Hunting Gear: 8 Items Every Hunter Should Always Have In Their Bag

We want you to be prepared for almost anything that may come your way afield. However, being prepared doesn't require you to bring more than you should carry with you or anything that could give your presence away to your target. 

No matter what type of hunter you are, whether that be turkey, deer, rabbit, elk, waterfowl, coyote, or all of the above, these eight essential items are something every hunter should carry with them to take on whatever comes their way.

1. Head Lamp or Flashlight

A light source should be somewhat of a given, as our plans are known to change often as hunters. 

Sometimes, you might take a nice 8-point later in the day and find yourself field dressing at night, or you might even have a rabbit hunt that turned into more of a coyote chase. Either way, it's best to be prepared for whatever comes your way and always have light readily available. 

A hands-free light can be ideal when field-dressing in the dark.

2. Knives and a Knife Sharpener

Having multiple knives on you at all times is never a bad idea. From scouting to processing, you never know when you will have to trim shooting lanes or skin a nice 8-point.

However, nothing dulls a knife out faster than skinning and field-dressing your game. Therefore, we recommend that you always have a knife sharpener on you, as well. 

Having both a knife and a knife sharpener allows you to be ready to conquer whatever the day brings your way. If you're not sure where to start when choosing your knife, Bench Made makes some great knives.

3. Binoculars or a Range Finder

Another smart piece of equipment to have readily available is either binoculars or a range finder. Not only can either of these items be useful when spotting game, but they also help you prepare for upcoming seasons when scouting land or terrain. 

Understanding your distances from various spots (i.e., tree stands or duck blinds) during the preseason is key to a successful season. So, it is essential to invest in either of these items and always keep them with you. 

You never know when using one of these items can help you scope out an ever better place for your next hunt.

4. Rope

Rope is very versatile and doesn't take up too much space in your bag, so why not have it readily available? 

Not only can rope be used to hang game for skinning or dragging your game out of hard-to-reach areas, but it can also help get your weapons into your stand (i.e., your gun or bow). 

We recommend investing in some nice rope so you're ready for anything. You can find good rope at any hardware store or in many places where you buy your hunting or camping gear.

5. Toilet Paper

This item is often overlooked. However, it is crucial to have in the field! 

After all, it's better to be safe than sorry, and you probably know what it's like to lose track of time out there in the woods. Therefore, be prepared in every way possible and pack yourself some TP. 

6. Snacks

If you aren't hungry after sitting in your tree stand for three hours as daylight starts to set in . . . then you're probably lying. 

As we mentioned before, hunters can be in the field for hours at a time, and there is nothing worse than giving in to your grumbling stomach and ending a hunt early because you need some lunch. Stay prepared and pack yourself some grub. Many hunters pack the typical jerky, trail mix, granola bars, or even Honey Buns. 

7. Scent Protector

Whether you are scouting, hanging a new tree stand, or hunting for that big buck on your trail cam, never give your game a chance to smell your presence. This is an easy game changer if you are not covering your scent up while you are scouting or hunting, as deer have been known to sense human odor for up to ten days after you've left the area. 

Do yourself a favor and purchase some scent blocker. HuntWise subscribers can get excellent discounts on these products from Dead Down Wind. You can also benefit from discounts on odor-blocking clothing from ScentLok.

8. Navigation Tools

Finally, it is important to navigate public and private land with ease. As hunters, nothing is more frustrating than finding an awesome new spot yet forgetting how you got there because you've been scouting for hours. 

That is why it is super essential to understand your land and have navigation tools on hand everywhere you go. With the HuntWise app, outdoorsmen can easily mark new territory by taking note of scrapes, scat, ridges, and other points of interest. 

Users can also create walking paths to remember every entry and exit step to a location. You'll also have access to any public and private land boundaries, making navigating new land a breeze.

Add These 8 Essential Tools to Your Hunting Gear for Success

Although there are many more items that can be helpful – and even crucial – in the field, these eight items are absolutely necessary for any hunt or scouting trip before, during, or after hunting season. Whether you use these items scouting during the preseason or your first elk hunt of the year, we guarantee they will benefit you on your future hunts. 

Make sure you download HuntWise and try it for free! You may find it's the most useful of these eight tools to improve your hunting and scouting time in the field. 

Content updated December 7, 2023.