Michael Waddell and Nick Mundt Talk Deer Hunting Packs

Welcome to DEER WEEK! The Outdoor Channel is dedicating a whole week for deer hunting. So to celebrate, Nick Mundt and Michael Waddell lay out their deer hunting packs and the gear they use. When it comes to a deer hunting gear list and remembering all the gear that you might need on a quick hunt (or even an all-day sit), these guys have the experience to steer you straight. While some hunters fill a medium to large backpack full of gear for just a morning hunt, some go so lightweight and mobile that the piece of gear they forget can shut down the hunt. Michael and Nick have a good balance of mobile and longer day sit mentalities when it comes to deer hunting pack lists. While you might find your current gear looking a little light, the guys might remind you of one critical piece that might be missing. So what do you take in your whitetail pack? What deer hunting gear is an absolute necessity? Who brings more gear to the stand or blind? Check out the videos below to find out! 

Nick Mundt’s Whitetail Pack 

Nick tries to keep low profile, lightweight, and mobile when deer hunting, and his hunting pack definitely reflects that. Here is the short list of what makes it into Nick’s deer hunting pack. 

• 10X42 Forge Binoculars
• Bushnell Rangefinder and Extra Rangefinder
• Scent Products
  • Bone Magnet | Overwhelm Olfactory Scent Eliminator
  • Swirling Wind Spray | Scent Eliminator
• Extra Bow Release
• Bone Collector Havalon Knife and Sharpener
• Drag Rag (doe estrous drag) 
• Deer Calls
  • Grunt/Snort Wheeze – The Challenger 
  • Rattling Bag – Bag O Bone
  • Bow String Wax
• Hunter Safety Life Line 
• Bow Pull-up Rope
• Realtree Easy Hanger (Double) 
• Bow Hook or Tree Step
• Liquid Luck Scent

Michael’s Deer Pack Gear 

Michael jumps straight into his absolute essential gear for deer hunting, a list he has honed over the years hunting everywhere from Booger Bottom to the Kansas prairies. Michael has a little more gear to prepare for any and all scenarios, from some extra production gear to making sure he gets home safe (even with a few cuts or bruises). 

• Grunt Call and Rattle Call 
  • Grunt/Snort Wheeze
  • Bag O Bone
• Liquid Luck Scent
• Two Sets of Hot Hands
• Battery and Charging Cables (Phone/Tactacam)
• Bone Collector Havalon Knife and Sharpener
• Tree Stand Saw
• Gloves (Leather and Medium Weight Gloves)
• Rope
• Realtree Easy Hanger (Double) 
• Bow Hook or Tree Step
• First Aid Kit

Overall Deer Hunting Pack Gear Essentials

We took a look at both of the guy’s packs and decided this was a generally agreed upon list that still keeps true to the “pack light” mentality! These are the absolute essentials for both Michael and Nick. We have simplified the list to make the ultimate deer hunting pack list. 

• Grunt Call and Rattle Call 
  • 10X42 Binoculars
  • Rangefinder
  • Pull-up Rope(s) 
  • Safety Harness and Safety Rope
  • Scent Elimination Spray
• Deer Scent/Attractant Scent
• Battery and Charging Cables (Phone/Tactacam)
• Knife/Gut Hook and Sharpener
• Tree Stand Saw
• Gloves 
• Extra Rope
• Bow/Gear Hangers
• First Aid Kit
• Water 

Make sure each of these deer hunting gear essentials makes it into your pack so you are ready for fall! Of course you may want to tweak this list a bit depending on the hunt you are on. If you are rifle hunting, you may want to take an extra magazine and a few more rounds. The same can be said for a shotgun. When you are bow hunting or crossbow hunting, you may want to bring one or two more essentials like the extra releases that Nick suggested. No matter where you land on the essentials list, it’s always good to plan ahead, so we hope this list is helpful.