Offseason blues

[Godawgs89]

Just got done with my first season of duck hunting. Was addicted right away. Still learning the ropes obviously but man I’m already ready for the 2026 season. What does everyone here do during the offseason to prep for the following season? Anything a beginner like myself should be working on? Thanks!

[Mfowl]

Fishing!...Its a long off-season!

[Kingofthemountain83]

Fishing!...Its a long off-season!

 

I haven't fowled in years but fishing, shed hunting, turkeys season is around the corner as well... Bear starts August 1st...

[Boss .300 winmag]

Shoot trap, or skeet to improve your shooting.

[metlhead]

Start road tripping and build up an assortment of access points. Fishing has given me tons of ideas for hunting. Go drive through Ridgefield and count birds. Great time to find a boat if you haven't one. Waterfowl season never ends, but shooting em only lasts four months.

[rainshadow1]

Mt Lions!

[erronulvin]

Empty out the goose trailer and repaint the snow goose spread (got about 700 fullbody snows to touch up) repaint/flock 200ish canadas, fully flock 180 duck fullbodys. Its gonna be a busy spring/summer but first gotta shoot some turkeys

[Hilltop123]

Just got done with my first season of duck hunting. Was addicted right away. Still learning the ropes obviously but man I’m already ready for the 2026 season. What does everyone here do during the offseason to prep for the following season? Anything a beginner like myself should be working on? Thanks!

If you have a drone, now is the time to use it. Before things start leafing out, go find some hidden ponds. On/X and Google earth are great, but they don’t show everything. They especially don’t show this time of year, when the vegetation is beaten down and no leaf’s on the trees. I also use this time of year to hunt down spots, that I see vehicles regularly parked at and I suspect they are hunting. Great time to find trails and spots where guys have blinds. Plenty to keep a guy busy.

[ducksdogsdownriggers]

1. Train your dog, train your dog, train your dog.  Unless your dog is a MH or QAA+, in which case help your hunting buddy train his dog. 
2. Maintenance on all things trailer(s), boat(s) and firearm(s)
3. Take inventory of any gear you may need and keep an eye out for sales/deals
4. Conservation activities: litter clean-up, habitat improvement, nesting boxes etc
5. Trap/skeet
6. Last but possibly most important, build up as much goodwill with the Mrs as possible.  You're going to need it!

[Oldguy]

If you are married, buy all the decoys you can afford. When your wife complains about that, ask her why she needs so many shoes! Then mending your relationship will probably take well up to the next waterfowl season.

[goosegunner]

  I like to do all my decoy cleaning and repairs very early in the off season, that way it doesn't keep getting put on the back burner then the next thing you know opening day is only a few weeks away and your scrambling.
 
 Also take inventory and figured out what needs replaced and what new items I would like to purchase, then put them on a priority list and start scratching away at that.
 
 And always off season dog training. I do participate in a few hunt test during the spring and summer. it helps keep me accountable to actually train my dog and not put it on the back burner, Then like mentioned above opening day sneaks up on you and you have a fat out of shape dog.

lots of E scouting trying to figure out the next secret spot.
 

[TeacherMan]

Waterfowl - ice fishing - trapping - shed hunting - spring bear - spring crappie fishing - Springer season - trout fishing - summer nighttime fishing - huckleberry picking and trail cams - archery season, grouse season - regular hunting season - waterfowl - start over 

[HillHound]

 

Waterfowl - ice fishing - trapping - shed hunting - spring bear - spring crappie fishing - Springer season - trout fishing - summer nighttime fishing - huckleberry picking and trail cams - archery season, grouse season - regular hunting season - waterfowl - start over 

Used to tell my wife I would get projects done when hunting season ended. She soon learned hunting season never ends, what I am out looking for might change but there is something to hunt year round even if it is sheds, berries, or what’s in the trap