Hunting in Texas is deeply rooted in the state’s culture and traditions. If you are a keen hunter, you undoubtedly understand the highly seasonal nature of hunting, with deer, dove, and turkey seasons encouraging hunters to get outside and enjoy nature. For the remainder of the year, safe storage is crucial for your gear and firearms to keep them out of reach of loved ones and in good condition for the next hunting season. Let’s take a look at why off-season storage for hunting is so important and how to prepare to put your hunting gear in storage while keeping safety, organization, and compliance in mind.
Know the Texas Hunting Seasons
The Texas hunting season varies depending on the type of animal you are most interested in hunting. Deer hunting in Texas typically takes place between October and January, with slight variations for archery, firearms, and the youth-only season. The fall turkey season aligns typically with the deer season in October and November, whereas the spring turkey season occurs in early April. The Texas Parks & Wildlife hunting season calendar is an excellent resource for anyone planning their year.
By knowing the timings of each season, you can plan ahead to store your gear in the off-season months. The type of gear you need to store throughout the year may vary depending on the typical local game in your Texas hunting area, so consider a versatile storage unit that allows easy access to your gear and firearms when needed.
Why Proper Storage Matters
Proper storage of hunting gear and firearms is critical for many reasons. The primary reason to consider where you store your hunting gear is for safety. Keeping firearms out of reach of other people and children can help prevent accidents or unauthorized access to firearms. You’ll also find that using a temperature-controlled unit can help preserve your firearms and protect gear from heat, humidity, and damage. This unit will ensure your gear is ready for use when the next hunting season arrives, especially if you participate in only one season each year. As a firearm owner, you also have a legal responsibility to store your firearms properly, and storage units can help you remain in compliance.
Firearm Storage Tips
For firearm storage, you’ll need to use a gun safe. It is essential to use a secure and locked container for this purpose. Keep in mind that self-storage units will typically allow you to store firearms. However, ammunition and any prohibited weapons under the Texas Penal Code are not permitted. To protect your guns that aren’t in use for an extended period, consider using climate-controlled storage units. These units help to prevent rust and corrosion, especially in the humidity experienced in Texas. Before storing firearms, ensure they are unloaded and cleaned. Cleaning firearms before long-term storage helps preserve them. Store ammunition separately and keep it in a dry, secure container outside of a storage unit.
Storing Other Hunting Gear
Bulky hunting gear can be a challenge to store at home throughout the year when not in use. Self-storage units are a great place to store hunting clothing, when airtight bins are used to avoid mold or pest damage. For your blinds and stands, disassemble these large items and then wrap them securely before storing them. Scent control gear can also be stored away, but you’ll want to ensure that items are sealed to preserve their effectiveness when you need to use them in the future. For knives, optics, and other accessories, use padded storage boxes or cases to protect them in storage.
Choosing the Right Storage Unit
In addition to following the tips we’ve shared above for protecting your firearms and hunting gear during storage, it’s essential to select the right storage unit to begin with. Renting a self-storage unit during the off-season offers many benefits to hunters. It helps to keep bulky gear out of your home garage or shed, freeing up space in your home. Most hunters find it to be a more secure option than some residential storage areas, while offering climate-controlled units for tech-based gear, such as GPS devices and scopes. Here at Amy’s Attic Self Storage, our storage units offer 24/7 access, security, climate control, and a range of unit sizes to fit everyone’s needs.
Safety & Legal Considerations
When it comes to storing your firearms and hunting gear, it is essential to ensure that they are stored in accordance with Texas laws. Firearms are permitted in our self-storage units; however, please note that ammunition and any prohibited weapons listed in the Texas Penal Code are not permitted. When transporting your guns to and from our storage units, ensure that safety is your top priority at all times. Never store loaded firearms or hazardous materials in storage units for the protection of everyone using the building or working here.
Seasonal Prep Checklist
To facilitate seasonal storage, consider creating or using a downloadable or bulleted checklist for hunters to prepare their gear for storage. Before storing your gear, clean and inspect it to ensure it’s in good condition for the next hunting season. Create an inventory of your storage unit, which will help you remember everything you’ve stored away from your home, and then securely pack and label each item. Before the peak off-season storage time, schedule your unit rental ahead of time to avoid disappointment or missing out on the unit size you need.
Safety should always be your top priority when storing hunting gear and firearms in Texas. A secure storage unit can help you remain in compliance with storing firearms and keeping them safe until the next hunting season. Plan ahead after the season ends by contacting Amy’s Attic for storage in Texas. Our team is here to help you find the perfect self-storage unit tailored to your specific needs.
