The world of hunting is full of gear heads who love to debate the merits of each minute detail of their equipment. I am guilty of this myself. However, while entertaining and thought-provoking, this can create a confusion for those getting into the sport. Expensive gear can seem like an insurmountable barrier to entry for those of us who aren’t independenly wealthy. This article we will take a look at what one actually needs to get out for their first day in the field.
Common Myths
Contrary to popular opinion camoflage isn’t neccesary to get out hunting. In fact, in places like Europe it is rare to find hunters in camo. Instead, try to wear earth tones and if possible avoid solid colours to break up your silhoutte. In practice, staying still will go a lot farther than any expensive camoflage clothing to keep you undetected.
Also, keep in mind that bigger is not always better when it comes to a hunting rifle. Bigger cartridges recoil more and are harder to shoot. Make sure to select a cartridge that can ethically take what you plan on hunting, but don’t overgun yourself. If you only plan on hunting deer, you don’t need a big bore magnum with a tactical scope.
The Essentials
Below I’ve included what I consider absolutely essential to get out in the field. These are not nice to haves – these are absolute requirements to get out hunting. Without these items it is impossible to kill an animal or there is an undue risk to safety.
First of all is a tag. Nobody wants to be a poacher, so make sure you get your licence and tags in advance of your hunt. I usually keep my tags in my pocket so I always have them on me during my hunt.
You should always have a source of light and a way to make fire. Circumstances can change quickly in the outdoors and being able to safely adapt and spend the night outside if you must is paramount to safety. As such when out hunting you should always have a lighter, a knife, and a flashlight or headlamp. Not only will your knife help you start a fire, it is also neccesary to process an animal in the event of a kill. These don’t have to be expensive, Petzl TIKKA headlamps are great for around $30, a classic Buck knife is around $60, and a Bic lighter works great for a couple bucks.
Next is your rifle. It is impossible to harvest game without a firearm. However, as one goes up in price you begin to pay for fit and finish as well as extreme range performance. Neither of these are necessary for most hunting situations.
For the new hunter, a bolt action budget hunting rifle like the Ruger American or the Savage Axis will be an effective hunting tool. For a one gun hunter I would recommend a cartridge well suited for Class 3 game. I cover this in more depth in our article on the 3 Best Large Game Cartridges.
Pair such a rifle with a dependable scope like a Vortex Diamonback or a Leupold VX-Freedom and one will be prepared for 90 percent of possible hunting scenarios. This will be the most expensive gear that you need, and can probably be found for around $800 dollars all in.
Digging Deeper
Above are what you absolutely need to start hunting. However, there are some items that, while not strictly required, make you significantly more effective. These might not be things you have for your first time out but if you are going out regularly you’ll want to pick these up.
The most important non-essential piece of gear is hunting specific footwear. This depends a lot on where you hunt but in general an insulated water proof boot is going to protect your feet and keep you much more comfortable. Your boots allow you to cover more ground and see more animal and are one of the most important pieces of gear in your arsenal. This is a buy once cry once type of purchase and I would recommend waiting until you have around $300 saved up to buy a quality pair of boots. Do some research and pick a boot appropriate for the type of hunting your do.
Next, binoculars are extremely useful in the field. Glass is an item where you get what you pay for. When hunting the east glass is less important and you can save some money on binos. However, if you’re in the west, save up and spend as much as you can afford. This is one of the pieces of equipment that has the largest impact on how effective you can be as a hunter.
Additionally, depending on where you live rain gear can be borderline required. Staying dry makes the outdoor experience so much more enjoyable. Furthermore, in some areas getting wet means a real risk of hypothermia. Even cheap rain gear can drastically improve your time in the field.
Nice to Haves
Finally here are some things that are not required, but can come in handy. These are pieces of gear that can be acquired over time as the budget allows. Also, some of this gear is more useful in certain areas than others, so get out there and find what works in your area before making a purchase.
First, carrying all your gear in your pockets can be a hassle. Backpacks and binocular harnesses can help you pack your kit in the field. Any old backpack can work, and there are a variety of binocular harnesses available. My favorite binocular harness is from Alaskan Guide Creations, but there are many other quality brands as well.
Another nice to have is a range finder. This enables you to confidently take longer shots knowing your exact bullet drop. As an aside, practice judging wind before taking these types of shots in the field. Knowing your range and drop does you no good if you can’t judge windrift accurately.
For those hunting open areas, a spotting scope and a tripod can help you judge animals at distance. Also, with this set up you can put your binoculars on your tripod for added stability. It is shocking how much easier it is to spot animals with binoculars off of a tripod. I personally am using Vortex’s High Country 2 tripod which has been durable and light enough to pack.
There are a few electronics that can come in handy. GPS units from Garmin can help you track and navigate out in the wilderness. Garmin also makes an InReach that allows you to send text messages over GPS. This reassures loved ones that you are all right on longer trips, and allows you to call in the cavalry for tough packouts.
Closing Thoughts
For new hunters it is difficult to know what gear is essential. Aside from the firearm, one can start hunting for around $100 bucks and acquire gear as you go. Online forums tend to create an atmosphere of gear elitism. In reality, your hunting gear doesn’t have nearly as much of an impact as experience and savvy. So grab the basics, get out there, and start gaining that experience. Days in the field will garner much more success than a new piece of gear.