If you’d rather be out hunting as soon as you can, having a few tips up your sleeve on staying cool in the summer will come in handy in having a productive hunt. Here is what to keep in mind.
RELATED: Deer Hunting For Beginners: How To Get Started
Sure Fire Tips on Staying Cool In the Summer When Hunting
Hunt In the Shade
This is a no-brainer. Besides making hunting more effortless and enjoyable, it saves you from the hazardous effects of standing in scorching weather. Hunting in hot weather increases your energy consumption leading to sweat and therefore scents that are likely to throw off deer and other animals.
To avoid this, try a tree canopy or a tree stand. However, keep in mind that you will need to adjust your position since the sun changes angles as the day passes. Better yet, you can opt for a DIY or high-quality pre-made hunting blind. Either option will provide you with a consistent shade and offer floor space for accessories to make your hunt more comfortable.
Tip: Here, you can bring along a pressure relief chair, a drinks cooler, and insect repellant.
Minimize Your Layers
Many hunters make the mistake of wearing too many layers when hunting in summer. As a result, you become exhausted and sweaty, which affects your ability to meet your bag limit. However, a base layer will be more than enough during hot weather as long as you steer clear of short sleeves and shorts.
Besides having an excellent wicking system, high-quality long sleeves and long pants will help keep harmful UVA and UVB rays off your skin. And keep bug bites at a minimum. If you must wear short-sleeve T-shirts and shorts, be sure to pack some sunscreen and bug repellant.
A wide-brim hat or a light, breathable gaiter will help protect your head and neck from direct sunlight. Polarized sunglasses will also come in handy.
RELATED: 10 Rabbit Hunting Tips For Beginners
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated during a hunting trip helps keep headaches and fatigue at bay, thereby allowing you to hunt longer. In such hot weather, you don’t have to wait until you are thirsty to hydrate. A few sips now and then will maintain your hydration levels.
Pack more bottles of ice water than you need to sip on throughout the day. Better still, consider a backpack with an internal bladder system for a more compact carriage.
Tip: Sports drinks or fruit juices make great mid-hunt snacks to keep your electrolytes in check.
Control Your Scent
Controlling your sweat and hence scent has to be the hardest thing to do when hunting in summer. Luckily for you, there are numerous products and tools in the market today to help you be sweat-free and therefore eliminate your scent.
Liberally spray your clothes with a scent-eliminating spray before you start hunting and top up as much as you need throughout the day. Besides fighting off your natural scent, the spray will also help you stay cool.
Scent eliminating wipes are also a great alternative if you do not want to use the sprays. They are great for your neck, face and other exposed parts. Don’t shy away from packing a little more than you need. If anything, they are compact hence easy to carry around.
Practice Moderation
It is normal to want to hit your bag limit during every hunting session. However, overexerting yourself will lead to increased body temperature due to the loss of water and electrolytes. This increases your risk of suffering heatstroke, which can be fatal.
To be on the safe side, avoid unnecessary energy consumption, pace yourself, and prepare yourself adequately. Remember, hunting should be more fun than it is draining.
Watch this video by Chris Bee on deer hunting in summer:
Keep in mind that deer and other game animals are experiencing summer the same way you are. Like humans, the animals will also be taking it easy to conserve their energy. Take advantage of their predictable behavior and set up close to their bedding and drinking spots to increase your chances of reaching your bag limit without having to overexert yourself.
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How do you stay cool when hunting in the summer? Let us know in the comment section below!
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