Everything you might need for a deer hunt (Checklist)

Written by Whitetail Advisor in Tools of the Trade

There is nothing worse than being unprepared for a hunt or forgetting to take something with you. Luckily, you can avoid this situation by reviewing the checklists in this article. I look these over myself anytime i’m about to leave on an out-of-state hunt and when i’m preparing in the off-season.   

Pre-season tasks are extremely important and shouldn’t be overlooked, even if hunting season has started already. Don’t overlook the pre-season checklist, even if you are scrambling at the last minute to get everything done. You can increase your odds of success in the woods by the amount of preparation you put in for the hunt. 

With that being said, let’s dive into the pre-season checklist to make sure your hunting season/trip is set up for success.

Pre-season checklist for deer hunting

1. Get legal and stay legal

  • Buy hunting license/tags
  • Purchase preference points
  • Read hunting rules and regulations
  • Learn about public hunting area rules
  • Complete hunters education

2. Scout

  • Get hunting permission for private land
  • Find your hunting locations/areas
  • Find your specific hunting spots (The specific tree or ground location)
  • Identify how you will access your stands/blinds
  • Set up trail cameras (Find your shooters)
  • Review last years trail camera photos/videos

3. Prepare your spot

  • Set up treestands/blinds
  • Trim shooting lanes
  • Plant food plots
  • Set up feeders
  • Create or freshen-up mock scrapes
  • Spray/kill weeds or poison ivy
  • Clean up or mow your access trails

4. Prepare your equipment

  • Shoot and sight in gun/scope
  • Shoot and tune your bow
  • Sharpen broadheads/knives
  • Charge batteries/solar panels
  • Clean gun
  • Wax bowstring
  • Tighten down accessories attached to weapon
  • Wash hunting clothes
  • Treat hunting clothes with tick repellant
  • Break in your boots
  • Replace or check batteries in flashlights
  • Download maps on GPS or the onX Hunting App
  • Prepare your vehicle (Oil change, top off antifreeze, check tire pressure, check spare tire, jack, jumper cables, air compressor, tow straps)

5. Prepare yourself

  • Workout and build your strength
  • Practice with your bow/gun
  • Practice calling to deer
  • Practice using your mobile treestand/climber/saddle
  • Let someone know where you are going

6. Plan your hunt

  • Find your processor
  • Find your taxidermy
  • Find your dog tacker
  • Reserve your hotel/Air BNB/VRBO
  • Reserve your rental car
  • Check the weather

Deer hunting checklist

Hopefully you have everything you need for your hunt. If you find yourself needing to order something, I added links to the products I use myself and/or recommend to my friends.

Over the years, I have learned a lot about what to buy and what not to buy when it comes to deer hunting. I hope my recommendations will help you avoid buying something that you will regret later on.

1. Hunting License, permits, tags

2. Bow

3. Gun

4. Hunting Clothes

To see my recommendations for hunting clothing, click the links below. The top article is for people looking to buy the best quality. If you are looking for something more budget-friendly, the second article is for you.

Best camo for deer hunting
Best budget camo for deer hunting

  • Tops
  • Bottoms
  • Hats
  • Gloves
  • Face masks
  • Boots
  • Socks
  • Underwear
  • Belt
  • Rain gear
  • Blaze orange 

5. Treestand

6. Blind

7. Optics

8. Trail Cameras

9. Scent Control

10. Deer Attractants

11. Field Dressing Gear

12. Meat Processing

13. Bait

14. Accessories

15. Tools

  • Handsaw
  • Sawzall
  • Pole Saw
  • Chainsaw
  • Ladder
  • Shovel
  • T-post driver
  • Drill
  • Battery for drill
  • Charger for drill battery
  • Drill bits
  • Hand tools
  • Weed/grass killer

17. Everyday clothes

  • Underwear
  • Socks
  • Shorts
  • Pants
  • Jeans
  • T-shirt
  • Long sleeve shirt
  • Dress shirt
  • Sweatshirt
  • Hoodie
  • Coat
  • Hats
  • Gloves
  • Shoes
  • Boots
  • Crocs

19. Everyday items

  • Cell Phone
  • Wallet (drivers license, credit card, debit card, concealed carry permit, insurance card)
  • Passport
  • Cash
  • Cell phone charger
  • External battery charger with cables
  • Computer/iPad/tablet
  • Charging cable for computer/iPad 
  • Headphones
  • USB adapter for SD cards
  • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste,  dental floss, deodorant, shampoo, body wash)
  • Nail clippers
  • Tweezers
  • Razor
  • Chargers for toothbrush or razor
  • Toiler paper
  • Towels
  • Wash Cloths
  • Garbage bags
  • Sunglasses
  • Medicine
  • Vitamins
  • Concealed carry weapon 
  • Holster for handgun

18. First aid

  • First aid kit
  • Flares
  • Survival blanket
  • Lighter
  • Matches (windproof)
  • Signal mirror
  • Multitool
  • Sewing kit
  • Water purification tablets
  • Satellite phone

20. Food and drinks

  • Cooler
  • Water
  • Coffee
  • Alcohol
  • Mixers
  • Energy drinks
  • 5 Hour energy shots
  • Snacks
  • Breakfast foods (eggs, bacon, toast, pop tarts, granola bars)
  • Dinner foods (Meats, vegetables, bread/buns)
  • Condiments (ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, salt, pepper, butter, cooking oil)
  • Gum, candy
  • Plates
  • Cups
  • Forks, spoons, knifes
  • Bottle opener
  • Can opener
  • Coffee maker
  • Pots & pans
  • Cooking utensils (spatula, spoon, tongs, ladle)
  • Paper Towels
  • Camp stove
  • Wood
  • Fire starter

20. Miscellaneous items

  • Ghillie suit
  • Reflective tacks
  • Sunscreen
  • Bear spray/mace
  • Paracord
  • Rubber wire ties
  • Pen
  • Sharpie
  • Folding chairs
  • Table
  • Dish soap
  • Dish sponge
  • Waders
  • Boot gaiters
  • Itinerary
  • Filming equipment (Camera, GoPro, tree-arm, batteries, chargers)
  • Tow hitch rack
  • Hemp rope for mock scrapes

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