Small game hunting checklist

Clothing

Add or remove insulation layers in different weather/hunting conditions to stay comfortable.

• Base layer – tops and bottoms
  • These will help on cold mornings, but also help you wick sweat as the day heats up.
• Mid-layer – tops and pants
  • Long-sleeve t-shirts, sweatshirts (multiple, thinner layers); jeans or nylon/wool pants; a fleece jacket or vest if weather necessitates more layers.
• Outer layer – jacket/coat
  • Wind/waterproof.
• Socks
  • Wool is a common choice.
• Waterproof boots
  • Make sure to break them in before the season begins.
• Hat
  • Hunter orange (firearm season only) if you don’t have a hunter orange vest or jacket.
• Hunter orange vest
  • Required by Michigan regulations. See the Michigan Hunting Digest for more details. You may also wear a cap, hat, jacket or rain gear of hunter orange.
• Gloves
  • Make sure you can pull the trigger while wearing them.

Equipment

• Firearm
  • Shotgun or rimfire rifle. Check Michigan hunting regulations to make sure your firearm complies.
• Ammunition for firearm
  • #6 shotgun shells or caliber-specific rimfire loads
• Firearm case
  • Soft-sided or hard-sided.
• Gun-cleaning kit
  • Get a kit specific to your firearm.

Other hunting gear and items

• Hunting license
  • Available online at E-License or at any license agent. Apprentice licenses are available for those who don’t yet have a hunter safety certificate. See the Michigan Hunting Digest for more information about license types and buying a license.
• Knife
  • A sturdy fixed or folding blade of 3 inches is sufficient.
• Flashlight, map, compass and smartphone (fully charged)
  • Along with carrying these items, for safety’s sake, always make sure someone knows about your hunting plans – where you’ll be hunting
• Game bag
  • For carrying your harvested game.