Must haves for a rookie

[vandeman17]

About 6 of us are going on a week long deer hunt to Idaho this fall and one of the guys has never big game hunted before. He is buying a rifle this spring and stocking up on other gear throughout the summer. If you were taking him, what would you say are the essential things for him to buy. Its hard for me because I have so much crap I use but have bought it over the years. I don't want to bankrupt the guy but I also want him to be prepared.

[pianoman9701]

GPS, compass, maps, and the skills to use all of them correctly. I'm not sure how far from camp you'll be hunting, but a survival kit with a metal match, mirror, tin cup, fire starters, rubber tubing, extra knife, rope, space blanket, wire for snare, compact survival book, all closed up in a foodsaver bag. Again, the knowledge of how to use all of them.

[DoubleJ]

Socks, socks, and more socks.  Spend the money to get the good ones.  Wet feet suck ass.  For a week I'd say bring 10 pair and rotate them often.  1 pair on your feet, 2 pair in your pack and the rest back at camp drying.

[vandeman17]

GPS, compass, maps, and the skills to use all of them correctly. I'm not sure how far from camp you'll be hunting, but a survival kit with a metal match, mirror, tin cup, fire starters, rubber tubing, extra knife, rope, space blanket, wire for snare, compact survival book, all closed up in a foodsaver bag. Again, the knowledge of how to use all of them.

That is a good point. I carry stuff like that but sometimes neglect them as essential or they slip your mind. He is going to get a nice pack so having space for the stuff shouldn't be an issue

[Fish4Fun]

Socks, socks, and more socks.  Spend the money to get the good ones.  Wet feet suck ass

And good boots that are broke in before the trip. Blistered feet have ruined more than one hunt before.

[wapiti hunter2]

#1 Good boots!!!!  Buy them now!  wear them a lot over the next few months to get them well broken in.  Wear them to work, shopping what ever, just get them broken in.  Also, don't skimp on cost.  View them as a major investment that will last for years.  Probably be $180-250.

#2  Good binoculars.  At least 10x50 and fully waterproof.  There are a lot of good treads on here about what to get.  View them as a major investment that will last for years.  Probably be $$300 range or up.

#3 Good scope.  View it as a major investment that will last for years.  Probably be $$200 range or up.

#4 Good rain gear.

[DoubleJ]

If you guys will be returning to camp every night, I'd recomend a smaller sized pack and bring just the essentials.  Even for a person that is in great shape, 10-12 hours of humping even 20lbs through the woods can be difficult if they aren't used to it.

I made that mistake my first year.  I bought a BIG pack and stuffed it with everything I thought I'd need for a day of hunting.  By hour 2, I was dropping stuff and telling myself I'd pick it up on the hike back out.

[fair-chase]

If I had to start all over again without any gear I would start with optics. The absolute best that I could possibly afford. Then a cheap used rifle and some good wool clothing.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Tags and licence !!

[ORCA_SIX]

PILLOW. Sometimes I forget that. It especially sucks when you are on a cot. Aside from that, a lot of what everyone else said. Plus a kick ass, waterproof jacket. Being wet sucks.

[Sumpnneedskillin]

Good knife (or knives) and favorite sharpening tool ie whetstone etc

[RClare1223]

optics are the most important gear you can have.if you cant see it you cant shoot it.the best value i have found for binos is leupold cascades 10x42.I have a pair that were $400 when I bought them but they have come down since then.you can get them on binoculars.com for about $280 now.and leupold has great customer service.I broke an eye cup on mine sent them in to get fixed and 2 weeks later I got a brand new pair in the mail.as far as scopes look at the bsa scopes from sportsmans guide.you can get a great longrange scope for less than $200.

[uplandhunter870]

quality boots are a must have, people can withstand a lot of abuse but once the feet get worked over its game over

thermal clothing, preferably layerable types you never know what weather the mountains will throw at you. i believe its better to strip layers than have and all or nothing coat

a decent to good quality rifle scope

lots of socks, i can attest that getting athletes foot on day 3 of a 7 day hunt sucks really bad

good knife

good quality pack that fits well

map and compass and know how to read them

not sure if he is new to rifles or not but if he is i would strongly advise shooting the new rifle a lot over the summer to get the practice in and build some marksmanship skills, no use hunting if you cant shoot straight

[Todd_ID]

I'd say for a new hunter use the iron sights on the gun and spend that $300-400 that would have went to a scope on upgrades in boots, binos, socks, wool clothes, gps maps and gym membership.  No need to try and make a 300 yard shot with a $500 scope if you can't stay in the woods long enough to get a shot.  If you can stay in the woods long enough, then you'll likely get a shot at less than 100 yards.  No sense going in the woods if you can't get back out on your own.  The shooting is the easiest part of hunting.

[Rgrady35]

Baby wipes.