Hunting Supply Guide for Beginners

by

Kylie Evans

|

May 26, 2022

Going hunting for the first time can be so exciting yet nerve-racking at the same time. We're all familiar with the exhilarating feelings that come when it's nearly time to leave. You can't help but wonder, "Do I have everything I need?" or "What if something goes wrong?" We've put together a few supplies you will need when hunting. Our hunting supply guide for beginners will help you have the time of your life with no worries in sight!


two men's inside forest

Essential Clothing

It's essential to have suitable clothing to stay dry and warm. Proper hunting attire also provides protection and benefits the wearer by controlling the scent released. This will come in handy when animals are nearby, as your scent could give away your location. For beginner-level hunters, understanding the safety requirements in the area you plan to hunt is a crucial part of becoming an experienced hunter and can also ensure you avoid any legal repercussions. 

Hunting in the Rain - What Gear Do I Need?

Gear Specially made for hunting in the rain will help you avoid hypothermia when hunting. It prevents the cold moisture from getting to your body, and it prevents trapping moisture produced by the body like sweat. In Utah, the best time of year to hunt is from August to October. This is why rain gear is the first gear beginners should buy. Your local pawn shop is one of the best places to purchase proper rain gear for an affordable price.

Base Layers

Base layers are another way to protect yourself from getting cold and wet. These would be clothes that are snug and fitted. The kind of base layers you will want depends on how active you will be during your hunting trip and the temperature. 


Lightweight base layers are very thin. They are great for warmer days, or if you plan to move around a lot, lightweight base layers will help you stay cool.


Mid-weight base layers are better for colder conditions. It will still help you stay dry from any moisture produced by your body, and you won't get overheated either. 


Heavyweight base layers are for cold, harsh weather conditions. It will provide you with the insulation you need to stay warm while still being breathable and ventilated.


Most experienced hunters will pawn off their old hunting clothes to buy the newer and more expensive ones. So as a beginner, a pawn shop will be the best place to start your search. 

Hunting Socks

Hunting socks are vital because it will ensure your feet stay warm. Most hunters prefer wearing rubber boots during a hunt which is another reason you will want to make sure you have the right socks that are breathable, protecting your feet from sweat that could make them too hot or cold. Tall socks that go up to your calf will stay up and offer the most warmth. Any experienced hunter will agree that regular cotton socks are not ideal for hunting. They fall while you're walking, causing you to sweat. They don't protect your feet from friction between the rubber boot and your foot because cotton socks aren't made to be worn with rubber boots to begin with. Good quality hunting socks are usually a mixture of wool, polyester, spandex, and nylon.




black semi automatic pistol with white smoke

Knives are Essential Hunting Tools

Every hunter should keep a knife with them—some people like fixed blades, others like folding knives, and some like multi-knives. Knives have so many purposes, and it's one of the essential tools for hunting. Here are a few different types of knives you can choose from.

Fixed Blade

   Fixed blades are a common choice for beginner hunters because they:

  • Don't break
  • Easy to maintain
  • Larger blades

Folding Knife 

There are a variety of different folding knives, and they are a common choice for hunters. Folding knives are:

  • Easy to pack
  • Multiple Blade Types
  • Lightweight

Multi-tool

   Multi-tools are a combination of tools included in one piece. This makes it useful for any situation. Multi-tools are: 

  • The most versatile
  • Screwdriver, saw, scissors - All-in-one-hunting tool.
  •  Readily available (you can find quality multi-tools at just about any pawn shop)

Navigation for Hunting

When hunting, knowing your location and navigating tools are critical of tracking animals for great distances without getting lost. You can use your phone as a G.P.S. guide by downloading an app created for hunting. Or, you can buy a Hunting G.P.S. Purchasing one of these durable, weatherproof devices will keep you safe when you're in unfamiliar territory, allowing you to find your way home.


A pawn shop is a great place to look for a hunting G.P.S.; they're usually used but still in excellent condition for a fraction of the price!



brown deer under tree

Visual Aids

Most hunters are familiar with the T.A.B.K. rules; 


Treat every firearm as if it were loaded

Always keep the muzzle in a safe direction

Be sure of your target and beyond

Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.


The B in T.A.B.K. talks about being aware of your surroundings, your target, and its surroundings as well. 


One of the essential supplies for beginner hunters is a good pair of binoculars. It would help if you saw your target clearly, but you don't want to be too close as you still need to be aware of the surrounding areas. There are a lot of different kinds of binoculars; some have higher magnification levels than others and different objective diameters. The higher these numbers are, the heavier the binoculars will be. For beginners, the ideal objective diameter is 40; they work well and aren't too heavy.


Depending on the quality you are looking for, it's always worth looking at second-hand shops for your first pair of binoculars. Most pawnshops have a lot of hunting equipment, so you will be more likely to find a reasonable price.

Emergency Supplies

It always seems like serious accidents never happen to us, but it is possible. It is best to be prepared in case something does go wrong. Here is a list of things you will want to bring hunting with you every time, along with other supplies based on the weather and location.

  • Water and Water purification system
  • Food
  • Shelter
  • First Aid Kit
  • Fire-making supplies
  • Illumination


black bird flying over brown grass field during daytime

Other Hunting Tips and Supplies

Over the years, there are some tricks you will learn and continue; here are a few that others have found very helpful.


  • Trash Bags - A couple of bags cut open to make a great ground cloth to put meat on. They also keep your clothes and supplies dry when you need them. 
  • Paracord - p - cord is always handy and has so many purposes. Paracord is the multi-tool version of rope from hanging food from a branch to building a shelter. 
  • Scent Control is a serious game changer - all animals in the forest are professionals at using their noses to notice their predators.
  • Pay attention to the wind direction - the wind can pick up your scent, and the animal will pick up on it right away. Even if you use scent control, deers have noses made for these kinds of things.


Just remember that when you're planning a hunting trip, there is a lot of preparation that goes into getting ready. The pawnshop is undoubtedly the best place to look for any hunting supplies for beginners. It's a lot easier to find supplies for low prices. I hope this helped you feel confident in your hunting trip and that you will have everything you need to enjoy your day out in the forest.


Design by BRAINSPIN