What would someone need who is new to hunting

[DJ_Mack]

My cousin is finishing up his hunters ed this weekend and wants to modern rifle big game hunt this fall.  He wants help putting together a list for everything he would want and need to hunt in Washington.  Such as what type of camo, rain gear, boots, binos, hiking pack, scent cover, the list goes on, and hopefully you get an idea.  As mostly everyone, he is on a budget with 3 kids at home.  So best bang for your buck stuff.  I told him I would ask on here for him to get others opinions.  Thanks guys!

[cbond3318]

Eastern Washington or West?

[headshot5]

For modern rifle, I'd say, a gun, a knife, some hunter orange, if he can swing it a nice pair of binoculars, a pack of some sort, flashlight, Good boots, phone # for a friend to help him pack if he gets something.   As far as raingear, it depends how is going to hunt, I generally don't wear raingear, but have to dry my clothes at the end of most rainy days.  I also wear rubber boots a lot more than hiking boots when the weather gets extremely wet.  A map and compass is a good idea.

Beyond that he needs to get a rifle and shoot it as much as he can.   

Edit to add  ****   I'd also recommend he find a mentor, or someone who has hunted before to show him the ropes so to speak.

[Dhoey07]

Gun, knife, gps, flashlight, survey tape, boots, wool pants and coat and he should be on his way.  Those are the bare essentials, I think. 

[bobcat]

My advice, for a limited budget, is don't buy clothing and other gear that is specifically made for hunters. Especially- camo. For rifle hunting it's not needed and it's totally pointless when you have to wear orange over the top anyway.

For rain gear I'd look at Helly Hansen Impertech, Frog Toggs, or some of the gear that is sold in stores that cater to loggers and others who work in the woods. Watershed is a good brand that comes to mind.

Something like this:  https://www.loggingsupply.com/shop/watershed-stormcreek-rain-jacket/

Other essentials would be binoculars, knife, compass, backpack, GPS.

[DJ_Mack]

Both western wa and eastern.

Thanks to those who posted already.

[police women of America]

I did the same thing just a year ago here's my list:
1.medical kit
2. gun, case, and bullets
3. Gatorade
4. emergency blanket
5. gutting knifes (Big 5 has the best prices)
6. scent control
7. rubber gloves for deer gutting
8. game bag
9. flashlight hat (sold at Walmart. buy the one with the green light for seeing blood only $15)
10. face paint
11. map and compass
12. animal calls
13. flint
14. watch
15. binoculars
16. tarp
17. hunters orange vest
tell him to ALWAYS buy on sale stuff I saved hundreds doing that. Good luck

[pianoman9701]

Road hunt: gun (with plenty of practice, not just sighting), license, bullets, knife and sharpener, rope, tarp, pack board, water, 1st aid kit, GPS and/or map & compass, boots and weather-appropriate clothing.
Day hunts: Appropriate clothing (see comments above), light pack, water, 1st aid and emergency kit, license, gun and bullets, GPS and/or map & compass, marking tape, good boots, binos, knife and sharpener, rope, pruners, calls, cover scent, fire maker.
Back Country: Lots of stuff not listed here. It doesn't sound like he's ready to go back country.

Someone mentioned alerting a friend to be available to pack. If your cousin has never field dressed big game before, he should have someone with him who has, or at least someone readily accessible (able to arrive within an hour or less). If that's not possible, he should watch as many videos on field dressing game as possible, over and over again. If not, the result will likely be lost/wasted meat. In addition, if he gets an elk, the size is daunting the 1st time you walk up to a dead one in the woods. He won't know where to start, how to keep the meat clean, dry, and cool. And, it could turn out to be a discouraging exercise on his first kill. The other thing is to make sure he's proficient with the firearm/bow he takes into the woods. Sighting in isn't enough if he hasn't been shooting it. He should spend several practice sessions at different yardages before hunting with whatever he's going to use. Good luck!

[RadSav]

$2,000 worth of camo so you can put a $0.50 orange vest over it.  A knife Crocodile Dundee would die for. Used Bargain Basement boots for $25 and a rifle capable of shooting 1/2" groups at 3,000 yards with a Banner 3X9 scope.  A disposable camera from Albertson's grocery and a spotting scope capable of seeing the crustees on a raised tail a mile away.

Of course he needs to buy a new vehicle too.  A Diesel truck large enough to carry out an elephant plus a cord of wood would be nice.  Should be raised about 42" with an axel clearance of just 10.5".  Might not be the greatest for getting around, but the chicks will dig him.  Be sure to have the sticker of a little guy peeing on the back window and mud flaps with the chrome naked lady silhouette.  His truck should also have aircraft landing lights visible from the Space Station and a CB radio.

He will also need a $1,000 back pack with a load shelf capable of carrying a moose out whole.  It should be filled with batteries, 5 million candle power headlamp, a dump truck overhaul kit, four ounces of water and a Capri Sun juicy pouch.  And of course no pack is complete without 25 accessory pouches filled with a pepper shaker, elk diaphragms, varmint calls, deer calls, bear calls, military grade GPS and a rangefinder with a +/- 2" at 2000 yard accuracy.  Top it off with a butt bucket scabbard and a camo whiffle ball bat!

Add a can of Copenhagen and a few Slim Jims and he should just about have all he needs

[pianoman9701]

 

[Taco280AI]

Rifle, ammo, sling, practice with it and not just off a bench
Binoculars
Hunter orange
Flashlight
Knife
TP - so you don't come back missing clothing 

You can bring as much as you want, but don't leave without those things.

In my early years of hunting that's mainly what I carried. I've hunted many years in cross trainer type shoes instead of boots because they were comfy and often gave me better grip while climbing. Hunted in Idaho with a buddy who was slipping all the time with his boots while I was just hiking up in my shoes. You don't need any special fancy cammo or super expensive clothing. What you need to do is get in the right areas that allow you the opportunity to find and get game. The best gear won't hunt for you, just empty your wallet.

But do buy the best binoculars you can, those make a difference.

[birddogdad]

$2,000 worth of camo so you can put a $0.50 orange vest over it.  A knife Crocodile Dundee would die for. Used Bargain Basement boots for $25 and a rifle capable of shooting 1/2" groups at 3,000 yards with a Banner 3X9 scope.  A disposable camera from Albertson's grocery and a spotting scope capable of seeing the crustees on a raised tail a mile away.

Of course he needs to buy a new vehicle too.  A Diesel truck large enough to carry out an elephant plus a cord of wood would be nice.  Should be raised about 42" with an axel clearance of just 10.5".  Might not be the greatest for getting around, but the chicks will dig him.  Be sure to have the sticker of a little guy peeing on the back window and mud flaps with the chrome naked lady silhouette.  His truck should also have aircraft landing lights visible from the Space Station and a CB radio.

He will also need a $1,000 back pack with a load shelf capable of carrying a moose out whole.  It should be filled with batteries, 5 million candle power headlamp, a dump truck overhaul kit, four ounces of water and a Capri Sun juicy pouch.  And of course no pack is complete without 25 accessory pouches filled with a pepper shaker, elk diaphragms, varmint calls, deer calls, bear calls, military grade GPS and a rangefinder with a +/- 2" at 2000 yard accuracy.  Top it off with a butt bucket scabbard and a camo whiffle ball bat!

Add a can of Copenhagen and a few Slim Jims and he should just about have all he needs

you forgot the XXXX$/day guide....

[b23]

"What would someone need who is new to hunting"

Unfortunately, you can't buy this but, IMO, you need a whole lot of "Patience" and a little "luck" never hurts either.

 

[hogslayer]

Besides a gun and ammo and a tag, I would suggest he go with someone else and borrow as much stuff as he can.  Depends where he lives, but I have some Helly  Hansen camo  rain gear that's new and a bunch of camo I would practically give him.

[Bofire]

RadSav nailed it, except for someone warm to sleep with. lots of good munchos and some strong young partners.
Carl