30 Hunting Items Every Hunter Needs

When the hunting season approaches, there are a ton of things you need to do to be ready for the hunting season if you are relatively new to hunting. Getting your license, scouting the hunting area, putting in some practice with your weapon of choice, getting your tags, and the list goes on.

Besides the most obvious hunting items like your weapon and ammunition, hunting clothes, hunting blinds, hunting stands, hunting decoys, boots, and hunting backpacks, there are other hunting items that may not seem important until you are deep in the woods and realize they are essential for a successful hunting trip.

Hunting Aids

1. Hunting Binocular

The hunting binocular allows you to clearly see your target from a good distance. It is one of the important items you need. A good binocular can’t be overstated for a successful hunting trip. If you don’t have one, a monocular scope can also do the same job. Many are constructed to be durable, compact, and lightweight. We did a review of the best hunting binoculars and you can read it from this link.

2. Rangefinder

When hunting, you want to know the exact distance between you and your target. A rangefinder is a device that accurately calculates that distance and helps improve the accuracy of your shot. They are usually compact, lightweight, and very portable which makes them easy to use.

3. Riflescope

A riflescope allows you to clearly see your target from a distance and helps you make an accurate shot. It is mounted onto the rifle and makes it easy to use. If you want to learn how to mount a scope on your rifle, then read this article.

4. Trail Camera

A trail camera helps you to track your target behavior and movement. You can collect a lot of information about your target from a trail camera. Trail cameras are designed today with HD video and cameras. They are compact, waterproof, and easy to set up.

5. Predator Call

A game call is very helpful to a hunter to attract your target. There are game calls with a wide variety of animal calls that attract your target and pull them to you. We reviewed the best predator calls and you can read them from this link.

Personal Care Items

6. First Aid Kit

It is always a wise idea to have a complete first aid kit in your hunting backpack. It is better to have it and not use it than be in need of one deep in the woods at night and have none. You can find a kit at any of the major retailers. If you are also looking for a hunting backpack, we reviewed the best hunting backpacks and you can read it from this link.

7. Toilet Paper

You may not think this is important until you are really in need of it. This, like the first aid kit, will not take up much space in your hunting backpack and you should have one with you.

8. Snacks/Water

You will need food and water to snack on. Energy bars, snacks, trail mixes, and other foods should be included. It should be noted that you don’t want to take any food or snacks like beef jerky that will have a strong scent and alert your target. Water is also an important and vital item that should be on your list.

You want to remain hydrated and alert as you lie in wait. There are a variety of durable water bottles that can easily be stored in your hunting backpack with water.  A water filter like the LifeStraw personal water filter is also a good item to have in your hunting backpack. It filters any water to provide you with drinkable water.

9. Hand Warmer

You might rate the importance of hand warmers highly until you are deep in the woods on a frigid winter night and start to get very cold, beginning with your extremities. Hand warmers help keep you warm to sit out in the open and wait for your target. You can read a review of the best hand warmers for hunting.

10. Rain Gear

Quality rain gear is very important for hunting. Rain gear will keep you protected as much as possible from the rain as you wait for your target. Sometimes, you get the break you always wanted when it is pouring rain in the woods. You can find them as camouflaged or orange.

11. Lip Balm

Lip balm can help keep your lips lubricated and protect them from harsh weather.

Field Dressing Items

12. Field Dressing Kit

A good quality field dressing kit including skinning knives, gutting knives, bone saws, and other items to completely and quickly dress your target is very important in hunting. We researched and reviewed the best field dressing kits that you can read from this link.

13. Game/Trash Bags

Game or quality trash bags are very important items to be part of the hunting items you take along. You will need to store your catch after dressing it. There are game bags that you can buy or use good trash bags.

14. Nylon Cord Or Rope

It is always good to take a nylon cord or rope. You never know when it may come in handy. When you are out on any adventure, it is always good to take along a paracord or some rope. It could be used to securely tie the meat after dressing it or you can use it to help with your tent set up or tie up some branches.

15. Field Dressing Gloves

Field dressing gloves keep you clean and dry when you dress a deer or other animal. Sometimes, and more often than not, there will be a lot of blood and other parts of the animal that will be too much to handle with your bare hands. A good pack of field dressing gloves should always be in your hunting backpack.

16. A Multitool

A quality multitool is always good to have on your hunting trips. A multi-tool can be used for many situations and one should always be on your hunting list. You can read a review of the best multitools.

17. Duct Tape

Duct tape is a very useful item for many situations and it should be on your hunting list.

18. Field Wipes

Field wipes can really be useful in mopping up after you field dress a deer or other animal. Good quality field wipes should always be in your hunting backpack.

19. Zip Ties

Zip ties are very useful for hunting or just for any outdoor adventure. They can be used to help tie up your deer like rope or can be used to help you set up. They take up little space in your backpack, yet can be very helpful for many reasons and should be on your list.

Navigation

20. Compass

A good compass is always an essential item for hunting or any outdoor adventure.

21. GPS

A GPS device is also an important item to take along when you go out to your hunting ground. We did a review of the best hunting ground blinds and you can read it from this link. If you need a hunting GPS, then read a review of the best hunting GPS on the market today.

22. Area Map

It is always a good idea to have a map of the hunting area with you on your hunting trips. Studying the map before you go hunting is also wise as you familiarize yourself with the area and any landmarks.

Miscellaneous Items

23. Headlamp/Flashlight/Batteries

A headlamp or a good flashlight and a pack of batteries should be among the items you take along on your hunting expeditions. A flashlight can always come in handy and you want to have new batteries as replacements if needed. You can read about the best flashlights and the best headlamps for fishing available today.

24. Cell Phone & Charger

Your cell phone and a working charger should be taken with you on your hunting trips. You will want to have the means to communicate with the outside world.

25. Fire Starter

Some type of fire starter should always be on your hunting list. If you want to get the best fire starters, then read this review.

26. Pen & Paper

A small pad and a good pen or two should be some of the items in your hunting backpack. They take up little space and can always be useful. You never know.

27. Scent Killer

Although it is the best hunting practice to prepare yourself to be scent-free by taking a bath and wearing clothing without any scent, not smoking or wearing any perfume or deodorant, it is also a good idea to take along some scent killer with you just in case it is needed.

28. Lens Cleaner

It is easy to forget about taking along lens cleaners until you realize the lens needs to be cleaned. Make sure to include it on your list of items to carry and you will not regret it when your lens needs to be cleaned.

29. Wire Cutter

More often than not you will come across some old wire fence as you go through the woods on your hunting trips. A wire cutter will be very useful in those situations to make life a little easier.

30. Urine Bottle

We all hope that it won’t be needed but there is always the possibility that you will be dug in and nature will call. A urine bottle will then be one of the most important hunting items in your backpack.

The Bottom Line

There are so many hunting items that you can include on your hunting list. We have brainstormed and included the “not so obvious” items that could be the deciding factor in a successful hunting trip.

Moreover, most of these can be easily packed into your hunting backpack. If you are a beginner hunter, this list will be a good reference list. You can read about the best gifts for hunters if you need to get the unter in your family a gift.