Whitetail Deer Hunting Gear Checklist

When we go deer hunting, there are plenty of things we need to bring. If you are like me, you probably forget a few things from time to time. That is why you want to make sure you are always looking at a personalized checklist. Here, I am going to go over a few of the basics that everyone needs to bring with them, but use this list as an outline to help guide your own personal gear checklist. 

1 | A Good Backpack

Having a good backpack is vital. What good is all your other gear if you can not carry it around? There are about a million different backpack designs out there, but I suggest you get something that will carry what you need, with a little extra space.

Small backpacks are great, and we always want to stay lightweight, but if it only fits the essentials, there will be times where you are trying to fit something in your pack and it just will not fit. Go with a medium size backpack from a respectable brand.

2 | Extra Ammo

Every time I go deer hunting with a rifle, you can bet that I have at least 5 extra rounds in my jacket pocket. I have never had to use them yet, but you always want to have them just in case. It is better to have and not need than need and not have.

It is crucial to make sure you have your quiver while bow hunting. It would be terrible to get to the stand just to realize that your quiver, and all of your arrows, are back at the house. Personally I leave mine attached to my bow while in transit so I always remember it.

3 | A Flashlight or Headlamp

Stumbling through the woods early in the morning or late in the evening without a flashlight is no fun, trust me. Sometimes the moon is bright enough to help you get around, but you do not want to try to climb down your tree and walk out of the woods without being able to see. 

4 | A Hunting Knife

After putting in all the effort to harvest a deer, you need a good skinning knife. There is a lot that goes into picking the right knife. You need a knife that has the right kind of blade, a good point, hard steel, and is comfortable to hold.

I recommend getting a blade with a drop point. The drop point is especially useful for penetrating hide, but is also not too extreme to make you cut meat when you do not intend to.

The quality of the steel is particularly important. If you buy a cheap knife, it will get dull while you are halfway through skinning that big buck, which is just plain aggravating. You definitely get what you pay for when it comes to knives, so I suggest investing a little bit into a quality one.

5 | The Right Optics

This is especially important if you are bow hunting. You definitely need to bring your rangefinder with you. It has been more than once that I had to guess at a range before I let an arrow fly, and it has been more than once that I missed a deer horribly with my bow.

While rifle hunting, you can use your rifle scope to look as far as you want. However, if you are doing a lot of walking or scouting, it could be easier to bring binoculars along. They are just much easier to use than a rifle scope, and they will let you see much better.

6 | Scent Control

Scent control is one of the most important factors while deer hunting. Without it, a mature buck will surely smell you and you will never get a shot at him.

Always make sure you take a scent free shower before the hunt, and wash your clothes in scent free detergent. After you get dressed and ready for the hunt, make sure you spray yourself and your gear down with scent free spray before you walk to your stand.

7 | Warm Clothes

Depending on the time of year you are hunting, you need to make sure you dress warmly. It is super important to wear a good base layer that will keep in your body heat as well as wick sweat. The middle layers are what will keep you warm. Personally I always bring another middle layer like a thick shirt or hoodie in my truck just in case it is a little colder than I thought.

Finally, your outer layer will protect you from the elements. I recommend something that does a good job of blocking the wind. Of course, if it is going to rain, your outer layer should also be waterproof.

8 | Safety Equipment

If you are hunting from a tree stand, you definitely need to bring your safety harness. Falling from a tree is no joke. It only takes a few minutes to put on and could save your life. You should also be wearing your orange vest while it is gun season. I know plenty of people get annoyed with orange vests, but they are another item that could save your life that just takes a minute to put on.

If you are bow hunting from a tree stand, bring a bow hoist. It is unsafe to try and climb a tree with a bow in one hand. You can even make your own bow hoist, all it really is is a piece of paracord tied to the end of your bow so you can raise and lower it when you are climbing up or down the tree.

It is never a bad idea to bring along a first aid kit either. If you are running a small pack, you probably do not want to buy a huge first aid kit. A small kit will do the trick, but you should also have a tourniquet. It is always better to have and not need than need and not have.

Lastly, I never go into the woods without a sidearm. Even if I am bow hunting I am always carrying my 9mm. You never know what can happen in the woods. Trust me, from personal experience there will never be a time where I am caught in the woods without a sidearm, just in case. 

Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online.

We offer cheap ammo and bulk ammo deals on the most popular ammo calibers. We have a variety of deals on Rifle Ammo, Handgun Ammo, Shotgun Ammo & Rimfire Ammo, as well as ammo for target practice, plinking, hunting, or shooting competitions. Our website lists special deals on 9mm Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 45-70 Ammo, 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, 300 Blackout Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 5.56 Ammo, Underwood Ammo, Buffalo Bore Ammo and more special deals on bulk ammo.

We offer a 100% Authenticity Guarantee on all products sold on our website. Please email us if you have questions about any of our product listings.