Must haves for a rookie

[deerslyr]

You guys are WAY over thinking this except for the survival gear. His rifle doesnt have to be anything fancy and neither does his scope just make sure its some what waterproof/fogproof he wont be shooting much past 200 yards anyways if hes that green. Binos-he doesnt know what good glass is and doesnt even know how to properly utilize them, mike eastman said something along the lines of "hoping expensive glass will make up for poor spotting technique is not only wishful thinking, but expensive as well" I couldnt agree more, Ive seen a guy with a hundred dollar pair of barskas spot more game than the guy next to him wielding swarovskis. He needs a cheap pair and learn how to use them so he can truely appreciate and utilize good glass. How many of you actually rolled out your first day of deer hunting carrying $300+ binoculars? And for boots, well i had a pair of rockies that I got on sale for 70 bucks and through a pair of aftermarket soles in them and they were just fine for me for a few years. This guys not goin on a back pack wilderness hunt. I got along with a field line pack for years as well.
The first couple years of hunting are more of a learning experience than anything else

[Kowsrule30]

Get him a 243 Win.... A $40-$60 scope from wallmart.... "the simmons they have is very accurate"....... Some cheap or hand me down bino's..... The tags of course.... Decent clothing and boots..... Socks like crazy..... Most of all make him comfortable in camp..... Especially sleeping wise.... Nice cot, foam, mattress, bag, whatever your group does..... If he has a good time and comfy in camp he will come back..... 

[Jingles]

Keep it simple on what he NEEDS,  Wool pants= can be purchased at an Army surplus store. Wool Jacket/ shirt Same place for purchase.  He Does need to invest in a GOOD pair of boots.  I have a pair of Whites pack boots w/ the wool liners that are the cats meow for keeping my feet dry and warm. Take the liners out at night in camp and they are dry in the morning. Wet from perspiration, can even get a second pair of liners.  Orange or green flagging tape and a partial roll of tp for marking blood trail can use a single sheet at each or every other blood spot.  TP also melts with the first rain and you can see where the deer has been to give you an idea of back trail taken in case you loose the trail.  A bottle or 2 of water, candy bars or high energy snacks, Waterproof matches,  TP can also serve as Fire starter if brown pine needles aren't available although a manufactured firestarter is guaranteed to be available if you have it.  Good comfortable sleeping bag and cot.  While at the the Surplus store have him consider one of the canteens with the metal canteen cup,  Makes a great way to heat up water for a drink if absolutely necessary and can be heated over an extremely small, smokless fire Plus serves as the water for the day.

Where this person has never been hunting before Lots of time at the range with whatever gun he uses. Also MY recommendation would be to not to let him go by himself as when he gets his deer, and he will just because of beginners luck, he is gonna need someone to dress it out for him so it is done right and he doesn't try to drag it back to camp whole, Damn deer are heavy enough without an additional 70 pounds of entrails. Let him see what you have impressing on him that it has taken you X number of years to accumulate and he can decide what he can afford. If money doesn't matter send him to me and I'll help him spend his money

[swanny]

Keep it simple on what he NEEDS,  Wool pants= can be purchased at an Army surplus store. Wool Jacket/ shirt Same place for purchase.  He Does need to invest in a GOOD pair of boots.  I have a pair of Whites pack boots w/ the wool liners that are the cats meow for keeping my feet dry and warm. Take the liners out at night in camp and they are dry in the morning. Wet from perspiration, can even get a second pair of liners.  Orange or green flagging tape and a partial roll of tp for marking blood trail can use a single sheet at each or every other blood spot.  TP also melts with the first rain and you can see where the deer has been to give you an idea of back trail taken in case you loose the trail.  A bottle or 2 of water, candy bars or high energy snacks, Waterproof matches,  TP can also serve as Fire starter if brown pine needles aren't available although a manufactured firestarter is guaranteed to be available if you have it.  Good comfortable sleeping bag and cot.  While at the the Surplus store have him consider one of the canteens with the metal canteen cup,  Makes a great way to heat up water for a drink if absolutely necessary and can be heated over an extremely small, smokless fire Plus serves as the water for the day.

Where this person has never been hunting before Lots of time at the range with whatever gun he uses. Also MY recommendation would be to not to let him go by himself as when he gets his deer, and he will just because of beginners luck, he is gonna need someone to dress it out for him so it is done right and he doesn't try to drag it back to camp whole, Damn deer are heavy enough without an additional 70 pounds of entrails. Let him see what you have impressing on him that it has taken you X number of years to accumulate and he can decide what he can afford. If money doesn't matter send him to me and I'll help him spend his money

Good advice IMO. Keep everything simple, chances are once he starts spending on a rifle, scope, binos, boots, and maybe a chest bino harness because of how handy and stable they are, he will be second guessing this b/c it costs so much already. Besides those 4 items, real basic items are all one needs, essentially the 10 essentials. Enough to let you SURVIVE for a night or two, they aren't meant to make you be comfortable while surviving. These essentials can easily fit in a 1200 (20L) day pack.

Hunt with him and show him the ropes, having someone with you to get your first animal would be a more exciting time anyways, b/c someone gets to share that time with you. Make the hunt enjoyable, don't try and kick his butt by hiking extreme distances the very first day. Make him want to wake up the next morning and go out again.

[Huntnphish]

If you were taking him, what would you say are the essential things for him to buy.

 I think even more important than what he should buy would be to make sure he ALWAYS had someone with him and did not hunt alone, with 6 people in camp there should be no reason for him to be out there by himself.

[gtrplr]

At least 400 sq inches of hunters orange.

[jackmaster]

i dont have the time to read all the posts but the most important thing is a good comfortable pair of boots that are waterproof, and some clothes that breath and stay dry, a lever action 30-30 with open sights and a pair of binos, they have good ones for 75 dollars, and a good teacher. dont read to much into your first few years of huntn just go out have fun taking in the scenery and with any luck you will connect with the critter you pursue which is the bonus of the whole season... good luck to ya.

[ICEMAN]

Remind him to bring lots of cash to camp, lots of quality meats and cheeses, smoked oysters, a large bottle of crown royal, lots of cashews or mixed nuts, lots of beef jerky, pepperoni sticks, snickerbars, fresh baked cookies, maybe a cake or pie, a case of small green propane bottles, really expensive olive oil, a few bottles of champagne, some 3xl brand new never opened poly thermals and size 13 top of the line socks (6 pairs). 

[dscubame]

A good attitude and a desire.

[robescc]

Definitely some wool clothes and a good pair of boots.

[runningboard]

you said "must haves" not desires or wish lists. so I would say good companions is the most important thing a rookie needs. ones who will not steer him wrong & tell/show him how to "bend" rules or laws. keep him comfortable, make it fun & share wisdom, equipment, work around camp.
agree with those that mentioned foot care. but when I went to Africa my family & I bought good but cheap hikers from Big-5 & gave 'em to our guides & their children when we left the country, you can get good hikers without breaking the bank, just break them in before hand. we aso took cheap $25-30 binos for all except mine, they worked fine until it started getting darker & then mine were the only ones gathering enough light, but for a newbie? they'd work. practice @ the range like many mentioned, from field positions though not just benching it with bags. good luck to you all.

[bullchaser]

Rain gear, Good boots, hunting regs.

[BENCHLEG]

hell i started with a pair of tennis shoes and a 30-30 it worked for me, :chuckle:now i have things that cost more than my vacation time.

[CAMPMEAT]

Toilet paper. Lotsa toilet paper......

[dscubame]

If the rookie is bowhunting a good quality flashlight attached to the bow to help see the game in early morning and late evening situations.