What's in Your Blind Bag?

by
posted on September 10, 2012
** 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. **
dogs_ah2015_fs.jpg (24)

An all-important question was posed a couple days ago over on the Final Approach Facebook page: Besides shotgun shells, what do you feel is the most important piece of equipment in your blind bag? Here are some of my favorite answers:

• Calls
• Thermos (Presumably filled with extra black "duck hunting" coffee)
• A hot chick (How big is this guy's duffle? Or rather, how small is his "chick?")
• Toilet paper (Been there, needed that, and it's also a good fire starter)
• Multitool (With duck hunting, you just never know—it pays to have a versatile tool for broken-down outboards and other emergencies)
• Sausage and egg biscuit
• Camera
• Head lamp
• Shotgun Bore Snake (Sure beats unplugging a muddy barrel with a long stick—not that I would ever do that, of course)
• Aspirin (For that post-miss headache?)
• Wader patches (When you need 'em, you really need 'em)
• Spare gun plug (You may have yours, but what about your buddy's new brother in-law?)

All things considered, I was impressed by the comprehensiveness of this list. There are but a few items I'd add to it:

• Extra dog whistle
• Change of gloves/socks
• Small butane stove (I'll see your sausage and egg biscuit and raise you a hot bacon omelette)
• Canine first aid kit
• GPS
• Lighter
• Hot Hands
• Choke tube tool
• Oh, and uh, shotgun shells

So what's in your blind bag?

Latest

Olmsted Shooting BAR MK4 Hunter 2
Olmsted Shooting BAR MK4 Hunter 2

New for 2026: Browning BAR MK 4 Hunter

One of America's favorite semi-automatic hunting rifles is back, in the Browning BAR MK 4. In this video, American Hunter Editor in Chief Scott Olmsted checks out the Hunter model, with a beautiful walnut stock, and aluminum alloy receiver.

New for 2026: Remington 7mm Backcountry Offerings

The 7mm BackCountry came to light last year this time, utilizing a Peak Alloy steel case to raise the pressure limits from the traditional 65,000 psi all the way up to 80,000 psi. For 2026, Remington has joined the party with three offerings for the 7BC: Core-Lokt, Core-Lokt Tipped, and Speer Impact.

Landmark Cougar Reproduction Confirmed in Michigan

Late last month, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) verified a Dec. 6 photo of an adult cougar being followed by two kittens down a snowy trail in central Ontonagon County. The last time the kittens were documented—in early March 2025—they were only about two months old and alone, raising concerns about their survival.

Report: Private Landowner Investments in Conservation Hits Staggering Number

Private lands play a central role in the well-being of people and wildlife throughout the West, but the economic pressure increases each year. A new, groundbreaking report sheds light on the efforts and investments landowners continue to make, despite that challenge, to conserve and steward remaining intact lands and natural resources.

White Label Armory Launches Full Suppressor Lineup

White Label Armory, a manufacturing and supply subsidiary of VKTR Industries, is launching a new budget friendly, duty-capable suppressor line available to dealers exclusively through Sports South.

New for 2026: CVA Scout Spur 28-Gauge

CVA has unveiled its new Scout Spur in 28-gauge with fresh patterns. The Scout Spur is lightweight, handy and now in .28-gauge gives hunters more options in the field.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.