The Deerslayer's Wife
Embracing the Hunting Lifestyle
Getting Ready for Deer Season/ Making a List and Checking It Twice
Like most avid hunters, we’ve been using this time before deer season begins to set up feeder pens and feeders, figure out game cameras (not as easy as one might think) and basically just start getting things ready to roll before opening day.
For the first time ever, we are working on OUR VERY OWN hunting ranch and there’s sooo much to do. We’ve brought our camper out here so it’s acting as our home base for the time being. There is a small cinder block building on the property that had been a hunting cabin in years gone by. It’s going to require much loving care before I’m ready to call it my home away from home, however. The mice love it, though. They’ve set up shop and have called every flat surface their own personal potty spot. Like I said, much work to do.
One of the problems we’ve experienced as we make the 7 hour journey back and forth from our home in South Texas to our ranch in the Hill Country is remembering what supplies we need to bring and what’s still at the ranch. What non-perishable foods have we left up there, what tools, what clothing?
For the most part, most hunters, whether on a lease or at their own place, are in a position that allows them to leave some provisions in place between trips during the hunting season and during the weeks preceding. However, the problem that we’ve had is that we can’t remember what’s been left at the ranch and what needs to go. How many cans of Ranch Style Beans does a hungry hunter need? Or saws? Or shovels?
Do we have foil at the ranch? We better pick some up.
I’ve come up with an idea that certainly helps.
Before we leave from the ranch, I snap pictures of the inside of the pantry, the fridge, the tool shed, the linen box. That helps us to remember whether we need to bring garlic powder, flour, sugar, Ranch Style beans, clean bedding and towels, etc. It provides an instant view of what’s still out at the ranch and what we need to bring.
I’ve even left a few personal items that would get me through in a pinch; hair brush, toiletries, lotion, undies, t-shirts, boot socks (to be worn with snake boots), mirror, tweezers for cactus thorns and ticks, and some work pants and jeans in the closet.
While on our next trip, I’m going to snap pictures of our emergency (and non-emergency) basket. It includes band-aids of all shapes and sizes, iodine, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, pain relievers, allergy meds, heat pads, etc.
This tip goes a long way toward helping us make our list and pack for our trip to the ranch.
It’s going to take us a while to finish up the aluminum foil, though!
The Deerslayer's Wife 
I want that can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes. I see you have some maple syrup to drizzle on pancakes. I wish I could come and live with you for one year. Just to experience what deer hunting is all about. You have a very exciting life….mine is pretty the same and monotonous!!!
The fire-roasted tomatoes are extremely versatile. I use them in everything. I think someone should devise a small flask that could be used for maple syrup. I love the stuff! You’re right, though. Our lives are never boring in the Deerslayer household. My grown daughters are constantly telling me that “we don’t live like other people.” I guess not. I recently had to nurse the scratches I received from climbing over the barbed wire fence out at the ranch. I got my snake boot hung in the fence when the cows came after me and shorts were not a good idea. Not like most families. Nope. I wouldn’t have it any other way.