Essential Items For Novice Hunters

Aaron Spuler is a firearms enthusiast and recreational shooter. Follow more or his work at The Weapon Blog

Hunting is not just an adrenaline-pumping activity. It’s also a way of reconnecting with our prehistoric hunter instinct and showing our respect for mother nature. Like our ancestors, we should also come prepared when we go into the wild to hunt. There are many different types of hunting you can do. You can choose from birds, small game or large game. You can also choose your hunting preference, like crossbow hunting or rifle hunting. If you’re a beginner or novice hunter, you must bring the essential items that you’ll be needing the most.

Hunting License and Hunter Safety Card

You should ensure that you bring both these important documents with when go into the woods to hunt. Hunting licenses may vary from state to state depending on local species and the categories include small game, large game, all game, fishing, game birds and waterfowl. The Hunter Safety Card is proof that you have completed a Hunter Education Course and is valid in all states where it is required.

Hunting Weapon

While this is a no-brainer, there is still the question of the preferred and recommended hunting weapon for a novice hunter. Most experienced hunters and hunting enthusiasts recommend the compound bow as the weapon of choice for beginners or novices. It does take practice, strong and steady arms and good hand-eye coordination. This is also a good weapon while you’re still studying and perfecting your aim since you need to be positioned quite close to your target (30-40 yards away).

Other novice hunters prefer to go to firearms as their first weapon due to its longer effective range. There is also the choice of going for a shotgun or rifle, but it will depend on your state’s hunting regulations.

Hunting Knife

While this item isn’t directly used for hunting, it is an essential must-have when you go on a hunt. It is useful for field dressing your game animal, marking your hunting license, cutting and carving. There’s no preferred knife type as a hunting knife, but any fixed or folding-blade knife that has a short blade (about 4 inches) will do fine.

Hunting Clothing

Make sure to check the weather in order for you to wear the most comfortable and appropriate clothing. In cold weather, you’ll need to layer up your clothes for warmth while on hot and warm days wear light and waterproof clothing. Cotton is the material you need to avoid for your hunting clothes. It doesn’t wick sweat away from your skin and can aggravate the temperature condition of your body by making you feel hotter on hot weather and colder during cold weather. Thus, wool or polyester is a good material for your inner layer clothes and outer layer clothes. You’ll need to wear jackets to help seal body warmth during cold conditions. You’ll also need to wear an orange vest or hat depending on your state’s hunting regulations.

Hunting boots are also important in your hunting clothing. Get a boot that fits your feet comfortably, waterproof, has high traction and high insulation. These are critical qualities that you need from your boots, especially when hunting during cold weather.

Hunting Backpack

You’ll be needing a reliable backpack to carry your hunting equipment with. There’s no preferred type of hunting backpack, but you can make use of the black, brown, green or gray backpack that you use for hiking or camping trips instead of buying a new one. Be sure to include water, food, camera, flashlight, game bags (to carry your game), ammos and first aid kit in the event of injuries or emergencies.  

Starting out with hunting can be both intimidating and exhilarating. As long as you have the right gear with you on your first hunt, you have already made it halfway to the hunt. Having the right gear can make or break a great hunting experience, so be sure to have the necessary and essential items with you. Getting to enjoy and continue hunting can start with having fun, so don’t spoil it by coming to the hunt half-equipped.