7 Off-Season Activities To Keep You Going This Winter

Much of the country is covered in snow and mother nature’s icy breath has slowed things down for those of us who live and breathe the outdoor lifestyle.

Yet, there are plenty of fun, off-season activities to keep you going and prepare you for next season.

Here are some activities to pursue this winter:

Cook Over a Fire

Most people would still prefer to grill during the summer. But, grilling in the winter can be just as fun, especially if you can keep yourself warm. That’s where cooking over the fire shines. Not only does it get you outside, but it also keeps you warm while you get to prepare delicious meals. There is also something special about cooking food over dancing flames and swirling smoke. All you need is a fire pit and your castiron cookware.

Make Jerky

Chances are you have a bunch of wild game in the freezer. Why not use the time during the winter to prepare some jerky. Either do it by yourself or together with others for some cold-weather fun while you are stuck inside. Making jerky is easy if you have a dehydrator. Otherwise, the oven can work. Jerky can be the perfect, natural snack to keep you going in the field.

Go Ice Fishing

My favorite outdoor activity to do when it gets cold is ice fishing! Why? Well, it comes with a lot of benefits. First, it gives me a great reason to go outside in the cold and keeps me occupied for most of the winter. Second, on days when the temps drop below zero and the wind howls, going ice fishing can increase mental resilience. Strengthening your mind in the off-season will benefit you during those hunts high up in the mountains or hours on end in a treestand. Third, many fishermen, myself included, think fish taste better through the ice. Finally, ice fishing is very much a social activity. There is strength in numbers, because the more people you have in your group, the easier it will be to find lots of fish.

Hunt Small Game

Most big game hunting seasons have closed by now. But the winter has some of the best small game hunting opportunities. Now is the ideal time to pursue rabbits and squirrels. Many states have seasons that extend into February. So make sure to check your state’s regulations and get that stew meat this winter!

Start Tying Flies

Although winter fly fishing is popular with some, most anglers prefer to leave the waders at home until it warms up again. Instead, they will use the downtime to tie a bunch of flies for next season. Some of my friends, who have been tying flies for years, swear that it is one of the best ways to destress after work. Especially when the days get shorter and night falls before you even realize it.

Shoot Your Bow

Becoming a skilled archery hunter takes lots of practice. But for whatever reason, most people set their bow aside after the hunting season. They then scramble a couple of weeks before the opener, because they haven’t shot for months. Don’t let that be you. Use the off-season to hone your archery skills all year long instead. This will give you a lot more confidence when it is time to go bow hunting again. On top of that, there are likely some local 3D Archery Leagues you can join during the winter. These are tons of fun and you might meet your next hunting buddies there.

Go Scouting

Finally, you can use this time during the winter and early spring to go scout new or existing areas. There might be those properties that you never got to explore before the season took off. Now would be a great time to get an idea of the lay of the land without having to worry about disturbing animals. You might also want some intel on what animals made it through the season. If it is legal in your state, go hang out some trail cameras or bring along a mobile treestand for an observation sit. Also, warmer days during January - April could reveal last fall’s animal signs. Look for things like old rub lines, scrapes, and secondary trails to collect intel for the following season.