Summer’s scorching heat isn’t just for beach days and barbecues—it’s the prime time for serious hunters to get ahead of the game. The sweat you pour in now can pay off big when that trophy buck or bull steps into range this fall. From scouting and gear prep to conditioning your body and mind, here’s how to use the dog days of summer to set yourself up for big game success.
1. Scouting Smarter, Not Harder
Pattern Their Movements
In July and August, big game animals like deer, elk, and pronghorn stick to predictable summer routines. Bucks and bulls are in bachelor groups, often feeding heavily in the evenings and bedding in dense cover during the day.
- Glass from a Distance: Use high-quality binoculars or spotting scopes to monitor activity in the early morning and late evening hours. Avoid disturbing the area with unnecessary foot traffic.
- Trail Cameras Are Your Friend: Place trail cams near food plots, water sources, or well-used trails. Cellular trail cameras reduce human scent intrusion and give real-time updates.
- Map Summer to Fall Transition Areas: Pay attention to travel corridors and bedding areas now to anticipate movement when patterns shift closer to the rut.
2. Dial In Your Gear Now
Bowhunters: Tune Your Setup
- Inspect strings, cams, and limbs for wear.
- Practice from elevated positions to mimic treestand shots.
- Shoot broadheads to ensure your field point and hunting tips hit the same spot.
Rifle Hunters: Test and Zero
- Sight in your rifle well ahead of the season.
- Practice at varying distances to build confidence and adaptability.
Early Season Clothing
Choose lightweight, moisture-wicking camo and break in new boots during scouting trips. Don’t wait until opening morning to discover blisters or noisy fabric.
3. Hang Stands and Set Blinds Early
Get In and Get Out
Summer is the perfect time to hang treestands and trim shooting lanes. Doing this early allows animals to acclimate to changes in their environment.
- Scent Control Starts Now: Always wear rubber boots and gloves while setting stands to minimize human scent.
- Think Access Routes: Plan how you’ll enter and exit your hunting area without alerting game. Clear quiet trails and consider wind direction.
4. Hydration and Conditioning
Hunting big game isn’t just about sitting still—it’s about endurance. Whether you’re climbing a ridge for elk or hauling gear into a remote deer stand, your fitness matters.
- Hike with a Weighted Pack: Start conditioning hikes with the same gear you’ll carry this fall.
- Heat Acclimation: Get used to moving in warm weather while staying hydrated and avoiding heat exhaustion.
- Don’t Forget Recovery: Stretching and proper nutrition will keep you in top shape as the season approaches.
5. Plan Your Food Plot and Habitat Work
If you manage private land, now’s the time to prepare food plots and water sources.
- Summer Plantings: Consider soybeans, clover, or brassicas for attracting deer later in the season.
- Water Sources: In arid regions, small ponds or tanks can be magnets for game during drought conditions.
Final Thoughts: Success Starts in Summer
Summer prep is where grit meets glory. It’s where you put in the miles, sweat through mosquito swarms, and fine-tune every detail to make opening day a success. When others are scrambling to get ready in September, you’ll already have a game plan, a dialed-in setup, and the confidence that comes from hard work.
So embrace the grind. The heat, the sweat, and the effort you invest now will pay off when that moment of truth arrives in the cool of an autumn morning.
