Planning An Early Season 2018 Hunt? Here’s How to Beat The BC Heat
Winter is just approaching, but we know that many of you are already dreaming of your 2018 BC Hunt. If you’re preparing for an early season hunt, here’s something to consider.
You prepared for the worst. Snow, sleet, freezing rain and brutal winds. You are ready for the most difficult sheep, moose, or high-mountain, remote big game hunt in North America. Prepping for the moisture and cold is wise, but on occasion, you are subjected to the heat. Especially during early season hunts. Carrying all that gear while being beat by the heat and mosquitoes is tormenting without a few simple steps.
Cover Up
You can either cover up or douse yourself with repellent. Considering the cancer-warning signs on most high strength repellents, covering up jumps ahead as the best option. Simply wear lightweight clothing that covers the skin. In extreme circumstances, the bugs will bite through but in most scenarios covering your skin is adequate. You may look like a beekeeper, but avoiding bites and contagions negates the lack of style points.
Keep it Light
Hunting season can throw you some warm days but prepping for the cold is imperative. Covering up and avoiding the bugs can save you some torment but keep the equipment as light as possible. That means using your light base layers to cover the legs and arms and adding an ultralight face guard to keep off the insects. Odds are that they will disappear when the temps drop below freezing at night. Make sure you are covered up but don’t add a ton of weight of your pack in the process.
Beyond the Bugs
Mosquitos are top of the fear list on hot days but there are several other concerns. The biggest is staying hydrated and warm at night. Hot, mosquito infested days are sometimes followed by freezing nights. Stay on top of water consumption regardless of the conditions. Hydrate all the time. Prep for cold nights, rise early to hunt and deal with the heat when it comes.
Written by Zach Lazzari
Zach Lazzari is a fly fishing guide and freelance writer. When he’s not fishing, Zach is chasing big game, upland birds and waterfowl in the Rocky Mountains and Northwest