Deer season in Pennsylvania is less than four weeks off — time enough for hunters, from novices to experts, to add a bit more knowledge to their skill sets before hitting the woods Nov. 26.

Erie Times-News outdoors writer Mike Bleech is on the job. Starting Nov. 4, Mike’s Four Weeks to Better Deer Hunting series will be published each Sunday in November on the NWPA Outdoors page in the Times-News sports section and on NWPAOutdoors.com.

This Sunday, learn more about one of the most misunderstood elements of the hunt, the rut.

On Nov. 11, eliminate some of the guesswork from your days afield by learning how to properly prepare your rifle.

On Nov. 18, get Mike’s tips on hunting from a stand.

And on Nov. 25, learn how to make the most of the second week of the season, when hunter pressure decreases and opportunity grows.

Have a question for Mike? E-mail him at mikeb73@verizon.net.