Each fall it happens. The days begin to grow shorter; the nights cooler. Orion begins to make his nightly appearances, and the leaves begin to change from greens to blazing oranges and reds. To you, the return of autumn always means hunting season has arrived.
Hunting means different things to different people. To many, it promises the challenge of cunning quarry and the chance to bring home a trophy buck or a full vest. To others, it involves swapping stories with family and friends around an evening campfire or inside a cramped waterfowl blind. To some it simply means a chance to spend time alone in the woods, to forget about the chaos of daily living.
Whether your dreams are filled with pheasants exploding from cover or monstrous bull elk bugling in the morning mist, having the right gear is an important step toward making your dream a reality. At Sierra Trading Post, you can bag the best hunting brands at prices that you won't find anywhere else.
Possibly your most important piece of clothing when hunting, your jacket is the piece of outerwear most responsible for your visibility and protection from the elements. Whether you need full camo to blend in or blaze orange to stand out, compare multiple jackets to get an idea of the range of insulation levels, water-resistance, and other features.
Quick Tip: Be careful - many states do not consider orange-colored camouflage an acceptable (or legal) replacement to solid orange apparel.
Although less visible than your jacket, your pants take more abuse. Focus on the proper level of protection.
Quick Tip: Brushed polyester or cotton can make for quieter movement when stalking prey.
Never forget that most body heat is lost through the head and neck. On cold hunts, an insulating hat is crucial. And don't forget the sun - how can you shoot if you've got glare in your eyes? Be sure to add a mask to any camo getup. After all, an uncovered face can be incredibly obvious in the forest.
It's your ears that first hear the prey, your eyes that track the target, and your feet that carry you over all those rough miles. But it's your hands that are responsible for pulling the trigger. Never underestimate the power of good gloves (and warm fingers) with windproof or waterproof features and anti-slip grips.
Quick Tip: Mittens are far warmer than gloves, but must be removed to handle a firearm. Bring a pair of each on cold-weather hunts, or have a dependable pair of convertible mitts that can expose your fingers.
Hunting vests are a necessity for upland game hunters and competitive shooters. Shotgun shell loops and game pouches are ideal for pursuing pheasants, doves, rabbits, and similar-sized prey. Also, many vests specifically designed for sporting clays have pockets for shells, choke tubes, and recoil pads.
Quick Tip: Some vests are made specifically for left-handed shooters.
Performance underwear is your body's last line of defense against the elements, and the most important article of clothing that touches your skin. While waffled cotton thermals were common for years, research has made it clear that your best bet is a synthetic fabric like polyester or nylon, which transfers moisture instead of soaking it up.
Since a hunting shirt may be worn against your skin as a bottom layer, try to wear sweat-wicking fabrics like polyester and wool that will keep you warm and dry.
True waterfowl hunters know that the best hunting spots sometimes require getting your feet wet. and that floating decoys won't set themselves. When selecting hunting waders, think about the typical conditions at your favorite wetland.
Quick Tip: Always be sure to hang your waders out to dry each evening, to help them last and avoid an uncomfortably wet pair the next morning.
Similar to hiking boots, hunting boots usually have higher tops and are built to be more rugged. Almost all leather boots are tough and long-lasting, but are never truly "waterproof" - so be sure your boots have a waterproof Gore-Tex® or similar membrane if you plan to get your feet wet. Here's a brief guide to selecting the proper amount of boot insulation:
The best boots in the world won't do you much good if you have on a lousy pair of socks. Spend the money to get several pairs of moisture-wicking, non-abrasive, warm-when-wet socks. Wool, nylon, and polyester make the best sock material.
Almost any game has the edge when it comes to the senses of smell and hearing. But with good optics, you'll have them beat when it comes to better sight. Hunting optics provide two vision advantages: larger target size and brighter images in dim light.
Quick Tip: An important specification to look at when you buy optics is "field of view". Binoculars and spotting scopes should always depict field of view as width in feet at 1000 yds. distance (e.g., 369' at 1000 yds.), while rifle scopes limit field of view to width in feet at 100 yds. (e.g., 30' at 100 yds.).
Instead of trying to approach them, sometimes it's just easier to bring them to you. Calls can be used to attract deer, elk, turkey, waterfowl, and even some predators, with styles ranging from diaphragms and tubes to box calls and push-button calls.
You may be loyal to that one trusty hunting knife you've carried for years. But with advances in blade shapes and materials, you may find that a specialized knife can make a job like skinning a large buck much easier.
If you've always wanted a full set of decoys but could never afford the price tag, take a look at our selection. At these prices, you can purchase a large enough set to have a convincing spread.
Camouflaged field packs with noise-dampening fabrics are invaluable in the woods. Spacious, heavy-duty bags keep camps organized and make it easier to transport all your bulky hunting equipment. If you're traveling by airline to a remote destination, you'll need an airline-approved hard case to bring along your firearm.
You may be shopping for an obedience system or new collar for your hunting pal. But you might not think about protecting his feet from thorns with field-ready booties, or offering him a good night's sleep on a washable bed. After all the birds he's gotten you, doesn't he deserve it? Look at all our pet gear to see what you're missing.
Works by expert authors can improve your skills and provide great camp reading.
Sierra Trading Post is a proud sponsor of Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Please follow the seven principles outlined below to ensure future enjoyment of your favorite hiking trails.
