An invitation to a free-range, open-country Oklahoma whitetail hunt not only brought some stellar hunting memories but also packed plenty of lessons on the importance of having the right hunting gear for such unique terrain. Big country means more walking, glassing, and ranging. 

So, you need the equipment to get that done and put yourself in a position for success. Here’s what we used – along with more than a little luck – to bag a first-day buck. 
 

First, Get the Right Rifle

We went on our hunt with a Savage Impulse Predator chambered for 6.5 Creedmoor. While it takes a little practice to become one with a straight-pull action after running standard bolt guns for years, it’s a simple learning curve with a major payoff. Hunting open country means the possibility for longer shots and rapid follow-ups. Of course, we always advocate for getting close, as that’s really the joy and challenge of hunting. 

However, the straight-pull Impulse not only makes second shots super quick with that rapid action, but when paired with Leupold’s CDS-ZL scope, it makes dialing ranges incredibly simple. The Mossy Oak Terra Gila camo works well in most terrains, while Savage’s established AccuFit stock and AccuTrigger certainly didn’t hurt, either. The Impulse Predator proved accurate, fast, and capable. 

More On Optics

Our specific model for our hunting scope was the Leupold VX- 5HD 3-16x44 CD-ZL. This was our first experience with the VX-5HD, as it’s a pricey optic. Once running it, we realized we were spoiled. The clarity, features, and everything about the optic have us wanting one. 

The star of the show, however, was Leupold’s CDS-ZL system – that’s short for Custom Dial System-Zero Lock. After purchasing the scope, the company builds a custom turret in your chosen caliber, free of charge. Once zeroed, hitting the mark is as simple as ranging the target, dialing to that number on the turret and shooting dead on. That’s a major boon, especially in open country like Oklahoma. That feature is even available on select models of Leupold’s VX-Freedom line of budget-friendly scopes. 
 

Our other optical tools on the hunt included the BX-5 Santiam binoculars and RX 1400i TBR/W rangefinder. Both proved key to spotting and setting up for a shot. The BX-5’s 10x42 glass offers our chosen favorite for power level versus size-weight trade off. 

As for the rangefinder, its TBR technology means it calculates ranges for uphill/downhill shots. It’s a 5x magnification with a red OLED display, three reticle options, and 1,400 reflective target range. On deer, it’s guaranteed to 950 yards, and we put that to the test with success even beyond. Obviously, this was a Leupold-backed hunt, but even if it wasn’t, these are products you can trust. We’ve used both before and since, including on an African safari. 

Ammo Is Key
 

Picking the right hunting load for your target animal and shooting ranges is essential. We went with Federal Fusion because it’s built specifically for deer hunting. There are other options, but we used it in 6.5 Creedmoor with a 140-grain soft-point bullet moving at 2,725 fps at the muzzle. 

The copper jacket is electro-chemically attached to the core, with the goal of a perfectly mushroomed projectile. We did not recover our bullet, as it was a clear pass-through with instantly fatal internal damage. Though Federal Fusion is not what most hunters think of in long-range hunting and shooting scenarios, that round proved itself not only in sub-MOA groups on the 100-yard range, but also knocked out 500-yard targets on the long range after the hunt.

As for the 6.5 Creedmoor choice, it’s what was provided on the hunt. Love it, hate it, or believe it’s overhyped – at times we fall into each category – the round performs both near and far, and does so with light recoil. 

Onto Camo & Gear

Though we don’t believe it’s critical to use one particular brand of camo – or even a certain pattern – it is vitally important to be comfortable, quiet, and matched relatively well to your terrain. To that end, we went with Mossy Oak. We used a mix of their Terra Gila and Country DNA. The weather varied rather wildly, with cold mornings and evenings but toasty mid-days. 

The Drake NonTypical Endurance 3-in-1 Jacket and matched pants allowed us to bundle up early and late, while zipping out or shedding layers as the mercury rose. The gear was silent and practical with useable pockets and features – including magnetic pockets – and suitable for the wide range of Oklahoma terrain types.  

Backpacks are another area of personal preference. You don’t want to be rummaging through your pockets when you need a piece of gear in the field. Use a pack you know works for you. We went with the Alps Outdoorz Big Bear in matching Mossy Oak Country DNA. It’s a modular system that doubles as both a lumbar pack with a shoulder harness or can be deployed into a hydration-compatible day pack. Whether preparing for half-day hunts or a full day or two foray, this lightweight rig has you covered. 
 

Still, no matter the location, safety comes first. Knowing the blaze orange regulations for the area you’re hunting is critical. Oklahoma requires the use of both an orange hat and exterior garb, so we used a basic vest and hat.

Our final piece of clothing gear was footwear. We can suggest using brand A or brand B, but when you’re venturing to open country and planning to run the ridges and cover ground, bring boots that you’ve already broken in, tested, and you know are comfortable. For us, it was Irish Setter VaprTrek uninsulated and Thorogood Infinity insulated rubber footwear in preparation for both dry ground and wet terrain, respectively. 

That brings us to shooting accurately, and we branched out to something new for this. We often use the Primos Trigger Sticks for quick deployment at home. However, our whitetail guide John had packed a BOG Deathgrip Carbon Fiber Tripod. To say it worked brilliantly would be an understatement. It holds the gun securely in position while glassing. It was surprisingly silent to operate. With the carbon-fiber build, it’s easy to carry or strap to the pack. Though springing for carbon fiber adds an extra $100 to the cost, the difference is more than worth it for mobile hunters. 
 

What We Wish We’d Brought

All the previously mentioned items checked the major boxes on the hunt. There were very few items we wished we’d taken along, but hindsight is always clearer. With cooler temps than expected, my hunting roommate Rose Draper and I found ourselves rationing the few hand and toe warmers we’d packed. Staying comfortable makes for happier hunters who stay in the field – or the blind – much longer, which is key because one never knows when that big buck will cruise through. 

At the end of the day, we couldn’t be more pleased with the selection of gear and the way it came together to perform. The best gear allows you, the hunter, to put 100-percent focus on the hunt itself, never worrying whether your gun, gear, optics, and ammo will do their job. These items are proven winners.