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.
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Tagged With Cabela S, Deer Hunter, Ed Course, Etrex Vista Hcx, Fellow Hunter, Field Dressing, Garmin Etrex, Garmin Etrex Vista, Garmin Etrex Vista Hcx, Hunter Ed, Hunting Boots, Hunting Rifle, Optional Digital Camera, Orange Vest, Outdoor Socks, Rancy, Shooting Gloves, Siegheil, Socks Cap, Spotting Scope, Wool Hat
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9 Responses to “What are the basic necessities for a first-time deer hunter?”
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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
a flashlight in case it get dark on you it will make easier of others to find you
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.
360deg rounds
#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.
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 **** 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
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!
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.
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.