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Mentally

Prepare

For Your

Next

Hunt

By Taylor Maas

Confidence is a crucial aspect of

many sports. There are
hundreds of sport psychology books about the importance of sound mental preparation. Often times,
being prepared mentally, and having confidence in yourself, can be the difference between success and
failure.

It’s easy to understand the importance of sound mental preparation when thinking about some of the
more conventional sports. How successful would an NFL team be if it went into a Sunday without a

game plan? When Tiger Woods decides to hit a 7 iron into a green, do you think he is second guessing if
he has the right club during his swing?

How does any of this relate to hunting?

Hunting is often about the little details. Consistently successful hunters create their own success by
controlling as many small factors as possible. It’s easy to find tips on some of the different factors in
magazines or websites. Often overlooked though, and possibly one of the greatest factors, is the mental

side of hunting.

Anticipation, mental toughness, and confidence are three of the most important factors to put in your
favor for every hunt.

Anticipation

Anticipating, or thinking ahead, can give you advantages both before and during your hunt. Before the
hunt, you’ll need to learn about the topography in your area and how it affects deer movement.
Knowing how and when deer are most likely to use the different trails on your property will give