Fist time hunter needing help on gear selection

[riser]

Have a SAFE way to carry broadhead-tipped arrows.

Have SAFE way to be secure if in a tree stand.

Good boots.  Warm clothes. Prepare for the elements.

Practice shooting...IN YOUR HUNTING CLOTHES and FROM YOUR TREE STAND (or sitting  position, if that will be the way you will be taking your shot .  Basically, "you play the way you practice."

Binoculars

Drag rope. Knife. Compass, map of area. 2 ways to start a fire (magnesium striker, magnifying glass, strike anywhere matches in waterproof container,lighter).  Handgun (if allowed). Water, flashlight. food.  Cell phone. Acme thunderer whistle. Foam seat pad. Poncho ( use as windbreaker/blanket.  Empty 2 liter bottle (to pee into if in tree stand). Light rope to lift/lower gear into/out of tree stand after/before you climb. Scarf ( keeps wind off face, )

Patience.

[woodchucker]

Bow, Arrows, Knife, Oh... A piece of rope, in case you shoot one without handles on her head.

[BAK]

Seriously, a mentor to save you a ton of mistakes.

[ty_in_ND]

Lots of good advice in this thread so far. This might error more on the side of "optional" and while playing the wind trumps any kind of new fangled "scent free" clothing, scent-free soap, deodorant, and laundry detergent are nice to have.  They won't help too terribly much if the wind is blowing straight at the deer, but if the wind swirls on you, it might make the difference between having the extra second to get the shot off and the deer busting you.

[NY Yankee]

Try to keep things as simple as possible without shorting yourself badly. Sometimes, I just walk in to the woods with what's in my pockets and a bow in my hand, but that requires more carefulness and more attention to your actions (like getting out before too dark to see).

[Car54]

Learn how to cut up your animal, have ice & ice chest,  if it's warm weather. YouTube is your friend.