- Sep 17, 2012
- 5
- 0
Who out there gets the latest and greatest.
Who hunts with what they have had for yearsor makes what they have work.
Who hunts with what they have had for yearsor makes what they have work.
?? on your epuipment
- Thread starter chad fenton
- Start date
Drhorsepower
Veteran member
Can you be more specific? Some folks have a ton of equipment. Is there a particular piece you are interested in?
- Sep 17, 2012
- 5
- 0
No I am curious because I plan on going on a diy back
country hunt, hopefully next year. While I have alot of things I feel I will need, just wondering if people get the best items they can or make what they have work. IE gas stoves ,tents,sleepingbags. Ontothe things you actually use to hunt, gun, bow,scope, binoculars.
country hunt, hopefully next year. While I have alot of things I feel I will need, just wondering if people get the best items they can or make what they have work. IE gas stoves ,tents,sleepingbags. Ontothe things you actually use to hunt, gun, bow,scope, binoculars.
I have a bunch of gear, most i have purchased slightly used on ebay and craiglist and gargae sales. The only new thing i bought was a 0' degree sleeping bag because i don't like mummys style bags.
If your patient, u can get what you need for 1/2 off or better
If your patient, u can get what you need for 1/2 off or better
Chippy Hacky
Member
- Jul 21, 2012
- 83
- 0
I get the best that I can. Nothing is worse than packing junk up a hill and not having it work. If it is serviceable and reliable then your just looking at trades off such as ease or weight. Weight usually wins out in the end if its a tie. One thing, don't skimp on Glass like your Binocs, scope or spotting scope. Scrimp, save, sell other guns, but get the best glass that's out there. I prefer Leupold, it’s never ever let me down and the warranty is great but to each their own.
Ok, one note on my tent. I paid $16 for it on sale, it is a cheap dome style tent that only weighs a couple pounds! It is as light as some of the much more expensive tents, it works very well and does everything it needs to do. The reason I went with it is because I was noticing how much abuse my kids' play tents were getting and how well it held up, they were practically indestructible! I thought about it and went with it and haven't regretted it yet.
I pick up quite a bit of stuff on Craigslist. There was a brand new sleeping pad for sale for $20 the other day that is $90 at REI. Today I picked up a tripod for $15 that is $46 at Amazon.com. So you can find some deals here, put in a want ad.
Also, after I get back I take inventory and if there is anything that I didn't use I consider leaving it home next time. After awhile you won't have to do this, you will just "know" but when I go out with other people it amazes me some of the things that they think they need.
Ok, one note on my tent. I paid $16 for it on sale, it is a cheap dome style tent that only weighs a couple pounds! It is as light as some of the much more expensive tents, it works very well and does everything it needs to do. The reason I went with it is because I was noticing how much abuse my kids' play tents were getting and how well it held up, they were practically indestructible! I thought about it and went with it and haven't regretted it yet.
I pick up quite a bit of stuff on Craigslist. There was a brand new sleeping pad for sale for $20 the other day that is $90 at REI. Today I picked up a tripod for $15 that is $46 at Amazon.com. So you can find some deals here, put in a want ad.
Also, after I get back I take inventory and if there is anything that I didn't use I consider leaving it home next time. After awhile you won't have to do this, you will just "know" but when I go out with other people it amazes me some of the things that they think they need.
Old Hunter
Banned
I'm using a modern muzzleloader this year. Normally, my gun is from the early 50's, clothing from the 50's, Buck knife for the 70's. No need for binos or range finders. I guess I don't use the latest equipment, but it can't be called junk either if it's lasted this long. 
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I'm not much of a backpack hunter anymore as I am over 70 now. But I do a lot of hiking when I hunt. I use a small daypack (brand don't really matter IMHO, just so its comfortable and will hold what you take). I also use a surplus GI web belt & canteen with the issue suspenders. Been using it for years and I really like it. Got rid of 2 pieces of optics (binos & rangefinder) and replaced it with one...a Sworo combo. It has really been great for the last 2 years and makes a lot of sense as I am a rifle hunter and don't need the special RF made for bow hunters. I carry a number of safety items...a few light sticks, floro red tape, SPOT,small butane cig lighter, spare pair of sox, rain gear, rope, space blanket, spare set of contact lenses and Rx glasses and some energy bars. Notice I left out a compass...my watch has one builtin. I also carry one of the new Bushnell GPS return instruments (can't remember the name right now) which really is simple and helps you navigate back to anywhere you set into it) Pretty cheap too@ around $50.
Thats about it for safety stuff. I also carry a small folding saw, knife sharpener and a spare larger knife. Everything alltogether probably weighs less than 20#.
. But I do a lot of hiking when I hunt. I use a small daypack (brand don't really matter IMHO, just so its comfortable and will hold what you take). I also use a surplus GI web belt & canteen with the issue suspenders. Been using it for years and I really like it. Got rid of 2 pieces of optics (binos & rangefinder) and replaced it with one...a Sworo combo. It has really been great for the last 2 years and makes a lot of sense as I am a rifle hunter and don't need the special RF made for bow hunters. I carry a number of safety items...a few light sticks, floro red tape, SPOT,small butane cig lighter, spare pair of sox, rain gear, rope, space blanket, spare set of contact lenses and Rx glasses and some energy bars. Notice I left out a compass...my watch has one builtin. I also carry one of the new Bushnell GPS return instruments (can't remember the name right now) which really is simple and helps you navigate back to anywhere you set into it) Pretty cheap too@ around $50. Thats about it for safety stuff. I also carry a small folding saw, knife sharpener and a spare larger knife. Everything alltogether probably weighs less than 20#.
Conrad8899
Active Member
I to have bought from ebay and other sites. I all ways wait for a sale or close out. Or I bye used. U can fined good used gear. If U watch and are patient.
Chippy Hacky
Member
- Jul 21, 2012
- 83
- 0
One note when it comes to clothes. In my opinion, nothing comes close to wool and you can still find the best wool pants from Mil. Surplus. One of my most favorite pair of pants cost me less than $10 and I bought them two years ago. They aren't camo but the dead animals didn't seem to mind!
HuskyMusky
Veteran member
My 1st matthews bow wasn't the top/best they offered at the time, which left me wanting a better bow or the latest/greatest.
So when I was ready for a new bow I bought Matthews' latest and greatest, which was the Drenalin, a great bow, still a great bow, which is 5 years old now? and their newest bows don't leave me wanting one really, I honestly could hunt forever with this bow and never need another bow IMO.
I'm sure I'll own another matthews one day, in no way does one need the latest bow each season.. plus I'd rather know my bow for 5 years or so vs. having to learn a new bow every year.
I assume say the Helim is better than my Drenalin, but by how much? I haven't really heard of any major break throughs since my bow, so is the helim 5% better? it's not like the bow shoots twice as fast, twice as quiet, half the weight etc...
If/when there is a major break through I'll probably want a new bow, for honestly I could easily see using my current bow for another 5-10years.
I'd be more likely to buy a new quiver/accessories for my bow than a new bow at his point.
I like my setup for the most part, great bow, great arrows, great release, great sight.
So essentially I'd get the latest and greatest when I need something new, if not I'd save my money for something I need. Once you have a great setup why change it when the benefit is very little.
Also my local bowshop will honestly tell me if there is any difference from a bow to another..., they'll straight up say your 2003 bow is almost no different from the new 2004/2005 bow... down the road they may say oh this has improved...in 2010... so sure you can get a new bow and it'll be better, but not much... or, oh the game has changed, this new model blows everything out of the water.
Having an honest pro who's been around the block to tell you straight up what's going on, is quite a nice luxury IMO. Especially when they're not getting rich off their lil business and they know you have the cash to buy a new bow and they still tell you don't bother...
So when I was ready for a new bow I bought Matthews' latest and greatest, which was the Drenalin, a great bow, still a great bow, which is 5 years old now? and their newest bows don't leave me wanting one really, I honestly could hunt forever with this bow and never need another bow IMO.
I'm sure I'll own another matthews one day, in no way does one need the latest bow each season.. plus I'd rather know my bow for 5 years or so vs. having to learn a new bow every year.
I assume say the Helim is better than my Drenalin, but by how much? I haven't really heard of any major break throughs since my bow, so is the helim 5% better? it's not like the bow shoots twice as fast, twice as quiet, half the weight etc...
If/when there is a major break through I'll probably want a new bow, for honestly I could easily see using my current bow for another 5-10years.
I'd be more likely to buy a new quiver/accessories for my bow than a new bow at his point.
I like my setup for the most part, great bow, great arrows, great release, great sight.
So essentially I'd get the latest and greatest when I need something new, if not I'd save my money for something I need. Once you have a great setup why change it when the benefit is very little.
Also my local bowshop will honestly tell me if there is any difference from a bow to another..., they'll straight up say your 2003 bow is almost no different from the new 2004/2005 bow... down the road they may say oh this has improved...in 2010... so sure you can get a new bow and it'll be better, but not much... or, oh the game has changed, this new model blows everything out of the water.
Having an honest pro who's been around the block to tell you straight up what's going on, is quite a nice luxury IMO. Especially when they're not getting rich off their lil business and they know you have the cash to buy a new bow and they still tell you don't bother...
Timberstalker
Veteran member
I'm cheap, so I have a hard time spending more than $500 at a time on anything. I try to keep my hunting budget under $1500 per year, that includes tags, gear and fuel. With fuel being the biggest cost it doesn't leave much room for gear. My newest rifle is a 15 yr old Winchester that I paid $400 for, topped with a Leupold VXII 4X12 scope, my newest bow (which I bought last year) is a Bear package that was $499. Both have worked on elk just fine. I use under $100 dollar packs and have plenty of knives and other things to get the job done. That being said I never feel like I don't have what I need. I would like better gear, clothes and a light weight pack especially. But I have 3 girls ranging from 12 to 18 and a house payment that take priority right now. Maybe when they are on there own I can start upgrading, in the meantime I will use what I have.
Fink
Veteran member
My philosophy is to buy top of the line gear when I need it. To me, there's nothing worse than buying junk, having it break, and then having to buy the good stuff after already wasting your money on the crap. So, while I don't buy the latest and greatest, I do buy the best available, when I need it.
NVBird'n'Big
Veteran member
Damn near all of my hunting equipment is either handed down or bought in the bargain cave. I know one day when I have the money I will go crazy with the newest and best but it feels so good hunting with the guy with the brand new bino's and sitka gear and having to push him to walk further, glass longer, and show them where the animals are.
EdD270
New Member
I hunt with what I have accumulated over the years.
I'm sometimes tempted by the newest and best on the market. Sometimes it really is better than what I have now, but not enough better to justify to me the added cost.
When something wears completely out, I replace it with the best I can afford.
I'm sometimes tempted by the newest and best on the market. Sometimes it really is better than what I have now, but not enough better to justify to me the added cost.
When something wears completely out, I replace it with the best I can afford.