My Whitetail Hunting Gear List (2021)

Gear for me is a sliver in time. A "best guess" plan, if you will. It’s really about answering questions. Where are you going? What are you doing? And what’s a really bad day look like there? It’s also about solving problems, trying to find shortcuts, or your way out of a pickle (which is fine provided you can do it the old-fashioned way when the chips are down). Any way you look at it, above all else, gear is most essential. And truly good gear, without all of the fluff, is hard to find. Here is a sort of video "gear list" detailing what I used throughout the fall while bowhunting for whitetails in Illinois. If you have any questions or suggestions, please fire away, I’m all ears.

[@davidross1839]

The brand "Ullfrotté" is now called "Woolpower". It's a family owned company in Sweden. Have been using their stuff since 1995 and still own one of the first pieces i bought back then. It's perfect for "stop and go" activities during cold seasons (like in the military or hunting).

[@andreacremeans1055]

Thank you for sharing that! I found them and bought a pair of hand gaiters. I worked outside all year round and the backs of my hands get so chapped in the winter!

[@YankeeWoodcraft]

Minus 33, Darn Tough, it's like you've been in my loadout Donnie and it's super refreshing to know that I'm not alone in my reverse-engineering my bowhunting. I went from being a horrible bowhunter with consistent hits to a better bowhunter with far less attempts. Why? Because, I changed my mind. Instead of having to hit something, I chased more the right hit, the guaranteed ethical shot so I took far less attempts and nowadays, "if" I get 1 or 2 shots no matter how many dozens of deer sightings I might have, that's a good season. I lost my first deer 3 years ago and that experienced completely changed me and I swore I'd never push myself like that again. If I go a whole season without being able to take a shot, that's still a "win" for me. Needless to say, I never wounded another deer after that and I'm proud of that. FTR, I hunt 100% from the ground with no blinds, no tree stands, no shooting houses, just whatever I find in the woods (natural depressions in the earth, fallen trees [my favorite], ridges overlooking game trails, etc...) so while I'll see a lot of deer, I won't have anywhere near as many shots as a hunter in a tree stand. But that's okay with me because when I do connect at eye level with my game, it's perfect. Even still, being 10 yards from a small herd and having them walk by me without me spooking them or without them making me sends me home with a big smile on my face. Heck, during muzzleloader season, I had a 10 pointer just 1 yard from me who flanked me from behind some brush while I was watching a doe about 15 yards in front of me. I couldn't get a shot at him because he was literally in my face, but once he began to move off after a minute or two of grazing in front of me and I began to lift my .50 cal Hawken, the doe spooked him and off he went. And I was sitting on the ground with my back against a big oak & brush on both sides of me with no camo, nothing fancy, just a vintage shearling coat & canvas logging pants and wool everything else (Ushanka hat, face gaiter, gloves, sweater, baselayer, socks, etc...). All earth tones. Some might call that regressing as I abandon technology, but I contribute it to making me a far better hunter and I hear it all the time...guys with thousands of dollars of gear not even seeing deer and why? Because they rely too much on tech and not enough on just hunting (scouting, looking for sign, staging your sit, etc...). Good stuff man.

[@SWF734]

You are the man! Well spoken, positive, and like you’re “no frills” approach to hunting!

[@pidge6837]

Awesome! Good to see and hear from ya in a form other than a podcast (which are always great also)! Keep up the good works

[@nickronin9618]

that episode on Joe rogan's podcast was one of my favourites be safe and keep educate the people brother .

[@devanpoe8709]

Love what you do, keep it up Donnie!

[@urbanarcher3535]

Thanks for taking the time to share, very very interesting stuff.

[@bvitale35]

You’re a legend Donnie. Got your posters on my wall

[@freeman7079]

This got me itching for Spring Turkey season here in a few weeks!!

[@peterbryan3295]

Thanks that was a great video,love to see people's set ups..over here in Australia it doesn't get that cold,thank god.unless you go to the Victorian high country.then you you would definitely need those woolen garments..I've hunted and lived in New Zealand and it's definitely a cold place..love your videos mate and look forward to seeing heaps more.👍👍

[@RossMIDWEST]

Hey Donnie, awesome video and good info. We crossed paths earlier this year at your office in western WI. I did some chimney and fireplace work for you. It was nice to meet you and see what your about. I hope we cross paths again soon. Keep it up!

[@sfitzner]

Donnie I just recently found you the other day and let me just say this…. As a lifelong hunter and outdoorsman I often laugh at most of the bs I come across. I haven’t learned this much or been this excited about finding another hunter since I used to watch Jose Wejebe whom I admired dearly. Hats off to you sir for doing things “your way”. I will be subscribing and checking out some more of your stuff. If you ever find yourself down in Georgia let me know.

[@DeltaFlaugeOutdoors]

Very informative video, thanks for your set up preferences.

[@thomaskrawchuk4940]

Your my favorite hunter Donnie, Great stuff -FILSON has AMAZING WOOL gear

[@JermZ260]

Great video,I love hearing bout other people's setup's.So can we learn from each other and see what works for us.That treestand is butter slick and if comfort ever becomes an issue,know that I use a Summit goliath and its been a game changer for me as in length of time I can sit.I realize a climber is not practical in all regions thou and that's when I'll be on the ground bowhunting whitetails to.

[@Az4z3llo]

I love your work and your point of view about hunting / life. You are a huge example and inspiration for me and one of the reason I became a hunter in my little country. Thank you. Greetings from Hungary!

[@UrMom_says]

I'll admit, I love gear videos. Just wish it was in full wide-screen. But I get it. Social media and all

[@marcgulko6893]

Donnie, you need some “Stealth Strip”. Best stuff ever for quieting gear down.

[@XbunkerXballerX7127]

You should do more videos of you just giving advice like this.

[@natesims6585]

I’d like to go more of this route with my hunting clothing. My hangup is the wind. It’s always windy it seems like and without a wind proof layer I get cold so easily.

[@matthewdennis1739]

Just a suggestion on what has worked for me. 1. Buy a Mil Tec Austrian commando sweater - Very heavy, but surprising wind resistant. Only like $90. 2. Buy a KUIU Peloton vest. It's not made of natural fibers, but it is very wind resistant and you can wear it either over or under your wool to block the wind on your core while remaining quiet. Obviously it will be more effective if you wear it over, just make sure you size up appropriately.

[@Abutado]

I love my lada sweater but the one thing it's not the greatest for is wind. Hence the vest

[@edwardsabo8368]

Next time you’re back in Wisco beers are on me brother.

[@mattswisher6678]

Those Ugg boots though

[@terrystyf458]

We Spent my son’s Youth Deer season in the ND Badlands with Schafer, 10 years later my son still tells Schafer stories. Best hunting advocate ever !

[@michaelyanni4422]

DONNIE is the best - !!! donnie the hanwag tatra top boot is one of the best boots BUT THE OMEGA BOOTS are the one pair Donnie you should be wearing they are the best THANKS

[@oreocarlton3343]

What is with the cut out elbows?

[@agb232323]

Our boy has his elbows cut out for when he has to throw down on a brown bear.

[@agb232323]

Always enjoy watching your informative videos! 👍🏻

[@lazib008el5]

The Woolly Mammoth.

[@jerryjoseph9135]

Why the vertical video?

[@motte179]

which tent is this?

[@jakudahsymba5453]

Hey you might want to check out spider tool holster products 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@tylertracy2005]

All this video is missing is a whitetail coming over the hill behind Donnie, and turns and takes it down with a perfect shot.

[@wolverinekut]

👍

[@iantattam9266]

Whats his camera set up? Looks sharp

[@jamesbailand4311]

He's talked about it on the Kifarucast podcast. Canon bodies, for the most part I believe. Cant remember the lenses.

[@jamesbailand4311]

I wouldn't be surprised if this was on a mobile phone however.

[@williamaltman3860]

Sorry for the long delay but I was shooting on an a7siii and Sony 24-70 GM lens!

[@abhishekkulkarni9120]

Please ask your camera crew to film horizontally. Better to view on phones.