Gear We Use
Hunters and anglers have strong opinions about their gear and the MeatEater crew is no different. In this series, we tap our decades of combined experience to give you the best of the best. Whether it’s guns, sleeping bags, boots, waders, or binoculars, the gear we recommend has been proven in the field. It hasn’t failed us, and it won’t fail you.
Hunters and anglers have strong opinions about their gear and the MeatEater crew is no different. In this series, we tap our decades of combined experience to give you the best of the best. Whether it’s guns, sleeping bags, boots, waders, or binoculars, the gear we recommend has been proven in the field. It hasn’t failed us, and it won’t fail you.
Gear
The Best Shooting Rests
Depending on the context, a good shooting rest could be a tripod, a couple of shooting bags, or even your best hunting backpack. Some serve as a steady prop in the field, while others are designed for precision shooting and tuning at the range. Whether you just need a pair of sticks or a shooting...
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Gear
The Best EDC Knives
Depending on your profession, a good every day carry (EDC) Knife might be a discrete folder that hides in the bottom of your pocket. Others might require a medium-sized fixed blade that comfortably rides on the hip and has the backbone to handle more heavy-duty tasks. Regardless, your EDC knife...
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Gear
The Best Turkey Calls
The best turkey calls are the ones that convince that longbeard to close the distance. Some days, that call might be a diaphragm; others, the trusty box or slate. Sometimes, it helps to throw something they haven’t heard from every other hunter, like a trumpet, natural voice calls, or a snuff box. I...
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Gear
The Best Turkey Vests
Turkey hunting requires minimal gear. Most of the time, you can get away with just a call or two and your shotgun. Yet, the turkey vest remains an integral piece of turkey hunting gear. The vest style, pocket holders, and turkey seat are unmistakable. Some are more tailored for run and gun tactics...
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Gear
The Ultimate 10mm Showdown
The 10mm Auto has entered a renaissance. The souped-up handgun cartridge first appeared in 1983, but the last few years have seen a rise both in firearm models and ammunition options. It’s easy to see why. The 10mm Auto is among the most powerful handgun cartridges commonly chambered in semi...
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Firearms
The Best Semi-Auto Shotguns
Shotguns are an inherently versatile firearm. From duck blinds to deer stands, upland brush to long turkey sits, the shotgun is right at home in a multitude of hunting pursuits. However, with its smooth shooting and ability to fire quick follow-up shots, the semi-automatic shotgun reigns supreme...
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Hunting Gear
The Best Hunting Knives
Unlike a lot of other hunting gear, a good hunting knife is a necessary piece of equipment. Whether you plan on hunting squirrels in your backyard or elk in the backcountry, you’ll need a knife to break down your wild game. From large fixed blades to compact folders, there’s no shortage of hunting...
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Gear
The Best Archery Targets
Few things rival the satisfaction of making a perfect (or near-perfect) shot. It’s a culmination of hard work, scouting, and a shooting routine that typically starts in your backyard or local shooting range months before you send an arrow. While what you’re shooting matters more than the target you...
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Gear
The Best Climbing Sticks
Lightweight hang-on stands or tree saddles might be the focal point of mobile hunting setups, but climbing sticks are the cornerstone. You might as well hunt from an old climber if your sticks add double-digit weight to your setup. Luckily, companies are in an arms race to produce ultralight and...
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Gear
The Best Tree Saddles
100 years from now, I imagine (at my disgust) that mobile hunting might include some type of hovering platform that allows you to set up literally anywhere. Instead of spending 45 minutes stressing over which tree to climb, you’ll simply ascend to your preferred height, and it will attach itself to...
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Gear
The Best Hunting Backpacks
Much like rifles and cartridges, hunting backpacks fit specific game, terrain, and hunting scenarios. Some options get the job done. Some make your experience enjoyable. Others can turn your hunt south in a hurry. Then there’s the minutiae, like how many pockets does it have? Can I access gear...
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Gear
We Tested and Reviewed The Best Rangefinders Under $500
Performing successful, ethical shots—at any distance—requires precise placement. Whether you’re bowhunting or long-range shooting, rangefinders are critical for that kind of accuracy. Of course, like any optic, your hunting and shooting needs (and budget) will determine whether you need to spend a...
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