How To Prepare For Summer Hunting

Aaron Spuler is a firearms enthusiast and recreational shooter. Follow more or his work at The Weapon Blog

Summer is the time for barbecues, vacations and hunting. Many hunters consider fall and winter the best time to hunt since animals like deer use autumn for mating season, but summertime has windows for excellent hunting trips. Here’s what you need to know about summer hunting.

What Animals Can You Hunt in the Summer?

The hunting calendars depend heavily on your state and what wildlife lives in the area. Many summer hunts include coyotes because they’re menacing and hard to control. States like Wisconsin allow coyote hunting all year, so there are no worries about restrictions.

Another good animal to hunt in the summer is the feral hog. These swine carry more than 30 diseases and parasites and damage local agriculture. Hogs are guilty of destroying local agriculture and causing species extinction.

Deer hunting primarily takes place in the fall, but some states have seasons in the summer. For example, Tennessee permits deer hunting during the last weekend of August under specific conditions. Most counties only allow hunting on private lands with archery, but some permit guns, muzzleloaders and public land hunting.

How Can You Prepare for Summer Hunting?

Summer is a terrific time to hunt, especially if you have young hunters in the family. The kids are out of school, so these trips can be fun activities to keep them occupied. Before your summer hunts, follow the Boy Scout motto and be prepared.

The first thing you’ll want to do is inspect your hunting rifles, bows and other weaponry. When was the last time you cleaned your gun? If it’s been a while, consider a complete cleaning to ensure it works smoothly. A clean rifle will be more accurate and make a difference when taking down big game. Hunters should clean their rifles after every use. You may forget or have limited time, so allocate one day each month for deep cleaning.

Another way to prepare for the hunt is to put up trail cameras along the hunting grounds. Attach these devices to the trees to see what animals pass through and the time of day they’re most active.

What Supplies Do You Need?

Before you embark, you must gather hunting supplies for your trip. It’s better to overpack because you’ll be out for most of the day or multiple days if you travel out of town. These three essentials are a good starting point for the summer hunt.

Reliable Rifle

The first thing you’ll need is a reliable rifle. You have numerous choices on the market, so find the one that best fits the game you’re hunting.

For example, say you’re going deer hunting. A Ruger Hawkeye Compact works well because it can use Winchester .308 rounds, powerful enough to kill a deer but not obliterate it. Think about the .308’s power in terms of body armor — the National Institute of Justice says you need level III armor to stop five .308 bullets.

If you’re hunting big game, you’ll need a powerful rifle. The Savage 110BA Stealth .338 is an excellent choice if your expedition includes bear and moose hunting. This bolt action rifle is ideal for shooting large animals from a long distance, up to 1,000 yards away. You’ll have an adjustable muzzle brake to reduce the recoil and the 24-inch barrel secures high velocity with each shot.

Protective Coating

Hunting in the winter can bring harsh conditions like snow. Have you ever sat in a tree stand waiting for a deer while it’s freezing outside? Summer means more pleasant temperatures but presents another opportunity for rust to form. Gun corrosion occurs because of high humidity and a chemical reaction between iron and oxygen. Some states have humid summers, so be aware of the climate outside.

Before you hunt, help your gun by applying a protective coating. You can use anti-rust spray, gun oil, grease and wax to extend the life of your firearms. Rust compromises the gun’s structural integrity and can cause it to break prematurely. When you return from hunting, store your gun in a climate-controlled safe and use a gun sock for extra protection.

Emergency Supplies

First-aid kits are essential for hunting and any outdoor event. This kit should include bandages of varying sizes, tweezers, safety pins, gloves and scissors. An accidental bullet wound will require hemorrhage control, so pack a tourniquet and pressure wrap supplies. Even in the woods, you should have a phone to contact emergency services. Bring a signal booster because the service can be sub-optimal.

In the summer, you’re more likely to experience dehydration, heat stroke or even death from the heat. Bring plenty of water or purification tablets if you plan to be outdoors all day. If you run out of water, you may resort to water from a lake or river. Drop an iodine tablet in the water and wait 30 minutes for purification to ensure it’s safe.

Successful Summer Hunts

When you think of hunting, you likely imagine cold mornings scoping out 10-point bucks. However, you can organize hunting trips for the summer. Research your state’s regulations to ensure you follow the law and use this guide to prepare for summer hunting.

Author Bio

Jack Shaw is an experienced hunter and avid writer on all things survival. He’s the senior editor of the men’s lifestyle magazine Modded, and a regular contributor to several publications centered on self and home defense.