What's your oldest piece of hunting gear?

[Never in Doubt]

Like the title said, I'd be curious what item of hunting gear people have had the longest and still use. It's so easy to get caught up in upgrading gear and buying new 'better' stuff that we can lose sight and appreciation for things that have stood the test of time and use and still work just fine.

I haven't hunted near as long as most of the people here, just 7 years. So I know most of you will have much better stories than me haha. Me personally, other than my original rifle(7mm Mag bought on sale at Big 5) that I still use, I think my oldest piece of hunting gear is my alaskan frame pack from Cabelas. I still use it and its tough as nails. It's 6 years old and I've hiked countless miles wearing it.

 

[Hilltop]

I have multiple items that are 25 or more years old. If it isn't broken or outdated I will continue to use it. I would rather spend my money on tags and travel instead of newer un-needed gear.

 

[RICMIC]

I still occasionally hunt with my grand-fathers 1922 Winchester Model 94 in .32 special. 93 years old, that's a good start.

 

[buckbull]

Disregarding some of my older rifles and shotguns that still see usage, I would have to say my pair of Minolta 8x32 binoculars. At the time I bought them, around 1986, they were really good glass. I still use them to this day. Matter of fact, I left them in my deer stand this past hunting season and moisture got into them. I took them apart and let them dry out; figuring I didn't have anything to loose. They aren't as clear now as before but they will do the job from a tree stand.

This post got me thinking a little more. I have a pair of Sorel Pac boots from the late eighties that still see action when the temps get really cold and I'm hunting a stand. They feel like you are lifting cinder blocks while walking but keep my feet warm.

 

[steveo]

I still use the buck 110 knife I bought at Fort Bragg in 1970.

 

[AKaviator]

Far and away, my most decrepit gear is my legs (knees!)...61+ years and counting! I still favor my 375h&h model 700 that I've used since the mid-seventies. It's my go-to gun.

 

[ivorytip]

this will be a cool topic to keep checking on. mines my 49 .270 I had given to me from my dad when I was 12 and he from his dad. I'm only 34 years old but I'm sure that gun will outlive me.

 

[PlainsHunter]

Buck 110 knife that is about 15 yrs old

 

[Tim McCoy]

I retired my great great grandfathers Winchester 1885 Low Wall a few years ago, manufactured in 1888, in .32 rimfire, due to ammo cost and availability. So now I'd have to say it is me...

 

[Timberstalker]

My rifle, it was given to me by my dad in '82. It killed two bucks this year, my latest and a new hunters first. It needs some attention though, I realized a couple years ago it needs to be re blued. It seems like I just did that not long ago, but it's been nearly 30 years. The scope on it is a Leupold 3x9 that I bought new when I was 16, that was in '86. I remember paying three weeks wages for it, no way would I spend that much on a scope now! I didn't have a family or house payment back then...

The rifle is a 1972 Winchester M70 25-06

 

[sneakypete]

My oldest and still goes with me hunting is my model 70 7mm I bought at Big R in 1979!

 

[Musket Man]

My go too gun is my model 70 made in 1949. Sometimes I use my model 1894 made in 1897.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

This is it when I was 13.


Hands down my 03 Sporterized Springfield rifle. I got it on my 12th birthday (1953) from my Grandfather. He bought 8 or 10 Springfields & Enfields thru the NRA for less than $10.00 apiece. First thing we did was cut down the military stock so it would fit me. Over the years a complete new stock, drilled & taped, mounts, rings Weaver K3 scope and Timney trigger. Also altered bolt to clear scope and a blue job. This was my only big game rifle for about 10 years. I shot lots of deer and antelope with it, also my first elk and moose. I still use it occasionally, shot an elk with it 3 years ago.

Today

 

[TLowell02]

View attachment 15478 This is it when I was 13.


Hands down my 03 Sporterized Springfield rifle. I got it on my 12th birthday (1953) from my Grandfather. He bought 8 or 10 Springfields & Enfields thru the NRA for less than $10.00 apiece. First thing we did was cut down the military stock so it would fit me. Over the years a complete new stock, drilled & taped, mounts, rings Weaver K3 scope and Timney trigger. Also altered bolt to clear scope and a blue job. This was my only big game rifle for about 10 years. I shot lots of deer and antelope with it, also my first elk and moose. I still use it occasionally, shot an elk with it 3 years ago.

View attachment 15477 Today

That, sir, is a beautiful rifle!

 

[go_deep]

Got a lucky pair of underwear from when i was 12 that I've worn every time I go hunting. 22 years and still going strong. Lol, kidding.
Got a pair of wool pants that are 20ish years old.

 

[ivorytip]

Got a lucky pair of underwear from when i was 12 that I've worn every time I go hunting. 22 years and still going strong. Lol, kidding.
Got a pair of wool pants that are 20ish years old.

oh my hell! I was like.... is this guy for real??? hahaha

 

[bigmoose]

For me it's my pack frame. I think it was called a "Freighter" . I bought it in the early 70's and I still use it every year. Not as fancy as the new ones, but it still works.

 

[Fink]

Mine would be my 1961 Browning Auto 5. My Grandpa gave it to me when I was 11, it is my most prized possession.
I killed my first duck, goose, turkey and quail with it. The gun was in pretty poor shape when he gave it to me, I couldn't even begin to guess how many quail or mallards or canadas ended up on the wrong end of it by the time he turned it over to me.
Shortly after he gave it to me, we had a gun store find us a better stock and forearm, off some other old Belgium Browning, if I recall correctly.. I had the stock cut to fit me, bought a new barrel that would shoot steel, and had all the guts in the receiver changed out. I think I spent about every dime I ever had, rebuilding that gun. Then for the next 10 years, spent every dime I had feeding it shotshells.

 

[shootbrownelk]

I guess I would have to say my 1890 Winchester in .22 long. Its beat and battered and slow into action like me, but it still functions.

 

[Musket Man]

I guess I would have to say my 1890 Winchester in .22 long. Its beat and battered and slow into action like me, but it still functions.

I have one in 22WRF!