I'm about to get my hunting license and I have no idea where to start. You get bombarded everywhere with expensive stuff - binoculars, camouflage clothing, special backpacks. What's really necessary and where can you cut corners at the beginning?
Most beginners fall for the marketing and think they need super expensive gear to be successful. But that's not true - hunting works fine with budget gear as long as it's functional.
Safety is non-negotiable: safety vest, good boots (you need them anyway for any day outdoors) and obviously your weapon with proper training. That's not up for debate. Then a decent jacket for the weather - doesn't have to be camouflage, dark green or brown works totally fine. A basic backpack, binoculars (you could go with something cheaper secondhand at first) and ammunition. That's the real basics.
What most people miss: Your farmer, your hunting territory owner, or whoever you're going out with will tell you what gear actually makes sense there. In some territories you need camo stuff, in others you don't really. Don't get discouraged by YouTube hunters with complete setups for €2000 - start with maybe €500-800 and see what you actually need. Then you can always upgrade later. And don't buy everything online: go to a local shop, get advice, try stuff on. The people there often already know what conditions are like in the area 👍
Congratulations on getting your hunting license! The most important thing at the beginning is really the safety gear - you can't cut corners there. A good high-visibility vest in bright colors is mandatory, just like a reliable weapon and the knowledge of how to use it properly (your course should have taught you that). Otherwise, at the start normal, weather-resistant clothing in neutral colors is completely fine - camouflage patterns aren't necessary and cost a fortune.
For everything else, you can improvise at first. A regular sturdy backpack works just as well as one with a "hunting" label, a basic binocular of medium quality is totally sufficient (the premium gear is nice-to-have, not need-to-have), and you can buy specialized hunting boots later when you realize you actually need them. What's more important is talking with the more experienced hunters in your area - they can often recommend used gear or pass things along to you. Find yourself a mentor who can show you what's really worth the investment.
Start small, see how you grow into the hobby, and then buy specific things once you figure out what you're actually missing. That way you'll also avoid wasting money on stuff you don't need and you'll quickly find out what you personally don't want to do without.
Start with the basics and build up your equipment slowly - you really don't need everything at once when you're starting out. The most important thing is proper safety gear (hi-vis vest, sturdy footwear), a reliable firearm and ammunition that suits your hunting area. Everything else like specialized camouflage clothing, expensive binoculars or high-end backpacks you can add gradually as you figure out what you actually need.
Don't rush into buying a binocular for several hundred euros just because it looks fancy - plenty of beginners only figure out later what magnification and light transmission they actually need, and then end up with two pairs. What the others are saying is right: safety comes first, but you don't need to get the most expensive model for that either. One thing I'd add though: invest in good boots and a rain jacket that'll keep you warm and dry for hours in the forest instead - you'll feel the difference in that way faster than with a better binocular, and it directly affects your hunting success and your safety.
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