Our Top Picks for Hunters

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While nothing can guarantee a big buck walking by your stand, there are pieces of equipment that can improve your days afield. Modern trail cameras now let you know what deer are doing at the click of a button and tree saddles are so light you can hike miles in and still get elevated.

We asked our deer hunting experts as well as the Field & Stream staff for their best gear recommendations. What we got was a long list of gadgets, knives, optics, guns, accessories, and even some home decor. While we can’t guarantee your deer hunter will punch their tag this fall, we can help you make their experience in the woods more enjoyable. Here are some of the best gifts for deer hunters.

Sitka Core Lightweight Hoodie

Sitka’s Optifade Cover pattern was the first new camo pattern the brand had released in seven years, designed specifically for greener seasons. While there’s a whole lineup of Optifade Cover hunting gear, one of our favorite pieces is the well-loved Sitka Core Hoodie. The base layer is lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying, and it even has a built-in face mask.

Moultrie Edge 3 Cellular Trail Camera

Take your scouting to the next level with the new Moultrie Mobile Edge 3 cellular trail camera. This new cell cam took home the best value award in our Best Cellular Trail Camera test. According to our tester, Jace Bauserman, the Edge 3 was the easiest camera to set up—just scan the QR code, download the app, and you’re ready to go. It has a trigger speed of .5 seconds and a detection range of 100 feet. Plus, it has a GPS location feature so you’ll never forget where you put it.

Montana Knife Company Whitetail Knife

Any Montana Knife Company knife is a fantastic gift, but the Whitetail is an especially good choice for deer hunters. As evidenced by the name, that’s exactly what it’s designed for. The 4-inch drop-point blade, made of durable Magnacut stainless steel, can be used for every step of the field dressing and butchering process. Bonus: It’s made in the USA.

Maven CRF.1 Rangefinder

The Maven CRF.1 ranges reflective objects out to 2,400 yards and deer out to 650, which is plenty far for most hunters. You can toggle between a black or red LED display, line-of-sight or angle-compensation readings, and between field or forest modes, the latter of which makes it easier to range objects through brush and branches. But what impresses me most about this rangefinder is the quality of the 6×22 optic and the speed and reliability of its readings—all at an affordable price. It’s a can’t-miss gift. —Dave Hurteau

NEBO IllumaTrace Blood Tracker Headlamp

I put the NEBO Illumatrace blood-trailing capabilities to the test in a challenging scenario last season. It was a rainy evening when I shot a nice buck. But the blood trail was nearly invisible against the red and brown leaf litter. This headlamp’s strobe technology lit up the trail like a string of Christmas lights, making for an easy recovery. Now I won’t go into the field without this light ever again. —Travis Smola

OnX Hunt Membership

If you don’t yet have the onX Hunt app on your phone, you are missing out. A premium membership will get you unlimited access to so much scouting and hunting data, including color-coded public and private land boundaries, 3D maps, weather and wind forecasts, and even cellular trail camera integration. —Ryan Chelius

Cabela’s Commercial-Grade Vacuum Sealer

Every serious deer hunter needs a serious vacuum sealer. This commercial-grade sealer from Cabela’s is perfect for preserving everything from small game and birds to deer and elk. The 12-inch dual heat-strip continuously seals with no waiting period to help speed up the process. It comes with built-in bag storage and a bag cutter with multiple sealing modes. I could go on about all the high-tech features, but the bottom line is that this machine offers an air-tight seal with the ability to complete each task quickly. What else could you ask for? —R.C.

Buck 110 Folding Hunter Knife

You can’t go wrong with a classic gift because it never goes out of style. And it’s hard to find a more classic piece of deer hunting equipment than a Buck 110 folding knife. Buck offers custom 110 folders on their website. You can choose from different blade shapes, scales, leather pouches, and custom engraving to put together the perfect blade. There’s also the option for high-quality steel, like S30V, for years of use in the field. The Buck Custom Knife Shop will also customize eight other kinds of Buck knives, from fixed blades to folders. Just keep in mind that there’s a six- to eight-week lead time, so you’ll want to put your order in soon. —Matthew Every

Ozonics HR500 Scent Eliminator

Ozonic technology has made a believer out of me. I had an evening this October when 16 does and fawns walked directly downwind of my stand on an unexpected path, and I held my breath each time as they’d stop, test the air, and then move along. Not a single one of them spooked, and there is no doubt in my mind that it was because I had the HR500 running. It works. —Will Brantley

Benchmade Raghorn Knife

This Benchmade knife is lightweight, sharp, and durable. Designed for backcountry adventures, it performs just as well in the deer woods. The 4-inch drop point steel blade gives this knife a lightweight feel (3.56 oz) and durable construction. Plus, the fixed blade provides excellent control and outstanding push-cut performance. —R.C.

Field & Stream Whitetail 365 Deer Feed

A simple bag of deer corn is a great gift for that hunting buddy who only sees a deer when he’s helping drag yours. The truth is you might as well buy two or three bags. You don’t want anyone to think you’re a novice, and admit it, you could probably use a little help with your deer hunting, too. —Richard Mann

Hawk Ranger Traction Climbing Sticks

If you’ve got a serious deer hunter on your gift list, get them a tough, quiet set of climbing sticks that won’t break the bank. Each section of the Ranger sticks come with angled, cleated steps that ensure a non-slip ascent. Each section is 32”, which means a 3-pack will get you plenty high in a tree. If you need to get a few feet higher, simply add a screw-in step or, better yet, add Hawk’s Monkey Bar strap-on steps, which come in a 4-pack for $35. Your hunter will get as high as they need to go with an easy and secure setup. —Scott Bestul

Irish Setter MudTrek Boots

With either 800 or 1,200 grams of Prima Loft insulation, the Irish Setter MudTreks are a solid gift for hunters in colder climates that are also exceptionally muddy. That insulation just radiates heat better than any other rubber boot I’ve ever used. Combine that warmth with a surprisingly comfortable footbed, and you’ve got a solid muck boot that’s versatile for a variety of situations. It’s perfect for my corner of southwest Michigan, which sees standing water in most sections of the deer woods almost year-round. -T.S.

Cabela’s Commercial-Grade Carnivore Meat Grinder

The Carnivore chews up the toughest cuts and turns them into burgers and sausage like nothing. You could probably put the whole deer in this thing, skin on, and it wouldn’t bat an eye. (Don’t put the whole deer in.) It’s quiet, doesn’t heat up quickly, and has a Cool-Tek Gel Ice Pak that keeps the grinder head cold for smoother grinding. It comes with two grinding plates, a stomper, and a sausage stuffing kit. If this model seems a little too pricey, there’s a 1/2HP version for less. But I think a 3/4 -horse (at least) is the way to go. Plus, you can offset the extra cost by just getting another deer. —D.H.

Tactacam Reveal X 3.0 Cellular Trail Camera

I’ve been utilizing the Reveal X during my early season scouting and it’s proven quite addicting having images sent directly to my cell phone all day. The Reveal takes some very nice images both during the day and night. It was also surprisingly easy to set up. Tactacam gives the best of both worlds with this offering by including an SD card slot that allows the user to use it like a traditional trail cam if they choose.

River’s Edge Game Cart

As much as we love the hunt, we dread the drag back to the truck. This game cart has a 300-pound capacity, making things much easier. It features rubber and steel wheels that will make it easy to pull that big buck over logs and rocks in the trail. This cart is also handy for toting blinds, treestands, feeders, and other heavy equipment into places that a tractor or ATV can’t reach. When not in use, it folds up for easier storage in the offseason. —T.S.

Tidewe Heated Gloves

Sometimes, a standard pair of gloves isn’t enough to combat the cold. That’s where Tidewe’s heated gloves come in handy. They utilize 7.4V rechargeable batteries to provide up to eight hours of warmth. I appreciate the ability to adjust the heat level according to outside temperatures. Tidewe made the buttons large enough that it’s easy to do that without taking the gloves off. One thing is for sure: I never want to go back to those little disposable handwarmers again. —T.S.

Kifaru Blitz Bag

I’ve used Kifaru’s Blitz bag for my summer trail camera checks, and I love its simplicity. The bag holds every camera I own, plus any other assorted gear I need to take into the field. It also rolls up and stores quite compactly. I keep this in my main hunting pack as a backup. It is handy for taking down treestands and blinds with lots of extra loose straps. In the offseason, it’s proving quite helpful for camping trips. It’s simply a dynamite catch-all bag that’s also very durable. —T.S.

Chard Electric Jerky Gun

Venison jerky and snack sticks are great, but professional butchers usually charge a lot to make them. This jerky gun has saved me a significant amount of money over the past few years. It holds up to 1.5 pounds of venison at a time, which is usually more than enough for a batch. I’ve made snack sticks, jerky, and even breakfast sausage with this thing. The four attachments enable hunters to vary the size and type of jerky they make, adding additional value. —T.S.

Caldwell Lead Sled

This shooting rest took my sighting-in sessions to the next level. Throw a few weights into the bottom, and this rest provides a rock-solid platform for the most minor adjustments. Any hunter looking to make long-range shots will benefit from using a lead sled to dial in their scope. Caldwell builds these rests like a tank. They’re mostly metal, making them heavy-duty and ready for decades of service. —T.S.

Why Trust Us

For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.

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