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A-hunting they will go. And when venturing out into the wilderness in search of big game, the hunter will need to carry any number of accessory items that will contribute towards the success of the day.
An army/navy store can and will provide the hunter with the basic apparel and footwear required by the intrepid sportsman, but there are many items that the retailer can also provide that will serve the hunter well while padding the retailer's profit margin.
Running with the pack
Hunters on a day trip will need a storage vehicle to hold ammunition, scent enhancers, cutlery, food and beverage items, cordage, first aid, communication and directional aids and sundry other necessities. These storage accessories, since worn externally must also coordinate with the clothing worn by the hunter and offer the same degree of camouflage.
With that in mind, the army /navy store has plenty to offer - rucksacks, backpacks, musette bags, map pouches, ammo pouches and other portage and storage items.
At The Army Store in Fairfield, Ohio, Lisa Harris has had plenty of experience selling packs to hunters.
"We sell a lot of three day backpacks, and MOLLE system tactical packs from Emco Supply and from Fox Outdoor," Harris noted.
Hydration packs are a popular add-on to the MOLLE systems that Harris sells.
Danny Fox of Fox Outdoor observed that the army /navy store is well situated to offer packs and bags to hunters, given the high cost of brand name packs sold through outdoor specialty stores.
"Hunters have different needs for backpacks, and army/navy stores have such a wide variety of packs that it is very likely that a hunter will find exactly what they need and at a much better price point than they would find at a brandname speciality retailer," he said.
It helps that army/navy retailers can offer packs in every camouflage pattern that a hunter may need to match their clothing and other field gear.
Jeff Daniel of Sturm European Military Surplus also reports that their backpacks, rucksacks and MOLLE systems are favored by the hunting community.
"In Georgia and in neighboring states, backpacks are a big deal. Our flectar backpacks complement the sale of our German flectar BDUs," said Daniel.
While hunters do buy packs from army/navy stores, Daniel cautioned that size matters.
"Hunters do not require large, heavy or framed packs since they basically are only out in the field for one day. Small to medium frameless packs are what retailers should be promoting," Daniel advised.
Chow for right now
While hunters generally prefer to travel lightly and do not require provisions for multi-day forays, food and hydration are still a concern while out in the hot sun, chilling cold or while sequestered in a tree stand.
Most hunters do not have the time to prepare foods afield, nor do they have the will to carry cooking implements or mess kits with them.
To that end, the good old MRE is an excellent accessory item that the army/navy retailer can offer, along with jerky, power bars and other portable prepared foods.
Lisa Harris extolled the virtue of selling MREs to her hunting customers.
"We've already sold through half of a pallet of MREs from Atlanco, and hunters love them. They're selling well to campers, backpackers and survivalists, too," she said.
While army/navy retailers are not in the business of selling bottled water, they can do well selling beverage containing and dispensing products such as the aforementioned MOLLEcompatible hydration packs.
Don't forget to sell hunting appropriate caps, gloves, socks, cutlery, binoculars, compasses, belts and vests. The more your hunting customer buys from you, the more loyal they will remain.
