IN THIS GEAR GUIDE:
DEER SCENT/ATTRACTANT
HUNTING PACKS
HEARING PROTECTION/AMPLIFICATION
GUN CASE
DEER DECOY
TRAIL CAMERAS
DEER HUNTING APPAREL
KNIFE SHARPENER
HUNTING KNIFE
SIDE-BY-SIDE VEHICLE
DEER HUNTING OPTICS
CUSTOM GUN STOCKS
CROSSBOWS
MEAT PROCESSING
HUNTING APP
Wildlife Research Center Ultimate Double Scrape-Dripper Kit
Mock scrapes are one of the hottest pre-rut tactics you can use; this versatile kit ($44.99) is designed to up your odds for success. This serious combo includes two of the best Scrape-Drippers and two bottles of the best scrape scent you can use at a mock scrape location. The Magnum Scrape-Dripper is the smart dispenser that keeps a scrape fresh and working. It drips daytime only, to get bucks to come in during daytime hunting hours. It’s the change in temperature that makes it work, no batteries are required. Golden Scrape with break-through Scent Reflex Technology is a perfect blend of Golden Estrus and intruding buck scents, combined with subtle tones of freshly scraped earth and Territorial Musk.
Deer Hunting Packs From ALPS OutdoorZ
Developed for comfort and versatility, this compact, handy pack ($59.99) will take you from deer season to waterfowling and everything in between. It’s ideal for hunters who want to pack light but still carry essential gear. The wide and padded waist belt is fully adjustable and designed to distribute weight around the torso. For cold-weather comfort, deploy the pack in front of your torso, and utilize the integrated hand warmer channel between the belt and main compartment. You’ll also find a clear smartphone pocket on the main compartment lid that offers safe storage of your mobile device.
This ultra-quiet hunting pack won’t betray your presence when your next trophy is closing in. Featuring a fleece exterior and a suede fabric interior, the full-featured Impulse from ALPS OutdoorZ ($199.99) will keep your movements quiet when reaching for your favorite deer call or adding that extra layer on a crisp fall day. The liner is ALPS’ new Deadquiet fabric; it features outer fleece with a polyester backing and incorporates a membrane between the two fabrics to help keep out moisture. The zipper-less main compartment allows you to access items quietly and easily; a series of magnets and an aluminum hook secures the top lid when needed. Ideal for ground blinds or treestands, the flat-bottom structure allows the pack to stand up independently. Included are an ambidextrous quiver holder, two deep side pockets, a drop-down pocket to carry your gun or bow, a two-piece adjustable waist belt with pockets, and a hydration pocket with two side ports.
Hearing Protection/Amplification: TETRA Deer AmpPods
What if you could climb into your deer stand and hear deer sounds better than everything else in your surroundings? You can with Deer AmpPods from TETRA ($699/pair). Other hearing enhancement devices amplify all sounds, but TETRA’s Specialized Target Optimization technology, the first of its kind, allows hunters to choose what types of sounds they want to hear better … and with precise distance and direction judgement. And yes, AmpPods will also block harmful loud noises, so you’ll be protected from gun blasts in the field or at the shooting range.
BlackHeart Gear VITAL 48-Inch Scoped Rifle Case
Classy, rugged and ready to go anywhere, this VITAL rifle case ($66.99) will fit nearly any scoped deer rifle. The plush interior is coated with INHIB-X Rust Preventative Lining and the outside has plenty of pockets for storing extra ammo, magazines and accessories.
Montana Decoy Trixie Whitetail Decoy
This fall we’re guessing lots of deer will find out this unassuming new ultra-portable decoy is one deadly doe. The Trixie whitetail decoy ($109.99) has been tested from MT to SC, and has proven to be one of the most-effective whitetail decoys Montana Decoy has ever built. The secret ingredients are higher-detailed printing and a unique calming pose that works on both bucks and does. Montana’s proven twist-fold design and jointed leg poles mean even a life-size 2D decoy can fit in your day pack. Trixie also features two of the company’s popular Teaser Tails for that just-right touch of motion and extra realism. By simply attaching with magnets, a hunter can apply scent and then replace with a fresh tail as the season changes or progresses.
Trail Cameras For Deer Hunting
Looking for crisp, detailed trail cam photos and videos at an affordable price? The Mirage 22 Lightsout trail camera ($109.99) offers a sharp 22-megapixel camera paired with superior nighttime image capturing capabilities. Exposure Control makes it easier to find the right combination of clarity and distance depending on your camera’s location. You’ll get the same quality results with 720p HD videos, too. The camera reacts with a trigger speed less than a ½ second, and stays quiet with Silent Shield technology. The added benefit of Lightsout technology further maintains the camera’s concealment with a 42-piece invisible infrared flash.
Designed to deliver stand-out quality images, this dual-sensor infrared game camera features the patent-pending BOG Dominion removable menu system, with 3-inch full-color viewing screen with easy-to-use icon-based operating system. The Blood Moon ($249.99) also features a lightning-fast sub 0.2 second trigger speed, 5 capture modes (including 1080 FHD video w/ auto-adjust flash), up to 1 year battery life, 120’ flash range, and a large variety of image tag information designed to help you track your deer herd to the precise moment, location, and climatic condition.
The innovators at Moultrie Mobile are calling its new Delta Trail Camera ($99.99) the most-powerful cellular trail camera ever built. Advanced features include industry-first High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging, combined with best-in-class 32MP resolution. The HDR imaging allows the Delta to capture enhanced detail in highlights and shadows—even in the most difficult lighting conditions. The camera’s 32MP ILLUMI-NIGHT 3 Sensor delivers images and video with vivid colors by day and crisp, bright clarity at night with invisible infrared flash. The Delta further separates itself with up to 50-percent improved battery life than previous models, and you also get an 80-foot invisible flash range and 80-foot detection range.
Deer Hunting Apparel
Lightweight outerwear. A stellar mid layer. The versatile Stealth Hoodie uses high-tech fabrics to help take your hunting to the next level. Hunting the early season? Your sweat activates the CoolTouch fabric lining to give you an added edge. Or choose Merino Wool that is moisture-wicking and quick to dry, and is naturally soft and odor-resistant. Even better? Any gear with the Badlands name or skull on it means it’s covered with an Unconditional Lifetime Warranty.
Sitka’s newly designed Equinox Pant ($199) is designed for hunting warmer-weather months near the early season, usually beginning near the autumnal equinox (September 23rd), and can also be layered for versatility. Available in Gore’s Elevated II pattern, a new upgrade for Fall 2021 is the addition of a waterproof/breathable liner in the seat, to stop a soaked butt when sitting down on a water-logged treestand seat from morning dew, or rain from the night before. You’ll also find a handy new knife holder that separates your blade from other hand pocket contents.
This deadly, all-season duo is aggressively designed for use as effective outerwear on its own, but also perfectly weighted so you can add or subtract internal layers as part of Pnuma’s thoughtful layering system. Both the Waypoint Jacket ($260) and Pant ($230) will block extreme winds and repel water, and the stretchy fabric means an athletic fit suitable for comfortably climbing treestands or mountain peaks. The pants have built-in kneepads to offer the extra support you need for sneaking into range of wary beasts.
Work Sharp Mk.2 Knife & Tool Sharpener
Deer and big game hunters, small game hunters and waterfowlers. Most all of them know Work Sharp has pioneered professional flexible abrasive belt technology for hunters everywhere, and now they’ve taken the smart technology to the next level: the new Mk.2 Knife & Tool Sharpener ($99.95). It’s built to sharpen every knife you own from hunting and outdoor blades to kitchen and pocketknives, but it also sharpens scissors and a wide range of common lawn and garden tools like lawn mower blades, axes and pruners. The improvements to the Mk.2 maintain all the core features of the Original Knife & Tool Sharpener (WSKTS), yet bring meaningful new benefits spurred by customer feedback: New dual speed control and an all-new sharpening guide design that delivers increased precision, repeatability, ease of use and scratch-resistant leather linings.
Hunting Knife: Outdoor Edge RazorBone
After your deer is down comes the fun part—if you’re packing a RazorBone ($64.95). This innovative design merges big blade performance with folding knife convenience in a compact, lightweight multi-blade set to breakdown the biggest of game fast and easy. Three different blade styles work in unison to field dress, skin, debone and prepare fresh venison into family-size portions, all with one tool that never needs sharpening. The RazorBone Includes three 3.5-inch drop-point blades, two 5.0-inch boning/fillet blades plus a new gutting blade to open game like a zipper, without piercing vital organs. The structured nylon sheath features a divider to store extra blades and houses a blade storage box to pack out all three blades once the job is complete.
Side-By-Side Vehicle: Yamaha 2021 Wolverine RMAX2 1000 XT-R
Take your deer hunting to the next level with this versatile 2-seat side-by-side that features all of the RMAX off-road capability and in-cab comfort features discriminating hunters demand. The Wolverine RMAX2 1000 XT-R ($22,499) sports a new 999cc engine, the all‑new D‑Mode featuring Sport, Trail, and Crawl modes, as well as factory‑installed WARN winch, aggressive tread Maxxis Carnivore tires, integrated Yamaha Adventure Pro and even a tilting cargo bed to simplify hauling duties. Built with hydraulic assistance and a robust latch system, the bed transports up to 600 pounds with multiple steel tie-down points to secure cargo or attach accessories. And you’ll also get a full 2,000 pounds of towing capacity through a standard 2-inch receiver.
Deer Hunting Optics
Deer hunters need optics with outstanding low-light performance, and it doesn’t hurt if they come in an incredibly tough, lightweight package. Featuring Leupold’s Elite Optical System, the VX-3HD lineup delivers excellent dawn-to-dusk light transmission for a bright image when it matters most, elite-level glare reduction in harsh light, and the resolution and clarity that diehard hunters and shooters demand. Its adjustments deliver match-grade repeatability, and have ergonomic controls that are easy to read and use, even with gloves. The VX-3HD features 13 different magnification ranges (2.5-8×36 shown above) and a variety of objective lens sizes, maintube diameters, elevation adjustment types, and more across the breadth of the line. Like all Leupold riflescopes, the VX-3HD is proudly designed, machined, and assembled in the company’s Beaverton, Ore. factory and guaranteed to perform for life.
The Burris Oracle X makes it easier than ever to aim and shoot your crossbow at all distances. The Oracle X doubles as a laser rangefinder, complete with angle compensation and a digital reticle. Sighting-in the Oracle X is a quick, simple process, and once it’s dialed in you’ll know exactly where to aim with the press of a button. We used this scope to conduct our 2021 HuntStand Crossbow Broadhead Field Test.
Boyds Hardwood Gunstocks
Are you ready to set your favorite deer gun apart from the crowd and experience long-lasting durability and performance in all weather conditions? Boyds uses only top-grade hardwoods; because a hardwood stock performs! Every gunstock Boyds builds (including the detailed Franchi shown above) is dried to exacting specifications to ensure rigidity and stability, then sealed with chemical-resistant finishes to deliver superior performance and improved accuracy you can measure. Not sure what gunstock would work best for you? check out Boyds’ how to select a gunstock resource center. You’ll find valuable information on action lengths, barrel channel variations, and more.
Crossbows For Deer Hunting
Been on the hunt for an ultra-compact crossbow that does not sacrifice performance? For 2021 TenPoint is offering several new models that deliver on both counts, including the jaw-dropping Havoc RS440 that measures an ultra-compact 26.5-inches long, and shoots 440 fps, with the included 400-grain EVO-X CenterPunch16 carbon arrows. It also features safe cocking and de-cocking with TenPoint’s ACUslide, and was built to produce the longest string life, and least amount of noise, compared to all other ultra-compact crossbows on the market. The new Havoc RS440’s reduction in length to just 26.5 inches overall is accomplished with the development of TenPoint’s new 16-inch Micro-Trac barrel and new ultralight, two-piece Tec-Tactical stock. The new EVO-X Marksman Elite Scope, included in the bow package, features fully multi-coated 2-8X optics, capable of precision accuracy out to 100 yards. The Havoc features a patented reverse-draw bow assembly that draws the string through the riser, creating a 13.5-inch power stroke that generates more speed with less draw weight—creating a smoother, quieter shot. Decorated in Veil Alpine camo ($2,599.99) or Graphite Gray ($2,499.99), the Havoc RS440 ships completely assembled and includes a Ready-To-Hunt package that includes the ACUslide cocking and de-cocking system, matching Veil Alpine or black Evo-X Marksman Elite Scope, 6-pack of EVO-X CenterPunch 16 Premium Carbon Crossbow Arrows (.001-inch straightness, 400-grains) Integrated String Stop System and 6-arrow Tech Quiver.
This fine next-generation design offers the type of compact power dedicated deer-seeking crossbow hunters crave. The new-for-2021 Impact ($1,099.99) offers an incredibly narrow hunter-friendly frame at just 8 1/8 inches wide when cocked, and 12 1/16-inch uncocked. Even better, it fires arrows at a speedy 415 feet per second with a draw weight of 180 pounds. The all-new detachable silent cocking crank can be used to de-cock the crossbow, and features an anti-reverse mechanism to stop the crank when the handle is let go. In addition to the detachable cocking crank, this ready-to-hunt crossbow package includes 3 Bear X TrueX arrows, illuminated scope, 4-arrow quiver, sling, and rail lube/string wax. The Impact is available in TrueTimber Strata and Veil Stoke camo.
MEAT! Pro External Vacuum Sealer
Once you put all your other deer gear into action and close the deal, it’s time to make MEAT! The Pro External Vacuum Sealer ($179.99) is lightweight, portable and perfect for preserving your hard-earned venison. Whether you need to seal raw cuts to last damned near forever in the freezer, or just marinate a steak for dinner, you can rely on this handy sucker.
The Best Deer Hunting App
“Make Your Mark” with HuntStand Pro. For only $29.99/year, enjoy the most full-featured, cost-effective hunting app on the market. Upgrading to HuntStand Pro unlocks some truly amazing features and tools including Real 3D: All of your markers, lines, and shapes will conform perfectly to the 3D base map, allowing you to understand the topography of your Hunt Area like never before. Property Boundaries: Unlimited nationwide property info including boundaries, owner names, property size, and property perimeter. Hunting Land: Expand your awareness of huntable land everywhere with our nationwide database of publicly accessible hunting land. You also get multiple satellite base layers, detailed weather information, wholistic trail camera photo management, (with heatmaps to indicate game activity) a streamlined stand reservation system, advanced map creation and sharing capabilities, a premium high-resolution map printing service, and much more. Upgrade today!