As much as I have anticipated this time of year and it always seems like an eternity to get here- it’s starting to smell and feel like fall. I even recorded my daughter seeing her breath in the air last night on a video. We’re under 100 days now until the start of the deer rifle season and I have a friend already texting every few days to remind me how many days are left, that’s how important deer season is to some of us. We’re almost there. It’s almost time! Bear-Duck-Goose-Grouse-Moose-Deer-Bonus Deer seasons or as others call them August- September-October-November-December are right around the corner and it’s time to get ready. If you hunt bear I hope you’ve been baiting already or you might want to get on that real quick. If you hunt moose or deer now is a great time to be out there brushing trails or building/repairing your permanent stand. For those of you that hunt from an owned camp, now that bug season is over, head out and get your repairs and upgrades done. Through Oley’s Auctions people have started to come in and get beds and furniture for their deer camps already, it’s a great way to get inexpensive furniture and upgrade existing items or add more to additions recently built.

Life is going to be different this year but I don’t think any of us are going to miss out on hunting. There are going to be some challenges this year however that many people may not realize. At Oley’s we are being advised by our suppliers, including the biggest gun supplier in Canada, that there will be shortages. Many guns will not be available until 2021, MAYBE!! For example: one supplier has approximately 200 different models of guns made by one manufacturer, only 5 have stock available. This is the reality we are facing right now. We are anticipating shortages in many calibers of ammunition as well. As much as I have increased stock on the essentials it appears that the suppliers will run out. And the prices-oh my! They are increasing constantly. It was only a few years ago I sold SKS’s on a special promotion for $175 taxes in, now they are $429.99+tax. While that is the example of the worst increase, price increases are everywhere. The best advice I can give on a firearm or ammunition is not to wait to purchase either as there is no promises what you are looking for will be available when the season comes that you need it.

Plan ahead for the seasons now. Which area you are going to hunt this year? Make sure your place is booked if you rent. Start talking to others to see who is coming. Get a count and make sure you have enough beds or make a plan to make more space in advance. We all know it’s going to happen that some people will have to share and others will have to sleep in their trucks or on the kitchen floor by the fireplace but you can at least try to plan to avoid this. Plan your gear and hunting equipment and get new ones if you need them. Trust me, when your standing in a group of 20+ people and your old hunting coat zipper fails and traps you in it, you’ll wish you’d bought a new one before ripping it apart in a claustrophobic fit then freezing the rest of the day. Or when you grab your sons rubber boots out of the cupboard because you can’t find your own and the rubber literally crumbles off of them leaving your with soaked feet, you’ll wish you had new ones (I really cannot be just me this stuff happens to).

No matter that involves in your life, start your hunt now and get ready for the best time of the year!