A good, sharp knife is one of the most important tools for the successful hunter. A dull knife can be a hunter's worst nightmare. Old knives can be sharpened and should be before each hunt. There are new knives on the market that are made specifically for hunters. One thing a hunter should be sure of is that a folding knife has a locking blade — that works. Newer knives also have features such as saw and gut hooks to make the task of dressing a deer easier and quicker. A good knife starts at around $40.

A good rule of thumb is to buy a knife with a medium-hard blade rather than a hard blade. It's easier to get a sharp edge on a softer blade. It can be nearly impossible to fine-tune a hard blade in the field

Another new product on the hunter's market is ScentLock clothing. As the name implies, this material holds in the human scent, which makes hunting easier, since there is no worry about being upwind or downwind.

The scent-blocker attire can start with simple underwear — top and bottom — and then go into pants, coats and jackets.

The scent inhibitors have been around for several years and are therefore becoming less expensive. Underwear starts at $29.99, each, for tops and bottoms. A good pair of pants or jacket can run around $150.

There is also a detergent that can wash the scent out of hunting clothing. The secret, of course, is that once the items are washed, they're kept away from other clothing that can transmit sweet-smelling scents. A container of this detergent sells for $7.

Footwear isn't something to be taken lightly. A good pair of Gore-Tex boots is a worthwhile investment, especially with unpredictable weather conditions.

"The most important thing I tell people, though, is to avoid wearing two pairs of socks. I'm not talking one thin and one thick, I'm talking about people wearing two pairs of heavy socks thinking this will keep their feet warmer," said Houston. "The truth is, their feet will be colder, because the socks will cut circulation. There are socks, now, made for hunters, and one pair is enough."

He also warned hunters to avoid wearing cotton socks. Cotton socks are hydrophilic, which means they retain moisture and cause friction. This makes for uncomfortable feet and the dreaded blisters.

New gloves on the market feature such things as a combination of mitten and glove, and gloves with places for small heater-packets.

Those chemical warmers are perfect for those cold mornings and evenings. Simply open the package and expose the packet to air. The packet provides comfortable heat for up to 12 hours. Along with warming the hand, there are warmers for back, body and feet, and they can be used to warm the face and head.

Some hunters also like to take along a pair of plastic gloves to make clean-up easier and quicker.

Binoculars are important, but often among the things "forgotten" and left at home.

They needn't be expensive or large. There are inexpensive binoculars on the market that are small and powerful. A basic binocular can start at around $25. A good binocular can cost upwards of $115.