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Clay Dahl
Clay Dahl Guide & Outfitter • Camp Crook, South Dakota
Clay Dahl
Clay Dahl Guide & Outfitter • Camp Crook, South Dakota

South Dakota Archery Mule Deer Season

Having the right gear can not only increase your odds of success, it can make your hunt enjoyable. Can you kill a deer with a worn out gun or bow and flannel shirt covered in motor oil, of course, but to get the best advantage on whatever you are hunting you need the best gear. I've been hunting all my life and guiding hunters the last several years in Northwest SD. To be the best it helps to have the best. Hopefully my list of gear can help you have the most memorable and the most success in your next hunt.

- Clay Dahl

May contain sponsored links*

Optics

Optics cover

Besides your weapon of choice, optics is crucial in a successful hunt. If you can't see it, you can't hunt it. You get what you pay for in life and optics is one of them. Don't waste your money on cheap stuff. Buy the best and that's what you will get out of it.

Binos

Swarovski 10x42 EL Range Binocular/Laser Rangefinder
Swarovski 10x42 EL Range Binocular/Laser Rangefinder

Bino Harness

SITKA Gear Mountain Optics Big Game Camo Hunting Harness
SITKA Gear Mountain Optics Big Game Camo Hunting Harness

Spotting Scope

Swarovski Optik Modular Objective - 95 mm
Swarovski Optik Modular Objective - 95 mm
SWAROVSKI BTX Eyepiece Module
SWAROVSKI BTX Eyepiece Module

Tripod

Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 Aluminium 3-Section Tripod Kit
Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 Aluminium 3-Section Tripod Kit
Outdoorsman Fluid Head
Outdoorsman Fluid Head

Range Finder

Leupold RX-2800 TBR Laser Rangefinder
Leupold RX-2800 TBR Laser Rangefinder

Other

MAGVIEW PHONE PLATE
MAGVIEW PHONE PLATE
MagView
S1 SPOTTING SCOPE ADAPTER-S1
S1 SPOTTING SCOPE ADAPTER-S1
MagView

Backpacks & Gear

Backpacks & Gear cover

Backpack/ Pack Frame

The F1 pack is a great tool when you need to get some meat out in a hurry because of the heat. I like the bat wings for a light day pack that zip right onto the mainframe.

Eberlestock Mainframe Pack
Eberlestock Mainframe Pack
Eberlestock Batwing Pouch
Eberlestock Batwing Pouch

Knives

The Outdoor Edge RazorPro knife is super handy with 2 different blades to use.

RazorPro™
RazorPro™
Outdoor Edge

Hydration

YETI Rambler 36 oz Bottle
YETI Rambler 36 oz Bottle

Headlamp

Nock On LED Hat Clip
Nock On LED Hat Clip

Flashlight

P7R Signature
P7R Signature
Ledlenser USA

GPS

Every hunter needs to have some way to figure out where he is and where he can hunt. On X is an incredibly valuable tool for that.

Elite Hunt Membership
Elite Hunt Membership
onX Hunt & onX Fish

Satellite Messengers

SPOT X® - with Bluetooth®
SPOT X® - with Bluetooth®

Safety/ First Aid

MyFAK
MyFAK
MY MEDIC

Game Bags

FULL SIZE GAME BAG
FULL SIZE GAME BAG
Hunters Specialties

Gear - Accessories

Scent Eliminators

SCENT-A-WAY® MAX ULTIMATE HUNTING KIT - FRESH EARTH
SCENT-A-WAY® MAX ULTIMATE HUNTING KIT - FRESH EARTH
Scent-A-Way

Blinds

The Primos Double Bull Blind Surroundview 270 is fast and light weight to pack around and set up. The view is great and very functional.

Double Bull SurroundView Double Wide Ground Blind
Double Bull SurroundView Double Wide Ground Blind
Primos Hunting

Trail Cameras

I've tried a lot of different trail cams and it appears Cuddeback works and will last a longtime.

Cuddeback 20 MegaPixel IR
Cuddeback 20 MegaPixel IR

Camping Equipment

Camping Equipment cover

Tent

The T4 Hub Tent is just like setting up a blind. Easy and fast.

Gazelle T4 HUB TENT
Gazelle T4 HUB TENT

Sleeping Bag

Agnes pads and sleeping bags are very lightweight and comfortable.

Big Agnes Blackburn UL 0 (850 DownTek) Sleeping Bag
Big Agnes Blackburn UL 0 (850 DownTek) Sleeping Bag

Sleeping Pad

Big Agnes Insulated AXL Air Sleeping Pad
Big Agnes Insulated AXL Air Sleeping Pad

Cooking

Jetboil cooking systems make it easy to get a quick meal on the go or cook anything in camp.

Jetboil Flash Camping and Backpacking Stove Cooking System
Jetboil Flash Camping and Backpacking Stove Cooking System

Food & Nutrition

Love all of the MTN OPS products, but I use Ignite everyday. Mountain House has some great tasting meals the are very filling.

Supplements

IGNITE
IGNITE
MTN OPS

Snacks/ Bars

Nature's Valley Granola Bars
Nature's Valley Granola Bars

Freeze Dried Meals

Mountain House Classic Bucket
Mountain House Classic Bucket

Clothing

Clothing cover

Clothing and footwear is very crucial in every aspect of your hunt. I can't stress enough how comfortable and durable products can make your hunt enjoyable and even more successful because you can deal with any weather and terrain you encounter. I'm a huge fan of Sitka products and Crispi boots.

Baselayers

SITKA Men's Core Lightweight Hunting Hoody
SITKA Men's Core Lightweight Hunting Hoody
SITKA Gear Midweight Bottom
SITKA Gear Midweight Bottom

Insulation/ Midlayers

SITKA Gear Core Heavy Weight Hoody
SITKA Gear Core Heavy Weight Hoody

Outerwear/ Jackets

SITKA Gear Men's Jetstream Vest
SITKA Gear Men's Jetstream Vest
SITKA Gear Men's Kelvin Lite Down Jacket
SITKA Gear Men's Kelvin Lite Down Jacket

Pants

SITKA Gear Men's Ascent Breathable 4-Way Stretch Hunting Pant
SITKA Gear Men's Ascent Breathable 4-Way Stretch Hunting Pant

Rain Gear

SITKA Gear Dew Point Waterproof Jacket
SITKA Gear Dew Point Waterproof Jacket
SITKA Gear Dew Point Waterproof Pant
SITKA Gear Dew Point Waterproof Pant

Footwear

Crispi Monaco GTX
Crispi Monaco GTX
Darn Tough Coolmax Micro Crew Cushion Socks
Darn Tough Coolmax Micro Crew Cushion Socks
Darn Tough socks are awesome and they keep your feet in good shape.

Clothing - Accessories

Gloves

I typically wear leather gloves everywhere, but they are nice to keep cactus out of the hands on stalks.

Kinco - Unlined Buffalo Leather Work Gloves
Kinco - Unlined Buffalo Leather Work Gloves

Hats/ Beanies

SITKA Gear Jetstream Windstopper Beanie
SITKA Gear Jetstream Windstopper Beanie

Firearms

Archery Equipment

Bow

I can't say enough about Mathews bows. Super accurate, smooth, and quiet.

Mathews V3X 33"
Mathews V3X 33"

Sight

Axcel Armortech HD Bow Sight - 5-Pin (.019" Fibers)
Axcel Armortech HD Bow Sight - 5-Pin (.019" Fibers)

Release

Scott releases have a light trigger that helps me shoot better.

Scott Archery Jaws Release
Scott Archery Jaws Release

Broadhead

Sevr Titanium 2.0 Broadhead
Sevr Titanium 2.0 Broadhead

Targets

Rinehart® 18-1 Broadhead Target
Rinehart® 18-1 Broadhead Target

Case/ Storage

Pelican 1745 Air Case
Pelican 1745 Air Case

Other

Depending on the wind or what type of broadhead I'm using, depends on what type of vanes I will use on an Easton arrow.

MATHEWS Flatline 12" Stabilizer
MATHEWS Flatline 12" Stabilizer
MATHEWS Lowpro Detachable Quiver RH
MATHEWS Lowpro Detachable Quiver RH
Nockturnal-S (3 pack)
Nockturnal-S (3 pack)
Nockturnal
Easton Axis Pro Carbon Arrow Shaft
Easton Axis Pro Carbon Arrow Shaft
Easton Axis Series Match Grade 5mm Arrows
AAE Max Stealth Vane
AAE Max Stealth Vane
Nock On Max 23 Vane
Nock On Max 23 Vane
Clay Dahl
Clay Dahl Guide & Outfitter • Camp Crook, South Dakota
*NOTE: The links to purchase certain products I recommend in this gear list may result in me being paid a small commission. I appreciate your support!