If you want to have a successful hunting season, you have to start with the right gear. Pick up the newest Cabela’s, or Bass Pro Shops catalog and you will find that there is more gear available than any normal person would be able to buy. So what gear is needed for having a successful hunting trip? Here are some suggestions:
1. The right clothing. Hunting clothing should fit the climate that you will be hunting, as well as your style of hunting. Still hunters (those who slowly walk through the woods to pursue deer) will not need as heavy of clothing as those that hunt from tree stands. Hunters in Alabama typically do not need to dress as warmly as those in British Columbia. Identify the type of clothing you will need, and then plan to dress in layers. Remember, you can always take a jacket off and pack it away, but if you don’t have anything left to put on, you could be cold all day!
2. Comfortable boots. Boots are certainly a part of the right clothing, but they are so important that they need to be discussed separately. You will want a pair of boots that has enough insulation to keep your feet warm, but you also want to make sure that the boots are comfortable if you have to walk a lot. Make sure that the boots you buy are waterproof. You will still probably want to add a coat of Sno-Seal to them every year just to ensure that they continue to keep your feet dry.
3. Scent control. Deer have an amazing sense of smell, so masking the human odor is essential. This is particularly true if you will be hunting in one of the primitive weapons seasons. With a bow, or muzzleloader, hunters typically take animals at much closer distances. You have to be careful, and fool the sensitive nose of the deer, so that you will even have a chance at taking a trophy. Start with scent elimination products such as Scent Away’s Scent Elimination spray. These sprays eliminate any human odor, and help to keep any odors to return. Next, apply a cover scent. Cover scents can range from various forms of animal urine, to food source scents (such as apple, or acorn).
4. The right gun. Having the right weapon can make all the difference when hunting. Get a gun that fits you comfortably, and that you can shoot well. If harsh recoil intimidates you, go with a lighter caliber. Any caliber of .243 or greater will work great for hunting deer sized game. The .270 and the .30-06 are looked upon as a couple of the best all around calibers for hunting. Though they have a little more recoil, they certainly are manageable. Once you have the gun sighted in, there will be no problem, as most people don’t even notice the recoil when they fire the gun in a hunting situation.
5. A good knife. If you are successful in your hunting endeavor, no piece of equipment will be more valuable than a good knife. Good knives will hold their edge, staying sharp through all the necessary tasks that a successful hunter faces. Buck makes several models of knives that are perfect for hunters, and they are very reasonably priced. Browning also makes several knives that are of good quality, and reasonably priced. Any knife should also have a good sheath to carry the knife.
There is certainly a lot of other gear that you can and will buy if you get serious about hunting. It is easy to spend a lot of money getting outfitted for the upcoming season. But, this list of gear is the bare necessities. If you are looking for what is essential to your success, start here, and prepare for a great season!
