Hunters run the gambit from minimalists to gadget junkies.
Some find joy in hunting with a single-shot .410 and a faithful dog, while others prefer having range finders, wind-detectors, and advanced ballistic-calculators.
No matter where you land on the gadget spectrum, there are some essential items you need. While you may not need to carry these items with you on every hunt, keeping them available, either at home or in your vehicle, will make you a better, safer, and more successful hunter.
Orange Lined Hunting Vest
An orange lined vest is one of the most important items hunters can wear. These vests signal to other hunters your location, and help you stay safe while in the field. The liner provides adequate color to signal your location, while the camouflage still allows you to stay invisible to the game your are hunting. Some states require wearing blaze orange for certain hunts, especially shotgun hunting for upland game birds like pheasant, quail, or dove.
Gun Cleaning Tools
Okay, if you are strictly a bow hunter, you can skip to the next one. If, however, you hunt with a shotgun, rifle, or handgun of any type, you must have the right cleaning tools. If you have multiple rifles, you can purchase a cleaning rod with an interchangeable end, allowing you to clean different caliber barrels with the same rod.
You should also have gun oils, solvent, cleaning patches, and brushes on hand to properly care for your firearms. You’ve invested hundreds, probably thousands of dollars into your firearms, so keep them clean and functional.
Emergency Whistle
This can be especially important for hiking-in hunting trips; trips where there is a potential for being stranded in the wilderness. If you are injured or become lost, you can use this to signal help. It is also a smart item for hunting from treestands, where the majority of hunting-related injuries occur. It weighs almost nothing; so keep it in your pack just to be safe.
Binoculars
This classic tool can help you spot game from miles away, making it one of the most important items for long-range rifle hunts. Gun safety experts strongly caution against using your scope as a sighting tool, so keeping a set of binoculars or a monocular is a smart decision.
Flashlight
You can take this with you or keep it in your vehicle, but a flashlight can be extremely handy, especially if you have to track a wounded animal near dark. Make sure the flashlight is working before you go hunting and always keep a few extra batteries just in case.
Leatherman
By combining the usefulness of a needle-nose pliers and the versatility of a Swiss army knife, a leatherman is a must-have tool for anyone, especially hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. Leathermans have knifes, can openers, bottle openers, files, screwdrivers, and nearly everything else you could ask for.
Scent and Noise-Reduction Apparel
To be an effective hunter, you need apparel that keeps your noise down your scent from escaping. If you hunt bear, turkey, or deer, your scent can quickly give away your presence. The same goes for noise, so make sure you are wearing top-quality apparel.
Wear Performance Hunting Apparel for a Successful Hunt
Give yourself the advantage of noise and scent-reduction by wearing NOMAD hunting apparel. You have been preparing all year for hunting season, so don’t let this season go to waste; give yourself the advantage by having the right pants, shirts, and jackets.