Bow hunting can be a very rewarding and fun sport to start, but it can also be a costly endeavor. However, there are ways to keep the cost lower as you begin bow hunting and still keep it fun, without breaking the bank.
I have compiled a list of my hunting gear I currently use. I have only been in the sport of bow hunting for 3 years now and I am still learning what gear works and what does not. Below is the gear that has aided me in successfully harvesting 2 deer in my 2 first years of bow hunting.
Please be aware that some of this gear may not be best for you, bow hunting is a very individualized sport, not all gear works the same for everyone. This list is what works for me, and I change or update this list yearly. I hope to aid the beginning bow hunter to narrow the list of endless possibilities so that you can get in the woods a little quicker and start the exciting journey into the world of bow hunting.
I’ve made it easy for you! Just click the link or the picture below to check out and buy each item.
Full Disclosure: Some of these links are affiliate links that allows me to earn a commission on a sale of that product. On to the gear list!
Bow and Accessories
Mathews MR7
The MR7 is the 2011 version of the Mathews Monster series bows. I bought my MR7 used from an older gentleman who retired from hunting. For $400 I received the bow, 6 arrows, a release (that I still use), and a case to put it all in. A great deal! I would advise you to check out your local Bow Shop to hook you up with a great bow that fits you and your price.
With a small amount of tuning I had the MR7 up and running my first year of bow hunting, and I am continuing to use it. I am always researching newer bows but I have no complaints with my Mathews bow.
EZ V Bow Sight
https://ezvsight.com/product/ez-v-sight/
I bought this new sight about a month ago and so far it has exceeded my expectations. According to the EZ V website: “The EZ V Sight’s V-Technology is the first Bowhunting Sight that mathematically eliminates the necessity of pre-ranging the distance of all regulated hunted game species by combining the precision calculated vital zone width of regulated hunted game species (X-Axis) with computer generated trajectory curves of your bow’s Feet Per Second speed (Y-Axis) on a V-Shape configuration creating a 1-step aiming and ranging process.”
I will update you on my progress with the EZ V as the season progresses. I am liking what I see so far…
Trophy Ridge Hex Light 5 Arrow Quiver in Realtree Edge
The Trophy Ridge Hex Light quiver has many features that I love. It’s lightweight. It is easy to remove and replace back to the bow and has a locking tab so it won’t accidentally fall off your bow if it is caught on brush as you walk in the woods. It has green LED lighting on the inside of the quiver, so you can pick out your favorite arrow in the dark, and also has lighting on the top so you can see where you are walking in the dark. Perfect for those pre-dawn walk-ins where you are trying to slip in to your stand without spooking all the deer.
TRU-FIRE Edge Extreme Buckle with Foldback Release
Arrows and Broad Heads
Ranch Fairy Apollo EZ Button Pre-fletched Arrows
https://siriusarchery.com/product/ranch-fairy-apollo-ez-button/
After finding the Ranch Fairy on YouTube (check him out at this link) I’ve become a believer on shooting heavy arrows with a high FOC and a razor sharp broadhead. If all that is foreign to you as much as it was to me when I first heard about it look up the Ranch Fairy, it’s worth your time.
These arrows were designed by the ol’ RF himself, and come with different weighted test points so you can know for sure how many grains you need up front on your arrow. Also the arrows come pre-fletched if you choose to pay for it, a great bargain to know it was done right.
Magnus 4 Blade Hornet Ser-Razor Broadhead
Magnus Stinger 4 Blade Arrow Broadhead
Both the Stinger and the Hornet can do maximum damage to large game, especially if you take the time to sharpen the removable blades to a razor edge. I wholly believe that I wouldn’t have harvested last years buck if not for my crazy sharp Magnus Hornet. Don’t go into the woods unless you have a something very, very sharp at the end of your arrow, it’s the ethical thing to do!
Camouflage
Cabela’s Stretch Microtex Pants and shirt for Men – TrueTimber Kanati
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cabelas-stretch-microtex-pants-for-men
The Microtex Pants and Shirt are great for cold or hot hunts. They are baggy enough to wear above base layers and breathable enough so they will not burn you out during those warm early season days or turkey season. I also love how comfortable they are, they are made of a soft microfiber that is designed to shed away the thorns and briars in the woods while being super quiet as you walk around. They also offer different types of camo patters depending on your hunting location that blend in spectacularly.
I bought the shirt and pants about 3 years ago and they have served me very well, minimal rips or wear. They have held up extremely good even as I crawl and drag myself through brush and briars every year. Bought online from cabelas website.
Boots
Rocky Men’s 8 Inch Broadhead 800G Hunting Boot
A great pair of boots are essential for any type of hunting. These Rocky Broadheads have served me very well for the past three years. They are warm, comfortable, water resistant, and tough. Best of all, they are super lightweight, so they don’t wear me down as I hike through the woods on long hunts.
Manzella Men’s Stretch Fleece Bow Ranger Cold Weather Hunting Glove
The Manzella Bow Ranger hunting gloves are one of my best purchases for cold weather hunting. These gloves are made specifically for bow hunting, they have an opening at each wrist that allow for a release to come through while still keeping your hand and wrist warm. They also have a great grip for holding onto the bow. These gloves are a must when the weather gets chilly.
Ergodyne N-Ferno 6823 Balaclava Ski Mask, Wind-Resistant Face Mask
A camo balaclava ski mask is a must in the bitter cold months of November through January. Keeping the cold wind ofc of your face is the main job of this item, it also has a great camo pattern that fits great with just about any real tree outfit.
EAmber Ghillie Suit 3D Leaf Camo
If you plan to hunt on the ground at all you will need some way to blend into the foliage around you and break up your human shaped pattern. This ghillie suit by EAmber is a great option for ground hunting while still inexpensive.
Deer calls
Hunters Specialties Ruttin’ Buck Rattling Bag
The Ruttin Buck Rattling Bag is the easiest and smartest way to carry around a set of antlers without carrying a set of antlers. The specially sized wooden sticks inside the bag sound just like rattling antlers when you hit them right. With a little practice you’ll have all the local bucks fooled.
Illusion Systems Extinguisher Deer Call
I love this call because it is easy to use and the pitch can be adjusted to sound like a buck, doe, or fawn. The sound is very realistic. It also comes in black or camo and is freeze resistant.
Pack
ALPS OutdoorZ Ranger Day Pack
Now that you have all the essential hunting items you’ll need a great pack to carry it all. This day pack by ALPS has all the space you need for a day hunt. It has plenty of inside pockets to keep all your stuff organized for when you need something in a hurry. The shoulder straps are also very comfortable for those long walks.
Storage
Hunters Specialties Scent-A-Way Scent-Safe Deluxe Travel Scent Bag
I am a firm believer that the deer’s nose is one of the most sensitive in the woods so try to do all that I can to eliminate any human scent. With that said, I know that I will never achieve zero scent, but this travel bag by Hunters Specialties does a great job of keeping my gear as scent free as possible in between hunts.
Scent Control
Dead Down Wind Hunting Scent Eliminators | 25 Piece Kit
Hunters Specialties Scent-A-Way Liquid Body Soap & Shampoo
Adding scent control to your hunting routine is just a smart move in my opinion. As I mentioned above, I do not believe a person can ever achieve zero human scent while hunting, but we can decrease it. By adding scent control spray for your equipment, detergent for your clothes and washable items, and deodorant it could add the few yards needed to get close enough to that huge buck with his nose in the air…
Summary
As a new bow hunter I was, and still continue to be, overwhelmed at the gear options available. By constructing this list I hope to make that process a little more manageable.
This gear list may not be for you personally, but you won’t know until you try! Give some of these items a look and test them out for yourself in the woods.
CoryB CRNA 