When it comes to a hot environment such as this, I am certain that you, like me, will not want to hike and expend endless energy that will get zapped immediately without you even realizing it. Your sweat evaporates off of you without knowing it and you will quickly dehydrate. Let your eyes do the work for you and I do on these endeavors. Find a nice spot under some sort of shade and sit for hours letting the environment move around you.
I have been using the Magview adapter lately for my binoculars and for my spotting scope. This has been great for a few reasons. 1. It is super easy to use. 2. I like the metal plate that goes onto my phone as it doubles as a phone holder in my car as I have a magnetic piece it attaches to. 3. The spotting scope adapter that attaches to the spotter, doubles as a cover for the eyepiece so I don't have to worry about adding a cover cap anymore. This is a great piece to add to your gear if you don't have one yet.
As someone that has multiple pack options, I am fortunate to try many variations of items that can lend themselves perfect for a certain situation. On a hunt like this, I prefer to use items that would have multiple uses as I might be headed out for multiple nights away from the truck or I could be sleeping right next to the truck. This means modularity is highly valuable to me.
I love the Eberlestock F1 Mainframe with the Vapor 5000 Pack and 2 Batwings- This is an amazing combo as I can pack my 5k Vapor to the brim and have multiple pockets on the sides for my tripod and spotter. If I am packing in, I will take this combo and add batwings for some extra storage as needed or I can roll them up and use them directly after I get to my desired camp location for a day hunt by detaching my main bag and just taking weapon and necessities with my 2 batwings.
Managing your scent and utilizing other small accessories have been very important for me on most of my hunts. In the early season, I still manage my scent by playing the wind and paying attention to thermals. This has been the most successful thing to winning the battle of an animals nose. In the case I get hit with some unexpected storms or cold weather, I do enjoy making a small fire and glassing. I will make sure the wind is going the opposite way from where I am glassing, round up some wood, and put some fire starter out to enjoy a small little comfort setting as I take my place for a few hours.
In the early season, it is all about staying cool, especially in a hot, arid place like the southwest. I enjoyed camping much more with a fire, especially at night but that isn't realistically a great idea when it is so warm out.
Klymit Static V insulated
During the early season hunts, I find that electrolytes and hydration are my number 1 focus. With the heat throughout the day, I do not feel as hungry but I know I am sweating way more as I hike around and this depleted vital minerals and vitamins from my body. I like to focus on protein, salt, and fluid overall. I don't focus as much on calories and just eat whenever I feel good to do so. Instead I focus on cramping and if I am getting a headache or not as this is all pointing to needing more fluid and electrolytes in my body. One other item that I go without are certain protein bars and put more focus on the granola style products due to the heat and melting chocolate in my bag.
No matter the season, weather will be weather and I plan for the warm days along with the insurance policy of some cold weather layers. This means my layering season might be overkill in some regards but I am always prepared for the worst. I am hyper-focused on merino wool layers to start every layer as it regulates my temps while also not smelling terribly from sweat.
Early Season is wonderful to hunt especially in the arid environments due to a hunter needing less accessories in the field. I typically will only have a hat or beanie and possibly a gaiter to keep me concealed from the up close encounters. I stay in the merino line of items as much as I can here as well.
As someone that loves gear, I don't enjoy jumping around weapon to weapon in the same avenue. I have 1 bow and use it for everything from Small to Big Game. The only thing that might change is my sight or my broad head over time. However, it will be the same weight at 125g.
Helix Broadheads FJ2 125g