Basic Bow hunting gear
 

In your opinion, what’s the basic gear you need to go bow hunting?

Thank you for your input.

RE: Basic Bow hunting gear
 

Other than your bow and a knife, quality clothing that will keep you warm and dry.

If you aren't comfortable you won't be on stand when you need to be.

RE: Basic Bow hunting gear
 

Add to that, a safety belt if youre hunting in a tree, a good rope, scent killer spray, a good treestand, lots and lots of practice and knowing where and when to ethically shoot an animal...

RE: Basic Bow hunting gear
 

Does anyone uses binoculars, range finders, and that kind of stuff or is that just extra gravy on the potatoes??

RE: Basic Bow hunting gear
 

I use both binos and range finder... But i'd take binos over range finder. Usually i can judge the range, especially if its under 30 yrds which most of your shots will end up being.

A good set of binos is a great accesory... but not essential... I carry 10x42's

RE: Basic Bow hunting gear
 

Some swear by them, some don't. This is kind of a tough question to answer because there are so many different styles of hunting, individual's physical limitations, nationwide terrain differences, etc.

My 'basic' day affield: bow, release, grunt tube (depending on time of year), flashlight, proper clothing, knife, multi tool, compact cheapo binocs, handkerchief for who knows what, and maybe a few other things. Sometimes, I will carry hand pruners, Gerber exchange a blade saw, rangefinder, or handwarmers. Generally speaking, if it doesn't fit in my pockets, on my belt, or around my neck I don't take it. I'm not a fan of a separate gear bag.

RE: Basic Bow hunting gear
 

I carry way too much into the woods unless I’m doing a partial day, where I don’t go in far. But I’m usually alone (until lately, I’m taking the kids now) which requires you to do some planning. Planning on something bad happening anyway. The following is a list of supplies that I take with me regularly, but modify for each hunt. I may have left some off, I’m going off memory;
- First aid kit
- Fire starters (cotton balls with petroleum jelly works great)
- Two flashlights (had one die last year and got disoriented, so now I carry two)
- Compass/map
- Space blanket
- Two knives (I like a separate sharp point knife for the least favorable part of gutting, and a skinner style for the rest).
- Water/food
- Rope
- Binocular
- Pee bottle/TP
- Plastic bags (for carrying out the meat)
- Survival book, note pad and pencil
- Camera
- Extra gloves/socks
- Poncho

Good luck and enjoy,
KP

RE: Basic Bow hunting gear
 

A real good bow and a nice set of arrows would be the first thing on the list :D, sorry just a little bit of humor.
On top of that you'll need a fanny pack or back pack , agood ground blind or tree stand with climbing sticks.
Some good camo to cover yourself from head to toe ( don't forget the gloves ) and face mask.
Flash light, compass or GPS unit , first aid kit ,extra batteries , two way radio or cell phone , pull rope for your bow and bow hanger.
A real good pair of rubber boots , a one time use camera or digital to take pictures of everything you want to share with anybody.
Water and food or snack stuff in case youwant something to eat and drink , bring extra water with youto wash up after gutting your deer out.
If youwant to use any type ofcover or attractant sents you can keep those in yourpack , oh and some type of wind checker or lighter.
IfI've missed something on thislist , I'm sure someone else will add their opinion :)

RE: Basic Bow hunting gear
 

Minimum basics I'd consider would be besides your bow setup, are a good knife/saw combo, clothes & boots that will keep you warm & dry,small flashlight, a drag strap and a smallfanny pack to carry more than the basics in;)

Other accessories that aren't NEEDED but are nice to have are treestands & safety belt, binos, rangefinder, scent killing stuff, grunt call, can call, and depending on where you hunt and likelyhood of getting lost, a GPS, 1st aid kit.

RE: Basic Bow hunting gear
 

Thanks, I guess I better start saving some money:D...

When you said rubber boots, you mean like the ones makes your feet sweat like crazy? What's the pourpose? Hiking or backpacking boots are not ok?

RE: Basic Bow hunting gear
 

He means swamp boots. The rubber will not touch your skin. They cut way down on the scent that you leave on the ground and you can go more places by being able to cross streams and such. If you hunt in the cold I'd go with at least 1000 grams of thinsulate.

RE: Basic Bow hunting gear
 

Thank you, yes, that makes sense...rubber does not absorb odors like fabric, right?

RE: Basic Bow hunting gear
 

It doesnt let your scent out and leaves none behind, animals will smell where you walked, if you have rubber boots on then there is very little to no scent left on the ground. Leaving only the branches that rub against you w/ scent... so then just try to not let any branches touch you.

RE: Basic Bow hunting gear
 

good strong razor sharp broad heads. most important piece of equipment

RE: Basic Bow hunting gear
 

Bow-sharp broadheads-warm quality clothing, plenty of water,thermal body bag-first aid-whistle-matches-flashlight-knives-pprotein bars-toilet paper
camera

RE: Basic Bow hunting gear
 

I normaly carry a back pack with some of the following: Safty harness if you hunt from a tree stand, 2 bow hooks, kwiki kwiver holder (I take mine off)rope to haul up equipment, compass, wind detector, flashlight (headlamp), scent killer along with any scents needed for estrous tampoons to use for estrous scents, grunt call, a can call, field dressing gloves, knife,Primos bow holder, rangefinder, binos, limb lights, along with the clothes that I will need depending on the weather, release, bow and arrows with a Primos bowsling.

RE: Basic Bow hunting gear
 

Here is my check list of what i take to the woods each and every time.
- Bow, Arrows, Release
- Bow hook, pull-up rope, Flo. pink ribbon(marking blood trail)
- Flashlight, headlamp(one backs up the other)
- Clip point knife, Guthook knife, Multi-tool,folding saw(for bone and wood)
- Compact Bino's 10x20, Bushnell scout range finder
- snacks, water, paper towles(for cleaning up after field dressing)
- Grunt tube, Can Call
- Gorilla Silverback XLS, Lone Wolf climbing sticks, safety harness
- Proper Clothes(weather dependent)
- ASAT CAMO(no matter the weather!)
- A nice big fanny pack to carry it all.

RE: Basic Bow hunting gear
 

-bow/arrows
-nice warm clothing in layers I like cotton then flannel and fleece(all depending on weather of course)
-100% waterproof camo coat and pants w/ good sized pockets
-rubber boots or hiking boots
-flashlight, kleenex, wallet and licencses in a plastic bag
-waterproof matches
-multitool
-binoculars

and there you go.

RE: Basic Bow hunting gear
 

Besides the obvious, be sure to carry a cell phone and a flashlight with extra batteries.

RE: Basic Bow hunting gear
 

I take the following to the field when bowhunting:
Matrix, bow, arrows, release and chair. Not else needed and nothing else follows!!lol

RE: Basic Bow hunting gear
 

Im really surprised that no one expressed the importance of staying scent free! So before u even get out in the field u want to get some uv blocking-scent free laundry detergent and wash all your clothes down! Keep all your camo in some sort of scent lock storage and try not to expose urself to any strong odors gas,bars,restauraunts,etc...! Always spray down with a good scent killer!Hope this helps Gd luck!

RE: Basic Bow hunting gear
 

did any one mention enthusiam and perseverance? it easy to get discouraged and want to give up.