Even with all of the giddy excitement, deer season is serious business. And more importantly, the opening day of gun season is no time to mess around. Many states throughout the U.S. have a very short, jam-packed gun season date range, lasting only several days to a week or two long. This is not much time to tag out, as most hunters know. Sometimes, you can go a few sits without seeing a soul.

However, other states (like Florida) offer more time for hunting with firearms. Still, it is important to be as prepared as possible for the opening day of gun season – and that preparation starts now. Utilizing this limited time as best as possible will be your best bet for landing that buck you have been eyeing.

HuntWise is here to help! Keep reading for our eight best tips and tricks to be ready for opening day and score a big buck this season.

1. Make a Wish List

Just like you did at Christmas time when you were young, make a list of necessary things to feel comfortable and confident for opening day.

Whether it is new trail cams, a new gun, new wool socks, or even a new gun case, start searching for your necessary items as early as possible.

Be sure to include packing items as well, such as food, camp gear, hot chocolate, and all of the items that will make you the most successful hunter possible.

2. Plan For Warmth

If you hunt up north (like our HuntWise Michigan-based team members), cool conditions can be a factor during the early hunting season. So, staying warm must be a priority.  

As hunters, we want to stay out all day. There is nothing worse than having to head back to camp because you need another pair of socks or your other insulated boots. Therefore, put together a layering plan.

Layers are everything when it comes to all-day hunts and staying comfortable. Consider having an insulated layer, a soft layer, and a sweat-wicking layer for optimal warmth and easy access to take on and off.

3. Plan Your Approach To The Woods

Strategically planning your walkout to your spot is worth the extra effort.

Saving both noise and confusion will be worth it in the long run when you don't scare a deer away by walking through their bedding areas because you didn't scout during the daylight.

Use HuntWise to e-scout and learn your hunting area, then plan how you will get to your spot. The app's WindCast feature can help you plan for the wind so those whitetail don't smell you coming! 

4. Understand the Wind

Understanding the wind is essential. However, how much wind or the wind's direction is not a defining factor in whether to hunt or not or if you should hunt from a ground blind, portable blind, or tree stand.

Be ready to have a plan B in case the wind is not in your favor.  It is always good to have several options angled differently to optimize your chances of success.

5. Hunt a Smaller Area

Most deer stick to a square mile or less for their "home" territory. Even in the midst of large state land, deer claim their territory and stick to it.

So, try hunting in a smaller area on the opening day of gun season. Pick 50-100 acres to scout, e-scout it thoroughly using HuntWise, and plot stands or ground blinds through your hunting area of choice.

If you find bedding areas and funnels throughout your small area, your chances of scoring a buck are very high.

6. Skip Lunch And Stay Put All. Day. Long.

Many hunters will go into camp and grab a quick bite to eat before heading back out for the night hunt.

However, due to noise and activity, this can cause deer movement. So, plan to sit tight and eat your sandwich while waiting for the big ones.

You might be surprised by the movement you witness from in your blind or stand while you stay there when other hunters take a lunch break and go in.

7. Locate Escape Routes

When scouting before opening day, locate all of the important areas you'll need to know for a successful day afield. This includes travel funnels, thickets, and bedding areas.

If you want to land a big whitetail, you must understand how they operate. After e-scouting your hunting area, make a plan to go out before opening day and act as if you are hunting. Think about where the deer run and mark these important areas on your HuntWise app to easily locate them when opening day finally comes.

8. Make Sure You Are "Sighted In"

There is no worse feeling than thinking you're prepared and ready for opening day and then missing your first deer because your sight was "off."

Whether you're using a rifle or muzzleloader, practice shooting your firearm in the off-season, sight in your rifle, and understand your distances. It doesn't matter if your practice shot goes well or is awful; at least you will know and be ready for the opening-day opportunities.

Use HuntWise to Get Ready for Opening Day of Gun Season

You can't control whether or not you see a monster buck on the first day of gun season (or at all) – but you can control whether you are prepared and understand your land.

HuntWise and the eight tips we provided today can help you be ready to see a big buck when it's time to get out into the field. With multiple map layers, WindCast, and HuntCast to help you predict the best places and times to hunt, you can fine-tune your hunting area and improve your chances of zeroing in on that whitetail your after to start the season.

If you don't have the app yet, make it part of your preparation for opening day! Download it and enjoy access to every feature – free – for a week.

Content updated July 1, 2024.