The Right Equipment For Your Hunting Trip

You’ve got the gun; you’ve got the license; you’re ready to go on your first hunting trip. Or are you? You’ll need more than your gun and ammunition, so make a list, get out your pack and check your supplies. The items listed here should be the beginnings of your gear:

Your first consideration is going to be to protect your feet. You need boots that are comfortable enough to wear all day, are waterproof and will keep your feet dry and are flexible enough to get you safely through all sorts of terrain, and don’t forget the well-cushioned socks, to go with them.

Depending on what you’re hunting and the time of year, you’ll either need appropriate camouflage outerwear, or blaze orange. Don’t forget your head and hands when collecting body coverings.

Consider, also, the fact that while you’re hunting game, you’re also ‘being hunted’ – by bugs! Ticks and mosquitoes will find their way through nearly any kind of clothing, so it’s important to include some sort of spray that will keep them away. If you are concerned that the scent of the bug spray will warn game away, choose a scent-free spray made specifically for hunters.

Having a compass with you is always a good idea to find your way out of the woods. Or take your cell phone with you- just be sure to have the ringer turned to ‘silent.’

Always carry a canteen of water with you. You never know how long you’ll be out there on the hunt. You might even want to bring a high-energy food source with you, too. Just be aware that the sound of unwrapping a snack could be a warning to game (and be sure and take the wrappers out of the woods with you).

There are all sorts of ‘kits’ you’ll want to bring, from a gun repair kit, a first aid kit and a ‘personal toiletry’ kit.

Once you’ve taken care of you that, you’ll want to be able to see what you’re hunting, so be sure to pack a good pair of binoculars and a flashlight or two.

Knives, big and small are necessary for dressing the game, as are bags, ropes and tarps that will be needed to package and carry the meat.

You might want to bring a camera with you to record the bounty of your first hunting trip.

While this list is by no means exhaustive, it should give you a good idea about the kinds of things you’re going to need to help make your first hunting trip- a trip to remember!

Haliegh Adams is a professional writer. She frequently writes for BladeOps.com and has a special interest in knife collecting and the outdoors. Her favorite knives are Kershaw knives.