The best hunting rifle scopes for the money will be budget-friendly without sacrificing build quality. This post has sorted the best short-range scopes, mid-range scopes, and long-range scopes by price. This way you can find the best scope within your budget quickly.
This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Of course, you are not obligated to use my links, but it does help fund these posts in hopes of bringing more value to you!
Table of Contents
Terminology To Know When Buying Hunting Rifle Scopes
Best Short-Range LPVO Hunting Rifle Scopes For The Money
True 1x Magnification
Short-range hunting rifle scopes with a 1x magnification are great options for fast-paced and close-range shooting. This is because a 1x allows you to keep both eyes open just like regular iron sights. However, not all 1x scopes provide a true 1x experience, and low-quality 1x optics can have a fish-eye effect making it hard to shoot with both eyes open.
LPVO scopes with quality 1x magnification make target acquisition extremely fast because there is little to no change in your eyesight when you look through the scope. Not only are they great for close-range hunting but they also can be magnified and used for longer ranges. This makes them extremely versatile and is the reason for their growing popularity as LPVO design and manufacturing become better.
True Daylight Bright Illumination
True daylight bright LPVO optics are tough to find in budget LPVO options under 500$. Although cheaper scopes won’t likely have true daylight bright illuminations they will still work in most hunting scenarios. You can also shut them off and use the regular black reticle. Just be aware of this factor when buying a new hunting rifle scope.
Vortex Crossfire II 1-4X24 Budget LPVO Hunting Rifle Scope
The Vortex Crossfire II is one of the most well-known scopes on the market because of its low price, excellent reviews, and industry-leading warranty. You can buy this scope in different magnification ranges including this low-powered 1-4×24.
This scope is illuminated with a V-Brite reticle and has multiple illumination brightness options. If the battery dies on the Crossfire II it can still be used because the illuminated red dot will be replaced by a black dot.
The Crossfire II does have poorer sharpness and a pickier eye box compared to more expensive models. However, for the price, you can’t complain.
The Athlon Talos BTR 1-4×24 is another great short-range scope if you’re on a budget. It’s a unique 1-4 when compared to the other short-range scopes on this list because it has an exposed tactical turret. This scope has a great eye box and a very true 1x magnification.
This scope is illuminated and has multiple illumination brightness options. If the battery dies it can still be used because the illuminated red crosshairs will be replaced by black crosshairs.
The biggest downside to this scope is how big the body of the scope is which reduces the sight picture when trying to use both eyes.
Burris’ RT-6 is a 1-6×24 short-range rifle scope. However, it has the capability of reaching 6x magnification making it very versatile for longer range shooting than a 1-4×24. This is the best value 1-6x hunting scope in this review because the other 1-6x short-range scopes cost significantly more.
This scope is illuminated and has multiple illumination brightness options. If the battery dies it can still be used because the illuminated red circle and dot will just turn black like a regular scope. It appears that this scope only comes with the “Ballistic 5x” reticle, I wish more options were available.
Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6×24 Gen II Short-Range Hunting Rifle Scope
The Vortex Strike Eagle LPVO has the best field of view of any of the rifle scopes reviewed and has a forgiving eye box at low magnifications which is great for picking up animals quickly at short ranges. Because of the price, warranty, and great reviews, it’s earned its spot on the list as one of the best hunting rifle scopes for the money.
The fish-eye effect can make it difficult to use with both eyes open and the 1-8×24 version is known to have clarity issues at magnifications >6x. The illumination is pretty good, daylight visibility is about average for a scope in this price range. The only reticle available with this scope is the AR-BDC3.
The Trijicon Huron was designed specifically for hunters and is one of the most affordable scopes that Trijicon makes for this reason. Trijicon wanted to make something great for hunters that wouldn’t break the bank. This scope does not have illumination, which can be nice because it’s not always needed for hunters and it greatly reduces the overall price of the scope. The Huron is a lightweight scope with excellent glass making it a great LPVO option for hunters.
Vortex Viper PST Gen II 1-6X24 Short-Range Hunting Rifle Scope
The Vortex Viper PST Gen II 1-6×24 is arguably the best of the best LPVO scope on the market for the money. It does command a higher price but it’s well worth the money because of how much value you get.
For example, it has a true 1x magnification, industry-leading warranty, crisp and clear glass, true daylight bright illumination, and excellent reviews it earns its spot as one of the best short-range LPVO hunting rifle scopes for the money.
This scope is so good it is often said to undermine Vortex’s Razor Series 1-6×24 LPVO scope (which are +/- 2000$). The Vortex Viper is much better than the Vortex Strike Eagle, so if you can save your money, buy on sale, or buy used, it is definitely worth it.
The Trijicon TR24 has been around for a long time and is a popular LPVO scope and features a very true 1x magnification. It’s been out for over 10 years and is still going strong. One of the most unique features of this rifle scope is that it uses AccuPoint fiber optics to illuminate the reticle, this means it does not need batteries to function. During the daytime, it’s illuminated by fiber optics, during low-light conditions tritium illuminates the reticle.
This is also the lightest weight LPVO scope in this review. For the money, it’s tough to beat especially because its price has decreased in more recent years since the next generation TR-25 1-6×24 has come out.
The Athlon Neos is the most affordable mid-range hunting rifle scope in this review. It’s very inexpensive, yet it has excellent reviews everywhere. You have the option of buying an illuminated scope or other non-illuminated options. Athlon is a well-known optics brand with an excellent warranty. For the money, it’s tough to beat. One con of this scope is its weight when compared to the other scopes within this review (17 oz).
The Burris Fullfield E1 is a strong contender for being the top mid-range hunting rifle scope for the money. It’s a simple scope that just plain works great. It does not offer illumination but it’s rugged + lightweight which is a great combination for those who hunt on the move. This is the second-lightest scope in this entire review. Burris backs up their scopes with a lifetime warranty so you know you’re getting a quality product.
Vortex Crossfire II 3-9×40 Mid-Range Hunting Rifle Scope
The Crossfire II shows up a second time in this review. The 3-9×40 version, like the 1-4×24, is one of the best hunting rifle scopes for the money. This version of the Crossfire II comes with multiple reticle options. One of which is an illuminated V-Brite reticle, just like the 1-4×24 but it is nice to have the option to choose whether you want an illuminated scope or not. This is one of the best mid-range illuminated scopes at this price.
Vortex Crossfire II 3-9×40 Reticle (more available)
The Vortex Diamondback doesn’t need much of an introduction, it is one of the best mid-range scopes for the money because it is a durable scope with an industry-leading lifetime warranty. This scope is time-tested (over 10 years) and has excellent reviews (5 out of 5) just about everywhere you look. This scope does not include illumination which helps keep the price low.
Leupold’s VX-Freedom takes the cake for being the best mid-range hunting rifle scope for the money. Although, it is the most expensive scope you get a lot of value. For example, it is the lightest scope in this review, durable, backed with a lifetime warranty, has very clear glass which makes it excellent in low-light hunting scenarios, and offers a generous 4.2-inches of eye relief. You can get illumination, for an additional cost. The Leupold FireDot is excellent and is one of the brightest illuminations. Anyplace you look this scope is getting just about a 5/5 star rating.
The Burris Fullfield E1 might be the least expensive long-range hunting scope but it has a lot to offer. It comes with a parallax adjustment and two long-range reticle styles. This is the lightest long-range rifle scope in this review (15.3 oz) making it a great choice for long-range hunters that are on the move. Glass quality of this scope is excellent for the price.
The Athlon Argos HMR is an excellent long-range rifle scope for the money. The 50mm objective lens is great for bringing in more light at higher magnifications and in low-light scenarios. Because it is 50 mm there is more glass making it a fairly heavy scope. The wide magnification capabilities are great for being versatile in many different hunting scenarios, especially long-range. There are three types of reticles, and two of the three are illuminated.
The Vortex Diamondback Tactical is a recent addition to the Diamondback line (in 2019). With this new addition comes one of the best long-range scopes for the money. It’s a First focal plane (FFP) scope with a Christmas tree style reticle and parallax adjustments for easier long-range shooting.
Additionally, it comes with tall exposed turrets for making quick in-field adjustments, it’s the only long-range scope in this review with a 30mm tube (bringing in more light), and it comes with that Vortex industry-leading lifetime warranty. This newcomer has excellent reviews (5 out of 5) just about everywhere you look.
Burris Signature HD 3-15×44 Long-Range Hunting Rifle Scope
Yes, there’s another Burris on the list, this time it’s the Burris Signature HD. The reason this scope is one of the best long-range scopes for the money is because of its clarity and crisp glass (hence the HD). Also, the turrets are low-profile and are push/pull for locking and unlocking.
This scope comes with two different reticle types, one of which has the option of being illuminated. This is a simple scope that works very well and is backed by Burris’s Forever warranty.
The Maven CRS (Classic Rifle Scope) series is quite new to the market, it came out in January of 2023. The CRS.2 has high-quality glass made in Japan and it offers 88% light transmission. The 44mm objective lens is plenty big with the 88% light transmission for low light situations at high magnifications. It is the shortest long-range scope in this review and is one of the lightest. These scopes are durable and backed by Maven’s Unconditional Lifetime Warranty.
It is one of the more expensive riflescopes on this list but it is a great value because Maven is direct-to-consumerso they cut out the middle man. This allows their optics to be sold at lower prices. Basically, you can get better optics at lower prices.
Leupold’s VX-3HD with CDS (Custom Dial System) is one of the best long-range hunting rifle scopes for the money. What makes this scope unique is the CDS system where you can get a custom top dial for your scope that will allow you to easily and quickly adjust for distance based on your specific rifle ballistics.
In addition, this scope has excellent glass quality and is very lightweight for having a 50mm objective lens. You can get a FireDot illumination reticle for an additional cost. Leupold’s FireDot is one of the best and brightest illuminations. Anyplace you look this scope is getting just about a 5/5 star rating.
A deer can smell a maximum of about 15 miles away under absolutely perfect conditions. However, if you’re a hunter a deer likely won’t show any signs of concern after 1/4 or 1/2 mile depending on hunting pressure.
There is a difference between how far a deer can smell vs how far it is concerned about a smell. If you’re a hunter and are looking for more information on deer scenting capabilities, this post will give you some clarification.
This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Of course, you are not obligated to use my links, but it does help fund these posts in hopes of bringing more value to you!
How Far Can Deer Smell
It’s hard to get an accurate distance because there’s a high variability of environmental factors to consider that affect a deer’s ability to smell. These factors include:
Wind Speed
Strength of Smell
Humidity
Barometric Pressure
Landscape Terrain
For this reason, better-studied information found on different animals including dogs, hogs, and bears help us to more accurately ballpark how far a deer can actually smell.
Scent Receptors: Deer vs Other Animals
Dogs generally have fewer scent receptors than white-tailed deer, yet dogs can smell humans up to 12 miles away under perfect conditions. So it is logical to assume that deer can smell even further than 12 miles away in perfect conditions.
There are no studies with solid scientific describing the number of scent receptors of different animals that I could find. I’ve included links to where I got my information below, using the best sources I could find.
Yes, deer can tell how far away a threat is by smell. When a scent is very weak or diluted it is less concerning to deer because they can tell how far away the threat is by the potency of the scent. As the potency of the scent increase so does a deer’s concern.
Hunting pressure would influence the degree to which the scent’s distance becomes threatening.
How Far Do Deer Worry About Human Odor?
In most hunting conditions deer are not going to feel threatened further than 1/2 mile away and probably more like 1/4 mile away. But it depends on how much you stink! If you’re taking scent control precautions you can trick deer into thinking you’re further away than you actually are.
A deer’s nose is its most powerful detection system for getting away from predators and they know how to use it, especially mature deer. Mature deer are more likely to be cautious of human odor at longer distances than younger deer. Although they are likely won’t run away at those 1/4 to 1/2 mile distances, mature deer often will avoid your general direction.
How Long Can Deer Smell Where You Walked?
A bloodhound can track animals up to 300 hours (13 days) old if the environmental conditions remain fair. The scent receptors of a bloodhound are around 300 million which is approximately the same as a white-tailed deer. So a deer can smell where you’ve walked for about two weeks. If you take scent control seriously you will lessen the potency of your scent trail and thus it will take less time for your scent to become undetectable again.
Will Deer Come Back After They’ve Smelled You?
Mature deer are much less likely to come back after they’ve smelled you if they are aware they are being hunted. Mature deer will quickly start avoiding the immediate area. Sometimes all it takes for mature deer to avoid the immediate area is to smell your trail to and from your treestand at night even after you’ve left. This will be influenced by the hunting pressure of a given area.
Younger deer will come back until they associate human odors with danger.
What Do Deer Smell On Humans?
Deer can smell just about anything on a human. Our breath, skin, hair, sweat, gas, saliva, and our own personal bacterial signatures (That unique smell when you walk into someone else’s house). And that’s just natural body processes. That’s not accounting for any scent you picked up in your car, at the gas station, food, clothes…etc. Basically, a deer can smell everything on a human.
How To Prevent Deer From Smelling You
There’s likely no way to completely camouflage your odor from a deer. However, I’ve found that you can reduce your odor to small enough amounts so deer think you’re farther away and to make deer think your scent is older than it really is. Thus, you are perceived as less threatening which may make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful hunt.
1. Play The Wind
Playing the wind is a great tactic and is the least expensive! However, mature deer know to put the wind in their favor as well so they will often sneak downwind of you. With the products below it is possible to hunt wrong wind directions or swirling winds if done properly.
2. Use Scent-Lok Activated Carbon Clothing
ScentLok uses activated carbon for maximum odor adsorption. Activated carbon naturally adsorbs human odor because it has a huge surface area. When used properly Scent-Lok clothing is very effective at reducing odor and preventing animals from smelling the hunter. The coverall is also the best style of clothing from keeping scent from escaping the body.
Rubber is naturally scent-free making them an excellent option for deer hunting. Footwear is very important to keep clean so that deer don’t catch on to your entrance and exit routes when going to and from your treestand.
OZonics OrionX Ozone Scent Eliminator is easily one of the absolute best pieces of gear for deer hunters because when placed next to the hunter in a treestand, it completely removes human order with Ozone. This tool removes one of the biggest challenges deer hunters face – a deer’s nose.
5. Stay Extra Clean and Unscented During Deer Season
It is important for hunters to be scent-free when hunting animals with strong olfactory senses, like deer. If the wind direction starts swirling a good scent control regime can be the difference between a successful and not successful hunt. Dead Down Wind makes a great scent killer kit.
Vegetation, like humans, also gives off what are called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They’ll give off specific scents during their growing cycle. Deer are able to pick up on these scents just like they pick up on humans.
The distance a deer could smell apple trees or corn would depend on how big the plots were. For a small plot of corn and a few apple trees, it would be easy for a deer to smell them 1/4 mile away. For apple orchards and big corn fields, it would stand to reason that deer could smell the corn and apples up to 15 miles away.
More Deer Hunting Resources:
Navigating faster by clicking one of my more specific deer hunting articles below:
This Benelli SuperNova review is based on 10 years of owning the shotgun, I have been able to put it to the test to find out what it can handle. In my experience, for the price, this shotgun is unmatched in comfort, versatility, and adjustability.
My experience with the SuperNova revolves around waterfowl, turkey, and upland bird hunting. In this Benelli Supernova review, I dive into the reasons I purchased the SuperNova over other manufacturers. I also cover aspects I feel are most important to touch on from my experiences with the SuperNova. Below is a list of the topics and subtopics this post will cover:
This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.
Table of Contents
Benelli SuperNova Price – How Much Is It?
Buying A New Benelli SuperNova
When purchasing a new shotgun price is the first thing I look at. For this reason, it was important to include the price in this Benelli SuperNova Review. I want to know how much benefit I’m getting back from the money I’m investing. The SuperNova is currently priced at $559 on Benelli’s Website.
However, you can find these shotguns new for around $500 at gun shops. You can check the most recent price on Guns.com which has new and used Benelli SuperNovas. They will ship guns to your nearest federally licensed gun shop if you decide to purchase.
Should You Buy A Used Benelli SuperNova?
Another option would be to buy a used SuperNova. I know, I hear you, you want that brand-new shiny shotgun – but hear me out. The SuperNova is a very reliable shotgun, pump-action shotguns, in general, are quite reliable. There isn’t much that can go wrong with them. For this reason, buying a used pump shotgun is not a bad option.
It’s A Popular Shotgun
Further, the SuperNova is a quite popular shotgun so if you spend a little time looking around your local gun shops you are apt to find one. Many times, used guns look just as good as brand-new ones. You can find used SuperNovas for only around $400! You’re getting a heck of a lot of a shotgun for $400. Depending on what you’re using the gun for you could take the 100-150$ you’ve saved and buy attachments and add-ons.
Where To Buy Used
If your local gun shops don’t have any in stock you can go to Guns.com which is one of the best websites for buying guns. Here you will also find used Benelli SuperNovas.
Benelli SuperNova Fit and Feel
Fit and feel is the most important aspect of buying a new gun. For this reason, it was important to include this topic in this Benelli SuperNova Review.
To achieve proper shotgun fit you should be able to close your eyes, bring the stock to your face, then open your eyes and be able to see perfectly down the sights without needing to make any adjustments. If you can’t do this with your shotgun then your accuracy will suffer. It does not matter how much a gun costs if you can’t shoulder your gun and have it come to your face naturally then you should not be using that gun.
This is how a shotgun should look when it comes to your face naturally. To achieve proper shotgun fit you should be able to close your eyes, bring the stock to your face, then open your eyes and be able to see perfectly down the sights without needing to make any adjustments.
Benelli SuperNova Shim Kit
With the SuperNova gone are the days of spending money on a gunsmith to have them do some quirky adjustment to your new gun so you can see down the barrel properly. A fantastic feature of the SuperNova (and all Benelli guns) is that the stock can be adjusted to fit anyone.
The SuperNova comes with shims that can be placed where the stock and receiver meet. The shims allow you to adjust the angle of the stock up, down, left and right (drop and cast) until it fits your face perfectly.
Having the option to adjust the cast allows left handed shooters to achieve a great fit as well. In my opinion, this is a huge win for Benelli and is something that lacked in other shotguns on the market in the same price range. To learn how to adjust drop and cast take a look at this Explanatory Video for the Super Black Eagle III (the process is the same).
The shim kit that comes with the Supernova allows you to adjust drop and cast so you can achieve a perfect fit with your shotgun.
Comb Height
In addition to the shim kit, the comb height can be adjusted on the SuperNova. This could be especially helpful if you decide to put a scope on your gun. Extra comb height will enable you to get a little extra facelift off your stock so your scope comes to your eye naturally.
Fit and feel is the most important factor in deciding whether is shotgun is right for you. I decided to purchase the SuperNova because of its ability to adjust to the individual shooter.
Safety Swapping
The safety on the SuperNova can be switched for left-handed shooters. Having the option to adjust the cast in addition to the safety allows left-handed shooters to feel right at home with this shotgun.
Benelli SuperNova Recoil
ComforTech® System
Have you been trying to decide between the SuperNova and the Nova? Other than a few subtle differences they are almost identical. The main difference is the SuperNova’s ComforTech stock. Benelli claims “The ComforTech® system reduces felt recoil by as much as 48% over the competition.” For this reason, the Supernova is a little more expensive (about 100$) than the Nova.
Benelli SuperNova Review: Parts of the Supernova ComforTech stock that aid in recoil reduction and adjustability.
When I first bought the gun, I was a teenager and I didn’t want a gun that was going to make me flinch and develop bad habits from having too much recoil. A 48% reduction in recoil over competitors was a big selling point for me. Even now that I’m older I still enjoy the recoil reduction. It saves my shoulder whether I’m shooting many small rounds or big 3.5-inch rounds.
Benelli does a good job of explaining ComforTech and how it can achieve great recoil reduction on their website through computer-aided design. They even compare the Benelli Super Black Eagle (without ComforTech) to the Benelli Super Black Eagle II (with ComforTech) so you can see the difference even in their own models.
Comparison of Benelli ComforTech Stock vs Regular Stock. Photo From Benelli Website
Limbsaver Recoil Pad
The original recoil pad that comes with the SuperNova is pretty nice. However, it did fall out and I lost it during a hunting trip. When researching how to get another recoil pad a stumbled upon a 3rd party manufacturer called Limbsaver. Limbsaver claimed their recoil pad could reduce felt recoil up to 70%.
This caught my eye as an additional way to reduce felt recoil. To me, the LimbSaver Classic Precision-Fit Recoil Pad with the ComforTech stock seemed like a dynamite combination. I’ve been using this combination for the past 4 years and I am very happy with the results. Also, this recoil pad screws into the stock so it won’t be falling out again.
LimbSaver Classic Precision-Fit Recoil Pad reduces felt recoil up to 70%. This recoil pad has been a welcomed combination in addition to the 48% reduced felt recoil the ComforTech stock offers.
The rubber allows the pad to compress slower into your shoulder reducing felt recoil and vibration. For this reason, I have been able to shoot more rounds with significantly less shoulder soreness.
It has the texture of a rubber band so when shouldering the SuperNova, it can grab loose clothing. However, it’s easily avoided by being conscious and for the extra recoil reduction, I am more than happy to make that compromise. If you really dislike any stickiness then the original ComforTech recoil pad works fine, but it’s much harder foam.
SuperNova Limbsaver Recoil Pad Installation
Before installing the recoil pad you can tell it is going to work well. Out of the box, you’ll immediately notice the nice squish of the rubber pad. Installing the recoil pad did take me a little time to figure out, once I figured it out it fit perfectly even for my synthetic model.
Limbsaver doesn’t specifically say that they make a recoil pad for the SuperNova. That being said, they do make one for the Nova. After doing a little digging I seem to remember that the Model that fits the Nova will fit the SuperNova as well. It may be worth a quick phone call to Limbsaver be sure. You can find their contact information here.
Benelli SuperNova Versatility
Even after 10 years, the competition has not taken any great strides to compete with the Benelli SuperNova in my opinion. It seems like the only shotgun manufacturer that sells a shotgun that can digest 2 ¾, 3, and 3 ½ inch shells, has a shimmable stock and adjustable comb, and be reasonably priced is Benelli. I don’t know why other manufacturers haven’t caught on but, in my mind, this makes Benelli the clear winner if you’re looking for a shotgun that is most versatile.
Remington’s 870 Express Magnum can take 3.5-inch shells but the stock can’t be adjusted unless you purchase a separate stock. Browning’s BPS can only handle 3-inch shells unless you buy a turkey model 12 GA or a 10 GA and the stock can’t be shimmed… and the list goes on.
Does this mean these shotguns aren’t great? Not at all. If these shotguns come up perfectly to your face when you shoulder the gun out of the box then shims aren’t necessary. All I am saying is that the SuperNova has more options so it makes the most sense for me.
Benelli SuperNova For Big Game Hunting
A 24-inch rifled slug barrel can be purchased separately for increased accuracy for hunting big game. This barrel can take slugs up to 3 inches. I haven’t personally used the SuperNova for big game other than turkey so I can’t necessarily speak to the performance. I prefer to use a rifle for larger game for increased performance at further distances. That being said, if I find myself in a shotgun only zone I wouldn’t hesitate to use the SuperNova, I’m confident it would perform just as well as it does for smaller game.
Benelli SuperNova Rifled Slug Shotgun with a scope and raised comb height. Photo from the Benelli Website.
Benelli SuperNova For Turkey Hunting
The SuperNova is a fantastic turkey hunting shotgun. I like being able to use 3.5-inch shells for extra knockdown power and the ability to shoot slightly longer distances. The option to use a full choke with 3.5-inch shells makes for a deadly turkey gun.
Benellei SuperNova For Home Defense
There is also an option to buy a SuperNova Tactical Pump shotgun as well. This gun is much shorter with an 18-inch barrel weighing in at 7.6 lbs. Unlike the non-tactical version, this gun comes with a drilled and tapped receiver. This means scopes and attachments can be added.
Benelli SuperNova Tactical Shotgun. Photo from the Benelli Website.
Benelli SuperNova Ammo and Chambering
When I was choosing a new shotgun, I wanted a gun that could do it all. From skeet shooting and woodcock hunting to turkey and goose hunting and everything in-between. With the ability of the SuperNova to handle 2 ¾, 3, 3 ½ loads I am able to use my gun in these situations.
Choke Tubes For The SuperNova
Not only can the SuperNova handle a wide variety of ammunition but it also comes with three choke tubes: improved cylinder, modified, and full choke. I purchased a skeet choke separately.
The ability to use a wide variety of ammunition combined with exchangeable choke tubes that change the spread of my pattern I am able to fine-tune my SuperNova to any shooting/hunting situation that is presented.
The SuperNova comes with three choke tubes. These include improved cylinder, modified, and full choke and further aid in the versatility of the shotgun. Choke tubes allow you to appropriately adjust the pellet density of your spread depending on what you’re hunting, for improved performance.
Benelli SuperNova Reliability & Durability
Benelli SuperNova Durability
When deciding which shotgun to buy, I knew that I wanted a shotgun that would withstand a beating. For this reason, it was important to include this section Benelli SuperNova Review.
I didn’t want to buy an ultra-expensive shotgun only to worry about scratching it. I wanted a gun that could take a beating and get dirty without feeling bad about it. The steel skeleton framework that’s over-molded with polymer really helps the strength and weather resistance of the SuperNova.
I put my SuperNova to the test throughout the years I’ve owned it, its durability is outstanding. The difference between my previous two shotguns and the SuperNova was quite apparent. My first shotgun I owned rusted easily and the second had parts vibrate off while shooting.
The SuperNova, on the other hand, is still going strong with no issues after 10 years. Sure, there are some scratches and a little rust but I’ll admit I’m not the best at keeping up with cleaning my guns either. I’ve used the gun in brackish tidal marshes, in the rain, in the snow, in sub-zero temps, dropped the gun in the mud, lost my gun in the bottom of a tidal marsh to be recovered hours later when the tide receded and busted through countless miles of thick cover with it. It still works just as well as the day I bought it.
Benelli SuperNova Reliability
Pump-action shotguns, in general, are reliable guns. They are less likely to malfunction from fouling and are better at cycling lighter rounds. That being said, nowadays the newer automatics are very reliable as well, they’re just expensive.
I have put thousands of rounds through my SuperNova in the last 10 years and have had no issues that were the fault of the gun. The only other issue I had was when using Black Cloud ammunition the gun would jam periodically. However, this was not the SuperNova’s fault. Black Cloud is well known for being a dirty round. After cleaning and switching ammo, the problem disappeared. The SuperNova gets the job done.
Benelli SuperNova Stripping and Cleaning
Tool-Less Breakdown
One of my favorite features and another big advantage of the SuperNova over the competition is its ease and convenience of stripping and cleaning. For this reason, it was important to include in this Benelli SuperNova Review. The SuperNova stripping process is completely tool-less! This is extremely useful because it gives you the option to break down the shotgun in the field if something were to happen.
To take apart the SuperNova you will need to unscrew the magazine cap. The small knob at the tip of the magazine cap is used to punch out two pins that are located in the receiver.The threads of the magazine cap can be used to further pull the pins out once the two pins have been started.The trigger assembly and forearm can be separated once the two pins are removed from the receiver.
Considerations and recommendations are always important when conducting gun reviews. For this reason, I’ve listed some of the most notable ones in this Benelli SuperNova Review below:
Barrel Length
When I first purchased my SuperNova I did much more waterfowl hunting than upland bird hunting so I purchased a 28” barrel. I like the extra length for waterfowl hunting because I feel I can swing better on birds. Now I do a lot of upland hunting as well. But in dense grouse and woodcock habitat, I think it would be nice to have a 26” barrel.
Having a shorter barrel would allow me to swing around brush a little better and lighten up the gun a smidge for long treks in the woods. Of course, barrel length is a preference thing so you should test out what lengths you like before you make a final decision. Just keep in mind that your interests may change as you grow with the gun.
Black Cloud Ammunition
I have used many different kinds of ammo with the SuperNova, and I do have to say to be careful when using Black Cloud ammunition. Prior to owning the SuperNova, Black Cloud was my favorite shotgun ammo. When shooting Black Cloud in the SuperNova it had trouble ejecting the shells after a while. After cleaning and switching to another type of ammo the problem disappeared.
Weight
The SuperNova is a little heavy weighing between 7.8 and 8.0 lbs depending on the barrel length. For hunters who strictly hunt upland game, you are probably better off getting a lighter gun. That being said, the weight of the gun is only slightly heavier than other pumps. Upland hunters are probably better off getting a gun with less firepower and more lightweight like a 20GA, Over/Under, or Side by Side. Keep in mind though, that a heavier gun means less recoil.
Safety Location
The safety is located on the front of the trigger guard. This could be potentially uncomfortable for those with shorter fingers. I definitely recommend getting one in your hands to try out in order to see if the distance to the safety is comfortable for you. For me, this is a non-issue because I have relatively large hands and can reach it just fine. In fact, I prefer having the safety in the front of the trigger housing because going from the safety to the trigger in quick action scenarios feels faster.
For example, you can complete the movement of going from the safety to the trigger in one fluid motion. Guns with a safety behind the trigger force you to start your movement behind the trigger, then move in front of the trigger, then back to pull the trigger. With the SuperNova all you have to do is move your finger forward to the safety (or already have it in position in anticipation), then come back and pull the trigger.
Benelli Supernova Review Conclusion
Overall over the last 10 years, I’ve been very happy with the SuperNova. It’s been able to handle everything I’ve thrown at it. If you need a shotgun that can do everything, and do it well, I highly recommend getting a SuperNova in your hands. Remarkably, even after 10 years I still believe that, for the price, the Benelli SuperNova shotgun is unmatched in comfort, versatility, and adjustability.
I hope this Benelli SuperNova review gave you some insight into why this gun is a great option for such a wide variety of people. You can find technical information and specifications on the SuperNova on the Benelli website. Let me know your thoughts and questions in the comments below. What products do you want me to review?
More Firearm Reviews And Resources:
Find more firearm reviews and resources by clicking through one of the links below:
This 2025 duck hunting gift guide has 51 best gifts for duck hunters, sorted by price, making it easy to find the perfect hunting gift (even for non-hunters). You’ll find hunting gift ideas for all types of hunters, at all budgets, and for any skill level.
If you’re a non-hunter you might be lost trying to decide what a duck hunter would actually want as a gift. I understand you’re trying to make a good gift choice which is why I’ve written brief summaries of the gifts explaining what they do and how duck hunters can benefit from the gift idea.
This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Of course, you are not obligated to use my links, but it does help fund these posts in hopes of bringing more value to you!
Table of Contents
Credibility of This Gift Guide
With over two decades of duck hunting experience and being a registered hunting guide and professional ecologist, I know a thing or two about what hunters want for gifts. I’ve personally used most of the gift ideas in this article or know from experience they would make great gifts.
Every item on our website reflects the same high standards I demand for my own hunting adventures. Many gift ideas are from hands-on gear reviews I’ve personally tested, ensuring quality. If you want to learn more about me, you can check out my About Page.
Best Gifts For Duck Hunters Under 25$
1. Duck Hunting Logbook & Journal
Animals tend to do similar things over the years depending on changes in habitat. By keeping records of hunts hunters can refer back to their notes to know what duck hunts were successful and which were not. This helps duck hunters put the pieces of the puzzle together in order to predict where the best place to hunt is during the upcoming hunting season.
If you’re purchasing a Christmas present, it’s the end of the year and new calendars are needed! Why not gift a duck hunting calendar instead of a regular boring calendar? Calendars are also one of the best budget duck hunting gifts if you’re looking for something simple.
Every duck hunter needs a place to store ammo. The Plano Ammo Box is a classic and has been around for a long time. The hard plastic is durable and the box makes a good seat if needed. The box is water essentially waterproof, it can handle any weather event. It just can’t be submerged underwater. It can also double as a seat when duck hunting with a cushion on top.
I own this shell box, it’s very durable and reliable and lives up to its 5-star rating.
4. Duck Call Lanyard
A duck call lanyard is a perfect gift for a hunter with a lot of calls. This lanyard is worn around the neck for easy accessibility and allows a hunter to place many different calls on the lanyard. Different species of waterfowl will make different noises and having quick access to the right call at the right time is key. This is another gift idea that lives up to its 5-star rating.
Don’t forget to grab an extra battery for your MOJO duck decoy. The battery life will decrease with age (which is expected) so it is always nice to have a back-up battery to extend the operation time of the Mojo. It’s also a great idea to have a backup battery for many other reasons such as forgetting a battery, breaking one, or losing one in the water. It never hurts to be prepared!
From my experience, extra Mojo batteries are worth every penny. When you’re dealing with electronics over water they tend to stop working over time, those extra batteries have saved many hunts over the years.
This is an inexpensive but fantastic-sounding duck call. I’ve used these calls for 10+ years and have turned many ducks into the decoys. They don’t require much practice to get good. They are excellent calls for both beginners and experienced hunters. The best part is they’re so confident you’ll like it that they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re looking for a great sound for a reasonable price this call is a great option and is one of the best gifts for a duck hunter.
Level up a duck hunter’s cooking skills with a wild game cookbook. This cookbook by the well-known hunter, Steven Rinella, offers cooking instructions and fantastic photography. Getting better at preparing wild-game meals is something every hunter can appreciate, making it one of the best gifts for hunters.
Rinella’s Meateater cookbook is one of the most well-known cookbooks on the market today and has excellent ratings. If you know a hunter who wants to improve their wild-game eating experience, this book would make an excellent gift. (Who knows, maybe you’ll selfishly benefit as well).
This is another cookbook by Hank Shaw that is specifically designed for cooking waterfowl, both wild and farmed. This cookbook is another great option for waterfowl hunters looking to level up their waterfowl cooking skills, making it a great gift.
The Duck, Duck, Goose, Cookbook is a great gift for duck hunters
Neoprene duck hunting decoy gloves make great gifts because they’re waterproof, keeping hands dry when handling decoys. This can be critical when temperatures are cold, otherwise, the remainder of the hunt may be very uncomfortable with wet and freezing hands. Neoprene gloves would be a welcomed gift by any waterfowl hunter, especially in cold climates.
These waterproof gloves keep hands dry when handling decoys
These rubber gloves are my personal favorites. They have a nice soft fleece-like insulation in them that keeps my hands warm and cozy on the coldest duck hunting days which is important for an enjoyable hunt. Not only are they warm but they are also waterproof, keeping hands dry when handling decoys or anything wet out on the water. They are also more durable and easily cleaned than neoprene. Hunting rubber decoy gloves make great gifts for duck hunters. Long rubber gloves would be a perfect gift for any waterfowl hunter.
Do you know anyone who is training their dog for duck hunting? These realistically shaped and sized training dummies would make a great gift. They are scent injectable and easy to throw. They also float so training to retrieve in water is not an issue with these. There are different dummies to choose from including; ducks, doves, grouse, and pheasant decoys.
A cast-iron pan is one of the best gifts for duck hunters because it’s inexpensive, conducts heat evenly, will last a lifetime, and helps favor meat if cared for properly. They’re also great for cooking while in the duck hunting blind or at hunting camp. For the price, this gift idea is hard to beat. They make perfect kitchenware gifts for duck hunters and can be used to cook over open flames.
If a hunter already has a GoPro you can bet they want more accessories for filming creativity. There are many to choose from, but you can get a large bundle of accessories for very cheap. These accessories will be valuable because the GoPro will be able to be worn in any way imaginable. For duck hunters, I would recommend getting an under-barrel GoPro mount for guns as a gift. Neweer makes a 50-in-1 GoPro accessory package that is only about 25$. This amount of accessories gives anyone great versatility to film how they want. Some of the key products in the package are the chest mount, head mount, and suction cup mount.
Get one of your favorite duck hunting photos printed on a slab of wood. The combination of a personalized photo on a unique slab of wood picture frame makes for one of the best Christmas gifts for hunters who seem to have everything.
Hand warmers are a duck hunter’s best friend. Keeping your hands warm is so important for an enjoyable hunt. These can be placed in gloves for 10+ hours of warmth. I also put mine in my boots and use them as toe warmers. You can’t go wrong with giving a bunch of hand warmers to a duck hunter, or any hunter for that matter. The reviews speak for themselves!
A replaceable blade knife is a top gift for duck hunters because it’s frustrating when hunters find out their knife has become dull and they didn’t think to bring a knife sharpening kit. Re-sharpening a knife is time-consuming and a hassle. A replaceable blade can be easily replaced in seconds saving time and headaches.
The knife is the quintessential tool for hunters, this unique knife is one of the best gifts for hunters
Sunglasses are a staple gear item for duck hunters. Waterfowl is usually flying in the sky, and the sky is usually bright, even on cloudy days. In addition, the sun and sky reflecting off the water are also bright. Having quality sunglasses will keep duck hunters from getting headaches after staring into the sky and water all day, and often days at a time. See a few recommended options below:
HUK Polarized Sunglasses For Duck Hunters
These are great budget duck hunting sunglasses
Having quality sunglasses will keep duck hunters from getting headaches after staring into the sky all day
18. Clay Pigeon Launcher Hunting Gift Idea & Activity
A clay pigeon launcher is an excellent gift for duck hunters to practice their wing-shooting skills. Additionally, it also creates the foundation for a fun activity that many people can get involved in together. In addition to being a fun activity, you’ll get some good wing-shooting practice in for the upcoming hunting season.
Getting wet and dirty when duck hunting from being in the elements and then getting in your vehicle will wear out seats over time. Seat covers keep their vehicle in good shape through the hunting seasons.
Gorla makes an affordable seat cover with excellent reviews. This seat cover is advertised for athletes to keep sweat off their car but will work well for hunting applications to keep the elements off your car. Gorla offers a lifetime satisfaction guarantee, so if you don’t like it get your money back!
Blind material can be used to camouflage a hunter’s duck boat or duck blind, or for creating quick blinds when hunting mobile. It also has many uses and is a very affordable gift. I use mine to drape over the duck boat when duck hunting in order to break up the hard lines of the boat for extra concealment.
Dog seat covers make excellent gifts for duck hunters. Waterfowl hunting and training can make a duck dog a wet, muddy, brushy, and stinky mess. Seat covers keep the pup safe and keep the vehicle clean, especially after duck hunting trips.
It’s a hammock-style design that covers the entire backseat with sidewalls. It fits most trucks, SUVs, and cars. It’s also waterproof so no mud or water will seep through, keeping the vehicle clean.
Seat covers keep the pup safe and keep the vehicle clean, especially after duck hunting trips.
If you know a hunter who has knives but is not into the idea of using replaceable blade knives, then the quintessential tool of the hunter needs to be maintained. Nothing is more annoying than trying to do something with a dull knife. A good quality knife sharpener will make it easy to get a sharp blade edge. This oil-free stone is a great option it only requires water to for sharpening.
The stone is double-sided, for coarse and fine sharpening which is key to getting those really dull blades sharp. It can sharpen any blade such as scissors, broadheads, hunting knives, and even axes! Another benefit is that also comes with an instruction manual for those new to sharpening. If you don’t like to read, one quick YouTube video and you’ll be ready to go.
Boot dryers are truly remarkable, and I can say this with confidence from firsthand experience: they might just be the ultimate gift for duck hunters. There’s nothing quite as uncomfortable as slipping into damp or wet boots, whether it’s due to sweat, rain, or accidentally going over your boots. These scenarios quickly lead to dreaded cold or frozen toes and feet.
However, with a quality boot dryer, such discomfort becomes a thing of the past. Simply place your boots on this dryer after a long day in the field, and they’ll emerge warm and dry, ready for your next hunt. This particular Peet boot dryer can dry all types of boots, including chest waders when folded down.
The ability to carry a dozen decoys at once is a blessing when traveling back and forth from hunting spots. There’s nothing more frustrating than having your hands or shoulders maxed out with decoys and not being able to carry anything else. A single large bag allows duck hunters to free their hands up for more equipment. This has helped me get all my equipment where it needs to go in one trip instead of making multiple trips.
These bags are also great because they separate decoys into individual slots so that they don’t get scratched up during transport. This keeps decoys in good condition for much longer than the decoys bags where you just stuff all decoys together.
A headlamp is a great gift for duck hunters because lights are a must in the dark. A headlamp keeps both hands free so you can carry other equipment and focus on the task at hand. Just don’t skimp on a good headlamp because cheap ones will break or stop working.
The Black Diamond Storm headlamp is a great headlamp for hunters because it is waterproof and dustproof, has red, green, and blue light settings, and takes replaceable AAA batteries. I like replaceable batteries because I can buy lithium batteries which are much more reliable in cold weather.
I wrote a post on the 8 Best Headlamps For Hunting if you’re looking for more in-depth headlamp information and more types of headlamps for hunters.
26. Howard Leight Sound Amplification Hearing Protection
Hearing protection is one of the best gifts you can get for a duck hunter. Keeping the ears protected during repeated shooting is essential for hearing longevity. If you know someone who needs a good pair of hearing protection they’ll appreciate it, and even more so in the long term.
The Howard Leight earmuffs are great because they have an adjustable amplification knob so you can still have conversations. However, as soon as the noise is too loud, the headphones will block it. Now there is no reason to not wear hearing protection. These headphones are time-tested and have a 4.5 rating with almost 25,000 reviews.
Marsh stools also make great gifts for duck hunters. An actual seat is much more comfortable and will be easier on a hunter’s back. Additionally, you’ll be able to see over the tall marsh grass without being fully exposed to waterfowl.
Decoys are almost always a necessary tool for duck hunters which is why they make great gifts. However not all decoys are created equal, some look more realistic than others. Realism is important when duck hunting because if decoys don’t look very real then ducks will avoid coming into shotgun range.
These decoys by Avian X are very realistic and have great reviews. I would recommend buying a 6 pack of early-season decoys, and a 6 pack of later-season decoys. This way the hunter you are buying for can mix and match to their liking depending on the time of year.
Regardless of the hunting method or preferences, a Leatherman multi-tool proves to be a valuable asset for all hunters. Manufactured in the USA and backed by a generous 25-year warranty, this 14-in-1 tool offers not only convenience but, based on my personal experience, becomes a reliable troubleshooter when things don’t go as planned or when gear needs quick fixes.
There have been numerous instances where the Leatherman has come to the rescue during hunting trips, whether for on-the-fly repairs or crafting an improvised walking stick to bridge a stream. Its versatility in less-than-ideal situations truly sets it apart as a practical gift choice for duck hunters. Moreover, it’s worth noting that these multi-tools find usefulness well beyond the hunting realm.
A Leatherman’s helpfulness in unideal situations makes them one of the best gifts for duck hunters
A thermos is a great gift for any hunter or outdoorsy person, especially duck hunters. Nothing lifts the spirits more than a warm beverage on those blustery cold days or a cold drink on those scorching days.RTIC is well-known for being one of the best companies for keeping drinks at the desired temperatures.
Nothing lifts the spirits more than a warm beverage on those blustery cold days or a cold drink on those scorching days.
31. Water-Resistant Vehicle Seat Covers For Duck Hunters
Getting wet and dirty from being in the elements and then repeatedly getting in your vehicle will wear out the seats. Seat covers keep their vehicle in good shape through the hunting seasons. Extra protection to vehicles is always appreciated especially during the duck hunting season when things often get wet, muddy, and dirty.
Carlson’s choke tubes are screwed into shotgun barrels to give hunters their desired shot-pattern density at distances they plan to be shooting. Having the right choke tube for the right situation will result in more success.
Seat cushions are great gifts for duck hunters for additional comfort because duck hunters often sit for long periods at a time. They’re great when placed on top of ammo boxes or in the duck boat. They also work great as backrests. This particular seat is awesome because it is made with 3-layers for both comfort and protection against the elements.
Ducks thrive in wet habitats, and waterproof duffle bags are an ideal choice for such environments. These bags serve multiple purposes, whether it’s ensuring your gear remains dry during hunting trips in the bed of your pickup truck, safeguarding equipment on a duck boat, or countless other situations where water is a concern. When you have a waterproof bag, you can confidently leave your worries about the elements behind.
Waterproof duffle bags are very handy to have in wetland duck habitats and are one of the top gifts for duck hunters
The GumLeaf Field Wellys are handcrafted boots in Europe and are made of 85% real rubber which prevents cracking. I’ve used these boots for over a year now and the rubber is holding up well against cracking. However, the softer and more supple rubber is less durable than boots with higher clay/plastic content. They are still more durable than neoprene though.
They are one of the most comfortable full-rubber boots that I’ve worn, their Vibram sole is very cushioning for long days on your feet. For me, the extra comfort and traction are worth the reduction in durability.
They are also surprisingly lightweight for a rubber 17.5-inch tall boot, weighing in at 1086g or 2.39 lbs per boot.
Waders are one of the best gifts for hunters because they have a variety of hunting applications. I use mine for hunting ducks, geese, and deer as well as scouting and fishing. They are great for marshes and swamps that are too deep for hip boots. Waders need to be durable. These waders are heat welded, have a durable neoprene cross-hatch finish, and offer generous extra knee/shin padding to reinforce and prevent punctures and leaks. The TideWe MAX5 waders below are quality budget waders, you can read my hands-on review here.
A high-quality duck hunting backpack offers efficient gear organization, durability, and comfort when carrying gear to your duck hunting spot. Padded straps and a waist belt provide comfort for long treks, essential for pursuing ducks in challenging terrain.
Camouflage patterns help you blend in, and ample storage space accommodates decoy anchors, ammunition, calls, and other duck hunting essentials. This backpack allows hunters to attach their decoys and shotgun to the bag to free up their hands. It also has a waterproof bottom to keep gear dry.
The ability to be warm when hunting with fewer layers means a more enjoyable time while waiting for ducks to decoy. A heated vest or sweatshirt will be appreciated during those cold duck hunting months and especially late-season mornings. I’ve listed some good options with high ratings below for you to check out:
It’s heated, but it also charges your phone! This sweatshirt has a 12-hour battery life and helps you stay warm with fewer layers. That means more mobility and extra heat when you need it which is important for cold mornings in the duck blind. This sweatshirt is washer and dryer-safe.
Hand muffs are basically gold to duck hunters in frigid temperatures. When hands are cold it’s hard to enjoy yourself or think about anything else until your hands become warm. Hand muffs are one of the best gifts for duck hunters for this reason. The Sitka hand muff uses Gore-Tex and Windstopper layers with Primaloft insulation to block wind and keep hands warm.
40. Hunting Smartwatches Are Cool Gifts For Hunters
Hunting smartwatches are one of the coolest gifts for hunters because of their customizability and abundance of cool hunting features. For example, smartwatches are helpful tools for hunters because they have GPS, ABC (Altimeter, Barometer, and a Compass), weather, sunrise times, sunset times, moon phases…and much more.
My article 7 Best Smartwatches For Hunting will help you choose the right smartwatch for the duck hunter in your life. The Garmin Instinct Solar is one of the best hunting smartwatches for the money. The screen has an integrated solar panel so the battery lasts longer between charges.
*Price At Time of Post
**Battery Life Depends on Settings
41. Insulated Soft Cooler Gift For Duck Hunters
Soft coolers are perfect for day-long trips to keep lunches and drinks cold and fresh while duck hunting. These coolers are waterproof, mildew, have a tear-resistant exterior, and have the remarkable ability to stay cold as you’d expect from YETI and RTIC. Hunters need to have gear that stands up to the elements, and these coolers do just that which is why they are one of the best gifts for duck hunters.
Instant Pots are great gifts for duck hunters because they provide variety, convenience, and efficiency in preparing meals with wild game meat. They’re great at tenderizing tougher wild game meat and there are a seemingly infinite number of instant pot recipes online to try. They are thoughtful and practical gifts for tastier wild game consumption.
These transportation trolly carts are an easy way to lighten the load when launching duck hunting canoes or kayaks. This is especially true when they need to be transported for long distances. Also, heavier canoes with motors are even more difficult to launch, these carts make the launching process a lot easier, making them perfect gifts for duck hunters with canoes or kayaks.
Guns are expensive, and cleaning them can be a hassle if proper cleaning gear isn’t owned. A gun cleaning kit is one of the best gifts for hunters because it makes cleaning guns hassle-free because there are specific tools for specific jobs. Otis is a well-known gun cleaning company and is not one of those cheap knock-offs. This kit has all of the tools a hunter will ever need for gun cleaning care.
A MOJO duck decoy is an excellent gift for a waterfowl hunter. The spinning wings from this motorized decoy can be seen and attract ducks from very far distances. The MOJO gives ducks confidence in a decoy setup, making them commit harder offering more opportunities and better shots. What duck hunter wouldn’t want better opportunities?
Jerky makers are awesome gifts for duck hunters. I personally love wild goose jerky as well. Being able to make your own jerky from wild-game is a great way to change things up as far as wild-game consumption. When making jerky you can flavor it to your liking and because it’s so tasty, it’s a great way to introduce others to eating wild game. The Cosori dehydrator comes with 50 recipes and 6 trays for dehydrating. It’s easy to use and easy to clean making it a great gift.
I tested 14 hunting binoculars to find the best ones for the money. It was clear after conducting this review that both the Athlon Midas G2 UHD and the Athlon Midas EDs are the best value binoculars and would make for a great gift. When compared to the Swarovski’s, there was a difference, but for hunting applications, there wasn’t a 10x difference in price. For the price difference, the Midas’s had, in my opinion, 80% of what the 1000$+ binoculars had to offer. See my review below:
48. Alps Layout Blind
Layout blinds are great gifts for hunters who do a lot of waterfowl hunting, especially for geese. Hunters are able to stay hidden in plain sight by lying down in a field inside one of these. The ALPS OutdoorZ Legend Layout Blind is comfortable, waterproof, and easily transportable. What separates the ALPS from other layout blinds is that it has a specially designed “zero gravity” chair that makes laying on the ground more comfortable than competitors.
The Tactacam is one of the best gifts for duck hunters trying to get epic film and interesting angles. The Tactacam is an action camera that is weatherproof, image-stabilized, 4K, offers 120 fps slow motion, and has 8x zoom. Zoom is a great feature and is something that is lacking in the GoPro. The Tactacam cameras are versatile and are easily mounted to scopes and bows in order to easily capture hunts. They also make a great backup in addition to a main camera to ensure you get the moment of truth on film.
This jacket is made specifically for duck hunters. It is a waterproof and GoreTex breathable jacket that is uninsulated so that hunters can keep layering clothes under this jacket as the hunting season progresses and gets colder. It is designed to keep waterfowl hunters dry throughout the entire hunting season. SITKA Gear makes high-quality and well-thought-out clothing specifically for hunters. This jacket even has a built-in duck call lanyard.
The new GoPro’s are fantastic for capturing hunts on film. They are one of the best gifts for hunters looking to get into filming hunts. The new internal computerized gimbal-like stabilization makes the footage look buttery smooth even with excessive movement. Not only do they have great stabilization but they also have 5K+ video, slow motion, and much more.
Drawing from my decades of duck hunting experience I’m confident you’ve found some great gifts that any duck hunter would be grateful to receive. Many of these gift ideas I personally use every time I go duck hunting.
Choosing the best calibers for deer hunting is not black and white. Different calibers have been created to get the best results in different scenarios. For example, average shot distance and deer body size are big factors to take into consideration when choosing the best caliber for your specific type of deer hunting.
Hunting rifles are expensive. To get the most for your money, it is important to buy a rifle caliber that will cover the widest range of deer hunting applications possible.
In this post, you’ll learn what the most versatile hunting rifle calibers are for deer hunting, and why…
Common Calibers For Deer Hunting
There are a lot of calibers for deer hunting, below is a list of some of the more common calibers used for deer hunting. But which is right for you?
.223 Remington
.243 Winchester
25-06 Remington
6.5 Creedmoor
6.5 PRC
270 Winchester
280 Remington
28 Nosler
7mm-08 Remington
7mm Remington Magnum
7mm Remington Ultra Magnum
30-30 Winchester
308 Winchester
30-06 Springfield
300 Winchester Magnum
300 Winchester Ultra Magnum
How To Choose The Best Caliber For Deer Hunting
To choose the best caliber for deer hunting there are three main criteria to take into consideration before making a purchase:
Landscape/Distance
Shooter Age, Size, and Experience
Deer Body Size
Landscape & Distance
The first criteria to consider is the landscape you’ll be hunting in. For example, are you hunting in wide-open landscapes where you’ll be shooting over 300-400 yards? Or do you live in heavily forested areas where most of your shots will be within 100 yards?
The reason you want to consider this is because some calibers shoot flatter so there is less bullet drop. Longer-range shooting will be more accurate with flatter shooting bullets. This will help you eliminate some of the other less flat-shooting options on the list.
If you’re not shooting long-range shots (within about 150-200 yards) then you don’t necessarily need a flat shooting round, and opens you up to a wider variety of calibers to choose from.
Shooter Age, Size, Experience
Another factor to consider is the age, size, and experience of the shooter. A high-powered rifle is probably not the best choice for a youngster or an inexperienced shooter. Instead, it’s probably a good idea to match the power of the rifle caliber to the shooter’s age, size, and experience.
Deer Body Size
Depending on where you live and the species of deer you are hunting will determine which is the best deer hunting caliber for you. For example, a small southern deer that weighs under 100 lbs does not require the same ballistics as a big northern deer that can weigh over 300 lbs on the hoof.
Best Long-Range Flat Shooting Deer Hunting Calibers
Most magnum cartridges are good options for long-range shooting because they’re bigger and hold more gunpowder than rifles that are not magnums. This means the bullet will shoot faster and flatter because it has more energy behind it. This is useful for long-range hunting because less bullet drop means more accurate shots.
Bullets also start losing their energy after they’ve been shot. The further a bullet travels the more energy it loses. A magnum rifle cartridge will keep its energy for longer distances than a non-magnum cartridge of an equal caliber. For this reason, magnum cartridges are often the go-to choice for long-range hunting.
However, you still need to make sure the bullet is big enough to effectively take down deer-sized targets at long range. So, a small caliber that can shoot very flat (like a .223) is not a good option for long-range deer hunting because lacks the energy.
That said, there are some very fast and flat-shooting calibers that are not magnums. One of the best non-magnum calibers includes the 28 Nosler which has excellent long-range ballistics.
Top 7 Best Long-Range Calibers For Deer Listed
6.5 PRC
7mm Remington Magnum
7mm Remington Ultra Magnum
28 Nosler
300 Winchester Magnum
300 Remington Ultra Magnum
300 PRC
Best Short To Medium Range Deer Hunting Calibers
When you’re hunting in those short to medium ranges you don’t need the flattest shooting rifle caliber. For this reason, you can select a rifle caliber that won’t have as much recoil and will be more enjoyable to shoot. At these closer ranges, the calibers listed below will still have plenty of energy behind them to take down any deer:
Top 5 Best Short To Medium Range Calibers For Deer Listed
.243 Winchester
.270 Winchester
7mm Remington Magnum
308 Winchester
30-06 Springfield
Best Deer Hunting Calibers For Youth and Beginners
These rifles have low recoil but plenty of knockdown power to take deer-sized big game. For this reason, they make great options for youth or beginners.
The 30-06 Springfield is on the more powerful end for a youth hunter or beginner. That said, a smaller grain bullet would help a lot in reducing recoil. As the hunter grows with the gun and becomes comfortable with it heavier bullets can be used.
Top 6 Best Youth & Beginner Deer Hunting Calibers Listed
.243 Winchester
6.5 Creedmoor
7mm-08 Remington
30-30 Winchester
308 Winchester
30-06 Springfield
Top 3 Long-Range Calibers For Youth/Beginner Hunters
Compared to the other long-range rifles on the market, these calibers are probably the best for youth hunters because of their long-range capabilities to recoil performance. The calibers listed below are still deadly at long range but are not as big of a bullet as a .30 caliber which will have more recoil. The calibers below are .284 caliber or under.
Additionally, these smaller calibers have good ballistic coefficients. This means their ability to overcome air resistance in flight is good, making them good long-range options.
7mm-Magnum
26 Nosler
28 Nosler
Best Deer Hunting Calibers For Bigger Deer
If you’re going to be hunting bigger deer in those colder climates of the mid-west and northern states then you’ll want to choose a caliber that will be able to take down these bigger animals. The calibers listed below will be able to take down these bigger deer without a problem.
Top 5 Best Deer Hunting Calibers For Big Deer Listed
270 Winchester
7mm Remington Magnum
308 Winchester
30-06 Springfield
300 Winchester Magnum
Best Deer Hunting Calibers For Smaller Deer
If the deer you’re hunting are smaller (around 100 lbs) compared to their mid-west and northern counterparts, then you don’t need as powerful of a rifle caliber. The calibers listed below are great options for smaller deer. These also make great guns for younger hunters or beginners.
Top 5 Best Deer Hunting Calibers For Smaller Deer Listed
.243 Winchester
25-06 Remington
6.5 Creedmoor
7mm-08 Remington
30-30 Winchester
Best All Around Deer Hunting Caliber
The 30-06 Springfield is the best all around caliber for deer hunting. It’s been around since 1906, hence the “06” in 30-06, and is still one of the most popular calibers for hunting on the market today because of its versatility and time-tested performance.
The 30-06 Springfield is a .30 caliber rifle, hence the “30” in 30-06. There are a lot of 30-caliber rifles on the market but there is a lot of variation in ballistics between .30 caliber rifles.
This caliber has great ammo availability, diverse bullet selection, and a range of power.
After reading this post you should have a good idea about which is the best caliber for deer hunting for you. As you can probably tell, the right caliber for deer hunting requires a balance of the different factors you will encounter while hunting. Additionally, shooter age, size, and experience also have a role in which caliber will be best.
This is a review and comparison of the best smartwatches for hunting in 2025, sorted by price. This review compares Garmin, Coros, SUNNTO, and Apple smartwatches. You’ll find the best hunting smartwatches for the money, long-range shooting, best battery life, and the most well-rounded smartwatches.
The right smartwatch for you will depend on the type of hunting you do. For this reason, this review compares all of these smartwatches so you can find the best watch for your specific hunting application.
I break down each watch on this list using the most essential hunting watch criteria so you can easily find the best watch for the specific type of hunting you do.
Without further ado, here are the 8 best smartwatches for hunting in 2025:
This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Of course, you are not obligated to use my links, but it does help fund these posts in hopes of bringing more value to you!
Table of Contents
Criteria For The Best Smartwatches For Hunting
Battery Life
GPS
ABC (Altimeter, Barometer, Compass)
Touchscreen
Bluetooth
Sunrise and Sunset
Moon Phases
Mapping Features
Watch Durability
Waterproof Rating
Watch Face Material
Applied Ballistics
Display Quality
Top Hunting Smartwatches Comparison Chart
In this chart, you’ll find the top watches in this review compared. Scroll ➡➡ to see all of the smartwatches.
*Price At Time of Post
**Battery Life Depends on Settings
Best Smartwatches For Hunting
Garmin Instinct Solar (Standard) – Best Value Smartwatch For Hunting
The Garmin Instinct Solar is the best hunting smartwatch for the money in this post. There are a lot of features you get from this watch at a very reasonable price point. This smartwatch comes with everything the majority of hunters would need. For example, it has GPS/ABC, 24 days of battery life, sunset/sunrise, moon phases, and meets military specs MIL-STD-810G for durability.
The screen is made of Power Glass which ranks about 6.8 on the hardness scale and is very resistant to breaking and scratching. However, the Sapphire glass of many of the other watches rank 9 on the hardness scale. This means sapphire is very hard to scratch and is better if you think there’s a high potential to damage your smartwatch while hunting.
Garmin Instinct Solar Standard Smartwatch For Hunting
The Garmin Instinct 2 is the next step up from the Standard Instinct.
Difference Between The Garmin Instinct 2 vs Instinct?
The biggest difference between these two models is price and battery life. The Instinct 2 is more expensive but does have an improved battery over the Standard Instinct. The battery life can potentially be unlimited in smartwatch mode with adequate sun exposure.
You’ll also get more features with the Instinct 2 including:
The Apple Watch Ultra is the smartwatch for hunters that are looking for the perfect balance for those who still want an Apple Watch and access to the App Store while having more rugged features like Garmin watches. The Apple Watch Ultra is more waterproof (100m), works down to -2ºF, has an awesome compass, dual-frequency GPS, ability to take waypoints, and longer battery life (up to 60 hours), and has sapphire glass and aerospace-grade titanium casing.
SUUNTO Traverse Alpha – Best Specifically Designed Smartwatch For Hunting
The SUUNTO Traverse Alpha Stealth is one of the best hunting smartwatches on the market because it was designed specifically for hunters.
It has a unique feature called automatic shot detection which will place a waypoint each time you shoot. This can be helpful for relocating where you shot if you’re trying to find an animal. Although unique, I don’t think this feature is practical enough to justify buying this watch on its own. However, this watch has many more beneficial features for hunters.
Another key feature of this watch is that it is GPS and GLONASS enabled, this means the watch can be used for navigation. In GPS mode you can set the watch to leave breadcrumbs, enabling the watch to track your path. This is helpful for hunters because you can see how far away we are from the vehicle at the end of the day or for getting in and out of the woods in the dark.
This watch also has an Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass (ABC). This means it has the ability to tell you elevations, atmospheric pressures, and a digital compass which is helpful for hunters.
Other great hunting features of this watch include sunrise and sunset and moon phases.
Coros Vertix 2 – Best Battery Life Smartwatch For Hunting
One of the biggest reasons the Coros Vertix 2 is a great smartwatch for hunters is because of its impressive battery life. This smartwatch can last up to 60 days in smartwatch mode which beats the competition by a landslide. Battery life is important for hunters because it is very inconvenient for a watch to run out of battery when you’re depending on it for navigation.
This watch also has all of the features you’d want out of a hunting smartwatch. For example, the best features for hunters include; a large readable display, advanced navigation features, (5-satellite systems + offline mapping), 32 Gb of storage, and heart rate variability (HRV) + oxygen saturation (SpO2).
This smartwatch has advanced navigation capabilities and is very simple to use. Maps include landscape, topo, or hybrid modes which are helpful to alternate between when hunting. It comes with a global landscape basemap and you can download free topo maps by a specific region on the Coros site. Another great mapping feature is that you can zoom in and out of maps easily with the touch screen.
When deciding if this smartwatch is for you, the biggest thing to take into consideration is bulk. For example, the trade-off is the large screen is nice for viewing but it can feel bulky at times.
Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar – Best Overall Smartwatch For Hunting
Difference Between The Garmin Fenix 7X vs Coros Vertix 2
The Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is the most comparable watch to the Coros Vertix 2. So if you’re looking for this Garmin version of the Coros 2, this watch might be for you. They are just about the same size and offer similar features. The Coros 2 has the leg up when it comes to battery life and price.
However, the Garmin Fenix 7X performs slightly better in all other categories. Most importantly for hunters, it has a much better GPS mapping experience and a better touch screen for easy screen and GPS navigation.
Difference Between Garmin Fenix 6 vs Garmin Fenix 7
The Garmin Fenix 7 has a touch screen, the 6 does not
You can easily pan and zoom on map with Garmin Fenix 7
The Garmin Fenix 7 has better GPS accuracy
The Fenix 7 has a better battery life
GPS mode battery life is much better on the Fenix 7 (56 vs 36 hours)
Better heart rate sensor with Fenix 7
Fenix 7 has Solar + Sapphire glass options (with 2x more effective solar panels)
Garmin Tactix Delta Solar – Best Smartwatch With Applied Ballistics
The Garmin Tactix Delta Solar with Applied Ballistics is the most expensive watch on this list.
The reason this watch is so expensive is because of the Applied Ballistics. Basically, you’d likely only want this watch if you’re looking for Applied Ballistics for long-range hunting and shooting. As far as Applied Ballistics, it’s pretty amazing because the Tactix can do everything a Kestrel can do with the exception of reading windspeed.
You can hook it up via BlueTooth to many different rangefinders. In my post, 10 Best Rangefinders For Hunting I include the best long-range rangefinders that work with Garmin Watches and Kestrel units. You’ll see in that post that Sig Saur makes the best rangefinders for long-range hunting and shooting with the BlueTooth feature.
It can pretty much do everything you would expect out of a hunting GPS watch. One downside is that the Garmin Tactix Delta Solar with Applied Ballistics does not have a touchscreen. In most cases, this is not an issue but for GPS navigation it would be helpful.
Garmin Tactix Delta Solar Smartwatch with Applied Ballistics
Apple Watch Series 8 – Best Smartwatch For Casual Hunters
For more casual hunting where you don’t plan to be hunting aggressively in tough terrain and in remote places for days at a time, the Apple Watch might be your best option.
The Apple Watch 8 is feature-rich because it has access to the Apple App Store. There are many GPS apps and hunting apps to download on the App Store. Also, if you already have an iPhone the integration between the two devices is seamless.
This is also one of the best smartwatches for everyday use. If you’re looking for a hybrid smartwatch that is great for daily life and for casual hunting scenarios this watch is absolutely a consideration.
Apple Watch Best Smartwatch For Casual Hunters
The Apple Watch Ion-X glass is about a 5 on the hardness scale, which means the screen is not as durable as the other watches listed. The Garmin Instinct Solar screen ranks 6.8 on the hardness scale, which is better than the Ion-X and more shatter-resistant. Sapphire ranks 9 and is very difficult to scratch and break making it one of the best products for watch screens.
You can get the Apple Watch 8 with a sapphire screen which will greatly improve its scratch resistance because it will be a 9 on the hardness scale. The Apple Watch Series 8’s with a stainless steel or titanium case will have a sapphire lens. However, this increases the price of the smartwatch.
Hopefully, this post helped you narrow down the best hunting smartwatches for you. If you enjoyed this post, you can learn more below:
Related Articles:
The Garmin Tactix Delta Solar with Applied Ballistics can connect via BlueTooth to some rangefinders for long-range shooting so you might be interested in my article:
The best moose watching gear for Maine will help you have the best experience. If you’ve never been moose watching in Maine there is some gear that will help you get the most out of your experience.
A lot of the gear on this list is helpful optics for better viewing experiences and navigational tools that will help you feel more comfortable in the more remote areas of Maine are more likely to be found.
The gear on this list is useful for both DIY moose watching and for those who are going on a guided Maine moose safari/tour.
This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Of course, you are not obligated to use my links, but it does help fund these posts in hopes of bringing more value to you!
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The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer For DIY Moose Watching
If you’re a DIY Maine moose watcher, you should have a map to help you navigate if electronics fail. This is especially important for those who are entering the North Maine Woods and that aren’t familiar with the road systems. They’re also helpful for marking locations to come to on future dates.
Maine moose hunting season starts around the last week of September through November depending on which WMD you’re in. For safety, it is a good idea to wear at least one article of orange clothing. This will not bother the moose because they have bad eyesight and are colorblind. You can find the Maine moose hunting seasons here.
If you’re going to be viewing moose from the water (like on a boat or canoe) or spending a lot of time outside in the spring/summer sunscreen is a good idea.
If you’re going moose watching in northern Maine in Spring/Summer you’re likely to encounter mosquitos, horse flies, and black flies. Having bug spray on hand is a good idea.
Rynoskin Clothing – Chemical Free Insect Protection
There are many reasons to not spray yourself with bug spray. The poison from the spray is able to penetrate your skin and is unhealthy. Additionally, if you’re hunting game with a good sense of smell using bug spray is a great way to ruin a hunt.
I’m a big advocate for Rynoskin, I wear them religiously to protect me from mostly ticks but also help with mosquitos and other insects. They are a chemical-free baselayer that helps prevent bugs from penetrating the tight mesh. Check out my full review here: Rynoskin Review: Insect and Tick Proof Clothing | Does it Work?
These Lacrosse Grange boots are the go-to boots for Maine. Even if you’re planning to find moose from the vehicle, you might want to get out for a closer look after you’ve found a moose.
These boots keep your pant legs from getting wet from early morning dew or from vegetation that is wet from the rain. They’re also very durable and offer some protection to your shins when you’re walking in slash from logging operations.
Additionally, they are very lightweight and have a tight ankle grip to prevent slipping and blisters.
If you’re going to be driving on dirt roads in the remote wilderness of Maine it is always a good idea to bring a compass. Even if you don’t think you’ll need it, it wouldn’t hurt to keep one in the glove box.
Spotting scopes offer a little extra reach than binoculars. When binoculars aren’t up for the task it’s time to break out the spotting scope. Being able to see moose at longer ranges than binoculars makes spotting scopes fantastic tools for moose watching and for finding moose that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
Spotting scopes are great for wide-open areas like fields, swamps, and clear cuts where moose are found most of the time. Sometimes they’re close enough for binoculars, but sometimes that extra reach is needed.
A handy way to use a spotting scope for scouting and viewing moose is by securing it to a tripod. This will also make it a lot easier to use the Smartphone Adapter (below) because you will have both hands free.
Since spotting scopes have high magnification they shake a lot if you don’t have something to steady them. A spotting scope tripod is one of the best pieces of Maine moose watching gear for this reason.
If your a photographer or videographer you can also mount your camera to the tripod for steadier shots.
Just like with the spotting scope, it can be helpful to use a tripod to steady your binoculars. This will be helpful if you have shakey hands or if you have high power magnification binoculars.
Also when glassing a large area it is nice to have the binoculars compeltly stabilized so that movement is very easy to pick up in the binoculars. This makes moose easier to find.
Another cool and useful accessory for moose watching is a spotting scope adapter. This adapter allows the moose watchers to place their phone camera over the spotting scope eyepiece and see through the spotting scope. This attachment is pretty awesome because you can take photos and videos on your phone through the scope. And it’s cheaper than buying an expensive camera and lens!
Spotting Scope Window Attachment For Moose Watching
A handy way to use a spotting scope for scouting and viewing moose is by clamping it onto the window of a vehicle. This will also make it a lot easier to use the Smartphone Adapter (above).
Since spotting scopes have high magnification they shake a lot if you don’t have something to steady them. The spotting scope window attachment is one of the best pieces of Maine moose watching gear for this reason.
If you start to get more serious about finding more moose to improve your success at Maine moose watching then a wireless trail camera can be very useful. You will get photos sent wirelessly to your phone when it takes photos. This will help you monitor what time and what caliber of moose are visiting the area. This is especially helpful if you’re trying to get photos of a bull of a particular size.
As far as cellular cameras go, this is one of the best trail cameras for the money. It takes quality images, has a 90 ft detection range, has a fast recovery time for a cellular camera (26s), and has an impressive 10.5 months of battery life (for a cellular trail camera). This long battery life is a big advantage for this cell camera over other cameras which are much shorter or require a solar panel. (just remember there needs to be cell service)
If you’re going to be viewing moose from the water (canoe, boat…etc) then sunglasses are a good idea. Polarized sunglasses will cut down on the glare even more. Polarized sunglasses will make viewing through optics better because it will be like adding a polarizing filter to the optics which reduces glare.
Costa Del Mar or “Costas” are very well-known sunglasses in the outdoor industry, especially among those who spend a lot of time on the water where the ultimate eye protection is necessary. They use technology to eliminate reflection and filter out the harshest colors so that your eyes are protected under the harshest of sun. They also offer a variety of lens colors so you can customize your glasses to your specific outdoor use.
Costa’s use technology to eliminate reflection and filter out the harshest colors so that your eyes are protected under the harshest of sun.
If you’re going to be DIY moose watching a phone GPS is a good idea if you’re going to be in the semi- or completely remote wilderness of Maine. The best GPS Phone App will be able to download offline maps. The OnX Hunt Phone App is a great option for Maine moose watching for this reason. You can read my OnX Hunt Review Here.
In addition to a Phone GPS, I would also carry a regular GPS for DIY moose watching. I would do this because you never know when your phone might die. If you’re relying on your phone to get out of the woods it’s always a good idea to have a backup.
This is a high-quality GPS for the price. It has all the basic features one would need to get to and from destinations as efficiently as possible. My personal favorite part of this GPS is that the arrow points in the direction the user is facing (3-axis electronic compass). This is lacking in some of the more basic GPSs.
If you wanted to take safety to the next level you could opt for the Garmin InReach devices.
Garmin InReach Explorer+ GPS
With an affordable subscription, the Garmin In-Reach Explorer+ GPS has many benefits for remote wildlife watching: The benefits of this GPS over others are that it offers an emergency SOS feature and texting without service. The InReach uses satellites to send and receive messages instead of cell towers.
The In-Reach GPS gives peace of mind when hunting in remote backcountry situations, making it one of the best gifts for backcountry hunters or wildlife watchers.
Another great feature of this GPS is that it comes with a pre-downloaded topo map of the U.S. For this reason, the map can also be used without service. The off-grid capabilities of the Garmin InReach are unmatched for the price.
The InReach Mini is a more affordable and compact version of the InReach Explorer+. It has similar SOS and texting features as the Explorer+ and can be paired with your cell phone so that it is just as easy to use when using the free EarthMate App.
The one benefit of DSLR/mirrorless cameras is that you can achieve a cinematic, customized, and professional look. They also have the ability to be much better in low-light situations than camcorders which can be very important in wildlife photography and videography.
Moose can be very far away in Maine because they are often found in swamps, fields, or cuts that are vast. A 200-600mm lens is the lens I would want to take the best pictures of moose in Maine. This combined with Sony’s 1.5x zoom in Crop Mode can make this lens a 300-900mm lens.
Hopefully you’ve found some gear that will help improve your Maine moose watching experience. You likely don’t need all of this gear on this list but you can pick and choose the best moose watching gear for your specific moose watching circumstance.
The how, when, and where to see Moose in Maine will depend on a few factors. If you’ve never seen a Maine moose before it can be difficult to know how to get started. In this post, you’ll learn everything you need to put the odds in your favor as much as possible so you have the best odds for success.
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When Is The Best Time Of Year To See Moose In Maine
You can see moose at any time of year, you just need to know where to look. Like most animals, moose change their locations depending on the time of year. They do this to conserve their energy. For this reason, you need to look in the right areas at the right time of year to increase your odds of seeing a moose.
Additionally, cows and calves will often be found in different areas than bulls, even at the same time of year. This is important to know depending on what gender of moose you want to see to put the odds in your favor.
Spring Maine Moose Habitat
Cows and Calves
In early spring, cows and calves are coming down out of the mountains and making their way to the greenery that is starting to emerge in the lower elevations because it provides nutritious feed. As they migrate, you can find moose at any elevation.
Bulls
It will be difficult to tell bulls from cows at this time of year because antlers are just starting to grow. However, it is common for bulls to remain in the mountains for the majority of the time in the Spring so if you see moose in lower elevations the odds are higher that you’re seeing cows and calves feeding.
Summer Maine Moose Habitat
Cows and Calves
During the summer cows and calves are spending a lot of time eating aquatic vegetation at the edges of swamps, lakes, and ponds. This is when moose are the most visible. Summer is one of the best times to see moose, especially cows and calves.
Cows are trying to conserve energy and increase calve survival by staying in close proximity to high densities of nutritious food. The trade-off is that temperatures are warmer and it requires energy to stay cool. However, cow and calve body size is generally smaller than bulls which helps them cool down faster.
Bulls
Bulls will be found at higher elevations in the summer. You are less likely to see bulls at lower elevations because bulls are trying to conserve energy by not exerting themselves and overheating.
They like higher elevations because it is cooler and breezier up in the mountains. Bull moose like hardwood stands that provide a lot of younger plant regen (like old cuts) because this is the best food source in the mountains. They also like mixed woods and softwood stands for shading when they’re not feeding.
The trade-off is bulls don’t have the same density of high-quality food as the cows and the calves. However, bulls don’t have to worry about raising a calve so it works for their needs.
Fall Maine Moose Habitat
Moose breed in the fall, this is known as the Maine moose rut. It occurs for about one week during the last week of September in Maine. This is when moose are very visible because bulls are coming down out of the mountains and are running around searching for cows in lower elevations.
The rut starts to taper off and will pretty much be done by mid-October. At this time all moose start feeding heavy, preparing for winter. Once the high-quality leaf browse has changed color or fallen off, moose head back up into the mountains.
Winter Maine Moose Habitat
Moose head into the mountains in the winter, using mountains to shelter themselves from wind and snow. They’ll use the leeward side of the mountains to stay out of the worst of the conditions.
Often they’ll be close to hardwood browse where they can feed on young regenerating vegetation. Once snow becomes deep (around 3 feet) they’ll use mature softwoods for shelter. The snow depth will be reduced under mature softwoods.
When Is The Best Time Of Day To See Moose In Maine
Outside of the rut, the best time of day to see moose in Maine is dawn and dusk. This is because moose are known as crepuscular creatures which means they are most active during twilight.
That said, during the rut moose are much more active. During adequate weather conditions, moose are often moving around all day for days at a time.
Maine Bull Moose At Sunrise
Where To See Moose In Maine
To give yourself the best chances of seeing a moose in Maine, you’ll want to be in the areas that have the most moose per square mile. These areas are northern and western Maine. There are a few reasons for this which we will discuss:
Unpopulated Areas
Just getting out of populated areas will greatly increase your odds of seeing moose because they prefer large tracts of undeveloped land.
If you’re in a semi-populated area your chances are going to be less than if you’re in the more remote wilderness. Luckily, these undeveloped areas are easy to get to in Maine.
Cold Regions of Maine
Additionally, moose like the cold because their big bodies have a hard time regulating heat. For this reason, they are found in more northern areas of Maine where the temperature is colder on average.
Mountains
Maine Moose also like mountainous areas because they can use them to their advantage energetically. For example, moose like mountains because temperatures are cooler and breezier on mountain tops than in valleys or in flatter landscapes.
The mountains are especially important in Western Maine because it allows moose to extend their range further south. Without the mountains, it would likely be warm for moose and the population would likely be lower.
This is why you can find a good population of moose in the mountainous areas of Western Maine even though it is fairly far south.
Western Mountains of Maine
Moose In Maine Maps
Maine Climate Divisions
To see moose in Maine it makes sense to look in the Northern Climate Division because that is where there is a combination of adequate temperatures, low human population densities, and good moose habitat.
Maine Climate Divisions from Maine’s Climate Future. Long-term average temperature and precipitation (inches), based on NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center for 1895 through 2007. The divisions span 54%, 31%, and 15% of the state’s total area
Maine Moose Collision Map
This image is helpful for understanding where to find moose in Maine but should be taken with a grain of salt. For example, it shows that moose can be found in western Maine and Northern Maine based on the number of car crashes involving moose.
But as you can tell there are no road networks in northwestern Maine so obviously no data was collected for these areas which is why it’s colored green. But you can bet if there were roads in northwestern Maine there would be red epicenters there as well.
So you have to use your imagination, but it is still helpful to see how accurately the collisions relate to the Northern Maine Climate Division (map above).
You can hunt moose in Maine. When a moose is harvested hunters have to register their moose so the state can track the health of the moose population in Maine. The map below shows where the most moose were tagged in Maine in 2013.
This information should also be taken with a grain of salt because not every area of Maine is given permits to hunt moose. However, this map does show that northern Maine has a lot of moose. This is helpful to prove that moose are found throughout northwestern Maine.
I’ve created a Maine moose location map sketch of the best locations to see moose in Maine based on my education, research, and years of experience in the Maine woods. Your odds of seeing a Maine moose greatly increase by looking for moose in the higher probability area shown:
Where To See Moose In Maine | Moose In Maine Map – Maine Moose Location Map Sketch
How To See Moose In Maine
So now that you know where to see moose in Maine the next step is how to go about making a game plan. The best way to see moose in Maine is to drive the seemingly unlimited logging roads in Northern Maine. You can easily get access to these logging roads through North Maine Woods, Inc by paying a small fee.
You can increase your odds of finding moose by using a phone GPS app to find the best moose habitat for the time of year. This can include; cuts, swamps, mountains…etc.
Drive around to high probability habitat spots, preferably in the morning and evening and you have a very good chance of seeing moose in Maine feeding or traveling if you’re within the high probability area on the map above.
Best Places To See Moose In Maine
Grey, Maine Animal Wildlife Park
If you’re looking for an easier way to see Maine moose, then you can head to the Grey, Maine Animal Wildlife Park. There are many species of Maine animals, including moose.
These are rescued animals that cannot be released back into the wilderness for a variety of reasons. Tickets help to fund the rehabilitation of animals and continue the Wildlife Park.
Best Gear For Maine Moose Watching
If you’re new to moose watching in Maine there is some gear that will help you have the best experience. Optics, cameras, attachments, navigation, and safety equipment are good items to bring. My post: Best Moose Watching Gear For Maine | Maine Moose Watching 101 can help you choose the best gear for Maine moose watching.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you have a better idea of where to see moose in Maine. Being in the right spot at the right time of year is most of the challenge. Now that you know where to look at the right time you should have success. If you have questions feel free to reach out.
This hunting gift guide includes 61 gift ideas for deer hunters, sorted by price, making it easy to find the perfect hunting gift (even for non-hunters). You’ll find great hunting gift ideas for all types of hunters, at all budgets, and for any skill level.
If you don’t hunt yourself you might be lost trying to decide what a hunter would want as a gift. Even if you hunt yourself it can be difficult. You’re trying to make a thoughtful gift choice which is why I’ve written summaries of the gifts explaining the gift and what type of hunter they would be perfect for.
Many gift ideas are from gear I’ve personally tested, ensuring quality. In those instances, I have linked to a more in-depth article/video so that you can learn more about the gift idea if you so choose.
Let’s jump into the gift ideas:
This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Of course, you are not obligated to use my links, but it does help fund these posts in hopes of bringing more value to you.
Table of Contents
Best Gifts For Deer Hunters Under 25$
Cookbook: Buck, Buck Moose
This is a cookbook by Hank Shaw that is specifically for cooking four-legged antlered animals, including deer. This cookbook is one of the best gifts for deer hunters looking to level up their wild game cooking skills.
The deer poop necklace – ’cause you ain’t killed crap all season’ (consider going vegan) is one of the funniest gag gifts for hunters because not only are you getting them deer poop as a present, but you’re making fun of them at the same time.
Deer Poop Necklace Funny Gag Gift For Hunters. Photo From Here
Electrical lighters are flameless and require no gas or butane making them an excellent choice for getting a fire started in poor conditions. This lighter is waterproof, windproof, and made from PVC and Zinc alloy for durability. It’s interesting, unique, and functional making it one of the coolest gifts for hunters.
A folding saw is an excellent tool for trimming around a new treestand and cutting shooting lanes. It’s small and will fit easily into a small backpack or waist pack.
In addition to treestand preparation, hunters that like to hunt from the ground can always make use of folding saws. They’re perfect for spur-of-the-moment ground blind creation. They’re also a great tool to have when making bush sleds or other tools in an emergency.
Splatterburst targets make great gifts for deer hunters because the bullet holes are highly visible at a distance. This makes sighting in guns a lot easier because you don’t have to walk down-range after every shot in order to see where you hit. If you don’t have a scope then you’ll still want binoculars though. These targets have thousands of reviews and a solid 5-stars so you know you’re getting a quality gift.
A compass is one of the most useful tools for safety and navigation while deer hunting. Compasses can be used to get out of the woods when lost or to maintain a straight line. They are also an essential backup for any deer hunter using a GPS. It is never a good idea to rely on electronics, a GPS can fail. In these situations is always a good idea to have a compass for a backup. Compasses do not require batteries, making them very reliable and thus a great gift.
Every hunter with a game camera will appreciate a mobile SD card reader. Instead of wasting time by bringing the SD card back home to plug into a computer, you can just download photos and videos to your phone and put the SD card back in the camera. This saves a lot of unnecessary time dealing with SD Cards.
All hunters are striving to become better hunters. Why not get a book so they can take their hunting to the next level? Check out my post: 10 Best Deer Hunting Books – Wisdom from the Top Big Buck Killing Gurus. I have read many books on deer hunting and these by far are the most impactful and would make a great gift. One of my absolute favorites is Bowhunting Pressured Whitetails by Chris and John Eberhart.
Bowhunting Pressured Whitetails by John and Chris Eberhart
Level up a hunter’s cooking skills with a wild game cookbook. This cookbook is written by the well-known writer, T.V. Host, hunter, and conservationist Steven Rinella. Within this book, Rinella offers cooking instructions and fantastic photography. Getting better at preparing wild-game meals is something every hunter can appreciate, making it one of the best gifts for hunters.
Rinella’s Meateater cookbook is one of the most well-known cookbooks on the market today and has excellent ratings. If you know a hunter who wants to improve their wild-game eating experience, this is the book to get. (Who knows, maybe you’ll selfishly benefit as well).
The MeatEater Fish and Game Cookbook Is One Of The Best Gifts For Hunters
It is important for deer hunters to be scent-free. Deer have incredible olfactory senses (noses) and if the wind direction starts swirling a good scent control regime can be the difference between a successful and failure. Dead Down Wind makes a great scent killer kit, I’ve been buying these kits for years. It’s a 10-piece kit. The three items in the kit I use the most are the field spray, laundry detergent, and bar soap.
Lumenoks are lighted arrow nocks, when an arrow is shot the nocks light up making them easily visible in low light. For this reason, Lumenoks are a bowhunter’s best friend and are one of the bests gifts for deer hunters. The ability to clearly see where the arrow connects with the animal is important for effective recovery decisions.
Having a lighted nock also makes finding the arrow after the shot much easier and can make the difference between a recovered and not recovered animal. Lumenoks make great gifts because you will be a hero to the hunter if the Lumenoks were the only reason a deer was able to be recovered after a sub-par shot.
An antler mounting kit is a great Christmas gift on its own. However, you can take it one step further and mount the antlers for someone else to make it one of the most thoughtful and unique hunting gifts for hunters who have everything.
Antlers mounts are thoughtful and unique gifts for deer hunters who have everything
Just about every guy loves the excitement of a new video game, this one is designed for hunters. It has hundreds of creatures to hunt and interact with, dynamic weather, animal behavior, sophisticated wind systems that carry scent, and more realistic components to really immerse the player in the hunting experience making it one of the best hunting gifts for a boyfriend. This game is available for Xbox, PC, and Playstation.
A hunting video game is one of the best gifts for deer hunters
Getting permission to hunt new properties is one of the most challenging aspects of deer hunting, especially for new deer hunters. The OnX Hunt App helps to solve this time-consuming process. OnX does this by showing property boundary lines as well as the owners of the property. This makes seeking and asking for permission in order to get new hunting grounds so much easier making it one of the best gifts for hunters. This phone application works across all platforms (apple, android…etc.).
Lithium Batteries Are Overlooked Gifts For Deer Hunters
Lithium batteries make a world of difference and are often overlooked, but are one of the best gifts for deer hunters. This type of battery is much more efficient and works much better especially in cold weather, making them superior for all hunting products. They are especially useful for game cameras. The electronics in game cameras tend to fail in cold weather with regular alkaline batteries, which is very frustrating.
The only downside to these batteries is that they’re a little more expensive than regular batteries. I know I don’t like spending extra money on lithium batteries so sometimes I’ll skimp and buy alkaline batteries. This is why Lithium batteries are great gifts for deer hunters. Lithium batteries can be bought as a gift each year because new batteries will always be needed.
Re-sharpening a knife is time-consuming and inconvenient, with the Havalon knife you can easily replace the blade at any point. This is one of the best gifts for hunters because the replaceable blades are surgically sharp. Additionally, you can get different blades. There are regular blades, gut hooks, and saw blades for versatility and other hunting-related purposes.
The Havalon knife is one of the best gifts for deer hunters because it offers razor-sharp replaceable blades which are as sharp as surgical blades.
European mounts are a cost-effective way to show off a trophy. These “Little Hooker” hangers by Skull Hooker are pretty cool because you can adjust the skull up and down, as well as the side to side.
This is great to be able to place the mount in many locations and position the skull so it still looks good. I also like the movement of the skull hangers because the “good side” can be shown off. The adjustability of these hangers makes them one of the best gifts for deer hunters looking to mount a skull.
The adjustability of these hangers makes them one of the best gifts for deer hunters.
Rynoskin Insect Protection Clothing For Deer Hunters
There are many reasons to not spray yourself with bug spray when deer hunting. The poison from the spray is able to penetrate your skin and is unhealthy. Additionally, deer have a tremendous sense of smell, using bug spray is a great way to ruin a hunt.
I’m a big advocate for Rynoskin Total, I wear them religiously to protect me from mostly ticks but also help with mosquitos and other insects. They are a chemical-free breathable baselayer that helps prevent bugs from penetrating the tight mesh. Check out my full review here: Rynoskin Review: Insect and Tick Proof Clothing | Does it Work?
Bow Buddy Bowhunting Gift – Bow Stand & Arrow Holder
Bow stands are a simple yet useful tool when practicing with a bow. Without a bow stand, you have to set your bow on the grass after you’re done shooting in order to retrieve the arrows. A bow stand keeps your bow off the elements and relieves the shooter from having to bend down over and over again to pick up their bow.
It’s a small thing but actually is annoying after shooting for a while, especially if the grass is wet, which is why the Bow Buddy is one of the best bowhunting gifts. It comes with a ring to hold arrows which is another convenient feature. This way you don’t have to stick the arrows in the dirt to get them to stick up.
The quintessential tool of the hunter needs to be maintained. Nothing is more annoying than trying to do something with a dull knife. A good quality knife sharpener will make it easy to get a sharp blade edge. This is a great option for a sharpening stone because it does not require oil, it only requires water to start sharpening.
The stone is double-sided, for coarse and fine sharpening which is key to get those really dull blades sharp. It can sharpen any blade such as scissors, broadheads, hunting knives, and even axes! Another benefit is that also comes with an instruction manual for those new to sharpening. If you don’t like to read, one quick YouTube video and you’ll be ready to go.
A boot dryer is definitely one of the best gifts for deer hunters as every hunter needs and wants dry boots. There is nothing more uncomfortable than damp or wet boots during the next day’s hunt. Damp or wet boots also speed up getting frozen toes.
Instead, just place boots on the boot dryer after a day of hunting and they’ll be warm and dry for the next day. Boot dryers also kill odors and bacteria for even more scent control. This Peet boot dryer can dry every type of boot, even chest waders when folded down.
Spotting Scope Window Attachment Gift For Deer Hunters
A handy way to use a spotting scope for scouting deer is by clamping it onto the window of a vehicle. Since spotting scopes have a high zoom level they shake a lot if you don’t have something steady to put them on. The window attachment is super handy for getting steady visuals when scouting from the vehicle and looking out into fields or valleys. This makes a great gift for deer hunters that seem to have everything.
Deer Hunting Field Dressing And Meat Processing Kit Gift
A field dressing and meat processing kit is one of the best gifts for deer hunters that are looking to get into processing their own meat. I like to process my own meat when possible. I feel like I am able to use as much of the animal as possible and save money in the process.
A good butchering kit will help make the butchering process flow much smoother resulting in faster processing and more meat in the freezer. This 10-piece Mossy Oak kit will equip you with everything needed to field dress an animal in short-time.
Seat cushions are helpful for all types of hunters. I’ve used mine on top of my ammo box while duck hunting, on the ground for turkey hunting, and on metal treestand seats for deer hunting. I’ve even used my cushion as a backrest. There are a lot of ways a seat cushion can be used, and it doesn’t have to be confined to just hunting applications.
The Fatboy Premium Seat Cushion isn’t your average hunting cushion. It uses layers of gel and memory foam in order to create a very comfortable seat. It has quiet fabric and a buckle so it can be easily carried when in transport.
Although most tree stands come with a harness, a specialized, quality harness can make all the difference for safety and comfort while treestand hunting. Show the hunter in your life you want them to come home safely!
The Muddy harness is an excellent harness that I’ve been using for years. It’s quiet, quick to put on, and is padded for comfort. These harnesses can be used for more than just sitting in a treestand. I use my Muddy treestand harness all the time in order to prepare treestands for the coming hunting season.
The extendibility of the pole saw allows you to reach branches you otherwise would not be able to reach. They are very helpful for clearing shooting lanes and preparing treestands for deer hunting. Every treestand hunter could use a quality a pole saw to speed up, improve, and perfect treestand hunting setups.
Chest waders are one of the best gifts for hunters because they have a variety of hunting applications. I use mine for hunting deer, geese, and ducks as well as scouting and fishing. They are great for scouting deer in marshes and swamps that are too deep for hip boots. TideWe makes a great pair of neoprene waders for hunters. These waders have a very durable construction by using extra liners and stitching to reinforce the design preventing leaks, nobody likes leaky waders.
A game cart makes it easy to transport deer. This cart has solid rubber wheels that won’t go flat on you in rough conditions and a solid steel axle to hold up to the abuse of rocks or logs. This cart can double as a carrier for hunting blinds, firewood, and whatever else you find yourself dragging into or out of the woods. It’s also toolless and rated up to 500 lbs.
This is the ultimate wet environment boot. The rubber can’t get over-saturated and start to seep like other materials. The Grange boots are 18-inches tall which is very handy for crossing streams, brooks, and shallow rivers. Multi-layered rubber on the heel and toe increase durability while the fit helps keep your feet comfortable in the boot.
The strong rubber is also naturally scent-free, and tear-resistant. I am a huge fan of knee-high rubber boots, in fact, I wear them all year long. These are my favorite mobile deer hunting boots because they are lightweight, ankle tight, and waterproof. My legs just don’t get tired walking in them, they feel like sneakers. These boots would make a great gift for a mobile hunter. They also make great treestand hunting boots in the early season.
A blaze orange vest is often a requirement by law for hunting because it keeps hunters safe! Cabela’s Guide II vest makes a great blaze orange vest that is lightweight, quiet, and has a lot of useful pockets (inside and outside) for storage which is surprisingly difficult to find in an orange vest.
I use this vest for deer hunting and it works very well. I ordered it one size smaller than normal for a snug fit so it doesn’t catch on brush. Although this vest has a bird pouch in the back, I would recommend a different type of vest for specifically bird hunting.
An arrow fletching jig is one of the best gifts for bowhunters because it allows them to customize their arrows exactly how they want them. Hunters like to be able to build their arrows because it gives them more control depending on their hunting style. I personally use the Bitzenburger and I like it a lot.
One of the most common reasons to get a fletching jig is to add some helical (spin) to the fletching’s and to add additional fletchings to increase accuracy with broadheads. With the Bitzenbirger you can control the steepness of the helical and has the option to evenly place 3 or 4 fletchings. There are different clamps you can buy for this jig so that you can get a left, right, or straight fletching offset.
If you know someone who’s looking for a sight for their bow this Trophy Ridge Hotwire is one of the best. It offers 2 fixed pins and a 3rd tool-less adjustable floating pin which is very helpful for practicing at long ranges. The adjustability of this sight makes it versatile and a great choice for bowhunters.
Sitka Gear Windstopper Hand Muff Deer Hunting Gift
Hand muffs are basically gold to deer hunters in frigid temperatures. When hands are cold it’s hard to enjoy yourself or think about anything else until your hands become warm. Hand muffs are one of the best gifts for deer hunters for this reason. The Sitka hand muff uses Gore-Tex and Windstopper layers with Primaloft insulation to block wind and keep hands warm.
Another benefit is that you don’t need to wear gloves when you have a hand muff. This means shooting there is less to get in the way of accurate shooting. I know my big gloves change my anchor points when shooting a bow. This forces me to re-sight in my bow which is really annoying. A hand muff would prevent this.
Believe me, there is no such thing as “too many block targets” when it comes to deer hunting. You can set up spare targets at different ranges, heights, or even have them moving to increase your skill and accuracy. Additionally, they get worn out over time so the more targets you have the more you can spread out the wear.
Field logic makes a great target, I’ve been shooting mine for the last few years and it’s held up great. Broadheads and field tips can both be used on this target. Each side of the target has different targets to shoot at to keep things interesting. The durability and versatility of this block target make it one of the best gifts for bowhunters.
Every bowhunter loves a good 3D target. The GlenDel Full-Rut Buck is one of the most popular 3D targets and is one of the best gifts for bowhunters. One of the best aspects of this target is the replaceable core. The replaceable core is key because it enables the target to last so much longer.
I’ve had my target for nearly 10 years, exposed to the elements, and still stands strong! This a great target for archers as it is nearly life-size and helps shooters visualize the moment of truth, as well as the location of the vitals. This target is suitable for longbows, compound bows, and even cross-bows!
Cellular trail camera are one of the best gifts for deer hunters because photos get sent wirelessly to your devices. This means you don’t have to physically check your camera in person, saving hunters a lot of time. With regular trail cameras, you need to check your camera physically which can be time-consuming and inconvenient.
As far as cellular cameras go, this Browning Defender Wireless Pro Scout is one of the best cellular trail cameras for the money. It takes quality images, has a 90 ft detection range, has a fast recovery time for a cellular camera (26s), and has an impressive 10.5 months of battery life (for a cellular trail camera).
If you’re looking for the next step up from the Spypoint cellular cameras, the Browning Defender Wireless Pro is an excellent option. For a lot of people, the extra performance of this camera is well worth the price.
Trail cameras are one of the best gifts for deer hunters because cameras allow you to see the interesting things happening in the woods. Every hunter loves to look through the new photos captured in these areas to see what’s going on.
The Browning Spec Ops Elite HP4 is a cool trail camera with some great specs. For example, it has:
Fast 0.01 trigger speed
22-megapixel high-quality photos
90 ft detection range
Invisible infrared flash
0.6s recovery time
Can last 36 months on one set of lithium batteries
This criterion makes this camera perfect for backcountry hunters that can’t replace batteries often. Additionally, this camera was awarded one of the best trail cameras for the money in my reviews of trail cameras.
The HP4 also takes 1080p Full HD video up to 60 fps. With the fast trigger speed and high frame rate of this camera, there should be virtually no blurring in photos with movement.
Scent killing products make awesome gifts for deer hunters because scent plays a huge role. Many animals like deer, elk, moose, and hogs have incredible senses of smell. You may not be able to completely eliminate your scent, but you can reduce it to such low levels that it does not feel as threatening.
A good scent control regimen key and it starts with clothing storage. The ScentLok OZ Active Odor Destroyer storage bag uses Ozone to kill odors caused by bacteria, fungus, and mold. This leaves clothes scent-free and ready to head into the woods.
A good meat grinder is one of the top gifts for deer hunters. A good grinder will save countless hours when processing deer. I highly suggest buying a meat grinder that does not slow down or bottleneck the speed of your butchering operation.
The faster your meat grinder, the quicker you can get the meat in the freezer! The STX Turboforce meat grinder has a good reputation and is an excellent choice for a gift. It can grind from 180-240 lbs. of meat per hour which is quite fast for a meat grinder at this price. The grinder comes with multiple attachments so you can make burger or sausage.
Jerky makers are awesome gifts for deer hunters. Being able to make your own jerky from wild-game is a great way to change things up as far as wild-game consumption. When making jerky you can flavor it to your liking and because it’s so tasty, it’s a great way to introduce others to eating wild game. The Cosori dehydrator comes with 50 recipes and 6 trays for dehydrating. It’s easy to use, and easy to clean making it a great gift.
Caldwell Lead Sled Shooting Rest Gift For Deer Hunters
A shooting rest is a great tool for deer hunters who use firearms. Shooting rests are handy because they greatly minimize human error when sighting in guns. A shooting rest helps get sighted in faster with fewer rounds in order to start hitting the bullseye, saving time and money, making it one of the best gifts for deer hunters.
The lead sled isn’t any ordinary shooting rest though, it is highly adjustable to fit just about any shotgun or rifle. It has a spot to place weights so the rest does not move when shooting. It also has fine adjustment knobs so looking down your gun when sighting in has zero strain. Instead of adjusting your body to the firearm, this rest adjusts to your body.
Whether the hunter in your life is a professional videographer, or a hobbyist wanting to capture their hunting adventures, this camera arm is one of the best for improving video quality while maintaining mobility. Fourth Arrow makes one of the best camera arms that is affordable yet durable. This arm is a solid base, preventing ‘wiggle’ for professional-looking video, keeping the hunting memories alive and well long after the season has ended.
Fourth Arrow has a great reputation in the outdoor industry for great camera arms that create leveled and smooth footage even on awkward trees. This camera arm features loads of adjustments and can handle up to 10 lbs. of camera gear weight. It’s made of lightweight aluminum too so it won’t weigh you down while hiking out to your stand.
Fourth Arrow Stiff Arm, Muddy Outfitter, and Muddy Hunt Hard Unboxing Comparison
ScentLok uses carbon alloy technology (activated carbon) for maximum odor adsorption. Activated carbon naturally adsorbs human odor because it has a huge surface area. When used properly Scent-Lok activated carbon clothing is very effective at reducing odor and preventing animals from smelling the hunter.
Another benefit is that a coverall does not have anywhere for human scent to escape at the waist like regular clothes, this adds for even more scent-control and is why this is my favorite piece of clothing in my scent control regimen.
The GumLeaf Field Wellys are handcrafted boots in Europe and are made of 85% real rubber which prevents cracking from occurring. This means these boots will last a long time. GumLeaf has other versions of their boots but the Field Wellys are one of their most mobile boots because of their weight and slim profile. They are 16 inches tall and you can physically tell they are made out of premium rubber by feeling and wearing them.
These boots are expensive, but I liked these boots so much that I reached out to GumLeaf to see if I could get a discount for my viewers. If you use the discount code “JTOTen” at checkout you’ll receive 10% off these boots.
Climbing sticks are easily one of the best gifts for a mobile hunter. The best climbing sticks are lightweight, durable, interlocking, quiet, and easy to transport, pieces of ladder that will get you in the most awkward of trees safely. There are also many 3rd party attachments that be added to climbing sticks for ultimate customization.
Meat smokers are the ultimate gift because they are the gift that keeps on giving. This meat smoker is easy to monitor and control and has a removable ashtray for easy cleanup. This meat smoker has three smoking racks so a good amount of meat can be smoked at one time. Who knows, maybe you’ll benefit from the gift as well!
There is a lot to like about the Leupold RX-1400i TBR/W. This rangefinder is one of the best rangefinders for hunting for the money because of the price and its ability to be used by both rifle hunters at long range and bowhunters at close ranges. It has angle compensation and internal ballistic profiles.
Leupold RX-1400i TBR/W – Best Hunting Rangefinder For The Money
The natural fibers of virgin wool offer many great benefits. Virgin wool fibers are strong, insulating, odor resistant, water-resistant, moisture-wicking, excellent in snow, breathable, warm when wet, and quiet. There’s a reason why Maine Hunting Guides swear by wool, it works.
This L.L. Bean wool jacket is one of the best gifts for deer hunters because it can be used in a wide array of settings and weather conditions. In addition to the wool, this jacket has added liners to improve wind-proofing and insulation making it a very warm jacket to fight off the elements. This jacket is very versatile making it a top choice for hunters. It comes in classic plaid color options and is fitted loose for layering.
Cabela’s Saskatchewan boots are the warmest boots for hunting from a treestand because it has 3 inchesof insulation between your foot and the ground surface. This means it will be very difficult for a cold metal treestand platform to make your feet cold. They’re also great for hunting from the ground on cold, icy, and snowy days for this reason. They have a removable liner which gives them even more insulation.
Whether you’re looking to buy for a waterfowl hunter, deer hunter, turkey hunter…etc. binoculars are a handy tool.
I tested 14 different hunting binoculars from all price ranges to see which binoculars were the best value for the money. IMO the Athlon Midas binoculars were by far the best value. You can check out my video review below:
SITKA Gear Silent Fleece Deer Hunting Backpack Gift
The Sitka Gear backpack is a great option for deer hunters because of how quiet it is due to the fleece material. There are not many backpacks on the market with this quiet feature.
This backpack makes a hunter much more stealthy on the way to a treestand and reduces noise when rummaging around for an item within the backpack when in the deer stand. Other backpacks are made of noisy nylon material that makes loud scratching noises when touched against the brush.
The new GoPro’s are fantastic for capturing hunts on film. They are one of the greatest gifts for duck hunters looking to get into filming hunts. The new internal computerized gimbal-like stabilization makes the footage look buttery smooth even with excessive movement.
Not only do they have great stabilization but they also have 5K video, slow motion, and much more. The GoPro Hero 10 black has 5.2k video, 20 MP photos, a FAST brand new processor (finally), and also has excellent stabilization.
Compound bows are a lot of fun to shoot and to hunt with. Additionally, in many states hunting with a bow allows hunters to extend their hunting seasons significantly. Compound bows are very accurate, and with a little practice, they are easy to learn how to shoot. For a very reasonable price you can get a ready-to-shoot, high-quality compound bow bundle.
This Bear Archery Cruzer G2 is a great bow because it is highly adjustable and can grow with the hunter for a lifetime! The draw length is adjustable from 12” to 30”. The adjustability in draw weight from 5 lbs to 70 lbs is also incredible. This bow can literally fit anybody and mold to any experience level. I’ve personally shot some Bear Archery bows and really like their smooth draw cycle.
Sitka Fanatic Insulated Fleece Jacket Deer Hunting Gift
Specifically designed for the deer hunter, the Sitka Fanatic Fleece jacket has all the things you love about fleece-like warmth, comfort, and silence. It also has specifically designed pockets for bowhunting tools like rangefinders and calls.
This jacket has a built-in hand muff, a high neck to cut the wind, and a built-in treestand harness leash port. The Gore-Tex and Windstopper fabrics prevent wind from penetrating the fleece making it incredibly warm during cold hunts.
Because Sitka specifically designs gear for whitetail hunters, this fleece is one of the best gifts for deer hunters. This will likely be the last fleece a whitetail hunter will ever need!
The Fanatic Bibs are designed to be worn with the Fanatic Fleece Jacket for ultimate warmth. The bibs offer the same benefits as the jacket, but for the lower half. These two articles of clothing combined offer an incredible amount of warmth.
Bibs have always been one of the best ways for hunters to stay warm when hunting. Big heavy pants keep the lower half warm. The benefit of the Fanatic Bibs is they’re designed to be quiet, and have many pockets, as well as Gore-Tex and Windstopper fabrics to really prevent the elements. This makes a great gift for the cold-weather deer hunter.
Spotting scopes offer a little extra reach than binoculars. When binoculars aren’t up for the task it’s time to break out the spotting scope. Being able to see animals at longer ranges than binoculars makes spotting scopes fantastic tools for scouting and hunting.
Vortex makes great quality glass and suggests them for spotting scopes as well. Again, you’ve got to appreciate that lifetime warranty. If you’re buying for a hunter who hunts or scouts in vast landscapes and needs extra reach, a spotting scope makes a great gift.
Chest freezers are great gifts for deer hunters or any hunter for that matter because it offers an easy place to store meat without taking up the entire daily-use freezer in the kitchen.
OZonics OrionX Ozone Scent Eliminator is easily one of the absolute best gifts for deer hunters because when placed next to the hunter in a treestand, it completely removes human order with Ozone. This tool removes one of the biggest challenges deer hunters face – a deer’s nose, which can smell human scent over 1/4 mile away.
With an affordable subscription, the Garmin In-Reach GPS has many benefits for remote hunters: The benefits of this GPS over others is that it offers an emergency SOS feature and texting without service! The InReach uses satellites to send and receive messages instead of cell towers.
The In-Reach GPS gives the gift of peace of mind when hunting in remote backcountry situations, making it one of the best gifts for backcountry hunters.
Another great feature of this GPS is that it comes with a pre-downloaded topo map of the U.S. For this reason, the map can also be used without service. The off-grid capabilities of the Garmin InReach are unmatched for the price.
The Yeti 125 cooler is one of the best gifts for deer hunters or fisherman that need to keep things cold. This cooler has thick 3-inch insulation in order to keep things cool for a long time as you’d expect from Yeti. In addition, this cooler is ‘certified bear-resistant’ meaning that it is extremely durable and can stand up to the toughest deer hunting trips.
Budget Sony 4K Video Camcorder For Filming Deer Hunts
Sony makes excellent video cameras, the AX100 is no exception. For the price, this camera has a lot of pro features. It has a 1” CMOS sensor which allows it to film in very low light situations. It also supports 4K video and 120 FPS slow motion. This is a one-stop-shop video camera for a hunter starting to film their hunts making it one of the best gifts for hunters.
Although it may seem somewhat pricey for someone that is new to videography when you buy this camera you don’t have to buy many add-ons like you do with DSLRs or mirrorless cameras (primarily lenses which often cost more than the camera). All is said and done, this camera ends up being much less and will get you professional-looking quality. The one benefit of DSLRs and mirrorless is that you get a more cinematic look, but they are also more difficult to film with than camcorders.
Sony A7IV For Filming and Photographing Deer Hunting
The one benefit of DSLR/mirrorless cameras is that you can achieve a much more cinematic, customized, and professional look. They also have the ability to be much better in low-light situations than camcorders which can be very important in hunting situations. Not only can they do video but they can take professional-quality photos as well.
If the hunter in your life is looking to capture hunting memories and take filming to the next level this Sony mirrorless camera is an excellent choice. You might like my blog post: How To Choose The Best Video Cameras For Hunting | Filming Your Hunt for more information.
The right gift can help the deer hunter in your life have a more successful and enjoyable season. Hopefully, this guide has sparked some ideas and pointed you in the right direction. If you’re looking for more gift ideas for different types of hunting (like turkey, ducks…etc) you might like my other hunting gift idea articles.
I conducted in-depth research on the best hunting rangefinders available at various price points. To ensure a well-rounded analysis, I gathered information from multiple sources, including blogs, YouTube reviews, forums, product ratings, and user feedback. I then cross-referenced these insights to identify the overall consensus on each product. Additionally, I applied my personal experience with rangefinders to refine my selections further.
To make comparisons easier, I created a detailed spreadsheet outlining key specifications for each rangefinder. This includes weight, angle compensation and ballistics, range, optics, display type, battery life, waterproofing, and warranty. The spreadsheet was useful for adding important but repetitive specs that didn’t need to take up space in the article.
The post is affiliate link-free. However, the free Excel spreadsheet includes Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through those links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. [Learn more here.]
Download the Excel file to get access to the links and the ability to copy-paste
By evaluating real-world user experiences alongside technical specifications, you can determine whether these rangefinders truly perform as well as they appear on paper.
Table of Contents
Sig Sauer KILO 1000 BDX
Best Budget Long-Range: Sig Sauer Kilo 1000 BDX
Summary
The Sig Sauer KILO 1000 is tied for the least expensive rangefinder on this list. Even though it is one of the least expensive rangefinders, it is still one of the best rangefinders for the money. It’s one of the best hunting rangefinders for long-range shooting because of its Ballistic Data Xchange (BDX) system.
Angle Compensation & Ballistics
What sets this rangefinder apart from the other rangefinders in its class is the Ballistic Data Xchange (BDX). Using a free phone app you can enter your ballistics which then BlueTooth’s the information to your rangefinder. At this point, your rangefinder will provide distance, elevation holdovers, and windage adjustments.
The BDX system is very useful for precise shooting at long ranges because it is a more accurate calculation than using standard angle compensation. BDX will work out to 800 yards, which is as far as the majority of hunters will be shooting, especially with the capabilities of this rangefinder.
For shorter ranges, BDX may not be necessary. In this case, you can use Angle Modified Range (AMR) which is Sig Sauer’s angle compensation mode. This works great for short-range shooting and bowhunters.
Range
This rangefinder can pick up deer out to 600 yards on deer in good conditions. For most hunters, which is more than enough for the vast majority of hunters. This is why this rangefinder earns the title of the best budget long-range rangefinder.
The 1000BDX can also range trees at 800 yards and reflective targets (like targets) out to 1200 yards. So if you’re looking to do long-range shooting practice in addition to long-range hunting, this rangefinder may cover all your bases.
Optics
This is a 5x magnification rangefinder with a 7.5º field of view (not sure why Sig Sauer uses degrees and not FOV @ 1000 yards). Because of the low magnification, the field of view is wide which helps you to find animals faster in the optic, especially at closer ranges.
Because it is a 5x zoom it has a wide field of view which allows you to find animals faster than higher magnification alternatives. This zoom option makes it a good option for those short to medium ranges.
Display
The display is called HT-LCD or High-Intensity Liquid Crystal Display. This display is bright enough for all conditions but does not have a Lumatic Display which auto-adjusts brightness depending on the light (which the other Sig Sauer Rangefinders on this list do have).
Leupold RX-1400i TBR/W
Best Value: Leupold RX-1400i TBR/W
Summary
There is a lot to like about the Leupold RX-1400i TBR/W. First, it is tied for the most affordable rangefinders on this list. This rangefinder model is one of the best hunting rangefinders for the money because of the price and its ability to be used by both rifle hunters and bowhunters.
Angle Compensation & Ballistics
The 1400i is small and light for carry-ability and offers bow angle compensation (Bow-Mode) and rifle angle compensation (True Ballistic Range – Wind (TBR-W)), and has options to view either the line of sight (LOS) or true distance.
You can also enter up to 25 cartridges into the TBR settings making it easy to change between different cartridges for different hunts. TBR/W mode works up to 800 yards for most cartridges.
Range
The minimum range distance is about 6 yards with the maximum being 900 to 950 yards when ranging animals. This means the Leupold RX-1400i would make a great rangefinder for both rifle hunters and bow hunters because of its ability to range accurately at close and far distances and has dedicated modes for both rifle hunters and bowhunters.
This is also would make a great long-range shooting rangefinder because it can reach longer distances of 1200 yards on trees, and 1400 yards on more reflective surfaces, like reflective targets.
Optics
This is a 5x magnification rangefinder with a 368-foot Field of View (FOV) at 1000 yards. This is a wide field of view which helps you to find animals faster in the optic, especially at closer ranges.
Because it is a 5x zoom it has a wide field of view which allows you to find animals faster than rangefinders with a higher zoom. This zoom option makes it a good option for those short to medium ranges.
Display
The red-illuminated TOLED (Transmissive Organic LED) display is nice compared to a non-illuminated rangefinder because it allows you to see better in lower-light situations which is when a lot can happen for hunters.
I could not determine if the 1400i had a dimmable display from looking online or in the manual so I called Leupold and confirmed that the TOLED has 3 adjustable brightness settings for optimal viewing in low-light and bright light.
Leupold RX-4 Full Draw
Leupold RX-4 Full Draw: Best Bow Hunting Rangefinder
Summary
The Leupold RX-4 Full Draw was specifically designed for bowhunters which makes it one of the best bowhunting rangefinders. Although most of the rangefinders on this list would make great rangefinders for bow hunting because of their angle compensation modes, the RX-4 takes archery accuracy and ballistics one step further.
Angle Compensation & Ballistics
The RX-4 Full Draw uses Trig-H mode to calculate regular angle compensation. In addition to Trig-H Mode, you can also enter your bow setup information into the Archers Advantage software in the RX-4 to calculate your arrow ballistics. To do this all you need is arrow speed, total arrow weight, and peep height. This calculation will work out to 175 yards.
With your ballistic information entered, the RX4 rangefinder uses FlightPath technology to show you the highest arc of your arrow at any given range. This is represented by a line and lets you know if there is any obstructions in your way at the peak of your arrow flight. This is handy for shooting over and under obstacles, like sticks, when hunting
For rifle hunters, you have the option to use Line of Sight (LOS) mode. When LOS is used in combination with a ballistics calculator you will be able to accurately shoot long-range.
Range
The minimum range distance is about 6-yards with the maximum being 900-yards when ranging animals. The Archers Advantage ballistic information works up to 175 yards. As you can see it can range plenty far for a bowhunter.
As mentioned, the rangefinder has angle compensation for short to medium-range rifle shooting. It also has Line of Sight mode for long-range shooting so this rangefinder can be used by both even though it was designed with the archer in mind.
The RX-4 Full Draw can also range to 1100 yards on trees and up to 1200 yards on more reflective surfaces. To get the most out of this rangefinder at longer distances past 400 yards you will need to use line of sight (LOS) mode in combination with a ballistics calculator.
For even further ranges you can put the Razor in Extended Laser Range (ELR) mode but it can take longer to get a reading, so it is best if it is placed on a tripod to get reading in this mode. However, in ELR mode you can range deer at 2,200 yards, trees at 2500 yards, and reflective surfaces at 4000 yards. This can be helpful to determine if a stalk is worth making with the amount of daylight left.
Optics
This is a 6×22 rangefinder with a 315-foot Field of View (FOV) at 1000 yards. This is a FOV you would expect from a 6x magnification. This rangefinder has the perfect middle-ground magnification for both close-range bowhunting and long-distance scenarios.
Display
The red-illuminated OLED display is nice compared to non-illuminated displays because it allows you to see better in lower-light situations which is when a lot can happen for hunters. The OLED has adjustable brightness settings for optimal viewing in low-light and bright light.
This rangefinder also has the option to choose reticles for customizable viewing and ranging.
Vortex Razor HD 4000
Vortex Razor HD 4000: Excellent Quality with Best Warranty
The Vortex Razor 4000 is the next step up from the Ranger 1800. It can range deer up to 1600 yards which is almost double the range compared to the Ranger 1800. The best features of this rangefinder are its illuminated LCD screen, angle compensation, durability, and Lifetime VIP warranty. This is one of the best hunting rangefinders because of its reliability, optic quality, and outstanding warranty.
The Vortex Razor is a great rangefinder for hunters with shakey hands because it also comes with 1/4″- 20 threads for mounting on a tripod.
Angle Compensation & Ballistics
The Razor 4000 does not have built-in sophisticated long-range ballistic capabilities but it does have angle compensation which is what the majority of hunters are looking for, especially within 400 yards.
To get the most out of this rangefinder at longer distances past 400 yards you will need to use line of sight (LOS) mode in combination with a ballistics calculator.
Range
The minimum range distance is about 5-yards with the maximum being 1600-yards when ranging animals. The Vortex Razor 4000 is a great rangefinder for both rifle hunters and bow hunters because it can range accurately at both short and long ranges with angle compensation.
In Normal Mode, the Razor can range to 1800 yards on trees, and up to 2400 yards on more reflective surfaces. At long distances, you can use the Line of Sight mode combined with a ballistics calculator for better accuracy.
For even further ranges you can put the Razor in Extended Laser Range (ELR) mode but it can take longer to get a reading, so it is best if it is placed on a tripod to get reading in this mode. However, in ELR mode you can range deer at 2,200 yards, trees at 2500 yards, and reflective surfaces at 4000 yards. This can be helpful to determine if a stalk is worth making with the amount of daylight left.
Optics
This is a 7×25 rangefinder with a 341-foot Field of View (FOV) at 1000 yards. This is a wide FOV for a 7x magnification which is great for acquiring targets faster.
Display
The display is a red illuminated LCD screen with five brightness settings which is an improvement over the Ranger 1800 which only had 3 settings. The ability to see better in lower-light situations is important for hunters because this is often when the action happens.
Sig Sauer KILO5K
Sig Sauer Kilo5K: Best Long Range Hunting Rangefinder
Summary
The Sig Sauer KILO 5K is awarded the best long-range hunting rangefinder in this review because it can range out to 2000 yards on deer and because it has the Ballistic Data Xchange (BDX) system which allows inputs for precise long-range shooting.
Another great aspect of this rangefinder is that you can sync it with GPS apps on your phone and it will drop a waypoint when you take a range. This is incredibly handy when you need to walk somewhere specific, like during animal recovery when you need to easily find the exact spot you hit the animal.
Angle Compensation & Ballistics
The biggest benefit of this rangefinder is that it uses Ballistic Data Xchange (BDX). Using a free phone app you can enter your ballistics which then BlueTooth’s the information to your rangefinder. At this point, your rangefinder will provide distance, elevation holdovers, and windage adjustments.
The BDX system is very useful for precise shooting at long ranges because it is a more accurate calculation than using standard angle compensation at long distances.
BDX will work out to 800 yards, which is as far as the majority of hunters will be shooting. After this point, more detailed ballistic information is needed if you want to shoot accurately. You can connect the Kilo5k to a Kestrel or Garmin for top-notch applied ballistics information which will allow you to shoot past 800 yards.
For shorter ranges, BDX may not be necessary. In this case, you can use Angle Modified Range (AMR) which is Sig Sauer’s angle compensation mode. This works great for short-range shooting and bowhunters as well.
Additionally, this rangefinder has built-in detectors that provide real-time environmental conditions which are needed for accurate long-range shooting.
Range
This rangefinder can pick up deer out to 2000 yards on deer in good conditions.
The Kilo 5K can also range trees at 2500 yards and reflective targets (like targets) out to 5000 yards. So if you’re looking to do long-range shooting practice in addition to long-range hunting, this rangefinder will cover all your bases.
Optics
This is a 7×25 rangefinder with a 6.78º field of view. A higher 7x magnification is needed for ranging distant targets accurately, making it great for long-range shooting and hunting.
Display
The Kilo 5K has an auto-brightness setting which changes automatically depending on the ambient light settings. This is awesome so you don’t have too bright of a display in low-light settings or too dim of a display in bright settings. This is a handy and unique feature that further establishes it as one of the best hunting rangefinders.
Conclusion
Choosing the right hunting rangefinder can make all the difference in accuracy, efficiency, confidence, and overall success in the field. After thoroughly researching and comparing a variety of rangefinders across different price points, it’s clear that each model has unique strengths suited to specific hunting needs.
By evaluating real-world user experiences alongside key technical specifications, this guide ensures that you’re making an informed decision rather than relying solely on marketing claims. If you want a quick and easy comparison, be sure to download the spreadsheet with all the specifications and links to each product.
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