’re lost or injured, hours can make all the difference. Finally, keep your radio or phone on your person, not in your bag. Again, if you’re injured, or simply lose your backpack, you can still call for help.

The best thing you can do to become a better bow hunter? Hunt. Get that practice in, and then get out there and experience everything. Have a great season!