Hunting Gear

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...