The dog days of summer are here. Hot, sticky and beset by hurricanes, even the most dedicated outdoorsmen will want to come inside to catch some air conditioning. But with hunting season just a few short months away and state agencies already releasing updated hunting season regulations, now is a great time to do that summer preparation for hunting season. Here’s my regimen:
Summer cleaning
When it’s just too darn hot outside, I start pulling out my firearms and giving them another cleaning and inspection. If you live where there is any humidity, this is a good idea anyway as rust is no friend to firearms. First, ensure the firearm is unloaded and on safe. Remove any live ammunition from the room. Then give it a visual inspection of the metal exterior, the muzzle with a good light, and then field strip it to peer into the breech end of the barrel to ensure there are no obstructions, rust or corrosion built up in the barrel. Lube any parts that appear dry and wipe down the barrel and other metal parts with a rust preventative or light coat of oil.
I like to use SHEATH by Birchwood Casey, but keep in mind that some products have an odor and if you apply this right before you go hunt, it may ruin your hunt! If you have a wood stock, make sure the interior of the stock is sealed, so it does not warp and press against the barrel. Most modern wood stocks do not have this issue, but you might want to check.
I also go through my gear such as my hunting clothing and make sure there has not been any dampness that has led to mold or funky smells. Now is a good time to give them another wash with “no scent” detergent if you are in doubt. My tip is to hang them to dry outside, so the fabric will suffuse with “outside smells.” (Just don’t do this while you are barbequing!) When they’re dry, put them in a no-scent bag until opening day.
Other gear checks
Check your packs to be sure all your first-aid stuff is in there. Paracord and other emergency supplies should be checked for inventory. Did you leave that apple in there from your last outing? Ugh, it may be time to clean that up! Seriously, I often have peanut butter crackers or trail mix in my pack, and it does expire, so you might want to make a note to refresh those snacks just before your next outing.
Check batteries and headlamps for corrosion, and see if you have game bags still in the pack if you use them. I also carry a few big sealable plastic bags and often forget to put them back or replace them, so summer is a good time to double check this.
Don’t forget your knives. I often wash mine once more and I take the time to give them a careful sharpening. A dull knife is dangerous and a hindrance to getting the job done. I use the Warthog sharpening system. It is simple to use and gets a good edge in a few minutes of time.
Boots
I learned a very important lesson about my boots a few different times. First of all, boots should not smell bad. I sweat a lot and many readers may share this trait as well. It is important to air out our boots, so they are not walking deterrents to our quest for taking home game.
The other tough lesson I learned is that the soles on some boots deteriorate over time. I had a nice pair of well-known brand hunting boots new in the box for a few years. I did not need them and wanted to wring out all the use I could out of the boots I was wearing at the time.
After several years in the box and on a shelf, I pulled them down and pulled them on for a local whitetail hunt. They fit fine and felt great … until they didn’t. About halfway through my hunt, and about a mile from the truck on the other side of a swamp, I noticed they felt “lumpy.” I looked behind me expecting to see a gum ball from a tree that I possibly stepped on or a stone. Instead, I saw a black blob on the trail. I realized the soles were literally falling apart!
My tip is to bend my boots, especially the soles, in my hands to check for cracks and damage before I start my hunting season. This way, if anything’s wrong, I have plenty of time to replace the boots and break them in before the season.
Each summer, on these hot days, I get my family together and we take an hour or two and go through our hunting gear checking to make sure we are ready for the season. There is more than enough to do the night before a hunt without having to do the above chores too. Put these hot days to good use and enjoy a stress-free start to your hunting season in a few months!
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