camping hunting trips

Hunting in United States

1007 hunting trips from 201 outfitters starting from a 11,454

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Why united states.

Vast selection of species

The United States offers a vast selection of species to hunt, many of which cannot be hunted anywhere else in the world

Variety of hunt options

The United States features diverse terrain, and different regions of the country use different hunting methods. This allows hunters a wide variety of hunt options to suit their physical abilities and preferred method of hunting. From the Eastern hardwood timbers to the plains and Rocky Mountains of the West, picturesque scenery and unique challenges await the hunter venturing to the United States

Safe destination

The United States is a safe destination that is easy to get to from nearly anywhere in the world

United States on map

States all states (37).

About hunting in United States

The United States is a huge country with diverse terrain, almost two dozen species of big game, and a wide variety of waterfowl, small game, and upland birds. There are few places in the world more exciting and challenging to hunt. From the snowy peaks of the northern Rockies to the deserts of the Southwest to the hardwood forests of the East and Midwest, the wide variety of landscapes provide a breathtaking array of hunting experiences for a plentiful selection of game animals. Whether you desire pronghorn, mountain goat, moose, white-tailed deer, bighorn sheep, black bear, mule deer, elk, or mountain lion, each offers a different adventure. Because hunting in the USA is managed on a state-by-state basis and the game and terrain is so varied, it’s easy to find a trip perfect for your skill level, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hunter. From stand hunting for whitetails to spot-and-stalk hunting for elk to pursuing mountain lions over a pack of hounds, there is something for every hunter in the vast forests, plains, and mountains of the United States.

What you need to know

• 1. Planning your trip
• 2. Upon arrival
• 4. After the hunt

Planning your trip

Visas, laws, and regulations.

The United States requires a visa for entry, but citizens or nationals Canada and Bermuda, as well as of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program, are exempt from the requirement if they are traveling to the United States for 90 days or less. Find the list of countries eligible for the visa waiver here .

Travelers must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from their planned departure from the USA, and those using the Visa Waiver Program must have an e-passport.

Importing Firearms

Visiting hunters who are not citizens or legal residents of the United States are required to obtain a federal permit for their firearms and ammunition in advance of their arrival through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and firearms (ATF). You will need to obtain and complete ATF Form 6NIA (5330.3D Application/Permit for Temporary Importation of Firearms and Ammunition by Nonimmigrant Aliens) to apply for the ATF permit. Contact ATF's Firearms and Explosives Import office with questions at [email protected] .

Licenses and Tags

All states in the United States require hunters to have a state-issued hunting license to hunt within the borders of that state. In many cases an additional permit for the specific animal, or “tag,” is also required. In many states, a valid hunting license from your home country will allow you to purchase the required hunting license; in some states, however, you may be required to prove that you have completed a hunter education course in order to buy a license. If you are hunting migratory birds, including ducks and doves, you will also be required to purchase a Federal Migratory Bird Stamp. Your outfitter will provide you with details of what licenses and tags are required for your specific hunt and how to purchase them.

Upon arrival

Upon arrival into the United States you will go through passport control then proceed on to collect your bags and firearms for customs inspection. You re-check your bags with your airline for your next flight and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) official will check your firearm, then escort it to your plane. TSA regulations require that firearms must be transported unloaded in a hard-sided, locked case, and ammunition must be checked in a separate bag. Certain airlines may have additional restrictions.

Wildlife management in the United States is handled on a state-by-state basis. Each state has its own hunting rules and regulations, and even within a particular state, hunting styles as well as gear and clothing may differ widely. Most outfitters can be relied upon to provide a list of recommended gear and clothing, as well as suggestions for firearm types and calibers. Stand hunts, for example, often call for heavy, warm clothing, while hunters venturing to the mountains or taking on strenuous spot-and-stalk hunts should dress in layers. Comfortable boots appropriate to the terrain are a must for any hunt. Some states require hunters to wear a fluorescent orange hat, vest, or sometimes both. Because enforcement of hunting regulations is taken very seriously in the United States, it’s a good idea to obtain a copy of the state regulations where you will be hunting and familiarize yourself with them. Look for these regulations on the website of the fish and game agency in the state you plan to hunt.

After the hunt

Tipping is generally expected and appreciated on most hunts in the USA. Tips generally range from 5 to 15 percent of the total hunt cost.

Your outfitter should be able to recommend local taxidermists and meat processors, but these services are not included in the hunt cost. Discuss these aspects with your outfitter before arrival. Local taxidermists can prepare and pack trophies to your specifications, but it will be up to you to check legalities and arrange transport and shipment of the trophies to your home.

Price distribution

Special offers, hunting methods all hunting methods (18), rifle hunting.

Bow Hunting

Game classification All classifications (7)

Dangerous Game

Meet your guides

• Laurie Meyer Louisiana, United States 9.7 • 1 review "Shoot Your Boots!" "Kill A Gator Wear 'Em Lator!" Wear Your Trophy! Only turn-key gator hunt with all-inclusive package hosted in Louisiana that includes both gator hunt & custom gator boots, belt & wallet! View the outfitter page
• Alisha Mutts Decker Alaska, United States 9.8 • 3 reviews With over 40 years of guiding experience in Southeast Alaska and Glacier Bay National Park, We are an exceptional choice for your next hunting adventure in the Alaskan wilderness. We were formed in 1974 by Master Guides Jimmie C. and MaryAnn. Over the years, the business has grown to be one of the largest professional Guide/Outfitter operations in the State of Alaska. We are a family-owned and operated, with Master Guide Mutts and Zach carrying on the outfitting tradition. View the outfitter page
• Bob Cusack Alaska, United States Nestled on the Alaska Peninsula between Lake Clark National Park and the Katmai National Monument is the Cusack's Alaska Lodge. The lodge sits 200 miles to the southwest of Anchorage amid the beauty of wild Alaska. Your hosts are Bob and Lula Cusack, who built the lodge. Bob is a professional grade bush pilot and has been flying fisherman to remote locations for nearly 40 years. This is a rustic, luxury lodge that blends the best of wild Alaska with the best of modern society. View the outfitter page
• Jerry Cates Alaska, United States I have always loved sharing the wilderness spirit that can only be found in the last remaining truly wild places, Alaska is one of those places and perhaps the best. Come experience a hunt that will be shared again and again around campfires and anywhere where hunters gather. Happy hunting to all. View the outfitter page

Animals All animals (85)

• Elk Wyoming There's not much more exciting than being in the woods during the elk rut. Being in the presence of bugling bull elk will get any hunter's heart pumping. This episode of Bush TV will do just that!
• Alaska Wolf Not your every day footage folks! A young wolf poking around in brown bear territory. Similar in size and behaviour (being social creatures), humans and wolves have always competed for food and territory.
• Bison You wouldn't want to get between these tow fighting Bison!
• Bighorn Sheep With Ewes in estrus, Bighorn Sheep Rams become very worked up and the Mating Dance ensues. Few people get to see this ritual up close.
• Elk Bugle There's not much more exciting than being in the woods during the elk rut. Being in the presence of bugling bull elk will get any hunter's heart pumping.
• Moose Bull Moose bull just taking a stroll in Iowa.
• Mountain Lion A (New) Mexican standoff! Normally when you see mountain lions held at bay by the hounds, the cats are up on a tree, but not this time around.
• Sparring Pronghorn Who will be the dominant male in this sparring contest? The Pronghorn is the fastest animal in the Western hemisphere, reaching speeds up to 60 miles per hour, and can maintain 30-40 mph over long distances, which can often be witnessed come migration time.
• Elk Bugle Big bull Elk bugling
• Alaska Brown bear The Alaskan brown bear is the largest land predator on Earth. One reason for the exceptional size of these bruins is the plentiful supply of fat and protein in the form of salmon in Alaska's rivers and streams. Here's an up close and personal look a hunter got of this ritual for survival!
• Wild Turkey The wild turkey is a favorite pursuit of many hunter's dreams. The wiley and elusive gobblers can test the most experienced and patient sportsmen. But in some cases their desire to mate and their bravado overpower their good senses. Check out this gang of gobblers taking out their frustrations on this hunter's Jake decoy!
• Whitetail Deer Love monster whitetails? Ever heard of a "horizontal rub?" Check out this video of some magnificent free-range Iowa whitetails making use of these man-made devices. Warning: Not responsible for facial injury from watching these Midwest jawdroppers!
• Alligator Glide Alligator just gliding through the water
• Coyote Calling Group of Coyote's calling
• Moose Family Moose family walking across a river in Iowa.
• Sparring Mule Deer Mule Deer sparring to see who is the dominant male
• Brown Bear run Brown Bear running away from a drone
• Wild Turkeys Fight Wild Turkeys fight for many reasons, such mating rights, territorial usage and social intra flock structure. Fighting establishes their pecking order. Awesome footage of two Turkey going at each other.
• Bison Dust Storm Two American Bison putting up a dust storm
• Fighting Alligators Two Alligators taking one another on to show who is the boss
• Caribou Herd Big healthy herd of Caribou in Alaska
• Grouse Fight Grouse fighting to see who is the dominant one
• Mule Deer in snow Beautiful Mule Deer walking through the snowy fields of Texas
• Bighorn Sheep Bighorn Sheep bashing horns
• Moose Bulls Two Moose bulls having a very relaxed sparring session
• Pronghorn chase Two Pronghorn antelope chasing one another at the speed of light
• Curious Shiras-colored Brown Bear This Shiras-colored Brown Bear really wants to know what is going on and who is looking at him
• Brown Bear eating lunch Amazing footage of a Brown Bear enjoying lunch in the water
• Bear fishing for Salmon This huge Brown Bear is fishing for salmon in Alaska with Full Scope Outfitters
• Moose swim Moose taking a swim in Alaska
• Majestic Moose Majestic Moose bull walking through the field
• Busted by Bear Bear strolling along and then he smells us! That was the end of our stalk
• Bear eating grass Beautiful brown Bear strolling about and eating grass
• Bear Snacking Bear enjoys an afternoon snack
• Bear in rain Big Bear in the pouring rain
• Big Moose Big Moose in the Alaskan forest with Glacier Guides
• Close encounter Close encounter with a big Bear while walking in the forest
• Close to tree stand Bear getting very close to our tree stand
• Massive Brown Bear Massive Brown Bear standing in the rain
• Mountain Goat Mountain Goat coming down a mountain in thick snow
• Mountain Goat on the edge Beautiful Mountain Goat on the edge of a cliff staring straight at us
• Mountain Goat scratching Mountain Goat scratching his head on the ground
• Bear searching Bear searching for food on the edge of a river
• Two Bears Two Bears feeding
• Bighorn searching Bighorn searching for food
• Yawning Bear This Bear must have had a late night
• Scratch my Back This bear has a really bad back itch!
• Bear search in Snow This Bear is hard at work looking for something in the snow
• It is hard to get up Oh boy its is very hard for this Bear to get up!
• Bighorn in gust Bighorn standing on a cliff with the wind blowing the snow from the trees
• Bighorn in snow Bighorn sheep stand in the snow on a mountain side
• Smelling Bighorn Ram This Bighorn sheep smells something in the air
• Bighorn smile Bighorn sheep can smile too
• Coyote taking a stroll Coyote taking a stroll looking for food
• Elk bugle echo Elk bugle echoing though the woods
• Elk itch This Elk has got a real bad itch

There are few places in the world more exciting and challenging to hunt. From the snowy peaks of the northern Rockies to the deserts of the Southwest to the hardwood forests of the East and Midwest, the wide variety of landscapes provide a breathtaking array of hunting experiences for a plentiful selection of game animals. Whether you desire pronghorn, mountain goat, moose, white-tailed deer, bighorn sheep, black bear, mule deer, elk, or mountain lion, each offers a different adventure.

Spring Black Bear Hunt 1x1 - 2024

'24 Spring Turkey Mass

Ohio Coyote Hunt

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United States Hunting Trips and Hunting Outfitters

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Cast And Blast Adventures

“Our Damn Good Guides go above and beyond to provide you an incredible trip, and we’ve handpicked every single one. We’re passionate about the outdoors and about empowering people to find the perfect-match guide for the trip of a lifetime, every time.”

Jonathan and Attison   |   Co-founders   |   Austin, Texas

More Hunting Trips

Get on down to Baytown, TX for for some early-morning action shooting ducks on the Bay! Your guide and outfitter, David, will provide all the scouting, decoys, and blinds on this morning hunt. Whether you're an experienced duck hunter or just getting into the sport, this is the ideal opportunity to bag a ton of birds. Texas is smack in the middle of the Central Flyway, and is a stopover for dozens of migratory waterfowl species. The lakes here draw hundreds of thousands of ducks annually, including Green-Winged and Blue-Winged Teals, Wigeons, Redheads, Pintails, Gadwalls, Shoevelers, Mottled Ducks, and more. All of these species are great wingshooting quarries, and are excellent table fare as well. Your guide, David, is an expert hunter and will get you as many great shot as possible. He's full of good tips to help you maximize your chances of success, and has the experience necessary to ensure a great trip. Get out there with him and have yourself a blast! All you need to bring on this hunt are your own shotguns, camouflage, and waders. David can provide shells for an additional fee. You will also need your Texas hunting license with a federal duck stamp. What are you waiting for? Get out there and bag some birds! Read More

Duck Hunting Trip in Baytown

Baytown Duck Special

Come on over to Central Texas, and see for yourself the legendary Duck hunting this area has to offer! The wetlands here draw several species of waterfowl, including Teal, Gadwall, Widgeon, Pintail, and more, all of which you can target on this trip with your outfitter, Andy He provides portable blinds and all the decoys you'll need, so all you need to bring is your camoflauge, your waders, and your boots, plus guns and shells. You'll get out there before dawn, and hunt until 11 o'clock or thereabouts, so you can even be home for lunch! Whether you've hunted Ducks before or are just learning the ropes, you'll have a blast out there and with some luck, you'll come home with a cooler full of beautiful birds. Read More

Duck Hunting Trip in College Station

Texas Duck Special

This is an invasive species in Florida, these nasty lizards are causing a major impact on our Ecosystem. People always ask "Can You Eat Iguana" absolutely!!!!!! 3 people per boat, guns in all hands, unlimited limits, and Big trophy iguanas! With determination, we have OPENED Florida for the Iguana Hunts. Even better than before. We offer a "Guided Air Rifle Hunt" to dispatch and eradicate this invasive animal. Most hunts are conducted by boat with a USCG Captain and Pro-Staff. We also can/will provide taxidermy services contact information and ways to ship meat back home. This hunt is becoming more and more popular every day. We have put together an amazing experience of Guided Air Rifle Iguana Hunts in South Florida ( Fort Lauderdale Metro Area). All six of our hunting sites are located with in 20 mins to 1.45 hour drive of Fort Lauderdale Metro area. Captain Gene coordinates and secures the hunts with professional Pro-Staff and hunting guides. With our team, we can set up and coordinate a hunt like no others. We started this hunting service back in September 2014 and went live immediately - it was a huge success and game changer. Come join us for a new crazy hunt and grab some trigger time... Gene and his team will provide all the necessary equipment for the hunt, including the air rifles, pellets, boats, guide and fuel. Gene and his team suggest wearing solid shoes for the retrievals and comfortable clothes, it does get a little hot in the summer months. A small cooler with drinks and snack is fine. No Alcohol consumption allowed on their boats. But you are more than welcome to enjoy a cold beer or cocktail once you have returned to land! Hunts can be +\- 1 hour start time. Read More

Multi Boat Iguana Hunt | Trophy Hunts | 3 Boats Available

This self-guided duck hunt is ideal for duck hunters with a little bit of experience under their belt, who want to bag some birds in one of America's best duck habitats. This trip is also a little less pricey than a guided trip, but you'll be shooting from the same places and the hunting is just as good. South Texas is smack in the middle of the Central Flyway, and is a stopover for dozens of migratory waterfowl species. The sheltered bays here draw hundreds of thousands of ducks annually, including Green-Winged and Blue-Winged Teals, Wigeons, Redheads, Pintails, Gadwalls, and Mottled Ducks, and more! You can target all of these species, which are exciting quarries and great eating to boot! On this trip, your outfitter, Trey, will make sure to put you in the perfect spot to nail some inbound waterfowl. He'll provide the blinds and decoys, so all you need to bring is your waders, your guns, and your shells. He'll motor you out to the blind, but once you're out there, he leaves the hunting up to you! Read More

Duck Hunting Trip in Port Aransas

Self Guided Coastal Bend Ducks

IGUANA HUNT CHARTERS🦎 A UNIQUE AND FUN HUNTING ADVENTURE. ● Max 3 persons per boat! However, if more than 3 we can accommodate a 2nd or 3rd boat for your group. Ask Captain Experiences for more details. Green Iguanas are not native to Florida and are considered invasive species due to their impacts to native wildlife. The Green Iguana is native to South & Central America, Mexico, and some islands of the Caribbean but, once again, because of the popularity of the iguana in the pet trade, they have become invasive in South Florida, Hawaii, Texas, and Puerto Rico. Iguanas are a big problem in Florida as they cause damage to commercial and residential landscape vegetation. Most property owners consider these reptiles as a nuisance. These animals are mostly attracted to plants with flowers, foliage, or any kind of vegetables, and they destroy them. HOW THEY GOT HERE Florida's first green Iguanas likely hitched a ride on Cuban cargo ships transporting goods to Florida. Soon after their arrival, the herbivorous lizards reproduced rapidly and established themselves throughout South and Central Florida. CAN YOU EAT AND WHAT DOES IGUANA TASTE LIKE Iguanas are referred to as the "chicken of the trees," by iguana eaters, because they are said to taste " like chicken ". Many people enjoy the meat from iguanas because of the high levels of protein it provides. In fact, iguana is a pretty lean meat and contains more protein than chicken. It's a common delicacy in Mexico, Central and South America — and in trendy U.S. restaurants that cater to anyone craving a lizard entree. Iguana gourmets in the U.S. are sometimes immigrants from other countries looking for a taste of home. WHY DO PEOPLE HUNT IGUANAS They are invasive and they cause damage to seawalls, sidewalks, landscape foliage and can dig lengthy tunnels causing millions in damages to residents and businesses. Also, they prey on the vulnerbale native Burrowing owls by eating their eggs and drive them out of their homes. Non-native iguanas are multiplying so rapidly in South Florida that a state wildlife agency is now encouraging people to kill them. Book your ultimate hunt adventure! Enjoy and have fun while helping to remove South Florida invasive species. Read More

Iguana Hunting

Embark on a unique and eco-friendly iguana hunting experience with Captain Bill in Delray Beach, Florida. Captain Bill invites you to us his top-of-the-line PCP air rifles, targeting invasive iguana species that pose a threat to the local ecosystem. And Trophy sized ones at that! Set against the backdrop of Delray Beach's natural beauty, this iguana hunting adventure promises a blend of skill and conservation effort. Captain Bill's commitment to preserving the delicate balance of the local environment ensures that participants engage in a meaningful and impactful endeavor. Engaging in iguana hunting not only helps protect the native flora and fauna but also provides insights into the importance of responsible pest management. Captain Bill's knowledge and guidance create an opportunity to contribute to the well-being of the local ecosystem while enjoying a unique outdoor experience. Immerse yourself in an adventure marked by professionalism, environmental stewardship, and a deep respect for the local ecology. Captain Bill's dedication to eco-conscious hunting practices guarantees an experience that is both rewarding and environmentally responsible. Engage in iguana hunting in Delray Beach, Florida, under the guidance of Captain Bill, and contribute to the preservation of the region's natural habitat. Read More

Invasive Species Hunting Trip in Delray Beach

Iguana Hunts Delray Beach

For these duck hunts on the coastal bend with Captain Brian. You will climb aboard his airboat to be ferried back to one of Brians many well-maintained duck blinds that look over shallow back bays. You're morning will start early around 5:00-5:45 am so you and Captain Brian have enough time to get the decoys out, and set up in the blind before shooting light. You will hunt until around 11am or until you limit out! You can expect to find almost every species of Diver ducks and Puddle ducks, also known as dabbling ducks in the Coastal Bend area. The puddle ducks most commonly found are, Pintail, Gadwall, Wigeon, Shoveler, Blue Wing Teal, Green Wing Teal, Mottled Ducks, and there is even the rare opportunity of seeing a Cinamon Teal! The Diving Duck or Divers we most commonly find here in South Texas are Bufflehead, Greater Scaup, Lessor Scaup, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Canvas Back, and Goldeneye. Clearly the area has such a large selection of Waterfowl. You can also easily find the Black Belly Whistling Tree Ducks. On occasion, you can also find a few Lessor Snow Geese and Speckle Belly Goose or White-fronted Goose . Brian will hunt ducks in Corpus Christi Bay, Nueces Bay, Aransas Bay, Redfish Bay, Copano Bay, and Port Bay. Most of his hunts are by airboat, hunting the shallow water back bays, in duck blinds or on mangrove islands. *Worried about bringing the kids?* If this is their first time to hunt, don’t hesitate. Captain Brian has raised four of his own, the youngest just barely able to write his own name; he understands the patience that is required to take them hunting. It is Captain Brian's philosophy that introducing our youth to the outdoors will ensure the future of our wildlife. It will also teach them the correct way to stay safe and be responsible hunters! Read More

Duck Hunting Trip in Aransas Pass

Aransas Pass Quacker Smacker

This is an invasive species in Florida, these nasty lizards are causing a major impact on our Ecosystem. People always ask "Can You Eat Iguana" absolutely !!!!!! With determination, we have OPENED Florida for the Iguana Hunts. Even better than before. We offer a "Guided Air Rifle Hunt" to dispatch and eradicate this invasive animal. Most hunts are conducted by boat with a USCG Captain and Pro-Staff. We also can/will provide taxidermy services contact information and ways to ship meat back home. This hunt is becoming more and more popular every day. We have put together an amazing experience of Guided Air Rifle Iguana Hunts in South Florida ( Fort Lauderdale Metro Area). All six of our hunting sites are located with in 20 mins to 1.45 hour drive of Fort Lauderdale Metro area. Captain Gene coordinates and secures the hunts with professional Pro-Staff and hunting guides. With our team, we can set up and coordinate a hunt like no others. We started this hunting service back in September 2014 and went live immediately - it was a huge success and game changer. Come join us for a new crazy hunt and grab some trigger time... Gene and his team will provide all the necessary equipment for the hunt, including the air rifles, pellets, boats, guide and fuel. Gene and his team suggest wearing solid shoes for the retrievals and comfortable clothes, it does get a little hot in the summer months. A small cooler with drinks and snack is fine. No Alcohol consumption allowed on their boats. But you are more than welcome to enjoy a cold beer or cocktail once you have returned to land! Read More

Guided Air Rifle Iguana Hunts | Elite Hunts | Trophy Hunts

We provide dove hunting opportunities within 30 minutes of central Austin over cut corn fields. The hunt will include a guide to help set you up in the best locations as well as put some mojos in the field to help attract birds for our hunters. We are happy to host beginner hunters and will provide some tips and mentoring for younger and older beginners. We can help with and/or teach you how to clean the birds after the hunt. Whether you are a beginner or just looking for a great field to hunt, we can help! Read More

Dove Hunting Trip in Manor

Central Texas Dove Hunt

If you've never been iguana hunting here in Cape Coral, FL, then you've been missing out! This type of hunt is a blast. Litterally as you'll be sniping these iguanas with an air rifle provided by your guide, Roland. This trip is not only great for beginners, but also good for the environment; iguanas are invasive here in Florida, and the ecosystem will thank you for bagging a few! Plus, iguanas are actually great eating! On this trip, you'll be exploring the inland canal system on board Captain Roland's 21' Tidewater bay boat. You'll be keeping your eyes peeled to spot iguanas, then potting them with air rifles. You're also free to jump out and grab them! This trip is a great time, and super flexible; you can get out there in the AM, PM , or at night. Book a trip now and experience this unique type of Florida hunting! Read More

Iguana Bow Hunt & Bowfishing Combo

South Texas is perfectly situated for epic waterfowl hunting. Located smack in the middle of the Central Flyway, the area is an annual stopover for millions of ducks, who come to rest in the protected bays and inshore waters while they migrate. Species here include Green-Winged and Blue-Winged Teals, Cinnamon Teals, Wigeons, Redheads, Pintails, Gadwalls, and Mottled Ducks—all of which are a blast to shoot and good eating as well. On this trip, your outfitter, Terry, will make sure to put you in the perfect spot to nail some inbound waterfowl. He'll provide the blinds and decoys, so all you need to bring is your waders, your guns, and your shells. You'll get out there before dawn, and hunt until 11 o'clock, so you can even be home for lunch! If you have wingshooting experience, this is a perfect chance to hit your limit! If you're still new to the sport, this is a great way to improve your skills alongside a top-notch guide. Get out there and see what the Texas coast has to offer! Read More

Duck Hunting Trip in Wharton

Matagorda Bay Duck Hunt

Peacock Bass And Iguana Hunt Combo

On this trip with Captain Janot, you'll be using air rifles to targe a variety of exotic and invasive species from the deck of his 18’ Excel F4 mud boat. That includes Iguanas, Egyptian Geese, and other Florida invasives. This kind of hunt is great for beginners and great for the environment; iguanas and Egyptian Geese are invasive here in Florida, and the ecosystem will thank you for bagging a few! Both species make for great table fare as well! On this trip, you'll be exploring the inland canal system on board Captain Janot's boat. You'll be keeping your eyes peeled to spot iguanas, then dispatching them with high powered pre charged pneumatic air rifles in .25-.30 calibers! Book a trip now and experience this unique type of Florida hunting! Read More

Goose, Invasive Species Hunting Trip in Lake Worth Beach

Exotics Airgun Hunt

Experience the Ultimate Texas Duck Hunting Adventure! Welcome to the heart of duck hunting paradise in Montague County, North Texas, where we embark on thrilling hunts across the neighboring Jack and Clay counties. Our passion for duck hunting knows no bounds, and we guarantee an adventure like no other! From the break of dawn, we start our hunts at legal shooting time, ensuring you have the maximum opportunity to experience the thrill of the hunt. Typically, our hunts wrap up by 9:00 AM, but we won't stop until 10:00 AM if we haven't reached our limit. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we'll go the extra mile to make your hunting experience unforgettable. We exclusively hunt on private lakes, most of which are nestled on scenic farms, providing the ideal habitat for an abundance of ducks and geese. With over 60 lakes at our disposal, our journey takes us from the picturesque Bowie/Bellevue area, heading north towards the majestic Red River. You'll be mesmerized by the diverse landscapes and incredible waterfowl population that awaits you. Rest assured, we take care of all the details. From setting up the decoys to handling the expertly trained dogs and crafting the perfect blinds, our seasoned team has got it covered. All you need to do is come prepared to savor the moment and focus on the thrill of the hunt. Our dedication to conservation and sustainable hunting practices ensures that these pristine lands and their wildlife are preserved for generations to come. Together, we create memories that last a lifetime while respecting the natural beauty of the Texas wilderness. So, whether you're an experienced waterfowler or a beginner eager to try your hand at duck hunting, our guided trips offer an unrivaled experience. Book your Texas duck hunting trip today, and get ready for a captivating journey that will leave you with stories to tell and a passion for waterfowl hunting like never before! Read More

Duck Hunting Trip in Bowie

Texas Duck Destruction

This epic duck hunt is ideal for duck hunters with a little bit of experience under their belt, who want to bag some birds in one of America's best duck habitats! South Texas is smack in the middle of the Central Flyway, and is a stopover for dozens of migratory waterfowl species. The sheltered bays here draw hundreds of thousands of ducks annually, including Green-Winged and Blue-Winged Teals, Wigeons, Redheads, Pintails, Gadwalls, and Mottled Ducks, and more! You can target all of these species, which are exciting quarries and great eating to boot! On this trip, your outfitter, Trey, will make sure to put you in the perfect spot to nail some inbound waterfowl. He'll provide the blinds and decoys, so all you need to bring is your waders, your guns, and your shells. He'll motor you out to the blind, but once you're out there, he leaves the hunting up to you! Read More

Chasing Pins On The Coastal Bend

Join Paul for a Hog hunt sure to please! On this hunt you will be exploring the florida wilderness and have the opportunity to shoot as many hogs as you’re able to. Paul and his team will equip you with all the gear necessary (guns, ammo, night vision equipment, etc.) and then you will set off on this spot-and-stalk style hunt. All of Paul’s hunts are private, so it will be just your group and your guide on this adventure. Paul and his team strive to offer the most authentic hunting experience possible, and so his property is entirely free range. Please note that this package does not include lodging or meals. Your adventure will begin around dusk when you will meet Paul and his team onsite to go over all of the safety rules as well as instructions for all of the gear and equipment. Our night vision equipment includes video capable pulsar thermal scopes and Night Optics D760 6x Gen III night vision. Once you’re comfortable with all the equipment and all questions have been answered, your guide will take you to start the hunt. We have thousands of acres of farmland to hunt on, and your guide will know the best places to start looking for hogs. Between motion activated cameras, baiting, and even word of mouth from local farmers, your guide will drive you to the best locations for hogs throughout 6 hours of thrills under the stars. On brighter nights customers can expect shooting opportunities around 100 yards, and when it’s darker they’ll sneak within 100 yards to get shots as close as possible. Finally, at the end of your hunt Paul and his team will clean and package all of the meat you want to take home free of charge. We’ve been leading night vision hog hunts in the area for almost a decade. Feral hogs are considered an invasive species in Florida, reproducing quickly and wreaking havoc on local crops. In an effort to alleviate this issue, we partner with local farmers, giving us thousands of acres of farm land to patrol and averaging 200+ kills a year. As with any wild animals and any hunting expedition, we cannot guarantee exactly where the hogs will be or that kills will be made. However, we do guarantee our best effort to ensure that you see action and enjoy your hunt. Read More

Hog Hunting Trip in Altha

Night Vision Hog Hunts

This trip is perfect for hunters and anglers who want to do it all in the Port Aransas/Rockport area! On this cast-and-blast trip, you'll hunt all morning and fish all afternoon, without breaking the bank. Your guide and outfitter, Trey, has years of experience hunting and fishing the Texas coast, and will put you right on the birds and the Reds! In terms of wingshooting, South Texas is smack in the center of the Central Flyway, and is a stopover for dozens of migratory waterfowl specied. The sheltered bays here draw hundreds of thousands of ducks annually, including Green-Winged and Blue-Winged Teals, Cinnamon Teals, Wigeons, Redheads, Pintails, Gadwalls, and Mottled Ducks. You can target all of these species, which are exciting quarries and great eating. Trey provides the boat, decoys, blind, and dog, so all you need to bring is your camouflage, your guns, and your shells. You'll get out there before dawn, and hunt for about three hours, when you'll break for lunch and then switch to fishing. For fishing, the bays and inshore waters off Port A are premier fishing grounds for Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, and more. Captain Trey will make sure you're hooked up with the best tackle to find your target species, and he'll do everything he can to help you pull a personal best over the rail, fill your cooler, or both. Captain Trey takes care of everything for your charter so all you need to bring is your sun protection, lunch/snacks and drinks, and your Texas fishing license! Read More

Duck, Inshore Fishing, Hunting Charter in Port Aransas

Port A Cast-and-Blast

Enjoy an unforgettable experience duck hunting in Rockport TX, an area not only renowned within the state of Texas, but also across the country as one of the best places to hunt due to its wide variety of bird species and the tremendous bird population. By choosing us as your Rockport duck hunting guides, you can fulfill your dream of hunting down the following species without any hassle and without the need for any former experience in hunting: Redhead, Bluebills, Ringneck, Widgeon, Pintail, Greenwing, Bluewing, Northern shoveler, Gadwall, Bufflehead, and Goldeneye. On top of that you can have one of the best chances in the Lower 48 at killing a Cinnamon Teal! Leaf's Texas duck hunting trips are fun and offer several benefits, and provide a mentally stimulating challenge to hunters as well. Duck hunting can range in difficulty but oftentimes can pose quite a challenge. Waterfowlers need to be deceptive with decoys, stay patient, and account for factors such as wind and migration patterns. Duck hunting prevents overpopulation, and in turn, preserves native biodiversity. This makes your contribution to duck hunting in Texas go beyond just the thrill of trophy hunts — you are helping out the planet. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to disconnect from our interconnected world. Many work on computer screens all day and then go home to use TV’s, laptops, phones, tablets, you name it. Technology provides conveniences, but sometimes you need a break from it—not only to feel better, but for the sake of your health, too. Duck hunting serves as a great escape to nature. A mere few hours in nature help you not only escape our digital world—but also let you alleviate stress in a positive way. Getting away from the ordinary provides an important refresher for your body and mind! All the decoys, blinds, and transportation are taken care of on the trips, all you need to bring with you is your shotgun (12 gauge recommended), steel shot shells, and waders. Leaf and his team will take care of the rest! Read More

Duck Hunting Trip in Rockport

Rockport Duck Slam

Everything to know about booking a hunting trip, what are the best hunting trips.

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 255 hunting trips, and the most popular trips are Cape Coral Iguana Hunt guided by Roland , Iguana Hunting Veteran Guides guided by Todd , and Iguana Hunting Insanity guided by Carlos .

Our guides are rated a 4.9 out of 5 based on 2642 verified reviews on Captain Experiences.

All guides on Captain Experiences are licensed, insured, and vetted by our team. You can access their reviews, click through trip photos, read bios to get to know them, and preview trip details like species, techniques, group sizes, and more.

Looking for kid friendly hunting guides? Check out our beginner and family friendly hunting guides .

What types of hunting trips are common?

Duck hunting is the most popular for hunting as well as hog hunting, alligator hunting, and upland hunting.

The most commonly sought after species for hunting are: 1. blue-winged teal, 2. green-winged teal, 3. wigeon, and 4. northern pintail.

The most common hunting techniques are shotgun hunting, hunting from a blind, and rifle hunting but decoy hunting and calling are popular as well.

How much does a hunting trip cost?

hunting prices can range anywhere from about $500 to $6,020, but the average price for a half day trip hunting is $2,290. The average price for a full day trip hunting is $3,380.

What month is best for hunting?

The most popular season for hunting is winter, and most hunters book their trips 34 days in advance.

Where can I look through all Captain Experiences trips?

See here to browse all the trips we offer.

Recent Reviews of Captain Experiences

Jeffery W. with Justin N. of Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Rachel H. with Carlos I. of Lantana, Florida

Jay H. with Justin N. of Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Michael S. with Roland W. of Cape Coral, Florida

Jason R. with Carlos I. of Lantana, Florida

Jeff G. with Roland W. of Cape Coral, Florida

Brandon O. with Charlie L. of Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Clay H. with Gene P. of Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Brandon O. with Ricky S. of West Palm Beach, Florida

Tim K. with Paul S. of Altha, Florida

Alexandra C. with Ricky S. of West Palm Beach, Florida

Kelby W. with Roland W. of Cape Coral, Florida

Adam C. with Blake E. of Bowie, Texas

Matt S. with Justin N. of Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Sabrina Z. with Colton C. of Littlefield, Texas

John M. with Justin N. of Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Brian G. with Carlos I. of Lantana, Florida

Jeremiah M. with Justin N. of Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Jeffrey W. with Gene P. of Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Paul P. with Paul S. of Altha, Florida

• North Carolina
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Top Targeted Hunting Species

• Black-Bellied Whistling Duck
• Blue-Winged Teal
• Canada Goose
• Cinnamon Teal
• Common Goldeneye
• Common Merganser
• Egyptian Goose
• Fulvous Whistling Duck
• Green-Winged Teal
• Hooded Merganser
• Mexican Duck
• Mottled Duck
• Northern Pintail
• Northern Shoveler
• Red-Breasted Merganser
• Ring-Necked Duck
• Sandhill Crane
• Specklebelly Goose
• Whitetail Deer

Top Hunting Techniques

• Decoy Hunting
• Helicopter Hunting
• Hunting With Dogs
• Hunting from a Blind
• Management Hunting
• Released Bird Hunting
• Rifle Hunting
• Shotgun Hunting
• Thermal Hunting

Top Types of Hunting

• Invasive Species

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The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Hunting Trip

When was the last time you went on a hunting trip? An entire trip dedicated to hunting is something that almost every hunter dreams of, yet not as many actually go through with it. Whether it’s a financial concern, a lack of knowledge or even just not understanding how to plan a hunting trip, people are always able to find some reason why they aren’t able to go.

We believe everyone should get to experience the joy of a hunting trip, which is why we’ve put together this guide to planning a hunting trip — check it out!

The Planning Phase

Obviously, before you can go on any hunting trip, the first step is to plan it. While you can technically plan for a hunting trip at any point, it’s recommended that you get the basics of the planning process done as early as you can. This will help guide you and your crew so that you can each continue to do your own research, gather supplies and figure out the next steps.

The initial things you need to figure out when planning a hunting trip are:

Decide What You’ll be Hunting

First and foremost, you’ll want to figure out what it is you’ll be hunting. Are you going to stick with a target that’s in your local area, such as a deer or turkey, or do you want to try to travel a bit further and try some sort of region-specific hunt, such as a bear, elk, or pig?

There are plenty of fun hunts that you can go on, so don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and try something new! It may seem like a daunting or expensive task at first, but if you do your research, you’ll be able to find a hunt that fits your budget. We’ve compiled a list of affordable hunting trips for budget-minded hunters , so be sure to take a look at that for inspiration.

Research the Best Locations

Once you’ve picked out your target of choice, it’s time to pick a location. There are plenty of factors that go into choosing the best hunting location, including:

• Type of accommodation (hotel, lodge, camping, etc.)
• Guided or not guided

You’ll also want to do plenty of research to find out if other hunters have had success in the area. An unsuccessful hunting trip is still a fun time, but it’s infinitely more fun when you’re entering an area where your chances for success are high. For example, if you’re going on a deer hunt, you’ll want to be sure that you are entering a state with high populations and low pressure from other hunters. Take a look at this blog post to learn about the best deer hunting states in 2021.

For even more ideas, head to our list of the 6 hunting trips that you should make within your lifetime.

Know Your Hunting Method

Now that you know what you’re hunting and where you’re hunting, it’s time to figure out how you’re hunting. There are two things to consider when thinking about your hunting method: your approach to the hunt and your weapon of choice.

Determining your approach depends a lot on the land that you’ll be hunting on. If you can, try to find some images of the land and read some first-hand information about how the land is laid out. This will help you get a clearer picture of whether you’ll be better off stalking or ambushing, for example. Obviously, you’ll be able to adapt your strategy once you’re actually there, but having some sort of plan for the trip helps to make you more prepared.

Once your attack strategy is put together, you can better understand which weapon you should bring with you. The weapon you use on your hunt will likely depend on getting a tag in the region and the local laws, but if you are given a choice, factor your strategy into the decision. Will you be getting close enough to an animal for a shot with a bow, or will you want to bring some sort of firearm? Figuring this out will also help you get more prepared for the upcoming hunt, and preparation is the secret ingredient to success.

Preparing for the Hunt

You’ve planned out the basics and the hunt is starting to get closer. This is when you can start to think about the logistics of the hunt and get yourself ready for the trip.

Create a Packing List

Planning out what to take on a hunting trip usually depends on the region that you’re hunting in, but there are a few basics that you’ll need regardless of where you’re going.

These basic items include:

• Tags and license
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Backpack, fanny pack, or any other way to carry loose equipment
• Scent killer

Map Out the Terrain

At this point in the planning process, you’ll want to get as detailed of a look at the terrain as possible. You don’t want to be showing up before sunrise on the first morning and not have a plan of attack, so do whatever you can to map out the terrain and plan out a route and strategy for each day that you’re there.

If you live far away from where you are traveling, you’ll want to utilize the Internet to make this happen. You can find websites where people will lay out detailed plans of what you should do, so use these first-hand accounts to your advantage. There’s no teacher-like experience, and every bit of information you gather will help you get a little bit closer to success.

If Possible, Scout Ahead of Time

Scouting the land before hunting is perhaps the most valuable thing you can do if you’re granted the time and opportunity. Even if you can get to the location a day early to look around, this will go such a long way towards the success of your hunt.

Taking the time to scout is perhaps the biggest variable that separates average hunters from good hunters. There are so many different insights that you can gain by scouting, and as you continue to pile up information, your brain will help you to make better decisions when the time for hunting actually happens.

Confused about how to scout? We have a full blog post featuring tips for scouting deer.

Get the Proper Gear

Did your scouting show you something about the land that you weren’t originally expecting or weren’t initially familiar with? If so, take this opportunity to load up on any extra gear that you may end up needing for the trip!

Some ideas include:

• Rangefinder
• Shooting sticks or a tripod
• A suppressor

While spending more money on your hunting trip this late in the process may not seem all that appealing, if it’s an accessory that will benefit your hunt, it will be worth it in the long run. Once you’ve made it to the location, you won’t want to be held back in the field because you’re missing an accessory that could have helped you out. If you can swing it, it’s usually worth it to spring for the extra accessories that can help you out. You’ve made it this far — you may as well give yourself the best chances possible for success.

Most Importantly, Enjoy the Trip

No matter what type of hunting trip you take, be sure to enjoy the things that go right and embrace the things that go wrong. Hunting is not a year-round event, so any time that you can get out into the field should be cherished and appreciated, as they don’t come around as often as we would like.

Want to go the extra step to increase your odds of success and make your trip count? Look into hunting with a suppressor . Suppressors help you maintain the element of surprise, improve your accuracy and enhance your hunting experience overall. Learn more about how a suppressor can help you on your hunting trip !

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Home & Living

How to Plan an RV Hunting Trip

Posted  2021-04-08T23:59:00Z  by  Stephanie Mallory

Realtree Nation

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Hunting licenses and camper sales both soared during the pandemic. Here's why RVs still make sense for traveling hunters

Renting, driving, and operating an RV can be a bit intimidating for the first-time user. After all, there's a lot to consider. Outdoorsy , an RV rental website that connects RV owners with those who want to experience RVing without ownership, offers some tips for hunters venturing out in an RV for the first time.

Why Stay and Travel in an RV?

RVing is socially distant by design, and it's an ideal way to travel for those wanting to control the cleanliness of their environment and to camp away from crowds.

Jeff Cavins, the CEO and co-founder of Outdoorsy, who is also a hunter, says, In an RV, you can stay on-site, whether you're hunting on a lease or on a closed piece of land. It allows you to get much closer to the action and you don't have to spend a lot of time traveling to your hunting destination. It's also more economically practical if you're taking a hunting trip for multiple days.

Traveling in an RV is a good option for a variety of hunting scenarios, but it is especially handy when hunting on property where there are no nearby lodging options.

If you're hunting on undeveloped property, it definitely makes sense to consider an RV, Cavins says. It's also smart when hunting for extended periods of time or when you're in no man's land and hotels are miles from your hunting destination.

An RV also offers a more comfortable option for those who are used to camping in tents during their hunting trips. RVs not only keep gear dry and protected — they offer hunters a warm, dry location to rest and sleep that a tent simply can't provide.

Where Can You Stay in an RV?

There are many RV-compatible campgrounds on private and public land within short distance of great hunting spots around the country.

Some campgrounds are only set up for small RV campers and tents, but others can accommodate large RV combinations. Be sure to do some research before renting your RV and booking your campsite to make sure the two are compatible.

Both private campgrounds and public land campgrounds can be found in every area of the country. The USA RV Camping Map provides links to where you can find public lands RV camping resources for every state.

You can also visit Outdoorsy.com for links to the top RV parks and campgrounds in each state .

The BLM (Bureau of Land Management), USFS (US Forest Service), FWS (US Fish & Wildlife Service), and USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers) also offer opportunities for boondocking at many locations. Boondocking is defined as camping outside designated campgrounds. Boondocking-Dispersed Camping has info on the rules and locations for boondocking. This type of camping takes even more planning and forethought. Don't simply assume all public lands allow boondocking. Many do, but some don't.

First-Time RVing?

One of the most common misconceptions about renting an RV is that you need a commercial driver's license to drive one, especially a big one. But you don't. Even the majority of Class A RVs, the biggest options on the market, do not require a special driver's license, but a little study and preparation before you take off in an RV is smart. You'll want a basic understanding of the operations and functions, such as how to fill up your RV's fresh-water tank, how to tow a car behind your RV, and how to empty the holding tank.

While operating an RV is surprisingly similar to driving a truck or minivan, the biggest challenge for most first-time renters is frequently the mental hurdle. To help ease those newbie nerves, Outdoorsy offers a library of how-to videos, educational blog articles, and more than 400 Road Trip Guides to help you brainstorm where to go and what to see and do along the way to your hunting trip.

Choosing Your RV

With so many models and features to choose from, how do you know what type of RV to select for your specific hunting needs?

Outdoorsy CMO and co-founder Jen Young says renters should look for a vehicle that fits their personal style and travel needs. There are so many models with various features, looks, and qualities to consider. For example, there are Sprinter vans with wood-paneled interiors and solar-paneled roofs. There are teardrop trailers that can be towed by a Prius. Instagrammable Airstreams are a big favorite among the hip crowd, and it's hard to go wrong with a drivable Class B camper.

Sizes range from compact 10-foot trailer units that can be towed behind a pickup to luxurious 40-foot Class A motorhomes. Class Bs and truck campers are the perfect fit for one to two hunters, while Class C RVs, fifth wheels, and Class A RVs are best if you're planning to travel with a group and are looking for a bit more room to spread out. Will you be taking your hunting dog(s) with you? If so, you'll want to make sure your rental is pet-friendly and spacious. Also, don't forget to take into account the amount of gear you plan to bring along. Even if only a couple of you are going on the trip, all that hunting gear can take up a lot of storage space.

For adventure seekers looking to go off-road and stay off-grid for a bit, I recommend looking into renting truck campers (where sleeping quarters are placed over the cab of the truck and the living space sits on the bed of the truck), Young says. The higher ground clearance a vehicle gets and the more sustainable features it supplies (solar panels, extra water storage, high gas mileage, etc.), the better equipped the vehicle will be to get you away from the crowds and closer to nature.

In addition to the size consideration, you'll want to select an RV with features that will enhance your hunting experience.

Cavins says, Outdoor showers, sinks, and kitchenettes are incredibly useful for cleaning off before you step back into an RV. They're also great for cooking or preparing a meal, while keeping an eye out for game in the background. A lot of hunters have had success with this, especially for dove hunts. Propane tanks, a generator, and a toy hauler for ATVs are also helpful.

RV Supply List

Of course, in addition to your typical hunting gear, you'll also need to check off a list of supplies for your RV.

Young says, Drinking water, coffee maker, phone chargers, flashlights, and an emergency kit are a few necessities for every RV adventure. Some less-obvious RVing items to pack include comfortable clothes, your own bedroom linens and any other sleeping essentials, as well as cooking supplies and ingredients and games to pass the time. If you're wanting to stay connected to the front-country while you're away, consider investing in a roaming Wi-Fi booster like one from Skyroam .

You may also want to consider including a lockable storage container inside the RV for your firearms. And don't forget whatever you'll need to keep your canine companion comfy and content.

Check out this comprehensive list for everything you may need for your RV hunting trip.

Practice Campground Manners

Last but not least, be courteous when sharing a campground with other RVers. Koa.com lists a few Rules for Courteous RV Camping, which include following posted campground rules, observing campground guidelines for parking your rig, following the rules for utility hookups, being responsible for pets, respecting quiet hours, keeping the campsite clean, and more.

While an RV hunting trip can be a bit intimidating for the first-timer, just a bit of planning and preparation can make it well worth it. Chances are, even after the COVID epidemic has passed, you will still appreciate the freedom, comfort, flexibility, and budget-friendly cost so much that you'll want to continue traveling and hunting from an RV in the future.

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How to Pack for 3 Different Kinds of Hunting Trips

Make sure you're prepared for these three types of hunting trips..

If you're planning a major hunting trip this season, it's never too early to prepare, especially if it's a bucket list trip you've been planning for years. But maybe you're uncertain what you should bring to the hunting grounds this year.

Not to worry, we are here to help with suggestions on gear to pack for three dramatically different game species and styles of North American hunting.

So, whether you're going after waterfowl in Missouri , whitetail deer in the Midwest or elk in the Rocky Mountains, you'll be properly prepared for this hunting season's adventure.

Mountain Elk Hunt Gear List

You've spent years building preference points for drawing an elk tag for a top-notch area on public land somewhere in Wyoming, Montana, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado or Idaho. Now is the time for the hunting experience of a lifetime chasing that monster bull of your dreams.

Note that while this packing list is tailored to elk hunting, much of the gear here is also suitable for high-altitude hunts for other game animals like mule deer, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep or mountain goat.

Two big things to focus on here are footwear and hydration. Hunting in the mountains is a whole other animal, especially if you're used to hunting flatlands in the Midwest or Eastern parts of the country. The hunters and hunting guides with the highest success rates are usually the ones who work the hardest for it. You're going to be pursuing big game up and down some very rough terrain . They aren't going to make it easier for you. Work smarter, not harder by buying good quality gear that is up for the task at hand.

Buy your pack for the hunt far in advance of your hunt. Load it up with this gear and test it out thoroughly. Is it comfortable? Does it keep all your gear secure and in place? Is it something you want to wear all day while chasing bugling bulls up and down ridges? If the straps are uncomfortably digging into your shoulders after only a few minutes, it's time to get a different pack. Look for something that not only holds your gear, but also keeps it organized and gives quick access in a pinch.

Related Content

10 ways to experience the best of north america's big game hunting, field & stream's command hunt 5-in-1 reversible jacket increases the chances, one hunt to try in each of the 50 states.

One last thing before we get to the list. If you're hunting with outfitters , check with them ahead of time. Sometimes the guides will have their own gear list of things they expect you to bring. Some guides will provide some items for you.

• Firearm or bow
• Extra ammo or arrows
• Extra broadheads & sharpener
• Small hatchet
• Camo outerwear
• Rainwear (coat and pants)
• Base layers (for warmth)
• Quality hiking/hunting boots (broken in ahead of time)
• Hunter Orange (if hunting in firearms season)
• Facemask or facepaint depending on preference.
• Rangefinder (you can save valuable weight with a binocular/rangefinder combo)
• First aid kit
• Survival kit with emergency shelter/emergency blanket (aka "space blanket")
• Bear spray or bear sidearm (check regulations on what is legal)
• GPS unit and or Maps
• Spot or other satellite check-in device
• Appropriate game calls (for DIY hunt or one where guide isn't providing them)
• Cover scent
• Canteen or hydration bladder for pack
• Water purifier or "Lifestraw" device (keep a few water purification pills in the survival kit)
• Snacks for energy
• Hunting license/tags
• A good, compact camera (for the memories!)
• Altitude sickness medication (see our guide on altitude sickness prep for more information)
• Game bags (for packing out the meat from your harvest)

We're also doing a secondary list for gear specific to backcountry camping while hunting.

• Sleeping bag
• Food utensils
• Butchering gear (if you want to start eating your game right away)
• Toiletry items (soap, toothbrush, etc.)
• Solar charger/battery pack for cell phone
• Matches/firestarter

Don't worry about trying to fit all this extra stuff into your hunting pack if you're staying at a lodge or the guide has a dedicated hunting camp.

Out-of-State Waterfowl Hunt

If you're interested in the waterfowl hunt of a lifetime, you'll likely be heading to either a prairie state or southern state. Find out where the birds are so thick they blot out the sun!

Thankfully, you don't have to pack as extensively for a waterfowl trip as you do a big-game hunting trip. The packing checklist for a waterfowl hunt stays basically the same no matter where you're hunting in the country.

The only big difference might be warmer clothing for more northerly climates and more bug spray for southern ones. Also, the obvious things. It doesn't make sense to pack your duck waders if you're going to by laying in cornfields in Nebraska for Canadian geese.

• Decoys appropriate to the situation.
• Duck/geese calls
• Waders (if hunting wetlands/swamps)
• Waterproof boots
• Headlamp or flashlight
• Hunting license
• Insect repellent
• Life vest (if hunting on water)
• Camo netting or blind material
• Snacks (for the downtime)

Thankfully, for an out-of-state waterfowl trip, you're usually staying in cabin or hunting lodge, often courtesy of hunting outfitters. So, packing efficiently to fit everything in one bag isn't usually as important unless you're camping.

If you're hiring an outfitter, call them ahead of time. Odds are, they already have the decoys, boats and blinds taken care of, saving you valuable space in your vehicle on the drive to the hunting grounds.

Midwest Deer Hunting

The midwestern United States are among the best places on the planet to hunt for whitetail deer. Especially if you're a bowhunter. It's where legendary whitetails like the Jim Jordan buck and the Hole-in-the-Horn buck hail from. The gear you'll need is largely going to be based on hunting from treestands.

You might exchange a ground blind on this check list for wide-open, agricultural areas like you'll find in Iowa or central Illinois. Evaluate the type of area you're hunting ahead of time to best narrow down what gear suits the situation best. But at the very least all these items should be a consideration. 

• Release and quiver
• Attractant scents (rut scents: doe estrus, etc.)
• Calls ( grunt , bleat, fawn distress, etc.)
• Rattling antlers (for the rut when bucks are aggressive.)
• Base layers (for warmth; more important in late than early season)
• Facemask or facepaint
• Handwarmers
• Rubber boots
• Insect repellent (in early season)
• Treestand steps or ladder (not necessary for climbing stands)
• Tree safety harness
• Pull-up rope
• Tree weapon and gear hooks
• Pop-up ground blind
• Folding hand saw (for splitting deer pelvic bone or trimming shooting lanes)
• Rangefinder

Deer hunting in the Midwest is more a test of your patience than anything else because most of the time you'll be waiting for long periods of time in a tree.

For most of the gear on this list, you don't need an extremely large pack for a hunt like this. We recommend keeping things as light as possible. I personally use a simple waist bag for most of my gear here in Michigan.

For a standard archery day hunt from dawn until dusk, you don't really need much more than this.

We also recommend bringing along clothing for every type of weather scenario you can imagine. Conditions can change a lot in the course of even a week-long archery hunt in the Midwest.

So, even though the weather forecast is calling for warm weather, bring along some warm clothing too. Just in case.

Trust me, you'll thank me when you don't have to make an extra trip to the local Walmart or sporting goods store with your buddies for extra layers.

Packing for a hunting trip doesn't have to be rocket science. Always think light and durable when buying new gear for the trip and you'll be glad when you're packing your gear in and out of the field on your dream hunt this season!

For more outdoor content from   Travis Smola , be sure to follow him on   Twitter   and check out his   Geocaching  and   General Outdoor YouTube Channels . 

NEXT: ALTITUDE SICKNESS, AND HOW ANGLERS, HUNTERS AND CAMPERS SHOULD DEAL WITH IT

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10 Ingenious Tips for Hunting Camp

Our readers share their best tips and gear hacks for making a trip to hunting or fishing camp even better

By The Editors | Updated Oct 6, 2022 10:37 AM EDT

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Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest—which is certainly the case with this collection of outdoor tricks and gear hacks that readers have sent us over the years. In the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing our “greatest hits” of those reader tips, starting with this list of camping tips. From a modified mousetrap to a toilet-paper protector, these tips are simply brilliant.

Make an Inescapable Mousetrap

Here’s how to catch mice that steal the bait from a trap without setting off the trigger: Tie some yarn onto the trigger, leaving the cut ends about 1⁄4-inch long. Roll the ends to make them fuzzy. Work some peanut butter into the yarn and set the trap. The bait is tougher to get out of the yarn, and the mice will be more aggressive trying to get at it. —Richard J. Moncsko, Wilmington, New York

Split Firewood in a Tire

My least favorite part of splitting firewood is picking up pieces that fall off the chopping block and setting them back up for another swing. A while back though, I met an old-timer who had the perfect solution. He lays an old truck tire on the ground and stands round pieces of wood inside of it upright until he can’t fit anymore. Then he just whacks away until he splits every piece inside of the tire. The tire holds the wood in place so there’s no need to set up between swings. When he’s done, he just picks out the split wood and loads in another batch of round logs. —Steve Sanford, Maryland 

Keep Parachute Cord Tangle-Free

The best way to store 550 parachute cord is in an empty plastic peanut butter jar. Drill a 3⁄16-inch-diameter hole in the lid. Stuff the cord into the jar (careful not to overlap it), and thread the end about 4 inches through the hole you made. Screw the lid back on, and pull out as much cord as you need. Kiss tangles good-bye. —Jim Ratermann, Tipp City, Ohio

Keep the Back Door Open For Bears

In a wall-tent camp, the cook tent can be an easy target for bears. But the only thing worse than a bear stealing your bacon is a bear getting trapped in the tent that holds your bacon and tearing it to shreds while trying to get out. That’s why we always tie the back corner of our wall tent open when we need to leave our cook tent for a while. It gives any critter that ends up in there a way out, and keeps our stuff from getting destroyed.  —Corey Goetz, Cody, Wyoming

Dry Your Boots with Newspaper

I stuff my boots with newspaper, which absorbs the moisture. Then I keep repeating with dry pages every 45 minutes, and they’re good to go the next day. —Marck Schwarze, Elk River, Minnesota

Clean a Cast-Iron Skillet Out With Salt 

Everybody treats cast-iron skillets differently, but this is the best way—period. When your cast-iron pan is dirty put two to three tablespoons of salt in it and a bit of cooking oil. (Never use soap, and never use hot water.) Then, use a paper towel or dish rag to grind the salt around the pan, picking up any bits of food stuck to the metal. Keep grinding until the metal is smooth and the salt looks dirty, then rinse with ice-cold water. You’ll know you did a good job if the water beads up on the surface of the metal. Dry immediately, and don’t let anybody else in camp use your pan.  —Gary Hilman, Brownville, Maine

Boil Pasta in a Coffee Pot

I figured this one out on spaghetti night. After forgetting to bring a pasta pot, I found that my tall blue enamel coffee pot (the old-timey kind that looks like it fell off a stagecoach) fit spaghetti perfectly. Better yet, because it didn’t use as much water to boil the pasta, it didn’t burn up too much fuel. And when the spaghetti was cooked, the spout worked perfectly to strain out the water.  —Kyle Jameson, Lincoln, Nebraska

Haul Firewood with a Ratchet Strap

I took a broken 1-inch ratchet strap, cut off the end with the hook, and tied a loop at that end. I use this to gather firewood whenever I’m camping. I just lay the strap on the ground and pile sticks on it. Then I pull the male end through the female end and throw the bundle over my shoulder. I can carry twice as much wood in half the time. —Eddie Crane III, Richmond, Illinois

Keep Your Phone in Your Sleeping Bag

I try to unplug when I go to hunting camp, but I still like to use my phone for two things: the alarm clock and GPS. The trouble is, cold weather saps a phone’s battery in no time. If I’m going to be camping off-grid for a few days, I keep my phone in my jacket pocket during the day where it can stay warm, and I tuck it into my sleeping bag at night along with any other battery-powered gadgets I have.  —Brian J. Matheson, Northville, New York

Protect Your Toilet Paper at Camp

Two of the most annoying problems at my hunting camp are wet toilet paper and mice getting into toilet paper. But there’s a solution. Cut a long slit in one side of an empty plastic coffee can. Stick a roll of TP in the can and pull a bit of the paper through the slit. Make a hole in the lid and the bottom. Run string through the holes and hang the can out of reach of mice. —Mark A. Clark, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Ideas & Tips for the Ultimate Hunting Camp Setup

September 26, 2023

When you’re out in the wild experiencing the thrill of the hunt, a solid basecamp setup means spending more time engaging with nature and less time fiddling with your campsite. The last thing you want after a long day of hunting is to come back to a camp that’s been ransacked by bears, destroyed by a fallen tree, or become waterlogged by inclement weather.

While preparing a functional, efficient campsite may not be the most exciting task for every hunter, we’re giving you the ultimate guide to hunting camp setups to help you make the most of your next hunting trip.

What are hunting basecamps for?

A basecamp serves as a central location from which hunters operate during an expedition. Its primary purpose is to provide a comfortable and strategic point for hunters to plan, prepare, and return to during their activities.

The size and form of a hunting basecamp can vary widely based on the specific needs and preferences of the hunters. Many hunting basecamps are set up in natural clearings or established campsites within the hunting area, but they can also come in the form of an elevated hideout, a hunting cabin, or a camping vehicle . Some hunters also opt for more portable hunt camps, like a truck bed setup , so they can easily move to other locations as they track game.

How to scout a good place to set up camp

So, how do you build a hunting camp? The first step is scouting a good place to establish your campsite, as your setup location can significantly impact your comfort, safety, and hunting success. Determining your location should take into account certain factors like the duration of your trip, the terrain, and the specific game you're after.

Here are a few tips for scouting the best campsite for your situation:

• Research game habits - understand the habits and patterns of the game you're hunting. Choose a campsite that positions you in proximity to their likely paths, such as near water sources, game trails, or feeding areas. You can use topographical maps or aerial images to assist in pinpointing the best spot.
• Consider terrain and duration - assess the terrain and the duration of your hunting trip. In rugged or remote areas, prioritize proximity to your hunting grounds to minimize travel time and energy expenditure. For longer trips, balance proximity with factors like water availability and shelter.
• Prioritize safety and shelter - ensure your campsite offers safety and shelter from the elements. Look for level, well-drained ground for setting up tents or shelters. Seek natural windbreaks, and avoid areas prone to flooding or avalanche risk.
• Access to essential resources - choose a campsite with access to essential resources such as clean water, firewood, and suitable sanitation facilities. Proximity to these resources can enhance your camping experience and minimize your environmental impact.
• Compliance with regulations - always adhere to local hunting and camping regulations. Obtain any necessary permits, respect property boundaries, and follow wildlife conservation laws. Responsible hunting and camping ensure a positive experience and protect the environment.

Hunting camp essentials

Now that you’ve found the perfect spot, it’s time to decide what hunting camp gear you’ll need to bring. Below is a list of hunting camp essentials and useful items, as well as a few things that would be nice to have along to make your camping experience as well-equipped as possible.

• Tent/shelter
• First aid kit
• Food and water
• Sleeping bag
• Navigation tools, such as maps and GPS
• Gun/hunting weapon of choice
• Flashlights
• Fire starting kit
• Food storage
• Hunting clothes
• Field dressing kit
• Camp furniture, like portable chairs or tables
• Hunting camper/trailer
• Hygiene kit
• Tarp or rainfly
• Communication device

• Camp oven or grill
• Camp shower
• Portable power source
• Camp entertainment, like playing cards or books
• Bug repellent
• Wildlife camera

Other hunt camp ideas

While your hunting camp gear and location are essential considerations for a successful trip, here are some other ideas for your setup, food storage, and camping etiquette as well:

Campsite setup

• Pitch tents/shelters - set up tents or shelters away from the cooking and food storage areas. Ensure tents are secured properly to withstand weather conditions.
• Create a cooking area - establish a designated cooking area with adequate ventilation. Use a camp stove or fire ring if fires are allowed, and keep it away from tents and flammable materials.
• Camp orientation - there are four main campsite layouts, the L-Shape, Curved, Angled, and Straight. Set up your campsite based on your desired level of privacy, what paths through camp will be most active, and maintain a good distance between cooking, bathroom, and sleeping areas.
• Dispose of waste properly - use a portable toilet or dig a cat hole for human waste disposal. Pack out all trash and litter.

Food storage and meal prepping:

• Food storage - store food in bear-resistant containers or bear bags in bear country. Hang food at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet away from trees to prevent bears from accessing it.
• Use sealed containers - store food in airtight, odor-proof containers to prevent smells from escaping. Ziplock bags and sealable containers work well.
• Avoid cooking strong-smelling foods - hunting camp meals should limit strong-smelling foods like bacon or fish, especially at night. Opt for milder options so you won’t attract animals.
• Plan meals - prepare a meal plan and pack only the food you need (make-ahead meals for hunting camps can make your life easier). Consider lightweight, non-perishable items like dehydrated meals for longer trips.
• Wash dishes away from camp - dispose of dishwater away from camp, ensuring it doesn't attract animals.

Common sense recommendations:

• Follow Leave No Trace principles - minimize your impact on the environment by leaving your campsite as you found it. Leave natural and cultural features undisturbed.
• Be fire smart - familiarize yourself with local fire regulations and practice responsible fire management.
• Be considerate of others - if you're hunting in an area with other campers or hunters, respect their space and maintain a quiet and courteous campsite.
• Know the rules - research and follow hunting and camping regulations for your specific location. Obtain necessary permits and licenses.

Organizing tips for quick setup & teardown

You can further streamline your camp’s organization by having separate bags for each kind of gear you’re packing, so you don’t have to waste time rifling through disorganized bags. This will also simplify the process of packing up your hunting camp when it’s time to leave.

One way to make your campsite quick and efficient for both setting up and tearing down is by utilizing a portable hunt camp. Using an RV, hunting trailer , or adventure vehicle can greatly simplify your setup, as many of these were designed for quick and efficient setup and teardown, making it easier to change locations as you track animals.

Should you get a hunting camper?

Preparing for hunting season and setting up a campsite that optimizes your hunting experience requires careful planning and attention to detail. From selecting the ideal location and ensuring proper food storage to following ethical and environmental guidelines, a well-organized campsite can significantly enhance your hunting trip. Even better, a mobile basecamp like TAXA’s Woolly Bear (or an enclosed model like TigerMoth ) is a great way to upgrade any hunting camp setup. Woolly Bear features an 830-pound cargo capacity, full-size outdoor kitchen, and an elevated platform that accommodates most two-to-three-person tents.

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How to Prepare for a Hunting Trip: What You Need to Know

Hunting trips offer a thrilling and rewarding experience for outdoor enthusiasts. However, proper preparation is essential for a successful and safe adventure. From planning your trip to field dressing game, we cover everything you need to account for before heading out. 

Research and Planning

Identifying the target species.

Researching your target species is essential. Learn about their habits, habitats, and behavior. Understanding their tracks, calls, and signs will greatly enhance your hunting success.

Choosing a Hunting Location

So you know the species you want to hunt, now you need to decide where to do it. Before embarking on a hunting trip, you need to select the right location. Consider factors such as accessibility, terrain, and wildlife population. Online resources and tools can assist you in researching potential hunting locations, providing valuable insights into the area’s characteristics.

Understanding Local Hunting Regulations

Each region has specific hunting regulations, permits, and licenses. Familiarize yourself with the local laws, season dates, bag limits, and any other specific rules that may apply. Adhering to these regulations ensures ethical hunting practices and helps preserve wildlife populations.

Gear and Equipment

Firearms and archery equipment.

Selecting the appropriate firearm or bow for your target species is vital. Consider factors such as range, accuracy, and stopping power. Additionally, prioritize safety by ensuring you’re well-versed in handling your chosen weapon.

Clothing and Footwear

Proper attire is crucial for comfort and camouflage. Learn layering techniques for various weather conditions, and select clothing with suitable camouflage patterns. Invest in quality footwear to ensure comfort and support during long hours of hiking and stalking.

Essential Hunting Accessories

Equip yourself with essential accessories like binoculars, scopes, knives, survival kits, and first aid supplies. Game calls, decoys, and attractants can also enhance your hunting strategies.

Physical Conditioning and Skills Development

Building endurance and strength.

Hunting often involves traversing challenging terrains. Engage in cardiovascular exercises and strength training to build endurance and strength. Regular hiking and navigation practice will prepare you for the physical demands of the trip.

Shooting and Marksmanship

Visit shooting ranges or archery ranges regularly to hone your shooting skills. Familiarize yourself with your chosen firearm or bow, ensuring accuracy and proficiency. Practice under varying conditions to simulate real hunting scenarios. Familiarize yourself with the mechanics of your weapon as well.

Learn Tracking and Fieldcraft Skills

Developing tracking and fieldcraft skills is critical for locating and approaching game animals. Learn to identify animal signs and tracks, and practice stealth and camouflage techniques to increase your chances of a successful hunt.

Safety Precautions

Informing others about the hunting trip.

Prior to your hunting trip, inform family or friends about your itinerary, including trip details and expected return dates. Provide them with emergency contacts in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

Basic Wilderness Survival Skills

Depending on where and what you’re hunting, wilderness survival skills may not be required. As an avid hunter however, there are a number of things you should be familiar with such as navigation using maps, compasses, or GPS devices. Learn shelter building, fire starting, and water purification techniques to ensure your safety in remote environments.

Packing and Logistics

Creating a comprehensive hunting checklist.

Don’t “wing it.” Compile a detailed checklist of essential gear, equipment, and supplies. Include items such as weapons, ammunition, clothing, camping gear, food, water, medications where applicable, cooking equipment, and personal hygiene products. Review the list and take inventory before setting out on your trip.

Packing Efficiently and Lightening the Load

Organize your gear and utilize backpacks or duffel bags for efficient packing. Minimize non-essential items to reduce the weight and ensure easier mobility during the trip.

Transportation and Accommodation Arrangements

Make necessary transportation arrangements, ensuring your vehicle meets the requirements for transporting hunting gear and getting you to the hunting grounds. Additionally, if you are hunting for multiple days, consider your accommodation options. Whether it’s camping or booking lodging nearby, this will influence your checklist of items to bring on the trip.

Field Dressing and Game Care

Understanding the process of field dressing.

Field dressing is a crucial step in handling game animals. Learn proper techniques for handling and gutting animals, ensuring the preservation of meat quality. Understand the process of removing hides, caping, and quartering based on the specific game species.

Hygiene and Sanitation Practices

Maintaining proper hygiene and sanitation is vital for preserving the quality of game meat, as well as avoiding illness. Disposable gloves specifically made for field dressing are available, and should be included in your kit. Take precautions to prevent contamination and spoilage of your harvested meat. Ensure you have the necessary tools and equipment for packing and storing the meat appropriately.

Properly preparing for a hunting trip is essential for a successful and safe experience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped and ready to embark on your next hunting adventure. 

Hunting activities involve inherent risks, and it’s crucial to follow proper safety guidelines and regulations. This blog post serves as a general guide and should not be considered as professional advice. Always consult local hunting authorities and experienced hunters for specific recommendations and guidance based on your location and target species.

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A Backcountry Packing List for DIY Mountain Hunters

By Tyler Freel

Posted on Sep 4, 2022 9:00 AM EDT

6 minute read

Good optics are a great help in spotting and evaluating mountain game. Tyler Freel

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Backcountry packing lists are as unique as the hunters that make them, and even among mountain hunters, the details can look quite different. Across forums and social media, you’ll find there are bean counters who will have every ounce listed and accounted for in nauseating detail. There are also those who seemingly throw a bunch of gear in their pack and hit the mountains.

The right packing list for you will depend on what, when, where, and how you’re hunting—but also on your personality. When I played football in high school, I had nightmares about forgetting a key piece of gear (and still do sometimes). Rather than a tangible list, I had a system. On road trips I’d carry my gear in an old army duffle bag. I’d put gear in the bag starting with my shoes and work my way up—Socks, pants, pads, etc. When I finished, I’d dump it all back onto the locker room floor and do it again. I take a similar but less crude approach to hunting gear.

Every Piece of Backcountry Gear Has a Job

A backcountry packing list isn’t as much about the specific brands and gear items, it’s more about what you need them to accomplish. You need gear that will allow you to camp and hunt efficiently and effectively. Everything from your sleeping bag to how you cook your breakfast and treat water matters.

I’ve never worked off a hard checklist when it comes to gear, but I’ll usually make a crude list as I’m gathering what I need for a hunt—usually lower profile items like a spoon or toilet paper that I might forget. My thought process is task-oriented, and I’ll think through the parts of an upcoming hunt and note the things I will need. I’ll consider every piece of clothing for the weather I might encounter, all the gear I need to camp, communications, gear repair, hunting, and hopefully processing and packing out an animal. The key is that every piece of gear has a job, and only select repair or emergency gear isn’t expected to be used. Anything else isn’t worth bringing.

Weight Is Only Part of a Backcountry Packing List

Sheep, goat, and other high-country backpack hunters are obsessed with ultralight gear. It’s logical. If less weight is consumed by gear, we can pack more food for a longer stay or move faster and more easily with a lighter pack. But ounce counting is often over-emphasized, and there is a balance to be had between comfort, effectiveness, and minimalism.

My uncles knew an old-time sheep hunter who would hunt with a 25-pound pack. He wore all wool clothes (no rain gear) and brought just a sheet of Visqueen to roll up in at night. He’d bring a jar of peanut butter and a small bag of dried apricots for food.

“If you have to shit more than twice in a 10-day hunt, you brought too much food,” he told my unlces.

My uncle Tracy talked about accompanying him on one hunt as a young and in-shape sheep guide. He said he could never keep up with old Bill. He’d hike for all he was worth, only to find where Bill had stopped and left a couple of cigarette butts on the ground.

I’m not as tough as Bill, and you probably aren’t either. Despite some of the romanticism around the old tough sheep hunters, we are equipped to hunt more effectively than ever. With much lower sheep numbers than in the 1950s and 1960s, we need it too. There are often ways to cut weight, but at a certain point you need what you need to get the job done effectively.

My Backcountry Packing List

This may be the first detailed packing list I’ve written down in 19 years of sheep hunting, and through trial and error, I’ve pretty much nailed down what I need, don’t need, and what I bring for a little added comfort. If you cover your bases with the major itmes, the rest are just details. Here’s what I packed for my 14-day 2022 sheep hunt.

• Boots: Lowa Alpine Expert GTX
• Camp shoes/ creek crossing: Crocs
• Underwear (x2)
• Socks: Under Armour Heat Gear (x2), Swiftwick Flite XT Trail (x1)
• Base Layers: Stone Glacier Chinook Merino (bottom), Kuiu Ultra Merino 120 LS Crew-T (top)
• Pants: Stone Glacier De Havilland pants (x1)
• Gaiters: Outdoor Research Crocodile
• Light Jacket/Hoodie: Outdoor Vitals Ventus Hoodie
• Insulating Puffy Layers: Kifaru Lost Park Parka and Lost Park Pants
• Rain Gear: Grundens Tourney Bibs and Tourney Jacket
• Baseball cap (x1)
• Stocking Cap: Browning Reversible Fleece Beanie
• Gloves: Sitka Mountain Gloves
• Tent: MSR Hubba Hubba NX2
• Extra Vestibule: MSR Hubba Gear Shed (carried by hunting partner)
• Emergency/Bivy Shelter: Stone Glacier SkyAir ULT w/vestibule (carried by hunting partner)
• Sleeping Pad: Nemo Quasar 3D Long/Wide
• Sleeping Bag: Kifaru Slick Bag 0-degree-rated
• Pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros pillow
• Stove: Jetboil Sol
• Coffee Cup: TOAKS Titanium Cup
• Silverware: UCO Spork
• Water Storage: Platypus 2L water bladders (x3), Powerade Bottles (x3)
• Water Treatment: Aquamira chlorine dioxide drops
• Bug Spray: Ben’s 100% Deet

Hunting Gear

• Binoculars: Swarovski 10x42mm EL Range
• Bino Pouch: Hornady Binocular Harness
• Lens Wipes: Zeiss lens wipes (x4)
• Spotting Scope: Swarovski STS 20-60x65mm
• Tripod: Slik Pro 700 DX , with Outdoorsman’s Jim White Pan Head (carried by partner)
• Glassing seat: cut-down portion of an old Therm-a-rest Z-Lite Pad
• Rifle: Christensen Arms Ridgeline Titanium, .308 Win.
• Riflescope: Leupold VX Freedom 4-12x40mm CDS
• Ammo: 15-rounds of Federal Premium 175-grain Terminal Ascent, .308 Win.
• Bipod: Spartan Precision Pro Hunt Tac
• Kill Kit: Havalon Piranta-Edge w/8 extra blades, T.A.G. Bags 18”x30” game bags (x3)
• Black Contractor Bags, 4-mil, 42-gallon (x3)
• Trekking Poles: REI Flash Carbon Snap-lock trekking poles (pair)
• Head Lamp: Petzl Tactikka headlamp
• Adventure Medical Trauma Pak
• Additional Band-Aids (x15)
• Sterilizing wipes and Antibiotic Ointment Packs
• Super Glue (x1)
• Medications: Motrin, Cold/Flu, Tums, Vitamins
• Blister treatment and prevention: Second Skin Blister pads (x4), Leukotape (1/2 roll)
• Toothbrush and travel-size toothpaste
• Chafing prevention/treatment: Body Glide
• Chapstick (x3 spread out in gear)

Read Next: My 3 Favorite New Pieces of Mountain Hunting Gear

Gear Repair, Emergency, and Miscellaneous

• Compass: Brunton TruArc Compass
• Gps/Comms: Garmin InReach Mini 2
• Leatherman Skeletool CX
• Allen Keys for Scope rings and optics mounts
• Extra MSR Ground Hog Mini shelter stakes (x4)
• Fire starting: Lighter (x2), UCO Safety Matches (x1), Wetfire tabs (x3)
• Extra Pack waistbelt buckle (x1)
• Extra 1-inch small buckle (x1)
• 8-inch Zip ties (x5)
• Cordage: 100ft Atwood Micro Cord (100-pound-test)
• Tent pole repair splint (x1)
• Tent/Gear repair: Gear Aid Tenacious Tape and tent/sleeping pad repair kit
• Battery Bank: Anker 20,000mAh powerbank

If you’re on an extended trip, food will add a significant amount of weight to your pack. It’s common to have a pound-and-a-half of food per day you’ll be out. When possible, you want the maximum calories-per-ounce, but after several days you’ll feel your body consuming the food as quickly as you can get it down. The food you bring will vary greatly depending on individual tastes, but here’s what a typical day’s worth of food looks like for me.

• Coffee: BRCC Black Powder instant coffee (x1)
• Instant Oatmeal (x2)
• Granola, protein, oat bars: Bobos , Clif , ProBar , etc (x1)
• Tortilla or pita bread with string cheese and salami (x1)
• Jerky (snack-sized zip-lock for some days)
• Freeze-dried dinner: Mountain House , Peak Refuel (x1)
• Candy or chocolate for dessert
• Nuun electrolyte tablets for water

Latest in Big Game Hunting

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The Best Hunting Tents of 2023

A top-notch hunting tent not only provides protection from the elements and a place to sleep, but it's also truly a home away from home.

When fall hits and the air starts to cool , it means hunting season is finally here. Hunters across the nation begin preparation for not only chasing their hunting dreams but also spending more than a fair share of nights out in the hills. And while some have campers to bring along, most folks are breaking out the camping gear and crawling into a tent night after night.

Whether you’re setting up a cozy truck camp or trekking deep into the backcountry, we’ve broken down a list of tents that will serve on all fronts.

Scroll through to see all of our recommended buys, or jump to the category you’re looking for. At the end of our list, be sure to check out our comprehensive buyer’s guide.

• Best Budget
• Best Wall Tent
• Best Rooftop
• Best Ultralight Dome
• Best 4-Season Tent
• Best Stove-Capable
• Best One-Person Minimalist
• Editor’s Pick

Best of the Rest

Best budget: kelty discovery trail 2p.

Since 1952 Kelty has been creating outdoor products, so they know a thing or two about living outside. Its new-for-2022 Discovery Trail 2P tent ($115) hits on all levels, delivering performance and efficiency at a price that won’t make you choke on your breakfast.

This three-season freestanding dome-style tent tips the scales at 4 pounds 14 ounces. It’s got one door and a generous vestibule provided by the rainfly. Both the rainfly and the floor are made from 68D polyester, with the canopy being No-See-Um-Mesh. On the inside, you’ll find storage pockets as well as a vent to let things air out.

The Discovery 2P comes with two aluminum poles, a bag of stakes, and a Shark Mouth carry bag for easy packup.

One of the coolest features of this tent is Kelty’s Quick Corners. The aluminum poles simply slide into these at all four corners and in no time, the frame of the tent is set. After attaching a few of the tent clips to the poles in place, you’re off to the hills to find the buck of your dreams.

Backpack into the mountains or set up a comfy truck camp. The  Kelty Discovery Trail 2P  is ready and will make sure you’ve got money left over to hit the burger joint at the end of your hunt.

• Price: $119
• Capacity: 2 people
• Weight: 4 lbs., 4 oz.

Check Price at Amazon Check Price at Backcountry

Best Wall Tent: Montana Canvas

Talking about tents for hunting camps without mentioning a traditional wall tent would just be wrong. Montana Canvas keeps the legacy that is wall tents alive with its Traditional 10 Oz. Canvas Wall Tent.

They are the ultimate in protection from the elements and offer about as comfortable living conditions as one could get south of an actual log cabin.  Montana Canvas’s Traditional 10 oz. Canvas Wall Tent ($1,490-3,970) is made right here in the USA from grade A canvas. That canvas is treated for fire, mold, and mildew.

A generous dimension of 23x23x26″ provides plenty of room, and the 62 pounds of material provide ample strength. That weight does not include frames, floor, or fly, which are sold separately.

What does come with the tent is a storage bag, stakes, rope (200 feet), and rope tension adjusters. You’ll also get one standard-sized window on the back wall and a zippered (YKK) door with a buckled weather flap. Oh, and let’s not forget about the 5-inch oval stove jack so you can put that stove to use when the temps drop.

The canvas life is a good life. If a traditional cabin-style wall tent sounds about perfect for you, don’t sleep on the  Traditional 10 oz. Canvas Wall Tent  from Montana Canvas. Sleep in one.

• Price: $1,390-3,970
• Capacity: 6+ people
• Weight: 62+ lbs.

Check Price at Montana Canvas

Best Rooftop: Thule Tepui Explorer Ayer 2p Tent

The benefits of  rooftop tents  are many, and those benefits translate seamlessly right into hunting camps. For the hunter looking to tap into the rooftop tent world, the  Thule Tepui Explorer Ayer ($1,500) will serve you well.

Thule/Tepui is well known in the rooftop tent game, and its Explorer Ayer lives up to the brand’s good reputation. This tent is made from a coated 600-denier and 260G poly-cotton blend that are both UV and mold-resistant.

The 2p model of the Explorer Ayer can sleep up to two people and comes with a comfortable 2.5-inch high-density foam mattress. The total weight of the tent comes in at 100 pounds with a weight capacity of 400 pounds.

On the outside of the Explorer Ayer, you’ll find attachment points for lamps as well as several areas to store extra gear. Inside the tent, there are panoramic skylights and windows that give a view of the stars and also help keep the tent ventilated. And with the four internal storage pockets, you can enjoy some organization in your tent.

Let’s face it. Setting up and tearing down camp takes time, which is time being taken away from hunting. Rooftop tents, like the  Explorer Ayer , offer an efficiency that gets you in the field quicker. More time hunting and less time fiddling with camping gear.

• Price: $1,500
• Weight: 100 lbs.

Best Ultralight Dome: Nemo Hornet 2p

Ounces add up to pounds, and pounds equal pain. For the backpack hunter looking to cut weight but still carry the classic dome-style tent that we all know so well, the Nemo Hornet 2p ($400) is as good as they come.

The Nemo Hornet 2p is a three-season semi-freestanding ultralight tent made with comfort and livability in mind. By using top-tier products and innovation, Nemo is able to keep the weight down and space up. And 2 pounds, 6 ounces is all that’ll be weighing down your backpack with the Hornet 2p. All Hornets come with stakes, repair patches, guy-out cord, and Nemo’s Divvy Dual stage stuff sack.

This is a one-pole construction tent, so setup is an absolute breeze, as is not having to juggle with multiple poles in the field. And the poles are clipped onto Nemo’s patented Flybar volumizing pole clips. This helps increase space while keeping the weight down.

There is a door on each side of the tent, with each having its own vestibule for storing gear. This a great feature for those looking to share this tent with someone. You’ll also find a light pocket where a headlamp can be placed to help light up your tent at night.

Backpack hunters need efficiency and effectiveness without compromising performance in the field. The  Nemo Hornet 2p tent  is a winner in all categories.

• Price: $400
• Weight: 2 lbs., 6 oz.

Check Price at REI Check Price at Backcountry

Best 4-Season Tent: Hilleberg Nallo 2 GT

Hunting season doesn’t stop at three seasons. Those looking for a four-season tent demand exceptional performance and durability. For the best in that category, Hilleberg reigns supreme with its   Nallo 2 GT ($970).

Hilleberg has long been known for tents with superior strength and durability. This is why Hilleberg easily lands in the best four-season tent category. Made out of Kerlon 1200 on the outside tent fabric and held up with 9mm poles, this tent is a bomber setup that is ready for the worst of conditions.

Its all-weather construction brings those outer tent walls all the way to the ground, and its tunneled design offers a healthy amount of living space — all of that with only four pegs required for setup.

The Nallo 2 GT is a single-entry tent that can house two individuals and gear. It has a generously sized extended vestibule for this reason. This provides plenty of room to store gear outside of your sleeping quarters. Not to mention that the vestibule is completely enclosed for extra protection.

You can purchase an optional footprint to cover the entirety of the tent floor and vestibule. On top of that, the outer tent and inner tent can be used separately, adding to the versatility of the Nallo.

One word comes to mind for the  Nallo 2 GT , and that is “bombproof.” The Nallo 2 GT from Hilleberg is the ultimate in all-weather tent designs.

• Price: $970
• Weight: 5 lbs., 1 oz.

Check Price at BlackOvis Check Price at Hilleberg

Best Stove-Capable: Kifaru Sawtooth

When the temperatures drop, being able to utilize a wood-burning stove in a tent is an absolute game-changer. The Kifaru Sawtooth  ($930-1,330) is a favorite among hardcore hunters needing the aid of a stove for late-season hunting trips.

The name Kifaru stands tall in the hunting community. Kifaru, as its slogan says, makes “gear for life.” From backpacks to  sleeping bags , Kifaru knows what it takes to live in the mountains for extended periods of time. The uniquely designed Sawtooth tent was made with durability and practicality in mind.

Coming in at 4 pounds 8 ounces, the Sawtooth will excel whether you’re at the truck or heading deep into the backcountry with a buddy. You’ll get two poles but will have to order your own stakes. Twenty stakes are the recommended number for optimal performance.

Kifaru also offers a footprint for the Sawtooth if you’d like. And, of course, hunters have the option of Kifaru cutting out a stove jack. Sizes of either 3.25, 3.5, 4, or 6 inches in diameter are available. These numbers are based on the stove designs Kifaru sells.

This all-weather tent is held up by a front pole and rear pole, with the entrance located at the front pole. The cool thing about this design is that it offers the efficiency of a tarp with the stand-up room of a tipi.

So, by sleeping towards the shallow end, by the rear pole, the Sawtooth will enable one to stand up toward the front pole and get dressed. It’s the little things that matter, and this one has a big plus.

Home is where the heart is, and Kifaru puts plenty of heart into designing their gear. The  Sawtooth  is a shining example of that in a stove-ready package.

• Price: $930-1,330
• Weight: 4 lbs., 8 oz.

Check Price at Kifaru

Best 1-Person Minimalist: Stone Glacier SkyAir ULT

Some hunters like to bring it all and the kitchen sink, while others are true minimalists. If it’s the simple life you’re after in a tent, the  Stone Glacier SkyAir ULT  ($170) has your name written all over it.

Stone Glacier has only been in the tent game for a few years, but the company has amassed a dedicated following for its minimalist designs. Their SkyAir ULT keeps the pack weight down, tipping the scales at a mere 8 ounces, yet is large enough for two hunters and gear.

The outer tarp fabric is made of nylon 6, 6 ripstop 10D Sil/Sil and is reinforced with nylon 6, 6 ripstop 30D sil/sil. Included with the tent are six stakes and a stuff sack.

One of the ways Stone Glacier keeps the weight down is by doing away with tent poles. Instead, you’ll set the SkyAir ULT up with your trekking poles.  One in the front and one in the back. And if you choose, Stone Glacier also offers a mesh insert, flat footprint, and vestibule that are sold separately.

The total weight for all of that with the tent is 1 pound, 11.3 ounces, by the way. Still super lightweight and functional.

The  Stone Glacier SkyAir ULT . It’s everything you need and nothing you don’t.

• Price: $170
• Capacity: 1+ people
• Weight: 1 lb., 11.3 oz.

Check Price at Stone Glacier

Editor’s Pick: Argali Absaroka 4P Tent

We couldn’t complete this list without adding a quick editor’s pick.

“I have now hunted in the  Argali Absaroka 4P Tent ($398) for archery elk season here in Montana, and though I haven’t put it through the rigors of a hard snow or cold temps, the sheer lightweight nature of this tent is impressive. The ability to add a stove to this setup at such a minimal weight means I’ll be able to test this tent throughout the year (with the addition of the insert ).

“I can’t report on longevity, durability, or winter hardiness just yet, but to say I’m impressed is an understatement. It deserves a spot in our Best Hunting Tents — until I can prove otherwise.” — Rachelle Schrute , Hunt & Fish Editor

• Price: $398
• Capacity: 4 people
• Weight: 1 lb., 14 oz.

Cabela’s Alaskan Guide Model Geodesic 4-Person

Oh, the Best of the rest: a category for those gear items that don’t fit anywhere else or fit everywhere else. For that, we landed on Cabela’s Alaskan Guide Model Geodesic 4-Person Tent   ($400).

The Alaskan Guide Model Geodesic is a classic design that has stood the test of time. Its seven-pole design and 75-denier polyester ripstop construction make for a tent that can handle anything that you can. This four-season dome-style tent includes 24 aluminum stakes, 16 tie-downs, a 2-ounce seam sealer, and a repair kit to boot.

The shape is the real gem here. That, combined with the pole layout, creates an extremely stable platform capable of handling extreme weather. The total weight of the tent is 24 pounds, 11 ounces.

On the outside of the Alaskan Guide Tent, you’ll find reinforced guy line loops. And on the inside, there is a rugged 210-denier polyester oxford floor along with multiple storage pockets for gear.

Also on the inside, there are roof hooks, cup holders, and a gear loft to aid in organization. All of the zippers on the tent are #8 and #10 YKK zippers.

Alaska offers some of the harshest testing environments there are. And after 25 years of testing tents, the  Alaskan Guide Model Geodesic   from Cabela’s is still standing. It’s the Best of the Rest for a reason.

• Weight: 24 lbs., 11 oz.

Check Price at Cabela’s

Why You Should Trust Us

We spend a ton of time in the field hunting in various conditions, terrains, and locations. From sweltering heat to sub-zero chill, we’ve hunted through it all. One thing that can make or break a hunt is a bad camp setup.

Our tents are our reprieve from the elements. They give us shelter after being exposed during long hunts, and for the most part, we carry them and their parts on our backs. We’ve learned what matters most and what can be left behind.

We know the value of a strong canvas tent and stove when the temps dip. The lightweight nature of the best backpacking tents versus the protection they offer is at the forefront of our minds.

Rain. Snow. Wind. Heat. Cold.

We’ve been there. We’ve done that. We’ve slept in tents through it all.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Hunting Tent

Choosing between floored and floorless tents.

One of the most significant differences between all of the tents listed above is that some of them have floors, and some don’t.  While it may not seem like much, there are some considerable pros and cons of each route. To have a floor or not? That is the question we will explore.

Floored Tents

Floored tents are completely enclosed tents with some type of floor that separates you and your gear from the elements. These are the most popular style of tent used for hunting and just outdoor recreation in general.

The biggest benefit to having a floor in your tent is keeping what’s outside, well … outside. And more particularly, I’m talking about the creepy-crawlies. When there is a floor, you don’t have to deal with the possibility of a mouse or spider scurrying across your face. I’ve dealt with it, and it sucks.

Not having to deal with those little buggers is not only less of a hassle overall, but it leads to better sleep. Our tents need to be the place where we reset and recharge. It’s hard to do that with a pesky critter keeping you up.

Along with that, a floor gives a person a dry place to set things down in the tent. Things like extra clothing, electronics, etc. Without a floor, if the ground is wet or covered in snow, you don’t have that luxury.

While having a floor is nice and all, it isn’t all peaches and cream. For one, having a floor often eliminates the ability to utilize a wood-burning stove. The floor can be a fire hazard, and while wood-burning stoves provide a nice warm and fuzzy feeling, the possibility of your “home” going up in flames while you sleep is a different game and not one I recommend playing.

Another downside of a floor is that whatever you bring into the tent on your boots generally stays in the tent. Be it rocks, sticks, mud, etc. — it makes for a mess if you’re not conscious of your footwear. And if you’ve got wet clothes, guess what? Yeah, that water is coming inside with you.

Lastly, this is more for backpack hunting, but a floor is more weight. There is a reason that quite a few backpack hunters prefer a floorless shelter, and this is one of the big ones. Less weight in the pack means less stress on your body.

Floorless Tents

Floored tents might be the most common tent used throughout the outdoor/hunting community, but floorless tents have been at this game for much longer. Be it Native American tipi-style shelters or just the classic lean-to shelter made out of logs and sticks, floorless tents are the original hunting tents.

There is way more living area in these floorless tents than tents with a floor have, especially when taking the weight into consideration. Two-person floorless tents seem to actually be two-person tents. With a floored tent, a two-person tent really means one person, comfortably. It’s a tight squeeze for anything more.

Believe it or not, sleeping in the dirt within the walls of a floorless tent is also less messy. There isn’t a tent floor to get dirty, and the ground is simply the ground. Fewer worries about mold, mildew, and just general filth: no post-hunt hose-off required. 

Floorless tents offer yet another convenience, and that is being able to cook inside your tent. ( Be bear aware! ). Whether on a wood-burning stove or just a backpacking stove, there is no floor creating a fire hazard. So, when the alarm sounds in the morning, just roll over, fire up the stove, and get the coffee going.

(We don’t recommend cooking inside your tent in high-density bear areas. Eat away from your tent and keep your food in a secure place, whether that’s in a tree or in your vehicle.)

When we take away the floor, we open up the door to potential visitors. Things like mice, spiders, and whatever else is lurking about can freely move right into your humble abode. When temperatures drop, this doesn’t seem to be as big of an issue.

If you’ve done a little window shopping, you may have noticed that floorless tents are more expensive than tents with floors. So, there aren’t as many budget options to get into the floorless game as there are in the floored one. This limits folks from living the floorless life altogether.

Floorless tents usually have a way bigger footprint than floored tents. There are floored tents the size of a deer bed, meaning finding a spot to set one up is much easier. Floorless tents, however, require some more real estate. In really steep country, this could pose a problem.

Parting Words

Floors or no floors, each one of these tents serves a purpose, and some shine brighter in certain situations than others. Try them out for yourself. That is the only accurate way you’ll know if one is better than the other for you.

For instance, I’ve found that I prefer to sleep in a floorless tent when it gets colder, but hate it during warmer months when I’m contending with all manner of bugs. I would have never known that had I not tried. You know what they say:

If at first, you don’t succeed, at least you tried it out and disqualified it from the possible options that might fit you best.

Or something like that.

Fall Bear Hunting: Proven Tactics for Success in the West

Opportunities to hunt fall bears in the West are vast, but it’s no easy feat. Here are some methods, tips, and tricks to help put bear meat in your freezer. Read more…

Well before starting his contributions to Gear Junkie, Josh Kirchner was a roofer for his Dad’s family business for 15 years.  Josh’s Dad brought him up with a strong sense of the outdoors taking him on regular camping, hunting, and fishing trips.  It was throughout that time that he developed such a potent love for hunting.  

In 2014 Josh decided to start a blog called Dialed in Hunter.  It was a place where he could express his love for hunting and serve as an online journal to reflect on.  Little did he know, people were reading it, and some were editors.  After harvesting his first bear in 2015 he got his first article published in Bear Hunting Magazine.  From that point, his writing and content production snowballed.

Come 2020, Josh self-published his book Becoming a Backpack Hunter – A Beginner’s Guide to Hunting the Backcountry.  Having gone through the wringer of trial and error learning the ins and outs of how to backpack hunt, he wanted to release a from-front-to-back guide for newer hunters looking to get off the beaten path.  Since doing so, he’s received an overwhelming amount

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The Gear You Need for a Good Hunting Camp

Comfort and convenience are key after a long day of chasing game

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

I didn’t grow up hunting, but like many of my outdoorsy peers in recent years, I found myself drawn to the sport for a variety of reasons. The ideas of new adventures and being closer to the food I consume were big ones, not to mention the fact that hunting combines many of the things I already loved to do: camp, hike, and be out in the woods.

After almost five years, to say I’m obsessed is putting it lightly. I now find myself routinely leaving for five- to ten-day hunts, chasing everything from high country elk to desert mule deer, and even javelina and turkey. As a result, the vast majority of the camping I do now is while hunting. As with all types of camping, I’ve found there are a few things that’ll go a long way toward making the situation more comfortable—which means you’ll be able to stay out longer and hunt harder.

In my experience, hunting requires some sort of basecamp. You’re typically in a remote area, and either hunting right from there in the morning or getting in the truck and driving to a trailhead or other hunting spot each day. I like having a basecamp as opposed to moving your camp each day because that takes time and work—and it’s hard enough to make dinner for yourself at night before crawling into your sleeping bag and passing out.

A regular tent can work fine, but since you’ll likely be there for an extended period of time and to be camping in the fall, I’d opt for something a bit more sturdy. Hunters have been using old-school, canvas-walled guide tents for decades because they provide a ton of space, you can heat them with a wood stove, and they offer great protection from the elements. They do take a while to set up, and they’re heavy. A lighter weight option is the Seek Outdoors 4 Person Ultralight Tipi with Woodstove ($1,189). The key elements to a guide tent are being able to heat it and stand up in it. Both are extremely nice on extended trips.

If you want to upgrade from a tent, a travel trailer makes an excellent option. There’s significantly less setup time than with a tent and significantly more weather protection. Unlike camping out of the back of a truck, rooftop tent, or van, you can leave it set up as a home base, which frees up your truck for driving to different hunting spots. I’ve camped out of my 2019 Hiker Trailer Extreme Offroad teardrop the past three hunting seasons and (with the addition of a heater) it has been wonderful— except for the lack of standing room inside.

If I were looking for a trailer specifically for hunting, I’d want something that was off-road capable, fully insulated, with lots of water storage, solar power for off-grid charging, and plenty of height. There are a lot of options that can work, but Enzy’s Western Big Game Edition (from $25,000) trailer might be the perfect rig for a hunting basecamp. The brand takes standard cargo trailers and converts them into campers designed specifically for hunters. They include features like 32-inch Mud Terrain tires, a 9500 BTU heater, a boot dryer, and locking bow or rifle storage. I’m looking forward to properly testing one out this winter.

Regardless of whether you go with a trailer or a guide tent, you’ll likely need more water for a hunting-specific base camp than a normal camping trip. My trailer has a 21-gallon tank, and I typically bring along an extra 2.5-gallon jug and fill up a seven-gallon Road Shower for longer trips.

You need more water for a few reasons: first, if you’re chasing something like elk, you’ll be working your ass off all day and will need to have plenty of drinking water. Second, you’re going to want to have plenty of water for doing dishes, and for cleaning up if you or your buddies kill something. Third, not only is it nice to have a shower, but it can also be important for keeping your scent to a minimum, which is important for big-game hunting.

Reliance Aquatainers ($19) are a great, cheap way to carry water, but Dometic’s upcoming Go Hydration Water Jug and Faucet will be a fantastic addition to any hunting camp, thanks largely to a magnetic faucet with a built in pump that’ll give you running water anywhere. I’m also a big fan of Yakima’s Road Shower 7G ($499)—it’s easy to pressurize with a bike pump, and heats up via the sun for a nice hot shower, doing dishes, or cleaning yourself and your knives after harvesting an animal.

A portable, collapsible sink, like the Sol Flat Pack ($20), also makes life a lot easier. You can use it for dishes, as a shower pan, or a bucket for drowning campfires.

I mentioned doing dishes several times already—that’s because I’m a big believer in eating real food at camp. To save time, I usually beg my wife, who’s an excellent cook, to make hearty meals at home like lasagna, chili, or casseroles and freeze them. Then I’ll let them thaw at camp so it takes minutes to heat something up at dinner time. Doing so lets me avoid eating freeze-dried meals for a week, but keeps cook time to a minimum when I’m exhausted from chasing bugles.

I like to keep my food in a portable fridge/freezer, like Dometic’s CFX3 55IM  ($1,200), which keeps everything at the right temperature and makes sure your food doesn’t get soggy as ice melts in a cooler. Then I always pack a Yeti 110 ($500) full of block ice (it melts slower) that’s ready for meat, plus an extra 70- to 110-liter cooler if I’m on an elk hunt. I like having a little extra capacity for beer, extra food, and additional game.

Speaking of food, you should also bring along a seasoning blend of some kind, as well as olive oil and a cast iron skillet ($145) for cooking up some backstraps when you harvest an animal.

Finally, here’s my last food tip for hunting camp: skip the fancy pour-over or french press coffee in the morning and go with a good instant blend instead . You’ll want all the sleep you can get, and there’s less cleanup.

Camp Comfort

As you’ve probably gathered by now, a hunting base camp is basically just a nice camping spread. You’re hauling in a bunch of gear and camping near your vehicle, so it’s worth bringing along extra comfortable stuff.

Yeti’s Hondo Basecamp chair ($300) is expensive, but it’s very comfortable and definitely the most rugged chair I’ve ever tested. I also recommend bringing along a full-size table, like Front Runner’s Pro Stainless Steel Camp Table ($599), or this budget option ($79). That’ll ensure you have room to cut up elk backstraps for dinner in camp, a stable platform for sighting in your rifle before the hunt, and just hanging around at camp.

A smokeless fire pit like Solo Stove’s Ranger ($270) is a great way to lessen your impact if your campsite doesn’t have a fire ring, and it also keeps you from reeking of campfire smoke in the morning, which is helpful when you’re trying not to be smelled by the thing you’re hunting.

I like a seriously comfortable sleeping pad while I’m hunting, and the Hest Dually ($499) is my new favorite. It fits perfectly in the back of a pickup, or works as a great topper or replacement mattress in an older camper. For a sleeping bag, Sitka’s Kelvin Aerolite 30 ($299) is perfect. It’s not too warm for sleeping inside a heated space, and it actually pairs with other layers if you need more warmth. Best of all, it functions as a layer itself thanks to armholes and a zippered bottom that lets you walk around while wearing it, which is great for cold mornings in camp or crazy cold glassing sessions.

Speaking of staying warm, another great option for heating your camper or tent is the Planar Portable Diesel Air Heater (from $1,685). Unlike a propane Buddy heater, tt’s safe to use inside an enclosed space, and puts out a nice, dry heat so you won’t have to deal with condensation in the morning.

Power and Extras

Hunting also requires more gadgets than your average camping trip, like two-way radios, a phone, and some kind of satellite messenger like a Garmin In-Reach. Another benefit of bringing along a camping trailer is that you’d have a built-in way to charge all of them. My trailer has a 100 amp hour lithium battery and 200 watts of solar on top, and that was enough to power the Dometic fridge, diesel heater, LED lights, rooftop fan and charge my electronics while on a 10-day, completely off-grid elk hunt last year.

If you need more power, or don’t have a camper, it’s tough to beat Goal Zero’s Yeti line of portable power stations and portable solar panels . It’s also nice to have somewhere to plug in an electric knife sharpener, like Work Sharp’s Combo Knife Sharpener ($60) at camp, especially if your group has multiple tags to fill.

The takeaway is this: a hunting basecamp should be comfortable and simple. If you can set up a nice one on your first day out and not have to worry about it again until it’s time to leave. Then you’ll be well rested and able to focus all of your energy on coming home with a freezer’s worth of meat and some of the best stories you’ll ever tell.

When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small commission. We do not accept money for editorial gear reviews. Read more about our policy.

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Hunting Gear

The ultimate truck camping setup.

Hunting whitetails in the backyard is awfully fun, and going to family deer camp is a blast. But my absolute favorite place to return to after a long day of public land hunting is a DIY truck camp. The combination of sleeping quarters, gear storage, and transportatability make this the ultimate public land hunter’s accommodation.

The Benefits of Truck Camping With the right gear and organization, your truck can make for a comfortable yet versatile basecamp to hunt from. By camping out of your truck, you can venture to and stay in just about any location. There’s never a pull-off too tight or a road too rough, as you might encounter with a trailer. Even better, you can park right on the public lands you want to hunt and sometimes even position yourself for glassing potential hunting spots right from camp.

By sleeping in the back of your truck, you also get the benefit of being able to leave home without a bulky tent and eliminate the added time of setup and teardown. This is especially valuable on rainy or snowy days. Best of all, if things don’t work out at your first stop, you can toss a few items in your vehicle and quickly relocate.

Here’s my take on the perfect truck camping setup for frontcountry hunters. Adjust based off your circumstances and preferences.

Ideal Truck Setup In my opinion, the best option for a truck camping rig is a full-sized 4WD pickup with a topper on the back. Smaller trucks obviously work too, but I like the extra storage space in a big rig. A SUV or van can suffice for a similar style of camp setup, but I feel the pickup works for a more varied set of uses.

For example, when I get a deer on the ground, I’m much more comfortable throwing a bloody carcass in my truck bed than on a carpeted floor in the interior of a vehicle. A full-sized bed is preferable, providing enough length for most people to sleep comfortably without their feet hitting the tailgate. A short bed can work too—it just might require sleeping at an angle.

When it comes to a truck cap, I’ve used both Leer and ARE , but regardless of brand a couple features seem to be the most important. Ventilation is key for comfortable sleeping, so I’d recommend a cap with either pop-out or sliding, screened windows, or windows that fully open. I also like a carpeted interior, which seems to insulate the cap just a bit better during the colder parts of the year and absorb condensation in the warmer months.

I’d also recommend attaching a roof rack to your cap. These allow you to mount various storage boxes or gear carriers to your truck. I’ve personally used Yakima Skyline Towers , and both round and square bars. For extended trips I almost always use a rooftop box like the Yakima Skybox 16 , which holds gear such as camp chairs, backpacks, archery targets, and other miscellaneous large equipment. Bike and canoe carriers can be mounted to a rack like this as well—important tools to access certain areas.

Finally, I strongly suggest utilizing some type of built-in drawer storage. You can build your own or install something like a DECKED system , which is what I use. By having two sturdy pull-out drawers the length of the truck bed I can keep all of my camping and hunting gear neatly organized and easily accessible at all times, while keeping the truck bed clear for sleeping and living space. I’m usually able to fit all of my hunting gear and clothing in one drawer and all of my camping, sleeping, and cooking accessories in the other.

Truck Camping Gear Making your truck into a comfortable camp starts with your sleeping arrangements. I like to use a high quality inflatable sleeping pad as my mattress, such as the Thermarest NeoAir XLite . These are surprisingly comfortable and can stay laid out and ready to use in the bed of your truck, but can also be quickly rolled down to the size of a Nalgene water bottle when you need more storage space. A comfortable, properly insulated sleeping bag is a must as well. Finally, you need to decide if you want to bring a regular pillow or an inflatable camping variety. I usually have enough space to bring the real deal and can attest it’s a simple comfort that makes a real difference.

My recommended camp kitchen is comprised of a large cooler like a Yeti Tundra 75 , a portable grill like the Coleman 2-Burner Grill-Stove combo, a folding camp chair, and a portable camp table like the REI Camp Roll Table. A tiny LED lantern like those from Black Diamond can be a nice addition as well.

If inclement weather is expected, consider bringing a tarp, two adjustable poles, and paracord to create an awning off the back of your truck. With this setup you can grill on the tailgate, sit in your camp chair, or get changed while standing up and staying dry in rainy or snowy conditions.

Truck Camping Hygiene Whitetail hunters often ask me about how I handle showers and staying scent free on trips like this. My solution is to keep it simple. I just pour a jug of water over my head every few days quickly lather with soap in key areas. On the off days, I’ll wipe down with scent-free wipes and keep my clothing aired out on branches when I’m not hunting. The portable gravity showers on the market that could be an interesting option for those looking to enjoy a slightly more traditional cleaning experience.

In all honesty, none of these solutions are perfect. Playing the wind and thermals is more important than ever when living off the grid in this kind of way, as any elk or mule deer hunter can tell you.

Choose Your Own Adventure This might not be the exact setup that you’ll want, but this is what has worked for me over the last decade of camping, fishing, and hunting across our nation’s wild public places. Use this as a stepping-off point, customize your truck camping setup as you see fit, and choose your own adventure. The road is beckoning.

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Best Camping Tents

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Guided Hunts in Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness

A Montana wilderness hunt is an experience unlike any other. At 7 Lazy P Outfitting , we offer a variety of hunts to meet your needs. We pride ourselves in offering the best crew, camps and knowledge for all of our professional Bob Marshall Wilderness hunts.

As outfitters, our operation offers both archery and rifle hunts. Our pack-in wilderness hunts are conducted from our three permitted camps, with these camps available to be fully guided hunts (two guides: one hunter or one: one), unguided hunts and drop camps. We also conduct hunts from the 7 Lazy P guest ranch in the later general season.

Fully Guided Pack-In Archery or Rifle Wilderness Hunts 

These traditional pack-in, fully guided hunts will generally consist of a maximum of six hunters. Hunting camps are accessed on horseback and by mule train. Hunting is typically done on foot, with horses being used to extend the hunting range. The crew will consist of a guide for every two hunters, a packer and a wilderness chef. The camp will be a traditional, backcountry tent camp with nice wall tents that have a wood-burning stove, as well as cots and sleeping pads. The large cook tent is the hub of the camp and our cook prepares excellent meals. On our fully guided hunts, you can expect a table with chairs and nice warm stove to make for a comfortable place to relax and visit. There is a tent for the guides and packer and one or two tents for the hunters, depending on the number of hunters. Additional amenities: an outhouse and a shower tent. Scabbards are provided.

Drop Camps 

Drop camps are a great option for those do-it-yourself hunters and are best for two to four guests. These hunts generally consist of one wall tent with cots, a wood stove and all the necessary kitchen essentials. The hunter/guest is responsible for food, personal gear, weapon and ammunition, hunting license, etc. The drop camp hunters are responsible for getting their game back to camp and will be packed out from there.  Those that take advantage of a drop camp will get specific instruction on how to care for food, with bear-proof boxes being provided for food storage. A packer will pack your gear and food into the camp and you will ride horses to the location. The packer will then take all the stock back out and will pick you up at the end of the trip. We require guests in the drop camps to have some form of communication (satellite phone or Inreach) so that someone back at the guest ranch can be contacted should game need to be packed out.

General Season Guided Big-Game Hunts

The general season big-game hunts are based from the 7 Lazy P Guest Ranch . These are fully guided hunts with one guide for two hunters, unless arrangements are made for an individual guide. Guests on these hunts will need to bring personal gear, weapons and ammunition, and should plan on hunting on foot or on horseback. Ranch-provided amenities include cabins with beds and bathroom facilities, as well as all meals and scabbards when riding.

Unguided Pack-In Archery or Rifle Wilderness Hunts 

Our unguided hunts are set up the same as the fully guided camps described above. The only difference is the crew will just be a packer and a wilderness chef; no guides. Each hunt’s packer will tend to the stock, as well as retrieve and pack out any game that is harvested. In addition, that packer can offer some suggestions on how to maneuver through the area. The wilderness cook will prepare and take care of all the meals and manage the food. The hunters will hunt on their own and will need to bring weapons and ammunition, personal gear, hunting license, etc.  Hunting will be done on foot with the packer using the mules to retrieve game. This is a very comfortable camp.

Private Land And Special Draw Hunts

7 Lazy P also offers private land and special-draw hunts, with hunts tailored to you to help reach your goals for the trip.

How We Hunt

We walk out of camp a considerable amount but may also use horses to get several miles from camp depending on the situation. When we hunt for elk, our hunting strategies include visiting areas that have produced elk encounters on prior occasions. During archery and early-rifle seasons, we use judicious calling techniques to locate bulls and then use our experience to make contact. During our hunts, we consider a lot of country and spend quite a bit of time behind glasses and spotting scopes.  

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View our other hunts, how others felt about our trips.

"We did a pack trip last summer. We had an excellent time. The family, employees included, was so wonderful. Coming from a metropolitan area it was so refreshing to visit somewhere where people are still so friendly. Montana is beautiful and I would highly recommend this company for a pack take on a camping vacation. "

-Holly Smith

"My family and I had a fantastic experience with 7 Lazy P!! We can’t wait to do it again only this time adding new family members and friends to the experience! "

-Anne Starr

"Just back from a 7 day trip. Five guests to the South Chinese Wall. Had a great time...beautiful landscape, great campsites...the food was excellent...and the fishing couldn't be better. These are the outfitters you want to choose. "

-Mark Matthews

"If you're looking for a great trip in the Montana wilderness, run by some fantastic people, you can't go wrong with 7 Lazy P Outfitting. Highly recommended - you won't regret it. "

-Dwayne Melancon

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9 Best Hunting Tents 2023 for Deer & Elk Hunters Who Camp

If you’re a hunter or outfitter searching for one of 2023’s best hunting tents, you’ve come to the right place.

We’ve been hunting and camping in the backcountry our entire lives and know firsthand how vital a proper shelter is at the end of the day. Hunting season can bring nasty, unrelenting weather, so when it comes time to hunker down and fill our tags, we do it the right way.

With fellow deer and elk hunters in mind, we scoured countless tents on the market and hand-picked the nine best shelters for all different hunting styles. From burly canvas wall tents with stoves to minimalist ultralight trekking pole shelters, our choices run the gamut.

Here you’ll find well-reviewed products from trusted brands like KUIU, White Duck, The North Face, NEMO, and Eureka! that won’t let you down in the field. These aren’t the cheap Chinese off-brand Amazon tents you’ll find on other “hunting” blogs.

As we analyzed each tent, we considered six vital factors every hunter should keep in mind before their purchase: capacity, weather resistance, weight and packability, floor dimensions, main materials, and price. Contemplating these details is essential to matching you with the proper shelter for the upcoming hunting season.

When you combine in-depth research with decades of personal backcountry hunting and camping experience, what do you get? This top-to-bottom list of 2023’s best tents for deer and elk hunters, of course.

Let’s dive in.

Best Hunting Tents of 2023

• Best Canvas Bell Tent for Maximum Comfort: White Duck Regatta
• Best Overall Hunting Tent: Eureka! Mountain Pass
• Ultralight Backcountry Elk Hunting Shelter: KUIU Mountain Star 2
• Light-As-It-Gets DCF Refuge: Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid
• Trusty Fortress on a Budget: The North Face Stormbreak
• Backpacking Tent Under $100: River Country Products Trekker 2.2
• Roomy 8-Person Option: NEMO Wagontop 8
• Four-Season Beast for Rough Conditions: Mountain Hardware Trango 4
• Pop-Up Car Top Luxury Living: Roofnest Condor XL
• Tent Stakes We Recommend
• Other Camping Essentials for Hunting
• Factors We Analyzed When Reviewing Tents
• Final Thoughts: Best Hunting Tents of 2023
• More Hunting Gear & Resources

Best Canvas Bell Tent for Maximum Comfort White Duck Regatta

Capacity: 4, 6, and 10-person models Weather Resistance: 4-season Weight: 51 lb, 66 lb, 83 lb Floor Dimensions: 10′, 13′, 16.5′ diameter Main Material: 8.5 oz army duck cotton canvas

If you’re an outfitter, camping in a group, or just want to be super comfortable, the White Duck Regatta canvas bell tent is exactly what you’re looking for. It’s durable, breathable, well-insulated, and has loads of room to stretch out. If you and your hunting crew crave maximum comfort, this is the glamping-style tent for you.

Available in three different sizes that sleep groups of four, six, and ten people, this heavy-duty canvas shelter is as cozy and spacious as you could ask for. It sports an integrated stove jack, meaning you and your buddies can crank out heat via a wood-burning stove when temperatures outside start to plummet. This bad boy is the most spacious tent on this list, and it’s not even close.

But because it’s made from burly army duck cotton canvas, it’s also far bulkier and heavier than every other shelter I recommend. A luxurious tent like this only makes sense if you’re setting up camp close to your rig and don’t plan on packing up until it’s time to go home. Run and gun backcountry elk hunters who move camp often won’t find this tent practical, but there are plenty of other folks who will.

• Pros : Extremely spacious and comfortable, durable, breathable, four-season weather resistance, compatible with stoves, perfect for large groups and outfitters, comes in three different sizes
• Cons : Very heavy and bulky compared to other options, tee-pee style makes ceiling a little low in spots, takes longer to set up than freestanding tents

Best Overall Hunting Tent of 2023 Eureka! Mountain Pass 3

Capacity: 3-person Weather Resistance: 4-season Weight: 6.4 lb Floor Dimensions:  88″ x 78″ Main Materials: Polyester ripstop, polyester taffeta Other Version: 2-person

Ringing in as our best overall backpacking-style hunting tent of 2023, we feel confident recommending the Eureka! Mountain Pass 3 to just about any elk or deer hunter out there. It’s spacious, easy to set up, offers sturdy four-season protection, and is relatively lightweight for its capabilities. For our money, this bad boy is the best value of the bunch.

Comfort and specs aside, we love this tent for its more subtle features. For starters, its (almost) blaze orange accents create excellent visibility for fellow hunters and campers. It rocks dual doors, handy removable side vents that enhance breathability, and a nifty gear loft to stash your essentials while you sleep. Its vestibules can even convert into an awning, expanding your living space significantly.

There’s not much we don’t love about the Eureka! Mountain Pass 3. It offers stellar weather resistance, is versatile enough to take pretty much anywhere, and is very reasonably priced. Whether you’re a no-frills car camper or like to hike deep into the backcountry to set up shop, it’ll serve you well as you try to fill your tag.

• Pros : Four-season weather protection, spacious interior, orange accents help visibility during hunting season, awning enhances comfort, relatively lightweight and packable for a four-season tent, very approachable price point
• Cons : There are lighter and more packable tents out there (but they’re significantly more expensive)

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WIN A PAIR OF ZAMBERLAN SAWTOOTH BOOTS + SOCKS!

We’re giving away a pair of zamberlan sawtooth boots (and merino wool socks) to a random member of our newsletter on july 4th, 2024, subscribers will be automatically entered into all future eatelkmeat.com gear giveaways ., subscribe below to enter the drawing, ultralight tent for backcountry elk hunting kuiu mountain star 2.

Capacity: 2-person Weather Resistance: 3+ season Weight:  3.0 lb Floor Dimensions: 84.5″ x 54.5″ x 44.5″ Main Material: Silnylon

KUIU makes some of the best hunting gear around, and their Mountain Star 2 tent lives up to their incredibly high standards. I’m an ultralight enthusiast and have been drooling over this tent for a while, I will likely pull the trigger on it once my tags come through for the upcoming Colorado elk hunting season.

2024 Update: Commenters below have warned against this tent. It’s worth reading about their experience with this model below. 

This lightweight and efficient two-person shelter was engineered for elk hunters like me who venture deep into the wilderness to set up camp. With efficient carbon poles, this little beast weighs in at an impressive three pounds flat and packs down smaller than any other freestanding tent on this list. It utilizes cleverly placed tie-downs to anchor the shelter when the weather gets nasty and has spacious dual vestibules that allow you to stash your gear separately from the interior living area.

Though you can sit up and move around comfortably inside the Mountain Star 2, its interior isn’t quite as spacious as the Mountain Pass 3 I mentioned earlier. The price tag on this tent is also a tick higher, seeing as it’s made from more lightweight and high-tech materials. In my mind, it’s worth every penny for backcountry elk hunters who cover serious ground.

• Pros : Extremely lightweight and packable, multiple tie-down points help tent excel in challenging weather, asymmetric floor reduces weight, user can choose between carbon fiber and aluminum poles, stakes and guy lines are included.
• Cons : A bit pricey, not as much space to move around as other options

As-Light-As-It-Gets Trekking Pole Tent Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 4

Capacity: 4-person Weather Resistance: 4-season Weight: 1.4 lb Floor Dimensions: 111″ x 111″ Main Material: Dyneema composite fabric Other Version: 2-person

Yes, the Mountain Star 2 tent I just mentioned is very lightweight and compact, but the UltaMid 4 by Hyperlite Mountain Gear completely blows its specs out of the water. Rated for four people (and four seasons), it boasts nearly triple the floor area and weighs half as much as the KUIU. Twice the capacity, half the weight, and four-season protection. Let that sink in for a minute.

How is this possible, you ask? For starters, the UltaMid 4 is made entirely of Dyneema Composite Fabric , a 100% waterproof material that’s far more lightweight than the polyester or nylon you’ll find in other tents on this list. This bad boy also needs to be pitched with a couple of trekking poles — which aren’t included in its stated weight — and it doesn’t come standard with a bug netting/floor insert , either. This space-age shelter is as lightweight and minimalist as it gets.

If you’re a backcountry hunter who piles on miles and wants to keep their pack weight as low as humanly possible, give the Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 4 a look. You’ll have to pay a premium for its futuristic fabric, though, so get ready to shell out a decent chunk of dough if you want to add this to your hunting gear list .

• Pros : The lightest and most compact four-person, four-season tent money can buy, made from DCF material which doesn’t sag in the wind, snow, or rain, very roomy inside, pyramid shape is more efficient than traditional dome tents
• Cons : Very expensive, doesn’t come standard with a floor or netting, no vestibules, means you must stash all your gear inside your living area

Budget Shelter for Deer & Elk Hunters The North Face Stormbreak 3

Capacity: 3-person Weather Resistance: 3-season Weight: 5.9 lb Floor Dimensions: 88″ x 65″ Main Material: Polyester, polyester taffeta Other Versions: 1-person , 2-person

Time to switch gears from an ultra-high-end tent to an ultra-affordable one: The North Face Stormbreak 3. This tent’s features aren’t going to wow anyone, nor should you rely on it in nasty weather, but it’s the most affordable freestanding shelter on this list. Elk and deer hunters on a budget, this tent is for you.

This serviceable shelter is quite simple to set up and will work out for a couple of hunters who don’t require all the bells and whistles to thrive. It has dual vestibules and doors, meaning you and your hunting buddy will each have space outside your doors to stash gear and won’t have to crawl over each other to go pee in the middle of the night.

At right around $200, three-person tents from trusted brands don’t get much more budget-friendly than The North Face Stormbreak 3. It’s a roomy, no-nonsense shelter that’ll keep you safe and dry when inclement weather isn’t much of a threat. Depending on where you plan to hunt, this could be the perfect refuge for you, your hunting partner, and your precious gear.

• Pros : Very affordable, well-reviewed, durable, easy to set up, very packable when split between two people’s packs
• Cons : Not meant for winter use, polyester will wet out and sag in high wind and precipitation

Best Hunting & Backpacking Tent Under $100 River Country Products Trekker 2.2

Capacity: 2-person Weather Resistance: 3-season Weight: 3.3 lb Floor Dimensions: 84″ x 60″ Main Material: Polyester Other Versions: 1-person , 4-person

If you’re trying to fill your 2023 deer or elk tag on an extreme budget, the River Country Products Trekker 2.2 covers you. It’s an old-school a-frame-style trekking pole tent that rings in comfortably under $100. There simply aren’t any better shelters on the market at this price point.

This tent caught my eye when I was trying to help a friend pick out an affordable backpacking shelter last spring. It kept popping up as a top budget option on hiking blogs and has loads of stellar reviews on Amazon, so I suggested he try it out. He took it out camping several times in the Rocky Mountains last summer, and he’s loved it so far.

The Trekker 2.2 doesn’t use some of the higher-end polyester/nylon silicone blends of higher-end tents on this list, so it might soak up a bit of moisture during heavy rain and sag as a result. It only has one door, but that shouldn’t matter if it’s used to shelter a solo hunter and their gear (which is precisely how I think it should be used).

• Pros : As affordable as it gets, relatively lightweight for its floor dimensions, ventilates well, well-reviewed
• Cons : Only one door, material could sag in heavy rain

Roomy Eight Person Backpacking Tent NEMO Wagontop 8

Capacity: 8-person Weather Resistance: 3-season Weight:  26.5 lb Floor Dimensions:  180″ x 100″ Main Material: Polyester Other Versions: 4-person , 6-person

If you’re hunting with your family or a mid-sized crew and want a spacious standing-height shelter with multiple living areas, the NEMO Wagontop 8 fits the bill. Because hunting season is too short to crawl over your hunting buddies when you need to get out of the tent. Am I right, or am I right?

Make no mistake, NEMO designed this tent for pure comfort. It’s not meant to be an ultra-packable shelter for groups who cover big miles and camp in questionable conditions. Sure, it’ll offer decent weather protection, but it’s been known to struggle in high winds due to its tall and not-so-aerodynamic profile.

The NEMO Wagontop 8 is 26.5 pounds, making it relatively heavier and bulkier than other tents on this list. That said, it’ll allow much more room to stand up, walk around, and stretch out. Give this one a look if you don’t mind carrying around some extra weight in exchange for much-needed luxury at the end of a long day in the field.

• Pros : Very roomy and luxurious, campers can stand up and walk around inside, two rooms, huge vestibule expands living space, expansive windows
• Cons : Relatively heavy and bulky, will probably have trouble in high winds, and could be frustrating to set up the first couple of times.

Four-Season Winter Tent for Cold Conditions Mountain Hardware Trango 4

Capacity: 4-person Weather Resistance: 4-season Weight: 11.5 lb Floor Dimensions:  94″ x 94″ Main Material: Nylon, nylon taffeta

If you want to hunt in Alaska, the high Rockies, the Yukon, or somewhere else with notoriously sketchy weather, you’d better bring along a tent that’ll protect you no matter how bad it gets. For hunting destinations that send chills up your spine, pack a tent like the Mountain Hardwear Trango 4.

Mountain Hardware designed the Trango to protect climbers camping in unforgiving high-alpine conditions, and it’ll work perfectly for hunters in similar situations. Why? Because it rocks five ultra-strong aluminum poles, a heavy-duty nylon rainfly, and can stake down from over a dozen guy-out loops and anchors. Not to mention, it sports huge vestibules designed to stop pesky spindrift from entering the tent.

For most deer and elk hunters, a burly tent with insane weather protection like this would be overkill, but some of you thrill-seekers out there aren’t like the rest. If you’re the type who searches out tags in the most unrelenting corners of the earth, you’ll need a shelter that can match your toughness. The Trango 4 might be the one to get the job done.

• Pros : Extreme protection against gnarly weather, well-insulted, huge vestibules allow room for lots of gear storage, relatively lightweight and compact for its capabilities, leaves nothing to chance
• Cons : Quite expensive, would be overkill for most hunting applications

Snazzy Pop-Up Rooftop Tent Roofnest Condor XL

Capacity: 4-person Weather Resistance: 4-season Weight: 160 lb Floor Dimensions: 93″ x 74″ Main Material: ABS hardshell, poly/cotton blend

Unpacking tents, fumbling with poles, struggling with your rainfly, staking down into uneven earth, blowing up sleeping pads — this can all get old quickly. If you’d like to skip that racket for ultimate comfort and convenience, grab a rooftop pop-up tent like the Roofnest Condor XL.

This beast will allow you to camp wherever you park, pop up your shelter in under a minute, and sleep on a built-in foam mattress that feels almost as good as the one at home. It’ll also elevate you above the bugs and bears, offer insane four-season weather protection , and allow for excellent visibility from its large windows and awnings.

A high-end rooftop tent like the Condor XL will be a bit more pricey than your standard hunting tent, and for good reason. It’s meticulously constructed from high-end materials, set up in a flash, and is much more comfortable than a traditional four-season freestanding tent. If you can afford it, it’ll serve as an unbeatable base camp for your upcoming hunting season and beyond.

• Pros : Sets up in about a minute, mattress far more comfortable than an inflatable sleeping pad, windows, and awnings add to the ambiance, rock-solid four-season weather protection, will make your friends jealous
• Cons : Expensive, elevated tent makes for annoying midnight bathroom trips

What About Tent Stakes?

Tents are great and all, but they won’t perform to their highest standards without a proper set of stakes. You could go in a few different directions in this department, so grab yourself a set from the options below that best suits your camping/hunting style.

Best Overall : MSR Groundhog

I recommend the MSR Groundhogs above all other tent stakes on the market. I use them when I’m car camping, backpacking, or elk hunting. They’re incredibly sturdy, grip most types of soil well, and are pretty darn lightweight.

Best for Loose Terrain : MSR Blizzard

If you’re anticipating camping and hunting somewhere with tough conditions to stake down, the MSR Blizzards are your best bet. Sand, snow, mud, loose dirt, you name it — these extra long and grippy stakes are built to anchor down into it all.

Best Ultralight Stakes : MSR Carbon Core

The MSR Carbon Core stakes were built for all the ounce-counting ultralight backcountry elk hunters out there. If you cover lots of distance and set up camp in a new spot every night, you need to keep your pack weight down, and this will help.

Tent Fillers for Deer & Elk Hunters

Once you get your tent and stakes picked out, there’s still more work to be done to dial in the rest of your camping kit. Here are a few more essentials that’ll make life inside your tent a lot more comfortable and enjoyable.

Sleeping Bag : Our Top Picks

Your tent doesn’t mean squat if you don’t have a well-insulated sleeping bag to curl up into at the end of the day. Check out our list of 2023’s best bags; we’ve recommended ten different products to keep you warm and toasty from early to late seasons.

Sleeping Pad : Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm

If you’re not sleeping on a well-insulated pad, you’re cheating yourself. Inferior pads let cold air from the frozen earth below seep into your bag and sap your warmth. The NeoAir Xtherm won’t. It’s a high-end pad with the highest insulation around.

Pillow : NEMO Fillo

I toss and turn all night if I don’t have a comfortable camping pillow. Of all the options on the market, the NEMO Fillo is my favorite. It’s inflatable and has a built-in foam pad that delivers a soft and cozy place to lay my head.

Headlamp : Our Top Picks

Fumbling around at camp with your weak cell phone flashlight is no way to live life. Grab a suitable headlamp to light up the late nights and early mornings. My favorite is the Ledlenser MH11 . It’s incredibly bright and sports red, green, and blue lights.

Factors We Analyzed When Reviewing Hunting Tents

There’s a slew of essential factors to mull over when purchasing your next hunting tent; carefully consider each of them as you decide. Your tent is arguably the most vital piece of your camping setup, so we thoroughly analyzed each of the following six factors while creating this in-depth buyer’s guide.

Capacity is a great place to start when picking out a tent that best suits you. How many people will be sleeping in your tent? How much gear will you need to stash in your tent? Will your trusty dog be joining the hunt? These are all questions you need to ask yourself when considering which capacity tent you need.

Though I usually hunt with a buddy or two, I need my own shelter at the end of the day. This is non-negotiable. I stash a decent amount of gear inside my tent and like to stretch out while I sleep, so I always camp in a two or three-person tent. For most deer and elk hunters who camp solo, I recommend staying in a two-person tent at the very minimum.

A one-person tent could get the job done if you’re an ultralight hunter with a minimalist setup.

Weather Resistance

There are two different types of tents on this list in terms of weather resistance:

• Three-season tents are rated to keep you warm, safe, and dry in milder conditions with non-threatening forecasts. They should hold up well against moderate wind and rain but aren’t recommended for use in harsh environments or winter conditions.
• Four-season tents are rated to keep you warm, safe, and dry in challenging conditions and volatile forecasts. They should hold up well and protect you in high winds, heavy rain, and snowy environments. They’re sturdier and more insulated, making them more suitable for the late seasons.

I mainly hunt in Colorado at elevations of 9,000 feet or higher. Snow can fall as early as the first week of September, and the weather can turn instantly, so I always camp in a four-season tent. The added protection is worth the extra weight in my pack.

But if I were to travel to Arizona for an early-season hunt, I’d pack a three-season tent. Since I’d be camping in relatively milder conditions, I wouldn’t need the extra strength and insulation that a four-season tent offers; it would be overkill.

Weight & Packability

If you’re packing your tent out and covering a decent amount of distance before you set up camp, you must consider the weight and packability of your tent. If you’re car camping or only walking a few hundred yards to set up camp, these two factors don’t matter as much.

As a backcountry elk hunter, I usually cover serious distances within my unit and often need to bring my entire camping setup along with me. That’s why I carefully consider how heavy and compact each piece of gear is before bringing it along on my hunt. A lightweight and packable tent will make a world of difference for hunters like me.

Floor Dimensions

The specific floor dimensions of your tent are a more accurate representation of your living area than your tent’s capacity rating. Since they are measurable, they’ll give you a tangible representation of exactly how much floor area you’ll have inside your tent.

To visualize exactly how much living space a given tent has, measure out its floor dimensions at your home, mark them off with some string, and sprawl out within them. Do you fit comfortably within them, or do you feel cramped?

Also, consider the height of your tent, especially if you’re on the taller side. Sit up straight on your sleeping pad and measure how high your head reaches. If that measurement is comfortably less than the height of your tent, you’re in good shape.

Main Material

All nine of the shelters on this list are made of one of the following materials:

• Silnylon:  Silnylon, or nylon + ‘impregnated’ silicone, is one of the stronger materials on this list. In high wind and rain, it will sag and stretch slightly over time, but that is expected. Tents made of silnylon are very popular in the camping and backpacking community and tend to be moderately priced.
• Polyester/Silpoly:  Polyester and silpoly, or polyester + ‘impregnated’ silicone, are typically heavier than silnylon but are also more abrasion-resistant and affordable. Polyester/silpoly absorbs water more than silnylon and DCF, which leads to more sagging and longer dry-out times. Tents made of polyester/silpoly tend to be more affordable than silnylon shelters.
• Canvas: Made from 100% cotton, canvas is exceptionally durable and breathable. When treated with waterproofing products, canvas tents offer excellent protection from the elements in all four seasons. Canvas tents are very bulky and heavy and meant for large groups and outfitters. If you’re hunting with a group, don’t have to travel far to set up camp, and want a spacious, comfortable place to camp, consider a canvas tent.
• Dyneema Composite Fabric: DCF is an incredibly lightweight and completely waterproof material used mainly for sailing and ultralight backpacking. It doesn’t stretch out like polyester or nylon but is not quite as durable. DCF tents are very expensive, and I only recommend them for serious ultralight hunters trying to cut significant weight from their pack.

Binoculars , boots , broadheads , blood tracking lights … Hunting can get &#%$ing expensive!

Quality hunting tents are rarely cheap, so keep the price in mind while shopping for your next shelter. After all, you need to leave a little space in your budget for all of those other pricy hunting gadgets.

Therefore, we did our best to recommend a quality set of tents across multiple price points.

Which Hunting Tent Will Hold Down the Camp for 2023?

Did we help you find a hunting tent to keep you warm and dry in the backcountry for the 2023 elk and deer seasons? If so, we’re glad we could help. After all, we know how important a good night’s sleep is to a successful hunt.

We’re passionate outdoorsmen who’ve spent countless nights sleeping under the stars, and we take pride in giving solid recommendations to like-minded folks. We’ve learned firsthand how vital a proper shelter is to the overall camping experience.

That’s why we carefully chose the nine best tents from the industry’s most trusted brands. Can you go wrong with highly-rated gear from brands like KUIU, Mountain Hardware, Hyperlite Mountain Gear, and Eureka? We don’t think so.

So whether you came here searching for a heavy-duty canvas wall tent or a rock-solid four-season backpacking shelter, we sincerely hope we offered you a product or two that suits your hunting style. If not, email us or drop a comment below, and we’ll try our best to point you in the right direction.

Hunting season is fast approaching, and the time is now to get into one of 2023’s best tents for elk and deer hunters. Which shelter will you choose to keep warm, dry, and safe in the backcountry?

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Last Updated on January 8, 2024

Noel lives in Colorado and he spends his days traveling, hunting, hiking, backpacking, and skiing. For him, getting deep into the backcountry as often as possible is when life is at its best.

2 thoughts on “9 Best Hunting Tents 2023 for Deer & Elk Hunters Who Camp”

Wanted to love this one, but nope. Hard no. Returned for a gift card. Love Kuiu, just not this tent and their down jacket. Many gripes and “3+ season” rating concerns with Kuiu’s 2P mtn star tent. Main killer – top oval pole sleeve support holds snow, turns icy and debris build up on top of the tent. All snow types will not fully melt and slide off this structure because the drain holes ice up. Snow stays on top. I’ve mountaineered and guided so this is a hard no and my miss. Snow must always slide off the top, never stay on top or have potential to. Perhaps I missed this because it’s a bit difficult to see in their picture on Kuiu’s site. Regardless and after the fact, it was something I immediately noticed when snow came. Many smaller gripes too; inserting poles in sleeves requires a lot of space 2-3x length of tent, pole end tips connecting to elastic slide out too often, suggest redesign of vestibule flap connecting system directly with tent body and body to reach outside fly connection with fly reflector placement at this connections point, yada, yada.

Not the first time Ive heard this. Maybe its time to replace this suggestion.

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A Hunter’s Guide to Russia: Discover the Top Hunting Destinations

• October 12, 2023

Last Updated on December 21, 2023

Civilization has left its mark in almost every corner of habitable land, so finding a place where nature is pristine and animals are plentiful is always a joyous event. Such locations often become natural parks or game reserves, where the staff doesn’t spare effort to preserve nature the way it looks. Russia is the largest country in the world, so it comes as no surprise it abounds in places that haven’t yet been spoiled by the progress. Whereas many may see traveling to Russia now as a very, to say the least, dubious endeavor, it is worth remembering that nothing lasts forever. After all, reading an article doesn’t compel you to go anywhere, and it’s always nice to learn something new. So, why not learn about top hunting destinations in Russia?

Table of Contents

Understanding Hunting in Russia Top Hunting Spots in Russia       Siberia       Kamchatka Peninsula       Republic of Karelia       Kamyshinsky District Planning Your Hunting Trip to Russia Conclusion FAQs

Understanding Hunting in Russia

The russian hunting tradition.

The tradition of hunting is inseparable from Russian history and culture. Since ancient times, sustenance was the main purpose of hunting. Common people relied on it to get food and source materials for clothing and also used game to pay dues. In the early times, hunting was the best school for future warriors, and even the princes recognized the necessity to engage in hunting activities.

Over time, hunting evolved from a necessity to a pastime, especially among the nobility. Wealthy landowners and the nobility controlled vast hunting grounds, where they would engage in elaborate hunts as a form of sport and socialization. Russian imperial hunts were heavily influenced by the traditions of European royal courts. However, the peasantry didn’t lose their right to hunt. 

The 1917 revolution brought significant changes to hunting practices in Russia. The control of hunting grounds shifted from the elite to the state, marking the beginning of more regulated hunting. You needed to be a member of the hunting club to use the hunting grounds assigned to it. 

Today, hunting in Russia is thriving. It is still a popular recreational activity, with many Russians participating in hunting trips that range from lodge-based deer and upland bird hunts to rugged hike-in snow sheep expeditions. Many private individuals have leases on hunting territories that were once owned by governmental clubs. To keep up with the competition, they had to improve all hunting-related services and monitor the quality and quantity of the game. It also plays a critical role in maintaining ecological balance and managing wildlife populations.

Game Species in Russia

Russia’s diverse terrain and vast wilderness areas are home to a wide array of game species. Some of the most commonly hunted species include moose, wild boar, Eurasian lynx and a wide variety of upland birds. Since hunting licenses for waterfowl are the most inexpensive, these birds are also a popular choice for hunters. Deer hunts are also common, particularly in lodge-based hunting situations.

Like many other countries, Russia boasts a collection of unique species that cannot be found anywhere else. Russia is the only country where hunters can hunt snow sheep, Western and mixed tur, musk deer, Asiatic black bear and Eurasian brown bear.

The Kamchatka Peninsula, in particular, is known for its large population of brown bears, attracting hunters from around the world. Siberia, with its challenging terrain and harsh winters, is a prime location for hunts targeting unique species like snow sheep.

Top Hunting Destinations in Russia

Of all the unspoiled wilderness expanses of Russia, Siberia should be the first place on your list of hunting destinations. Spanning from the eastern Ural Mountains to the watershed between the Pacific and Arctic drainage basins, Siberia offers one-of-a-kind hunting opportunities.

And it’s not only about the game species you can find here. Siberia’s allure also hides in its breathtaking landscapes, ranging from pristine taiga forests to sky-reaching mountain ranges and vast lakes. The views of the gorgeous Lake Baikal alone can make your trip worthwhile even without any game trophies. The harsh beauty of this place elicits an unmatched sense of adventure that any hunter seeking a challenge will appreciate. Moreover, Siberia’s remoteness contributes to its rich biodiversity, with low human presence and minimal human interference making it a true haven for wildlife.

The region is home to several game species, including Eurasian lynx, musk deer and Asiatic black bear. However, Siberia is perhaps most famous for its snow sheep hunts. Snow sheep, unique to Russia, are a rare and thus coveted trophy. The challenging conditions in which they live only make the process even more rewarding. Hunters can also find Siberian roebuck in the region, one of the most popular hunts in the Russian Federation excluding the Kamchatka Peninsula. If we were to choose one location in the whole of Siberia, we would go with Yakutia.

The best hunting time in Siberia is generally considered to be July through September. It is not recommended to visit Siberia in winter as local winters are truly harsh and an unprepared hunter is more likely to meet their demise than any of the game animals.

Kamchatka Peninsula

The Kamchatka Peninsula, located on Russia’s far eastern coast, is often referred to as the “jewel in the crown” of Russian hunting destinations. And believe you us, the contenders for the title are quite numerous and are all worthy. Even though Kamchatka technically is a part of Siberia, we couldn’t but mention it as a standalone destination, given how large Siberia is. And it’s simply impossible not to get captivated by the local vistas.

Kamchatka follows the suit of Siberia in terms of biodiversity. The peninsula is home to an array of wildlife, including some of the most craved hunting trophies on the planet – the Kamchatka Bighorn Sheep and Koryak Snow Sheep. The region’s remoteness and minimal human interference contributed greatly to preserving its rich wildlife and creating a true wilderness experience for anyone willing to take it.

In addition to the Bighorn Sheep and Koryak Snow Sheep, Kamchatka offers opportunities to hunt the Eastern Siberian Moose, one of the largest moose species in the world. The peninsula is, however, most famous for its brown bear hunts. The Kamchatka brown bears are among the largest in the world. If bears rank among your hunting interests, then Kamchatka will offer you some of the best opportunities to get a truly magnificent trophy.

There are two main seasons for bear hunting in Kamchatka: spring and fall. The spring season typically runs from April, when the bears emerge from hibernation. In fall, bears are most active in preparation for the winter months, which makes it another great time to track them down.

Republic of Karelia

Let’s fast forward to the opposite side of Russia. The Republic of Karelia, located in the northwest of the country, has long been attracting appreciators of the wild beauty from all over the world. It comes as no surprise that this corner of the Earth is also rich in game animals of all stripes. Korelia stretches from the shores of the Baltic Sea to the Arctic Circle, offering hunters a truly unique opportunity to create unforgettable memories and get a trophy or two. Or three, for the land is teeming with game.

Karelia attracts people with the savage beauty of its wilderness. It abounds in coniferous and birch forests and is embellished with numerous water bodies, including Lake Ladoga, one of the largest lakes in Europe. This is yet another region whose remoteness helped to preserve the diversity of species, both flora and fauna. Being an ideal habitat for a variety of game species, it’s also an ideal place to hunt.

Moreover, Karelia’s rich cultural heritage, with its unique blend of Russian and Finnish influences, adds a distinctive charm to the hunting outfitters in the region.

Karelia is home to several game species, including brown bear and lynx. However, the region is perhaps most famous for its capercaillie and black grouse hunts. These bird species are highly sought after among hunters and are often the primary target of hunting trips in Karelia.

While the exact timing can vary depending on the specific game species, the spring season (April–May) is generally considered an excellent time for bird hunting in Karelia. This is when the capercaillie and black grouse are most active.

For brown bear hunts, which are also highly popular, the best time is typically in the fall, around September, when the bears are actively feeding in preparation for the winter months.

Volgograd Oblast, Kamyshinsky District

The Kamyshinsky District is an administrative unit in Volgograd Oblast in Russia. It also happens to be a great hunting destination. It cannot boast the vast expanses of the places we’ve already covered, but there have been more than enough boundless hunting destinations so far. This region, with its rich history and cultural heritage, is sure to be a venue for a memorable hunting trip.

The Kamyshinsky District is rich in sprawling open fields and dense forests and is dotted with numerous water bodies. The region’s landscape is also diverse, which results in a large number of natural habitats and, consequently, rich flora and fauna. 

The game species include already familiar roe deer, both European and Siberian, moose, wild boar, red deer and several others. The main bird game species is geese, which are found here in great quantities.

The best hunting season can vary depending on the specific game species, spring is the opening of a hunting season and thus can be a great time to visit the place. April is the best month for hunting upland birds and waterfowl with decoys . If you are after fur game, then there is no better time to hunt it than winter.

Planning Your Hunting Trip to Russia

A hunting trip to Russia promises to be an unforgettable adventure, but, as with any other trip to a foreign country, it requires careful planning and preparation. Here are some things you need to take care of before you embark on your journey:

Securing Necessary Permits

All hunters in Russia require a hunting ticket and a hunting permit, not that different from how things are done in the USA. A hunting ticket is a document that gives you a general right to hunt, whereas a hunting permit specifies exactly what, where and when you can hunt. You can obtain these through your hunting outfitter or guide service. It’s essential to ensure all your documents are in order before you leave for your trip lest it should end prematurely.

Booking Accommodations

Depending on where you’re hunting in Russia, accommodations could range from luxury lodges to rustic cabins or even tent camps. It’s important to book your accommodations well in advance and confirm what amenities are included, if any. Many hunting packages include accommodations as part of the deal.

Hiring Guides

Navigating a wilderness in an absolutely unfamiliar place is no easy feat. Hiring a local guide is an absolute must if you want to spend your time productively and with pleasure. Not only do guides know the terrain and the best hunting spots but can also assist with securing permits and navigating local laws and regulations. Many guides also provide equipment and transportation as part of their services.

Learning About Local Customs and Etiquette

Understanding and respecting local customs and etiquette is crucial when visiting any foreign country, and Russia is no exception. Before your trip, take some time to learn about Russian social norms and hunting practices. You might be surprised to learn which things are considered to be normal or at least acceptable and which are frowned upon.

Other Considerations

• Language : People learn English at school, but mastery of the language depends heavily on the individual. It’s also limited to city dwellers: if you come to a rural area, the chances of finding someone speaking English are close to none. Learning basic Russian phrases and hiring a guide who speaks English can be very helpful.
• Weather : Russian weather can be extreme, particularly in winter. Pack appropriate clothing and gear for the season and region you’ll be hunting in.
• Health and Safety : Check in with your doctor about any necessary vaccinations or health precautions. It’s also a good idea to purchase travel insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation, given that hunting trips are fraught with certain risks regardless of where they happen.

The vast expanses of Russian wilderness serve as home to a large population of game animals. The same places place also happen a rare sight to behold, their beauty and grandeur carving into one’s memory to never fade away. Whether it’s the remote, serene wilderness of Karelia or Kamchatka, your hunting adventure in Russia would be bound to be memorable. That is, if it were to ever happen. 

Read other posts:

Best Winter Hunting Destinations in North America (Beyond Alaska) Top Grounds for Hunting in Europe: From Spain to Romania

What are the top hunting destinations in Russia?

Some of the top hunting destinations in Russia include Kamchatka for snow sheep and brown bear, Siberia for moose and Siberian roe deer and Karelia for capercaillie and black grouse.

What species can I hunt in Russia?

Russia offers a wide variety of game including brown bears, wolves, foxes, hare, ducks, geese, wood grouse, elk, wild boar and various species of deer.

What is the hunting season in Russia?

In this article:

Post written by: Timothy Chandler

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Tri-State Outfitters

Sporting goods, footwear, apparel, about tri-state outfitters.

At Tri-State Outfitters you'll find quality Sporting Goods, Footwear, and Apparel from the most trusted outdoor brands in the industry. From hunting to fishing and running to hiking, our goal is to outfit you with lasting gear that will carry you to new destinations, whether that be a far away vista, or the next level in personal achievement. Our staff knows the outdoors and are there to help you get the right fit and the right product for your adventure. With our no-hassle return policy you can rest-assured that you'll be 100% satisfied with your purchase.

What was known as Tri-State Outfitters in Coeur d'Alene, is now known as Sportsman & Ski Haus, and specializes in Hiking, Camping, Trail-Running, Water Sports, and Snow Sports and Team Sports, offering quality Gear, Apparel and Footwear you've come to expect from any of our stores. Being at the intersection of so many great recreational and seasonal opportunities, our North Idaho Sportsman & Ski Haus is perfectly positioned to help you make the most out of any of them. 365 days a year - Adventure Starts Here!

Backpacking & Camping

Whether you're going on a day hike or on a backcountry backpacking adventure, we carry the right gear to meet your needs, from manufacturers like The North Face, Kelty, Patagonia and Osprey. We carry large selections of Backpacks, Sleeping Bags, Sleeping Mats, Tents, and all the camping gear to go with them. But, it doesn't end there - we also carry essentials like First Aid Kits, Dehydrated Foods, Packable Stoves, Packable Cookware and Dinnerware, as well as a variety of Water Filtration solutions.

Providing you great fitting, comfortable and durable footwear that is best suited for your adventure is our top priority. We carry footwear for every outdoor activity, as well as casual styles to suit your lifestyle. For the runner, outfit your feet with cutting edge designs from Hoka, Altra, On Running, New Balance, and more. For the hiker seeking rugged footwear designed to carry you to any destination you'll find Asolo, Salomon, Keen, and Merrell. We also offer functional brands that boast style like Dansko, Birkenstock, and Chaco, as well as winter boots and work boots from some of the most top-rated brands in the industry.

You'll find a great selection of stylish and rugged clothing in our clothing department. The North Face, Columbia Sportswear, Arc'Teryx and many other great brands are ready for you to try on. Our selection includes high quality fleece and down jackets from The North Face to lifestyle brands from Billabong and Volcom. Functional sportswear is laid and ready to be formed into a traditional 3-layer system for the cooler winter months. Ski and board in comfort with a hi-tech baselayer, soft fleece mid-layer and solid yet breathable down outer layer. Look great and feel great wherever you go!

If you need bait, we have bait. If you need everything, we have it all! Quality reels from Quantum and Okuma, and a large selection of poles from Shakespeare, Quantum and Abu Garcia. We also carry Simms clothing, designed with the needs of fishermen in mind. Along with bait, we provide a large selection of flies, jigs, lures and more. If you're planning a day down on the river or on one of the lakes or reservoirs nearby soon, stop by and stock up! We can help you find whatever you need to make sure you land your next big catch!

Browse a fantastic collection of hunting rifles and shotguns, displayed so you can find exactly the right firearm! We offer many styles and calibers of Shotguns, Rifles and Pistols as well as a huge selection of ammo for you to choose from. We also offer high quality Optics from Leupold, Vortex Nikon and more, as well as Free Bore Sighting to help you make sure your shot is as accurate as possible. To that end we also offer a variety of tools to help you target practice from traditional sheets of target paper to the more advanced ballistic plastics from Do-All Outdoors.

Paddle Sports Gear

With so many rivers and lakes in close proximity, we would be doing you a great disservice if we didn't offer up some great options for your enjoyment! We carry a variety of recreational kayaks the whole family can enjoy. Kayaks are great fun and an exciting way to enjoy distant shorelines. We also carry Stand-Up Paddle Boards, which are not only fun, but great for keeping one fit and toned. For the fisherman, we carry pontoon boats, and for those who just want to splash around in the water we carry fun blow-up rafts in a variety of sizes.