Five Things to Do Before Bird Season Opens
A little preparation now leads to a safer, more successful season.
There's something special about the weeks leading up to bird season. The mornings begin to cool, dogs become more animated with every training session, and the anticipation of hearing a covey rise or watching your bird dog lock up on point is hard to beat. While it's tempting to simply grab your shotgun and head afield on opening day, taking a few hours to prepare now can make all the difference in your success, safety, and enjoyment this fall.
Here are five things every upland hunter should do before the season opens.
1. Pattern Your Shotgun
One of the biggest mistakes hunters make is assuming their shotgun shoots exactly where they're looking. Every shotgun, choke, and shotshell combination performs differently, and the only way to know how yours patterns is to test it.
Spend some time at the range shooting paper targets at 20, 30, and 40 yards with the ammunition you plan to hunt with. Compare different choke tubes to see how your pattern changes and where your shotgun naturally prints.
Patterning helps you:
Understand your effective range.
Choose the best choke and shotshell combination.
Build confidence before opening day.
Ensure ethical, clean harvests.
Knowing exactly how your shotgun performs removes the guesswork when that first bird flushes.
2. Check Your Gun Fit
A shotgun that doesn't fit you will always make shooting more difficult. Unlike rifles, shotguns are pointed rather than aimed, which means proper fit is critical for consistent shooting.
Before the season starts, shoulder your shotgun several times while wearing the clothing you'll hunt in. Your eye should naturally align with the rib without lifting or lowering your head.
If something feels off, consider:
Length of pull
Comb height
Cast
Pitch
Recoil pad thickness
Even small adjustments can improve your mount, reduce felt recoil, and increase your confidence in the field. If possible, have a qualified shotgun instructor evaluate your fit before opening day.
3. Inspect Your Hunting Boots
Nothing ruins a hunt faster than sore feet or wet socks.
Pull your boots out well before your first hunt and inspect them carefully. Look for worn soles, loose stitching, cracked leather, damaged laces, or separated seams. If they're waterproof, test them before you're miles from the truck.
Don't forget to:
Replace worn insoles.
Reapply waterproof treatment if needed.
Break in new boots before hunting.
Pack extra socks for longer hunts.
Comfortable feet mean you'll cover more ground and enjoy every mile behind your dog.
4. Refresh Your First Aid Kits
Accidents happen, whether it's a scraped hand from barbed wire, a thorn in your dog's paw, or a minor cut while cleaning birds.
Now is the perfect time to check both your personal and canine first aid kits.
Your kit should include:
Bandages and gauze
Medical tape
Antiseptic wipes
Tweezers
Pain reliever
Blister care
Emergency whistle
Your dog's kit should include:
Vet wrap
Saline solution
Tick remover
Booties
Hemostatic gauze
Styptic powder
Benadryl (only use with your veterinarian's guidance)
Emergency contact numbers for your veterinarian and the nearest emergency clinic
Replace expired supplies and make sure everything is easy to access in your hunting vest or truck.
5. Tune Up Your Dog
Even experienced bird dogs benefit from a preseason refresher.
A few weeks before opening day is the perfect time to revisit the basics. Focus on short, positive training sessions that reinforce obedience while rebuilding endurance and confidence.
Work on:
Recall
Whoa or Sit
Steadiness
Quartering or handling
Retrieves
Bird work
Conditioning with walks, swimming, or roading
Don't forget to inspect collars, e-collars, GPS units, check cords, and leashes to ensure they're all working properly. Make sure your dog's vaccinations are current and that flea and tick prevention is up to date.
A dog that is physically conditioned and mentally prepared will be safer, hunt longer, and perform with greater confidence throughout the season.
Ready for Opening Day
Bird season has a way of arriving faster than we expect. Spending a little time preparing now means you'll spend less time worrying in the field and more time enjoying every flush, every retrieve, and every sunrise behind your bird dog.
Preparation isn't just about being ready—it's about making the most of every opportunity the season brings. Here's to safe hunts, great dogs, lasting memories, and a bird vest that's a little heavier on the walk back to the truck.
