Expert Kit: Melissa Bachman’s Hunting Gear List
Melissa Bachman has made a career out of the traditions passed down from her parents.
Being successful as a woman in the hunting industry isn’t an easy road, and that’s something Melissa Bachman will certainly attest to. She spent years trying to break into the world of professional hunting and though that path was met with many detours and roadblocks, she’s made her place known and then some.
You can find her on the Sportsman Channel, where she hosts Winchester Deadly Passion, on Instagram, or on YouTube, where she shares her hunts, successes, and a small peek into her life.
Her best piece of advice on how to become a success in the field?
“The best hunters are those who will outwork everyone else and those who can adapt on the fly,” Bachman said.
When it comes to her hunts, what gear does she trust to get the job done?
Let’s take a look.
Editor’s note: As with most professionals and experts in their field, many of the products on this list are likely connected via endorsement, sponsorship, or ambassadorship. Though it does not negate the value of the product, it is absolutely worth noting.
Melissa Bachman’s 2022 Hunting Gear List
Hunting Rifle
Last year, Melissa shot Winchester’s new XPR in a 350 Legend ($750). This year, she’ll transition back to something a bit more familiar with the Winchester XPR 330 Win Mag ($570), which should come as no surprise to those who follow her. With a show called “Winchester Deadly Passion,” it really only makes sense.
Both rifles have more than enough pep for her to successfully harvest the whitetail she’s known for chasing.
The XPR Rifles from Winchester are available in the following calibers and lengths:
- 223 Rem • 22″
- 243 Win • 22″
- 6.5 Creedmoor • 22″
- 7mm-08 Rem • 22″
- 308 Win • 22″
- 350 Legend • 22″
- 6.5 PRC • 24″
- 270 WSM • 24″
- 300 WSM • 24″
- 325 WSM • 24″
- 270 Win • 24″
- 6.8 Western • 24″
- 30-06 Spfld • 24″
- 7mm Rem Mag • 26″
- 300 Win Mag • 26″
- 338 Win Mag • 24″
Check 350 Legend Price at Bass ProCheck .330 WinMag Price at Sportsman’s Warehouse
Bow
When it comes to bowhunting, Melissa shoots a Mathews Prima ($990) with her signature pink touches. This bow has become a favorite for female hunters and those with a smaller stature. It’s compact, lightweight, and known to be quick and quiet.
Mathews Prima Specs
- Weight: 3.93 lbs.
- Axle-to-axle: 30″
- Draw length: 21.5-27.5″
- Brace height: 5.5″
- IBO rating: 321 fps
- Draw weights: 40, 50, and 60 lbs.
- Letoff: 80%
- Cam: Crosscentric
Hunting Knife
The Cold Steel Click N Cut ($29) is one of the most budget-friendly, interchangeable knives on the market, and people really do seem to love it. The reviews are awesome, with many people touting it as better than the more expensive competition. It’s what you’ll find if you dump out Melissa Bachman’s pack — so it seems she’d agree.
Cold Steel Click N Cut Specs
- Weight: 5 oz.
- Knife type: Folder
- Blade length range: 1-3″
- Steel family: 420
- Blade shape: Multiple
Check Price at ScheelsCheck Price at Blade HQ
Game Bags
Alaska Game Bags ($23) are a roll-on style of bag that really does help to keep your meat clean. The tight fit ensures that insects don’t get to the wild game and that dirt is kept at bay. And it eliminates some of the bunching and sagging you get with other styles of bags.
Alaska Game Bags Specs
- Protects field-dressed meat from dirt, debris, insects, adverse weather, and more
- 4-pack of large 48″ quarter bags
- Form fits to meat to reduce or eliminate bulky excess material
- Super-tough, lightweight, durable
- Strong bag material; breathable, virtually tear-resistant, odor-free, and reusable
Check Price at AmazonCheck Price at Blade HQ
Binoculars
The Swarovski EL Series ($2,199) of binos are one of the top-rated binoculars on the market, and for good reason. The clarity of Swarovski is fairly undisputed, and if you have the budget, no amount of money can buy better glass.
Swarovski EL Specs
- Height: 6.3″
- Width: 5.2″
- Weight: 29.6 oz.
- Eye relief: 20 mm
- Light transmission: 90%
Check Price at AmazonCheck Price at Scheels
Bino Harness
The Outdoor Vision Ridgetop 2.0 Binoculars Harness ($110) is an update to the original Ridgetop. This one is a bit more streamlined and secure, with additional features like MOLLE attachment points on the bottom. If you’re going to invest in quality optics life Bachman’s Swarovskis, it’s important to keep them safe, secure, and easy to access.
Outdoor Vision Ridgetop 2.0 Bino Harness Specs
- Forward opening top for efficient one-handed access
- Quiet magnetic pocket closure
- Enclosed sides for protection from debris entering pouch
- Utilizes YKK zippers and ITW slides and buckles
- Rear pocket for cellphone, tags, or miscellaneous items
- Mesh side pockets for calls, wind indicator, or miscellaneous gear
- Integrated waterproof rain cover in bottom zipper compartment
- Lower MOLLE attachment points for additional storage pockets
- Front zipper compartment for gear/accessory storage
- Foam-reinforced body to protect optics
- High-strength buckles and BAR-TACKED seam construction
- Made of SilentHyde material for silent, durable, and water-resistant use
- Bino tethers included for connecting binos to harness
Check Price at BlackOvisCheck Price at Outdoor Vision
Hunting Boots
DSG has built a huge following with its dedicated women’s hunting line, and its boots are one of the big sellers. The DSG Women’s Rubber Hunting Boot 2.0 ($170) has awesome reviews and is quickly becoming a favorite boot for women who love a classic rubber boot that will also keep their feet warm.
DSG Women's Rubber Hunting Boot 2.0 Specs
- 100% waterproof
- 400g 3M Thinsulate insulation
- Grip sole for excellent traction
- Camo rubber hunting boots with fixed liner
- Aqua DSG Hunting logo with Realtree Edge pattern
- Available in women’s shoe sizes 6-11, whole sizes only
Check Price at BlackOvisCheck Price at DSG Outwear
Hunting Jacket
The Kylie 4.0 3-in-1 Hunting Jacket ($199) is a versatile jacket that delivers a lot of bang for the buck. The inner fleece adds an additional layer when you need it, is removable when you don’t, and can be worn on its own for a day-to-day jacket.
Kylie 4.0 3-in-1 Hunting Jacket Specs
- Durable windproof/waterproof fabric with seal-taped seams and DWR treatment to shed water
- Quiet brushed tricot shell, which is waterproof, windproof, and breathable
- Thin-profile 100g insulation with removable hood and 6 front pockets
- Lycra wrist gaiters with thumbholes to give your hands extra protection
- Updated soft plush removable fleece liner to also wear casually
- Tag-holder on the back of the jacket
- Camo colorways include an opening with flap on the upper back of the jacket for treestand harness
Check Price at AmazonCheck Price at Scheels
Hunting App
HuntStand ($30-70 per year) has a few membership options to fit your needs. When it comes to knowing where property boundaries are, and who property owners are, it’s a solid choice. If you’ve been curious about who owns that farmland across the way, this might be the answer.
HuntStand Specs
- Property boundaries (U.S. and Canada)
- Property ownership data (U.S. only)
- Detailed hunting and public land maps
- 3D mapping tool
- Stand reservations
- Unlimited offline maps
- … and more
Hunting Blind
The BOG Grave Digger Ground Blind ($330) is roomy enough to move about and tall enough to stand, which isn’t very common with most ground blinds. If you spend a ton of time hunting from a blind, this might be just the investment you need to make for a comfortable season. It seems to be working quite well for Bachman in both archery and rifle season.
BOG Grave Digger Ground Blind Specs
- Dimensions: 82.7” L x 82.7” W x 70.9” H (fully assembled); designed tall for standing-height use and can accommodate up to 4 people at a time
- Reliable: 3-sided, 4-hub design with 3 windows allows for a 360-degree view of your hunting area
- Durable: Constructed of 300-denier oxford fabric with UV protection and water-resistant polyurethane coating for long-term use in rough weather conditions
- Innovative: Double width door features a silent zipper system on the door and a silent track retention system on the windows for discreet movement in and out of the blind
- Convenient: Features top and bottom loops for brushing in the blind, heavy-duty stakes with tie-downs for anchoring, an easy-setup 4-hub system, and comes with a polyester carry bag with backpack straps and tie-down straps for cinching to a UTV
Check Price at AmazonCheck Price at Scheels
Hunting Snacks
Mountain House Beef Stroganoff ($11) is one of the best backpacking meals there is. Fight me about it. You’ll lose.
Bachman agrees. It’s her go-to meal in the field. Sure, there are a lot of freeze-dried meals on the market these days, but Mountain House is the OG. There’s something comforting about the no-frills meals we all grew up with.
What about quick snacks and hydration?
For Melissa, it’s Pop-Tarts and Mountain Dew … obviously.
Check Price at REICheck Price at Amazon
Melissa Bachman’s Bonus Gear
When asked if there was any other important piece of gear she has to have in the field, she didn’t hesitate.
“I always keep a bottle of Scent Killer Gold ($25) in my pack to spray down myself and gear.”
Check Price at AmazonCheck Price at Scheels
If you’re interested in what some of the other experts are taking into the field this year, check out Randy Newberg’s Expert Kit.
The Art of Spot-and-Stalk Bowhunting
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