Most Important & Essential Hunting Gear for Beginners in Arkansas

Just 4.6 percent of people have a hunting license — so if you’re about to enjoy your first hunt in Arkansas, you’re joining an elite group. How does that feel? If you’re anything like most, your first time hunting is a little intimidating. To put it plainly, you have no idea what you’re doing. Because you have no idea what you’re doing, you might not even know what questions to ask to prepare yourself. We’re here to change that. Whether you’re planning to join us on one of our flooded timber duck hunts or you’re just looking around, here’s a look at the duck and goose hunting gear you’ll definitely need to be successful.

1. A Reliable Waterfowl Shotgun

You can’t head out to the blind without a reliable shotgun, and that’s beginner hunting 101. Most people gearing up for their first Reelfoot Lake hunting trip in Arkansas will do absolutely fine with a 12-gauge shotgun, a popular choice for duck and goose hunters.

2. Ammo

You might not exactly think about your ammo as duck hunting gear, but you’ll need it. Arkansas, subject to Arkansas Game and Fish Commission regulations, permits steel, bismuth, tungsten iron, and tungsten matrix shot for waterfowl hunting.

3. Boots or Waders

You might be wet behind the ears, but if you don’t invest in waders or boots, you’ll get wet  everywhere else too during your flooded timber duck hunting trip. Investing in quality waders for your Arkansas or Tennessee hunting trip will keep you dry.

4. Camo Clothing

Seeing without being seen requires the right clothing. You’ve got your pants and jacket covered, but take a tip from us and don’t forget about the hat!

5. Duck Calls

Calls are an essential piece of kit. As you’re deciding what duck and goose hunting gear to invest in, take your time to learn about different duck calls. You’ll get up close and personal with 15+ different duck species, and they don’t all respond to the same calls. Plus, there are different calls for different situations.

6. Blinds

We’ll take care of blinds if your first time hunting is a guided hunt with us, but otherwise, you’ll need to invest in pop-up or layout blinds to conceal yourself.

7. Decoys

Decoys are another essential piece of hunting gear, and they include floating decoys and field decoys. Because decoys are pretty species-specific, it’s important to pick the right ones!

8. A First-Aid Kit

You never know when you’ll need it, so don’t start your goose or duck hunting trip without a well- stocked first-aid kit.

Need More Advice?

There’s no substitute for experience and local know-how, so your intro to hunting should tap into it! Why not enjoy your first duck or goose hunt with our experienced hunting guide for Arkansas? We’ll make sure your hunt is one to remember — and set you up with tips you can take into the field on your own when you build more experience!