Why is meat so good for you?
All it takes is one serving of 65 grams of cooked red meat for your body to get a surplus of nutrition! Proteins, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids are just a few of the nutrients red meat and chicken can provide to make life better. Of course, one of the best tasting meals is one that you help catch yourself.
If you’re getting ready to embark on a hunting expedition, then this article is for you. We’ll go over the top pieces of hunters gear that you’ll need for a successful trip. From picking the correct type of hunting knife to double-checking your flashlight needs, a good woodsman understands that every detail matters.
What do you need to put in your hunting backpack? Read on to find out!
1. Stocking up on Hunting Clothing
The first item in this hunters gear guide is clothing. You’re hunting clothing needs are going to vary greatly depending on when you’re scheduling the hunt. If you’re planning on taking advantage of the upcoming colder season, you’ll need to make sure you use the right type of layers.
A 3 Layer Approach
We suggest using a three-point clothing system, no matter what type of hunt you’re going out on. The first layer is going to be made of your base layers. Base layers are the clothes that will be touching your skin. Your base layer clothes need to have a moisture-wicking material so that sweaty clothes don’t stick to your skin.
If you didn’t already know, hunters should avoid clothes made out of cotton at all costs. Cotton does a horrible job at wicking away the sweat, and it can’t hold heat if it gets wet. Instead, a hunter’s best friend will be wool materials.
Insulation Layers
Next, you’ll need to include a layer of insulation. The insulation clothes will go directly over your base layer. Again, wool and polyester are perfect materials for the insulation layer. Finally, you’ll need to perfect your outer shell.
Outer Shell
The outer shell of your clothes needs to be both wind and water-resistant. We suggest buying clothes that are slightly larger than they need to be, to create a bit of warm, dead airspace.
2. Everyday Carry Knife
No matter what type of hunt you’re going on, it’s crucial that you always have a knife with you. In fact, it’s typically best to have several different styles of knives to meet all of your needs.
Fixed Blade
Fixed blade knives can be particularly helpful when it comes time to build a fire. To get the best flame, check out these tips for perfecting your campfire strategy. Another advantage of a fixed blade knife is that it tends to be larger than folding options.
You’ll also find that your fixed blade is more durable and easier to maintain. The drawback to fixed blade options is that they weigh more than a folding knife or multi-tool.
Folding Knives
A folding knife is a perfect companion to bring with you in your hunting backpack. Folding knives are compact, lightweight, and feature different blade types.
Small Multi-tool
Along with the fixed blade and folding knife, we also suggest investing in a multi-tool. Multi-tools will include everything you need, from scissors to screwdrivers. Multi-tools are also lightweight, depending on the type you get.
3. Hunting Firearms
What’s the largest type of deer in the world—the moose. Moose can grow to be 6.5 feet tall and weigh as much as 1800 pounds!
If you’re going after large game, you’ll need a firearm that’s up for the challenge. One of the biggest decisions most countries have to make is choosing between a shotgun or rifle. To help you make your choice, we suggest checking your state’s hunting firearm regulations.
AR 15 Tips
In some states, you can bring an AR-15 along with you on your hunt. However, make sure that you’re using a
high quality lower parts kit
to get the best results. Of course, if firearms aren’t your thing, you can also resort to hunting with a bow.
4. Lightweight Binoculars
What type of visual aids will you need to bring on your hunting trip? For starters, you want to invest in a quality pair of binoculars. We suggest packing a backup pair of binoculars, too, so that you’re prepared for whatever situation comes your way.
What type of features do your binoculars need to have?
Typically, a magnification of 10x is preferable for hunting in the woods. With a 10X magnification, you’ll have the right amount of zoom to explore your open environment. Make sure the binoculars are also lightweight enough that you can easily hold them in your hands for long periods of time.
5. Proper Hunting Flashlight
Next, another visual aid you’ll need is the right type of flashlight. Different terrain can change the way light reflects off of an object. Your flashlight needs to emit the right type of light to work in any situation.
For instance, let’s say you’re going to go on a night hunt. A lot of hunters believe that animals can easily see the color blue. To avoid giving away your position, red and green flashlights can be the perfect solution.
Night Vision Assistance
If you’re going to be using night-vision gear, red flashlights will be your best bet.
The red colors work well with the night vision technology. However, if you’re not using night-vision gear, green flashlights will be your best bet.
Animals have difficulty seeing green light sources from the side. You’ll be able to spot prey from further away distances without giving away your position. Your flashlight
also has to have the right amount of brightness and power supply.
Avoid Incandescent Lights
Old-fashioned incandescent lights are outdated. Instead, we suggest investing in new generations of LED flashlights. Both LEDs and HIDs will be able to provide you with enough light to brighten up your path.
LEDs are particularly great since they consume less energy than HIDs. Lastly, pick a power supply that you can easily accommodate. We suggest finding flashlights that use backup batteries so you always have an alternative power source.
6. Charged 2 Way Radios
Next, two-way radios are the perfect way to stay in close contact with your hunting partners. Instead of wondering how others are doing, you’ll be able to quickly find out their status, and location.
Depending on how much you’re willing to spend, your radios will likely only work with an unobstructed sightline. So plan accordingly. A lot of hunters practice keeping their walkie-talkies off and simply turning them on at the top of the hour.
At the top of the hour, everyone can check in with each other and then go back to radio silence. One of the most important features to shop for are walkie-talkies that have long battery life. It’s also helpful if the radios have a battery indicator, so you’ll know when you’re running low on juice.
If your batteries aren’t fully charged, you can expect your range of communication to shorten. For the clearest, long-range communications, you’ll need batteries that are completely juiced up.
7. Paper Map
Next, it’s always a good idea to bring a hard copy of your hunting map with you. It’s okay to rely on navigation apps from your smartphone.
However, a paper map makes the perfect backup in case your phone loses reception or power. We suggest putting the paper map in a Ziploc bag to protect it from water damage.
Before embarking on your hunt, make sure you and your teammates fully understand the terrain features. Make it a point to use your own knowledge, rather than relying on the map, to navigate the terrain. When you’re out in the field, you should only have to refer to the map as a last resort.
8. Wind Detectors
Next, wind detectors are another important tool to pack in your kit. Rifle hunters will find wind detectors to be particularly helpful.
If you’re not aware of what way the wind is blowing, your scent could wind up giving away your position. Whereas, when you use the wind to your advantage, you can locate animals using their scent.
When shopping for wind detectors, you don’t have to splurge for the most expensive option. Instead, low range, and even mid-range quality detectors can get the job done.
Load up Your Hunters Gear
As you can see, the type of hunt you’re going on will play a big role in terminating what hunters gear you need. Since deciding what type of knife you need is one of the most important parts of preparing for a hunt, start there.
Look at your current knife collection and decide if you need to invest in a few more designs. If you only have large fixed blade knives, start shopping for compact folding ones.
Did you want more tips like the ones in this article? Then check out the rest of our site!
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