#1 A knife -- Ever have to gut a deer with a broadhead?? It's an ugly scene.

#2 I bought a gear retrieving ropeabout 10 years ago, it looks like a chalk-box. I think it's called "strapper retriever." Anyway, it's a plastic housing that'sgot 25 feet of nylon rope inside and never gets tangled. You just reel in the cord. That's my personal favorite that isn't "a necessity." It saves so much time and aggrevation.

#3Walkman - The ability to listen to ESPN Sports Talk radio allows me to remain on stand between 10-3 without getting bored sick. That stupid walkman's got me a few deer now. Without it, I'd be out scouting around or eating lunch at the car. Now, I sit dark to dark and it goes pretty smooth. If you use one earbud, and keep the volume low, you can hear bothMark Madden and the sounds of nature.