Must-Have Early Season Hunting Gear: Recos from the Pros

New hunters might be wondering what they need for an early hunt, while seasoned hunters might be looking for the next best things to upgrade their gear.

If you're new to fall hunting or this season isn't your first rodeo, we want to make sure you have everything you need for success. HuntWise isn't just a hunting app — it's a tool backed by a team of experienced hunters who want every hunter to tag out each season.

So, we've pulled together our best recommendations for the stuff we use the most and love for early season hunting gear. We even got John Dudley to show us what he uses!

Keep reading to learn about the must-have hunting gear you need (and where to get it) for a successful early season hunt. We'll highlight: 

Lightweight Camo Clothing

Binos and Rangefinders

Hunting Packs

Tree Stands and Saddles

Bowhunting Gear

How to Take Advantage of HuntWise Gear Discounts

Lightweight Camo Clothing

Depending on where you hunt, the fall season could still be pretty warm temperature-wise. Going for lightweight, moisture-wicking, breathable materials that keep you cool during warm early season hunts.

Here are some top contenders for early season hunting clothes that will keep you at the right temperature so you can focus on that deer in your sights:

TUO Gear Clime Pant: These pants are designed for hunters, are waterproof, and also have odor-controlling technology — perfect for warm days on a hunt.
TUO Gear Kinetic Merino 250 Hoodie: An innovative Merino wool blend that's great as a base layer or mid-layer. It's also comfortable enough to wear all day with plenty of movement.
Sitka Core Merino LS Crew (Baselayers): Another lightweight Merino wool blend that's an excellent base layer for cooler mornings.
Sitka Intercept Pant: We love Sitka, and we love these lightweight pants that help you stay quiet and unseen while controlling your scent.

Binoculars and Rangefinders

Early-season hunting often means spotting deer from a distance. You'll need a pair of high-quality binoculars or a rangefinder to help you gauge distances and identify targets accurately.

Here are a few to consider!

• Swarovski Optik EL 8.5x42 Binoculars: These binos deliver a large field of view with amazing sharpness and clarity to spot a buck you wouldn't otherwise see.
   

• Leupold RX Fulldraw 5 Rangefinder: Is that 8-point within range of your bow shot? Find out with this rangefinder specifically designed for bowhunters.
   

• Vortex Razor HD 8x42 Binoculars: If you need a more affordable option than the Swarovski binos above, these Vortex binos are a great option without sacrificing image sharpness.
   

• Vortex HD 3000 Laser Rangefinder: Be more sure of your shot with these rangefinders to help you act quickly and confidently.

Seeing clearly (and far away) is crucial in the field, so make sure you have the optics to help you take clean, efficient shots.

A Hunting Pack

Even if your pants have plenty of pockets, you can't carry everything you need for a day in the field in your pants without it being noisy and uncomfortable. You need a hunting pack!

A light pack can be just what you need for an early-season hunt. First, Scentlok's Grinder Lite Pack has lots of space, plenty of organization (to help you access your hunting gear quickly and quietly), and a spot for your hydration bladder. 

You may also want to consider one of these two packs that offer either more space — or less — depending on your needs for the day. 

Eberlestock Recon Modular Bino Pack: This pack maximizes modularity with plenty of pockets and bino tethers.
Sitka Tool Belt: If you're sticking with just the bare necessities for an early-season hunt, this Sitka tool belt is perfect. It's low-profile and efficient!

A Tree Stand

These picks are for elevated hunters!

Whether you've used a tree saddle or stand before or you're considering it for the first time this season, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the options out there. We've got a few excellent recommendations to help you narrow it down.

• Novix Echo Hang-On Treestand: Be mobile and comfortable with this hang-on stand from Novix. The aluminum construction also makes it one of the quietest stands you'll find.
   
• Tethrd Phantom Saddle Kit: Saddle hunting could be your best experience in the field, and this saddle from Tethrd is an excellent option with plenty of comfort and safety built in.
   
• Novix Helo Hunt Ready System: This is another great option from Novix. It's the smallest and lightest hang-on stand they offer.
   
• Novix Raider Hybrid Saddle Platform: Add this platform to your saddle gear and settle in for a long, comfortable day in a tree.

If hunting from a tree stand isn't your thing this season, using a ground blind for your deer hunt is also an excellent option!

We have plenty more early season hunting gear recommendations, but I just can't get them all into this blog! So, let Nate Huizenga show you more of our best picks for early season gear.

Early Season Hunting Gear for Bowhunters

In most states, the early season is synonymous with bowhunting season. So, we would be remiss if we didn't highlight some of our early season must-haves for bowhunting success!

Mathews Lift 33: You cannot go wrong with this bow! It's lightweight but packs plenty of punch while keeping quiet.

To go with your bow, check out these picks: 

• G5 MegaMeat Broadheads: This broadhead does the damage you need to take down what's in your sights, so you spend less time tracking blood trails after your shot.
   
• Scott Archery Little Goose II Wrist Release: Based on the best seller from Scott Archery, this release gives you just the anchor point you need for an accurate shot.
   
• CBE Tactic Micro 5 Pin Archery Sight: Quick mounting and quick adjustments so you can aim and shoot accurately without wasting time lining up a shot.

Again, this isn't everything we'd love to tell you about to get you and your bow ready for a successful whitetail season. So, give this video a watch and let HuntWise's Quinn Badder show off more gear for early season bowhunters.

What Does John Dudley Use for Early Season Hunting Success?

As if we haven't already shared a ton of great gear with you, we also talked with John Dudley about his recommendations. Check out his early-season must-have gear.

How to Take Advantage of HuntWise Gear Discounts

One great perk of being a HuntWise user is your access to gear discounts. That means you can save big money on many of the early-season gear picks we've shared with you today.

To see if you can use a Pro or Elite subscriber discount on some of the gear from our partners:
 

• Log into your account in the HuntWise hunting app.
• Click the "Shop" tab.
• Grab your discount code for the brand you want. Note that each brand has different codes.
• Then, click the product links above or listed when watching our gear videos on YouTube through the links above and apply the code at checkout.

You can save up to 40% on some of these items, so don't let this perk go to waste if you're a Pro or Elite user!

Use HuntWise and the Best Hunting Gear for Early Season Success

If you're anything like our HuntWise hunters, talking about gear only builds our excitement for opening day for early season hunting.

We hope the gear recommendations we shared today help you start building your hunting gear set or add to your current gear collection for success this season.

Remember: HuntWise not only helps you plan your day in the field with features like HuntCast and WindCast, but the app also helps you save money on the gear you need to tag out!

If you don't yet have the app, download it and try a Pro or Elite subscription free for a week! Check out features to plan a hunt and explore the discounts that can help you save money on the best gear for your hunts.