Hunters are notorious for forgetting things. Sometimes it’s small, like leaving your gloves in the truck on a frosty morning. Other times, it’s big, like realizing your ammo is still sitting on the kitchen counter 300 miles away. I’ve seen archery elk hunters get a few miles into the hike before they realize they don’t have their release.
It was me. I was that elk hunter.
Either way, it can turn a good hunt into a disaster before the first shot is fired.
The truth is, most of us are either chronic overpackers or underpackers. We bring five knives but forget toilet paper. We pack three pairs of boots and leave our tags on the fridge. The sweet spot is somewhere in between, and that’s what this guide is here to nail down.
This guide breaks it all down. You’ll get a general hunting trip packing list that covers the essentials for every outing, and then specific lists for everything from western elk to spring turkeys.
We even included a printable version of the General Hunt Packing List.
General Hunt Trip Master Packing List
Every hunt starts with the same basics. Forget one of these and you’ll either be turning around halfway to camp or making do with some miserable improvisation. This is the gear that belongs on every trip, no matter if you’re chasing elk in September, whitetails in November, or ducks in December. Think of it as the bare-minimum kit that keeps you hunting instead of swearing at yourself.
Click Here for a Printable Version of This List
Licenses & Documents
- Hunting license and tags
- Phone and a way to charge it (for digital tags)
- Hunter safety card (if required)
- ID and wallet
- Updated Mapping Software with offline maps downloaded (onX, HuntStand, etc.)
Weapons
Rifle
- Rifle (sighted in and cleaned)
- Sling
- Ammunition (extra rounds in waterproof storage)
- Magazines (if applicable)
- Scope covers or caps
- Small cleaning kit or bore snake
Shotgun
- Shotgun (cleaned and patterned)
- Sling (if applicable)
- Shells (correct size and load for game)
- Choke tubes and wrench
- Plug (check regulations)
- Small cleaning kit or bore snake
Archery
Optics
Clothing
- Underwear
- Base layers
- Midlayers (insulating)
- Outer layers (waterproof, windproof)
- Gloves (warm and lightweight)
- Hat or beanie
- Blaze orange (if required)
Footwear
Calling System
- Calls/Tubes/Boxes/Slates/Diaphragms
- Rattle Cans/Horns/Digital calls
Safety & Survival
- Headlamp with spare batteries or charger
- First-aid kit
- Lighter, matches, or firestarter
- Knife and multitool
- GPS, phone, or inReach
- Map and compass (because batteries die)
Field Dressing & Meat Care
Food & Hydration
- Water bottles or hydration bladder
- Snacks and packed meals
- Coffee or drink mixes (optional, but not really)
- High-calorie quick foods
Toiletries
- Toilet paper and wet wipes
- Shower wipes
- Contacts/glasses
- Meds
- Sunscreen and bug spray
- Sunglasses
Miscellaneous
- Extra batteries and charging cables
- Whiskey
Western Elk / Mule Deer Hunting List
A western elk or mule deer hunt isn’t usually a weekend in a treestand. You’re living out of a pack, hauling gear up steep country, and planning for pack-outs that weigh more than you do. The general list still applies, but these are the extras that keep you alive, comfortable, and packing meat instead of regret.
Calls
- Bugle tube
- Mouth calls
- Cow/Calf calls
Backpack & Carry System
Shelter & Sleep
Cooking & Hydration
- Lightweight stove and fuel
- Small pot and utensil
- Water filter or purification system
- Collapsible water containers
Optics & Glassing
- Spotting scope
- Tripod
- Bino harness
Clothing Add-Ons
- Gaiters
- Puffy jacket (synthetic or down)
- Lightweight camp clothes
Meat Care & Pack-Out
Other Backcountry Essentials
- Power bank
- Flagging tape or reflective markers
- Lightweight tarp (for meat shade or emergency shelter)
- Blister kit
Whitetail Hunting List
Whitetail hunting isn’t usually about living out of a backpack. It’s about sitting still long enough to question your life choices, staying quiet in close quarters, and keeping warm while the woods wake up around you. These are the extras that make whitetail hunts successful and bearable.
Tree Stand / Blind Gear
- Tree stand or climbing sticks
- Ground blind (if preferred)
- Safety harness and tether
- Gear hooks/straps
- Seat cushion
Scent Control
- Scent spray or wipes
- Ozone unit or cover scent (optional but handy)
Clothing Add-Ons
- Quiet outerwear (fleece or soft-shell)
- Hand warmers
- Boot warmers or insulated boot covers
- Face mask or neck gaiter
Other Essentials
Pronghorn Antelope Hunting List
Call ’em antelope, call ’em pronghorn, call ’em speed goats. Whatever you call ’em, these hunts typically happen under a big, unforgiving sky. You’ll spend more time glassing than walking, and more time worrying about heat and wind than cold or cover.
The general list still applies, but these items make chasing speed goats on the plains a whole lot more manageable. Mind you, this is focused on the typical early-season hunts. For late-season rifle hunts, be sure to up your cold gear.
Optics & Shooting
- Spotting scope with tripod
- High-magnification rifle scope with turret adjustments
- Ballistic chart or range card for dialing
- Shooting mat or lightweight pad for prone shots
- Bipod or shooting sticks
- Range flags or wind indicators
Clothing & Sun Protection
- Lightweight, breathable camo
- Wide-brim hat or lightweight cap
- Sunscreen (high SPF)
- Lip balm with SPF
- Lightweight gloves for sun and wind
Meat Care & Cooling
- Large cooler with ice or dry ice
- Reflective tarp for shade while quartering
Other Essentials
- Compact seat or pad for long glassing sessions
- Blaze vest and hat (check regs)
Waterfowl Hunting List
Waterfowl hunts are wet, muddy, and usually colder than you planned for. You’re hauling gear into flooded timber, marshes, or frozen fields, and then sitting still while ducks and geese circle just out of range. This list will help keep you dry, hidden, and shooting when the birds finally commit.
Waterproof Gear
- Waders (breathable or neoprene, depending on season)
- Waterproof gloves
- Layout blind, boat blind, or timber setup
Decoy & Calling Systems
- Decoys with bag or sled
- Duck/goose calls
- Extra choke tubes
Hunter Comfort
- Blind bag with shells, calls, and extras
- Thermos for hot drinks
- Dry bag for spare layers
Dog Gear (If Applicable)
- Dog stand
- Dog vest
- Dog bumper and leash
Upland Bird Hunting List
Upland hunts aren’t about sitting still. They’re about walking until your legs beg for mercy, watching dogs work cover, and stuffing shells into your vest faster than you thought possible. These items are built for long field miles and fast shooting.
Clothing & Boots
- Brush pants or chaps for thorns and tall grass
- Lightweight, uninsulated boots made for walking all day
- Blaze orange vest or hat (check regs)
Hunting Gear
- Bird vest or game belt with shell loops and game pouch
- Plenty of shells (upland hunts eat ammo fast)
Dog Gear (If Applicable)
Turkey Hunting List
Turkey hunting is equal parts chess match and patience test. You’ll sit motionless, call until your lips go numb, and then blow it all by moving a finger too fast. This list will keep you camouflaged, comfortable, and convincing when the birds start talking back.
Clothing & Concealment
Calling & Decoys
- Turkey vest with call pockets
- Box call, slate call, and diaphragms (plus strikers)
- Decoys with stakes
Optional Gear
- Ground blind (portable or pop-up)
- Shooting sticks for steadying a shotgun at odd angles
Bear & Mountain Lion Hunting List
Hunting big predators isn’t just another notch on the tag punch. It’s serious business, with teeth and claws on the other end of the encounter. The general list covers the basics, but these extras help keep you safe, protect the meat, and handle the kind of animal that can hunt you right back.
Safety & Defense
- Bear spray (carried accessibly, not buried in your pack)
- Large-caliber sidearm or backup rifle
Meat Care & Hauling
- Heavy-duty game bags (strong enough for greasy fat and heavy quarters)
- Extra paracord or rope for hanging meat
- Tarp for ground protection during skinning
Other Essentials
- Extra headlamp batteries (bear hunts run late and start early)
- Gloves built for heavy hide work
Predator / Varmint Hunting List
Predator hunts are a mix of patience and gear-heavy trickery. You’re hauling electronics, hauling optics, and hauling yourself into cold sits at odd hours. This is the stuff that will stack the odds in your favor when coyotes, foxes, or varmints come running to the call.
Calling & Decoys
Optics & Shooting
- Shooting sticks or tripod for steady long shots
- Night vision or thermal optics (where legal)
Other Essentials
- Extra batteries for calls, optics, and lights
- Compact seat for long sits in open ground
Alaska / Remote Fly-In Hunting List
An Alaska hunt is a different beast. Once the floatplane takes off, there’s no running back for a forgotten headlamp or extra boots. Everything you bring has to survive rain, river crossings, and pack-outs measured in days, not hours. The general list still applies, but these extras might be the difference between a wild adventure and a disaster.
Travel & Transport
Food & Cooking
- Freeze-dried meals for the full hunt duration
- Compact stove fuel refills (weight checked for flight)
Communication & Power
- Sat phone or inReach with backup battery
- Extra power banks, solar charger if possible
Clothing & Footwear
- Spare boots (waterproof and broken in)
- Extra waterproof layers (rain gear is non-negotiable)
Meat Care & Pack-Out
- Heavy-duty, long-haul game bags
- Extra tarps for covering meat in prolonged rain
International Hunting List
International hunts add a layer of logistics that can make packing for elk look simple. Customs forms, caliber restrictions, and power adapters matter just as much as ammo and optics.
Travel Documents
Clothing & Comfort
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for hot climates
- Neutral or earth-tone colors (many outfitters discourage full camo)
- Wide-brim hat for sun protection
Gear & Electronics
- Ammunition legal for caliber and country
- Spare optics (binoculars or scope)
- Power adapters and converters for charging
- Compact travel case for optics and electronics
Other Essentials
- Travel insurance documents
- Local currency or cards accepted abroad
- Packable duffel for souvenirs or meat/skin (where legal)
Seasonal Adjustments
Hunts change with the calendar. Add these items as needed.
Early Season (Warm Weather)
- Bug spray or Thermacell
- Lightweight base layers
- Extra water capacity
- Shade tarp or reflective sheet for meat care
- Cooling towel or bandana
Mid-Season (Cooler Temps, October/November)
- Insulated midlayers
- Waterproof outerwear for unpredictable weather
- Hand warmers
- Boot warmers
- Extra gloves and beanie
Late Season (Cold / Snow Hunts)
- Heavy insulated boots
- Down or synthetic puffy jacket
- Balaclava or face mask
- Heater body suit or overlayer system
- Ice cleats or crampons for icy terrain
- Snow shovel for camp or blind setups
Pro Tips
- Extra bootlaces double as survival cordage. Break one in the backcountry and you’ll wish you had them.
- Flagging tape saves lives. Mark your path to a downed animal, blood trail, or even your stand. Cheap and essential.
- Always pack more socks. You’ll never regret dry feet. You will regret wet ones.
- Bring more knives than you think you need. Or at least spare blades. Nothing slows a pack-out like a dull edge.
- Headlamp > flashlight. Hands-free matters more than you think. Toss a spare in your pack.
- Double up on gloves. One pair for shooting, one pair for gutting. Your nose will thank you.
- Keep a Sharpie handy. Tag signing, bag labeling, or writing “don’t touch” on your cooler.
- TP > fancy gear. Forget it once, and you’ll never forget it again.
- Hydrate more than you want to. Headaches, cramps, and fatigue kill hunts faster than bad weather.
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