If you ever stop to take a look at the current landscape for the average American hunter, you’ll notice that a lot has changed even since just a few decades ago. Inventions like the laser range finders and trail/game cameras are still only fairly recent adoptions into the modern hunters toolkit – but they’ve become so important I think most people couldn’t imagine hunting without having some of these items around. Similarly, there are a lot of tools that I like to carry around on a daily basis that also doubles as great tools for the modern huntsman and today we’ll be going over some of those selections to help you flesh out your own multi-use tools to take with you on every hunt.
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The Top 5 Multi-Use Tools for the Modern Huntsman
1. Benchmade Bushcrafter Fixed Blade Knife
A solid EDC blade is probably already in your inventory and you probably also have a lot of them if you’re anything like me. However, if you’re looking to pick up something new and a bit more oriented towards hunting rather than simply EDC, then I can recommend the Benchmade Bushcrafter. It features a 4.4-inch high-quality steel blade, which is both durable and sharp enough for field dressing, cutting, and camp tasks. The compact size of the Bushcrafter makes it practical for daily carry without being cumbersome, which is ideal for the modern huntsman who needs reliability in the field and portability on a regular basis.
The Bushcrafter is perfect for a wider range of tasks than the blades I would carry with me into town or around the shop. It is a lot larger so it handles skinning and processing tasks with ease, cutting through joints and tough skin easily thanks to its CPM-SV30 stainless steel blade. Around camp or even at home, it works just as well, cutting rope and trimming branches to clear paths set up shelter, or clean up yard waste. The ergonomic G10 handle ensures comfort during extended use, and the knife’s somewhat compact size and leather sheath make it convenient to carry daily, without taking up too much space in a pack or on a belt. The Bushcrafter tends to retail at about $400, so you can think of it as a much more refined version of the Gerber Strongarm fixed blade which is also a touch larger and bulkier.
2. Surefire Stiletto Pro II Tactical Flashlight
A flashlight is probably also something that is in your daily carry routine, and unlike a knife, this one can probably span both duties perfectly without much argument. If you’ve been on a hunt at night or in low-light conditions, you know that having a reliable flashlight is essential but you don’t always want a bulky, cumbersome flashlight that takes up too much space in your pack. Enter the Surefire Stiletto Pro II— I recently acquired one of these handy flat-bodied flashlights and in addition to being USB-C rechargeable, the light also has a maximum output of 1,500 lumens and 35,000 candella which means it can provide more than enough light for navigating dark trails, lighting up campsites, or signaling your hunting partner in an emergency.
The Stiletto Pro II is more than just a throw-it-in-your-bag flashlight. It features multiple output modes, and a handy programming feature, including a high beam for maximum illumination and a low beam that preserves battery life when you’re around camp or just don’t want to completely blow out your night-adjusted eyes. The strobe function is especially handy for signaling, and the slim design makes it easy to carry without adding extra weight or bulk. The flashlight’s rugged, aluminum body can withstand tough conditions, and the tailcap switch lets you operate it one-handed, even while wearing gloves. At around $400, it’s not the cheapest option, but it’s a highly durable, versatile tool that’s built to last and I would say it’s the “best in the business” when it comes to compact handheld flashlights.
3. Leatherman Charge+ TTi Multi-Tool
The Leatherman Charge+ TTi is all about versatility and we could probably write an entire article, or probably multiple articles just about how many different things you can accomplish with just a capable multi-tool like the Charge+. This multi-tool has 19 different functions in a pocket-sized body, making it one of the best all-in-one solutions for everything from gear maintenance, and optics adjustments, to quick fixes around camp. The tool includes pliers, wire cutters, a very nice SV30 blade, screwdrivers, a file, and even a pair of scissors—all of which come in handy when you’re far from home or find yourself sitting quietly in a tree stand.
The Charge+ TTi is built to handle tough tasks like tightening loose screws, cutting through rope, or trimming branches for shelter. I’ve used the pliers to adjust hunting gear and the knife to field dress game. The titanium handle makes it lightweight and strong, and the ergonomic design ensures comfort during long hours of use. With a price tag of around $200, it’s a little on the higher end of the price spectrum, but for the range of tools it provides and the durability, it’s well worth the investment and is perfect to toss in your hunting backpack, or in your range bag.
4. Garmin Instinct® 2X Solar – Tactical Edition
For any modern hunter, a GPS watch is more than just a timepiece—it’s a tool for navigating, tracking, and ensuring you don’t get lost in unfamiliar terrain and for checking text messages from your wife while you’re out in the bush. The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar – Tactical Edition is built to handle all of that and more. The GPS watch features solar charging, meaning it’s not dependent on battery life, making it perfect for long hunts and can last for much longer than that according to a lot of user reviews. With a highly durable design, it can withstand harsh weather conditions and rough environments. At its core, it’s a sold, functional, yet still affordable digital watch.
The Instinct 2X Solar offers integrated Applied Ballistics technology, a feature that’s perfect for hunters who take each and every shot seriously. With Applied Ballistics, you can enter ballistic data and calculate accurate shots, adjusting for factors like wind, temperature, and elevation and even different grain weights of bullets you’re using to hunt with. This feature alone turns the watch from just a timepiece to a navigation tool wrist-mounted ballistic computer. Additionally, its solar charging ensures it’s always powered, even if you’ve been out on a particularly long multi-day hunt. Technically Garmin says the watch can remain powered indefinitely provided you get enough sun and allow the watch to properly charge each day. While other fancy smart watches can reach into the thousands of dollars these days, the Instinct 2X has an MSRP of $500 which when compared to other watches isn’t all that much, but it’s routinely on sale for much less directly from the Garmin website. With Garmin getting into more shooting sports I’m excited to see what other kinds of neat hunting and shooting tools they’ll start offering.
5. OnX Hunt
No matter how experienced a hunter is, getting lost or missing a critical detail on the terrain can happen when you’re in a highly organized yet confusing countryside like the Oregon Coast Range like I am. Simply put, it can be easy to get turned around and wind up on company or even private property when you’re out hiking or hunting on public land. That’s where OnX can help relieve some stress and almost completely eliminate any need for mountaineering skills. OnX is capable of giving you real-time map information including the most up-to-date data regarding who owns the property, how it’s zoned, and also pertinent details about the area that you can have layered on top of a satellite-accurate map. The app also has a built-in navigation tool that I’ve used a number of times in offline mode to find my way back to a remote campsite.
The OnX Hunt app is the perfect modern tool for scouting new areas or ensuring you’re hunting on the right land. I’ve used it for everything from finding public access points to identifying the precise boundaries of private property so I don’t send loose rounds into someone’s backyard. The ability to download maps for offline use means you won’t lose access even if cell service isn’t available. With a subscription starting at $30 per year, it’s a small price to pay for the added peace of mind and better hunting planning that OnX Hunt provides. If you want even more features or you hunt abroad, OnX also has extra subscription features that even the most hardcore hunters would probably find useful like trail-cam integration.
Final Thoughts
The right gear makes all the difference when it comes to successful hunting. The tools I’ve listed above are all tools that I’ve personally used before and are tools that I think make hunting more efficient, whether you’re processing game, navigating rough terrain, or managing your gear. With these multi-use tools in your arsenal, you’ll be ready for anything the wild throws your way whether that’s animals – or just some tasks in the backyard or hunting lodge.
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