Venison Prep 101: What to Do Before Deer Season

I can almost smell the woodsmoke and hear the crunch of frosty leaves already. Deer season in Northwestern Ontario is like a holiday for us hunters – a time that brings out equal parts excitement and preparation panic. Whether you’re a seasoned bush veteran or a bright-eyed rookie, getting ready for the hunt is half the fun (and all the work). As a guy who’s learned many lessons the hard way, I’m here to walk you through the pre-season prep with a wink and a nudge. Grab your coffee (maybe spike it with a little something on those chilly mornings) and let’s get into Venison Prep 101.

Scouting: Know Thy Deer

Deer hunting success starts long before you’re shivering in a tree stand. Scouting is your homework – and trust me, it pays off. I like to start by walking game trails and checking last year’s hotspots. Look for deer sign like rubs and scrapes. Rubs are those patches of bark that have been scarred and polished by antlers – they’re sure signs a buck has been through. In fact, a series of rubs in a line often marks a key buck travel corridor. And scrapes (those pawed-up patches of dirt under low-hanging branches) are basically buck calling cards announcing, “I was here, ladies”. Finding fresh tracks or droppings is icing on the cake – it’s like a deer left its business card.

One of my favorite scouting tools these days is the trail camera. Gone are the days of grainy photos and half-dead batteries – now we’ve got units like the SpyPoint Flex S Dark, a solar-powered cellular trail cam that can send pictures to your phone in real-time. This bad boy runs on the power of the sun and uses no-glow LEDs so it won’t spook any savvy old bucks. I stick a couple of these cams up overlooking well-used trails and watering holes. The sooner you get your trail cams out, the better intel you gather. Some folks run them year-round, but even a few weeks before season will teach you a ton about deer patterns – feeding times, travel routes, and which buck is the local king of the woods. Knowledge is power, and trail cam photos are basically deer study notes. Just remember to check your camera before you head to your stand – one friend of mine climbed into his blind only to realize he’d left a camera card at home, missing a week’s worth of intel (rookie mistake!).

While you’re out there, scout smart. Move slowly, use your binoculars to glass clearings from afar, and mind the wind (your scent is a neon warning sign to deer). I like to imagine I’m part ninja, part wildlife biologist – sneaking around, noting every broken twig or fresh track. Sometimes I get a little too into it: picture a grown man belly-crawling to peek over a ridge at dusk. 🤣 But hey, every bit of scouting now means a better chance when the season opens. Plus, it gives you great stories – like the time I checked a trail cam and found 300 photos of a curious raccoon who must’ve thought he was a supermodel. Bottom line: do your scouting. Your future self, sitting in a stand watching that big buck stroll exactly where you expected, will thank you.

Food Plots & Attractants: Buffet for Bucks

Now let’s talk food – for the deer, that is. If you’re lucky enough to have some land, a well-maintained food plot can be a game-changer. Think of it as setting up a buffet to keep the deer coming back for more. Up here in northwestern Ontario, where winters are tough and natural forage can be scarce, deer love high-energy crops. If you planted clover or alfalfa in spring, give those plots a once-over before season: trim the weeds and make sure the buffet is still open. Some hunters also seed fall favorites like turnips, sugar beets, or corn in late summer – these offer essential cold-weather food that deer will flock to when the frost hits. A lush, green food plot in October is like a neon “FREE LUNCH” sign for whitetails. Just be prepared: maintaining a food plot means wrangling weeds and praying for rain like you’re a farmer. (I’ve had many a heartfelt chat with the clouds, begging them to water my plot – sometimes it even works!)

No food plot? No problem. There are other ways to attract deer (legally and ethically) to your hunting area. One classic method is using mineral licks or salt blocks – deer crave salt, especially post-summer, so setting a salt lick near a trail can keep them stopping by. You can also put out attractant feed like apples or formulated deer chow if regulations allow. In some parts of Ontario, baiting is legal, but always double-check the local rules and use common sense – a little goes a long way. Another trick is scent attractants: ever heard of synthetic buck scent? A few drops of those in the right spot can spark a deer’s curiosity (or romantic interest). Just be careful using them too early or too often; you don’t want to educate the deer to your tricks. And for goodness’ sake, store these scent bottles carefully – true story, a buddy of mine spilled a bottle of doe urine in his truck once, and let’s just say that smell was his “air freshener” for a loooong time. The only visitors he attracted were flies!

Whether it’s a thriving clover patch or a well-placed pile of apples, the goal is to make your hunting spot the deer’s favorite dining spot. Keep in mind, nothing beats knowing the natural food sources too. Wild apple trees, oak stands dropping acorns, fresh logging cuts with new growth – learn what the deer are already eating and plan around that. A bit of food-based strategy now means the deer will be fat and happy… and hopefully right in your sights when the season opens.

Sighting In & Gear Tune-Up

You’ve heard the mantra: “Sight in your rifle!” – and it’s repeated because it’s vital. Trust me, you don’t want to find out your scope is off after you miss the buck of a lifetime. Before deer season, I head to the shooting range (or a safe makeshift range out in the boonies) to zero my rifle at a suitable distance (100 yards is typical for our neck of the woods). Bring the exact ammo you plan to hunt with – different bullets can hit different points. And if you switched anything on your gun (new scope, new mounts, or even new sling swivels), definitely get some practice shots in. I once missed an easy broadside shot because I assumed my rifle was still perfectly zeroed from last year… only to discover the scope had shifted. That’s a recipe for heartbreak and some choice words echoing through the forest.

While you’re at it, practice, practice, practice. Shoot from various positions – benchrest is fine for sight-in, but also try kneeling, prone, or using a tree as a makeshift rest, as you might in the field. The more familiar you are with your firearm (or bow, if that’s your thing), the better you’ll perform when that adrenaline kicks in. I like to joke that I practice until I can shoot straight even with my coffee thermos rattling from the morning caffeine. Also, check your scope and optics: are the mounts tight? Is the glass clean? No cracks or fogging? A quick once-over can save you a world of trouble later. Same goes for your firearm maintenance – give your rifle a good cleaning and lubrication. I know a guy who couldn’t get a follow-up shot on a buck because his semi-auto jammed from gunk and rust (he hadn’t cleaned it since last season… rookie move!).

Pre-season tune-up isn’t just about guns, though. Inspect all your gear. If you use a tree stand or ground blind, set it up now (instead of dawn on opening day) to make sure everything’s in order. Climb into that tree stand and double-check the straps, steps, and shooting rail. I do this every year and often find a surprise, like a squirrel that chewed my seat or a strap that’s fraying. Better to fix it in September than fall out of it in November. While up there, clear your shooting lanes – trim those pesky branches that grew over summer so you have a clear line of sight when it counts. (A buddy of mine once had to watch a buck stroll away because one tiny twig deflected his bullet – you can bet he took pruners up the next day.) Check any trail markers or tacks if you use them, refresh faded flagging tape, and ensure your flashlights and headlamps have fresh batteries. Basically, give all your gear a once-over: if it can squeak, snag, or fail, find out now instead of when you’re 5 km back in the bush at 6 AM.

Consider this your gear tune-up mantra: tighten it, test it, or replace it. Are your boots still waterproof? Does your GPS or two-way radio power on? Is your knife sharp enough to field dress efficiently? This is the time to find out. I personally like to do a full “dress rehearsal” a week or two before season – I put on all my gear and go for a short hike or sit in my stand to identify any issues (like that backpack strap that creaks or the jacket that’s noisier than a bag of chips). Sure, the neighbors might think I’m crazy trudging around in camo in my backyard, but come opening day, I’m the guy whose stuff is squared away. And that means I can focus on hunting, not fumbling with gear.

Gear Checklist: Don’t Forget These!

Let’s switch to checklist mode and run through the essential gear. Even experienced hunters have shown up in camp missing something important (cough like rifle ammo cough… I won’t name names, but he knows who he is). For beginners, this list could save your bacon. I recommend laying out all your gear on the garage floor a few days prior and checking it twice, Santa-style. Here are the must-haves before you head into the Ontario woods:

• Hunting License & Deer Tag – Number one for a reason. Make sure you’ve got your valid Ontario Outdoors Card, deer license, and tag in your pack or wallet (and sealed in a Ziploc if you’re trudging through swampy terrain). If you’re the forgetful type, stick a Post-it on your front door – too many rookies have realized their tag was still on the fridge at home after the deer is down. Not a fun feeling, trust me.

• Firearm (or Bow) & Ammunition – Pretty hard to harvest a deer if you forget your weapon…

Ensure your rifle (or bow/crossbow) is packed and you have plenty of ammo or arrows. I pack extra rounds in my bag just in case. Double-check that the ammo matches your gun (no grabbing the old .270 box when you’re shooting the .308). It happens! And keep your ammunition dry – a waterproof case or baggie goes a long way in our often damp fall weather.

• Blaze Orange Vest and Hat – In rifle season, this isn’t optional. Ontario law requires at least 400 square inches (2,580 cm²) of solid hunter orange on your upper body, plus a blaze orange head cover, visible from all sides. Translation: wear a proper orange vest/jacket and a hat. Not only is it the law, it’s common sense for safety. Besides, nothing ruins a hunt like an encounter with an angry conservation officer because you “forgot” your orange. I always keep a spare cheap orange vest in my truck – it’s saved a forgetful buddy more than once.

• Proper Clothing Layers – Northwestern Ontario can throw all four seasons at you in a day. Pack insulating layers (wool or fleece) and a waterproof outer layer. Early season might be mild, but later on you’ll be glad for thermal underwear and extra socks. Make sure your camo or hunting clothes are appropriate: quiet, non-scented, and ** broken in**. (New pants that swish with every step or a jacket that crinkles like a chip bag will drive you and the deer nuts.) And don’t forget gloves and a warm hat – frozen fingers on a trigger is a bad combo.

• Boots (Broken-In and Weatherproof) – Your boots can make or break your hunt. You’ll be doing miles of walking and hours of standing, so you need comfortable, warm, waterproof boots with good traction. If they’re new, break them in now – wear them on a few hikes or even around the yard. Pro tip: if you’ve got old boots, check the soles and seams. I once had a boot sole literally fall off in camp (dry rot is real!). I ended up duct-taping it for the week – not exactly high fashion, but it worked. Learn from my misfortune and inspect or replace worn-out boots ahead of time.

• Knives and Field Dressing Kit – At minimum, carry a sharp hunting knife for field dressing your deer. Dull knives are not only frustrating, they’re dangerous (more force = more chance of a slip... nobody wants a bonus finger injury). I pack two knives: one fixed blade for the heavy work and a smaller folding knife for delicate stuff. Include latex gloves if you don’t like getting too intimate with deer innards, and some field wipes or a small towel. Some folks bring game bags to keep the meat clean and cheesecloth to cover carcass openings (to keep flies out in warmer weather). Also handy: a small bone saw if you plan to split the ribcage or pelvis, and zip-ties or cord to attach that tag once you notch it.

• Miscellaneous Must-Haves – There’s always more, but here are a few that often get forgotten: flashlight or headlamp (with extra batteries!) for tracking in the dark, a length of rope or a drag harness to haul your deer out, a lighter or matches (never know when you need a fire), a basic first aid kit for blisters or cuts, and a compass/GPS (phones are great until they die or lose signal out there). I also never leave without water and snacks – a chocolate bar can feel like a feast at 3 PM in a stand. And yes, pack some toilet paper in a ziplock. Nature’s call is inevitable; leaves are a last resort (and not recommended, don’t ask how I know). Finally, if you’re hunting remote, tell someone where you’ll be and carry a charged cell phone or radio for safety.

Take the time to go through this checklist and physically touch each item as you pack it. I do this the night before every trip. It saves you from that sinking feeling when you’re halfway to the hunt camp and realize you left your ammo on the kitchen table. Veteran hunters will confirm: even after decades, we still double-check ourselves because forgetting just one thing can mess up an otherwise perfect hunt. Don’t be that guy muttering curses under his breath because he has to borrow a knife or bum extra socks from a buddy.

Home Prep: Freezers & Meat Care

Hunting isn’t all about the chase – you also need a plan for after the shot. If all goes well, you’ll be bringing home a few dozen (or hundred) pounds of fresh venison. So ask yourself: Do I have enough freezer space? If your freezer is still full of last year’s mystery meat, it’s time to make some room. With a new season just around the corner, you’re going to need that freezer space – time to clean out whatever’s left in there (I personally turned the last few packs of 2024 venison into a big batch of chili. My family enjoyed it and I freed up space – win-win.) It’s also a good idea to defrost and organize your freezer before the influx of new meat. No one wants to play freezer Tetris with a heavy cooler of venison waiting on the floor.

Speaking of coolers, prepare your meat processing setup. If the weather is warm on your hunt (a real possibility in early season), you’ll need coolers and ice ready to keep the meat from spoiling. I keep a large cooler in my truck with a couple of frozen water jugs – that way I have an instant cold storage to hold quarters or meat if needed. At home, have your meat processing tools clean, sharpened, and ready. This might include a butchering knife set, a bone saw, cutting boards, freezer paper or bags, and of course, a vacuum sealer. Vacuum sealing is the absolute best way to freeze your venison for long-term storage – nothing preserves flavor and prevents freezer burn better. If you don’t have a vacuum sealer, heavy-duty freezer bags or butcher paper (double-wrapped) can work, but you’ll sacrifice some shelf life on the meat. Label all packages with the date and cut – you may think you’ll remember which pack is stew meat versus backstrap, but after a few months in the freezer, trust me, it all looks like brown squares.

Consider how you’ll process the deer. Are you a DIY butcher or will you use a local meat processor? If you’re going DIY, maybe practice or review the steps for breaking down a deer now (plenty of YouTube tutorials out there). Make sure your knives are shaving-sharp and that you have a clean space to work. If you’ll take it to a butcher, call ahead to see their hours and any requirements (some places in Ontario won’t accept carcasses unless properly field-dressed, for example). Nothing worse than driving around with a deer in the truck bed because the butcher’s closed for the day. Also, stock up on spices and supplies for making sausage, jerky, or whatever you plan – it’s easier to get them now than when you’re tired post-hunt. I always grab extra freezer bags, sausage casings, and jerky cure preseason, so I’m ready for a weekend of meat processing after the hunt. It’s a bit of work, but when you bite into that delicious venison snack stick in mid-January, you’ll be glad you put in the effort.

Lastly, prep your home for the mess. If you’ve got a better half who isn’t thrilled about deer hair in the kitchen sink, maybe set up a garage or shed processing station. Lay down a tarp or cardboard for cutting and have a plan for disposing of carcass remains (check local regs for this too). A little preparation on the home front means you can focus on enjoying the hunt and the harvest without scrambling for freezer space or cleaning supplies at the last minute. As my grandpa used to say, “Take care of the meat, and it will take care of you” – wise words when filling the freezer is the goal.

Ready, Set, Hunt!

Preparing for deer season is a labor of love. Sure, it’s work – but it’s the kind of work we live for. Every hour spent tinkering with gear, shooting at the range, or trekking through the woods with a scouting camera makes the anticipation sweeter and the season more successful. And let’s be honest, half the fun is in the preparation rituals. I know I’m not the only one who sleeps a little less this time of year, with visions of big bucks dancing in my head like it’s Christmas Eve.

A few parting tips (rookies, listen up!) from someone who’s learned by trial and error: **always double-check your gear and your pockets – your tag, bullets, and keys (yes, I’ve seen a guy lock himself out of his truck at the trailhead at 5 AM). Plan for the worst and hope for the best: that means extra socks in case you step in a swamp, a backup release if you’re a bowhunter, and batteries for everything. Don’t overlook physical prep either; trudging through the northwest Ontario bush is tough – take some walks or do some leg exercises so you’re not huffing and puffing on the big day. And finally, keep your sense of humor. Not every hunt yields a deer, and not every plan goes off without a hitch. You might spend a day shivering in the rain without seeing a darn thing. You might spill coffee on your only map (yep, done that) or discover that the one thing you forgot was the one thing you really needed. It happens. Laugh it off, learn from it, and you’ll have a great story for the campfire.

At the end of the day, venison prep is about more than just meat in the freezer – it’s about the joy of the hunt, the camaraderie with your fellow hunters, and the peace of being out in nature, heart pounding as a deer finally steps into view. So get out there and prep like you mean it. Do the scouting, sight in that rifle, pack that checklist, and clear some freezer room for the fruits of your labor. With a little work now, you’ll be ready when that crisp dawn of opening day arrives. Good luck, hunt safe, and here’s to a freezer full of venison and stories to tell!