Home / Buying Guides / Small-Game Hunting Gear Guide
A lighter, cheaper kit for rabbits, squirrels, and other small game — built around a .22 and a game vest.
By Roy Lloyd · Last reviewed: July 2026
Small-game hunting is one of the most accessible ways into the sport — the gear list is shorter and cheaper than a deer or elk hunt, and the season is usually more forgiving. This guide pulls together the main small-game items so you can verify your kit before heading out.
It covers safety, clothing, weapon setup, field dressing, navigation, licenses, and comfort items for a day of walking and still-hunting. For a checkable version tailored to your experience level, use the Gear Checklist Generator. Make sure your hunting licenseis squared away before you focus on gear, and confirm your state's season on the hunting seasons page.
This guide is a fixed reference list. The Gear Checklist Generator builds a checkable, shareable version tailored to your experience level and hunt type.
Essentials come first, followed by recommended and optional small-game hunting gear.
4 items
Required by law in most states during firearm seasons
View DealAt minimum: bandages, tourniquets, antiseptic wipes
View DealFor pre-dawn setup and post-sunset retrieval
View DealSignals for help if you're injured or lost — carries much farther than shouting
View Deal5 items
Waterproof with 400g–800g insulation — match the weight to your climate and how much you'll be sitting vs. moving
View DealTraps body heat; remove when moving to prevent sweat
View DealMerino wool or synthetic — keeps sweat away from skin
View DealWicks moisture and stays warm even when damp — key for all-day boot comfort
View DealKeeps hands warm without sacrificing the dexterity you need to handle a weapon or call
View Deal2 items
The standard small-game round — bring more than you think you'll need
View DealExtend scouting into low-light and dusk conditions — useful for predator control and pre-dawn glassing
View DealCompare all night vision →3 items
Sharp gut-hook knife and bone saw
View DealCompare all field-dressing knives →Carries squirrels, rabbits, or birds out of the field and keeps your hands free
View DealSanitary protection during field dressing
View Deal2 items
3 items
2 items
Required for first-time hunters in most states
Find your state license →Must be on your person at all times while hunting
Find your state license →1 item
Rabbit distress or predator calls can draw in game, especially for fox and coyote
View DealSmall-game hunting needs a fraction of the gear and budget of a deer or elk hunt. It's a good way for a new hunter to learn woodsmanship without a big investment.
Small-game seasons often overlap with firearm deer season in the same woods. Wearing blaze orange keeps you visible to other hunters even when it isn't required for your specific hunt.
.22 LR is cheap, and small game moves fast. It's easy to go through more rounds than expected, especially while you're still learning to judge shots.
A small-game hunting guide should include your hunting license, blaze orange, weather-appropriate clothing, .22 LR rimfire ammunition, a field dressing kit, a game vest or pouch to carry harvested game, navigation basics, and comfort items.
Yes. Small-game hunting requires far less gear and budget than deer or elk hunting, and the seasons are typically longer and more forgiving, which makes it a practical way for a new hunter to build field experience.
Requirements vary by state, but many small-game seasons overlap with firearm deer season in the same woods, so wearing blaze orange is a good practice even where it isn't strictly required for your hunt.
Use the checklist generator if you want a version tailored to your experience level instead of a general small-game list.
