Hunting Basics: 10 Must-Have Hunting Gear Items for Beginners
Knowing what hunting gear you need is tricky for beginners, but the right gear is essential to success and safety. Deer season is winding down, so it's time to focus on the hunting basics for the year ahead.
Whether planning to chase turkeys in spring or go after big bucks in fall, the right equipment makes hunting enjoyable. Let's go over the ten essential hunting gear items that every beginner should have.
1. Clothing Essentials
What you wear directly impacts your experience and performance. Hunting clothes are all about functionality and protection.
Camouflage and Weather-Appropriate Clothing
Choose camouflage patterns based on the terrain and game you're hunting. Cold weather hunts demand insulated clothing, while wet conditions call for waterproof materials.
Boots
Shop for boots that provide warmth, water resistance, and good traction.
Pro tip: Breaking in your boots before your first hunt can save you from painful blisters.
Layering for Temperature Control
Layering regulates body temperature. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer, add a mid-layer for warmth, and finish with weather-resistant outer layers for protection against wind and rain.
2. Hunting Tools (or Take Methods)
Choosing the right take method is part of ethical hunting. Focus on selecting gear suited to your target species. You can also consider personal preferences and how you like to hunt.
Rifle or Bow Selection
Choosing a rifle or bow should be based on what you're hunting, local regulations, and the season. For example, deer season often starts with open dates for bowhunters before rifles are legal to use.
Depending on what you hunt, look for a rifle that's .270 or larger or a compound bow with draw weight within your state's guidelines.
Ammo and Arrows
Match your ammunition or arrow type to your rifle, shotgun, or bow.
For rifles, consider soft-point bullets for adequate penetration. Broadhead arrows provide the cutting power needed for clean, ethical kills.
3. Optics and Scopes
Seeing your target is a must, and good optics are a difference-maker. Here are a few gear items to consider for seeing animals up close from far away.
Binoculars
Binoculars help you glass game from a distance and observe behavior. A compact, lightweight pair is ideal for beginners.
Rifle Scopes
Investing in a quality rifle scope improves accuracy, especially for long-distance shots. Variable zoom and light-gathering scopes can help in low-light conditions.
Rangefinders
Rangefinders are indispensable when hunting in open terrain or using a bow. A good rangefinder helps you set up within your optimal shooting distance to improve your chances of hitting your target in the right spot for an ethical kill.
4. Safety Gear
Safety gear is non-negotiable. Here are the basics that every hunter needs.
Hunter Orange
Blaze orange ensures visibility to other hunters. Accidents happen, so never walk in the hunting woods without it on.
Safety Harness for Tree Stands
If you plan to hunt from an elevated position, a safety harness is another non-negotiable piece of gear. It can prevent serious injuries caused by falls.
First Aid Kit
Look for a good first aid kit with essentials like adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, and gauze. You don't need to carry a lot of items in your kit, but make sure you have a few essentials to stop a bleed if needed.
5. Navigation Tools
Getting lost in the wilderness kills hunters every year. Navigation tools will help you find your way back safely.
GPS or Compass
A GPS device is great, but carry a compass as a backup. Knowing how to use both is essential for hunting in the backcountry.
Maps
A detailed map is important, especially on public land. Pairing physical maps with digital apps like HuntWise prepares you for any situation.
6. Game Calls and Lures
Calls and lures can make all the difference when attracting game to your position. Depending on the time of year and the game you're after, choose calls wisely.
Deer Calls, Duck Calls, and More
For beginners, mastering basic game calls, like deer grunts or duck quacks, can improve your chances of success. However, if you are targeting turkey or predators, you'll need those calls instead.
Practicing your calls before the season ensures confidence and accuracy in the field.
Scent Control
Game animals survive with their nose, so you have to scent-mask to avoid giving yourself away before you even see a buck.
Use scent-control sprays and soaps or cover scents like earth or pine to help avoid detection.
7. Field Gear
You need more than a rifle or bow for a successful hunt! Equipping yourself with the right field gear is part of what makes a hunt go smoothly.
Knife or Field Dressing Kit
You'll need a sharp knife or a complete field dressing kit to process the game you kill. Be ready to handle your harvest efficiently and hygienically.
Backpack or Hunting Pack
A lightweight, durable pack is perfect for carrying essentials like water, snacks, first aid supplies, and your hunting license or tags. Choose one with the room you need while still being light enough to carry without weighing yourself down.
Flashlight or Headlamp
Hunting usually starts before sunrise or extends past sunset, so have a reliable flashlight or headlamp on you. A lighted path will help you avoid tripping and falling or creating too much noise on the way into your stand or blind.
8. Water and Food
Staying hydrated and fueled is a key to success and safety. Packing the right snacks and fuel helps get you through long sits.
Hydration
Always carry plenty of water or a portable water filter to stay hydrated during long hours in the field. Be prepared in case you get lost.
Snacks or Energy Bars
Pack lightweight, high-energy snacks like trail mix or protein bars. The goal is to pack lightweight calories to keep you energized throughout the day.
A good snack strategy also keeps you from having to come in early for lunch and cutting your hunt short.
9. Licenses and Regulations
Avoid stiff fines and loss of your rights. Always comply with the rules and local laws every time you go out.
Hunting License and Tags
Always carry your hunting license and the tags for your target species. Verify everything is set for your hunting area.
Not having a tag after taking down a buck, turkey, or any legal game can lead to penalties.
Your Local Regulations
Having a copy of your state's hunting regulations allows you to double-check limits, seasons, and approved methods during your hunt. Download the information to your phone or print and carry a physical copy if necessary.
10. Your Hunter Education Card
For new hunters, taking a hunter safety course is one of the best investments you can make.
Plus, many states require completing a hunter safety course before obtaining a hunting license. Approved courses — like Hunter-Ed — cover firearm safety, ethical hunting practices, and wildlife conservation.
Hunter's education also instills respect for safety and ethics for life. The right course puts you on a lifetime path to success.
The Right Gear and Hunter-Education Lead to Successful Hunts
At the end of the day, the right gear is about safety and success. Each item matters — from proper clothing to essential navigation tools.
However, assembling the set of gear that works best for you can take time and plenty of testing. There's lots of gear to choose from, so take your time and build your go-to set of items as you spend more time in the field.
An online hunter safety course through Hunter-Ed can prepare you for using your gear safely every time you head out for a hunt! If you're thinking ahead to your first (or next) hunt, make the most of the off-season by getting equipped and informed.
Choose the course for your state, work through the course, and pass the exam. Be sure to check with your state to see if you'll also need an in-person field day to complete your hunter education.
Then, you'll be ready to grab your gear and hit the field confidently every season!
When you complete your course and final exam, you gain access to a 30-Day Free Trial of HuntWise!
Plus, HuntWise users can save up to 40% on hunting gear! You can assemble your gear set using the list we shared today and your HuntWise subscriber discount to save money.
To get started with your HuntWise free trials, log into your Hunter-Ed account.
