Gear I Cannot Live Without

By Dennis Kamstra

Like most bowhunters, I have collected a lot of gear in my hunting career. Some of it was used only once, then stored or discarded. But some have withstood the test of time. I would like to list the “keepers” as it may assist readers with all the choices available.

Swiss Army Knife. I prefer the big one (green in color) with a 3.5-inch main blade (serrated), a 4-inch saw blade, can opener, screw driver, and corkscrew. Not a lot of fancy extras, but the basics needed for serious work. The saw blade is particularly useful when splitting a carcass or cutting limbs. The main blade is big enough for any butchering. I have tied an 18-inch para-cord to it as well. You would be surprised how many knives are lost or left behind after field dressing game. I simply tie the other end to my belt when butchering.

Predator Call. I prefer the diaphragm call because it is small and can fit anywhere. I use it to signal hunting partners as well as calming spooked game animals. A soft squeak is a natural sound in the woods and it will intrigue game as well as stop them in their tracks (allowing a standing shot).