Growing up in a non-hunting family, I turned to the hunting industry for guidance. I devoured every deer hunting show I could find, absorbing ad after ad that flooded my impressionable young mind. I became the perfect target for over-purchasing, convinced that the right gear would make me a better hunter. But through trial and error, I learned an important truth – gear doesn’t make the hunter.
Now, as an NDA Field to Fork Coordinator, I’ve often told new hunters, “Whitetails don’t care what kind of bow or camo you have.” But every time I say it, I wonder, am I setting them up for success or failure? While it’s true deer aren’t concerned with brand names, does high-end gear provide a real advantage, or is it just for social media clout?
I have experienced both ends of the spectrum. When I started hunting at 14, my gear consisted of a mismatched collection of Walmart camo and gimmicky products. From the Acorn Crusher to EverCalm and everything in between, I had it all – even a full set of bleat cans (fawn, doe, and estrus). If premium camo brands had been more accessible back then, I’m sure I would have begged my mom to buy me the latest and greatest. But Walmart was the only option in town.
With all that gear, you’d think I was the best hunter in the county, right? Let’s just say I managed to harvest some deer, but luck played a bigger role than my arsenal of gadgets. I started to notice a pattern: The days I was successful were often the ones when most of my gear stayed in my backpack.
Today, the hunting industry is more advanced than ever. We have access to cutting-edge technology, warmer clothing, faster bows, and more gear than we could ever use. And while that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it raises important questions I often get from new hunters. What gear is truly essential to go deer hunting? How much should I expect to spend?
I put a lot of thought into answering these questions. I decided to break it down into three different budgets. First, a start-up kit of essentials that will get you into the woods and back home with venison. After that, we add gear that will increase your comfort, enjoyment and effectiveness as a hunter.
My budget levels are based on realistic price ranges for reliable gear, so I think of them as near the upper end of what you should expect to spend. You could very likely spend less than suggested here with a sweet deal, like stumbling on good hunting gear at a garage sale.
New Deer Hunter – $800
The first budget limit will get you into the woods and capable of successfully harvesting a deer. I assume you already own basic clothing that will keep you comfortable and dry outdoors, such as insulated underwear, hoodies, and rain gear. You need to acquire your chosen legal weapon, a good knife, and a flashlight. Yes, some things can help make the hunt easier, but we will get into those items shortly.
There are plenty of avenues for acquiring a used rifle, bow or crossbow, but even brand new equipment can be found for cheap – a crossbow for under $350 or a rifle for under $400, scope included. Making sure you have ammunition, arrows or bolts, and broadheads for your weapon is necessary. If you are using a firearm, you will want to buy at least two boxes of ammo for target practice before the season as well as back up in case you end up needing more during the season, whatever the reason may be, so you will need to spend about $100 on that.
Experienced hunters probably don’t think of a range-finder as essential, but I believe it is for new hunters. Making an effective shot on the first few deer you harvest will boost your confidence and keep you hunting, and to do that you need an accurate estimate of shot distances in the woods. Pick up a Vortex Crossfire HD 1400 for $200.
Then you just need a good skinning knife, a reliable flashlight, and whatever hunter-orange clothing your state requires. You only need to spend about $20 on each of those and a few more dollars on a wind-checker. Knowing the wind direction is essential when hunting these elusive critters. Several types are available, but I suggest getting a Butterfly Effect Milkweed Wind Indicator.
Finally, don’t forget your hunting license. NDA’s 2021 Deer Report found the average cost of a resident license to hunt deer in your home state is about $40.
Deer Hunter Plus – $2,800
You acquired the “Deer Hunter” budget package. Now let’s add some useful gear that will enhance your effectiveness by spending an additional $2,000 (a total of $2,800 all in). These upgrades may be, in my opinion, the most common and useful when in the woods. Hunting with only a weapon in hand and a knife in pocket can be a very fun, rewarding, and somewhat primitive way to hunt, but it can prove difficult.
Instead of heading out to the woods wearing old hoodies and blue jeans, buy insulated camouflage pants and coat that will keep you warm and dry. First Lite makes practical, quality gear designed for hunters, and if you buy it in the Specter camo pattern, you’re also supporting NDA through First Lite’s Camo for Conservation program. This will set you back somewhere in the $500 range, depending on what you select and how much insulation you require.
Next, let’s buy a blind or a tree stand. Depending on which brand and specifications, the price could vary greatly here. Luckily, Facebook marketplace is a great place to find these – and really almost any of the items I mention here – for a reasonable price. We are going to allocate $300 for a blind or a stand. Most ground blinds are much cheaper than this, but you can get a good climbing stand, saddle kit or even ladder stand in this range.
If you are setting up a tree stand or two, you’re going to start getting more serious about scouting. A trail-camera is really going to enhance your knowledge of deer in the area. Thankfully, cellular trail-cameras have become very economical as technology has advanced. Expect to spend $250 on a pair of cameras and another $150 on your cellular plans during a season.
Not only will you want to have a good view of what is going on when you aren’t there, having a good field of view when you are actively hunting is always beneficial. Going with a pair of Vortex Diamondback HD 10×42 binoculars will be sufficient for most folks, with some people possibly opting for slightly different magnification or lens diameter. $275 should cover you here, including a good binocular harness.
I have found that a backpack can get heavy quickly once you add snacks and water plus all your new gear, so having one that has sufficient support for gear and even packing out meat is very important. Let’s allocate $275 for a good backpack designed with a deer hunter in mind.
Let’s fill up that backpack now. First, get a grunt tube and a bleat can so you can start to create your own hunt rather than just observing – $50. Rattling antlers or a rattle bag can pair well with a grunt tube, particularly during the peak rut. Ideally, you would have found a pair of sheds or been gifted a set of antlers to use for this purpose. Otherwise, you will need to spend $35 on a set or a bag.
A pair of good gloves is important when pushing through thick, thorny undergrowth, when climbing and setting up tree stands, along with a multitude of other uses while hunting – $40.
We have $125 left to spend. There are a few more tools and accessories we might want to have with us when deer hunting, depending on the area and hunting style. They include a small hand saw, hand pruners, disposable gloves for field-dressing, a drag rope, game bags, a backup flashlight, a second knife, a thermos for coffee, face masks, along with countless other items. I will leave the last few items and $125 allowance up to you.
Deer Hunter Upgrades – You Set the Budget
Inevitably, upgrades and acquisitions will follow the first two budgets, and they will continue throughout your hunting career. A $250 pair of binoculars might turn into $500 or more. An entry-level, $400 rifle and scope turns into a $2,500 package. Waffle-pattern, cotton long-johns are replaced by merino wool running almost $200 for a top and bottom pair. A $400 pair of boots, a brand new $2,500 bow set-up, several thousand dollars on an E-Bike, an ATV – the list goes on.
Which of these you choose to buy, if any, will be determined by your needs, your financial resources, and your spending habits. All of these items could enhance your enjoyment of deer hunting – but when you’re just getting started, they aren’t necessary.
One of the biggest barriers to new hunters is the price of the endeavor. The diversity of available hunting gear can be overwhelming. That’s why I want to emphasize the first budget level. You can get started deer hunting very affordably and add additional equipment as you can acquire it. The important thing is to get started!