When it comes to western hunting, we tend to have detailed gear lists and keep everything very organized. Why shouldn’t we do the same with hunting mountain bucks in the Appalachian Range? I believe in staying organized and having a system to make your hunts go smoother. Hunting the Appalachian Range differs from hunting the Midwest and other areas for whitetails. On public land and even on big private tracts that are open to public hunting, we are packing in and out of stands every day, breaking down the deer and packing out the meat, and other caveats that are just different than what you read in most magazines. This means that we have to have a specific list of tools needed and used to accommodate this unique hunting style.
That said, here is my gear list for what I’m carrying in my pack and on me during the rut in Pennsylvania and throughout the Appalachian Mountains.
Pack:
Hunting Gear:
Electronics:
Anker 10,000mH Battery Bank with charging cords
Exodus Lift II, Render, or Rival Trail Cameras (1-2) - use code EMW to save 15% off Exodus Trail Cameras
Card reader, waterproof card holder (1 new, 1 used)
Spartan Forge GPS Mapping Application on phone with offline maps downloaded - use code eastmeetswest for 20% off the Spartan Forge app
Sony A7iii camera with 35mm 1.4 lens (photos and cinematic video)
Sony Handycam AX-53 with rode mic for filming
Timber Ninja Carbon Fiber Camera Arm - use code eastmeetswest for free shipping
Water Filtration:
32 oz Nalgene bottle - East Meets West
Hunting/Kill Kit:
Hunting Tags & License
MTN OPS Flash Bag for kill kit organization - use code BEAU for 20% off MTN OPS
First Aid/Emergency Kit:
Uncharted Triage kit - 10 UCO storm matches, 6 fabric 1x3in bandages, 4 - 7 in zip ties, 2 - Fabric 2x4in bandaids, 3 safety pins, 2 aspirin 2/pack, 4 PDI lub jelly, 2 - wound closure strips 5/pk, flat pack 5 yd duct tape, 2' 22 gauge bailing wire, Emergency mylar blanket, allergy meds, cold meds, med wrap, tourniquette, leukotape, super glue, quickclot, ibuprofen, cough drops, first aid book, ZIPPO lighter
Toilet paper and DUDE Wipes
Inside MTN OPS Flash 1L Bag - Bright Orange
Food:
Heather’s Choice Packaroons (or go through this link and enter code eastmeetswest for free shipping on all orders!)
MTN OPS Ignite Trail Packs - use code BEAU for 20% off MTN OPS
Deer jerky
Miscellaneous snacks
Clothing: Save 20% off SITKA with code EMW20 (only valid until 10/31/23)
Footwear:
Optics:
Maven B.3 8 x 30 Binoculars - Use code eastmeetswest-gift for a free gift with any Maven optics order if you order from the Maven website!
Stand Setup: Get free shipping on all Timber Ninja products with code eastmeetswest
Bow Setup:
Hamskea/PRIME Epsilon Rest
Tight Spot/PRIME 5 Arrow Quiver
Method ZMR Arrows (no longer a company)
G5 Deadmeat V2 or Montec M3 Broadheads
This list is always changing as I'm tweaking and finding out what works best for me and my hunting style. If you have any questions on any gear I use, please comment below!
Note: I do receive a small commission from some of the links and discount codes. I appreciate you supporting what I do!
Watch the latest hunting video - A 3-Year Quest for One PA Mountain Buck - 2022 Pennsylvania Big Woods Hunt