Must-Have Backcountry Hunting Gear for 2019

by
posted on May 23, 2019
** 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. **
must-havebackcountryhuntinggear2019_lead.jpg

Be it the backcountry or the back 40, this collection of gear is hike-in ready.

Slumberjack Illusion 1-Person Tent
Having a shelter available on your back, boat, ATV, truck or horse can turn an otherwise miserable night in the bush into a strategic slumber that puts you closer to game come sunrise. The Illusion 1 from Slumberjack is waterproof, has taped seams, weighs just 2 pounds, 12 ounces, rolls up small and tight, and comes complete with a rain fly. MSRP: $79.95; slumberjack.com.

Leupold Carbon Fiber Trek Poles
At only 14.5 ounces, these Carbon Fiber Trek Poles provide numerous benefits to the backcountry hunter. Aside from reducing fatigue by increasing stability and balance, trek poles help distribute the weight of a meat-laden pack and straighten your posture while hiking (which in turn helps you hike safer, faster and breathe easier). They can also double as tent poles should a quick tarp shelter be necessary. MSRP: $129.99; leupold.com.

Pelican G40 Personal Utility Go Case
If rocky cliffs and rough country are where you’re headed, you’ll appreciate the extra protection the Pelican Go case provides for your valuables and electronics. Be it a cell phone, GPS, wallet or watch, whatever stays inside will remain dry and free of dust, debris and damage. Submersible up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. MSRP: $39.95; pelican.com.

Striker Flexit Headlamp 2.5
Find your way back to camp with 250 lumens from the Flexit Headlamp 2.5. The main LED spotlight is built on a flexible and foam-padded band that conforms to your head and bends to allow angled positioning of the light. Four side-mounted flood lights provide 180 degrees of illumination. Weather-resistant with five light modes. MSRP: $39.99; strikerconcepts.com.

Wildlife Research Center Scent Killer Gold Field Wipes
Field Wipes don’t weigh much and can be a luxury when a bath isn’t in the near future. Along with the benefits of an underarm cleanse, these field wipes clean hands and knives after a kill, and the anti-odor formula goes a long way to reduce game-spooking human stench. MSRP: $7.99; wildlife.com.

Camp Chef Stryker 200 & 4-Piece Cook Set
The Stryker 200 is a compact, multi-fuel cook stove with matchless ignition and a 1.3-liter insulated pot that can cook rabbit stew or boil water in about two minutes. Add the 4-Piece Cook Set (pot, pan, lid, mesh carry-bag) and the Pot Support Adapter, and you’ll be cooking up five-star field-meals for the entire crew. MSRP: Stryker 200, $124.99; Cook Set, $59.99; Pot Adapter, $29.99; campchef.com.

Latest

W H2026 04 F Hog Texas Graves 425888
W H2026 04 F Hog Texas Graves 425888

Texas, Hogs and Thermals

Follow along as Brian McCombie indulges in his favorite trio: Texas, hogs and thermals.

New for 2026: Real Avid AR-15/AR-10 Master Collections

Real Avid has taken its AR-15 and AR-10 tooling and maintenance products and bundled them into anew Master Collections series, providing AR-platform fans with one-stop solutions to meet their specific AR needs.

Turkey Decoys All Season Long

Opening day of turkey season was rainy and cold. However, thanks to scouting and trail cameras, Scott Haugen had a plan. Matter of fact, from the first day to the last, Scott has a way to set the decoys to bring the birds in. Curious? Read on for some great strategies.

New for 2026: Hornady .223 WSSM and .243 WSSM Superformance Varmint

Hornady has announced the availability of .223 WSSM 55-grain V-Max and .243 WSSM 75-grain V-Max loads in the Superformance Varmint line.

#SundayGunday: Benelli M4 EXT

On this week's #SundayGunday, we’re checking out a true stalwart of the firearms world, the Benelli M4. Long held in high regard by concerned citizens looking for a pedigreed self-defense shotgun, quite a few have been plugged to reduce capacity, and used in the turkey woods over the years, as a true multi-purpose scattergun. Why? Well, as it turns out, there is very little that separates a good defensive shotgun from a good turkey gun. Learn more about it in this exclusive video.

Roundup: Turkey Guns & Gear

Check out our roundup of the best new turkey guns and gear in 2026.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.