Brodie Swisher
A true hunting camp is more than a roof over your head and a place to crash after dark. It’s the place where good times happen, memories are made. The place where mornings start with hot coffee, evenings end with stories, and successful hunts turn into hard work and full freezers.
Whether it’s a long-standing family deer camp or a temporary setup for a weeklong trip, having the right equipment in camp makes everything run smoother and keeps the focus where it belongs: on the hunt and the people you’re sharing it with.
Below are 15 essentials every well-rounded hunting camp should have.
1. Fire Pit
Every hunting camp needs a central gathering spot, and nothing fills that role better than a fire pit. A permanent fire pit, or a portable option like the Solo Stove, provides warmth on cold nights and the atmosphere that defines camp life. This is where the day’s hunts get replayed, lessons get passed down, and friendships grow stronger. Even on slow days, a campfire helps boost the mood and keeps morale high.
2. JetBoil Flash
Fast, reliable heat is critical in camp, especially in the early morning hours. The JetBoil Flash 1.0L shines when it comes to boiling water quickly for coffee, oatmeal, or freeze-dried meals. It’s compact enough to travel but powerful enough to handle daily use, making it a staple whether you’re in a permanent cabin or a minimalist camp.
3. Permanent or Portable Meat Pole
A successful hunt quickly turns into work, and a meat pole is essential for handling that work efficiently. Permanent meat poles are ideal for camps that see action year after year, while portable versions are perfect for temporary setups. Hanging deer properly allows them to cool quickly, makes skinning easier, and keeps meat clean during processing.
4. Meat Grinder
Processing venison at camp brings the hunt full circle. A dependable meat grinder lets you turn trimmings into burger, sausage, or specialty blends without relying on a processor. It’s not just about convenience — it’s about control over quality, cleanliness, and how your hard-earned meat is handled. Fortunately, Mossy Oak’s Gamekeeper line of processing tools and seasonings make home processing easier than ever. Even better, they’re found at your local Walmart store for fast and easy access.
5. Knife Kit for Butchering
A dedicated knife kit is one of the most important tools in camp. Boning knives, skinning knives, and a quality sharpener ensure clean, efficient cuts. Having designated butchering knives and tools is not a mere luxury. It’s a safer and cleaner way to tackle the processing chores. And keeping these knives separate from everyday camp knives helps maintain sharpness and sanitation, making processing safer and more enjoyable.
6. Deep Freezer
Every hunting camp should have at least one freezer on location to help you avoid the hassle of running to town or back to the house to offload meat. A freezer in hunting camp is a telltale sign of a successful hunter, and the Mossy Oak edition freezer blends function with camp-ready style. It provides reliable storage for processed meat and allows hunters to stay in camp longer without worrying about spoilage. When multiple tags get filled, freezer space becomes invaluable.
7. Camp Chairs
Comfort matters, especially after long days in the woods, so don’t forget your camp chair! A quality camp chair gives you a place to relax around the fire, eat meals, or just sit and talk. Sure, you can sit on a 5 gallon bucket or log strategically placed by the fire, but a camp chair makes camp life all the better. Fortunately, you’ll find a nice selection of camp chairs available in your favorite Mossy Oak camo at stores like Walmart and Academy.
8. A Good Cooler
YETI coolers are a staple in many camps for good reason. They keep ice longer, protect meat during transport, and handle the abuse of camp life. Whether you’re cooling quarters, storing drinks, or hauling meat home, a dependable cooler is an essential piece of equipment for any hunting camp, especially for those in a more remote or mobile camp setting.
9. Speaker
Good tunes playing while you’re working at the skinning shed or lounging by the campfire is a nice addition to any hunting camp. Music lifts the mood and motivate like nothing else. That’s why a Turtlebox speaker is considered standard equipment by many hunters these days. It’s rugged and weather-resistant, perfectly suited for outdoor use at camp, on the boat, or in the side by side.
10. Boot Dryer
You never know how much you need a boot dryer, until you actually need it. A boot dryer is an overlooked but essential piece of gear in any hunting camp. Wet boots from snow, rain, or sweat can quickly lead to cold feet, blisters, and even ruined hunts if they don’t dry properly overnight. A quality boot dryer helps eliminate moisture, odors, and bacteria, ensuring boots are warm, dry, and ready to go before daylight. In camp, where multiple long days in the field are the norm, a boot dryer can make the difference between staying comfortable and cutting a hunt short.
11. Gun Vise
A gun vise provides a stable, secure platform for working on firearms. Whether you’re cleaning a rifle, mounting a scope, or making minor adjustments, having a vise makes the job easier and safer. It’s an often-overlooked item that quickly proves its worth in camp.
12. Gun Cleaning Kit
Firearms take a beating during hunting season, especially in wet or cold conditions. A complete gun cleaning kit ensures reliability and accuracy throughout the hunt. Cleaning guns in camp also helps prevent rust and mechanical issues before they become problems in the field.
13. Latex Gloves or Venom Steel Gloves
Gloves are a small item that makes a big difference. Latex gloves are perfect for tasks like field dressing, quick cleanups, or processing/gringding meat. They keep hands clean, reduce contamination, and make cleanup easier.
14. Camp Cot
Regardless of whether hunting camp accommodations consist of a cabin, or a tent, a cot is welcomed addition. The cot gets you up off the ground when going with the minimalist approach, but it can also help you get by in a pinch when you have extra guests in the cabin. The Helinox One Cot is a lightweight, ultra-portable camping cot designed to bring comfort and convenience to any hunting camp. Built with a strong yet feather-light aluminum frame and durable ripstop fabric, it assembles quickly without tools and packs down small enough to fit in a backpack or stashed in the truck.
15. Shelter
At the end of the day, the shelter you call home while hunting is of the utmost importance. Regardless of whether it’s a cabin with bunks, or a tent with a sleeping bag on the ground, make the most of your shelter. You need your rest to be ready to roll again the following morning. Will you stay dry and protected from the wind? Do you have enough space to house your gear? Don’t ever skimp on your shelter! It’s your home away from home during the hunt.
Final Thoughts
A great hunting camp blends tradition with preparedness. These 15 items help create a camp that’s safe, efficient, and enjoyable — a place where hunts are successful, meat is handled properly, and memories are made year after year. The better your camp is set up, the more time you can spend doing what matters most: hunting and sharing the experience with
