Hunting Checklist: What Do I Need For Deer Hunting (11 Essentials)

Let's talk about the essentials that every hunter needs to bring with them when deer hunting.
What Do I Need For Deer Hunting:
There is no end of things that would be nice to have while deer hunting. Let's go over a 11-point checklist:
The following are the three things that you absolutely need:
1. A gun
2. 10 bullets
3. Your hunting license
As long as you have those three things, you can shoot a deer.
But of course, there is more than that in my hunting bag. I have my essentials, but then I also adjust accordingly based on where I am hunting and for how long.
So here are other essential items I would take with me in any given hunting situation:
4. A sharp small knife. To field dress any animal you harvest, you are going to need a sharp small knife to cut it open and remove its organs. Everyone likes to have a big hunting knife with them, but I have had more use out of a paring knife than big old buck knife.
5. Bone saw. The saw I use is a general purpose blade from a hardware store, but you are going to need to saw through the pelvic bone to cut out the lower intestines. A saw is much better than using a hatchet.
6. A harness. Where I hunt driving is not an option, so I would never have the opportunity to drive to my deer. Even if you could drive in your hunting area, you never where a deer is going to drop. Even with a 2 inch hole in its chest a deer can run 500 meters before dropping. The harness will allow you to drag your deer to your truck however far away it is.
7. Binoculars. I usually have these around my neck and will often be scanning hillsides or open areas in the distance. You would be surprised what you find that you may not have otherwise seen with the naked eye.
8. Flashlight or headlamp. Chances are you are going to shoot your deer near dark and by the time you recover your deer and field dress it, it may be pitch dark. I will also use a flashlight (on low) to get into my hunting position early in the morning before sunset.
There's also a list of things that I often carry when hunting in remote areas:
8. I carry a Garmin GPS. First, prevents me from getting lost and help in an emergency situation where I could relay my UTM coordinates to anyone looking for me. Second I find a Garmin extremely useful for hunting. Let me give you some examples. One, you shoot a deer at dusk and it runs into the forest. Now, do you really want to plunge into the forest at dark without having a clue where you are going? No, you’d get lost. But with a GPS you can look for that deer with a flashlight and find your way back out of that forest. Another example would be if you shot a deer and only wounded it, you could follow the blood trail and plot each drop of blood, so if you lost the trail, you could always come back to the last spot you saw blood. I also plot interesting things I see while scouting in the summer. For example, I’ll plot a spot where I saw three cow moose, so I can come back and look in that area three months later before hunting season.
9. I carry some survival gear. For me, that only includes a length of rope, a plastic water bottle, iodine pills, fire starter sticks and a lighter. This allows me to fashion a lien-tu, have potable water and get a fire started, which is probably enough to survive a few days in an emergency situation. If you’re hunting 10 km from home on the local farmer’s corn crop obviously that wouldn’t be needed.
10. Bear spray. I hunt in the foothills, and grizzly bears are always a threat. I carry bear spray on my belt. Studies show that bear spray is more effective in defending a bear attack than a rifle.
And then, I look to bring one more thing...
11. A bird book. This is just for fun, but if I am going to spend 10 hours in the bush, I’d like to learn a thing or two.

[@PursuitOfStrength]

People try and get super fancy. This is exactly what every hunter should know.

[@deerhornadventures6707]

A good list of basics, for sure!

[@avisilverberg907]

This is a practical list of things to put in your pack. Looking forward to seeing more videos!

[@deerhornadventures6707]

Thanks Avi!

[@christinamoneyhan5688]

Be sure to take wrap around pair of cheap safty glasses . Very useful to keep twigs out of your eyes at night when walking out.

[@timothym2241]

Good video. Don’t forget the TP!

[@paulner3]

Thanks for making this! This is exactly the kind of info a new hunter needs to hear.

[@TurkeyDart]

This is a realistic non bs list for what you really need. Awesome

[@misterkaos.357]

I treat every hunt like I would an overnight backpack camping trip. Most hunts I've been on tend to last multiple days. So I just bring everything I would backpacking in the backwoods, except with the additional rifle and ammunitions.

[@emilygordner537]

Just saying don’t forget your pen either! Thank you for posting this video!

[@JerryA89]

You are right, I have a little pouch with the Hunting license, a pen, and small zip-ties that go perfectly into the little hole on the tag.

[@mattsartori2624]

Very nice video thanks for sharing 😊

[@ericbeauchamp7385]

I tend to overthink and catastrophize, resulting in bringing WAY too much gear. This helped.

[@ILikeCatsMoreThanILikeYou]

Great vid, I would have added first aid kit

[@colinbrown9044]

I miss Alberta, the oil patch still calls, and cow boy trail.....low taxes....my uncles place a Bragg Creek, the list goes on. Great video C

[@anon-yw4wd]

Low taxes...huh.... Feels bad man.

[@josephlau8476]

I like hunting very much.

[@nathanb121]

Love the look of this watch! Do you mind sharing the make/model?

[@Archie4699]

Your the man! Great video

[@mystrengthbook4783]

Very informative, thanks for sharing!

[@deerhornadventures6707]

You're welcome!

[@Larimuss]

Drag a deer 5miles.. damn gives you some perspective on the work people used to do to eat dinner. I’m looking to start hunting in australia but my parents are near you probably 😂 luckily no bears here but gaining a license is crazy hard.

[@B_r_u_c_e]

Thank you.

[@jesusmartinez4094]

Great stuff

[@olegmamontov5692]

thank you sir

[@Knubinator]

What Garmin do you use? I know this video is a few years old and it's likely been replaced, but just to get an idea what I'm looking for.

[@graanmanely6756]

I will go hunting for the first time in a few weeks for a few days (camping) is there anything else I should know before I go?

[@melvincredeur9701]

No tp or paper towels?

[@maxloy935]

What is a good GPS to Buy?

[@christinamoneyhan5688]

You really should take at least a tarp for shelter from the weather

[@shawnsmith5071]

Hit the heart and no dear is going 500 yards and you don’t need binos you got a scope most likely

[@noahtrosper4199]

Finally a video where there’s a normal guy hunting, not some 19 year old kid with his 3000 dollar outfit

[@rustyshackleford9017]

why would you not bone a deer out if you are gonna walk that far

[@mysterioanonymous3206]

Bone broth?

[@rustyshackleford9017]

@@mysterioanonymous3206 no 😂

[@mohamedmax7984]

Movie hunting list 1994

[@earlrussell1026]

You must love Jehovah your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. You must love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus the anointed is Lord! Repent and be baptized and believe the Gospel.

[@manneredcheetah6665]

Here's a nuthob

[@chriskourliourod1651]

Did he say anything wrong?

[@Arsenal125Foward]

What is everyone’s favorite hunting clothes brands and camo patterns?

[@konstantinzhdanov5461]

1. Gun ( rifle or shotgun) with 10-12 cartriges. 2. Backpack 40-50 liters. (One deer just fits into such a backpack.) 3. Knife (13 cm fix blade, ). 4. Rope 3-4m. 5. Headlamp. 6. Plastic bags 3 (80-100 l).Packing meat). 7. Bottle of water 1 liter or thermos with tea). 8. Towel. (Wipe your hands). 9. Toilet paper. 10. Compass. 11. Socks, Sweatshirt. 12. Something to eat. (Bread/butter/solt/boiled eggs). And good luck!)

[@christinamoneyhan5688]

Should include a tarp for shelter and a emergency whistle.

[@mysterioanonymous3206]

I like 8 and 9... Underrated. Sucks if you need it and don't have it 😂

[@konstantinzhdanov5461]

@@mysterioanonymous3206 😂

[@uli3119]

I have a GoRuck GR2. Would this be a suitable pack to take?

[@konstantinzhdanov5461]

@@uli3119 No, this is (GR2) not suitable for hunting.

[@blakechildress3397]

Another thing I've found useful is to keep an extra orange hat or vest in your bag just to be safe

[@schpoe123]

Exactly a guy that really knows what to bring when hunting. I am amazed at what others bring .

[@fromthepeanutgallery1084]

Love the shortlist. Rifle, Cartridges, License.

[@theresah4794]

Finally a no BS video 😅 thank you!! This is what I was looking for. Straight forward, no frills, and practical. 👍🏼

[@woodman1701]

First vid I’ve seen on this. Gonna hunt deer first time ever this year. (Big change from spearing fish!) Thanks for making this video.

[@misterkaos.357]

What kind of spear do you use? Hawaiian? Band? Pneumatic?

[@woodman1701]

@@misterkaos.357 3 prong pole spear.

[@misterkaos.357]

@@woodman1701 Trident tip Hawaiian. Nice! I used one of those once, hunting lionfish in the Florida Keys.

[@John_439]

A orange hat and Medical gear should be mandatory. You have a gun and are in a area where there are a bunch of idiots with guns. You better have a trauma kit.

[@allancrewdson]

Might I be so bold to suggest a small rechargeable power bank that fits your mobile device as most phones only seem to last 24 hours. Great concise video my friend 👍

[@aaronhaynes9393]

This was super helpful. This year I will try my first public land hunting and needed to know how to get the deer out. Haha

[@JeremyMayDDS]

what about food and water?

[@davemcmullen6682]

Carry most of my gear in a small backpack..that include most of that which you listed. Plus extra clothes gloves and socks..easy to carry on my back leaving my arms free to carry my rifle.

[@rosiestodalka5082]

Very informative. Thanks for the vid

[@mropie428]

Straight forward and to the point thanks for the video

[@powerliftingtechnique6564]

Loved this list! Thanks for sharing!

[@Darthdoodoo]

Dyneema is the lightest strongest rope u can get if your concerned about weight

[@agoge08]

Something to keep you awake. A boring waste of time

[@steevo1214]

What about camo gear? Don’t really need it?

[@rudygeorgiamulesandcountry1594]

0h yeah, the "good old days" hunting in the 1960's in Pennsylvania ! A gun A handful of bullets A 25' hank of window sash cord Some kind of knife Barn coat Barn gloves Fluorescent orange knit cap Fluorescent orange vest (also makes a good signal flag) Northerners insulated waterproof boots Thermos of coffee 4 Snickers bars

[@rudygeorgiamulesandcountry1594]

CONTINUED : A durable poncho for rain or simplest shelter A "Zippo" lighter A spare car key in a safe alternative spot (my Beagle carried a spare key on his collar) Don't forget your compass, know how to use it We used to carry a simple "Ray-0"vac", 2 D- Cell flashlight from the 5 & dime store Those were the days ! Today I carry a very light weight Ameristep "Lil' Gunner"portable blind fo concealment/odor control, , hunting inclement weather and an emergency shelter. Just enough room for one man on a folding stool, its tight !

[@howitzeroutdoors]

Why on earth would you need 10 bullets! You need to go to the range, sir 😂

[@howitzeroutdoors]

Still loved your video😉

[@011CJ]

I'm double thinking about my gear I just added a bulky camera with a big lens so it replaced my sporting scope but I still need to bulk down. I hunt bears and bear spray has crossed my mind . It is suposto b more effective then a sidearm at close distance plus we cannot shoot the grizzlies here. Thanks for the vid

[@luminariwave1829]

Awesome! Thank you! I am in AB too and I need to start so this is the best video for me so far!!!

[@Studio215official]

New hunter here.... question: Can I use a spotting scope or a rangefinder as a substitute for binoculars?

[@mysterioanonymous3206]

Not really. Depends a bit on where you hunt but most people would probably say that Binos are essential, arguably more so than the rifle - you'll need them a lot more than the gun. All the time in fact. Where I am (alpine/mountains) guys carry top of the line Swarovski or Zeiss binos (8x, few 10x) and 60mm/80mm class spotting scopes. I know one guy who only uses a magnification range finder (he only has one eye though). If I started again I'd give a serious consideration to having only one - the new Swarovski ATC 17-40. Not ideal, but size/weight and the flexibility is nice. You should probably go with only binos if you have to. Down side is you have to walk, a lot, to get close so you can ID the animal and see if it's legal. Spotters let you clear an animal at much larger distances so you have to walk much less. As they say: buy the best you can afford. I run the new Zeiss SFL 8X40.

[@Syrup4721]

Idk all the deer i have killed dropped in their tracks

[@TheBrightRedFox]

Great video! Clear, concise, and understandable. I'm brand new to hunting and this was a big help, thanks!

[@jinkaixue5051]

Thanks for sharing.

[@jonnyboy_4lif3albanez35]

The fire is a nice touch 👌

[@cephirof]

Best of others

[@thomasjefferson6334]

This was great!

[@evanlywood2386]

Hey man just getting into hunting thanks for the advice

[@atbpeople5235]

What state u hunting in

[@colejohnson73]

What is that leather pouch?

[@mysterioanonymous3206]

Leather ammo case. Google is your friend, they can be found pretty easy and affordable.