Prioritizing gear list on a budget (first lite vs spotting scope)

[jaguigui]

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to see what everyone's thoughts are as far as how to prioritize what to buy first. I currently do not have any hunting pants, mid layer, or rain gear. I also do not have a good spotting scope. I'm narrowing down my budget to around $600. I'm focusing mainly on archery season for elk here in Montana in September.

I have the first lite llano LS top and really like it. I was looking at buying the Chama hoody, uncompahgre puffy vest, corrugate or Kanab pants, and a rain jacket. This would put me at around $550-600. Should I spend the money for the first lite gear?

Or should I invest in the vortex viper HD spotting scope (~$649) and a good tripod? I tested out the base model Leopolds and Vortex's at Scheels and would like to purchase a next model up from the diamondback and ventana. I have the diamondback binos to use as well.

Thanks!


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[ScottR]

Spotter would be the best choice if you don't own one yet.


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[mntnguide]

I would say it depends highly on what type of area you are hunting mostly. ..i would rather have good gear that keeps me comfortable than a spotting scope. As long as u have good binos, i would rather have better gear unless the area you hunt is open country that a scope is very beneficial for

 

[BigSurArcher]

If I were you I'd nail down the optics/tripod situation first, then raingear, then other clothing as needed.

Good glassing setups flat out make you hunt better, and raingear will keep you in the field through a wider range of conditions. After that it's just a matter of increasing comfort and shaving weight on a per-item basis.

Since you say you're mainly elk hunting, a good tripod and bino adapter might be enough depending on the country you hunt and how picky you are with field judging from a distance. For your budget, you can get a pretty nice set of raingear and a quality tripod for your binos. Don't underestimate the power of 10x42 binos on a tripod if you haven't tried it before.

 

[25contender]

Where are you hunting in Montana during archery season. I have hunted SW Montana for 22 seasons during Sept and used my rain suit a total of about 4 hours in all that time.

 

[coastalarms]

I agree with Contender. If weather isn't normally an issue where/when you hunt, then go for optics and get the best you can afford. Now, if you were thinking of a northern Alberta hunt in minus a gazillion weather, clothing would have to be first because you wouldn't even be able to sit out there and glass without freezing to death.

After that, I would look at what items are the hardest to do without. For a lot of my hunting I could get by with pair of Carharts and a sweatshirt as long as I had good outerwear over them. Now, I totally admit, the Kanabs are light years more comfortable to hunt in than the Carharts, but they weren't the biggest "need" at first.

One other thing, and it sounds like you might already have a grasp on this one, but its best to live by the addage "buy once, cry once" . I cant tell you how much crap I collected in my youth from Walmart and others thinking I was getting a bargain. It, of course, never worked. Buy the best and take care of it.

 

[jaguigui]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to be hunting in region 4 mostly and may occasionally drive down to region 3. Some people I talked to out here said September is hot for the most part, but there can be a freak snowstorm.

I'm looking at the Vanguard endeavor HD 65mm right now after reading the review on rokslide about it, it seems like the best bang for the buck. Any recommendations on a good tripod for around $100-150?


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[LaHunter]

Based on your budget, I would scrap the Kanabs. These are some great hunting pants (I've had mine for the past 2 seasons), but they are expensive and there are other less expensive options available that will perform well.

 

[laxwyo]

I love kanab pants. I'd go for clothing and save up for a nice spotter if you already have decent binos. I think boots are the most important piece of equipment

 

[Velvet muley]

Without a doubt if it was me I would make sure I had good boots first and foremost and then good clothing 2nd. Spotting scopes are nice but crappy boots and clothing can literally ruin your entire hunt. Take care of your body first and the other stuff should come after that.

 

[NABE07]

I'd also go with the clothing first. You already have good binos so get something that can help you stay in the field.
Plus I've gotten by w/o a spotter so far although it would be nice.

 

[sneakypete]

Go with clothes, bino's with a adaptor and tripod. Tripod look at Vortexs line of tripods. I bought mine in Lewistown sport shop across from Albertsons at about $80. I'm sure Scheels Darry's them.

 

[25contender]

I agree with cloths but you don't need to spend a fortune on raingear for Sept where you are hunting. I do think that good cloths are a good investment. I also agree that good boots and socks should be on top of the list. I can tell you some horror stores about I'll fitting boots!!
By the way I am sitting at the truck right now waiting to take some pics of deer this afternoon with a Vanguard Endeavor HD15-48 x 65A spotter and a Sony camera as I type this.

 

[Musket Man]

To hunt in Sept I would say get the spotter and get some cheaper clothes to fill the gaps around what you already have. You dont need $600 of clothing to hunt in Sept. Nov could be a different story.

 

[hardstalk]

I've never heard someone say "man, if I had a different pant material and camo pattern I could have totally found that buck I was after.." I still opt for hardcore thick denim in some of the places I hunt. Dickies may not be as comfy, but they make cactus an obstacle rather than a dead end.

 

[Drhorsepower]

I'm with velvet, clothes first.

While a spotter MIGHT help you bag that animal of your dreams, first lite will get you off the mountain alive.

You can always rent a spotter. I also would save up and buy a quality spotter with a little bigger budget.

 

[badgerbob]

Go with the spotter. Remember animals detect movement mainly. Some of my closest encounters, have been when I wasn't even wearing camo. Check out camofire.com- they have some smoking deals on clothing. May have to watch it for awhile before something shows up you want. I would rather "make do" with the clothing, than "make do" with the scope. Especially on the early season hunt you have planned. That's not to say to go unprepared, but the top of the line camo wouldn't be needed on this hunt. Just my opinion.

 

[Engideer]

I am another vote on the boots/clothes first. I am not overly picky on what bull I am after, and I tend to hunt in thicker areas, so the spotter is only helpful occaisionally to me. The boots/clothes are everyday. I will agree that camofire is a great place to check, and if you look through what they have had on their site recently, they will sometimes let you order it if it is still available.

 

[micropterus79]

Have to agree with the posts above; feet are priority. I have also heard it said, and I agree, that when it comes to optics, what you have is not as important as USING them. Others will have varying opinions on this and for good reasons but on that budget, I would pick a good pair of comfy binos over a spotting scope for now and make sure you use the hell out of em'

 

[jaguigui]

Kuiu Teton collection, any thoughts? I realized it was just released today, but I don't have any experience with kuiu gear. Seems like a good deal for $750 for 8 pieces.


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