Hunting Gear: The American-Made Kit

An honest note before you buy: An honest note before you buy: Statemade Collective curates American brands — we pick products we believe are worth owning, and we earn a commission when you buy through our links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Origin claims change by model and by year, so for any product here, check the maker's own listing for its current origin claim before you buy — the maker's words are the authority, not ours. Disclosure

The blade.

A hunting kit starts with a blade, and the American makers here cover every job. The Buck 110 is the folding hunter that defined the category, its USA mark stamped on the tang, backed by Buck’s Forever Warranty out of Post Falls, Idaho. The Case Trapper still comes out of Bradford, Pennsylvania. The ESEE Izula II is the fixed blade out of Gallant, Alabama, under a no-questions-asked warranty. The Benchmade Bugout is the Oregon City ultralight, kept factory-sharp for life by Benchmade’s LifeSharp service.

Around them: the Ka-Bar USMC fighting knife, the Gerber StrongArm, and the Old Hickory 77 — three more American blades at three different jobs.

Light and fire.

After the shot comes the dark, and the dark needs light: the Maglite ML300L, the Streamlight ProTac, and the SureFire G2X. And fire, for the camp: the Zippo classic lighter, the same shape it has been for generations.

Layers that earn their weight.

The Darn Tough hunter sock is Vermont-knit merino built for boots and long days, and the Stormy Kromer cap is the wool cap that has kept hunters warm for generations. Layers are not glamorous; they are the difference between staying out and going home early.

Camp and the book.

The camp side: a Council Tool Hudson Bay axe and an Estwing Sportsman’s axe for firewood, Leupold’s VX-Freedom optics from the Oregon optics maker, and the MeatEater cookbook for everything after the field work is done.

Frequently asked questions

Fixed blade or folding knife for hunting?

A fixed blade for field work — stronger, easier to clean. A folder for everyday carry. Most hunters end up with both, for different jobs.

What knife size for field dressing?

Mid-size and sharp beats big and dull. A blade you can control precisely matters more than length, and a sharp edge matters more than steel marketing.

Why merino socks for hunting?

Warmth when damp, less odor over long days, and a fit that stays put in the boot. Darn Tough knits theirs in Vermont and backs them for life.

What light for camp?

A full-size light for camp work and a small one for the pocket. Brightness matters less than a beam you can hold steady and a switch you can find in the dark.

Are these all made in the USA?

This collection curates American brands, but origin varies by product and by year. Check the maker’s own listing for the current origin claim on anything you buy.

Hunting gear: the kit for the hunt and the camp after.