Must-Have Hunting Gear for Your Next Outdoor Adventure

Your local Midwest Arms Collector Gun Show is the best place to upgrade your hunting gear. Whether you’re just getting started in outdoor sports or it’s time to retire some equipment that’s seen better days, our vendors have the hunting supplies you’ve been looking for and some that you didn’t even know you needed. Make sure you have the right equipment for a long stalk or to be more comfortable in your blind with new gear that will help you fill your bag and use your tags.

All Under One Roof

Even if you live close to one of the big sporting goods chain stores, you probably still struggle to find all the hunting gear you’re looking for every season. Overhead is just too high and space is too limited for them to carry everything you need year-round. By bringing hundreds of vendors together under one roof at a comfortable exhibition call, event center, or fairgrounds near you, you’re getting access to a range of guns, hunting supplies, and outdoor accessories that are unbeatable.

The Hunting Gear You Need for This Season and Next

When choosing your hunting gear, start by considering what’s been missing during your field time. Technology changes, techniques evolve, but if you came up empty on a piece of equipment when you needed it most last season, it better be on your shopping list this time around. Here are some of the top hunting items our attendees are looking for every show.

1. New Hunting Guns

We’re a gun show–of course, we have guns, but so do you. That doesn’t mean you have the right firearms for a better hunting experience. Sure, your trusty 12-guage may be able to take you from birds to deer, but that doesn’t mean it’s always the best choice. A shotgun dedicated and specialized for fowl and a good deer rifle will give you more success in their respective seasons.

One gun many hunters fail to consider is a sidearm. Sidearms aren’t for hunting game. They’re defensive weapons to use for close-range protection when your long gun is either out of reach or not suited for the defensive situation. Remember, you aren’t the only predator out there hunting for game. These tactical essentials can help make sure you make it home.

2. Camo Gear

Your gun show is a great place to find the camouflage clothing and equipment you need in the field. Along with traditional patterns like those used in the military, you’ll also find modern, realistic camo offerings that look like they’re printed straight from a forest cam. These patterns help keep you from being seen by prey until you can take your shot. There’s also plenty of orange safety hunting gear for deer hunters who are required to stand out from the background by law to reduce the risk of becoming a misidentified target.

3. Hunting Calls, Baits, Lures, and Decoys

It’s not all about stalking your prey. Sometimes, you want to bring the prey closer to you, which is where these items come into play. Decoys mimic the appearance of a prey animal to make it think an area is safe or has the food and water it’s looking for. Calls mimic the sounds made by creatures in distress or looking for a mating partner to entice targets to approach your hunting spot. You can also use scent-based lures and baits to create a false trail that leads your prey right into your target area. These hunting supplies may have a life expectancy, so check conditions and dates annually.

4. Trail Cams

Trail cams keep an eye on your land or lease when you aren’t around so you can see who is using it and when. This lets you monitor the game population for a prime specimen. It also lets you get an idea of animals’ movement patterns so you can make sure your hunting trip coincides with their movement times and locations. Look for rugged cams that give you the features you need at a price point that works for your hunting gear budget. 

5. GPS Navigation

Modern GPS navigators put full-color electronic navigation in the palm of your hand with real-time satellite location and the ability to call for help in an emergency. By connecting the unit to your computer, you can download new maps, and in some cases, the device can even help you find precise locations for boundaries between private and public lands available for hunting. Make sure you do your research on the system you’re looking for, as some require a subscription after purchase to enjoy their full benefits.

6. Rucks and Bags

With all the gear you need for a successful hunt, you can run out of hands pretty quickly. Rucks let you carry your gear effectively, stowing and securing it to keep noise down as you move. Game bags give you a handy, cleanable way to carry small game back to your truck for cleaning and packaging into the cooler. Don’t forget your gun bag or case to make sure your firearm is protected on the ride to and from your hunting trip.

7. Field Knives

A good blade can be worth its weight in gold when you need it the most. Field knives can help you dress large game, cut through vegetation, open that impossibly tough jerky package while you’re weighting, and just flat-out survive if the going gets really rough on your hunting trip. These unsung heroes of hunting gear are available in a wide range of styles–from specialized blades to jack-of-all-trades utility. We offer one of the biggest knife selections you’ll find gathered all in one place.

Your Next Gun and Hunting Show is Coming Soon

There’s a local show on our gun show calendar coming to a community near you. Packed with vendors and with professional security on site, it’s your family-friendly weekend getaway that keeps the kids occupied while you look at hunting supplies. Get there early for the best hunting gear deals. Order your tickets online to your next MAC Shows Gun Show today.