As a new hunter, what's the basic gear I need

[22-rimfire]

Camo if you are hunting spring turkey.
Blaze orange hat and probably a vest. I really like Cabelas' vests. I recommend these!
A reasonable knife. A pocket knife works too. But you want it sharp sharp sharp.
Brush pants if you are hunting small game and stomping briar patches.
Light hunting coat/field jacket for September/October. It will usually have blaze orange on it.
Compass if you are hunting really flat land (some of the State Game Lands are very flat and it is easy to get turned around.)
Comfortable boots. Rubber insulated boots perhaps for cold weather? Lacross?
Ammuntion
This is way way more than $150... unfortunately.

 

[whetrock]

I've come to appreciate a good qualtiy flashlight while out hunting and rambling in the woods they come in handy during the early dusk and evening dawn hours. As of right now my favorite hunting light is my Streamlight buckmaster Stylus pro. I also can not stress enough the importance of a good quality fixed blade ( or sturdy folder if you prefer ) knife, a Mora ( the 711 model is my favorite but the 511 is least expensive ) IMO would make an excellent entry level knife that won't break the bank and keep you under budget.

 

[ShawnC]

A good folding knife preferably with a gut hook. A fixed blade for heavier jobs. Your hunter safety class will give you a list of things to carry as far as safety kits and stuff.

Good boots with strong ankle support and waterproof!

If you can afford it, a decent gps will help keep you found, and mark interesting spots.

And a camera is a must.

One last thing...roll up some toilet paper and stow it in a zippy bag. This is a must have! You may never use it, but if you don't bring it, guaranteed you will need it!

 

[gfanikf]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm going to give a look through and make sure I haven't missed anything good, especially with knives as I do need one.

I've been trying to take advantage of the end of the season and getting things on sale/clearance. 50% makes for some great deals (especially since PA doesn't charge sales tax on clothing!). One thing of note is the orange blaze should have been 50% off (and ~$12.50 less), but the cashier goofed on it, so I had to go back and get the price corrected.

Can anyone give me some feedback on what I've gotten and what I should be still trying to get? I swear Counter-Season shopping is a great to get good deals!







I also got boots about a week earlier. They're the Field and Stream Silent Tracker 1000 that seems to be a Dicks Exclusive. http://www.buzzillions.com/reviews/men-field-stream-silent-tracker-1000-boot-reviews

My wife wanted a comprise with no camo on the boots incase I don't take to hunting, since I'll use them for cold weather and snow. I really like how warm and sturdy they are. I paid about 80 bucks instead of the normal ~120/130.

Since I'm spreading things out I can spend a little more. I just need to figure out when the clearance/sales on hunting stuff will end and the normal prices start up.

For a rifle I'll be picking up a Marlin 336 in .30-30 Win next week. It's very affordable and just fun to shoot, as I've really started to enjoy lever action since I borrowed a friends to try out.

Regarding my shotgun, I think I'll just get new barrels from NEF, though considering the wait and price of a new NEF gun, it may be simpler to just buy one. If anyone has suggestions on what barrels to get (I currently have the 18.5 Protector). I'm all ears!
http://www.hr1871.com/Support/accessoryProgram.asp

Any feedback on my buys, guns, or stuff I should get next is greatly appreciated!

 

[mungry]

If you're a sale shopper there are multiple websites that do the one-deal-at-a-time format with deeply discounted gear.

Check out Camofire.com. Also DOD tracker (deal of the Day) has a couple hunting oriented sites.

And Cabela's and Bass Pro have clearance/outlet sections that have some pretty good deals some times

 

[Vel454]

Make sure you break in your boots before your trip.

I don't know what kind of terrain you'll be hunting in, but some good binoculars are nice to have. Unless your hunting in some very big country - keep the magnification in the 7-8x range, and a big objective lense to gather as much light as possible for the early mornings and late evenings. A wide objective lens will also make glassing for game easier and more comfortable. 42mm+ would be your best bet.

When looking for a set of glass - pay attention to the 'Exit Pupil' rating. If the company doesn't offer it - just divide the objective lens by the power - i.e. 50/8 = 6.25mm. A healthy human eye will dilate to about 7mm when adjusted to the dark. Picking a compact set of binoculars with, for example a 12x25 power, gives a very small exit pupil... 25/12 = 2.08mm. The result, is a bit like the difference of the amount of light coming in a room from a large window, compared to a small window. If your eyes are dilated to 6-7mm and your binocular's exit pupil is only 2-3mm... your going to have a very dark image when you have overcast, or around dusk/dawn lighting.

10x magnification is also where most people draw the line, on where the natural shaking of your hands really starts to effect your image. If your tree-stand has a rail going around you in the front, you may be able to get a bit more support from it, but as a rule of thumb - 10x and higher, and you might want to think about bringing a tripod for any length of extended viewing.

You'll have to pick between a set of porro or roof prism binoculars as well. For a cheaper price point, you can generally get better quality bang for your buck with porro. At a mid to high price point that disperity drops though and it's really personal preference. Go with a set of rubber-armored binoculars though, they'll offer some protection to your investment, and are also more quiet for your hunt.

A last point on binoculars - If they dont say 'waterproof' then they aren't. Water-resistent, weather-resistent, or splash-proof aren't completely water-proof. Zoom binoculars might also capture your interest, but keep in mind, they are almost never fully waterproof. Stick with a fix-powered set.

I remember reading an older Boddington book - where he quoted a friend on the importance of quality optics - 'They cost nothing, and weigh nothing.' They can be that helpful. Hope this helps.

 

[SouthernWake]

1 compass
1 knife
1 loaded gun
1 bottle of water
food if youll be out that long

add that to your clothing selection and thats what itake on all my day trips

 

[IllHunter]

Good work so far,

A day pack is necessary, orange if possible as your back should be orange. If turkey hunting, camo is the choice. I hunt in Mi UP and there's usually snow and always cold in Nov. In the dense forests, lines of sight are less than wide open fields and you can get away with compact binos. The emphasis on quality sox and boots are appropriate, no matter what terrain. Compass and topo map of your hunt area and a hunt plan, given to a family member insures your safety as well as her peace of mind. Don't forget a variety of hats. Where blaze is required, from ball cap to knit watch cap, have a choice to fit the weather. A hood is priceless if it rains or snows. I like layered outer garments like Columbia or NorthFace. But long ago I invested in quality hunt wear that I only use for hunting and it has served going on 20 years now. Another golden hint is polypropelene underwear. UA makes great stuff but is astronomical. This "always on" layer wicks moisture from your skin to keep you from chilling. Wool shirts, check Goodwill and Sal.Army will keep you warm even if wet. I bought some wool Austrian Army surplus pants at Pamida in the UP in 1993, still wearing them on occasion. I prefer gortex if it's wet out. Those pants cost $10 and if I ever wear out these, I'll be hunting online.
A plastic kids tobaggan ($6) can serve as a stand tow/deer sleigh and can be painted camo or covered with snow while hunting. Camo netting is cheap but usually you can buy a pop up ground blind for cheap during the off season. Now (Jan) is a good time. I was in Dicks' yesterday and they had popups for $40. Usually 79. In my pack I carry ziplock bags.
1) for snacks and tea and hot cocoa, soup mix.

2) for gutting, 2 knives rubber gloves (playtex) and some small zip locks for heart,liver. String to tie off an us and paracord to tie it up, on tree to drain and on sled. a pack of bio wipes helps clean upa messy job. Towel or rag also.

3)First aid : Cabelas small hunting kit which includes clotting powder. (Sh_t happens.)but I believe that if you plan for it , it usually doesn't. I also pack a personal jet stove and metal mug. I can stay out longer with a hot lunch, snack etc. Energy bars, granola also help with boredom, munchies.
I keep in the outside pouch of my pack some reflective tacks, flagging tape, wind indicator (powder in bottle) and a headband light. I also carry a maglight 2 AA. in a pocket. Many times the shots happen in the dusk and the cleaning in the dark. If by myself, the headlamp is key. I use the maglight and tacks to find my way in and out. The flagging tape to mark the blind & the shot site (if it runs off, easy to spot as I track the spoor.) Yes it is possible to carry only a gun and a knife, but you can hunt longer with some preparation and be ready for the opportunity when it shows up. I also really like a platypus hydration bottle I found. It folds flat when empty. Ordinary water bottles make noise when empty. And clutter /trash must be carried out. I do like a gatorade bottle (wide mouth) to collect my pee during the time on stand. It keeps my scent to a minimum. I usually empty it on the hike out. I have harvested deer from a ground blind while my son was building a fire, while I was boiling coffee and while drinking tomato soup. Scent is not that important if the wind is in your favor and if you minimize your remaining scent. I usually leave my blind up three or four days and have had success on all days. I also keep a journal in my pack and I write a running commentary every day. Weather, wind, partners, locations, gear, likes and dislikes etc. This helps me remember what to pack and what to leave and really promotes memories. Good luck in your hunt.

 

[der Teufel]

Very Important !!

A small hand trowel and some toilet paper in a zip-loc bag.

 

[ShawnC]

Oh, and if you get anything small like a pocket knife or GPS or something, try to find one in hunter orange. Camo is cool as a fashion statement, but if you drop it in the woods it would be nice to be able to find it again.