The Gear You Should Check Before Hunting Season Starts

Most hunters have a piece of gear they know should probably be replaced.

Maybe it's a pair of boots that's lost traction. A rain jacket that no longer keeps water out. A pack buckle held together by habit and good luck.

As long as it still works, it's easy to ignore.

Until the season begins.

Equipment that seemed "good enough" during the offseason suddenly becomes a problem when weather changes, miles add up, or an opportunity depends on your gear performing as expected.

That's why preseason preparation should include more than testing equipment. It should also include identifying what needs to be replaced before opening day.

Start With Your Boots

Few pieces of hunting equipment work harder than your boots.

They support every mile you hike, every climb you make, and every load you carry. Yet many hunters continue using worn footwear long after performance has begun to decline.

Inspect your boots carefully for:

• Excessive sole wear
• Separation between the sole and upper
• Damaged eyelets or laces
• Reduced ankle support
• Loss of waterproof performance

A minor issue during a summer hike can become a major issue deep into a hunt.

If replacement is necessary, summer provides valuable time to properly break in new footwear before the season begins.

Don't Ignore Rain Gear

Rain gear often spends most of the year packed away.

As a result, many hunters don't discover problems until they are standing in the middle of bad weather.

Inspect rain gear for:

• Delamination
• Torn fabric
• Damaged zippers
• Seam tape failure
• Loss of water resistance

Packable systems like the Nunavut Jacket and Pants are designed to provide dependable protection without adding unnecessary weight, but any rain gear should be evaluated before the season begins.  No matter if you are running the ultra-rugged Nunavut Rain System or another brand, it is imperative that you properly care for your garments to insure water tightness. 

Gently rinsing with a good tech wash and reactivating your durable water repellent treatment with a tech proofer will ensure you stay dry this season.  For more info about rain gear than you can ever want to know, check out this article we wrote.  9 out of 10 times if your rain gear is “failing” it simply needs to be washed and treated.  Keep it clean!!!

Check the Small Things

Major equipment failures attract attention.

Small equipment failures often create the biggest frustrations.

Take time to inspect:

• Headlamp batteries
• Rangefinder batteries
• Water filters
• Pack buckles
• Trekking pole tips
• Game bags
• Release aids
• Navigation devices

Many of these items are inexpensive to replace, yet they can have an outsized impact when something goes wrong.

Don't overlook your pack itself. Inspect shoulder straps, waist belts, buckles, and adjustment points for signs of wear. A small failure can become a major inconvenience when you're miles from the trailhead.

Small details matter.

Replace Gear Before You Need To

One of the most common mistakes hunters make is waiting until equipment completely fails before replacing it.

The problem with that approach is timing.

Equipment failures rarely happen during convenient conditions. They happen during storms, steep climbs, long hikes, and critical moments in the field.

Replacing questionable equipment before the season begins helps eliminate unnecessary risk.

Confidence comes from knowing your gear is ready.

Common Replacement Mistakes

Many hunters fall into predictable habits:

• Waiting until the last minute
• Ignoring signs of wear
• Assuming old gear is still performing
• Replacing only major equipment
• Failing to test replacement gear before season

A proactive approach almost always produces better results than a reactive one.

Trust Your System

When opening day arrives, your attention should be focused on the hunt—not on whether your gear will hold up.

Reliable equipment doesn't guarantee success, but unreliable equipment can certainly contribute to failure.

Take the time to inspect your system now. Replace what needs replacing, test what remains, and enter the season with confidence.

Because the best gear is the gear you never have to think about when conditions become difficult.

Performance without compromise.