Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned hunter, there are some gears that you should never leave behind in the woods. They are essentials that will not only keep you comfortable but also give you a tactical edge.
These hunting gears are based on the Navy SEAL’s adage: “Control what you can control.” Read on Elk Calls for more information.
1. Safety Gear
As any experienced hunter will tell you, a few critical items are “must-haves” when you go out on the prowl. These are things that help you hunt safely and return home with game for the dinner table. These include a good flashlight with fresh batteries, a first aid kit with bandages and a tourniquet, and your cell phone for communication in the event of an emergency or to get directions if you get lost. You should also pack plenty of water to stay hydrated, and some high-energy snacks to keep you going throughout the day.
One of the most important pieces of gear a hunter needs is a good pair of boots. A pair of boots should be comfortable, fit well, and provide good traction. Getting fitted by a professional is an important step in ensuring that you get the right boot for your feet.
Another essential piece of gear for hunting is a safety harness. Falling from a tree stand can be dangerous, especially if you are not properly secured in a safety harness. The best safety harnesses will have a tether and an emergency escape ladder to help prevent fatal injuries from falling out of the tree.
A hunting tooth frequency is a specific gear ratio that uses a special gear teeth design. The ratio is defined by the teeth count of the driven ring gear divided by the teeth count of the pinion drive gear. The purpose of this special gear design is to spread the wear evenly over a maximum number of teeth. A normal gear ratio, with a common factor, will wear the teeth of the driven ring gear much more than the teeth of the pinion gear. A hunting tooth ratio spreads the wear over all of the teeth, reducing damage and increasing life.
2. Spotting Scope
A spotting scope is a must-have for any hunter. Whether you’re looking at a herd of elk a mile away or a trophy moose in the distance, this tool can give you a clearer picture of the animal so that you can make an accurate shot. Spotting scopes are often used in combination with a camera to capture images of the animals you’re hunting.
You can find spotting scopes in both angled and straight viewing models. When you’re spotting from the ground, an angled scope is better because it allows you to look into the viewfinder at eye level. This is also a great feature to have when you’re sharing the scope with other people because you won’t have to raise or lower your head to keep them in view.
When choosing a spotting scope, the magnification range and objective lens are two of the most important features to consider. Higher magnifications allow you to see further and with more clarity, but higher magnifications also “cost” light by making the image appear darker.
If you plan on using your spotting scope in low-light conditions, you’ll want to choose a model with a large objective lens. This will help you get a brighter image in low-light conditions without having to increase the magnification.
Some spotting scope purists insist on using fixed-magnification eyepieces, but I recommend variable-magnification models. This way, you can fine-tune the scope to the changing conditions of your environment and terrain. It’s also a good idea to use a tripod for stability. This will help you stay focused on the subject and not the shaking of your hands and the movement of the scope itself.
3. Backpack
A backpack is a must-have when hunting, especially for any backcountry hunt. It is by far the most physically and mentally demanding form of hunting and requires a lot of equipment. This is why you need a backpack that is specifically designed for big game hunting and built with studier materials to withstand the heavy loads and brutality of a hunt.
A big game hunting pack has a frame that is either external or internal and the type of frame plays an important role in the overall quality and load-hauling capabilities of the pack. An external frame is usually made out of carbon fiber, titanium, or some other lightweight and durable material and is removable from the bag. This allows you to carry a meat hauler strapped in between the bag and frame which is perfect for hauling your trophies back out of the field.
An internal frame is not removable and usually sewn into the back of the pack itself. These types of packs are not as popular amongst hunters due to the lack of stiffness making it uncomfortable when loaded and having a high potential for failure when hauling meat.
The size of the pack is also extremely important. You want to get as close to a perfect fit as possible. This is where a good backpack company like Kifaru, Stone Glacier, and Exo Mtn Gear shines because they provide excellent adjustable suspension systems that allow for torso and waist sizing to make sure your suspension sits in the optimal position for comfort. It is a shame to have a great pack that is too big and not comfortable so sizing up is worth the extra investment.
4. Binoculars
When it comes to hunting gear, most people think of a bow or rifle, but good binoculars are just as important. They allow a hunter to see more of the landscape, absorb it more efficiently, and ultimately become a better hunter.
Binoculars are optical instruments that consist of two similar telescopes, one for each eye, mounted on a single frame. They provide a magnified stereoscopic image of distant objects that the human visual system can then combine to create a 3D view. Binoculars also give us depth perception and improve our visual acuity by providing the brain with two sets of information to process and combine.
When choosing a pair of binoculars, it’s important to consider the magnification, lens diameter, and overall cost. Prospective buyers can easily get overwhelmed with the number of available options. For example, a potential buyer may be tempted to select a pair of binoculars with a high magnification power, but it’s important to remember that this will also increase the weight and size of the binoculars.
For this reason, it’s a good idea to stick with a medium range magnification power when hunting. For example, a pair of 8×42 binoculars can provide enough magnification for most hunters’ needs.
It’s also important to remember that a pair of binoculars should be collimated (a process in which the two telescopes are aligned) to produce a sharp, circular, apparently three-dimensional image. Even slight misalignment can cause blurry vision and visual fatigue as the eyes attempt to combine skewed images. When buying a pair of binoculars, be sure to check whether they are collimated and find out what maintenance procedures are required. In addition to proper care, it’s a good idea to invest in a chest carrier or padded neck strap to keep your binoculars at the ready for any opportunity that arises.
5. Snacks
A good snack can make the difference between a productive hunting session and a frustrating one. The body needs fuel to keep going, and consuming regular amounts of quality snacks can help hunters stay alert, ready for action, and performing at their best throughout the duration of their hunt. From a quick bite to occupy a few minutes to something more substantial for an all-day endurance test, there are many different options for hunters to consider when it comes to hunting snacks.
There are a few criteria that a good snack for deer hunting must meet: it should be easily packaged and stored in a hunter’s pack, easy to access, eat, and consume while in the field, leave behind no mess, be quiet while being eaten or consumed, and provide a healthy dose of protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and energy. If it also tastes great and satiates the appetite, that’s just an added bonus.
Jerky is an excellent option because it’s high in protein and provides lasting energy. It can be a bit noisy if you’re eating it straight out of the bag, but opting for meat sticks like Epic Provisions bars or the new pork jerky can eliminate some of that noise while providing the same amount of protein.
Fresh fruit is a great option as well, but it must be prepared and eaten quickly before its rotting or bacteria growth becomes an issue. If that’s not an option, a fruit or protein shake is a good alternative that can be mixed up and enjoyed right from the thermos. For those looking to avoid carbs and sugars entirely, there are also plenty of low-calorie energy bar options.