Choosing the right bowhunting gear can make or break your season. Each year, I test dozens of new hunting products—but I always stick with gear proven to perform. In this post, you’ll get a complete look at everything I’m personally using this bowhunting season, whether I’m saddle hunting in Pennsylvania’s rugged mountains, hanging tree stands in Ohio, or ground hunting in Delaware and Maryland.
As a mobile hunter who values adaptability, I’ve carefully chosen equipment that helps me move efficiently, stay quiet, and remain comfortable in all conditions. From bows and arrows to my favorite hunting clothing and essential accessories, you’ll see exactly what gear I trust—and why it earned a spot in my pack this season.
Bow Hunting Gear I Carry
The following list is the gear I carry into the woods and have on me. This is the system I use primarily for most hunts. I will cover my alternate bow hunting systems after this.
Compound Bow
I’m using a new compound bow this year. I bought the Mathews Lift 29.5 inch and have not been really happy with it. It isn’t as quiet as I would like, and there is no valley. It is all back wall with this bow. I will probably be using a different bow next year.
- 2025 PSE Decree – See it here
- Apex Covert Pro Sight – See it here
- Sunya Expedition Hunter Pro Stabilizer – See it here
- Hamskea Everest Drop Away Arrow Rest – See it here
- Conquest Talon Arrow Quiver – See it here
- Mystery Ranch Bow Case – See it here
Arrows and Broadheads
I am using a different arrow setup this year after focusing on optimizing the weight of my arrows for 30 yards or less. I bought these pre-fletched since they come with a 3-degree right-helical setup already, and they come spine-aligned too. I had them cut to my draw length and added a 95-grain Victory insert (half-out). I am testing these new arrows along with a new 150-grain single-bevel fixed blade broadhead.
- Victory VAP TKO Elite Arrows (350 spine), 505 grains (includes broadhead), 3 vane -Right Helical fletching – See them here
- Trifecta 150-grain “Stealth Bomber” Fixed Blade Broadheads – See them here
Need gear recommendations? See my Top Bowhunting Gear Recommendations for 2025!
Saddle Hunting Setup
I used the Cruzr XC Saddle in 2023 and it worked well, but jumped at the opportunity to test a new saddle last year. It did well for me, too. No complaints. I’ve become a huge fan of Latitude Outdoors, and I think it shows in the list below.
Here is my saddle hunting gear list:
- Latitude Outdoors Maverick Saddle – See it here
- Latitude Outdoors Profile Platform – See it here
- Tethrd 11mm Lineman’s Rope with Carabiner – See it here
- Tethrd 11mm Tether with Carabiner – See it here
- 2 – Ropeman 1 Ascenders (instead of Prusiks for managing rope length/safety) – See them here
- G3D Platform Hanger – See it here
- 2 – G3D Climbing Stick Adaptive Hangers – See it here
- 2 – Magazine Drop Pouches (for ropes) – See them here
- Latitude Outdoors Tree Gear Strap – See it Here
- Latitude Outdoors Bow Hanger (for Gear Strap above) – See it here
- 1 – Heroclip – See it here
What I Carry on Me
An essential part of my bow-hunting gear list is what I carry with me. For morning or evening hunts, I always have my red light-capable headlamp. I don’t like walking to my hunting spot using white light as it is easy to detect from large distances. I always keep my release on me, too. I use a 4-finger style thumb release and it fits neatly into my pocket.
I always have my Leatherman on my hip and my compass in one of my pants pockets.
The most essential piece of gear I carry with me is my milkweed pouch. I test the wind multiple times as I move to my tree stand location to ensure I have the right wind for the hunt. I can’t live without it.
Here is the list of what I carry with me when bow hunting:
- Princeton Tec Vizz 550 RGB – See it here (Great Red, Green Blue Light with 550 Lumens of brightness)
- Motorola FRS Talkabout Radios – See it here
- Trufire 4-finger Thumb Release – See it here
- Sighting Compass with Mirror – See it here
- Leatherman Wave – See it here
- Butterfly Effect Milkweed Pouch w/Milkweed – See it here
The Binoculars I Carry
- Vortex Vanquish 10×26 Binoculars – See it here
- Or
- Vortex Crossfire HD 10×42 Binoculars – See it here
- Rick Young Outdoors Ultralight Binocular Harness – See it here
What I Am Carrying in My Backpack
I am switching packs this year to test a new one, so the Trophyline Palisade Pack in the picture isn’t going to be used at the start, but I could always go back to it if needed. I really like that pack for saddle hunting, but wanted to test a metal frame pack this year. I am still using my old, reliable Tethrd Skeletor Climbing Sticks.
You can see that I have a Havalon knife and another gut hook knife to gut a deer and I have my deer drag harness too. I have my deer calls and rangefinder in my pack, although sometimes I carry the rangefinder with me instead. You can see the list of items I keep in the backpack below.
This is what I carry in my backpack when bow hunting:
- Eberlestock X2 Pack – See it here
- Evolution Mobile Hunter 1100 Pack – See it Here (I will be testing this pack this year)
- 4 – Tethrd Skeletor Climbing Sticks – See them here
- Custom Gear Modifications 2-Step Aider – See it here
- Deer Drag Rope (Harness) – See it here
- Deer Dressing Gloves – See them here
- Havalon Knife (Gutting) – See it here
- Woodhaven The Intimidator Grunt Tube and Snort Wheeze Call – See it here
- Primos Bleat Can – See it here
- Gear Light S1200 Flashlight – See it here
- Bushnell Bone Collector 1800 Rangefinder – See it here
- Nite Ize Gear Ties – See it here
- Hunting License and Tags w/Pen and Zip Ties (for Tagging Deer in the Ear)
- Allen Wrench Set (bow maintenance) – See it here
- Ben’s Insect Shield Mosquito Head Net (early season if needed) – See it here
- Fluorescent Orange Marking Tape (for blood trail marking) – See it here
- Hawk JAW EZ-Hoist (Bow) Rope – See it here
- Phase Scent Elimination Foam – See it here
Scent Control Tools
I tested this setup in 2023 and 2024, and will continue to do limited testing in the field with it this year. But, I will use the heck out of the Micro3 and Draw Wash setup to eliminate scent from my clothes.
- Ozonics HR500 with Mount and Tree Strap – See it here
- Ozonics Dry Wash Bag – See it here
- Ozonics Micro 3 – See it here
- PhaZe Scent Control System – See it Here (Great Buy!)
My Bow Hunting Hang N’ Hunt Setup
This is the same setup as I used in 2023. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
The My Bow Buddy Bow Holder is one of the best new items I purchased this year. It is so easy to use and allows me to get my bow ready quickly with minimal movement while seated or standing. With this setup, I have to use my Hunter Safety Systems Safety Harness as opposed to my saddle.
This is my hang-and-hunt mobile bow hunting setup:
- Novix Helo Tree Stand – See it here
- Novix Easy Hang Hook and Strap – See it here
- 4 – Novix 32-inch Single Step Climbing Sticks – See them here
- My Bow Buddy Hi-Profile Hang-On Buddy Hunting Bow Holder – See it here
- Hunter Safety Systems Tree Safety Harness – See it here
- Muddy Lineman’s Rope – See it here
My Ground Hunting Setup
I am definitely not a ground hunter, but it is something I want to do more of. This year I have the gear to run a couple of different configurations. My son is going to use a lot of this stuff this year. He is not ready for tree stand hunting yet.
- Millennium Tree Seat – See it here (Just bought this August 2024 and love it)
- Cabelas EZE Blind XL (38″ x 144″) – See it here
- First Lite Leaf top – See it here
- First Lite Leaf Mask – See it here
- Tidewe See Through Blind – See it here
Conclusion
That’s my complete 2025 Bow Hunting Gear List Breakdown! I’ve carefully tested every item listed here, and it’s exactly what I’m carrying into the field this season. If you have questions about specific gear, think I’ve missed something great, or have suggestions you’d like me to test, feel free to message me via the Contact page here on the site or connect with me on YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram (See links in the footer below).
I hope this detailed breakdown helps you fine-tune your own gear and tackle any issues ahead of the hunting season. Stay adaptable, hunt smart, and good luck out there!
