Winterizing Your Hunting Gear

Many of us still have late season hunts to look forward to, but by the end of the season when you’re cold and tired, cleaning and organizing gear may not be at the top of your list. But do your gear and yourself a favor and take proper care of it now. Not only will it be in better condition when you get it out next year, it will be easier to access and ready to go.

As the curtain falls on another hunting season, there is a good chance that your gear is covered with a season’s worth of weather and dirt. These elements can be corrosive and it’s important to clean and inspect your gear at the end of each season.

Let’s start at the bottom with your boots. Before you toss them in a closet, take a close look at your hunting boots. After every season, I clean and treat my boots. I have a good amount invested in quality Kenetrek boots. If properly cared for, they will last me for years. Dirty boots left unattended over the winter can dry and crack. This will shorten the life of your boot and will definitely diminish their performance in the field.

Using warm water or a Gore-Tex safe boot cleaner, wash the dirt and mud from your boots. Then, use a Gore-Tex safe waterproofing wax, according to directions. This will recondition the leather and keep your boots functioning just like new. Whether your boots are leather, synthetic or a combination, choose an appropriate boot cleaner and conditioner.

As you’re doing this, closely inspect your boots. Check the laces and insoles to see if anything needs to be replaced. If so, now is the time to do it. Don’t wait until you’re in a rush at the start of next hunting season.

Next, it’s time to take care of your clothing and outerwear. Depending on your clothing system, this may require more than simply running it through the washing machine. Materials like Gore-Tex or anything treated with a durable water repellent finish (DWR) require special care.

Wash your rain gear and any other Gore-Tex items (think gaiters, gloves, etc.) in a Gore-Tex safe detergent and then apply a DWR treatment. Most hard shell and soft shell items are treated with a DWR finish at the factory. After using them each season, it’s a great idea to apply a new DWR coating. This is what helps precipitation bead and roll cleanly off the garment.

Gear detergents and DWR treatments are made by a number of companies and can be found at most sporting goods retailers. NikWax is my personal favorite and is available for all types of gear including rain gear, softshells, wool and down.

Next, carefully clean your binoculars, rangefinder and any other hunting accessories. Wipe lenses with a clean lens cloth and wipe the outside surfaces with a damp cloth or paper towel. A can of compressed air can help blow sand and dust out of the focus rings and any other moving parts.

Follow the same routine with other pieces of hunting gear like shooting sticks, calls and so on. Use a damp cloth to wipe them clean, and let them dry completely before placing in storage.

Of course cleaning your weapon should go without saying. Don’t forget to properly care for your rifle stock, wax your bow string and take any other steps to make sure that your weapon is in good shape following a season’s worth of abuse.

If nothing else, this will give you something to do on a snowy day when you’re daydreaming, anxiously awaiting the arrival of next season.

How to Care for your Gear at the end of the Season

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