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 Knife Sharpeners
A dull knife is like a rusty car or a worn out pair of sneakers. It’s almost useless and can be quite dangerous. Your knife will get dull eventually. Rather than replace it, it’s far cheaper to sharpen it. The question is how. You can sharpen a knife on a rock. I once watched two skinners in Africa...
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Hunting Gear
The Best Turkey Chokes
A good turkey choke can turn any old shotgun into a certified gobbler getter. It might require some trial and error to figure out which turkey loads a choke patterns best, but that's part of the fun. Of course, it isn't feasible (definitely not affordable) to test every ammo and choke combination...
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Hunting Gear
Best Rubber Hunting Boots
You don't have to be a scent-control junkie to appreciate a good pair of rubber hunting boots. They're perfect for those late-season whitetail hunts when you need to layer extra socks, run some toe warmers, and keep your scent to a minimum. But, they're also necessary if you spend a lot of time in...
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Firearms
The Best 9mm Handguns
Nine millimeter semi-automatic handguns are the most popular type of firearm in the United States. You might not hunt deer with a Glock, but if you own a handgun for self-defense–as most gun owners do–it probably uses a detachable magazine and is chambered in 9mm Luger. Many hunters carry these...
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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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