Gear

If you spend enough time chasing game, exploring river accesses before daylight, or driving down two-tracks that barely qualify as roads, you’ll eventually realize that your truck isn’t just transportation, it’s a critical part of your gear system. Over a few articles, we’re going to dive into...

On the surface, spotting scopes have limited applications for most hunters. The whitetail crowd can put them to use for dialing in summertime bachelor groups munching away in the beans. The western crowd can employ them for on-the-job recon to locate bedded mulies, bands of early-season elk in the...

As the lead photographer at MeatEater, Seth Morris has spent years traveling the world documenting hunts, fishing trips, and backcountry adventures from behind the lens. That time in the field—often in remote, demanding conditions—has given him a deep understanding of what actually matters when you...

Hunters can be picky when it comes to gear. Luckily, you don’t need to buy them a new hunting rifle, bow, or even the best binoculars. Some of the best hunting gifts I’ve received over the years were unexpected pieces of gear that I probably wouldn’t have bought for myself. I still have a pair of...

First Lite just unveiled their brand new Forge Waders, and for the past four years, some of the MeatEater crew have been putting them through the ringer as part of testing measures. From setting beaver traps to bear hunting and, of course, good ole late-season duck hunting, the crew threw everything...

Depending on the context, a good shooting rest could be a tripod, a couple of shooting bags, or even your best hunting backpack. Some serve as a steady prop in the field, while others are designed for precision shooting and tuning at the range. Whether you just need a pair of sticks or a shooting...

If Doug Duren placed historical markers on his family’s farm in southwestern Wisconsin, one would mark the car crash that killed his brother Matt in January 1995, and the other would show the log landing where a chainsaw nearly killed his father, Vince, in April 1991. Matt died near the farm’s...

Depending on your profession, a good every day carry (EDC) Knife might be a discrete folder that hides in the bottom of your pocket. Others might require a medium-sized fixed blade that comfortably rides on the hip and has the backbone to handle more heavy-duty tasks. Regardless, your EDC knife...

When you're chasing birds, a solid rig isn’t just a nice to have—it’s the difference between a smooth hunt and a total cluster. Now that waterfowl seasons have wrapped up, it’s the perfect time to take stock of whether your rig was up to the challenge, and maybe consider making a switch. We’ve found...

The best turkey calls are the ones that convince that longbeard to close the distance. Some days, that call might be a diaphragm; others, the trusty box or slate. Sometimes, it helps to throw something they haven’t heard from every other hunter, like a trumpet, natural voice calls, or a snuff box. I...

Turkey hunting requires minimal gear. Most of the time, you can get away with just a call or two and your shotgun. Yet, the turkey vest remains an integral piece of turkey hunting gear. The vest style, pocket holders, and turkey seat are unmistakable. Some are more tailored for run and gun tactics...

The 10mm Auto has entered a renaissance. The souped-up handgun cartridge first appeared in 1983, but the last few years have seen a rise both in firearm models and ammunition options. It’s easy to see why. The 10mm Auto is among the most powerful handgun cartridges commonly chambered in semi...