I would arrange the gear into categories like this:
Musts
First and foremost, stuff to keep you alive and get you back to camp:
-Appropriate Clothing/boots to match the weather, and a backpack to stick the unneeded layers into as you peel them off as the day warms up. This is a whole can of worms unto itself in really cold weather, and will cover under layers, mid layers, outer layers, boots, socks, gloves, head & neckware, etc. It it's very cold, you MUST be well-educated on proper dress!!
-Compass and/or GPS to find your way home if you are wandering quite a ways. I normally carry 2-3 compasses in case one fails or gets lost.
-Space blanket to wrap yourself in overnight in case you cannot find your way home.
-Water bottle (or two) with liquid if there is not plenty of water where you are hunting. Maybe even some water purification tablets or one of filtering straws.
-Small flashlight and/or headlamp - I normally carry 1-2 small flashlights, plus a miner's style headlamp. I think having at least 2 working lights with strong batteries is a must, with one on the slightly more powerful side, in case you stay out too late and are finding your way back in the cold of night.
-Blaze orange if gun season
-(if tree stand hunting) Harness - no ifs, and, or buts.
-Knife to gut your game and cut your harness - if you find yourself hanging - must be easily accessible.
-Cell phone and/or whistle and/or 2-way radio, depending on the buddy situation - also must be easily accessible.
-Big fanny pack to keep all this crap in.
Then other "musts":
-Weapon & Ammo, with sling/carry strap
-Tags & license
-Wallet & keys
Highly Preferred
-Monopod or bipod stick if hunting with rifle or handgun
-Folding saw to clear shooting lanes, etc.
-(if you have to cross any creeks or go through swamps) Chest waders
-(early season only) bug spray and/or thermacell
Preferred
-Calls & scents, particularly extra cover scent
-(unless stalk hunting) Blind & chair, or tree saddle, or packable stand, or at least just a chair to sit in or pad to sit on. I normally just carry around one of those full sized folding camp chairs around with me, and sit on them in the woods. Have taken deer with both bow and rifle while sitting on a chair like this.
-Backup knife(s). I normally have 3 knives on me - a neck knife, a pocket folder, and a belt fixed blade
-rangefinder
Optional
-Tarp w/rope to use as a game sled, or other pulling method/ropes
-small first aid kit
-small .22 revolver for
coup de grace, and/or for shooting squirrels
-lightweight binos
-small squeeze bottle with a fine powder for wind-checking
-snackage (granola bar, fruit, etc.)
-(if very cold) chemical hand warmers
-(if very cold and/or humid) anti-fog wipes for your glasses & scope
-couple packages of wet wipes for after gutting
-TP (if there's not a lot of broadleaf flora around, like a pine forest
)
-Ziplocs for liver/heart
-Book or magazine if you want to read
-Decoy
-(if in hog/cougar/feral dog country) Defensive handgun, like a .45 colt revolver or similar.
Remember, the optional stuff that has to do with "after the kill" - you can always go back to camp and get those things (dragging apparatuses, ziplocs, wet naps, etc.)
Hmmm, lemme think......
