by Randall Wallace. RDW Outdoors
For serious hunters, the long months between big game seasons can feel like an eternity. The anticipation of fall whitetail, turkey, or elk hunts keeps us going, but that doesn’t mean we have to pack away our gear when spring turns to summer. Hardcore hunters know the off-season is actually prime time to keep their skills sharp and put the scratch to their itchy trigger fingers. From predator control to population management, summer offers plenty of opportunities to stay in the game—and help landowners and wildlife in the process.
Coyotes and Other Predators
Coyotes are public enemy number one for many hunters, ranchers, and land owners. These cunning predators are devastating to deer populations, preying on fawns and reducing herd numbers. Turkeys, quail, and other game birds also suffer losses when coyotes target nests or young chicks. Cattle ranchers and farmers lose untold numbers of calves, goats, sheep and chickens each year to coyotes and other large predators. Unlike big game, there’s no closed season for coyotes in most states, making them an ideal summer target.
The heat of summer presents unique challenges, but early mornings and late evenings provide the best opportunities. Coyotes tend to be more active during cooler parts of the day, and a well-placed electronic call mimicking a distressed rabbit or fawn can bring them in fast. Thermal optics and night vision gear also give hunters a distinct advantage, allowing for after-dark action when coyotes are on the move.
For rifles, the .223 Remington, .22-250, and .243 Winchester are excellent choices, providing the speed and knockdown power needed to make clean kills at distance. A suppressor can also help reduce noise disturbance, making it easier to take multiple coyotes from a single stand, and keep from bothering others as our hunting properties are being reduced by the growing need for housing developements.
Prairie Dogs:
The Ultimate Target Practice
For those who love long-range shooting, prairie dog hunting is as close to a shooting competition as you can get in the wild. These small, burrowing rodents cause serious damage to pastures and crops, making them a nuisance to farmers and ranchers. Fortunately, most landowners are more than happy to have hunters come in and thin the population. Landowners have learned that their prarie dog problems are a sought after commodity, therefore plan to offer a small payment for the privilege of shooting prarie dogs on their ranches. Look to the Texas panhandle for some fast paced shooting.
Prairie dog towns provide an excellent opportunity to hone marksmanship skills at a variety of distances. Shots can range anywhere from 50 to 500 yards, requiring precision and patience. Bolt-action rifles chambered in .17 HMR, .204 Ruger, .22-250, or .220 Swift are all excellent choices, offering flat trajectories and high velocity to make ethical kills at distance.
A good optic is just as important as the rifle itself. A variable power scope in the 4-16x or 6-24x range will allow you to adjust for different distances and wind conditions. Spotting scopes and rangefinders also help dial in shots accurately, turning prairie dog shooting into a highly technical and rewarding experience. Many hunters use multiple rifles during these outings as the shooting is fast and furious at times. This allows the shooter to put one rifle aside to cool the barrel and use another to stay in the game.
Feral Hogs:
Year-Round Action
and Population Control
If there’s one animal that never gets a break, it’s the feral hog. With populations exploding across much of the southern U.S., wild pigs are a destructive force that costs landowners billions in damages. Unlike other game animals, hogs have no closed season in most states and are often welcomed by ranchers and farmers as a free-for-all hunting target.
Night hunting is the most effective way to target hogs during the hot summer months. Using thermal scopes and night vision, hunters can track and stalk sounders with a high success rate. Baiting with corn and setting up ambush locations near watering holes or crop fields is another effective tactic.
When it comes to firearms, bigger is better. The .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, and even AR-15s chambered in .300 Blackout are excellent for dropping hogs quickly. If you’re looking for a true adrenaline rush, some hunters opt for running them down with dogs and finishing them easier to take multiple coyotes from a single stand, and keep from bothering others as our hunting properties are being reduced by the growing need for housing developements.
Prairie Dogs:
The Ultimate Target Practice
For those who love long-range shooting, prairie dog hunting is as close to a shooting competition as you can get in the wild. These small, burrowing rodents cause serious damage to pastures and crops, making them a nuisance to farmers and ranchers. Fortunately, most landowners are more than happy to have hunters come in and thin the population. Landowners have learned that their prarie dog problems are a sought after commodity, therefore plan to offer a small payment for the privilege of shooting prarie dogs on their ranches. Look to the Texas panhandle for some fast paced shooting.
Prairie dog towns provide an excellent opportunity to hone marksmanship skills at a variety of distances. Shots can range anywhere from 50 to 500 yards, requiring precision and patience. Bolt-action rifles chambered in .17 HMR, .204 Ruger, .22-250, or .220 Swift are all excellent choices, offering flat trajectories and high velocity to make ethical kills at distance.
A good optic is just as important as the rifle itself. A variable power scope in the 4-16x or 6-24x range will allow you to adjust for different distances and wind conditions. Spotting scopes and rangefinders also help dial in shots accurately, turning prairie dog shooting into a highly technical and rewarding experience. Many hunters use multiple rifles during these outings as the shooting is fast and furious at times. This allows the shooter to put one rifle aside to cool the barrel and use another to stay in the game.
Feral Hogs:
Year-Round Action
and Population Control
If there’s one animal that never gets a break, it’s the feral hog. With populations exploding across much of the southern U.S., wild pigs are a destructive force that costs landowners billions in damages. Unlike other game animals, hogs have no closed season in most states and are often welcomed by ranchers and farmers as a free-for-all hunting target.
Night hunting is the most effective way to target hogs during the hot summer months. Using thermal scopes and night vision, hunters can track and stalk sounders with a high success rate. Baiting with corn and setting up ambush locations near watering holes or crop fields is another effective tactic.
When it comes to firearms, bigger is better. The .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, and even AR-15s chambered in .300 Blackout are excellent for dropping hogs quickly. If you’re looking for a true adrenaline rush, some hunters opt for running them down with dogs and finishing them with a handgun or knife. If that’s not enough excitement, several outfitters offer helicopter hunting where you can experience a hunt of a lifetime just like a Vietnam door gunner in a Huey chopper.
Pheasant Tower Shoots
for Off-Season Wing Shooting
with a Social Twist
While most upland bird seasons don’t open until fall, pheasant tower shoots provide an exciting summer alternative. These controlled shoots mimic traditional European driven hunts, where pheasants are released from a high tower and fly toward a circle of waiting shooters.
Tower shoots are an excellent way to maintain wing-shooting skills, as birds are launched at varying heights and speeds, requiring quick reflexes and sharp aim. Since multiple hunters take part in the action, it’s a great opportunity to enjoy a day in the field with friends and family.
A quality over/under or semi-automatic shotgun in 12 or 20 gauge is ideal, paired with No. 6 or No. 7.5 shot. Quick reloading skills are essential, as multiple birds are released in quick succession, keeping hunters on their toes. Most tower shoots also feature retrieval dogs, adding another level of enjoyment to the experience.
Gearing Up
Regardless of the hunt, summer off-season pursuits require proper gear and preparation. Lightweight camouflage and moisture-wicking clothing are essential for staying cool in the heat. Hydration packs ensure you stay safe during long hunts in the sun, and bug spray or thermacell units keep the mosquitoes at bay.
Maintaining firearms is also key. The heat and dust of summer hunts can be brutal on firearms, so regular cleaning and lubrication are necessary to keep rifles and shotguns performing at their best.
Beyond the sheer enjoyment of off-season hunting, these pursuits offer real-world benefits. Predator control helps sustain healthy deer and turkey populations. Prairie dog hunting helps protect agricultural land while providing world-class shooting practice. Hog hunting reduces ecological damage and provides a source of high-quality wild pork. Pheasant tower shoots keep wing-shooting skills sharp and offer a social aspect to summer hunting, along with some excellent tablefare.
For hardcore hunters, there’s no need to sit on the sidelines waiting for the fall opener. The off-season is full of opportunities to keep skills sharp, help manage wildlife, and enjoy time outdoors. So, grab your rifle or shotgun, line up your next adventure, and make the most of the summer hunting season!
