Prepare for your upcoming deer hunting trip with this supply checklist.

If you’re entering the world of deer hunting, you’ll need the proper equipment. At Blain’s Farm & Fleet, we have everything you need to go from a beginner to a skilled hunter.

Use our deer hunting gear checklist to make sure you have everything you need to hit the woods.

Ground Blind, Elevated Blind, or Tree Stand

Choosing between a ground blind or a raised deer hunting perch boils down to a few factors. You have to decide if you’re more comfortable up in a tree or closer to the ground. They both have their pros and cons.

While a ground blind may be more comfortable, they generally require more setup time. They also require more work to eliminate scent, since you’re at the same level as the deer.

On the other hand, you have more room, and you’re not high up in a tree.

You also need to look at the hunting terrain. A ground blind isn’t going to work if you’re in a thick forest with lots of coverage. A tree stand isn’t the best choice if there’s little coverage.

It’s best to pick the option that provides the most coverage and will give you the most confidence.

Rifle, Shotgun, or Bow

This choice comes down to preference, but also what you’re hunting. Bow hunting takes a lot of skill and practice, mostly because you need to get much closer to the deer.

If you like the challenge of bow hunting, or you’re more comfortable with archery equipment, go with that.

A shotgun shoots a spread of pellets (buckshot), which hunters use for game on the move in a closer range.

A rifle is your best choice if you’re doing some long-range shooting at stationary big game.

Just remember to always keep your guns in a secured gun case, and to lock them up when you’re not hunting.

Hunting Clothes

Depending on which state you’re hunting in, you’ll need to wear a certain amount of blaze orange clothing. You should use blaze orange so other hunters can see you.

To conceal yourself from deer, you need camo clothing, too. Most states allow you to wear camo with a blaze orange safety vest over it.

Check with your local DNR or hunter safety program to verify how much blaze orange you need to wear.

Besides safety, your hunting clothes should also make you blend in with your surroundings and keep you warm.

Layering your hunting clothes with a base layer, shirts, pants, a jacket, socks, and hunting boots will help you stay covered and comfortable.

What else do you need?

When it comes to deer hunting equipment, the list can be endless. While the three main things you need are hunting clothes, a gun or bow, and a blind or tree stand, there are plenty of other pieces of deer hunting equipment that can turn you into an excellent hunter.

Decoys

Hunters use deer decoys to catch the attention of other deer that are out of their range. They come into range to check out the unfamiliar doe or buck that you’ve set up.

Calls

Another great option for attracting deer are calls. You can use them to attract does and bucks.

Trail Camera

If you’re hunting on your own property, you can use a trail camera to learn where deer go. This gives you a better idea as to where you should set up your tree stand.

And of course, you need to make sure you have a hunting license.

For buying guides and more information about deer hunting gear, check out our other Hunting articles.