Popular searches
Articles
Topics
Shop
Recipes
Hunting Gear
Hunting Gear
The Best Long Range Hunting Rifles
Going into the field with the intention of taking a long-range shot isn’t the right mindset. A good hunter gets as close to his or her quarry as possible, and in the vast majority of situations, that’s inside distances most rifle shooters would describe as "long range."
However, there are situations...
Jordan Sillars
Aug 3, 2023
Read More
Hunting Gear
The Best Hunting Arrows for Big Game
An often overlooked piece of gear in the bowhunter’s toolkit is a reliable arrow.
Arrows aren’t as exciting to tinker with as the latest carbon compounds, but behind the bow, they’re the equipment that has the most impact on deadly accuracy. You can skate by without a stabilizer or the latest camo...
Emily Kantner
Jul 6, 2023
Read More
Hunting Gear
Dave Smith Decoys Joins MeatEater Family
We are excited to announce that Dave Smith Decoys (DSD) has officially joined the MeatEater family.
For more than two decades, DSD has brought the most realistic and effective decoys to market with an uncompromising commitment to realism, quality, and customer service. DSD specializes in creating...
MeatEater Staff
May 9, 2023
Read More
Archery
Hunting Gear
How to Choose an Archery Release
If someone takes archery and bowhunting seriously enough, invariably, they start to tinker with their equipment. What might start with upgrading to a flagship bow progresses into an accessory deepdive, spanning everything from roving sights to stabilizers to micro-adjustable drop-away rests.
A lot...
Hayden Sammak
Aug 26, 2021
Read More
Hunting Gear
Archery 101: How to Choose a Bow Sight
You’ve found the perfect bow and slung some arrows. Now, it’s time to jump into the world of accessories.
When buying a bare compound bow, these accessories are essential pieces of equipment for the hunt, so don’t just grab the first thing you see. Spend some time learning about the pros and cons of...
Joe Ferronato
Sep 25, 2019
Read More
Hunting Gear
The 4 Most Common Archery Mistakes
The old adage “failure is the best teacher” couldn’t be more accurate than when it comes to archery. Shooting a compound bow has a way of magnifying mistakes and providing nearly instant feedback. Throughout years of making those mistakes, I’ve become a student of the sport and improved my accuracy...
Dylan Tramp
Aug 14, 2020
Read More
Hunting Gear
5 Reasons Your Arrows Fly Like Crap
>The problem with modern arrows is that they pretty much all look the same. Shafts that run $200 per dozen are nearly indistinguishable from arrows that might cost one-third as much. But they will perform differently, just as brand new arrows will probably out-shoot your old reliables from five...
Tony J. Peterson
Jul 16, 2020
Read More
Hunting Gear
How to Fix Target Panic in 3 Steps
There are few things more precious than a sense of control. We cling to it like small children grasping their mother’s hand. When it’s lost, we’re helpless at sea. What could be worse than losing control of something we love as much as hunting?
This is what I, and tens of thousands of other bow...
Mark Kenyon
May 22, 2020
Read More
Hunting Gear
How to Buy a Used Bow
Consistent bow accuracy is a puzzle that requires fitting a lot of odd-shaped pieces together. Bow fit and comfort are like the corner pieces that create the frame for filling in the rest.
These two factors, not coincidentally, are where a lot of bowhunters go wrong. A bow that doesn’t fit correctly...
Tony J. Peterson
Jul 30, 2020
Read More
Firearms
Firearms
5 Best Air Rifles for Squirrel Hunting
These ain’t your granddaddy’s air rifles. They’ll still shoot your eye out, but they’re also dead accurate and powerful enough to lay down a squirrel with a single shot every time. They’re quiet, cheap to shoot, and easy to use. If you’re thinking about exploring the small game woods this year, you...
Jordan Sillars
Sep 9, 2021
Read More
Hunting Gear
The Total Guide to Buying a Used Gun
We’ve all been there: You’re perusing the wares at a local gun shop on the way back from “picking up some milk” when a beautiful rifle catches your eye.
“Is it a fair price? Will it shoot? Is it a dud, or a diamond in the rough? And is it possible to intercept and destroy this month’s credit card...
Jordan Sillars
Jun 3, 2020
Read More
Hunting Gear
Tips on Marksmanship With a Rifle or Airgun
Practice makes perfect. This saying holds very true concerning our ability to make a good, lethal shot on an animal with a rifle. Our hunting ethics dictate we respect the animal enough to know our limits and capabilities when considering a shot.
There is no substitute to trigger time. This can...
Steven Rinella
Aug 27, 2018
Read More
Hunting Gear
Barrel Length, Choke and Chambers for Hunting Shotguns
Barrel length, choke and chambers for hunting shotguns are three subjects that any aspiring small game hunter should want to know about. These three things will change significantly depending on the game that you are pursuing. The setup of the barrel length, choke and chambers will change greatly...
Steven Rinella
Mar 3, 2018
Read More
Hunting Gear
Firearm Accessories for the Small Game Hunter
Finding the right firearm for your small game hunting needs can be a timely endeavor. Once you have found the right one for you there are many firearm accessories on the market to tune it and make it perfect for the small game you are chasing.
The following accessories can help make your hunt more...
Steven Rinella
May 7, 2018
Read More
Optics
Hunting Gear
How to Choose a Hunting Rifle Scope
The one thing to remember when considering the price and quality of a rifle scope, yes, there is a direct correlation, is this. Better scopes buy you time in the field. That is, a high-quality scope will function better in low-light conditions than a cheaply built scope, allowing you to shoot...
Steven Rinella
Mar 31, 2018
Read More
Hunting Gear
Rifle Scopes for Small Game
You can take a lot of game with a .22 rifle fitted with peep or open sights, but to get the full level of versatility from your .22 it’s a good idea to top it with a scope.
When shopping for a scope for your .22, stick to models that are designed for rimfire rifles. Specifically, this means scopes...
Steven Rinella
Apr 18, 2018
Read More
Hunting Gear
How to Mount a Rifle Scope and Bipod
Properly mounting your scope is an important step in building an accurate hunting rifle. This is how to level the scope, set your eye relief, and torque the mounts. Additionally, a bipod improves accuracy in a variety of different shot scenarios. This video also shows the proper way to mount the...
Ryan Callaghan
May 29, 2020
Read More
Hunting Gear
Vortex Viper Line: Three Picks For Affordable Optics Essentials
From Alabama to Alaska, big game hunters rely on three types of hunting optics to up their odds of having a successful hunting season. Whether you’re scanning thick timber for a glimpse of an elk or searching a far-off meadow for a black bear, binoculars are something no big game hunter can get by...
Brody Henderson
Sep 13, 2018
Read More
Hunting Gear
A Rangefinder’s Usefulness for Hunting
Carrying a rangefinder helps you eliminate uncertainty about distances when shooting rifles or bows. When you know the actual distance to the target, you’ll have more confidence in taking the shot or you’ll know that it’s too far away to risk it.
Angle Compensation
The best models have a function...
Steven Rinella
May 19, 2018
Read More
Hunting Gear
How to Use Spotting Scopes for Hunting
Spotting scopes are vital for hunting open country where they have several important functions.
When I’m glassing big spaces with my 10x binoculars, I’ll make a mental note of any areas that I couldn’t quite pick apart to my satisfaction. These might include thick patches of cover, shaded areas...
Steven Rinella
May 12, 2018
Read More
Footwear and Clothing
Hunting Gear
The Best Hunting Boots for Every Season
I’ve seen more hunts ruined by foot problems than any other cause, problems such as blisters, sore ligaments, open lesions from chronic dampness, even debilitating athlete’s foot.
Luckily, most of these issues are preventable with proper boot selection and diligent foot care. I hunt across the...
Steven Rinella
Jun 26, 2018
Read More
Hunting
Building A Complete Hunting Clothing System
Hunting clothing has come a long ways in the last decade or so. With technical advances in synthetic and natural materials, hunters no longer have to suffer the drawbacks of wet cotton, heavy wool, or loud polyester clothing. It’s now possible to build a complete clothing system that will get you...
Brody Henderson
Sep 8, 2017
Read More
Hunting Gear
What You Need to Know About Layering for Hunting
Layering allows you to be prepared for a multitude of conditions, both in terms of what nature serves up and how your body warms and cools during physical activity. By adding and subtracting the right layers, we can stay comfortable in all temperatures without carrying too much weight.
Base Layers...
Steven Rinella
Jun 19, 2018
Read More
Hunting Gear
Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Choosing the Right Hunting Boot
Choosing the right hunting boot is one of the most important gear-oriented decisions a hunter can make. We’ve said many times in the past that the thing we see ruining or even ending hunts most often are foot problems. A good hunting boot needs to provide ample support and traction, keep your feet...
Brody Henderson
Sep 13, 2018
Read More
Hunting Gear
MeatEater Pro Tips: Pants Layering Systems
Layering systems are a lot more important than most folks realize. There’s a particular way that I like to layer my pants depending on the conditions and what I’m able to bring along.
Take a look at the video above, I hope my system can help you out next time you’re in the market for the right...
Steven Rinella
Dec 22, 2018
Read More
Backcountry Hunting Gear
Hunting Gear
Ask MeatEater: What's On Your Backcountry Pack List?
Every day, fellow MeatEaters send us more than 100 emails regarding hunting, fishing, cooking, conservation, and more. So, we decided to publish a series dedicated to our favorite FAQs. Ask MeatEater is powered by onX, creators of the best digital mapping tool for hunters and anglers.
I geek out on...
Janis Putelis
Sep 17, 2021
Read More
Hunting Gear
Hydration on a Backcountry Hunt
Hunting in the backcountry requires extreme amounts of knowledge. Two very basic things that anyone going into the backcountry should know about are, water and fire. Without water you won’t be able to stay hydrated. Without fire warmth will be hard to maintain, making it incredibly hard to stay...
Steven Rinella
Aug 7, 2018
Read More
Hunting Gear
Tips for Cooking on a Backcountry Hunt
My dad always liked that old Napoleon quote about how an army marches on its stomach. During hunting season, he kept a plastic milk crate full of assorted goodies, jarred venison, corned meat, dried fruit, jerky, coffee nips, crackers, and toffee peanuts in the back of his Jeep Cherokee so that he...
Steven Rinella
Aug 1, 2018
Read More
Gear
How to Prepare for Backcountry Hunting Risks
The risks of a backcountry hunt include all of the normal risks associated with a typical hunt, plus many more. These risks are compounded by the physical distance that separates you from emergency assistance. For the unprepared hunter, a simple puncture wound can turn into a serious infection.
A...
Steven Rinella
Aug 13, 2018
Read More
Hunting Gear
Tips for Staying Comfortable on a Backcountry Hunt
No matter how grueling a hunt gets, I can usually hack it as long as I’m able to get a decent amount of sleep at night. There are certain tips to keep you comfortable on a backcountry hunt to keep you out longer.
Sounds simple enough, but in the backcountry, it can be a never-ending challenge. Wet...
Steven Rinella
Jul 26, 2018
Read More
Hunting Gear
Ask MeatEater: What Do You Carry in a Mountain Hunting Pack?
I’ve often been accused of carrying a lot of stuff going into the mountains for all-day or multi-day hunting adventures. But I’ve never once been accused of being unprepared.
Every elk or mountain muley hunter exists on a spectrum of comfort—and associated pack weight—ranging from spartan to cushy...
Sam Lungren
Oct 16, 2020
Read More
General
Hunting Gear
The Ultimate Truck Camping Setup
Hunting whitetails in the backyard is awfully fun, and going to family deer camp is a blast. But my absolute favorite place to return to after a long day of public land hunting is a DIY truck camp. The combination of sleeping quarters, gear storage, and transportatability make this the ultimate...
Mark Kenyon
Jun 30, 2020
Read More
Hunting Gear
Choosing a Hunting Knife
Knives are a crucial part of any hunter’s gear and choosing the right knife for the job is important when it comes time to cleanly break down an animal. Blade styles vary and some are excellent choices for all-purpose use while others are aimed at specific tasks. You’ll need to decide which blade...
Brody Henderson
Jul 20, 2017
Read More
Hunting Gear
The Basics of Knives and Blade Tools for Hunting
I think of knives and blade tools as gear. They are cool to look at, exciting to buy, and a pleasure to toy around with. This creates a sort of problem for hunters, who tend to accumulate a lot of excess blades that they don’t really need.
If you’ve got endless funds for gear, this isn’t a problem...
Steven Rinella
May 26, 2018
Read More
Hunting Gear
The E-Collar Conundrum
Dog owners and trainers are divided into two camps regarding the use of electronic shock collars for bird dog training. The first group heavily employs e-collars to round out a dog’s education and send a reminder when obedience starts to slip. Many other trainers and hunters view e-collars as...
Tony J. Peterson
May 30, 2019
Read More
Hunting Gear
Necessities for Your Upland Kit
A good upland gun dog kit should have a bit of everything: basic medical supplies, extra parts, tools, extra shells, extra gloves, and anything vital you might find yourself needing on a bird hunt.
This preparation might save you hundreds of unnecessary dollars at a vet, or save your hunting trip...
Morgan Mason
Nov 29, 2018
Read More
Hunting Gear
Specialty Hunting Knives: Benchmade’s Hidden Canyon Hunter and Nestucca Cleaver
Hunters tend to have some strong opinions when it comes to choosing a hunting knife. I’m no different and I like to keep things simple. For most of my big game hunting, I keep a single fixed blade knife like Benchmade’s Steep Country in my pack. And, for small game and birds, I like the Saddle...
Brody Henderson
Dec 11, 2017
Read More