New Hunter - Bare Minimum Necessary Gear

[SolaBeard]

Hey guys! I'm blown away by how many of you offered suggestions, advice and insight when I asked about what kind of rifle and caliber you'd recommend for a new adult hunter. Your responses have been incredibly helpful. THANK YOU!

While I'm still considering what type of rifle I'll be going with, I'd like to also factor in what kind of gear I will need starting out to budget and prepare for next season. I know there is a huge variety of gear that ranges in cost and quality, so my goal is to compile a list of the bare minimum amount of equipment I'll need to get hunting while focusing on procuring quality, budget-friendly gear.

NOTE: I will primarily be hunting in East Tennessee (Roane, Andrerson, Morgan counties). I don't plan to hunt from a tree stand right away, so anything you'd deem necessary for a successful ground hunting venture is what I'm looking for. This can include clothing, gear, required training/permits, must-have creature comforts, etc.

I hope the responses on this post—along with my last one—will be helpful for future new hunters as well. I look forward to gleaning some wisdom and ideas from you guys. Thanks in advance!

 

[ttf909]

Hey guys! I'm blown away by how many of you offered suggestions, advice and insight when I asked about what kind of rifle and caliber you'd recommend for a new adult hunter. Your responses have been incredibly helpful. THANK YOU!

While I'm still considering what type of rifle I'll be going with, I'd like to also factor in what kind of gear I will need starting out to budget and prepare for next season. I know there is a huge variety of gear that ranges in cost and quality, so my goal is to compile a list of the bare minimum amount of equipment I'll need to get hunting while focusing on procuring quality, budget-friendly gear.

NOTE: I will primarily be hunting in East Tennessee (Roane, Andrerson, Morgan counties). I don't plan to hunt from a tree stand right away, so anything you'd deem necessary for a successful ground hunting venture is what I'm looking for. This can include clothing, gear, required training/permits, must-have creature comforts, etc.

I hope the responses on this post—along with my last one—will be helpful for future new hunters as well. I look forward to gleaning some wisdom and ideas from you guys. Thanks in advance!

I'd watch everything cat man has on the YouTube.

 

[SolaBeard]

I'd watch everything cat man has on the YouTube.

Thanks! I'll check him out. Any videos you'd recommend starting out with?

 

[CGriffis3]

If you plan on hunting from the ground, a Millenium M300 tree seat.

 

[SolaBeard]

If you plan on hunting from the ground, a Millenium M300 tree seat.

That looks pretty awesome! I was wondering if I was going to have to sit on the ground or take a stool or something, but this looks perfect. Thanks!

 

[PossumSlayer]

Blaze orange vest

 

[TNGunsmoke]

Shop clearance sales now looking for your warm camo clothes, hand warmers, gloves, any scent control product you want to use. You can easily save half the cost or more if you hit it just right.

 

[RobDooley]

If you plan on hunting from the ground, a Millenium M300 tree seat.

good advice. get some shooting sticks too

 

[TNTreeman]

Merino wool base layers and some good coveralls. As mentioned above catch them on clearance now. If I hunt from the ground I like those low profile turkey chairs like you use at the beach and those camo round cushions from Walmart's or Academy.

 

[SolaBeard]

Shop clearance sales now looking for your warm camo clothes, hand warmers, gloves, any scent control product you want to use. You can easily save half the cost or more if you hit it just right.

This may be a silly question, but is there anything you need to do to your clothes after you buy them to prepare them for a hunt (mainly thinking that department store domestic smells, etc.)?

 

[SolaBeard]

good advice. get some shooting sticks too

Any specific ones you'd recommend? Or any unique features to look out for?

 

[ImThere]

Any specific ones you'd recommend? Or any unique features to look out for?

One hand adjustable, trigger stick comes to mind.

 

[TNGunsmoke]

This may be a silly question, but is there anything you need to do to your clothes after you buy them to prepare them for a hunt (mainly thinking that department store domestic smells, etc.)?

I wash everything in All Free and Clear detergent. It's unscented, and does not irritate me where other detergents do. The Scent-a-way stuff is good too(and should be going on clearance soon if it already is not), but we already buy the All for every day use.

 

[recurve60#]

Blaze orange, a good gun and a sharp knife.

 

[Gravey]

A comfortable seat (one that clips on your pack is good. I'm contemplating one that is a gel foam), binoculars, and most important toilet paper.

 

[DeerCamp]

What I never leave home without:
- Good binoculars in chest pouch (to protect from weather)
- Bipod or shooting sticks
- Grunt call

In terms of hunting gear, I prefer layering underneath insulated bib overalls. For TN weather, most any mid-grade will do. I actually wear a green Caterpillar jacket on top.

Camo is ok, but not necessary. Deer vision isn't very sharp. If they are close enough to make out features, it's movement that is going to get you busted. Plenty of orange if on public land.

 

[SolaBeard]

A comfortable seat (one that clips on your pack is good. I'm contemplating one that is a gel foam), binoculars, and most important toilet paper.

Can't forget the TP! I take it on hikes but didn't even consider it for hunting Thanks!

 

[Gravey]

Can't forget the TP! I take it on hikes but didn't even consider it for hunting Thanks!

You'll only forget it one time and after you have to cut clothes off to use it will be ingrained in your memory.

 

[TNGunsmoke]

Can't forget the TP! I take it on hikes but didn't even consider it for hunting Thanks!

I carry unscented baby wipes. Good for cleaning hands up after field dressing a deer, cleaning hands up while out fishing, good for a clean up before going into a restaurant, and good for wiping your rear end when necessary.

 

[TN Larry]

Here are the minimum requirements in my opinion for TN hunting. As stated, you can get some decent clearance deals at Academy or Wal-Mart. They don't have the best but still decent starter gear that will get you by.

- Wicking base layer pants and top (preferably merino)
- Warmer base layer pants and top (if really cold)
- Outer regular pants layer
- Outer shirt layer (I prefer a windproof hoodie)
- Possibly an insulated or fleece vest if really cold
- Insulated bibs (preferably windproof and at least water resistant)
- Insulated jacket (preferably windproof and at least water resistant)
- Decent pair of insulated, waterproof boots ( I wear mucks)
- Thick and thin merino wool socks
- Blaze orange hat and vest
- Something to sit on - chair, cushion, millenium tree seat, etc
- Gloves
- Hand warmers
- Ear / face covering if your face gets cold easily
- Some type of scent free detergent (doesn't have to be hunting) to wash clothes in
- Some scent free soap to shower in
- Scent free deodarant

I would consider that the bare minimum. Other things to consider are binoculars, shooting sticks, backpack to carry stuff in, grunt call, scent spray, etc. A decent knife to field dress a deer is good as well, however, I have field dressed a ton with a Case pocket knife as long as it's sharp. I carry a specific knife now but not absolutely necessary.

My advice is to not get too caught up in a lot of the gadgets designed more to catch a person than to kill a deer but focus more on reading deer sign, considering wind direction / thermals, and learning how to use the terrain of the land to your advantage.

Another piece of advice is to shoot the first legal deer that you see, period. Don't get caught up in the hunting shows or even the deer posted on here. That will come with experience and goals will change if you get into and enjoy it.

The main part though is to have fun. You will learn a lot from trial and error.