Early season hunting can present its own set of challenges, especially when dealing with warm weather and high temperatures. Opening day varies across the country and chances are, you’ll find that the temperatures aren’t always in your favor. Whether you’re chasing antelope in Wyoming, elk in the mountains, mule deer in the West, or whitetails in Kentucky or South Carolina, the high temperatures of the early season can be challenging, but this gear list will help you beat the heat this season.
Avid hunters know, the right gear can make all the difference between a successful hunt and a miserable time outdoors. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into early season hunting products that will enhance your hunting experience. From lightweight base layers to scent control solutions, we’ve got you covered with all the high-performance gear you need for those early-season hunts.
Best Hunting Clothing Options for Hot Weather
Early-season hunting opportunities often include high temperatures, so you’ll need some hunting apparel that’s designed to perform the best in the heat. Here are a few hunting clothing options to keep you cool and comfortable when the temperatures rise.
Best Hunting Boots For Hot Weather
One of the hardest things for me to find is a high-quality boot that won’t sweat my feet off during the intense heat and high-activity that early archery season offers. Here are a few great options for footwear. Do NOT overlook quality socks! They make a world of difference.
Staying Hydrated to Beat the Heat
As a safety professional (my previous career path), I can’t stress enough the importance of staying hydrated. Take extra water with you and clean a water source if and when you run out of fresh water. Here are a few great options to help you stay hydrated during your next hunting adventure.
Reduce Scent and Odor for Better Early Season Success
I’m a scent control guy and you should be too! Whether you agree or disagree, making an attempt to reduce unwanted odors makes a difference. It might not make a difference in every situation, but if it increases your chances by just a couple of percent, it’s worth the extra effort. For me, there’s only one option for scent control products and that’s Elimishield Hunt.
Lightweight, Mobile Hunting Gear is Worth The Investment
You can have the best clothing and gear on this list, but if you’re still packing in a Summit Climbing treestand on opening day, your hunt is over before it starts. Invest in mobile hunting gear options like saddles or ultralightweight treestands.
How to Control Bugs and Insects for Early Season Hunts
If you’ve ever hunted river bottoms in the west, marsh bucks, or anywhere in the Appalachian Mountains, insects are not your friend during warm weather hunts. Learn how to How to Protect Yourself from Ticks in the Outdoors
- Sawyer’s Permethrin
- Thermacell
- Sitka Guard Hoody and Pants – (Hunting clothing designed to keep the bugs away!)
Game Prep After the Kill
Congratulations! If you beat the odds and killed a big game animal in the heat, you now have your work cut out for you, so be prepared! The following items will help you preserve your harvest and get it back to camp without going to waste. You’ll need to start field dressing and skinning the animal as soon as possible. Typically, you have an hour or less in the heat to keep your kill from ruining in the heat. Warmth and moisture lead to bacteria growth, but quality game bags will help you keep the bugs away.
- Game Bags – KUIU makes some of the best game bags on the market.
- Coolers: RTIC Outdoors, Yeti, Blue Coolers
- Ice – Bring dry ice on long trips to keep your cooler ice cold while you’re hunting.
The Importance of the Right Gear
When embarking on early season hunts, it’s essential to have the right gear to ensure your comfort, safety, and success. The early season often falls during warmer weather, which means you’ll need gear that can effectively regulate your body temperature, wick moisture, and provide sun protection. Moreover, with the unpredictable weather conditions of this time of year, having the right layers can mean the difference between staying out for long days and having to cut your hunt short.
Building the Perfect Layering System
- Lightweight Base Layer: A good base layer is the foundation of your hunting outfit. Look for lightweight base layers made from moisture-wicking materials like merino wool. Merino wool is known for its odor control properties and its ability to regulate body heat, making it a great choice for early season hunts. Brands like KUIU and Sitka Gear offer high-quality merino wool base layers that will keep you comfortable throughout the hunt. This base layer should double as your outer layer during high-temperature hunts, so be sure to pick a dual-purpose, camouflaged option.
- Outer Layer: In the event that you need an outer layer during cooler temperatures, especially early mornings or evening hunts, consider picking up an outer layer that’s water-resistant to protect you from dewy mornings and unexpected rain. The Cabela’s MT050 GORE-TEX Rain Parka and Pants is a water resistant and windproof outer layer that is perfect for helpoing you beat the elements when trying to seal the deal on a big buck during the early-season. This rain gear set is packable and lightweight.
- Mid Layers: Some situations may require additional layers in the early morning hours or late evening as temperatures can quickly rise and fall in the West, especially at elevation. Mid-layers provide insulation and can be added or removed based on the temperature. Grid fleece jackets and softshell pants are excellent mid-layer options that provide warmth without adding too much bulk. On early season whitetail hunts, I rarely need a mid layer.
Staying Cool and Comfortable
- Choose the Right Clothing: Opt for lightweight and breathable garments that allow for air circulation. Long sleeves and pants made from 4-way stretch material offer protection while allowing freedom of movement. There’s plenty of information about hunting clothing options listed above.
- Proper Scent Control: Warm weather can intensify human scent, making scent control crucial. Use scent-control sprays and garments to reduce your odor footprint. Treat your clothing with Elimishield Hunt X10D for long-lasting odor control, then apply Elimishield Hunt Core Body Foam and Field Spray as needed.
- Stay Hydrated: High activity and warm temperatures can lead to dehydration. Carry a hydration pack, water bag, and/or water bottle that will allow you to drink plenty of water throughout your hunt. Water purification tablets and water filters are a must on backcountry hunts.
- Sun Protection: Protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays with camo-patterned clothing that offers UPF sun protection. Don’t forget a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Personally, I hate not having sunglasses in the bright sun, so bring some sunglasses to protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays of the sun.
- Hunting Boots and Socks: The hardest part of my hot weather hunting arsenal was finding a comfortable and durable early-season boot, combined with socks that are built for the hunt.
Conclusion
When it comes to early season hunting, having the right gear can significantly impact your success and comfort. From lightweight base layers to scent control solutions and high-performance outer layers, there’s a wide array of products designed to help you beat the heat and thrive during warm weather hunts. Remember that comfort, mobility, and functionality should be your top priorities when building your early season gear list. With the proper gear in your arsenal, you’ll be well-prepared to face the challenges of warm weather hunting and increase your chances of finding success this season.
Interested in learning more about early-season hunting gear? Check out our blog post The Best Whitetail Hunting Clothing Options for Warm Weather
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AUTHOR BIO
Hi, I’m Camron the owner of Hunting Gear Deals. I’m an avid bowhunter with a knack for finding good deals on hunting gear and love to help you save money on hunting gear. I’m also the owner of the popular Bucks, Bulls, & Bears email newsletter that’s built to educate and entertain hunters. If you haven’t subscribed, you’re missing out! Last but not least, I’m proud to say that I work for Whitetail Properties as a Land Specialist in Ohio. If you’re in the market for hunting property, shoot me an email and I’d love to help you find your dream property.
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