3. Brushing Blinds

It pays to get an early start cutting branches to camouflage permanent blinds, Vandemore says, and while you're at it, don't be afraid to cut an extra trailer-full or two to have on hand for touch-ups throughout the season.

"This way you don't have to cut any more during the fall," Vandemore explains. "If you wait until the middle of the duck season to get extra limbs from a pin oak that has already changed colors, it seems that the leaves don't stay on nearly as well as limbs that have been cut earlier."

4. No Surprises for Sparky

If you bought a new accessory for your hunting dog during the off-season, now is the best time to introduce it. 

"The hunt on opening day is not the place to be introducing a dog blind or a stand to your retriever," says Ben Fujan, an Avery pro-staffer from South Dakota. "It is super easy to build that new toy into your daily training or exercise routine, even if it's just in your backyard. Your partner will be much more comfortable and confident using it, and that will lead to smoother hunts in the fall."