Backcountry, College style

[WyoBowhunter]

I am on a "College" budget and am planning on going on a high country mulie trip in the mountains of Wyoming and am looking at getting some inexpensive gear. I don't know if its possible to get what I need to attempt a backcountry hunt this year with my budget but I am looking for some honest opinions. I have a stove, GPS, sleeping bag/pad. I would need a tent/bivy, pack, and any other recommended gear. My budget couldn't be more than $500, and I would like to stay much under that. Used equipment or new. Any advice, or help would be much appreciated. Thanks and happy scouting/hunting!

[Jerry]

Check craigs List. Believe it or not I've scored some good equipment off there for very reasonable prices. Like always it is buyer beware, but deals can be made!

[jenbickel]

Craigslist in Wyoming isnt nearly as good as it is in other states.. You can find some stuff on there but not much around here.. I would be watching garage sales and stuff like that. Here in Sheridan there are always garage sales with hunting stuff. Maybe Ebay also?

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Buy a GoreTex USMC bivy (I got one off Ebay for $60 shipped), and although they aren't the most comfortable shelters, they are light, durable, and effective. Find a used pack. Maybe somebody off this site is upgrading and could swing you a deal. Check steepandcheap.com for deals as well. Sierra Trading Post has some deeply discounted gear as well. That $500 won't last long if you need clothes as well, but you wold be surprised what you can find at secondhand stores.

[wolftalonID]

Pack tents are not hard to come by cheap. Just make sure they have a good rainfly,(some double as a vestibule). And look for bathtub tarp bottoms. I used to have an ozark trail one I paid new for $80.00 and was a two man tent. Used it for 10 years and when I sold it, it was still in great shape.
I saw a tent at cabelas the other day very similar and under 5 lbs for 139.00 (cabelas brand)

I noticed you mentioned a hunt, but did not mention if you have a weapon? It helps to have one when hunting. lol
Is your $500 going to be used to buy one?

Boots are a needed Item, and a water container. You can buy water bladders(like camel back bladders) alone without the pack, and put the bladder in any pack you own.
Optics? Weather proof binos of some sort are best, however I made due for a while with a cheap pair of Barskas I got at Big5. They held water enough to support goldfish as pets, but if dry out worked well enough. I paid $15.00

Just some ideas that might help.

[Bitterroot Bulls]

On optics:

Here are a few bargains if you are just getting started:

http://swfa.com/Leupold-8x30-Green-R...ar-P12767.aspx

http://swfa.com/Burris-12-24x50-Land...er-P50702.aspx

Both of these optics typically outperform their prices.

[pcc2b]

I have a eureka spitfire one man tent that works great. It costs about $100 new, but I have seen deals on them down to $60. It is light (3lbs or so), enough interior space to sit up and change clothes, and takes rain like a champ.

Being on a budget just means that you will have to really hunt for deals and do your research on equipment, which can be fun and challenging. Also, later down the road you get to upgrade your equipment based on your experience which is also fun. happy hunting.

[SDbowhunter]

Try looking at camofire.com and in Cabelas' bargin caves

[WyoBowhunter]

Thanks for the advice. I will look at those. Ha I do have a weapon. I am going to be using my Hoyt Vectrix. I got a camel back but I really need a pack that could pack out some meat. Any ideas?

[WyoBowhunter]

Thanks everybody! You all have given me some great ideas! What about packs that are in my budget, anyone have any ideas?