The Year-Round Hunter in July: What Can You Hunt in Summer?

Well, luckily (and maybe sadly), this means that there are lots of things to get done now before deer season opens back up quickly! With some states having opening day in September, this means it's time to really start grinding and getting some projects finished up, gear ready to go, and archery skills dialed in!

There are also some hunting opportunities in the summer to get you warmed up for a fall hunt. So, for this installment of our Year-Round Hunter series and building on the off-season prep we highlighted last month, let's talk about what exactly hunters should be doing in July. 

What Can You Hunt In the Summer?

Often, when it comes to summer "projects," we don't think about actually going out and hunting animals. But this time of year could be a time where you can still hunt with very minimal disturbances to your hunting property.

Coyotes

So, what can you hunt in the summer? In many states, states one such animal you can hunt year-round is the coyote. There are ample amounts of them around, thus allowing you an opportunity to keep hunting. Going after these predators also helps improve your hunting ground and keeps up your skills.

Wild Hogs

There are also several states that allow the hunting of wild hogs year-round. If you live in a state where hogs are present or are interested in traveling during this time for some great hunting trips, this could be another excellent option to consider.

Wild hogs are destructive, but they're also fun and challenging to hunt. Getting after some hogs is a great way to stay sharp for a hunting season in July.  

Other Invasive Species

If you are looking into a more relaxed type of hunting (while also enjoying some summertime vacationing), you can look into hunting iguanas while in Florida.

The state offers an open season on these creatures that could be really fun for anyone trying to get away and still have the option and opportunity to hunt some small animals while helping Florida remove some nuisance animals.

Small Animals

Check with your state to see what's available, but summer can be an excellent time to build your sharpshooting skills by hunting small animals.

If your state offers open season on crows, squirrels, or other small game animals in July, it's also an excellent opportunity to take out a young or new hunter and practice.

July is a Great Time for Scouting and Land Management

There are, of course, several other things on the list to make sure you get done before the season rolls around.

Check Your Food Plots

Make sure that any food plots you planted are still doing well (hopefully, Mother Nature cooperates). However, if you happen to be going through some drought conditions, this can highly impact your food sources.

Get out there and check to make sure everything is okay. If it's not, you'll need to start thinking about planting new plots.

Find (or Make) Water Sources

As with food sources, another major resource to know about is water.

Know where those water holes are to set up on an early-season buck, as they will be key places to target while the weather is still warm. If you have private land to hunt, creating water holes can be a really good option for you to take advantage of the warm temps and the need for those deer to drink. 

Get Out for Boots-on-the-Ground Scouting

Scouting and planning treestand locations and or ground blind locations is also a very important thing to try and get done during this time of year.

Boots on the ground scouting and finding those perfect ambush locations now is a very low-impact strategy that can pay off big time later during the season. Deer will not be as disturbed or bothered by you being in their area now, as there are lots of places to hide and get out of sight without going too far away.

Use what you've learned through e-scouting with the HuntWise app to find bedding locations and travel routes now, then hang a treestand in that area. Hopefully, it will pay off big time!

If you know the nearby food sources, such as ag fields, and you can scout and know where the deer are coming from to enter those fields now. You may have just found a great place to put a ground blind for the early season, as deer will generally stay on those same types of patterns through the rest of summer and into the first week or two of September. 

Sharpen Your Hunting Skills

As the season openers start to creep up, now is also the time to start really focusing on getting your bow back in hand and slinging some arrows down range. If you are getting a new bow, arrows, sight, and or rest, this is especially true for you.

Get used to shooting again. Work on form, keeping steady, breathing through the shot, and building up those muscles and muscle memory so that when the moment of truth comes, you are ready for it.

If your state allows an early-season gun hunt, get out there and shoot at targets down range to ensure everything is still on target from last season. This is also a great time of year to get the youth out and shoot as well. Whether it is a compound bow, crossbow, or firearm, having them out and practicing with you allows for some wonderful family time as well as getting the next generation outdoors! 

Stay Safe and Comfortable in the Summer

Whatever project or projects you choose to get done this summer, make sure that you stay safe first and foremost.

There are lots of bugs out that can cause some serious illnesses, as well as the weather being a problem. Take precautions when going out. Go out early in the day or later in the evening, wear bug spray, and stay hydrated.

Most of all, have fun and enjoy the summer off-season while preparing for the upcoming season!

Use HuntWise in the Summer to Get Ready for Fall

Staying active year-round means you don't have to leave hunting behind when deer season ends. Even though it's hot, use the summer to stay active and engaged. Check your food plots, get out and scout, and stay sharp by practicing with your bow or firearm.

July and the summer months are also an excellent time to get into the HuntWise app and use it for scouting, marking food and water sources, and finding the best spots for your stand or blind. Spend the cooler times of day outdoors putting boots on the ground, then when the temperatures rise, break open HuntWise to keep scouting and planning. You'll have a head start before opening day!

If you don't have HuntWise yet, download it today, start your free trial, and enjoy it free for your first week!