• It's important to remember essential gear when going deer hunting.whitetail buck image by Bruce MacQueen from Fotolia.com
  
  Deer hunting can be as simple as walking into the timber with a weapon and camouflage clothing, or as complex as toting a 40-pound backpack filled with gear. Whichever way you choose, it's important to stay organized and remember essential items.
  
  

Weapon

• The most important piece of equipment for a deer hunt is the weapon. Most states have various seasons that allow you to use archery equipment, muzzle loaders, crossbows or firearms. Along with the weapon, your gear list must contain (depending on the weapon) arrows, bolts, broad heads or bullets. You can also pack a case to keep your weapon safe and secure while travelling to the hunting area. Make sure your weapon and accessories meet the minimum regulations for the state in which you're hunting.
  
  

Clothing

• Deer hunting seasons start in early fall and extend into the winter. With the changing of the seasons, your clothing can change based on the weather. The early archery seasons in August and September require lightweight, breathable clothing, while late-season hunts in December and January require insulated coats and bibs. You can also change your clothing based on your hunting method. For example, if you're going to be hunting from a tree stand or ground blind, you can wear insulated clothing, while spot-and-stalk or active hunting requires lightweight clothing. If rain is expected, you can put a set of rain gear in your backpack. Most states require at least one fluorescent orange garment, including a vest or hat, while hunting during a firearms season.
  
  

Scent Control

• Deer have a keen sense of smell, so you should bring along scent-control items. Scent-control products have a process that must be followed to maximize scent elimination. Start with laundry detergent to remove human odor from your clothing, and shower with scent-elimination soap and shampoo to remove odors from your skin and hair. After you're at the hunting location, you can use a scent-elimination spray on your weapon and other gear. Cover scent can also be used to mask human odor and can include animal urine or natural scents such as sage, apple or acorn.
  
  

Accessories

• You can add accessories based on personal preference, hunt duration and location. Always remember safety items such as a basic first aid kit, flashlight and compass, and a safety harness if you're hunting in a tree stand. In cold weather, pack hand warmers and an emergency sleeping bag. Optics, including a range finder, binoculars and a spotting scope, can help to locate deer. After shooting a deer, you'll need a sharp knife for field dressing. You can pack all of the accessories in a fanny pack or backpack.