That one piece of equipment...

[giles]

For deer hunting Ohio whitetails, what is that one piece of equipment that you just can’t live without? Obviously you need a weapon, so let’s give that one a pass. What’s next on the must have list?

For me, it’s a comfortable jacket/coat. I currently use military surplus gen4 gear but it doesn’t really fit me anymore. I already know what I’m upgrading to either this year or next year.

This morning has my gears turning though about what others “must have” list are. We’ve had threads about what’s in your pack, but I don’t recall one like this.

 

[giles]

This is a fleece lined soft shell. Matching pants. I also have it without the fleece for early season. I’m not seeing a pic of my real cold weather coat. It’s coyote brown with primeloft insulation. I like to wear something breathable and believe the comfort in a jacket or coat is key to keeping comfortable while on the hunt. The more comfortable I am, the longer I want to hunt and the more I enjoy it. I can’t stand freezing (I think @xbowguy enjoys the misery ) or sweating.

 

[Lucky]

In cold weather., military bunny boots. Got 1st pair in Alaska and cant live without in coldweather. Can sit in stand all day and never once feel your feet get cold

 

[Quantum673]

Comfortable boots and socks.

For me this is more important than any other clothing items. If my feet stay warm, dry, and comfortable I am good to go.

 

[jagermeister]

This is a great thread.

I'll say this "one thing" has probably changed and evolved over the years for me. But currently, it's my clothing. Last season I started using Sitka gear for my hunting clothing, and it was an absolute game changer. I'm not just saying that so I can validate my expensive purchases. I was always skeptical of the stuff, now I'm a believer. I'm much more attentive in the stand and much more likely to stay longer, now that I'm more comfortable than ever out there. In my opinion, none of the other items matter if you don't go or don't stay for very long.

 

[Lucky]

Only downside is the wieght, little heavy. But warmest boot you can get .

 

[giles]

I never used to get cold feet, but the older I get, the more I see the warm boots climbing up the list.

 

[Lucky]

So true, if your comfortable, your able to spend more attentive time in stand, and not shivering in stand.

 

[bowhunter1023]

For me, it varies with the weather and the type of hunt I'm on. Early season evening hunt, it's a Thermacell. Early season morning hunt with a heavy dew, a pair of rubber boots. Mid season hunts, I'd say it's the ColdPruf wool base layers I bought off Amazon last year. Affordable, comfortable, and great performance thus far. For late season hunts, it depends on whether I'm in a tree or a blind. Up a tree? It's my Cabelas ECWS polar fleece base layers under my Cabelas windproof outer layer. In a blind? Either my Buddy Heater or the tank mounted version. What's the one constant throughout the year? Vortex binoculars.

 

[CJD3]

A sharp knife.

 

[giles]

I think this will be fun to keep going throughout the season. “Today would’ve been a bust without my rain gear.”

 

[MoonLab]

Trying to find a better gloves for winter.

Get a new pair of LaCrosse rubber boots. I've had muck rubber boots for 6 years. Its worn out and got my moneys worth. Time for something different.

Planning on getting a Rain gear beanie hat so my hearing aides wont get wet. I'll have to look around and see what they have in store.

 

[giles]

Trying to find a better gloves for winter.

Get a new pair of LaCrosse rubber boots. I've had muck rubber boots for 6 years. Its worn out and got my moneys worth. Time for something different.
Planning on getting a Rain gear beanie hat so my hearing aides wont get wet. I'll have to look around and see what they have in store.

Best waterproof hat I ever had was made by Simms. Had ear flaps and was awesome! Lost it in the move to Ohio and keep saying I’m going to buy another one.

Edit: Found it!
https://www.simmsfishing.com/shop/mens/headwear/gore-tex-exstream-hat-1

 

["J"]

A fully charged phone w/battery backup.

 

[OhioWhiteTails]

The correct combination of boots and socks for the given climate. Once the feet go, the rest of the body is not far behind.

 

[MoonLab]

Best waterproof hat I ever had was made by Simms. Had ear flaps and was awesome! Lost it in the move to Ohio and keep saying I’m going to buy another one.

Edit: Found it!
https://www.simmsfishing.com/shop/mens/headwear/gore-tex-exstream-hat-1

Nice, thanks. I'll look into it

 

[Wildlife]

Much like the weapon, I think clothing & good foot wear are a given. That said, I'd have to say my binos are most important.

Yes, I can hunt without them, but at my age with failing eyesight, my binos truly help me pick up most any kind movement beyond the 50 yard mark much easier, especially within most heavy brush and CRP fields.

With my binos, I can easily spot antlers within the 6-8' tall CRP fields that I wouldn't normally see. Those nicer bucks like to bed in the CRP fields during the day around my parts.

So I'll go with my binos along with my range finder while bow hunting that are true necessities when I head out to the field.

 

[giles]

Nice, thanks. I'll look into it

Might try eBay unless you know someone with a guide license, they have a good discount to guides.

 

[Big_Holla]

For bowhunting it has to be quiet outer clothing. I can add layers for the warmth and one pair of boots isn't enough for all the different seasons. Over the years I can think of several hunts that were ruined because of noisy fabric, bibs/coveralls and jackets with waterproof liners that sounded like velcro when you moved in the cold weather. After that would be socks. Like I said I have several pair of boots I pick from depending on the weather, now it comes down to wearing a system of socks to keep my feet comfortable. Liner nylon socks then good soft wool socks. Add toe warmers as needed LOL!

 

[triple_duece]

Well I’m not gonna talking about clothing, as our weather is much milder except when it’s real cold, I bet it’s colder than up there as it’s a wet cold. I don’t have a most important but several that go together.
For public hunts:
Gps
Compass
Good flashlight, GPS and flashlight it’s best if you use same batteries
Spare batteries
Extra paracord
Phone
Dip
Water
Harness
Good water proof knee boots, prefer mucks
Range finder when bow hunting
And of course TP.
On private
A running atv
Phone
Dip
Water
flashlight
TP
Mr buddy heater

Now I will tell you I own pant and jacket by Sitka. Both are outerwear and only true garment that’s waterproof is gortex.

Early season in some places you need a thermacell. One place I hunt you need a bug suit, two thermacells and 99% deet.

I will admit I sit longer in the stand when I have my phone with me. Helps pass the slow times looking at nothing.