It’s the most wonderful time of the year, as the song says. But what they should have been crooning about was deer season. For that, my friends, is certainly the most glorious season there is. Except for when it isn’t.

There are a lot of things that can go wrong and ruin your deer season. But the good news is that you can prevent most of these things from happening. With a little pre-season prep work, you can ensure that the days you most look forward to will live up to your dreams.

Realtree has put together the top ten reasons your deer season will suck. Fortunately, they also detail the steps you can take to avoid that nightmare.

We know you. You’re the guy who, come November, will be complaining the loudest because you haven’t gotten a buck. Yet, here it is late-August—crunch time for deer hunters—and you’ve spent all summer doing absolutely nothing to make this deer season better.

That’s right, my friend. Your deer season is about to suck … unless you get off your butt and do something about it. So read up, absorb our brand of tough love, and then get motivated.

Read on for the ten pitfalls you need to avoid.

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