Are you ready to take your hunting success rate from average to elite?
Over 11.5 million Americans a year go hunting and that number is only going to increase. There’s no escaping the fact that hunting has never been more competitive.
The problem is that there’s a secret most hunters just aren’t willing to admit…
Your hunting gear strategy is the most important element of your success.
The best place to start is by learning from other people’s failures. Here are 10 ways a bad hunting gear strategy can sabotage your success.
Take a look and make sure you aren’t making the same costly mistakes as the other 9 out of 10 hunters out there.
Why Most Hunters Fail With Basic Gear
Most hunters are familiar with the phrase:
“If you go into the woods with a knife and a bullet, you better be prepared to use them.”
But what most hunters don’t know is that a hunting gear strategy based on just those two things is basically a guarantee of failure.
Sure there’s an element of skill to hunting but raw hunting skill isn’t going to cut it in today’s high pressure hunting environment.
Elk hunters right now have a measly 10% success rate. Most are simply not getting any harvest despite spending a lot of time and effort. So what are the successful 10% doing that the other 90% aren’t?
Investing in cutting-edge hunting gear is a BIG part of it.
And the reason you haven’t done that already is simple…
Fear.
The fear of not having the “correct” gear. The fear that you might make a wrong purchase and “throw away your money.” The fear of not knowing the “best” brands and models.
It’s time to move past those fears.
There are 6 steps every single successful hunter uses when choosing their hunting gear:
Step 1: Put the emphasis on optics
The days of cheap budget lenses are over. Hunters understand that quality optics are critical for modern hunting success.
You need:
- High-quality binocular
- Rangefinder
- Rifle scope
- Spotting scope
Step 2: Invest in a high-quality shooting system
Rifles only make up about 3% of harvested game but when you hunt big game with a rifle you better be sure you have a precision platform built for the task.
Professional-grade shooting systems include:
- Precision chassi system
- Adjustable stock
- High-quality trigger
- Muzzle device
Companies like XLR Industries specialize in creating these professional-grade chassi systems that serious hunters depend on for consistent, accurate performance in the field. Invest in all of the above.
Why?
Because superior shooting systems make a BIG difference. The truth is most hunters grossly overestimate the skill required to hit a target and drastically underestimate the effects of having an imprecise shooting system. In other words, don’t rely on skill to make up for low-quality equipment.
Step 3: Take your scent control to the next level
Animals have much better noses than most people realize. Traditional scent control techniques are nowhere near enough to compete with increasingly scent-educated game.
Invest in:
- Ozone generators for scent treatment
- Carbon-lined clothing systems
Ozone generators treat your gear at a molecular level to eliminate stored human scent. Carbon-lined clothing systems are very expensive but are one of the best things you can do to improve your scent control.
Step 4: Upgrade to advanced camouflage and concealment
Modern camo is about a lot more than just buying a woodland pattern shirt and pants.
You want:
- 3D leafy suit systems with adaptive camouflage patterns
- Face masks to break up your silhouette
- Portable blind system for optimum concealment
You know what you’re thinking…
“Those last two items sound super expensive.”
It’s true that the absolute best is very expensive but you don’t need to buy the Rolls Royce of everything to take advantage of these new technologies.
That’s where Step 5 comes in…
Step 5: Consider used gear
Don’t limit your search to new gear. Hunters sell incredible used gear all the time on sites like eBay.
This isn’t talking about garbage either. Seriously, some people are perfectly happy to take brand new gear out into the field and sell it for 75% off the original price.
Yes. The best hunting gear is a serious investment but when you know what to look for you can find some real steals.
How To Build Your Ultimate Hunting Kit
Now that you know what to look for when choosing gear it’s time to start building your ultimate hunting kit. Here’s how:
Choose the most versatile setup
A good system is modular. Meaning you can take it with you when hunting in a variety of environments.
Versatility is key because you don’t want to have to go buy all new gear every time you change up your hunting location or conditions.
Identify the top performers
Look for the gear with the best performance in your key categories. Do NOT be swayed by hype and branding.
Learn from other hunters
Talk to other experienced hunters about the gear they use and have used.
Gain insights on what works and what doesn’t. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and learn.
Balance quality with affordability
Balance the budget with the quality of gear you are willing to purchase. It’s important to get the most high-quality gear that your budget allows.
Focus on core items first
Prioritize your core items like rifle, optics, and camouflage before moving on to the more expensive accessories.
Upgrade over time
Upgrade your kit over time as your budget allows. It’s not a “one and done” type of process.
Take inventory and assess regularly
Regularly take inventory of your gear and assess whether it still meets your needs.
Replace or upgrade as necessary. By regularly assessing your gear you can ensure that you always have the best setup possible.
Put It All Together With The Perfect Hunting Gear Strategy
Hunters spend $26 billion a year on hunting gear for a reason.
Gear isn’t a sideline to your success, it’s the main event.
But remember to use these expert tips to make sure that the gear you do buy is the right gear.
With 90% of hunters eating their harvest, you don’t want to be that 90% who bought all the gear and still didn’t get anything.
Take action now and build yourself a rock-solid hunting gear strategy for success.
Don’t get left behind, step up your gear game today.
