Great stocking stuffers for hunters will, of course, fit into a stocking and be useful for hunting. They should also be inexpensive, so we include some recommendations under $10 with many that are under $25.
My favorite hunting stocking stuffers will work well for deer hunters or elk hunters or turkey hunters, but I recommend most of these stocking stuffers because they will work for several types of hunting. Personally, I’m an avid archery elk hunter in Idaho, but I also chase whitetail and mule deer, along with turkey, pheasant, grouse, and occasional predators.
25+ Stocking Stuffer Hunting Gifts
Stocking stuffers might be minor gifts compared to say, the best overall hunting gifts, but I take pride in sharing my favorite pint-sized hunting gear that can still make or break a hunt. I recommend gear that I personally use and appreciate, as well as gear that my hunting buddies rave over. I also keep an eye out for hot new gear that hits near the holiday season. The best stocking stuffers earn a long-term spot in our hunting packs, trucks, and gear garages at Man Makes Fire.
1. Work Sharp Portable Pivot Knife Sharpener
Best overall stocking stuffer for hunters
The Work Sharp Portable Pivot Knife Sharpener is a great gift for any hunter because every hunter needs a sharp knife no matter what type of hunting they love most. Work Sharp is most known for its awesome electric belt sharpener, but this little bad boy is portable enough to toss into a hunting pack and take into the field. Better yet, it’s the highest quality ultra-packable sharpener I’m willing to use that costs less than $10.
2. Talarik SlingHook
Best stocking stuffer for most rifle hunters
If your hunter carries a rifle with a traditional over-the-shoulder sling and wears a hunting pack, this is a can’t-go-wrong gift. The Talarik SlingHook installs onto a backpack strap in less than a minute where it securely keeps the rifle sling from fighting with the backpack strap so the rifle sling doesn’t slip from your shoulder. It is simple and ingenious. I always hunt with mine, plus I have a spare for buddies.
3. Wind Checker
Best for all elk and deer hunters
Elk and deer can spot your movement and bolt away, but they live and die by their sense of smell. If you accidentally approach up wind from a wild elk or whitetail deer, it’s game over, often before you even see them. When I first started hunting, I would scare away whitetail deer from a half mile away just because I entered the canyon from an upwind angle. Rookie mistake. The HME Wind Directional Powder is a small bottle of fine powder that you squirt up into the air to show you where the slightest breezes are moving. Now, the only time the wind busts me is when the wind changes — which is part of the challenge, of course.
4. Knight & Hale Pack Rack Deer Call
Best pocket-sized rattle for calling in big bucks
One of the coolest ways to attract a buck and get him to run to you is by rattling antlers to mimic the sound of two bucks fighting for the chance to breed with does. Natural, real antlers work best, but they’re bulky and I don’t want to be carrying deer antlers with me when I’m moving through deep brush because I don’t trust every hunter in the woods. The Knight & Hale Pack Rack Deer Call is small, surprisingly loud, and sounds a lot like real antlers. The first big buck I called in using a Knight & Hale Pack Rack surprised both myself and my hunting buddy as it strode into a meadow where we could see the outline of raging shoulder muscles like the Incredible Hulk. Buck fever struck my buddy, and his shot missed. Still, awesome experience, and it started with a plastic rattle call.
5. The Can
Simplest doe call
The sound of a doe bleat can turn a cruising buck off his path and give him a reason to investigate your spot. The Primos Hunting Original ‘The Can’ Doe Estrus Bleat Call is a simple, easy to use call that sounds like a lonely doe. I like that I don’t need to hold it to my mouth and blow, which keeps my hands in better position to get ready for a shot. Plus, it makes a perfect call every time, no mistakes, so it’s a particularly good stocking stuffer for young hunters. It can also give kids something to do to be part of the hunt when they’re in a stand or posted up next to mom or dad.
6. Zippo HeatBank Rechargeable Hand Warmer
Warms hands plus it doubles as a phone charger
The Zippo HeatBank9s Rechargeable Hand Warmer is a handy hunting gadget because they’re both a hand warmer as well as a battery bank for recharging phones, hunting headlamps, satellite communicators. Zippo makes a few different versions, but the 9s one uses a large 5200 mAh battery pack that keeps it heating up to 9 hours.
7. Bass Pro Shops RedHead Insulated Fleece Handmuff
Great for winter hunts on windy days
The RedHead Insulated Fleece Handmuff is particularly great for hunters who sit in cold tree stands or post up on hillsides waiting for animals to feed out toward them. I like the RedHead Insulated Fleece Handmuff because of its awesome price-to-value ratio and quiet fleece construction.
8. Outdoor Edge Flip N’ Zip Saw
Handy for all sorts of tough hunting situations 
Some hunters skip taking saws because of the weight, but the Outdoor Edge Flip N’ Zip Saw weighs just 2.5 ounces, so it’s pretty much unnoticeable in my hunting pack. I like having a portable saw because I can clear pesky limbs from sight lines and shooting lanes, as well as have one for emergency situations like building splints, shelters, or even a travois. This one is machined to handle both wood and bone so you can use it to help process big game animals, too.
9. Mossy Oak Buttstock Rifle Shell Holder
Simple storage in case you need to reload
Most hunters don’t end up in situations where they run out of ammo, but having bullets and shotgun shells handy is certainly a good plan. One of the simplest ways is with an ammo holder that slips over the butt stock of your rifle or shotgun. I like the Mossy Oak Buttstock Rifle Shell Holder because it has a nice cover flap, but it costs a bit more than some.
Extra Budget-Friendly Option: The Hunter Specialties Butt Stock Cartridge Holder is available for both shotgun shells or rifle shells and it’s often available for less than $5, making it one of the the most cost-effective stocking stuffers I’ve ever seen.
10. Wild Game Innovations Trophy Tape
For hunters wondering what their big buck might score
The Wild Game Innovations Trophy Tape is a super easy way to score a buck’s antlers. Even if your hunter doesn’t have a large set of deer antlers to score right now, your hunter might need it soon.
11. Ear Plugs & Hearing Protection
Hearing protection is critical for rifle and shotgun hunting
Even though I prefer electronic ear muffs and electronic ear buds for hearing protection most of the time — see my guide to the best overall gifts for hunters — I always carry a simple corded set of ear plugs while hunting. The Howard Leight SmartFit Corded Reusable Shooting Earplugs and fit in my pocket or drape around my neck like a necklace, ready for my ears if I need them.
12. NESTOUT Portable Power Bank
Waterproof and rugged
Many hunters these days use smartphones to help them navigate terrain, take photos, and occasionally even make a phone call. I always pack a rugged portable charger like the NESTOUT 5,000 mAh Portable Charger to make sure I can charge my phone, satellite communicator, or headlamp in case a day or night goes on longer than expected.
13. Turkey Call
Prices vary widely
One of the key pieces of turkey hunting gear you need, that can fit into a stocking, is a turkey call. There are lots of styles and varieties, but a good traditional box call like the Primos Hook-Up Magnetic Box Call is hard to beat. It updates the old-school design with a patented magnetic hinge design to create the tension for making realistic cuts, purrs and yelps. Plus, the included Gobble Strap lets a hunter shake the call to easily gobble like an amped tom. Here are a few more great options:
- Primos Hunting The Gobbler Turkey Shaker Call — super easy to use
- Primos Turkey Hunter Starter Pack
- Hunter’s Specialties Strut Premium Flex 4 Diaphragm Turkey Call Kit — better for more experienced hunters
14. Shooting Glasses
Under $10 — but price can vary widely
Most hunters know they should wear safety glasses while shooting, but many don’t. So how can you encourage it? Start with a pair of shooting glasses like the Walker’s Game Ear Crosshair Shooting Hunting Safety Glasses that filter out glare to provide better visibility — that’s a win all around.
15. Hunter Orange Safety Vest
Must-have hunter safety gear here
Every now and then a hunter forgets a hunter orange hat, jacket, or vest. Or a buddy forgets theirs. And sometimes, you get out into the woods in thick cover and realize, oh boy, there are far too many other hunters in this area. In which case, you want more hunter orange coverage. The Allen Company Orange Hunter’s Vest and Hat Combo comes with a vest that can fit over most any layer along with a blaze orange cap (and the price is surprisingly low). Still, I fee strongly about having some blaze orange handy, so here are two more slight upgrade options:
- Browning Safety Overlay Vest for Youth — has pockets, and it’s our favorite for young hunters
- Vortex Optics Blaze Orange Vest & Hunting Hat Combo — an affordable upgrade option
16. Cabela’s Hybrid Binocular Harness Strap
Great for scouting and tagalong friends and family
The trouble with a good set of binoculars is figuring out where and how to pack them so that they a) stay out of the way, and b) are there when you need them. The answer? The Cabela’s Hybrid Binocular Harness. This lightweight strap is great for older hunters who don’t want any expensive newfangled chest packs, and it’s great for friends or family who are tagging along. It’s also great for kids who need gear that is small and lightweight.
17. Carhartt Heavyweight Wool Blend Boot Sock
Best blended wool cushioning and warmth for the price
I’m a fan of merino wool socks because they stay warm when wet and they stink, even after I wear them multiple days in a row on backcountry hunts. The Carhartt Men’s Heavyweight Wool Blend Boot Socks are some of my favorites because they’re super cushy, warm, and cost less than many other wool winter boot socks. They offer outstanding coverage and comfort when I wear them with big winter boots. Plus, I’ve also been known to wear a pair of these like slippers on winter weekends around the house.
18. Mechanix Wear Multicam FastFit Tactical Touchscreen Gloves
These supple gloves fit great
In addition to fending off a bit of a chill, hunters should carry gloves. It’s tough to find the one single perfect glove for everything, so don’t try. I’ve been surprisingly happy with the Mechanix Wear Multicam FastFit Tactical Touchscreen Gloves. They fit snug enough to shoot with and they are grippy enough to let a hunter hold or grab most anything. It’s not a cold-weather glove, but it’s just a handy, lightweight glove that I like to wear on chilly mornings on September elk hunts or on the pack out through steep, brushy terrain where I need to protect my hands.
19. Primos Cow Girl Cow Elk Call
Simple cow call that let’s change tones
There are all sorts of different kinds of elk calls, including bugles, but every elk hunter ought to have a cow call. Even if you’re after bulls, well, bulls in rut will follow the cows. If you get into a situation where you need to cow talk, your hunter will appreciate the ability to chat it up. In addition, even if your elk hunter has reed calls already, most hunters like having an extra cow call like the Primos Cow Girl Cow Elk Call so they can throw out different kinds of tones to sound like multiple cow elk.
20. Primos Revolver Deer Call
Simply twist the dial to change the grunt tones
One of our hunting buddies with teenage boys was able to grunt back and forth with several bucks this year — a cool experience, for sure. While some hunters barely know how or when to grunt for whitetail, others have used smart calling tactics to lure big bucks into range . . . so do your deer hunter a favor and give them a new tool to try out. The Primos Revolver Deer Call can deliver different kinds of grunts and is very easy to use. I’ve used one for years and I keep slipping it into my deer hunting pack because it just works.
21. Therm-a-Rest Z Seat Pad
Great for sitting on wet stumps, logs, or rocks
Because the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat weighs only 2 ounces, you can take it most anywhere.Nearly every hunter can benefit from a lightweight seat pad. We carry them hunting in the backcountry because they can make a huge difference when you need a dry seat on cold, wet ground. One of the best, lightest options is the Therm-A-Rest Z Seat Cushion. I like the yellow option just in case I want it for visibility in rifle seasons, but the brownish tan one is just as good.
22. UCO Titan Stormproof Emergency Fire Starter Match Kit
Impressive fire-starting capabilities
The UCO Titan Stormproof Match Kit has waterproof, windproof matches that make lighting fires in tough conditions possible.If your hunter gets out into a bad situation with cold and stormy weather, you want him or her confident in their ability to stop and build a fire to survive. The alternative is to freak out, get lost, overheat with sweat trying to get back to the pickup, and then die of hyperthermia once the sweat starts freezing. I always pack a fire starter with me on every hunt. My favorite matches are the UCO Titan Stormproof Waterproof Matches. They work great and burn hot with a monster flame.
23. Pursuit 200-Lumen Cap Light
Handy light, great backup headlamp
I believe every hunter should carry a high-quality headlamp — read my guide to the best hunting headlamps — but I also like to use inexpensive lights around camp to save battery power in the morning powerful headlamps I take off the beaten path. I like the Pursuit 200-Lumen Cap Light because it costs just $7~ and uses easy to find and replace AAA batteries. At this price point, it’s one of the most cost-effective stocking stuffers for hunters I’ve seen in a long time.
24. Outdoor Edge ChowPal
Most comprehensive utensil pack
We don’t know how many hunters have packed a lunch or headed off to hunting camp and forgot a fork or spoon. It happens. And it’s super annoying. But you can solve that with a simple gift, the Outdoor Edge ChowPal. This little multitool utensil can go into a backcountry hunting backpack, go into the hunting lunch box, or stay in the camp kit or pickup truck. It’s not only a great stocking stuffer for hunters, it’s good for pretty much any outdoor enthusiast.
25. HotHands Variety Pack Hand and Toe Warmers
My favorite disposable hand warmer brand for long-lasting heat
Even when a hunter has good gloves, sometimes taking them on and off results in cold hands. We like to slip a hand warmer inside our gloves so they rest in place over the tops of the backs of our hands — it lets you wear lighter, hunting friendly gloves in frigid temperatures. And toe warmers? Wow, they work fantastic. Especially good if you end up down in some cold hole in the woods as darkness falls and you have a long, cold hike out ahead of you. If you buy the HotHands Variety Pack you can open the individual packets to create smaller stocking stuffers for hunters that will tuck into stockings!
More Gift Ideas for Hunters:
Still here? Still looking? No problem. We have even more great gift ideas for hunters. Be sure to check out:
- 45 Best Gifts for Hunters
- 25 Best Gifts for Bowhunters
- 55+ Camping Gifts for Campers & Outdoor Fanatics
And from some of our favorite online retailers:
- Shop hunting gear at Bass Pro Shops and get FREE shipping on most orders over $75.
- Shop Cabela’s ‘Bargain Cave’ for legendary savings up to 70% off every day.
- Shop L.L.Bean hunting and fishing gear, plus a legendary customer satisfaction guarantee.
- Shop Orvis for high-quality waterfowl and upland bird hunting gear and gifts.
How We Choose Our Stocking Stuffers for Hunters
To create our guide to the best hunting stocking stuffer gifts each year, we combine the best gifts from our previous season hunting gift guides with our favorite hunting gear we tested this year. Plus, we keep core hunting gear that we come back to again and again. In addition, we examine reader interest among past guides, which we used to help us build this updated guide to tease out hot gifts for hunters heading into the holiday shopping season. These stocking stuffer gift ideas for hunters are all gifts we could happily recommend to friends and family. We take special care to recommend inexpensive options that are small enough to fit into stockings.
