What are the basic necessities for a first-time deer hunter?
I went to Cabela's recently and did some research by browsing the sections.
I would have to purchase a Remington hunting rifle (probably model 700 with a better quality scope) and correct ammo to pass the hunter ed course to receive a license, but I need to figure out the wear and equipment for wilderness exploring and successful hunting. Please correct the listing with the additional items for a good hunting experience without obstacle and confusion.
Camo jacket and pant (thicker for winter, lighter for spring/summer), shooting gloves, hunting boots with outdoor socks, cap or wool hat, expedition compass watch, binocular/spotting scope, camo backpack (e.g. Camelbak Ranger with hydration), large game bag, rope to drag hunted deer, measuring weight and points, knifes for field dressing, ration & instant warming kits, optional gps device, optional digital camera...
During the winter, is it wise to wear the bright orange vest and/or cap to warn other hunters nearby?
rancy c, LOL. I said "optional" gps, I've seen the expensive brands like Garmin eTrex Vista HCX. I don't mean to list every thing that I intend to buy, just trying to get down to basics. I dunno if a binocular is necessary at all. 1st I pass hunter ed course and practice rifle shooting in hundreds of rounds at outdoors range then I will get hand on it, and I will contact a fellow hunter to join the expedition. It'll take a few months before I'm ready, so it's best to prepare with some experience gained before progressing on to big game (if lucky to win in lottery) in a few years if I stick with it.
June 1st, 2009 at 9:23 pm
yeah it really is a kid got shot and killed where i live a couple of months ago because he didnt wear his orange vest and/or hat
June 2nd, 2009 at 6:37 am
a flashlight in case it get dark on you it will make easier of others to find you
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Glad to hear you are getting into hunting. Anyway, you are on the right track. To start with, the Rem. 700 is a fine rifle, and is the most popular bolt action sporting rifle today. Go with a Leupold Scope. A little bit $$$, but it will last you your entire life. LITERALLY. As for the caliber, I do not know, you did not really specify and type of game that you will be hunting. Basically, it is always wise to wear some orange into the woods. You never know, someone could easily mistake you for an animal. I wear a full orange suit every deer season, and you can see other hunters for quite a distance. Get a orange baseball cap, as well as a fleece hat. Definately need a good warm pair of gloves. I regret the times I sit there in the stand without gloves, and my hands go numb. Look for a Gerber knife. They are very high quality, and are trusted by many hunters. Hand warmers come in very handy in the winter. Just slip the into your gloves. GPS’s are good, but I do not think they are neccesary if you know your surrounding area. A good pair of Wigwam socks are what I trust every season. Rocky shoes and boots is a good brand to shop for. And finally, you can always buy a nice pair of camo clothing for Spring Turkey, as well as archery season. When you go for Turkey, (if you do), it is wise to wear an orange hat of some sort. I know I did not cover this in great detail, but these are some good things to start with. Good luck.
June 5th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
360deg rounds
June 7th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Deer
June 10th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
#1 You need to get good with that rifle before you go around wounding deer. #2 You shouldn’t go alone on your first outing. #3 You didn’t mention waterproof matches or lighter, space blanket or first-aid kit, toilet paper, anything to clean all that blood off your hands after cleaning, 5 gallons of water to wash the insides of that deer out, flashlight , sleeping bag or tent. Orange is always good.
June 11th, 2009 at 1:01 am
WOW, that’s quite a detailed and expensive list. Maybe I cna help alittle. First, on the rifle, the remingtin is a fine rifle, a have a few. So is winchester and many others. A budget, meat and potatoes kind of gun is a savage bolt action. I prefer .270 for many reasons, but everyone has a favorite caliber.
My first “hunting” outfit, was a pair old sneakers, a set of long johns, a pair of levi’s a t shirt, a wool overshirt and a jacket. A a baseball cap and an old pair of gloves in my pocket. I had a military surplus backpack and a canteen, folding pocket knife and an old pair of hand me down, no name binoculars, a box of strike anywhere matches, a firearm and if I was lucky a soggy sandwich or a can of beans to heat up and a handfull of cartridges. I didn’t need a fancy compass, cuz I had been walking those woods since I was about 5 with my brothers. When I see what all people think they need now a days to hunt, it just blows my mind. over the years I have changed some things, I still carry an old back pack, and of course the firearm of choice, I carry a good belt knife and a folding knife is alwasy in my pocket, I carry a sharpening stone too. I wear a good pair of well broken in old hiking boots and carry an extra pair of socks. I still wear Jeans, I still wear a T shirt, a wool over shirt and take a good jacket, I have added a blaze orange vest ahd ball cap during rifle season, I carry a disposable camera, a small compact survival kit in my pocket, a small first aide kit in the pack, a good pair of compact binoculars, a compass (for hunting new areas) Some payday candy bars, tea bags,coffee bags, dry soup mix a variety of lunch goodies, a canteen cup (SS not aluminum) under one of my canteens, I carry one on my belt an another in the pack. A game bag, lome cordage or twine a disposable lighter, matches and a flint and steel in (my pocket) and a couple of survival folding blankets, a plastic tarp, a fork and spoon, and alas, a cell phone. I hate the phone, but at least I leave it off unless it’s an emergency. My whole outfit probably costs less than that “gps ststem” you think you need. Funny thing is, the venison I harvest for the table tastes just as good as any that hunters with $3000.00 fancy outfits harvest.
Rethink your priorites and you will find that half that stuff you want isn’t really needed. And you will have more true enjoyment without all that fancy expensive stuff.
shoot safe
June 14th, 2009 at 8:10 am
Most places, orange is required. Even if not, it’s certainly advisable. You don’t really need camo at all. Aslo, depending on where you hunt, you may stay within a half mile of your truck and therefore be able to forego the pack, and I’ve hunted deer nearly fifty years without a bag. If you’re going to be where you might get lost, add a cigaret lighter to your list. And don’t forget the long johns!
June 14th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Quite a complete list you have there, welcome to the hunting world, your statement makes you sound like a responsible individual. I welcome you to the Spirit of the Wild.
Remington is a good rifle to start out with. I cant express enough on scopes…you get what you pay for. Leuopold and Swarovski are among the 2 finest scopes made, as well as Nikkon in the upper price bracket. Spend the money and get a GOOD one.
Most states require that you WEAR a minimum amount of coverage of hunter safety orange. both on the torso and head. This is very wise to heed. Deer cannot distinguish color. The reason for camo is not all the different colors but the different shapes i.e limbs, leaves etc. Hunter safety orange is available in a black and orange camo combination. I would recommend this instead of the solid color PROVIDING camo orange is legal in your state. Check with you local DNR office or games and parks commission before purchasing.
Otherwise your list is very well put together, you obviously have done your research and I commend you on that. and Definitely take the digital camera along you never what what you might be able to get a picture of even if you do not get a shot. Good Luck and happy hunting.
June 15th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Depends on where you are. Before you start spending all your money, check with the DNR/Division of Wildlife in your state to brush up on all the local laws. Next, take a Hunter’s Safety Course. It’s required in some states, and necessary any way you look at it. Also, be sure that you gun you want is legal. In Ohio we’re shotgun, muzzleloader and handgun w/5″ barrel only for gun-hunting deer.
Before you start spending a ton of money to look like a hunter, you need to get around people who hunt regularly so you can learn about the kinship and ethics of the true hunting community. We don’t use arms irresponsibly, we don’t take game unethically, and we are active stewards of the environment.
As far as gear goes…warm & dry is what you need. Binocs, not a spotting scope. You can get good binocs for under $40. Backpack is good, hydration makes it heavy. Just carry a couple of bottles of water, and make sure you take the empty bottles out with you. Bottled H20 is also nice for washing your hands after field dressing. Measuring? Do that when you get the deer home. You’ll only need one or two knives…a nice Buck knife, and maybe one with a gut hook for “unzipping” the carcass when dressing. A small lightweight camera is nice…get one of those little table tripods in case you’re alone – you can put it on a tree stump, and the legs are flexible, and they’re small. GPS? Where do you plan on going your first year out? Learn slowly before you jump in all the way. Go with a guide, or stay close to home. Don’t blow your whole cash stash in one trip to Cabela’s – inevitably you’ll figure out some stuff you wish you had, and stuff you bought that you wish you hadn’t. Add rope to your list…just some simple white rope. You can tie the deer to the top of your car.
June 16th, 2009 at 3:56 am
You definitely need to wear some orange. I hunt private land, but there is always some knucklehead that i have to chase off, and who knows what they will shoot at.
Other than that, you need patience. Spend as much time in the woods as you can, both before and during the season. Read much. Ask questions of those who have more experience. And stay in the woods. You will see animals when you least expect them.
June 17th, 2009 at 2:16 am
Bare bones, what you need to purchase.
A rifle, a Remington 700 will do fine. Get one with iron sights and no scope is necessary.
Blaze orange vest, legally required for deer hunting pretty much everywhere
Hunting Licence.
Stuff you already own and can bring
You can wear your regular cloths if they are for the appropriate season. Wear your winter coat in the winter, etc etc. Wear warm socks.
A small flashlight.
Matches and a lighter
A knife for field dressing.
A candy bar or 3, and a bottle of water stuck in your pocket.
Optional stuff you may have or may want to get.
Scope for your rifle
Rope to drag deer backwith
binoculars
GPS
Good boots and socks
knife designed for field dressing in the $30 range
Disposable camera.
I’d not bother with camo clothing, at least not the first few seasons. I’d not bother with a backpack, or a camelback hydration system, nor the large game bag, nor the measuring weights, nor a lot of that other stuff.
I’d suggest instead getting knowledge. Now you are onto a good start, but go buy some hunting books. Check your local library, most regions have state specific hunting magazines. Read your hunting regs, etc etc. Scout out the area you are going to hunt.
June 19th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
thats an impressive list, you may want a comfortable sling for your rifle for longer outings. As Randy said i too started out as a youngster with only what was available. wilderness exploring and overnight trips may prove more sucessful and enjoyable with experience gained from shorter morning or afternoon hunting trips to your local 80 acre patch of woods. i am not trying to discourage you from your grand hunting trip but i gather from what you have said that you are basicaly a novice at hunting. we all had to learn to crawl before we could walk. if you can learn to hunt deer and be successful on a smaller scale or are able to find an experienced hunting partner it may be a reasonable alternative to years of trial and error. most beginning hunters rely on luck to kill a smart whitetail . hunters who put meat in the freezer on a consistant basis will tell you that skill, knowledge and preparation beats the hell out of luck 99 times out of a 100. I have had wiley whitetails make me look silly more times than I care to say amongst a group of hunters. lol. one last thing for you to ponder. i have had many successfuls hunts without firing a shot or bringing back any game. how is this possible? when you have enough knowledge and experience to answer this question then you can call yourself a hunter. good luck and enjoy.ole max.
June 21st, 2009 at 1:39 pm
I read all the answers and while many ideas are good without doubt, if you listen to everything, you will carry too much junk to the woods.
Every hunter has a preferred set of gear. Key to successful hunting is to be comfortable and confident. If you are uncomfortable, you will not focus on hunting. What do I mean by that?
1) Lugging around too much junk will simply get you you tired and sweaty. Try a half a mile uphill hike in pitch darkness and you will know what I mean. Once you settle down, that sweat will make you cold. Evaluate every last piece of gear and carry only what you will use for hunting. Skip the camera and GPS, learn woodsmanship, use reflective thumb tack markers on trees to mark your path in darkenss. Take pictures near the car ! Most hunters don’t venture too far from their cars anyway, especially in their beginnings. Skip the measuring crap too, you will do that near the car. skip the compass and binoculars. A compasss is worthless unless you have a map to go with it or know your terrain inside out. In that case, you will navigate using woodsmanship skills more than anything else. Remember, we rely too much on electronics. GPS means spare batteries on you, adds to the weight. Anything electrical will fail, I can assure you from experience. Reliability is the absolute key in every component you take.
2) Take a reliable gun. Anything bigger than 270 will work. Accuracy is the most important element. I killed my first deer with a shotgun 25 years ago. You will quickly discover that scoped rifles are good for long range but bad for close quarter, thicket hunting or running deer.
3) Nobody mentioned a treestand. To me, it is indispensible, it will increase your chances of success by 400-500%. It keeps your scent off the ground, keeps you out of the sight plain of the deer, and give you a great vantage point. Choose a light model with no moving parts. The Summit Viper is my favorite. Rock solid reliability.
4) Skip the packpack unless you are going overnight. Too heavy and it won’t maneuvre well once you are climbing a tree. Fanny packs are much more compact and will stay on your waist while you climb.
5) Bright orange is desired and is required for most public land hunting. It does not substitute common sense. Know where all the other hunters are. Keep smart, don’t walk in the woods (orange or not) at 7 AM during deer opener day or last day of the season. Hunters usually have the itchiest trigger fingers then. Don’t walk in thickets also, some idiot hunters will hear noise and shoot wihout looking. When selecting your spot, keep your back to the safest direction.
In summary, carry only the essentials, and maintain your gear religiously like an aircraft technician. Your most important tool is your common sense. It will help you avert many dangerous situations which you WILL encounter if you hunt a lot. Start going out to the woods, learn how to navigate using landmarks (streams, fallen logs, hills, etc..) and you will feel good and confident. You will develop your own vision of what your essential hunting tools should be.