Renting?

Timberstalker

Timberstalker

Veteran member
Feb 1, 2012
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Bend, Or
My brother has drawn what is more or less a OIL elk hunt. He's not a big time hunter so buying a 2-3K dollar scope isn't going to happen. I don't have a good spotter for him to use so I was wondering about him renting one? I see there are some places that do rent out top of the line optics. Has anyone on here done this in the past and if so was it a good call for you at the time?
 
ssliger

ssliger

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Mar 9, 2011
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Laramie WY
PointsHunter

PointsHunter

Member
Jan 19, 2014
130
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Singapore
I wish I were in position to assist... I hunted a LE unit for elk last year and went without spotter. I've hunted forever with just 10x binos and so just took them. Huge mistake. In OIL area I didn't account that once in the field I would be WAY more selective than general units. This probably reads like I'm a fool... But don't make my foolish mistake.

I promptly went out over the top and picked up a Swarovski spotter so I won't be in same position again. I recognize from your post that your brother isn't going to go buy one... Just relaying my learning that I'll never head to a OIL unit again without spotter.
 
Timberstalker

Timberstalker

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Feb 1, 2012
2,242
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Bend, Or
We will have one one way or another. I have a friend who usually lets me borrow his Swaro, if he offers I will borrow it again. He seems to like when I buy him a jug good whiskey for letting me use his scope. We will likely rent one if he doesn't offer.
 
Hilltop

Hilltop

Veteran member
Feb 25, 2014
3,847
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Eastern Nebraska
hoshour said:
I've never had any experience with this but here are some optics rental sites to check out:

http://www.optics4rent.com/productdetail2.html
http://www.westernhuntrentals.com/#/optics/4541756645
http://www.americansportsmanoutfitters.com/product-categories/rent-optics

Now, if I can just find a way to rent a well-used 4x4 truck for not a lot of money when I fly out to hunt CO, WY or MT!
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I actually use rental trucks frequently... I don't like the wear and tear on my own. Enterprise rents full size trucks fairly reasonably. I get a corporate discount and my regular auto insurance covers them so I don't buy their insurance. Last fall for my antelope hunt they gave me a 2012 dodge extended cab for about $300 for the week... Unlimited miles. You may want to look into different locations as each seems to have different rates and different mileage rules. I have also had luck in the past with used car dealerships. Small guys that need the money are usually willing to rent a truck to responsible people with insurance.
 
Musket Man

Musket Man

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Jul 20, 2011
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colfax, wa
Timberstalker said:
Mt Emily unit Oregon, early November any bull, I am going with him. You should come along MM, it's about 1 hour east of Pendelton, I'll bring the Keystone;)
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I'll think about it! Its not to far away. Been on a couple sides of it but never been in the unit. I dont have any hunts after WA elk at the end of Oct and your welcome to my spotter if you need it!
 
Timberstalker

Timberstalker

Veteran member
Feb 1, 2012
2,242
6
Bend, Or
Musket Man said:
I'll think about it! Its not to far away. Been on a couple sides of it but never been in the unit. I dont have any hunts after WA elk at the end of Oct and your welcome to my spotter if you need it!
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It would be great to have you along! Thanks for the offer MM, I will keep you posted.

Lets see, a week rent on a spotter would be about (15) 30 packs of Keystone or a couple gallons of Wild Turkey...sound about right?
 
BKC

BKC

Very Active Member
Feb 15, 2012
835
163
The high plains of Colorado
Why don't you do what a lot of people do? Stop at cabelas on the way out, buy good glass and return them after your hunt with some BS excuse! This is why binos are getting so expensive, it happens all the time and cabelas just passes along the costs to the rest of us.
 
Musket Man

Musket Man

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Jul 20, 2011
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colfax, wa
Timberstalker said:
It would be great to have you along! Thanks for the offer MM, I will keep you posted.

Lets see, a week rent on a spotter would be about (15) 30 packs of Keystone or a couple gallons of Wild Turkey...sound about right?
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November is the Wild Turkey time of year around here! lol. I wouldnt be expecting anything for it, other then some pics of a big bull posted here:D
 
hoshour

hoshour

Veteran member
May 31, 2012
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North Carolina
www.CornerstoneInvestment.com
Hilltop said:
I actually use rental trucks frequently... I don't like the wear and tear on my own. Enterprise rents full size trucks fairly reasonably. I get a corporate discount and my regular auto insurance covers them so I don't buy their insurance. Last fall for my antelope hunt they gave me a 2012 dodge extended cab for about $300 for the week... Unlimited miles. You may want to look into different locations as each seems to have different rates and different mileage rules. I have also had luck in the past with used car dealerships. Small guys that need the money are usually willing to rent a truck to responsible people with insurance.
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If I'm hunting out West, I'm usually flying into Denver on Southwest (2 free bags + a carryon lets me bring my camping gear and rifle) so I pretty much have to go with what I can rent at or close to the airport. Flying into Casper or Billings if I'm hunting up that way is way more expensive and SW doesn't go there.

Looking on Expedia, only one company at the Denver airport is less than $1,122 for the week on a standard pickup.
 
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