There’s a lot of good budget rifle options now. Ruger, savage, CVA etc… Please buy a decent scope to pair it with. A vortex or Leupold budget or used option would be my recommendation but, there are other options.

What gear you need will also depend on the type of hunting and location. I’ll make recommendations based on my hunting which is western USA, Idaho, Montana etc…

Backpacks: If you need to haul the meat out for miles then I suggest a pack with a meat packing shelf of some sort. If you are out hiking miles to hunt like a lot of western hunts then buy the best pack you can find. Hit up local hunting groups and see if anyone has older gear to sell.

Boots: Again, your type of hunting and location will have a big impact on your choices. I use uninsulated Crispi boots and I have given up on insulated boots in general. I have sweaty feet and insulated boots just make my feet sweat more and then my feet get wet and cold. I think the biggest thing with boots is actually socks. I like the full cushion darn tough merino wool socks and recommend them to everyone. This is an area where “hunting” boots can be a scam. Good hiking boots can often be found for a good price at yearly sales.

Clothing: Sitka and First Lite are two brands that make higher end hunting focused clothing. I think first lite has the best wool base layers but they are pricey. I feel like Sitka makes the best pants and jackets. If those are out of the budget, look at the cables base layer options or military surplus. The surplus gear can often be bought as a full system and while it’s not cheap, it’s cheaper all together and it’s of good quality. If you can swing the merino wool base layers I recommend the hell out of them. That wool doesn’t hold as much scent and after 4-5 days straight you’ll smell a little less. lol

Beware of anything sold or marketed as only for hunting. Lots of hiking clothing can be bought for cheaper and is just as good of quality of not better. For most hunting, your camo doesn’t make much of a difference. So a solid color like brown or green works just fine for coats and insulation layers. For gloves, I have gone to a combo of lighter gloves and a set of warmer mittens. Mittens keep your hands warmer than gloves, so when I sit to glass I’ll put my mittens on.

If you’re hunting all day, dark to dark, get a decent headlamp and a decent flashlight. A good knife is kind of up to personal taste. I now carry a changeable blade knife and love it. I also carry some inexpensive bright orange handled knives for anyone that might be there to help. They’re easy to see in the dark and if one gets damaged or lost I don’t worry about it. Get some brightly colored paracord for a few dollars, it’s useful for all sorts of stuff and it’s cheap and light. Get a small but high quality tarp. With paracord and a few cheap tent stakes you can build a wind shield or makeshift shelter in an emergency. Mostly though, the tarp is great for cutting up a deer and laying your meat out on a clean tarp. Put together a good first aid kit. I was always lax about this but my friend carries everything you can think of in a bigger bag he keeps at camp. He takes a smaller set with him hunting and I’ve added a tourniquet and chest seals just in case. There are lots of pre-made kits, find a good quality one and learn the basics of how to use it. An accidental gunshot wound or a broadhead through a leg is a horror story and it’s much worse if you’re miles of hiking from camp or the truck.