Need a gift for a hunter? Lucky you. Hunting is a gear-heavy activity, and heaps of tools are always ready for replacement or upgrade. But there are many options and nuances to hunting. Whitetail gear isn’t the same as elk gear. Duck hunters need something totally different than bear hunters. Luckily, there’s something on this list for just about everyone because none of it is too niche-specific.
If none of these gifts tickle your fancy, scroll down to the end for some tips and tricks to find the perfect gift that might have evaded this obviously perfect list.
Hunting Gifts for the 2024 Holidays
Moultrie Mobile EDGE 2 PRO Cellular Trail Camera: $140
If you’re shopping for a big game hunter, chances are good that they would love another trail camera. Even if they already have one (or a dozen), there’s a fair chance they have another spot to study. And if they don’t, a new trail camera could open up a whole new hobby. There’s just nothing like getting a notification to see an unexpected critter on your camera!
The EDGE 2 PRO Cellular Trail Camera has a fast, 0.30-second trigger speed, 40MP images and 1440p videos, Live Aim for setup, and no-glo flash invisible to game and the naked eye.
Take it a step further and set them up with a mobile plan for the device. See your beloved hunter grin and remember your gift with every trigger notification.
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Kifaru Field Quiver: $90
If your gift list includes a bowhunter who loves to hone their craft outside of hunting season, this quiver should bring them plenty of use. It’s good for shooting at home, sighting a bow, and 3-D shots.
The Field Quiver is modular with zippered pockets and plenty of MOLLE for add-ons. It works for lefties and righties alike and even has a removable leg strap. The 1,000-denier construction should hold up to years of use with field points and blunts — just no broadheads.
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Garmin inReach Messenger Plus: $500
Stay in touch off the grid with the latest Garmin GPS that lets you send voice messages and images from the field. Of course, this can locate and relay your exact location if you need help getting out of the backcountry. The messenger is also helpful when you want to relay information about alternative routes or weather changes without needing emergency services.
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Darn Tough Hunter Heavyweight Cushion Socks: $30
“The best hunting socks money can buy,” according to our hunting editor. These boot-height, full-cushion socks have heavy terry loop construction for added warmth, wicking sweat, and helping resist developing blisters. Darn Tough’s reputation (and warranty) are proof these can hold up from scouting hikes through the end of hunting season and beyond. Oh, does your beloved hunter want new socks? Yes. Yes, they do.
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Dark Energy Poseidon Pro: $120
If you bring electronics on your backcountry hunts, this is your one-stop shop for a power bank. Period. It can provide dozens of smartphone charges and several camera charges before it needs to be recharged. It’s also fast to power devices.
The Poseidon Pro bank itself takes hours to top off, but it can hold that juice for years. It has a rugged build and IP68 waterproof rating to withstand some real-world abuse in the field.
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KUIU Pro Merino Zip-Off Base Layer Bottoms: $119
These make the list because of all the pairs of wool base layers out there, they fit like magic. As you’d expect, these bottoms will keep you warm under hunting pants and breathe like a second skin when exposed to air. The Nuyarn merino wool is bonded to polyester, which adds to the layer’s wicking, stretch, and shape retention.
Don’t let the zippers on base layers scare you off — they don’t touch your skin. Our hunt editor sleeps in hers and never had any complaints. You won’t notice them until it’s time to vent some body heat, in which case these provide ample ability to cool down.
You can also put them on and take them off without removing your boots if you’re nimble enough.
Note: If you don’t foresee a need for zip-offs, a lighter merino base layer from KUIU was the top pick in our roundup of the Best Base Layers for Hunting, so that’s another option.
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Glerups Wool Shoes: $155
We list a lot of field-tested gear on this site, but the Glerups Felted Wool Shoes probably get the most use. That’s because we wear them as an everyday shoe, an around-the-house shoe, a camp shoe, and yes, even on early-season archery hunts.
With slipper, shoe, and boot options, you can customize the height preference for your chosen activity. Because they are 100% felted wool, they are odor-resistant and, over time, change shape to match the contour of your foot.
They make great camp shoes and are available with soles made of natural rubber or leather. This means you can get the close-contact archery hunter on your list the perfect pair of spot-and-stalk hunting mocs that can creep through crunchy terrain unnoticed.
And then buy a pair for yourself. You will not regret it.
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Husky Liner Floor Mats: From $60
Hunters get a lot of use from their trucks and cars, but it doesn’t have to be abuse. Husky mats protect your vehicle from snow, mud, and blood.
The floor liner mats are shaped to fit specific makes and models and have raised edges (that don’t shrivel over time) to prevent slushy runoff. Beyond keeping things clean for your next trip, excess water eventually trickles down to the body of a vehicle and starts the countdown to rust.
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Maven B.7 Binoculars: $475
Maven’s B Series binoculars are a go-to for hunters and outdoor adventurers looking for high-end optics at an affordable price. The B.7 is the brand’s most compact offering in the lineup. Designed as a more portable version of the popular B.3 model, the B.7 weighs 12.4 ounces, making these binoculars the best choice for on-the-go hunters, birders, naturalists, nature viewers, and world travelers who like to pack light.
Don’t let the small stature fool you. The B.7 delivers cutting-edge optics with exceptional clarity, brightness, contrast, and true-to-life color and is available in 8×25 and 10×25 magnification. Both models feature extra-low dispersion lenses that are waterproof and fogproof to guarantee years of use.
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Magellan Outdoors Pro 92L Waterproof Gear Box: $100
This gear box has a dual-sided opening lid, sturdy handles, and rubber feet. It’s also stackable, which is always a plus for storage. Our hunt editor loves that it’s lighter and cheaper than other go boxes, yet still withstood being checked on a plane and thrown out of the back of her truck.
It impressed her enough to sit at the top of her Christmas list for friends and family. Check out the 50L and 22L capacity boxes, too.
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Big Green Egg: $1,600
It’s all about the food, right? The hunt doesn’t really end until that meal is on the table. Big Green Egg is about as top-notch as it gets for smokers. The XL is big enough to cook 11 chickens, 24 burgers, or two 20-pound turkeys simultaneously.
After a year of testing the XL Big Green Egg, our editor now considers it a permanent addition to her outdoor kitchen. It is a unique powerhouse cooker that sits alongside a Trager and Weber. The Big Green Egg is now the go-to for long, slow smoking when it’s best to maintain temperature over long periods of time.
Obviously, this isn’t a casual gift. This is a once-in-a-lifetime purchase you get for the hunter who has everything. This is that gift that will be talked about for years.
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Did none of these gifts fill the void? Not to worry — we can still help.
How to Shop for a Hunter
Not all hunters are created equal. I’m not saying any type or style of hunting is better than another, but I am saying that they are different. Buying a $600 pair of mountain hunting boots aimed at aggressive Western big game hunting or for an East Coast turkey hunter is not going to win you brownie points, no matter how much coin you drop. Which brings us to our first tip:
Get to Know Your Hunter
If the person on your list is a waterfowl hunter, focus your attention on products that will make their time in the field easier or more enjoyable. Perhaps they could use a new pair of waders or some fun accessory for their duck blind or their dog. But, a new bugle tube for elk is likely not going to be as well received.
Without knowing the type or style of hunting that your gift receiver engages in, it makes it tough to know what to get and what they’ll appreciate.
If you’re buying this person a gift, it makes sense that they play an important role in your life. As such, ask them questions about their time in the field and listen to what they may complain or boast about. You can learn a lot about a hunter and their experience by just listening to a few hunting stories. Gift-giving aside, it might just be a great bonding experience.
Pay Attention to Brand Loyalty
This is one that you might not even consider, but it’s real. Some hunters are die-hard fans of a particular hunting brand. If you notice that the hunter on your list wears the same exact pattern from head to toe, see if you can take a peek at what brand it is.
Even if you aren’t a hunter, it shouldn’t be tough to figure out. Maybe that particular brand just fits them the best. Perhaps it’s more about their style or the look they’re going for. It might even be a clue to their style of hunting.
That all being said, if your hunter seems to exclusively wear SITKA (as I am in the image above), it might be a good idea to consider that brand for your gift ideas. They might not be as excited to receive a gift card to KUIU or a hat from Stone Glacier.
If all of those name-brand companies are a bit outside your budget, stick to something generic.
Always Think About Comfort
Another overlooked aspect of finding gifts for hunters is a glaring one. Hunting often occurs in extreme conditions. This means that hunters are often faced with physically uncomfortable scenarios and situations. The best gift might not even be specifically targeted at hunters.
If you have a person who struggles with arthritis, maybe the best gift is a set of rechargeable hand warmers. If they hunt in extremely hot, humid conditions, perhaps you should look at breathable, lightweight layers or a new water bladder for their pack. For late-season rifle hunters, maybe a good pair of wool socks or a pair of hardy leather gloves will be the ticket.
Gifts for hunters don’t have to be bought from hunting brands. Think about all the ways you stay comfortable outdoors. Your hunter will appreciate a gift that keeps them in the game longer, and nothing does that more than comfort.
When All Else Fails: Food
It is the great unifier. We all eat. Most hunters take great pride in preparing the wild game they harvest. Grilling accessories, seasoning blends, cooking tools, cookbooks, and specialty sauces like The Flip Flop Guy sauces pictured above, are great ideas for practically any hunter.
If you have a big game hunter on your list, find out if they process their own meat. Maybe they need a new meat grinder or a dehydrator.
When it comes to knives, think outside the hunt. Do they need a new set of culinary knives in the kitchen? What about a Bluetooth meat thermometer for smoking those roast they harvested from this year’s buck?
Don’t limit your gift-giving to what happens in the field. The real prize is the harvest, and when you give gifts that make meals happen, you might just benefit from it, too.
Why You Should Trust Us
Not only do we hunt, but our families and friends do, too. As the Hunt & Fish Editor at GearJunkie, I have unique access to a heap of hunting gear. There are plenty of products that come highly recommended online, but after personally using them, I wouldn’t consider giving them as gifts.
That’s one of the best parts about my role here. I get to have a first-hand, unfiltered, unbiased opinion of products. That makes me a pretty rad gift giver, at least when it comes to the hunters and anglers in my life.
I can’t tell you who makes the best bath bomb, and I have no recommendations for hair products or handbags, but I can tell you that every product on this list passes my test of quality and value for the hunter in your life.
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