Whitetail Deer Hunting Gear

Whitetail Deer Hunting Gear

Whitetail Deer Hunting Gear. The whitetail deer season is in for some and just around the corner for others. There was a hint of cool air this morning. Coupled with the honks from a pair of Canada geese that flew overhead, it made me long for my stand in a favorite place that I’ve hunted for years. 

As I look to the season ahead, I naturally begin to gather my whitetail deer hunting gear. Both my bow and rifle have seen time at the range. Camouflage has been removed from scent-resistant bags, washed, and repacked. Middle-of-the-day scouting sessions have replaced my typical lunch hour sandwich as I’d much rather ease through the woods, looking for sign and checking cameras while getting exercise. Like most of us, I’m looking forward to this coming deer season with extra anticipation.

Deer Hunting Gear

My whitetail deer hunting gear consists of what I need to stay comfortable during warm days, cold days, and all-day sits. From the right layering systems for those dark-to-dark days in the stand during the rut to my favorite cutlery should I be so lucky, I like to be prepared. The following items are what I rely on throughout the deer season. And it’s these manufacturers who build deer hunting gear that I wouldn’t leave home without.  

Camouflage – Sitka Whitetail Deer Hunting Gear

Durable, breathable, water repellant, and quiet. That’s how I describe Sitka, the camouflage company that revolutionized the hunter’s layering system. From the fabrics they choose to the technology they use to construct their garments, this is camo that performs in all seasons. Whether it’s hot and humid or cold and snowy in the eastern deer woods, Sitka makes camo that performs in all seasons, keeping me comfortable for those long sits during the rut.

Boots – Meindl

Meindl builds boots that can withstand hard use. They are also priced really well. A lot of times, in our area, we hunt public land. And accessing the best spots requires a bit of hiking. I’ve found these boots to be incredibly durable and easy to walk in. You know how, when wearing some boots, no matter how well you aim your next foot step they seem to find a branch to crack or pine cone to crunch? My Meindls are the exact opposite. It’s like walking through the woods in your favorite pair of tennis shoes.  

Thanks to an innovative boot-within-a-boot design, these high-country hunters wrap your feet stabilizing comfort.

Flashlight – Surefire

Surefire flashlights and headlamps are my go-to for the dense and incredibly dark southeastern whitetail deer woods. The Maximus headlamp can be turned up to 1,000 lumens and gives me a hands-free light that makes hiking through the woods, climbing into my stand, and readying all my gear very convenient. I also carry a G2X Pro flashlight in my pack for those times when I need to get close to the ground while following a blood trail.

Knife – Havalon

You want a knife that retains a sharp edge. Helps to also have interchangeable blades as well. Havalon meets the criteria and some. These are some of the most durable knives I own. More than once I’ve found myself deep in the Tennessee hardwoods with a big heavy whitetail deer dead at my feet. Being able to dress and quarter it with my Talon Hunt has made a huge difference in getting the meat back to the truck. I can almost get through the entire process of gutting, caping, and deboning with one blade though it’s nice to have that backup in my pack just in case. 

Havalon Talon features the Quik-Change II Interchangeable Cutlery System.

Decoys – Montana Decoy

I don’t use a decoy while deer hunting too often, but when I do, it’s a Montana Decoy. This company has figured out how to make super realistic decoys that are really lightweight and fold down to the size of a dinner plate so that they are easy to pack. During the rut, I like to place The Freshman in an area where a dominant buck has been making scrapes and rubs. By rattling and grunting, I’ve killed several nice bucks that have come in, seen the decoy, and committed to give me an easy shot. 

The Freshman, with its ears back and aggressive posture, is a deer decoy that invites a challenge.

Optics – TRACT Optics

While TRACT just celebrated its fifth anniversary, I would have been using these binoculars and rifle scopes for years had the company started sooner. Sure, you could say I’m biased. But I’ve had the opportunity to test a lot of different optics in my career and have rarely held anything better to my eyes than what Jon LaCorte and Jon Allen have created. 

In the Tennessee deer woods, I always opt for the TORIC 8x binocular. It gives me a wider field of view to pick up the flick of a tail you might miss with a 10x. The TORIC Rifle Scope is a great choice for all hunting conditions when the gun season rolls around. I have the 3-15×42 with a T-PLEX reticle. I hardly take shots longer than 300 yards and it has always performed as advertised even in low-light situations when scopes of years past would have failed.

I think that about covers everything. If I missed a piece of gear that’s critical to you, let us know. Also, if you’re wondering what rifles we prefer, check out our recent blog, “Best Big Game Hunting Rifles.” We’ve also written on the “Best Calibers for Deer Hunting.”