The hunting industry leans heavily on products that promise dead bucks after you buy them. A few key items, though, are worth the credit card swipe.
For example, a good base layer keeps you warm and dry. A good pair of boots are essential for navigating difficult terrain and changing weather conditions. A good hunting knife is crucial for field dressing game or notching tags. Read on Elk Calls for more information.
Whether you’re hiking into your blind in low light conditions or navigating back to your vehicle, a headlamp is essential for hunting. The best ones are bright, offer adjustable brightness, and have a long battery life.
Some headlamps also have dimmers, filters, or switches to control the amount of light you need and avoid unnecessary glare or reflection. This can help you avoid alerting animals and is a must for hunters who need to keep their hands free to juggle firearms, calls, dog leashes, and other gear.
Some headlamps also come with red lights that can be used to conserve battery life and not disturb wildlife. This feature is especially useful when hiking into your hunting area before dawn or around camp. We like the Petzl Tactikka +RGB, which has an adjustable power setting for its red light, and is rechargeable so you don’t need to bring extra batteries with you into the field. We also like this headlamp because its brightest mode provides a high level of light that’s perfect for walking through brush or spotting game at a distance. It’s also waterproof, which is a must for hunting trips in wet weather.
Binoculars
Many novice hunters may focus on primary hunting equipment, such as a bow or gun, but a quality pair of binoculars can also be a valuable piece of gear. Binoculars are useful for scouting the terrain and seeing game in the distance. They can also help you sift through the foliage to locate animals that haven’t made their way into your scope.
The type of game you hunt, how you plan to hunt (spot and stalk, tree stand) and the habitat in which you will be hunting will all influence your decision about which binoculars to purchase. For example, a pair of high-powered 12x50s that cost as much as a couple of credits at a state university might be ideal for Coues deer in Arizona, but overkill for Pennsylvania whitetails.
A great pair of hunting binoculars will have a bright, crisp image and be comfortable to hold for long periods. They should be waterproof and fogproof and glare free, so they work in any weather conditions. You can also find lightweight and durable padded neck straps for carrying your binoculars or chest carriers that keep them handy and bounce-free while you’re crawling on hands and knees or dangling from a branch.
Rangefinder
A rangefinder is an essential piece of equipment for any hunter. A simple press of a button sends a laser beam to your target and returns an instant reading on the distance between you and the animal. This removes all the guesswork and ensures that you can make a clear shot every time.
A good rangefinder can have many different modes to suit the type of hunting you are doing. For example, brush mode ignores brush and trees and focuses on the distance of the animal. This can save you a lot of time when you are stalking a deer or turkey.
Angle compensation (sometimes called slope mode) can also be handy. This mode gives you the distance to your target but takes into account the incline or decline of the target, which can help you compensate for the drop of your ball or bullet and hit your targets at longer ranges.
Some rangefinders have other features such as fog mode, a ballistic calculator, and Bluetooth connectivity. The best rangefinder for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. It’s important to choose a model that is durable and will serve you well in all weather conditions.
Compass
When hunting it is important to know how to read a map and use a compass. This is especially true if you are planning on going off the grid. A compass can save your life in an emergency, and it is a cheap and easy tool to carry. Getting familiar with maps can also help you find great new areas to hunt.
There are a few types of compasses, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. This small compass is an excellent choice for backpackers and hikers, as it is compact and lightweight. It has a global needle, which allows you to navigate in all parts of the world. However, it is not a baseplate compass, so you would need a separate one for navigation with maps.
Another type of survival compass is a lensatic compass, which uses tritium inserts to illuminate the bearings in low-light conditions. This compass is not ideal for navigation with maps, but it is a good option for anyone who wants to practice their skills. If you do plan on using a lensatic compass for navigation with a map, it is essential to learn about declination adjustment. Otherwise, you may end up reading your bearings backwards and get lost or injured.
Firestarter
The ability to start a fire is one of the most important skills to have when you’re out in the wilderness. A fire can provide warmth, cooking capabilities and a means of signaling for help. Having a reliable fire starter is essential for anyone who spends extended periods of time outdoors and should be included in your hunting gear.
Using a fire starter is as simple as striking spark after spark over tinder until you have a flame. There are many different types of fire starters on the market, from flint rods to charcloth and even a book that contains tinder sticks. However, the best fire starter is not a match, it’s a firesteel.
We rounded up the best flint-based fire starters that you can purchase on Amazon and tested them with a variety of tinder materials to see which ones work the most reliably. We also took into consideration the weight of each product, its durability and whether it could be used in wind and rain. We found that the Gerber Bear Grylls fire starter performed the best overall. It has a comfortable grip and a durable case that protects the flint rod and striker from moisture and prevents accidental sending of sparks when you’re carrying it in your pack.
Water
While it may seem obvious, water is a hunting essential. Humans can only survive a few days without water and dehydration is very common in the wild. For this reason, hunters should carry a good amount of water in their pack, especially on long trips or in remote areas.
There are many options for water, including large water bladders that fit in backpacks, stainless steel water bottles, and compact water filters such as the LifeStraw. It’s also wise to bring iodine tablets for purifying water found in the wilderness.
Water is also an important attractant for game. Deer are drawn to the sound of running water and will often travel near it to find food or shelter. For this reason, a strategically placed pond or stream can be an effective deer attractant.
Other important items for hunters include a first aid kit, firestarting supplies such as a Bic lighter and striker, a survival knife, and a small sewing kit with safety pins. Having these emergency hunting supplies will ensure that hunters can cope with any situation while in the field. The last thing hunters want to deal with is hypothermia or a serious injury while out in the woods.
Food
Whether it’s a pack, sleeping bag, or a knife, having the right hunting gear is crucial to conquering challenges that might arise during your trip. Some items may seem small, but when you’re miles away from home, these supplies can quickly escalate to essential status.
Food is another important item to keep in mind, depending on how long you’ll be out. A day hunt might allow you to get by with water and a sack lunch, but for multi-day trips, you’ll need more substantial options like MREs or other shelf-stable foods.
First aid supplies are also a must, particularly for any cuts or blisters you may experience. Be sure to pack bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, pain medicine, tourniquets, and more.
A backpack with plenty of pockets will help you stay organized, and a cot or tent can provide you with a comfortable place to recharge after a long day in the field. If your hunting trip is in a remote location, it’s important to bring communication tools like walkie-talkies or a cell phone for reliable connectivity. And, lastly, make sure you have a game carrier to carry your kill back to camp. These essentials will ensure you have everything you need to enjoy a successful hunting trip!