If you’ve decided to go on your first ever hunt, it’s important to be aware of the fact that the hunting gear you choose to take with you could make or break your trip. There are a few pieces of equipment that you should never head out without, and there are some items where it’s worth spending the extra to have a more comfortable – or effective – experience. In this article, we’ll provide a list of the hunting gear every newbie needs, and a brief explanation of why.
Clothing
The clothing you need will depend on where you are hunting, and the time of year. While we could sit and give you a long list of specifics, it’s best just to say that layers are the key to comfort. If you wear layers, you can remove or add clothing to suit your needs. One thing we do recommend is an outer layer made using DWR – this will ensure you are comfortable and dry should it rain.
Boots
Hunting usually involves walking through varied terrain. You could be dealing with grass, mud, water, or even snow. Because of this, it’s vital that you have a pair of boots that are up to the job and will keep your feet comfortable. The right fit, insulation, and stiffness are all important here. It’s also a good idea to break your hunting boots in prior to your trip.
A Weapon
The next thing you’ll need to consider is your choice of weapon. Would you prefer a rifle, a shot gun, a bow and arrow, or a cross bow? The weapon you choose will mostly come down to personal preference, but the type of animal you’re hunting will also play a part. We recommend most beginners start out with a rifle like the AR-15. These are lightweight and can be customized to make your hunt easier. You can purchase additions like fixed or flip-up sights to help make targeting easier, for example.
Binoculars
A good pair of binoculars will help you to survey the terrain and locate prey from miles away. If you’re going on a long-range rifle hunt, binoculars are the most vital piece of equipment to take. This is one item where it pays to invest in good quality.
Hunting Knife
A hunting knife is a go-to tool for outdoor tasks, and you’ll use it a lot more than you might expect. It can be used for everything from defense to first aid, slicing food, skinning animals, and cutting rope. Any fixed or fold out knife with a blade of at least four inches will be ideal.
Food and Water
High energy snacks are important to carry with you on every hunt as you’ll be burning a lot of calories as you walk across the terrain. As it’s unlikely you’ll be able to carry enough water with you for the duration of your trip, we highly recommend carrying some water purification tablets with you. These can help to make water collected from streams and rivers safe for consumption.
An Emergency Kit
Finally, emergency supplies are just as important as all the other items on this list. You’ll want to include a first aid kit, a map and reliable GPS unit, a fully charged up cell phone and portable battery pack, fire making supplies, a flashlight, bug repellant, and toilet paper. All of these things are vital and could end up saving your life.
Going on your first hunting trip is sure to be an exciting experience. Just make sure you have all the gear you’ll need ready and prepared.
