I’m finally preparing for my first big game hunt! A few questions -

[Buckmark]

Good questions and great answers.
*
I'll add my opinions
The one thing i noticed missing was a camera, take lots of pics...
Good binos are an absolute must, 8x42 works great and a bino strap system like sliders vest or something like crooked horns system.
Print out the instructions you find online for field dressing and laminate them to take with you, or just put them into a ziplock bag. Better then trying to remember what you saw on a dvd. I thought that when you took hunters ed they gave a printed how to field dress?
Parachute cord to tie open the deers legs, helps alot if your learning how to field drees and all by yourself.
When you get your deer down the first thing to do is relax, calm down, admire the deer, take lots of pics, check out the entrance and exit holes, take a little bit to calm down and let the adrenilin rush subside before you get out your knife, cutting yourself can be bad, it's not a race take your time.
Have fun and good luck...

[boneaddict]

medications you need

ALWAYS have a benadryl in my pack.  Never know when that allergic reaction is going to happen and that can save you more than any other medication out there. 

[Bean Counter]

Since you're gun hunting, I wouldn't waste money on spendy camo. They're going to hear you or smell you long before they're going to see you.

keep that optimistic attitude when you hike out into the woods but dont' expect to kill a big deer on your first morning. it took me several years even though I was always excited to start a days hunt.

Ditto on the binos. Losing my cheap, $20 pair of  10x25s on my first year of hunting was the best thing that ever happened to me. Spent $250 on a pair of camo Nikon Monarch ATB's and have hunted with them for years.

If you're looking for a kick @$$ inexpensive knife, I wholeheartedly recommend the Gerber Gator II (i have the non-serrated blade). On sale at Cabelas.com for $25.

Ditto on the headlight. Bring an extra set of batteries and you'll be good to go.

[Bean Counter]

#6 – The “now what?” question. If I find a deer, I think the real work is going to happen after I pull the trigger. I’ve never cleaned/skinned a deer… I’ve read through a lot of things on this site on how to do it, but additional pictures or video would help a lot. Can anyone point me to a link/video/dvd on how to field dress an animal? If anyone has some info on butchering you own game that would also be very helpful.

Get the game processing video from the Kentucky DFG. It will teach you everything, including how to butcher, cut, and wrap, except for how to cape a buck.

[uncoolperson]

spare keys for your rifle.
one in my glove compartment.
one with your tag.

[Buckmark]

spare keys for your rifle.
one in my glove compartment.
one with your tag.

I got my rifle with the keyless entry feature 

[uncoolperson]

spare keys for your rifle.
one in my glove compartment.
one with your tag.

I got my rifle with the keyless entry feature 

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,33783.msg401236.html#msg401236

[Alchase]

Whatever boots you pick ensure they are broken in already. I also pack liquid skin and the largish square bandages in case of hot spots.

Bino, best you can afford.

Pack, tons of good suggestions already, just depends on how long, how far, and how much gear you are comfortable with carrying. I use a Monster fanny pack (Badlands) when hunting close to camp, a day pack when more then a mile or two away. and a "larger" pack when out all day or over night.

Pants, I use various types depending on weather. REI or North Face cargo pants or military issue fatigues when nice out. REI Minstrel pants or Marmot when a good chance of rain or mixed snow. Rain gear when really pouring.

Camo, allot of my clothes are mixed types of camo, my blase orange is broken up with black camo, but that is not the main factor when buying. I place function over color but most come in some earth tones or black anyway.

Scent - nope, wind direction

Wind direction, as some said powders in squirt bottle work, an old friend use to have a small piece of yarn tied to his front swivel on his rifle that would give him wind direction and be in his line of sight when ready to shoot.

Misc. this stuff goes in each of my packs.
Extra set of keys with hunting partner, or one set in your pack one in your wallet? Hat, extra knife, mini-mag light, Leatherman, headlamp, firstaid kit, drag harness, GPS and compass, multiple bic lighters in ziplock bags kept in different locations. game bags, poncho or packable rain jacket (depending on weather), small roll of duct tape, para-cord, bright colored surveyors tape, cell phone and / or two radio, water and food.

[methowman]

I think alot of what your asking depends on what type of area you will hunt & what sort of weather you will be in. If you hunt the west side the chance of wet weather is much higher & because of the thick brush your equipement (mostly clothing) will be different than if you hunt east. I prefer the east side with wide open spaces &  beautiful scenery, not to mention less rain. Don't get me wrong both are awesome.

Boots: Again weather is a factor but If you can afford gortex boots that fit just right, with thinsulate thickness for the weather you expect to hunt in (try on many & you will know when you have the right pair on). I prefer a lighter 8" boot all leather, I have Rocky & Danner brands boots & both have worked well. You get what you pay for...

Pants/Camo: I have an assortment of pants including gortex, army surplus, cabellas brand camo, & jeans, ect.  Any of them work "but" ..will it be cold ? do you need long underwear ? are the pants large enough to fit with the long johns on? do the pants fit to tight,(jumping over fallen timber in tight jeans sucks) is it wet, will you be in brushy area or desert ,does the camo pattern match the terrain. Jeans work fine but if you have the money a light weight gortex coat & pants are worth every penny,buy a size big enough to layer underneath when its cold.

Scent: you need to be scent free as possible, use a scent free clothes wash, spray on scent cover,scentless soap & shampoo, & pit stick. If you smoke do not smoke with your hunting clothes near by. Don't hang around the camp fire in em either.you can toss in a tree brow with your clothes in a plastic bag it helps. It may seem a little over the top but I see more game when I take the time to do it right.

Misc: Good binoculars in eastern washington with 8-10 power, a backpack or fanny pack. The right food, as much water as you can carry,good small flashlight, GPS/ radio, first aid kit, matches, buttwipe. Be prepared... I have heard to many stories from buddies about getting lost & spending the night in the forest, if your prepared its no big deal if your not you could die.

Wind: The wind will change direction from morning to night throughout the day, If you stock or still hunt face into the wind when possible & for a couple of bucks the little plastic squeeze bottle of powder works great to check direction & lasts along time.

Hope this helps, have a great hunt

[GoPlayOutside]

#1 Boots-  For cold/bad weather, I use a gortex lighter weight hiking boot.  REI is the right place to find 'em.  I'm a climber/hiker freak, so I don't like the bigger heavier (Danner, Rocky, etc.) "work boot" feel.  If the weather is good, I will always wear regular sturdy running shoes (trail running).  They are just so much more comfy and make my day a lot easier and pleasant.

#2 Pants-  For cold/bad weather I wear Rivers West Pants and coat (soft/quiet camo).  Waterproof, tougher than heck, and warm.  In fact I Ski in my my Rivers West Gear.  Really Cold Weather- wool under my Rivers West.  Warm Weather- any lighter weight gear will due.  I used to hunt modern rifle in Jeans, but learned that it is a lot easier and more fun to hunt all day in the newer/better fabrics on the market.

#3 Camo-  I'm a huntin freak, I love camo.  If there's just a little possability that it could help my chances, I'll do it.  But then again, my Dad will kill a buck or bull in his flannels and Jeans???

#4 Scentkiller-  Again, I believe it helps.  If there's just a little possability that it could help my chances, I'll do it.  I use Scentkiller 99.9%.  I'm a bow hunter, and I also like to put either Deer or Elk piss on cottonballs and then tuck them into my bow and on my shoes laces.  I think it helps a ton!  My wife doesn't like it when I smell like pee though.
 
#5 Misc-  Don't get discouraged during the modern rifle season.  You might see a lot of hunters, you might not see a lot of bucks or deer.  But remember, a deer can pop out at any second of the day in the most unlikely of places.  Example, my little brother and I were discouraged during a modern hunt 7 or 8 yrs ago.  We stopped and had lunch on top of a rocky cliff, just because there was a beautiful view, and we hadn't seen anything all day.  We were loud, cussing, joking, grumpy, throwing rocks off the cliff.  After an hour or so...we were eating our Peanut butter sandwiches, and a 4x4 buck comes running from behind us and almost knocks us off the cliff face.  Something (probably a hunter) must of spooked him, and he crested a ridge and ran into us.  BAM!  within a second, my brothers sandwich was on the ground and so was the buck.  As I look back now, it was an awesome hunt...he got his first deer, and I'll never forget it. 

Good Luck!  Once you get out there a couple of times (heck...evertime) you will always learn what you like to take, and how you like to prepare.

In my Large Fanny pack system (Nimrod Packs) I carry:
Bone saw
2 knifes
sharpener
lighter
TP
5 pairs of latex gloves
water, snacks
1 truck tie down (typical 1" webbing about 4ft long)......I'm the only person I know that carrys this (most people use rope).  I just like the convenience of strapping a leg or quarter to a tree or bush when I'm gutting the animal.  Keeps the animal opened up for easy cleaning.  Then I can hang it in a tree by myself if needed.

[jagermiester]

THis is simple. You need a good wool shirt and Filson chaps over your jeans. Broke in Danner Elk hunters only use them for hunting, keep them oiled and they will last you a super long time. Get a orange vest with a built in pack and carry water rope and a snack. Push yourself. Bino Buddies rock. When you kill something keep it clean and get it cooled as quickly as possible. Most important its called hunting not killing so have fun but dont ever lose the fire killing a deer/elk is awsome it takes a lot of work push yourself. 

[ICEMAN]

Great questions.

1. Boots, I prefer to bring multiple pairs of footwear. Boots to hike in, sneakers or similar at camp. This lets the feet experience a change, plus lets the boots dry out. Bring athletes foot powder or creme. Baby your feet, wash them nightly with baby wipes and sleep without socks so they can dry completley and naturally. You do not want wet feet for three plus days... Boots dry best layed on their sides rather than standing up.

2. Pants. I will talk "Clothing", as with all clothing, no cotton, none. Even consider getting wicking type undies. Or if you are strapped for cash, bring enough undies to keep yourself dry. Consider thin poly liner socks under your other socks. Pants, I prefer 100poly pants, something that will not absorb water. Check the tags, dont buy cotton.

3. Camo, not necessary, but makes you "cooler". 

4. Scent control, save your cash, watch the wind, see #7 below.

5. Miscelaneous. Baby wipes, baby wipes, baby wipes. Your best friend are baby wipes. You friends will not bring enough and try to bum some off you, so advise them to bring alot too.....  Headlamp is essential. Don't know how I hunted without one before.... Gallon ziploc bags, from liver and heart storage, to keeping stuff organized, to keeping stuff dry, I live by the gallon ziploc bag. Extra tarps for camp. Extra game bags. Tie a key now, today, under your truck. Do not wait until later.

6. Game Care. Deer are basically a large furry trout with legs. Remove all the icky stuff from vent to mouth. Deer are food, so treat them as such. No hot sun, no dirt, get it cool, keep it clean.

7. Windicator. Vital. I prefer the primos type as others have mentioned. Easy to use, can see it at first light, always works for me. Best 3bucks you will spend.

Good luck!
 

[Redstar]

Wow, lots of responses, I appreciate the help!

Other than boots, I’m trying not to spend a lot because I’m not sure what I will actually need and want. I’m hoping to get boots this weekend and try to break them in before the 17th…

I will be primarily hunting the west side. My daypack always has a compass, water, energy bar or gel, space blanket, poncho, flashlight, batteries, knife, lighter & matches, bandages, hand wipes/sanitizer and TP. Thanks for the tips on some other good gear to have.

I have a good layered clothing setup for hiking and a colder setup for snowboarding. But, from getting off the trail scouting and chasing grouse this year I see I will need some tougher clothing. I think I’m going to try to find a pair of wool pants for now and see how they work for me.

Sounds like camo isn’t going to be too important for me this year. Money will go toward boots or binoculars

What do you guys recommend for cover scents?

Binoculars are coming up a lot, I’m looking into the zen-ray’s. They seem to be well liked and reasonably prices + a site sponsor.

The links are great, very helpful! I can’t find the Kentucky DFG video though. In hunters ed we did not get a printout, but there was a brief description on how to field dress. I think I’m just a little nervous about it since it will be the first animal I’ve cleaned with intestines about the size of mine… My thinking is that pictures and video will at least help me prepare mentally a little bit for the experience.

Got it, the powder stuff works and is worth the couple dollars. I’ll see if I can find some and try it out.

[runningboard]

All good advice, the guys and gals of this site are awesome. one thing that I saw while reading this thread that stuck out to me is a couple of guys mentioned thrift stores and army surplus as a way to get outfitted, sound wisdom for the budget-minded newbie. good binos are a must, no matter wet-side or eastside, they will help you turn that bush into a deer before he blows out of there.

I thought that when you took hunters ed they gave a printed how to field dress?

in my classes I always tell folks to find their own way, cuz as many hunter's as there that's how many "right" ways there are to do it. get a video or find a friend who can help, etc, etc.

[Alchase]

What do you guys recommend for cover scents?

If you are rifle hunting I would not waste my money. If you feel you really need a cover scent rub some pine tree or juniper leaves or needles (if that is what you are hunting in).