New to Game Hunting? Here's How to Choose Your Hunting Gear

It isn’t uncommon for beginner hunters to feel overwhelmed by the array of choices they come across at hunting goods outlets. After all, with multiple racks offering different kinds of clothing, hunting equipment, optics, and shooting accessories, it can be difficult to figure out what will serve your needs as a newbie hunter.

The truth is, you don’t need to buy the most expensive hunting gear or purchase everything the store sells. It’s better to focus on getting a few select pieces of game hunting gear that help you enjoy a safe, comfortable, and successful outdoor trip.

Of course, this takes a bit of careful consideration. You’ll need to answer a few whats, whens, and whys to choose the right hunting gear for you.

Mentioned ahead are a few tips to help you put together your very own hunting gear as a new hunter.

7 Tips for Choosing Your Hunting Gear

1. What Do You Plan on Hunting?

One of the first considerations that go into selecting hunting gear is the type of game you’ll be hunting. You should know that different game animals need different types of hunting equipment.

For instance, you cannot use shooting gadgets designed for hunting deer when hunting birds or fowl. With this in mind, choose the shooter’s supplies that are meant specifically for your target prey.

2. Consider the Climate and Landscape

You’ll also need to factor in the climatic conditions and the terrain you’ll be hunting in. This information will help you choose the most appropriate hunting gear for the conditions you’ll be operating in.

Hunting on a warm, dry day, for example, will necessitate different hunting equipment and accessories than hunting in wet, foggy weather. Similarly, working on a rocky terrain will be significantly different from hunting in a marshy forest. You’ll need different hunting gear and shooting accessories in both situations. So, plan accordingly.

3. Do Your Research

The hunting gear market is thronged with numerous players, not all of who offer the kind of products you might need. So, make sure to do your homework before making your purchase.

If you’re buying from a physical store, browse through the available clothing, hunting equipment, and shooting accessories. Enquire about their quality and return policy.

When buying online, go through the product descriptions thoroughly. Get in touch with the seller’s representatives in case of any queries or clarifications about the materials and the design. Compare the features and prices, and the value they offer to a beginner before making your decision.

Remember, you want to go for a seller that prioritizes durability and robustness over cosmetic features that may not be as important to hunting.

4. Find Out What People Are Recommending

If you’re not sure where to buy your hunting gear, find out what other game hunting enthusiasts are recommending. Do bear in mind, however, that their hunting style and preferences may differ from yours.

Some may use traps or crossbows, while you may prefer to use rifles on your hunting trips. Accordingly, you may choose specific hunting equipment and shooting accessories to get the perfect shot. If you do use rifles, get your hands on quality rifle scopes as the perfect accompaniment to shoot in different kinds of landscapes.

Look through the seller’s website for reviews and recommendations of their products. You can also visit their social media pages or online communities/forums to see what people are saying. Ask the seller’s representative for help with choosing the right hunting gear for the climate and terrain you’re expecting.

5. Prefer All-Weather Hunting Gear

Different seasons present different challenges and opportunities to game hunters, which is why many undertake several hunting trips in a year. Obviously, no one wants to keep spending on hunting gear for every season – that can be expensive.

You’ll need to consider certain specific scenarios before choosing your hunting gear. For example, avoid wearing cotton gear in winter as it’ll likely draw heat away from your body while holding moisture. This may make you uncomfortable in the chilly weather, ruining your hunting experience. It’s best to go for all-weather gear that’ll protect you in all kinds of extreme conditions.

6. Be Realistic about What You Need

When investing in any new hunting gear or shooting gadgets, be realistic about how frequently you’ll actually use them. A beginner may start by hunting only a few weeks in the year and might not require state-of-the-art hunting equipment and shooting accessories until they’ve mastered the craft.

A lot of sellers out there offer entry-level hunting gear, shooting accessories and optics, and other shooter’s supplies at affordable prices. Feel free to explore your options and buy the best you can afford within your budget.

7. Don’t Hesitate to Loosen Those Purse Strings a Tad

While sticking to your budget does matter, you may want to make an exception in some areas to ensure your safety in difficult territory.

For newbies, especially, it might be tempting to opt for cheap hunting gear initially and upgrade later if they want to.

However, when you’re in the great outdoors, you’ll be completely dependent on your hunting gear, equipment, and tools. In case of an unexpected event, you want to make sure you can rely on them to keep you safe and sound.

Hence, it’s a good idea to prioritize quality over pricing. If you come across quality hunting equipment and tools that cost slightly more than what you planned for, pick those.

Compromising quality can make you regretful later on. A stainless-steel hunting knife, a robust hunting rifle scope, and sturdy hunting gear might cost a few hundred dollars, but they’ll also stand the test of time if maintained properly.

Conclusion

Game hunting is a one-of-a-kind outdoor activity that needs you to be fit in every way. As a beginner, you want to ensure that you don’t end up biting off more than you can chew. So, it’s best to go for quality hunting gear that protects you against unpredictable weather and holds you in good stead on tricky terrains.

We recommend sturdy over cheap as this will help you overcome harsh conditions, waiting periods, and other unexpected challenges. Ultimately, making wise choices will mean the difference between a memorable hunting trip and returning home with nothing.  

The SnakeLook team wants you to thrive in the outdoors. We want our hunting accessories and shooting gadgets to aid your hunting activity so you can come back with wonderful memories. We’re here for you when you need high-quality hunting gear, optics, and accessories. Call us at 801-228-0803 or fill out our online form to get in touch.