The Ultimate Non-Country Music Playlist for Hunters, According to a New York Bowhunter

Hunting and country music are undeniably linked. I understand. A lot of country music comes from the same farming country in the South and Midwest where many Americans hunt. But since so many more new hunters live in big cities and their suburbs, traditional “Country Boy Can Survive” playlists don’t exactly resonate with all of us. I live in Queens, New York, and my musical choices are influenced by where I live and where I grew up.

So when it comes to my hunting season, there is a certain level of energy that has to be achieved and maintained. No slow traffic jams. Not easy listening. Just music created to excite, excite and prepare you to face your hunt. That’s why I’ve curated the Ultimate Hunting Playlist: 52 songs designed to get you motivated for your hunt. Now listen on Apple Music or Spotify while you read. (Note: This is an explicit playlist. Supervision of young hunters is advised.)

Wu-Tang is for hunters

One of my first experiences with a hunting companion was not hunting. (Go figure it out.) It’s thanks to our shared love for the best of Shaolin, the Wu-Tang Clan. Over the past few years, it’s been amazing how many people in the hunting community love this New York hip-hop group. This first block of songs from the playlist is therefore a tribute to the Killer Bees. You will immediately recognize some of these tracks.

1. Protect Your Neck – Wu-Tang Clan
2. Da Mystery of Chessboxin’ – Wu-Tang Clan
3. Shadowboxin’ – GZA feat. method man
4. Da Rockwilder – Method Man & Redman
5. Triumph – Wu-Tang Clan
6. Lesson Learned – Wu-Tang Clan
7. Criminology – Raekwon feat. Ghostface Killah
8. Bring the Pain – Method Man
9. Guillotine – Raekwon feat. Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck and GZA
10. The Wu-Tang Clan ain’t nothing but the F’ Wit – Wu-Tang Clan
11. Shame on AN**** – Wu-Tang Clan
12. Got Your Money – Ol’ Dirty Bastard feat. Kelis
13. Protect Ya’s Neck (The Jump) – Wu-Tang Clan

will make you sweat

In a past life, I was pretty addicted to fitness. I even made an appearance in an infomercial for a popular workout video. These next bits are from playlists that helped me get a few workouts in and helped me establish a new PR at the squat rack. Now, how is this useful to your hunting experience? Well, imagine you just shot a moose like Cam Hanes and now you have to put it away. If you don’t quite have that mental toughness, one of the following from this track block can get you going.

14. Body – Drowning Basin
15. I am alone – Godsmack
16. Pain For Pleasure – Sum 41
17. Chop Suey! – System of a Down
18. Fuel – Metallica
19. Welcome to the Jungle – Guns N’ Roses
20. Smells like teenage spirit – Nirvana
21. My Hero – Foo Fighters
22. Kill in the Name – Rage Against the Machine
23. Still pending – Sum 41
24. Down with the disease – Disturbed
25. Breaking the Habit – LINKIN PARK

The most real

This next block of tracks is for the real hip-hop heads. Coming from New York, the birthplace of hip-hop, I had to hook you up with some bangers. These songs are a great addition to any hunting camp. Play any song from that part of the playlist. And if the hunter next to you isn’t moving his head in rhythm, don’t invite him back. You don’t need that kind of negativity in your life.

26. Biggie/Tupac Freestyle – The Notorious BIG & 2Pac feat. DJ Mister Cee
27. Ima Boss – Meek Mill feat. Rick Ross
28. Lose Yourself – Eminem
29. ‘Till I Collapse – Eminem feat. Nate Dogg
30. Ruff Ryders Anthem – DMX
31. Take them out – TI
32. Acting Like A Fool – Ludacris
33. I’m Bad – LL Cool J
34. Stronger – Kanye West
35. Notorious Thugs – The Notorious BIG feat. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
36. Always DRE – Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg
37. Made You Watch – Nas
38. Return – Ludacris
39. I Twisted It – Mobb Deep
40. Walk Like This – Run-DMC feat. Aerosmith
41. Beats to the Rhyme – Run-DMC
42. Mama Said Knocks You Out – LL Cool J

80s film montage

The latest set of songs to grace this playlist have been included to make you feel a bit nostalgic. If you don’t, then you’re probably too young. But if you can appreciate a good workout edit of an old 80s movie, then this is for you.

Still not sold? Let me paint you a picture. Imagine you are somewhere in the Midwest. You live on 200 acres with your grandparents, who raised you. But alas, trouble is brewing in town. Grandma and grandpa are behind on their mortgage payments. The mayor and the game warden are conspiring to get your hands on that property you’ve been hunting your whole life. You and your motley but lovable group of hunting buddies are all out of ideas for getting money. But there is hope: the town is hosting its annual 3D archery and the prize money is the exact amount you need to pay for the farm. The only problem? You have never shot an archery. You have two days before the shooting.

Check out the inspiring training montage of you becoming an archery ace—set to this playlist. Perform your favorite song for the nail-biting finale: when you find out the mayor has recruited ringer John Dudley to make sure no one else can win the prize money. (I’m pretty sure I just wrote the script for the next Oscar winner. Don’t steal my idea.)

43. Breaking the Ice – John Farnam, of “RAD”
44. No Easy Way Out – Robert Tepper, “Rocky IV”
45. Hearts on Fire – John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, from “Rocky IV”
46. The Touch – from the animated film “Transformers: The Movie”
47. You’re the best – Joe Esposito, from “The Karate Kid”
48. Hold On For A Hero – Bonnie Tyler, ‘Footloose’
49. We are not alone – Karla Devito, of “The Breakfast Club”
50. Never – from “Footloose”
51. Twist Of Fate – Olivia Newton John, from “Two of a Kind”
52. Invincible – from “The Legend of Billie Jean”

I highly recommend that you listen to this entire playlist (available on Apple Music and Spotify) in your truck, with the windows and volume turned up. Alone or with passengers, each track will make you amped up for your hunt. You’re welcome.