Some of you may say it’s a little too early to start thinking about bow season, but if you’re going to do it right and be successful, then you should have probably started gettin’ ready by now.

For many of us, including myself, bow hunting for deer is not just a passion; it’s a way of life. If we’re not trying to fill tags, we’re reliving the hunts or remembering the mistakes that will eternally infect our minds. We read about it, investigate the latest gear, and make plans for the season to come. I myself start thinking about next season while I’m in the stand the last day of the season that is passing.

That last part is particularly important because how you prepare for next season plays a large part in the memories you’ll receive away from it.With that in mind, here are a few things that every bowhunter should do well before the smell of autumn is in the air.

Fine tune it

Whether you use a compound, longbow, or recurve, the basic elements of bow tuning are equal. The most indispensable element is the right arrow. If you’re not sure what that is, consult a manufacturer’s shaft selection chart.

First, however, you’ll need to know your bow’s draw weight, type of cams (if any), and your draw length. This information will yield a short list of arrows that will match your outfit.

Once you’ve selected from that list, adjust the bow’s nocking point and arrow rest until you achieve optimum arrow flight. A quick search on the Internet will provide sound advice on how to do this. There are also books, videos, and DVDs available that explain the process very well.

It’s well worth the effort. A tuned bow shoots arrows more accurately and, with increased penetration, the two prerequisites for the hunting archer.

Check the pieces parts

Once your bow has been tuned, it’s time to think about how all of its pieces parts work together. The idea is to review each accessory to ensure that each is useful and quiet in the field.

Start by making sure that you have a reliable hunting sight. Your peep sight, if you use one, should have a large aperture, advantageous to use in low light.

Similarly, your sight pins should be highly radiant and fine or as small as possible. The bigger the pin, the harder it is to settle on a small spot on a distant animal.

While you’re at it, ask yourself how many pins you really need. Many bowhunters use only two, one set at 20 and the other at 30 yards. This covers practical hunting distances while leaving an uncluttered sight picture. I myself prefer a pendulum, but whatever your preference, the offseason is the time to decide what works for you.