Whether you sit long and tight in a deer stand waiting for that one buck of your dreams to stroll by, scramble over boulders and scree to put the perfect stalk on an elk or amble with gun at ready in tall grass behind your favorite bird dog, there are basic necessities every hunter needs. Here are five that need to be a part of your collection.
The Knife: Boker Davis Classic Hunter
When premier German knifemaker Boker teams up with legendary Missouri custom knifemaker W.C. Davis, hunters are guaranteed a great knife worthy of carrying out most any cutting chore. For ease of carrying and excellent performance in the field or camp, I like a folding lock-blade knife.
The Classic Hunter features a traditional drop point blade, ideal for a number of cutting and skinning tasks, and is made of high polished N690BO steel with a Rockwell Hardness of 58-60. The handle is made from polished green canvas Micarta with red fiber layers for a custom look, feel and excellent grip. The knife is slim and lightweight at 5.3 ounces and has a blade length of 3½ inches and full open length of 8½ inches. This could be the last knife you ever need to carry. ($259; boker.de/us)
Awesome Knife Options
Buck Folding Hunter: A classic design that has remained a favorite since 1962. ($69; buckknives.com)
A.G. Russell Integral Hunter: Drop-forged from a single blank of Japanese 440C steel for a fixed-blade as strong as it is beautiful. ($100; agrussell.com)
Keith Murr Model 610: Treat yourself to a truly beautiful and functional fixed-blade custom knife. ($195;murrknives.com)
The Light: LED Lenser M7
Wherever you roam, it’s a good bet at some point in your hunting day, you’ll find yourself in the dark-the extreme dark. A hunter needs a light that will cast a bright beam, won’t die and that doesn’t take up much space when not needed. For that I like theLED Lenser M7, a super compact (just over 5 inches) and ridiculously bright (220 Lumens on high) handheld light that burns on four inexpensive, easy-to-find AAA batteries.
On the high or Constant Current mode, the 220 Lumens will shine on for a solid hour; in the Energy Savings low mode (30 Lumens) you get 11 hours of operation. Eight total light functions also allow the light to function as a strobe or flash out an S.O.S. signal. ($85; ledlenser.com)
Awesome Light Options
Surefire P2X Fury: Surefire is the ultimate in durability and quality-a top choice of tactical operators. ($155;surefire.com)
Cyclops Ranger Headlamp: Sometimes hands-free is the only way to go and this light is bright and inexpensive. ($25; cyclopssolutions.com)
Bushnell HD Torch: The Torch delivers a bright, unique TV-screen-like rectangle of defined light. ($85;bushnell.com)
The GPS: Garmin eTrex 30
Garmin has pioneered intuitive operation in GPS, much like Apple has done for computers, and the eTrex 30provides the perfect blend of features, function and simplicity without forcing a sportsman to spend for a top-end model. Both durable and waterproof, the eTrex 30 allows for touch screen access to all unit functions, offers superior satellite tracking and lock for navigating in even heavy cover and steep canyons, works from a global base map and boasts a built-in three-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass that reveals your heading even when you have stopped traveling. Can be used on foot or from an ATV or vehicle. ($300; garmin.com)
Awesome GPS Options
Magellan eXplorist 710: A top-of-the-line model with every GPS function known to man, as well as a 3.2-mp camera and voice recorder. ($500; magellangps.com)
Bushnell Hunttrack: The ultimate in simplicity for getting in and out of the wilderness with some hunt-friendly features added. ($100; bushnell.com)
Garmin Fenix: Not due out until later this year, but worthy of a mention; delivers complete GPS functionality in a unit you can wear on your wrist. ($400; garmin.com)
The Rain Suit: Browning Dirty Bird Vari-Tech Jacket & Half Bib
Spend time outdoors and you’re going to get rained on. Don’t let a little wet weather put the kibosh on your next hunt. Instead, face the elements head-on with Browning’s new Dirty Bird Vari-Tech Jacket and Half Bib. Both are made from Pre-Vent waterproof and breathable fabric and feature taped external seams, three-layer laminate fabric in the sleeves and legs, articulated elbows and knees for an easier range of motion and water-resistant zippered pockets.
Additionally, the jacket has PrimaLoft Synergy insulation in the body, watertight cuffs and a detachable hood. ($269 jacket/$222 bibs; browning .com)
Awesome Rain Suit Options
Sitka Stormfront Jacket & Pants: The ultimate in wet-weather protection and durable on-the-go performance. ($500 jacket/$400 pant; sitkagear.com)
Frogg Toggs Pro Action Camo Jacket & Bib: Great, packable rain gear doesn’t have to be expensive. ($50jacket/$30 bib; froggtoggs.com)
Cabelas MT050 Gore-Tex Quiet Pack Jacket & Bibs: The top rainwear offering from outdoor supplier Cabela’s delivered right to your door. ($220 jacket/$220 bibs; cabelas.com)
The Boot: Danner Santiam GTX
From chores around camp before and during season to slipping into the field for a little time behind the gun, every hunter should keep in their truck a pair of all-purpose hunting boots that can be put on and put to use on a moment’s notice. The handmade Danner Santiam GTX offers great comfort and protection with 400 grams of Thinsulate and a Gore-Tex waterproof lining. The 8-inch high full-grain, all-leather upper is hand stitched and married to the Danner Bob outsole, which provides equal traction in snow and mud and self-cleans with every step. ($350; danner.com)
Awesome Boot Options
Rocky Outback: This 9-inch waterproof boot offers great three-season protection. ($170; rockyboots.com)
LL Bean Gore-Tex Kangaroo Upland Boots: Lightweight, yet durable, these kangaroo leather boots offer classic good looks with great in-the-field functionality. ($189; llbean.com)
Under Armour Siberia 10-inch Hunting Boots: Here’s one for colder weather, yet still slim and comfortable enough to not slow you down whether stalking or hiking. ($280; underarmour.com)