Looking After Your Hunting Gear in Wet UK Conditions

What I’ve learned about keeping rifles and optics working in Britain’s damp weather

If you spend any time stalking in the UK, you quickly accept that wet weather isn’t the exception , it’s the rule. Drizzle, mist, soaked ground and damp air are part of everyday life, and if you don’t stay on top of your kit, it won’t take long before rust, fogged optics and small mechanical problems start creeping in.

Modern rifles and optics are well made, but they still need looking after. Most of the damage I see isn’t caused by one really wet day, but by gear being put away damp again and again. A bit of care after each outing makes all the difference.

Optics in Wet Conditions

Most binoculars, scopes and rangefinders used for stalking are waterproof, but that doesn’t mean you can ignore them in the rain. I keep lens covers on whenever I’m not actively glassing, and when I’m on the move in wet woodland, I’ll usually carry my binoculars under my jacket or in a covered harness.

If lenses get wet, I don’t wipe them straight away. Gloves and sleeves always seem to carry grit, and that’s a good way to ruin coatings. I let lenses air-dry first, then use a blower or soft brush to remove any dirt before gently blotting them with a clean microfiber cloth. I only clean lenses once they’re completely dry.

I also use scope covers on my rifles and keep silica gel packs in bino harnesses and optic cases. One thing I avoid completely is putting wet optics back into a sealed slip or case, as that just traps moisture and causes problems later.

Spotting Scopes and Tripods

Spotting scopes and tripods tend to suffer in wet weather because they’re often left out for long periods. I try not to extend tripod legs any more than I need to, and I avoid setting scopes down directly on wet ground, peat or rock. When I’m not looking through the scope, I make a point of keeping rain off the eyepiece.

Once I’m back, I collapse the tripod fully and dry each leg section properly. Any mud or grit around the leg locks gets cleaned off straight away. If the tripod’s going to be stored for a while, I’ll put a very light coat of oil on any exposed metal. After coastal trips, I always rinse the legs with fresh water before drying them.

Carbon fibre tripods cope better than aluminium, but in the UK’s damp climate everything benefits from being dried thoroughly.

 

Rifles in Wet Weather

Most stalking rifles in the UK have blued steel, and it doesn’t take much moisture for rust to start. In wet conditions, I carry my rifle with the muzzle angled slightly down so water can’t pool in the barrel. I also tape over the muzzle with insulating or electrical tape , it’s simple, effective, and doesn’t affect accuracy.

When I’m walking to and from the ground, I’ll often use a rifle slip or cover, but I never leave the rifle in it once I’m home. After the stalk, I unload the rifle, remove the bolt, and dry all the external metalwork straight away. I always run a dry patch through the bore and then apply a light coat of oil to the bolt, locking lugs, external metal surfaces and action screws.

Even leaving a rifle slightly damp overnight is enough to cause surface rust, especially in an unheated gun cabinet.

Moderators

Moderators are common on UK stalking rifles, and they need a bit of extra attention in wet weather. As soon as I can after shooting, I remove the moderator and let it drain and dry properly. I store it separately from the rifle and lightly oil the threads on both the barrel and the moderator.

One thing I avoid is leaving a moderator fitted overnight, as it traps moisture and is a common cause of corrosion around the muzzle and threads.

Clothing, Footwear and Other Kit

Most UK hunting involves repeated wet days rather than one big soaking, so drying kit properly becomes routine. I empty my rucksack completely and leave it open to dry, with all pockets and zips undone. Boots get dried slowly at room temperature , never near direct heat , and I’ll use newspaper or boot dryers to draw moisture out.

When waterproof clothing stops beading water, I reproof it. Even good waterproof kit will hold onto moisture if it’s not aired properly between outings.

A Simple Wet-Weather Kit

I keep a small maintenance kit either in the vehicle or the gun room. It includes a silicone gun cloth, a microfiber lens cloth kept in a sealed bag, a lens blower, insulating tape, desiccant packs and a light gun oil suited to damp conditions. Having it to hand makes it much easier to stay disciplined.

Final Thoughts

In UK conditions, moisture is relentless. Most problems don’t come from one bad day in the rain, but from gear being put away damp time after time. Spending a few minutes drying and maintaining kit after every stalk saves a lot of hassle and expense in the long run.

If you look after your gear properly, it’ll keep working when you need it to , whatever the weather’s doing.