
Hunting for gifts for hunters? Set your sights on some of our favorite hunting gifts and gear from 2020.
If you’re anything like me, shopping for hunting gifts is both exciting and daunting. You want to surprise, but in a good way. And you want to be generous but within your means.
The hunting gifts on this list have passed the GearJunkie test, whether for superior quality, affordability, or, in a few cases, high-end luxury. And like a good hunting dog working a field trial, they’ve passed with flying colors.
Gifts for Hunters
Genesis Archery Bow
The brand’s namesake bow helps beginners with a universal draw length and what Genesis calls a “zero let-off” design. Those features, and more, help budding archers avoid some snags and make archery more enjoyable so they stick with it.
Include the whole family with these codes through the end of the year: Buy one get one 50% off with GEARBUDDY, or buy three get one free with GEARFAMILY. Discounts apply to bows of equal or lesser value.
Sponsored by Genesis ArcherySitka Fanatic Hoody
Sitka has added lifestyle options to its apparel line, including this versatile hoodie. A body-mapped grid and microgram fleece work together to regulate body temp and keep you comfortable.
Flipover mitts and a built-in breathable mesh facemask make it great for long winter days. It’s a great layer and comes in your hunting fanatic’s choice of solid or camo coloring.
Mission Crossbows Sub-1 XR
Mission boasts of the Sub-1 XR’s ability to shoot tight groups quietly. The stock can be adjusted for six pull lengths, and there’s more than an inch of adjustment in the comb. There’s also a pistol grip, and it can be de-cocked by pushing a button. With a match-grade trigger, synced cams, and Mission’s innovative Benchmark Fire Control technology that’s made to safely de-cock with the push of a button, you’ll be ready for whatever hunt lies ahead.
Sponsored by Mission CrossbowsOCOOPA Pocket Hand Warmer/Power Bank
Ain’t no one got time for cold hands in the field. And hands are pretty darned necessary. I love that this particular handwarmer is a power bank for your phone in the field and keeps your hands toasty, your trigger finger at the ready.
And its rechargeable capability makes it the perfect companion for hunting, backpacking, skiing, outdoor events, and camping alike.
If you’re feeling generous, buy two and keep both hands of your favorite hunter warm and at the ready in the field.
Farm to Feet Ely Socks
Farm to Feet socks are a favorite of all the socks I own, and the Ely midweight hunting socks are the perfect stocking stuffer for hunters that head out into colder weather.
Made of a merino wool blend, the sock is mapped to protect vulnerable areas of the foot. Weirdly, this mapping works. A flat seam in the toebox prevents rubs and annoyances, and they can go for days in the field without needing a wash.
Plus, these babies are entirely made in the U.S., making the Elys a feel-good gift in more than just footsie ways.
Patagonia All-Seasons Hemp Canvas Apron
Processing animals is a job that often destroys clothes and creates a certain type of laundry. A quality apron can cut down on the mess, and it gives a certain sense of hardworking elegance to the event.
This shop apron from Patagonia’s Workwear Line is a hefty beast. It’s thick, adjustable at the neck, has pockets, and can withstand everything from the barbecue to the woodshop.
And it’s not too much of a wallet-buster. Heck, it’ll save cash on ruined clothes down the line. Plus, it’s certified sustainable for the environmentally minded hunter in your clan.
Sitka Gear Ballistic Vest
After hunting for years in flimsy $5 vests I’d buy at the local gas station, I’ve come to appreciate the Sitka Gear Ballistics Vest as one of the most underrated pieces of gear I own.
Padded shoulders aid in comfortable and accurate shots. I use the ample pockets for everything from snacks to my phone to extra ammo. The vest is DWR-treated and performs as a working layer of both visibility and protection from the elements.
I’m not sure most hunters would think to ask for this awesome upgrade, but man is it worth it.
The MeatEater Guide to Wilderness Skills and Survival
Slated to release on Dec. 1, you can preorder the newest guidebook from Steven Rinella and the MeatEater crew. And this one can educate your loved ones on how to stay safer in the field.
The book features no-nonsense, down-to-earth advice for everything from purifying water to wilderness navigation to potentially lifesaving first aid.
Drawing from both experts and Rinella’s personal experience, this book is a fun hunting gift to add to the shelf for backcountry enthusiasts and hunters alike.
Filson 3-Layer Field Jacket
When it comes to power shells, this is the one I want in my closet. After nearly 3 years of use, mine looks as good as new. As Filson tends to do, this coat mixes class with tech that works. And luckily, it’s made for both women and men who go hard in the field.
It provides protection from rain, and the pockets are ample, as it’s designed specifically for upland bird hunting. Fleece lining at the neck and pockets add both comfort and warmth. If you’ve got the budget, this is simply a helluva gift that will last for years to come.
CHAMA Pursuit Chair
If your loved one hunts in a blind, tailgates like a champ, or simply destroys chairs with the regularity of a professional wrestler, the CHAMA Pursuit Chair is the indestructible upgrade they’ve been waiting for.
At 8 pounds, it’s not too heavy to haul for a reasonable distance, and the durable makeup ensures that this chair can last into the next generation. It comes with a travel bag that is also wildly durable and easy to schlep.
It can take a few minutes to work out the setup, but adjustable heights and a weight limit of 300 pounds can accommodate almost anybody. We recommend buying the attachable cupholder as well, perhaps as a supporting hunting gift from the kids or the family dog.
Solo Stove Campfire Gear Kit
This is one of my favorite additions to my hunting kit this year. With an uptick of wildfires, I wanted a controlled option that I could also easily use for culinary moments in camp.
The wide array of sizes from Solo Stove can give this sort of control for something as small as its Solo Stove Lite up to a huge fire pit for the socially distanced backyard gathering. Me? I was looking for the in-betweener — the Campfire Gear Kit fulfills all the needs of my hunting life.
It’s portable, light, and requires nothing but sticks and small pieces of wood for energy. A Solo Stove is a smart buy for the long haul, and this particular size is an excellent gift for any hunter on the move.
Duck Camp Vantage 3L Softshell Jacket
Level up this hunting season with Duck Camp’s four-way-stretch Vantage Jacket. Constructed with three layers and with DWR treatment, this jacket is ready for inclement weather no matter what type of game you’re chasing. Water repellency, breathability, and hunt-minded features make this jacket a great option for all of your hunting pursuits.
Gerber x Randy Newberg DTS Knife
For kids who are earning their first knife in the field or folks getting started out as hunters, this knife is a burly starting point with a smart design. Longtime hunter and personality Randy Newberg partnered with Gerber to make both the DTS and the EBS, the latter being a removable-blade option.
This knife is an affordable win, with a 440C main steel blade and a smaller, serrated blade for navigating tendons and joints. Our editor likes how the DTS feels in hand and hopes to test it on wild game this season.
YETI Hopper Flip 18
Step aside, hard coolers. This is the cooler I grab the most over the course of the year. The Hopper Flip 18 is simply the perfect cooler companion. Period.
Whether your favorite hunter is packing a family lunch, stashing keepers on an ice fishing trip, or grabbing a 12er to share with hunting companions, this little YETI is easily portable. And it takes up much less space than traditional hard coolers.
Plus, if you’re gifting it to a member in your direct household, you probably get borrow privileges. Win-win.
onX Hunt App
The onX Hunt app provides valuable information to hunters for over 985 million acres of public land and more than 121 million private properties. Outdoor enthusiasts are able to use their mobile phones as a GPS, track their movements, and delve through different topo maps with layers for hunting, fishing, and more.
With the recent launch of onX Hunt’s 3D Basemap for iOS, planning and scouting have become even more immersive. This has been my go-to for more than 5 years of hunting, camping, and traveling. Buy a single state or get the Elite 50-State Membership. Both are good for a year.