I know, I know ... winter is still gripping the country. Coyotes are still howling in your backyard. Turkeys are gobbling down the road. Nevertheless, don’t overlook whitetail season preparation that needs to begin soon.

I won’t argue that whitetail season is at least 6 months away for most of us and even longer if you only firearm hunt. But you still need to get going on whitetail chores to ensure you’ll be Tweeting photos of you and your trophy this fall. Do you need some help in jarring your memory on what needs to be done? Read on.

1. Secure hunting permission. If you're out and about during turkey season talking with landowners, be sure to discuss permission for the upcoming deer season. If you lease ground, this is also a good time to start a conversation on inking a deal well before the hunt begins.

2. Mark your calendar for special deer permit deadlines. If you want to hunt another state or specially managed zones in your home state, it might require applying for a special permit. Mark your calendar and don’t forget to apply. Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and others are coming up soon.

3. Plan your food plots. It’s time to order seed, fertilizer, lime and other products to guarantee an ideal hunting plot and seasonal food for your whitetail herd. It’s also a good time to shop for implements to expedite your farming practices.

Food plot implements for a micro whitetail ambush site.

4. Purchase a food plot. If you don’t have the time or equipment to put in your food plot now is the time to discuss the matter with a farmer friend. You might be able to arrange for them to do the farming or even negotiate for them to leave a portion of their crops standing for a fair market price in the ambush location of your choice.

5. Consider whitetail hunting landscaping chores. Do you have enough water on your property? If not, consider building a pond. Is there enough refuge on your property? If not, you might want to pile up trimmings and tree trunks to create human-free zone for deer peace of mind.

6. Shop for new gear. If you want to invest in a new bow or rifle this year, do it early. I just ordered my new Mathews Creed along with a dozen Carbon Express MAXIMA RED arrows to guarantee I’ll be comfortable with this new setup when the season arrives.

7. Finally, get your daughter or son enrolled in hunter safety courses now. Don’t wait until the last minute. The memories they’ll create and the hunting partner you’ll enjoy will be the highlight of your hunting career.

There it is. As Larry the Cable Guy says, “Git-R-Done!”