Must-Have Deer Gear for 2018

by
posted on October 1, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
deergear2018_lead.jpg

Want to know what deer gear you should consider before hitting the woods this fall? Here’s are some of our favorite new innovative products.

Big & J Long Range Deer Attractants
Like trail mix for deer, the combination of protein, fat and fiber in BB2 Granular provides one of the highest levels of total digestible nutrition available in a premium deer attractant and promotes antler growth. Deadly Dust is a sweet corn attractant that can be used alone or with existing field corn. Its aroma and high sugar content create a bait pile few deer can resist. Use either of these attractants before the season starts to establish travel patterns, bring bucks to game cameras and keep deer on your property. Use them during the season to bring deer to your stand. Available in 5- to 40-pound bags. MSRP: $12.99- $34.99; bigandj.com.

Wildlife Research Center Aerosol Spray Cans
Now you can utilize the deer-attracting power of Wildlife Research Center’s supercharged premium scents in a 3-ounce aerosol spray can. Bag-on-valve system ensures the pure scent inside is not diluted with propellant. Spray scent on trees, bushes, over scrapes and anywhere else you want to lure that cagey whitetail. The can even sprays upside down. Available in Supercharged Golden Estrus and Golden Doe. Here’s a convenient no-spill system that lets you put the scent deer love where you want it. MSRP: $15.99; wildlife.com.

Primos Fightin’ Horns
If you want to avoid turning last year’s big 9 into a field tool, the Fightin’ Horns from Primos Hunting are the next best thing to a set of real antlers. Dense enough to sound like clashing bone, but light enough that you’ll actually carry them, these “antlers” feature eight noise-making points and extended bases for handholds that won’t get tined. Realistic design creates realistic sounds—go figure. MSRP: $22.95; primos.com.

CuddeLink Long Range IR Game Camera
CuddeLink technology allows you to link up to 16 cameras wirelessly over miles of terrain. Once linked, each camera sends its images back to a single “home camera,” allowing you to view images captured across your property from a single camera. A camera-to-camera range of 1/4 mile in the woods and up to 2 miles in open country allows you to daisy-chain your cameras to cover up to 32 miles! Remote access is possible, too, via an Internet connection or cellular plan. Features ¼-second trigger speed; 100-foot flash range; 20MP images; video, time lapse and burst modes. Compatible with SD and SDHC cards up to 32GB. MSRP: $250/camera; cuddeback.com.

Flextone Extractor 4-n-1 Deer Call
The Extractor is a freeze-proof, do-it-all call. Use the sliding tone board to mimic sounds from a dominant buck, including the snort-wheeze, a hot doe and a fawn. Rubberized chamber mimics a deer’s soft vocal box, and flexible body can be used to manipulate the tone and depth. Want to start a fight? Slide the tone board to the front and grunt like a young buck. Not doing the trick? Slide the tone board back to make that buck believe romance is imminent. MSRP: $24.99; flextonegamecalls.com.

Scent Blaster
With Scent Blaster, you can be confident that scent is being spread continuously, regardless of the wind. Simply fill the detachable, 2-ounce reservoir with the scent of your choosing, lock it onto the body housing, dip a wick and turn it on. Your wick stays wet for the entirety of your hunt while the fan disperses scent up to 15 times farther than traditional wicks. Additional scent reservoirs sold separately. MSRP: $46.98/starter kit; scentblaster.net.

Latest

LEDE Chest Pack Hoodie Pants
LEDE Chest Pack Hoodie Pants

First Look: Blocker Outdoors Finisher Series

Blocker Outdoors' Finisher Series is a one stop shop for turkey hunters looking to streamline their clothing and gear in the field. Read on for some of the top pieces in this lineup, designed to keep hunters cool and comfortable, while maintaining easy access to essentials.

Know How: Shed Hunting Hellholes

Mark Kayser's fascination with shed antler hellholes kicked off and continues today in whitetail country. Not satisfied with the occasional shed antler found in stubble fields, hay grounds and open pastures, he turned his attention to the thickest, steepest and nastiest geography in the whitetail woods. Here’s why you should consider putting on your big boy pants for a deep dive into the extremes for shed antler rewards.

New for 2026: Federal X Henry Birthday Boy Collector's Edition Ammo

For 2026, Federal Ammunition has partnered with Henry Repeating Arms to produce a collector's series ammunition. This limited-edition load was developed for Henry's commemorative .45-70 Government Golden Boy lever-action rifle, touted as the Birthday Boy.

New for 2026: Badlands Mag Turkey Vest

Badlands has released its Mag Turkey Vest, purpose-built for run-and-gun turkey hunters.

#SundayGunday: Spartan Vidarr Disc-Lok Bipod

On this week's #SundayGunday, we’re checking out a new entry from Spartan Precision Equipment that heralds a whole new line of gear from the innovative brand. The Vidarr bipod utilizes a brand new attachment system called Disc-Lok. Why create a whole new system, you ask? Well, if Spartan's MagnaSwitch is the ultralight QD system for hunters looking to travel light, the Disc-Lok adds a few more ounces in pursuit of extreme stability. Learn more about it in this exclusive video.

Public Opportunity on Private Land: Walk-in Access Programs

State game managers have come up with an array of walk-in access programs for private lands. These state-led initiatives partner with willing landowners to open thousands—sometimes millions—of acres of land to the public at little or no extra cost. Read on for some of the best options in the country.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.