Late-Season Gear Check: 5 Things To Fix Before Next Year’s Hunt

Hunting season is over — now what? Learn how to clean, repair and store your rifle, optics, boots, clothing and pack so they’re ready for next year’s hunt in British Columbia’s tough conditions.

Why The Post-Season Is When Next Year’s Hunt Really Starts

When the last whitetail or mule deer season closes in BC, most hunters shove their gear in a closet and don’t think about it until September. That’s how you end up with rust on your bolt, leaky boots or a fogged scope on the first morning of elk season.

 

Late season is the best time to fix small problems before they become hunt-ruining failures. It’s also when you should be cleaning and storing equipment in a way that complies with Canadian firearms laws and BC’s wet, variable climate.

 

Here are five pieces of gear every hunter should deal with now, while the last trip is still fresh in your mind.

 

1. Rifle & Action – Deep Clean & Legal Storage

Post-Season Cleaning

Late-season hunts in BC often mean wet snow, coastal rain, logging-road dust and pine needles in every crevice. If you put your rifle away like that, you’re asking for corrosion and reliability issues.

 

Most gunsmiths and experienced shooters recommend a full strip and clean at the end of the season:

• Unload, double-check and remove the bolt or open the action.
• Run a quality bore solvent or foaming cleaner through the barrel, then patch until they come out clean.
• Wipe down all metal surfaces with a lightly oiled cloth to prevent rust, especially around the muzzle, scope bases and under the stock line.
• Check torque on screws and bases if you noticed any wandering zero.

 

If your rifle took a hard knock – common on steep mountain sidehills or in slash – this is the time to confirm zero at the range before you forget. A quick three-shot group now can save you a missed or wounded animal next fall.

 

Off-Season Storage (Canadian Rules)

In Canada, non-restricted firearms (which includes most hunting rifles and shotguns) must be stored unloaded and either:

• Secured with a locking device (trigger lock, cable lock or removal of the bolt); or
• Locked in a cabinet, safe, container or room that is difficult to break into.

 

A good off-season routine for a BC hunter:

• Clean the firearm, apply light rust protection.
• Remove the bolt or use a trigger/cable lock.
• Store in a locked safe or cabinet in a cool, dry area, with a desiccant or dehumidifier if your home tends to be damp (common on the coast).

 

Ammo should be stored separately, as per federal guidance.

2. Optics – Clear Glass, Sealed Systems

Whether you hunt Roosevelt elk in the rain, mule deer in the Cariboo or moose in the Omineca, optics are your lifeline. Dirt, pine pitch and dried raindrops all cut contrast just when you need it most.

 

How To Clean Them Properly

Modern binoculars, spotting scopes and riflescopes are usually waterproof and nitrogen- or argon-purged, but the lenses still need gentle care:

1. Blow off grit with an air puffer or soft brush so you don’t grind dust into the coatings.
2. Use a dedicated lens solution or pre-moistened lens wipe and a microfibre cloth in small circles from the centre outwards.
3. Inspect seals, caps and flip covers for cracks or loose screws.

 

If you hunted in heavy BC coastal rain, check that no moisture made it inside your scope. Persistent internal fogging is a sign the scope may need professional service or replacement.

 

Off-Season Storage

• Store optics in a cool, dry place, not in a truck or damp garage.
• Keep them in their cases with a silica pack to fight moisture.
• Replace worn neck straps or bino harnesses now, before next September’s alpine grind.

 

3. Boots – Dry, Condition & Waterproof

Few things end a late-season hunt faster than wet or blown-out boots. Between the muskeg, slash puddles and early snow, footwear takes a beating.

 

Cleaning & Conditioning

For leather or leather/nylon boots:

• Brush off mud and debris with water and a soft brush.
• Use a mild cleaner or saddle soap solution on leather (for example, one teaspoon saddle soap to a cup of warm water).
• Let boots dry at room temperature — never on a woodstove or direct heater, which can crack leather and damage glues.
• Apply an appropriate leather conditioner or lightweight waterproofing product, focusing on seams and flex points, without clogging the stitching (heavy waxes can reduce breathability).

 

For synthetic or fabric boots, follow the manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines and use tech-friendly waterproofing sprays.

 

What To Fix Or Replace

Late season is when you really notice problems:

• Cracked midsoles or separating rand = plan for a resole or replacement.
• Worn tread is dangerous on steep, snowy slash or frost-covered rock.
• Failing waterproof membranes mean your socks are soaked by mid-morning.

 

If you had chronic wet feet this fall, don’t wait: either repair now or budget for new boots so you’re not scrambling in September.

4. Clothing & Rain Gear – Wash Right, Re-Waterproof

From Fraser Valley duck blinds to November moose in the Interior, BC hunting clothing has to deal with sweat, blood, pitch and a lot of moisture. Leaving garments dirty and wadded in a tote all winter shortens their life and hurts performance.

 

Wash With The Right Products

Technical shells and insulated layers with breathable membranes shouldn’t be washed with regular scented detergents or fabric softener — both can clog pores and reduce waterproofing. Outdoor gear specialists recommend:

• Using a tech wash designed for waterproof/breathable fabrics (for example, Nikwax Tech Wash or similar products).
• Skipping fabric softeners and dryer sheets entirely.
• Following care labels for temperature and drying; air-dry or use low heat.

 

Once clean, you can restore water repellency with wash-in or spray-on durable water repellent (DWR) treatments meant for hunting or outdoor gear.

 

Storage For BC Conditions

Because many parts of BC are humid, especially along the coast:

• Store clothing clean and fully dry, hanging in a cool, dry closet.
• Avoid compressing shells in tight stuff sacks for months; it can damage membranes and loft.
• Toss a silica gel pack or moisture absorber into your gear closet if dampness is a concern.

 

Now is also the time to repair popped buttons, broken zips and torn cuffs — or retire that jacket that’s just plain done.

 

5. Pack & “Small Stuff” – Organize, Repair & De-Rust

A late-season pack in BC often ends up full of wet gloves, half-used game bags and crusted energy bar wrappers. If you leave it like that, you’re guaranteed mildew, rust and unpleasant surprises next year.

 

Clean & Inspect Your Pack

• Empty every pocket, shake out dirt and needles, then hand wash with mild soap if the manufacturer allows it.
• Check stitching, hip-belt webbing and buckles for wear — especially if you hauled heavy quarters off the mountain.
• Let it dry thoroughly before storage.

 

Fix The Small, Critical Items

Use the off-season to go through all the items that quietly make or break a hunt:

• Knives & game-processing tools: Clean, sharpen and lightly oil to prevent rust.
• Rangefinder, GPS, inReach, headlamp: Remove or replace batteries so they don’t leak over summer.
• First-aid and survival kit: Replace used or expired items; add any gear you wished you’d had this year.
• Straps and rifle carriers: If you pack your rifle on your backpack for long hikes, make sure attachment points, slings and buckles are solid and comfortable before the next sheep or goat draw comes through.

 

Store your pack and small gear in a rodent-proof bin or gear room so mice don’t chew webbing or game bags over winter.

Turning “Put-Away Day” Into Next Year’s Success

The BC Hunting & Trapping Synopsis reminds hunters that they’re key stewards of wildlife and the broader hunting culture. Part of that stewardship is looking after your tools so they’re safe, reliable and up to the conditions we face in this province.

 

A structured late-season gear day — rifle and optics in the morning, boots and clothing after lunch, pack and small items before supper — can set you up for:

• Fewer surprises on opening day
• Safer, more ethical shots thanks to reliable equipment
• Lower long-term costs because gear lasts longer when it’s cared for

 

When the snow finally melts in your favourite BC hunting region, you’ll know that the only thing you need to worry about is where the animals are — not whether your boots leak or your rifle will go “click.”