The Best Hunting Accessories of 2024
This article originally appeared on Outside
For 2024, we saw an uptick in the release of hunting packs and organization systems. But a few out-of-the-box items, also caught our attention (hello trekking poles that double as shooting sticks). The below nine items represent the best of the best hunting accessories for the year.
The Winners at a Glance
Argali Carbon X Trekking Poles
Benchmade Raghorn 15600-01 Knife
Kuiu Pro 3600 Pack
Kuiu Stalker Pro 500
Montana Knife Company The Speedgoat Fixed Blade
Moultrie Mobile Edge Cellular Trail Camera
Vortex Razor HD 4000 GB Ballistic Laser Rangefinder
Vortex Mountain Pass Aluminum Tripod with Pan Head
Yeti LoadOut GoBox 15
The Reviews: The Best Hunting Accessories of 2024
Argali Carbon X Trekking Poles, QuickShot Adapter and X3 Trekking Pole Adapter ($174, $19, $20)
Dimensions: 15 oz, 25.5-55 in (collapse to max height)
Pros:
Trekking poles can be used as a shooting stick in lieu of a tripod with adapters (sold separately)
Lightweight
Rubber foot caps allow stealth
Cons:
Although easy to install, the adapters take time to screw in.
These multi-purpose trekking poles delivered on every one of the brand's promises: they're sturdy, lightweight, and can be paired with hunting-ready adapters (sold separately) that actually work. The Carbon X allowed us to leave the tripod and shooting sticks at home becausethe QuickShot and X3 adapters were easy to screw in and did a nice job of steadying a rifle, camera, spotting scope, and rangefinder on rugged terrrain. The poles themselves performed well over steep, slick canyonlands. SnapLock telescoping shafts did not collapse during strenuous climbs, and the foam grips were comfortable after hours of gripping them. During a stalk, rubber foot caps kept us quiet and stealthy near rocks. You get what you pay for with these poles, and then some. A few dings: Tester Angie Kokes would have liked to see a snap-in option for the Quicketshot and X3 attachments, and though both are easy to use, they did take some precious time to screw in.
Bottom line: These trekking poles could be used for a variety of hunting or hiking situations where the terrain is uneven and you need extra support.
Benchmade Raghorn 15600OR ($420)
Weight: 3.56 oz (knife weight), 1.06 oz (sheath weight)
Dimensions: 4 in (blade length), 8.9 in (total length)
Pros:
Lightweight big game hunting knife
Comfortable handle
Hi-vis orange blade
Cons:
Price
The Raghorn made quick work of the white-tailed deer we tested it on because it was also built for field dressing even larger animals such as elk, caribou, and moose. The Raghorn is lightweight, yet feels substantial enough in hand to tackle skinning and quartering large game. The steel blade works around cartilage, large muscle and bone with ease and performs well where a smaller, thinner blade would fail. Benchmade knives are known for edge retention, and the story is no different with the Raghorn. We like the hi-visibility orange blade, which makes it easy to spot when the sun went down. The carbon fiber handle was pleasant to grip thanks to its size, ergonomic shape, and stippling along the back edge of the blade, sides of the blade (in front of the handle), and throughout the blade's tang, alleviating fatigue after long use. Jimping along the spine also provided a secure grip when we skinned and boned out meat.
Bottom line: The Raghorn is best for field dressing larger game animals. Its weight makes it suitable for the backcountry hunter.
Kuiu Pro 3600 Pack with Women's Pro Suspension & Frame (Women’s Pro Suspension: $199, 3600 Pro Bag: $205, Carbon Fiber Frame: $199)
Weight: 4 lbs, 8.2 oz (women's)
Pros:
Comfortable and balanced
Moisture-wicking in the back and strap areas
Buckles did not break in extreme cold temperatures
Female-specific suspension and frame available
Cons:
Pricey
Once we got past the overwhelming amount of straps and time it takes to put together this pack, we appreciated how much thought was put into creating a comfortable system that could handle heavy loads of game meat (one tester said she could easily pack 70 pounds of meat). Full adjustability in the shoulder, lumbar and waist areas with straps offered a bespoke fit and made the pack feel stable and balanced. Dual-density foam offered relief in high-pressure areas even when the pack was loaded to the max, and mesh in close contact areas, like the shoulders, upper back panel, lumbar and hip belt, alleviated sweat. Tester Angie Kokes said that the price is worth it, given how easy on her body it was for treks in and out of the backcountry. Plus, this pack system was built to take a beating--the bag and suspension are made of 500D Cordura ripstop fabric, the frame is carbon fiber, and the Duraflex buckles didn't shatter in the coldest of Midwestern weather.
Bottom line: The Pro 3600 is best suited for big game pack hunts deep in the backcountry.
Kuiu Stalker Pro 500 ($69)
Weight: 8.8 oz
Dimensions: 500 cubic in
Volume: 8.2 L
Pros:
Minimalistic, yet comfortable when loaded
Straps and back panel provide breathability
Waist straps are removable
Cons:
Hydration bladder (sold separately) broke at first use
The Stalker is a combination of a hydration pack and storage system. The daypack is so light (8.8 ounces) and unobtrusive that we didn't see any reason not to bring it on every day hunt, which we just about did: deer, turkey, rabbit, waterfowl, and upland. Although the shoulder, chest, and removable waist straps are minimalist--making the Stalker packable when not in use--they are wide, flexible and breathable, which provided all-day comfort even when fully loaded with 3 liters of gear on a weeklong spot-and-stalk hunt for deer in the Nebraska National Forest at Halsey. Breathability on our backs was excellent thanks to the mesh back panels. Note: We suggest outfitting the pack with another trusted bladder instead of the Platypus 3L Hoser reservoir that's sold separately on KUIU's website, since it leaked while we were filling up the reservoir for the first time.
Bottom line: The Stalker Pro 500 would be useful to anyone who spends time walking or hiking outdoors.
Montana Knife Company The Speedgoat Fixed Blade ($225)
Weight: 1.7 oz
Dimensions: 7 3/4 in (overall length), 3 3/4 in (blade length)
Pros:
Comfortable handle
Handles all field dressing tasks from start to finish
Handle is wrapped in 7 feet of paracord
Edge retention
Cons:
Blade edge is not corrosion resistant
If you're looking to shave a few ounces, the Speedgoat is a solid choice. In fact, it held its edge long enough that we'd consider leaving other knives back at camp. At just 1.7 ounces, this minimalist knife could handle the job for several knives, from field dressing, to quartering, to caping, to deboning. Tester Kevin Paul said: "I was able to field dress, quarter and debone an entire large white-tailed deer before any dulling was noticed. The quality and performance Montana Knife Company was able to deliver without using an exotic steel is challenging my views on blade steels." The paracord-wrapped handle not only offered good grip, it also provided additional utility--7 feet worth. Handles on other ultralight knives we tested tended to be too thin, which made our hands cramp up and thus encourage accidents. One ding: we noticed that the blade edge would develop rust spots if left to air dry, though it was easy to towel it off instead.
Bottom line: The Speedgoat is an excellent all-around option for big game hunters who are concerned about pack weight.
Moultrie Mobile Edge Cellular Trail Camera ($100 not including subscription)
Dimensions: 5.39 x 4.0 x 3.54 in
Pros:
Good photo and video quality day and night
Reliable reception
Built-in memory that is self-managing
Durable housing
App worked flawlessly
Cons:
Subscription cloud-service required
Not all big game hunters will need or want a trail cam, but if you're in the market for one, the Edge solves a couple of annoyances that users generally gripe about: poor reception and SD card formatting issues. Tester Kevin Paul purposely set up the camera in a rural location with spotty cell phone reception, and with the monthly subscription, cloud storage flawlessly delivered images and videos straight to the Moultrie Mobile app on his phone, which performed without a hitch. The image quality (33MP pictures and HD 720p video) was clear both day and night, and with automatic built-in memory management, there was no need to physically return to the camera to retrieve and replace full SD cards, which is especially useful if your hunting ground is located hours away. "The Edge was simple and straightforward to set up and use. My friends use other trail cams, and universally, they've all had some degree of frustration. This camera has been nothing but pleasant," said Paul. If you'll be using it enough to justify the recurring cost of a subscription and find cloud storage useful, the Edge is a great value.
Bottom line: This trail camera is best for tracking deer or other large game.
Vortex Razor HD 4000 GB Ballistic Laser Rangefinder ($1,200)
Weight: 10.1 oz
Dimensions: 4.4 x 3.2 x 1.7 in
Pros:
7X magnification for readings out to 4,000 yards
Easy to use once you figure out how to enter data
Built-in environmental sensors can measure temperature, pressure, and humidity
Scratch-resistant coating is comfortable to hold.
Cons:
Learning curve
This Razor HD 4000 GB was made for and by people who understand all the aspects of long-range shooting. Vortex has taken a complicated, mathematical process and condensed it into a piece of gear to help eliminate human error when hunting animals at long distances. The range finder offers 7X magnification for readings out to 4,000 yards, and among its four target modes (Noral Mode, First Mode, Last Mode, and Extended Laser Range Mode), the Extended Laser Range Mode performed the best of any range finder we've used, especially when mounted on a tripod, which Vortex recommends. One tester has struggled to zero in on her subject with other range finders, but not with this one. The range finder can hold three different rifle and ammunition profiles and comes preprogrammed with the ballistic profiles of these common calibers: .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .223/5.56. We could spend years learning all of its bells and whistles, but a few other notable qualities include five brightness settings, temperature and air pressure readings, and auto-shutoff programming.
Bottom line: The Razor HD 4000 GB is specifically made for long-range hunters.
Vortex Mountain Pass Aluminum Tripod with Pan Head ($225)
Weight: 3.1 lbs
Dimensions: 9"- 56″ (min. to max height), 19″ x 4″ (folded dimensions)
Pros:
Lightweight
Stable and smooth panning head
Quick-release plate
Affordable
Cons:
Bulky for its weight
Overall height is short for hunters who like to stand and glass
If you're looking for an affordable tripod made by a trusted name, the Mountain Pass is a solid choice whether you're a hunter or bird watcher. The tripod performed flawlessly in all aspects, from the Arca-Swiss quick-release plate that made it easy to install or remove a spotting scope, to the smoothness and stability of the two-way pan head, to the reliable, heavy-duty aluminum legs. Weighing only 3 pounds and 1 ounce, we didn't hesitate to pack this on an all-day hunt. Additionally, the rubber packing strap was a small, yet meaningful detail to help keep the legs together when stowed. At a maximum of 56 inches tall,he only ask we have is for is additional height, as we don't always want to stay seated when glassing.
Bottom line: The Mountain Pass Tripod would be suitable for general hunting purposes as well as bird watching.
Yeti LoadOut GoBox 15 ($125)
Weight: 7.5 lbs
Dimensions: 10.2 x 14.7 x 11.3 in
Pros:
Waterproof and dustproof
Impact resistant
Durable hinges, handle, latches and tie-down system provides security
Cons:
Unlike the 30 and 60, the 15 size does not include pocket pouches underneath the lid.
We run into the same problem every deer season: Keeping hunting blind stakes, a hammer, headlamps, a first aid kit, and ammo organized. Enter the GoBox 15, a nifty little storage case that's impact-resistant, dustproof, and also waterproof. We placed the box in the back of a truck and drove down miles of dry dirt rodes, and no dust got in. We also showered it with a hose, and found it completely waterproof. With the comfortable handle, quickly throw the GoBox in the truck, take it to the blind, or onto a boat. And if it rains or you accidentally drop it into the water while fishing or duck hunting, your gear will be protected, as the GoBox is IP65 and IP67 rated. The GoBox is one of those pieces of gear that we didn't think we needed, but once we used it, we'll never go back.
Bottom line: The GoBox 15 is great for protecting smaller pieces of outdoor gear (or even your lunch) from dust and water. Hunters, anglers and campers will find it useful.
How We Test
Number of testers: 8
Number of products tested: 90
Number of miles: 900 miles
Our eight testers had their work cut out for them as this year with the task of putting over 90 pieces of hunting apparel and accessories through their paces. Testers were between their early 30s to late 40s, each claiming at least 12 years of hunting experience (one especially well-seasoned tester has 45). The majority of testers would consider themselves "generalists," having pursued big, upland, waterfowl and small game on a regular basis. We took these products through a variety of terrain, from the rugged Chugach Mountains of Alaska to the forested plains of the Nebraska National Forest to the waterfowl-rich areas of the Central Flyway. We rated apparel based on comfort, durability, performance, warmth, and price.
Meet Our Lead Testers
Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley grew up camping and backpacking in Southern California. She began hunting in her early 20s and currently resides in Nebraska as an outdoor writer, photographer and wild game cook.
Charlie Ebbers lives and hunts in the Copper River Basin of Alaska. He’s a generalist and was charged by three grizzlies in 2022. He has more than 20 years of hunting experience.
Angie Kokes shot her first shotgun at 3 years old and grew up pursuing upland birds with her dad. After teaching herself how to rifle and archery hunt for deer, Kokes learned how to spear hunt. To date, she has taken 13 big game animals between the U.S. and Africa with her spear.
Jeff Kurrus is an author and photographer who has hunted and fished more than 40 years, from Louisiana to Minnesota and all points in between. Each year, he spends more than 150 days in the field.
Kevin Paul is an industrial service electrician in Nebraska who spends most of his free time hiking, hunting or pursuing some form of shooting sports. Kevin is a generalist, self-taught hunter who has a soft spot for upland birds and small game.
For exclusive access to all of our fitness, gear, adventure, and travel stories, plus discounts on trips, events, and gear, sign up for Outside+ today.
