ng day best hunting season yet hunt water while the weather is warm • warm weather early in the season will put a premium on getting a drink • maximize water by planting forage around • hang multiple stands so you can avoid bumping deer off their main food source and keep yourself downwind of them have a plan and stick to it mark your route into your stand with reflective tacks or flagging tape so you get in quickly and quietly food and water • decide your standard for what to shoot before opening morning - debating in the moment could cost you your best chance of the season approaching the pre-rut harvesting does early the pre-rut provides an opportunity to this time to learn the buck's patterns as he moves between his bedding spot and favorite feeding area - but keep your distance and while the buck is still in a routine and use this opportunity to catch him lazy before his hormones kick in there are several reasons to harvest does early early in the season can take some pressure off and build confidence going into chasing bucks during the rut