Unpacked: K.C. Smith’s Early Season Gear Setup

But that doesn’t mean hunting gear can’t make you a more comfortable or efficient hunter. After all, if something enhances your hunting experience or keeps you outdoors longer, I’d say it’s probably worth the time and money. While there are plenty of gimmicks and marketing scams that promise to make you a better hunter, there are certain pieces of gear that will serve you well in the field.

With October 1 approaching fast, you should be fine-tuning your gear setups. It takes multiple seasons to figure out what works for you, and you’ll typically find that you could probably lose a few pounds from your pack. Whether you’re hunting out of your backdoor or traveling across state lines, your gear needs will vary. Even as seasonal conditions change, so will your gear needs.

But don’t just take it from me. I interviewed The Element’s K.C. Smith on his go-to gear choices during the early season. If you’re not familiar with K.C. Smith, head over to YouTube, where you can see him notch his tag on more than a few big bucks across the states. For now, here’s a rundown of what he’s carrying in the early season.

Hunting Pack

It’s only appropriate to start with K.C.’s hunting pack. After all, you need something to carry your gear in. Smith prefers the First Lite Transfer Pack, but not just for the early season. He uses it throughout the year and swaps out gear and layers as the conditions change. It’s a multi-season pack that intuitively keeps all his gear within reach for both the walk-in or long sits in the tree.

Base Layers and Clothing

Early season hunting requires a mental toughness and willingness to deal with the heat. That’s why most folks wait for the mercury to drop before heading into the field. For these reasons, solid hunting clothes are necessary to keep you dry and cool when you’re trying to glass up an early-season buck.

“If it’s super hot, I’ll wear the Yuma stuff, it’s really cool,” Smith said. “If it’s colder for some reason, I typically wear a lightweight merino hoody. For pants, I love the 308 because they’re heavy-duty, and I’m usually busting through brush or briars that time of year.”

Smith said he always keeps the Source jacket handy, just in case there’s a cool snap. He prefers it, because it zips up, which makes it easy to quickly throw on during last light when the temps drop.

Binos

Smith hunts a lot of states with early September openers. Most of these states lie west of the Mississippi in open country, where glassing plays a huge role in having a successful hunt, so it pays to have some of the best binoculars in tow.

Whether he’s glassing from the truck or in the stand, he prefers the Sig Zulu6 binocular. “I really like these because I do a lot of scouting from the road in the early season,” he said. “The Zulu’s are stabilizing binoculars, and they’re super crisp, even if the truck’s still moving.”

Hydration

Hot temps come complimentary with the early season. If you’re hunting any distance from the truck, hydration is a must. You can get as technical or convenient as you need. K.C. Smith keeps it somewhere in between.

“I’ve never been a hydration bladder guy,” Smith said. “I typically run a Nalgene bottle. If you’re in a pinch, the Smart Water bottles work great and won’t crinkle.”

Whether you prefer the convenience of a hydration bladder or a water bottle, just make sure you have more water than you think you’ll need.

Bino Chest Harness

While they’re not a prerequisite to hunting, bino harnesses have become a critical piece of gear in the whitetail woods. FHF has multiple chest rigs to choose from, but Smith prefers the FOB.

“Right now, I’m using the FOB from FHF Gear, and I love it,” he said. “I added the rangefinder pocket and actually mounted it on the strap instead of the MOLLE loops.” Smith prefers this mounting method because he said it orients the rangefinder to a more natural position when you’re in the stand or saddle. “It helps cut down on the motion, and that matters when you’ve got deer in range.”

Boots

Depending on where you hunt will determine what type of hunting boots you need. Smith likes to switch it up occasionally but prefers a hiker for warmer temps.

“I really like the LaCrosse Lodestars,” he said. “They’re lightweight and breathable, but if I wear rubber boots, I’ll typically wear the uninsulated Alpha Agility.”

Other Key Items

I asked Smith if there were any smaller items he doesn’t leave the truck without. He quickly tabbed the First Lite Talus fingerless gloves.

“I really like those for protection, but I wear them all year,” he said. “I actually shoot better with those on. I think it’s because of the way it allows me to position and tighten my release.”

He noted a few other items, which included a wind checker (he prefers milkweed), an ink pen for paper tags, and some sort of caffeine packet he can easily mix in his water bottle. Other than these items, Smith prefers to travel light.

“I try not to carry a ton in the field unless I’m pulling an all-day sit,” he said. “I think light and fast is the way to go, and that’s the way I approach it.”

Smith’s last recommendation for early-season gear—socks. Sure, they’re not the sexiest piece of gear, but you can’t truly appreciate good socks until you’ve trudged around in bad (or wet) ones.

“During the early season, you either get wet or sweaty and having an extra pair of dry socks sure is nice.”