Mobley Outdoors

Straight talk on hunting gear from a Virginia veteran who spends his mornings in the field.

See Gear Picks

About

I'm John Mobley, a military veteran and lifelong hunter based in Virginia. From cold marsh mornings chasing ducks to long sits in a deer stand, I've learned that good gear doesn't have to be the most expensive gear. It just has to work when it counts.

Mobley Outdoors is where I share what I look for in gear, what has held up for me, and what I'd tell a buddy before he spends his money. No hype, no paid fluff. Just honest advice from the field.

Gear I Use

This is gear I bought with my own money and hunt with myself. It's my own kit, not a list of picks. Links go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Duck & Goose Hunting

John Mobley holding a wood duck in the marsh, wearing Frogg Toggs waders and a Benelli camo beanie
Me with a wood drake, wearing my Frogg Toggs Grand Refuge waders, Benelli MAX-5 beanie, and Rig'Em Right hand muff.
Duck decoy spread on open water at sunrise beside a marsh grass point
My spread at sunrise, with my Higdon and ripple decoys working the water.
John Mobley in Realtree Max-5 camo setting out duck decoys from a boat at dawn, with a slotted decoy bag beside him
Me setting out the spread before sunrise in my Banded gear, pulling decoys from my Rig'Em Right decoy bag.

More of my duck & goose gear

Whitetail Deer

John Mobley in a tree stand wearing a camo face mask and cap, clipped to a lifeline, with his compound bow hanging beside him
Me up in the stand with my bow, clipped into my harness and lifeline.

More of my whitetail gear

Big Game

John Mobley in camo with a hood and orange-brimmed cap, carrying a pack with a Garmin inReach clipped to the strap, a bipod, and a tripod
Me heading out at first light with my inReach on my pack strap, my Harris bipod, and my Vortex tripod.
John Mobley in the timber wearing a blaze orange beanie and camo jacket, with a Butler Creek sling and a Garmin inReach on his chest strap
Me in the timber with my Butler Creek sling on my shoulder.
John Mobley at night with a harvested cow elk, his rifle resting on a bipod in front
My cow elk, taken with my rifle on my Harris bipod.
John Mobley in camo with a chest pack and Garmin inReach, kneeling behind a pronghorn buck
My pronghorn buck, with my inReach on my chest rig.

Upland Hunting

John Mobley in a field with an over-under shotgun, wearing a blaze orange Browning upland vest and cap
Me on an upland hunt in my Browning upland vest.

Field Dressing & Processing

Small Game

Gun Gear & Accessories

Packing Lists

My real packing lists for specific hunts. Copy them for your own trip. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Wyoming Antelope & Elk

Pack & Bags

Clothing & Layers

Sleep & Camp

Cook, Water & Food

Optics & Shooting

Knives & Game Processing

Safety & Navigation

Firearms

  • Pronghorn rifle: Sig Cross 6.5 Creedmoor with Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x44
  • Elk rifle: Savage 111 7mm Rem Mag with Sig Whiskey3 4-12x40
  • Sidearm: S&W M&P 2.0 10mm in a Kenai chest holster

Gear Picks

Here's what I look for in each category. Below are picks I'd recommend to a buddy. Links go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Duck Hunting

Waders are where it starts. Look for a fit that lets you kneel and climb into a boat, insulated boots for cold water, and a good wading belt for safety. A blind bag that floats and seals out water will save your shells and phone.

Deer Stands & Blinds

Whether it's a ladder stand, hang-on, or ground blind, safety comes first. Always wear a full-body harness and use a lifeline when climbing. Pick a stand rated well above your weight with your gear, and a seat you can sit in quietly for hours.

Optics

Buy the best glass you can afford. For binoculars, 8x or 10x with good low-light performance covers most hunting. For scopes, match the magnification to your typical shot distance and make sure the mounts are solid. Waterproof and fog-proof are musts.

Clothing & Layers

Dress in layers: a moisture-wicking base, an insulating middle, and a windproof, waterproof outer shell. Choose camo that matches where you hunt, and quiet fabrics for bowhunting. Keep blaze orange handy and know your state's requirements.

Calls & Decoys

A call is only as good as the practice behind it, so start with one easy to run and learn it well. For decoys, realistic paint and keels that ride right in the wind matter more than sheer numbers. Rigging and weights are worth getting right.

Field Essentials

A sharp, reliable knife, a headlamp with spare batteries, a basic first aid kit, a way to start a fire, and a good pack. Add a range finder, gloves, and hand warmers as the season gets colder. Little things make or break a long day.

Mobley Outdoors Merch

Hats, shirts, and more are in the works. Coming soon

Contact

Questions about gear, or want to say hello? Email me at mobleyoutdoors@gmail.com.