Last Updated on December 25, 2022 by admin_hunter
While there will be some variation depending on climate, the duration of your hunt, and your personal preferences, there are essential elements that you should find in any type of hunting pack.
These items are critical for your comfort, as well as your personal safety when deer hunting, elk hunting, or hunting any type of game. The further you venture into the bush, the more vital these items will be. To help you get all the right gear for your hunting pack, we have listed the top 10 essential items.
Use this guide as a checklist when you are putting together your hunting pack.
What Is a Hunting Pack?
Before we get into our packing list, we should pause for a few moments to quickly explain what a hunting pack is and why they are essential for any successful hunting adventure.
While it is critical to ensure you have all the right gear for your hunt, there are also various ancillary items you will need to bring for your comfort and safety. This is why it is essential to carry a hunting backpack.
These items will vary from navigation equipment to food and water supplies you will need while in the backwoods.
If you want to know more about hunting backpacks, we recommend reading world-famous hunter and outdoorsman Steven Rinella’s informative guide – The Meat Eater: What You Need to Know About Hunting Packs.
Things to Consider When Putting Together Your Hunting Pack
Since you must carry the best hunting backpack on your back, you want to ensure it is balanced, relatively lightweight, and has comfortable features, like compression straps, an internal frame, a sleeping bag strap, a chest strap, and easy access. This is particularly important if you are traversing great distances on foot and carrying a heavy load.
This is also why it is crucial only to pack the essentials, as far too many amateur hunters overpack. You also want to ensure that nothing in your pack will make noise, reflect light, or even produce unnecessary smells, as these potential pitfalls could scare away game.
The Top 10 Essential Items for a Hunting Pack
Now that you know why hunting backpacks are essential, we can get into our checklist of the top 10 essential items you should have in yours.
While your pack can certainly contain additional gear and equipment, the following items should be in every hunting backpack:
1. First Aid Kit
- SCAR THERAPY KIT DESINGED BY DOCTORS & EMTs - Universal first aid kit for home or travel first aid kit for car. Emergency scar therapy kit/ tactical first aid medical kit packed full of first aid supplies. Take the first step to be prepared with our med kit!
- HSA/FSA ELIGIBLE HARDSHELL KIT - Lightweight small first aid kit (7.8” x 5.9” x 2.6’’- 1.1 lbs) compact safety kit that holds all emergency first aid kit, bag can be refilled & an ideal mini first aid kit for businesses. Our premium first aid kit, travel edition
- DISASTER ZONE KIT: Specifically designed for first responders in disaster zones, with all necessary emergency kits. Whatever adventures you embark upon take our tactical car first aid kit Perfect backpacking first aid kit survival, first aid kit camping.
- PREMIUM QUALITY MEDICAL SUPPLIES - Manufactured in a modern facility with the highest quality material. Whether its first aid kits for home, first aid kits for businesses,, first aid kit emergency scar therapy kit, camping first aid kit - Protect Life will keep you safe.
- PROTECT LIFE PROMISE - We care about keeping people safe with our emergency medical kit/sports first aid kit. Should you have any issues with our home first aid kit/kids first aid kit contact us immediately and our medical team will be in touch.
No matter how much hunting experience you have, accidents can happen. Whether you are dealing with a painful blister or have sustained a serious injury, having easy access to a well-stocked first aid kit can be incredibly important when you are out in the bush.
Your hunting pack’s first aid kit does not have to be overly bulky, but it should contain essential items, like band-aids, antibacterial cream, paracord, gauze, scissors, pain medication, and tweezers.
Rather than put together your own first aid kit, you can purchase a compact, ready-made kit for a budget-friendly price. We recommend this Protect Life Brand 200 Piece Camping & Hiking First Aid Kit.
2. A Headlamp
- OPTIMIZED for HUNTING and FISHING: Available in three colorways designed to help you blend into your surroundings. Red lighting preserves night vision and provides stealth.
- LIGHT FOR EVERYDAY/NIGHT ADVENTURES: The Petzl TACTIKKA (300 lumens) has three white lighting levels: proximity, movement and distance. Red lighting feature preserves night vision and prevents members of a group from blinding each other.
- RELIABLE PERFORMANCE: With Petzl's 50:50 Brightness-to-Burn-Time ratio, your Petzl headlamp will retain 50% of its original brightness halfway through the Burn-Time, rather than the 20-30% brightness you get in other brands.
- INTUITIVE DESIGN: The Petzl TACTIKKA has a: single button for quick and easy selection of brightness or light color, phosphorescent reflector (useful for locating the lamp in the dark), and a detachable, washable headband.
- RED LED: Red lighting preserves night vision and provides stealth.
Even if you are just out for a hunting day trip, having the ability to illuminate the ground in front if you get held up after dark can be incredibly important. A good headlamp will allow you to navigate trails and perform hunting-related tasks with your hands free.
A headlamp can be an incredibly useful piece of equipment if you are working and walking in the dark, but it can be critical for emergency situations. Most have an SOS flashing setting, which can be life-saving if you and your party are lost in the outback, or someone has sustained a severe injury and needs to be evacuated.
Since headlamps are also highly compact and lightweight, there is no reason not to include one in your hunting pack.
We recommend this Petzl TACTIKKA Headlamp. It packs an impressive 300 lumens on its brightest setting and has a red LED setting, which can preserve your night vision for hunting at night. On top of all that, it is camouflaged and incredibly comfortable.
3. A Hunting Survival Knife
While you already know how vital a hunting knife is, it never hurts to pack a secondary backup knife in your hunting pack. Having this secondary knife is crucially important if you forget your primary knife or lose it while you are out on a hunt.
If you need help choosing the right backup hunting knife for your pack, we recommend looking at our guide to the Best Survival Knives for 2022, which is packed with useful information and product recommendations!
4. A Water Bottle
- NEW LOOK! The same great Sustain water bottle made with material derived from 50% plastic waste now has a new look. You may receive a bottle with or without the Sustain Logo on it, both are your favorite Sustain water bottles.
- Our new Nalgene Sustain product line is made from Tritan Renew, 50% certified recycled content further offsetting the use of fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
- The original. The trailblazer. The Sir Edmund of water bottles. Nalgene's BESTSELLING water bottle for more than 30 years
- For Your Everyday Adventures! Take your Nalgene bottle to the gym, office, camping, exploring and everywhere in between
- Suitable for both warm and cold beverages (-40 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit); wide mouth makes cleaning and adding ice cubes easy
You will need water while you are out on a hunt. Hunting can be exhausting work, and having easy access to clean drinking water will help you stay hydrated as you traverse the terrain.
In fact, you should set most of the weight in your overnight or day pack aside for water. Collapsible water bottles can be a good idea, as they take up less space in your pack as you consume the water within them. You should also bring a large, solid water bottle, like a Nalgene, as these can be refilled from natural bodies of water easily if you find yourself in an emergency survival situation.
This Nalgene Sustain Tritan BPA-Free Wide Mouth Water Bottle is a great choice. Nalgene has a reputation for making near-indestructible water bottles. They are also plastic rather than metal, so they will make less noise in your pack, which is critical when you are stalking big game.
5. Rain Gear (Lightweight Rain Poncho)
- Waterproof and Sturdy Material: The rain poncho is made of 210T ripstop polyester + TPU coating, this rain poncho is PU8000MM waterproof.To enhance the waterproofing capabilities of a rain poncho,we use techniques such as seam sealing or taping to ensure that water cannot seep through the seams.It comes with a drawstring hood, hook and loop fasteners along the sides ensures the optimal fit,which is good for protecting your head and face.
- Breathable & Comfortable: Don't worry that it will make you very hot because the arm holes & bottom are loose enough to allow air circulation.The size is large enough to cover up a backpack as well. It can help keep your backpack dry and prevent water from seeping through and damaging your items. It offers excellent freedom of movement, which makes it very comfortable to wear. Adjusting the snap fasteners on each side it can accommodate a range of body sizes and shapes.
- Lightweight and Easy to Carry: This unisex rain poncho from Anyoo gives you maximum coverage when you need it, plus easily folds into a compact size,making them easy to carry in a bag or backpack. It can be stored away into the bag as a sort of emergency rain jacket and taken out and worn when needed. You can carry it around with you with ease saving you from carrying around a bulky raincoat. Weighs only 11 oz.
- Multipurpose: The three in one multi-functional poncho can be used as floor mat, cape,a simple shelter and canopy. The poncho has eyelets on the hem for building a poncho shelter or a ground sheet, and hook & loop fasteners on the sides allowing you to use it as a sleeping bag cover.It can also provide a barrier against wind or serve as a makeshift shelter if needed. Good for the traveler, outdoor enthusiast, or for any outdoor activity with rain on the horizon.
- Useful for Outdoor Activities: It is a great option for travel, as it can protect you from the elements while exploring the city or countryside.This poncho is ideal for anyone who spends time outdoors and wants to stay dry in wet weather conditions, its lightweight and portable design make it a convenient addition to your outdoor gear.
Even if the forecast does not call for rain, the weather can turn quickly when you are in the backcountry. Not only is it essential to stay dry for your comfort, but you also want to avoid the risk of hypothermia.
If you are completely soaked, your risk of hypothermia skyrockets, especially if you find yourself lost in the bush at night. This is true even if you are wearing warm clothing, as your layering system will not be able to hold in your body heat effectively if wet.
While a well-made, lightweight rain jacket is always a good idea, you may need more room in your hunting pack to fit a full-sized jacket. This is why we recommend rain ponchos, which usually take up far less space.
Consider this Anyoo Waterproof Lightweight Rain Poncho. It is highly packable and available in a hunting-friendly olive-green color. Best of all, it is reusable and very budget-friendly.
6. Waterproof Fire Starter & a Lighter
- 5ft Paracord included, gives you a good grip and never comes off. Comes with a bayite Striker-Pro striker attached to the paracord, always be prepared to start a fire
- bayite 6 Striking Edges Striker-Pro striker is made from TOOL GRADE HSS STEEL and has a distinct hardness, maximizes a shower of hot sparks, no matter whether you prefer to use your left hand or right hand to scrape. Don't use bad quality Knife as striker. Otherwise it will not produce enough sparks due to insufficient hardness of blade
- Ferrocerium Rod Length:4"(10cm). Diameter: 3/8"(10mm). Large enough for a shower of sparks and small enough to carry
- Made of high effective ferrocerium rod. Waterproof & Weatherproof, fits all weather, works in any weather condition
- Sparks shower at 5,500 F (3,000 C) to ignite a fire in any weather (even wet), at any altitude. Perfect emergency fire starter for Bushcraft, Hiking, Hunting, Fishing, EDC, Emergency, BBQ, Gas Camp Stoves, etc
The ability to start a fire for warmth, cooking, or signaling for rescue can be critical if your hunting trip takes you deep into the backcountry. Starting a fire is even more pressing if you plan an overnight hunting trip.
You do not want to take any risks when starting a fire, so it is essential to pack multiple sources of fire, such as a lighter, waterproof matches, and a flint and steel kit.
Luckily, these items are compact and lightweight, so they barely take up any space in your hunting pack. When putting your hunting kit together, make sure that your fire-starting equipment is separated from your water and other liquids. It is also a good idea to ensure that this equipment is in a watertight container.
In addition to a pack of waterproof matches and a reliable butane lighter, we recommend packing a flint and steel fire starter kit. This 4 Inch Survival Ferrocenium Drilled Flint Fire Starter is ideal for hunting and hiking trips. It also comes with a hunting-friendly olive-green paracord lanyard handle, which can be helpful for survival purposes.
7. A Satellite GPS
- Rugged handheld navigator with preloaded worldwide basemap and 2.2 inch monochrome display
- WAAS enabled GPS receiver with HotFix and GLONASS support for fast positioning and a reliable signal
- Waterproof to IPX7 standards for protection against splashes, rain, etc.
- Support for paperless geocaching and Garmin spine mounting accessories. Power with two AA batteries for up to 20 hours of use (best with Polaroid AA batteries)
- See high and low elevation points or store waypoints along a track (start, finish and high/low altitude) to estimate time and distance between points
A handheld satellite GPS is one of the essential pieces of equipment you can carry when you are out hunting in the wilderness. This compact equipment can be vital for relocating camp if you have ventured far on the trail of a big game animal.
The best satellite GPS devices even allow you to put down markers to mark where your vehicle is, where you have set up camp, and where you have positioned your hide. They help you avoid getting lost and help you find old hunting spots where you had success in the past.
While there are numerous options, we recommend the Garmin eTrex 10 Worldwide Handheld GPS Navigator. It is entirely waterproof and has a rugged design that can withstand drops and scratches. It marks elevation points, has memory storage for previous hikes and hunts, and offers some of the most reliable signals for any portable GPS at its price range.
8. A Rangefinder
- ALL-GLASS OPTICAL SYSTEM FOR A BRIGHTER IMAGE - The Bushnell Bone Collector 850 Laser Rangefinder is designed with a 50-percent-larger fully multi-coated objective lens to effectively draw in more light to the eye for a brighter image, making this rangefinder an essential tool for hunts at dawn and dusk. The sharp display delivers exceptional light transmission to optimize performance in all environments
- FIND TRUE HORIZONTAL DISTANCES WITH ARC TECHNOLOGY - This rangefinder with ARC technology is specially designed to account for angled terrain, giving you the true distance to your target. This 6x24mm laser rangefinder measures distances up to 850 yards reflective, 500 yards to tree, and 350 yards to deer
- TRUE COLOR FOR ACCURATE COLOR REPRESENTATION: Fully multi-coated optics with Ultra wide band coatings provide bright, true to life colors.
- LONG DISTANCE RANGING: Easily range out to 850 yards on a reflective target. FAST RANGING WITH SCAN MODE: Updates range 4x per second for fast, reliable ranging.
- USER-FRIENDLY, INTUITIVE DESIGN - One button design makes it easy to operate the unit and quickly range a target. The vivid display reticle offers easy-to-read distances in yards or meters as well as the incline angle and remaining battery life. A fast-focus eyepiece lets you quickly adjust the reticle to your eye, so you can focus in on your target with perfect clarity
A rangefinder is a practical and helpful piece of hunting equipment that you should always carry in your hunting pack. Before you take your shot, a rangefinder allows you to measure the distance between yourself and your target accurately.
Not only will this allow you to make a more accurate shot, but it also helps you ensure that you can make a precise and ethical kill shot. If, for example, a target is slightly outside the range where you can accurately shoot, you can wait for it to come closer or try your luck with sneaking up on your target. This helps save ammunition and prevents you from scaring away game with a shot that would never hit its target due to the overextended range.
This Bushnell Bone Collector 850 Laser Rangefinder is a great option, especially considering its affordable price. Its fully glass optical system helps create a bright and highly visible image with a sharp display. Not only does this help you find your range, but it also enables you to get a better look at your target.
It ranges out to 850 yards with a highly accurate laser system. It is very user-friendly and compact, so it fits easily into any hunting pack, and it has a real-tree camo exterior, which is perfect for hunting applications.
9. Binoculars
- Bushnell Bone Collector Powerview is a trusted line of Binoculars from a USA company that has been serving the outdoor and wildlife enthusiast for more than 70 years.
- PERFORMANCE OPTICS: Great image quality with sharp focus fully coated optics draw an incredible amount of light for clear vibrant images, even in low-light.
- EASY TO USE AND CONFIDENT GRIP: High quality, soft touch rubber, and streamlined textured finishes provide classic performance in a great looking modern design.
- UPDATED ERGONOMICS: The diamond cut easy grip texture on the sides of the binocular provides a secure grip and comfortable in-hand feel….for confidence while viewing your target.
- CONVENIENT "IN THE FIELD" FUNCTIONALITY: An Ultra-smooth, oversized diamond cut grip focus wheel allows you to focus in on your subject quickly for perfect definition when you need it. Quick adjusting twist up eyecups allow for fast target acquisition.
While a rangefinder is incredibly useful for measuring the distance between yourself and a potential target, a good pair of binoculars will help you acquire targets before you find their range.
Most hunters know just how useful binoculars can be for everything from getting a better look at potential targets to scanning the horizon for a good place to set up camp. The best binoculars will also help you see far-off objects and targets in lower light conditions, which can be useful for hunting at dusk.
We recommend the Bushnell Power View 10×42 Bone Collector Binoculars, as they balance affordability and quality. They are compact, ergonomic, and offer outstanding magnification. They work well in all conditions and even have a camouflaged exterior, so you will not give yourself away as you use them.
10. A Multi-Tool
As the name implies, a multi-tool packs various tools into a small package. They are perfect for hunting trips, as you get numerous useful tools without worrying about your pack being weighed down or having tools jingling around in your bag.
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The best multi-tools will feature everything from knives, scissors, and saws, to files, can openers, and even screwdrivers. When you are hunting or simply setting up camp, there is no telling how many situations could present themselves where it would help to have some essential tools on you. You will be ready for anything with the right multi-tool in your pack.
If you need help choosing the right multi-tool for your hunting pack, we recommend reading our informative buyer’s guide – The Best Multi-Tools for 2022.