What is the total value of the gear you wear and bring on a day hunt

[.300WSMImpact!]

Here is mine on an average October day, not including motorized vehicles

Camo outfit 550
Gun and scope or bow 1200
Back pack 500
Boots 250
calls and scent protection 200
Underwear 100
Bino's and bino case 750
Knives and cutting tools 250
GPS or spot 450
Camera's 1850
Survival gear 250
Miscellaneous ropes and such 100
Trail cam 250

Total $ 6700

and increasing everyday!!, I might be forgetting a few things,

[Bucks&Ducks]

Wow, i feel cheap.

[dagreatwhitehunter]

Wow that seems a little excessive. WSS must love you. Are you there poster child ?

[sakofinnlight]

Sitka coat and pants-700
Gun and scope-2600
Pack-400
Boots-250
underwear-150
Binos and bino caddy-500
knifes and saw- 150
GPS-300
Camera-250
trail cam-120
survival equipment-150
ultralight raingear-200
misc-200

TOTAL-5790
ugh this is a good thread, I have never added up the value of the stuff I have on me for any day hunt. And this doesnt include ammo, gun cases, and only 1 of the 2 rifles!!

[Gateholio]

I did this exercise a few years ago and came tot he conclusion that between rifle, optics, boot and pack I was walking around with almost 10K before I got in the truck. Most of my clothing is a mixture of high price stuff and low price wool, but I don't scrimp on boots ;)

[hillclimber]

for a day hike all you need is your gun, some water, a snack, knife and a lighter and some some TP just incase. pack light and come out heavy

[Duck Tales]

Wow a camo "outfit" are you sure you're hunting and not modeling. Sounds like you started this thread to brag about over priced and useless gear you were suckerd into buying. I'm not trying to be a dick but I'm sure the rest of us EXPERIENCED hunters will all have a good laugh at all of this. Maybe your a J-I-C (just in case) kinda guy, but man we didn't even hall that much shit in the Marines. Good luck in the upcoming season, and I mean that.

[shadow1982]

You guys spend $100 (300)and $150 (sako) on just UNDERWEAR'S... you got to be kidding me man.. my wife bought me 5 pairs of underwear 2 yrs ago they are still going strong cost was $75 and i thought that was expensive...

[hunter1947]

A close guess is around $4,000.00 bucks.

[J_T]

Sitka coat and pants-700
Gun and scope-2600
Pack-400
Boots-250
underwear-150
Binos and bino caddy-500
knifes and saw- 150
GPS-300
Camera-250
trail cam-120
survival equipment-150
ultralight raingear-200
misc-200

TOTAL-5790
ugh this is a good thread, I have never added up the value of the stuff I have on me for any day hunt. And this doesnt include ammo, gun cases, and only 1 of the 2 rifles!!
Regardless of the cost, the opportunity to hunt........ priceless.

[BromBones]

You guys spend $100 (300)and $150 (sako) on just UNDERWEAR'S... you got to be kidding me man.. my wife bought me 5 pairs of underwear 2 yrs ago they are still going strong cost was $75 and i thought that was expensive...

If you're using any of the merino wool long ginch and shirts (which is the best there is IMO), you're looking at $200 give or take.

The threadstarters list if probably low $ compared to what many guys have on their back for a sheep hunt. It adds up pretty quick

[.300WSMImpact!]

Wow that seems a little excessive. WSS must love you. Are you there poster child ?

I buy most equipment used or off the internet,

[.300WSMImpact!]

You guys spend $100 (300)and $150 (sako) on just UNDERWEAR'S... you got to be kidding me man.. my wife bought me 5 pairs of underwear 2 yrs ago they are still going strong cost was $75 and i thought that was expensive...

Underarmer man good for fall, spring, and winter, I don't have to wear as much and it is scent protected, but it is a bit expensive

[.300WSMImpact!]

Regardless of the cost, the opportunity to hunt........ priceless.

My point exactly,

[sparkes3]

75$ for underwear jeebus crisp thats a box of boolits and enough chips and bars for a weekend.lol

[BiG Boar]

This is an interesting thread for sure. I don't want to add mine up as I'll be afraid to leave home without it.

I know you could do a day hunt for cheaper. There is even one guy on here who doesn't use binoculars? I think with the list you have you'll be very comfortable and be safe too, which is more important than anything. You got to keep in mind a lot of guys never leave the truck or hunt the same areas over and over year after year.

I don't think you need the most expensive gear to do this but the first time you put down your bushnell binos and pick up some quality ones you'll say heck yes their worth it.

[sparkes3]

what he said

[keoke]

$35200 for a day trip for me. Two guns at $2500, clothes 160, back pack 280, binos 120, 180 boots and a $32000 dollar game cart ie my f150.

[Gun Dog]

Given what some of you spend, I should go out and buy a new gun.

Woodland camo (Army surplus from Dave's) -- $100
Rifle (used Sako w/scope) -- $600
Binos (new online) -- $250
underwear (new fleece) -- $50
hiking boots (new MEC) -- $125
or rubber boots (w/liner from Otter coop) -- $50
pack -- $100
knives -- $100
gps -- $250
radio -- $40

TOTAL -- $1,700
It adds up. I've added a quad to the kit so I guess that's another $6,000 (used Kawi Brute Force).

[Bow Walker]

$100.00 or $1,000.00 it ain't enough. I always am looking for more and or different stuff - usually it's pretty pricey.

[elkdom]

cammo out fits $550 dollars,,,???
sitka jackets and pants $700 dollars..???
underwear $150 dollars,,,,???

all sounds so SEXY, and NEW, :?

seems like HBC has been INFILTRATED by the ,,,,VILLAGE PEOPLE,,,:mrgreen:

[Hemi]

1800 rifle
250 for clothing
10 back pack
200 for misc survival
150 for knives
6 for 100 feet of 3/16 rope

[Krico]

Getting it done with hand me downs and value village gear doesn't make you more or less of a man than doing so with high dollar gear. It has to do with ability and willingness to spend the money on expensive gear, and and appreciation for "nice" stuff.

Lots of $$$ invested in my gear. To each his own.

[WesHarm]

I spend as much as i can on any outdoor gear I buy.. Being uncomfortable outside for excessive periods of times SUCKS.

[SHACK]

Ouch, on a single day hunt I am going to shock myself here:

Boots- 300
pants- 150
jacket- 150
shirts-50
hat- 30
rain gear 300
socks- 25
knife- 250
spot- 150
gps-200
compas-40
pack-500
rifle/scope-4300
Binos-1500
spotter-400
tripod-250
ammo-40
misc survival/comfort items in pack-300

Just plain scarry to think about it, but thats my usual day hunt equipment and a price tag of 8.5K. If ya want to add the boat and truck you can make that 108K! No wonder Im broke LOL!!!

[WesHarm]

Now see the other thing...for all you guys with huge price tags.. how long has ur stuff lasted divide that price by how many years you've had it and i bet the price looks a hell of alot nicer for ya!!

[Eatmeat]

Some of my stuf is top notch and some is cheap junk, and some has turned out to be top dollar shite.
But I am allways looking to find new stuff to make my pack lighter and more efficient.
A buddy of mine is allways taking the piss but he never gets out of the truck, I swear he could hunt i a tux!

[Shooter]

Take all the money you spend on gear and divide that into how many hunts you will get out of said gear. That way its much easier to justify the numbers :)

1500 for rifle and scope. Should get 400 hunts out of it pretty easy, Thats only $3.75 a hunt :)

$350 for boots, Going on 4 years with them and at least 100 hunts (not counting hikes), That's $3.50 per hunt

$800 for clothing (underwear and everything) Stuff gets replaced every year but count on at least 3 years @ 25 hunts per year. Thats $10.67 per hunt.

Bino's $650, should get an easy 15 years out of them. That's $1.73 per hunt

Pack and misc calls $600, should get 10 years out of my new pack. That's $2.40 per hunt.

Knives, $350. 20 years out of a good knife easily. That's .70 per hunt.

That all totals $22.75 per hunt:mrgreen:.. Pretty cheap enjoyment if you ask me

[Shooter]

Looking back on my post ^^^ I find it interesting that clothing works out to be the most expensive of all the gear by a large margin.

[WesHarm]

See! thats moe like it :D

[GOLDEN TOP SNIPER]

never think about it .. lol. cost per pound of meat will blow you away ..but a trophy will last a lifetime and then its all worth it .

[steelheadSABO]

Bushnell Spotting Scope - Free Thanks Frenchbar
Cabelas camo pants - Free Thanks Frenchbar
Bausch & Lomb Binoculars - Free
Eberlestock pack - 300$
Irish setter boots - 170$
Box of sells - 20$
Buck Gen 5 skinning knife - 120$
Buck omni guthook folding - Birthday Present
Wool toque - Handmade
Winchester model 88 in 308 - Hand-me down
Matches - found laying around
Swany gloves - 40$
Panosonic Lumix - Cashed in some aeroplan points for a future shop gift card

Total- 650$

[pnbrock]

my list is on a sliding scale,rifle at corlanes for a custom build as we speak.

[srupp]

hmmm it is expensive...usually because we buy it one piece at a time..

most all my clothes are Cabalas..

and my equipment is the best money can buy for my application..not bragging just how I do things.

certainly over $12,000...and certain applications like mountain hunts add $700 tent or later application $1,000 winter tent(not wall tent) havnt added quad...or second rfifle or inflatable packable boat or shotgun..etc etc etc etc..


Just a Swarovski hd spotting scope 65 20-65 x eyepiece plus useable wearable case for the unit and then Manfrotto tripod...plus Swaro 8x42 binos..Leica 1200crf? rangefinder, SPOT unit,Lowrance GPS updadet card is a significant jingle...

yes it does add up Gents..but I have recieved so much more by having the right gear,,, weather making a roll top desk in my shop
or hunting it all needs great equipment
Cheers

Srr

Steven

[Duck Tales]

I agree with J T the opportunity is priceless. Maybe I'm just old skool but I prefer a topogaphical map and compass to get around if needed. Being a former marine I'm use to being shorted on gear and supplies so packing light on a DAY trip only makes scence to me. However I am guilty of over spending on my rifle and scope but I am a firm believer that your rifle is your most important tool for a hunt (thats pretty obvious). And never cheap out on boots they will make or break a good hunting trip, cold wet feet as we all know can be a very bad situation. I recomend Irish Setter Elk Trackers, the price can never be to high for warm dry feet.

[Barracuda]

for us its split because we both use the equipment but in general i work with what i have got.
I gotta say i have very minor interest in the latest and greatest pattern cloths and trendy scent blockers.
What i like is functional for the purpose.

I tend to wear winter work wear in the cold, I dont like waffle weave so i wear leggings or track pants under my one size to large camo ,toques etc last along time.
Gear
i like my compact B&L binos but i dont think B&L make anything comparable anymore and they are as clear as any other compacts i have used so i will try not to break or lose these, I Keep a cheap set of h20 Bushnells in the boat that i dont worry about dropping in the drink and they serve thier purpose.

I have used full size steiners which i really liked and looked through some really nice glass that others have (leica and swarovski are very nice ,dont like Leupold).
perhaps an upgrade to good spotter would be a good investment down the road but first I need a new gps and a rangefinder would be nice also

dogs, rifles , equipment etc are all investments , underwear ,gloves boots are consumables .
Each person has to weigh the importance of each item and purchase accordingly and what works for one person may give very different results for another regardless of price.

[srupp]

hmmm Duck Tales..I politely disagree..the rifle IS important..however not THE most important piece of equipment...its hunting..looking..seeking finding..once you find them the shooting is the realtivley easy part..hunting takes 90% of our time and effort..the shooting can be realativly easy..and once found even a animal in a tough location can usuually be worked closer to..yes we need rifles but a Booner deer can still be harvested with a British .303 with open sites..OPTICS...binos and spotting scopes are higher up my personal list by a long ways..

just my take on it...

cheers

Steven

[Rusty Shackles]

I hope my wife never adds up the value of my gear. optics, a few guns,couple of high end compound bows,lots of camo clothing,Knifes,a few packs, reloading gear,wall tent stuff, safe...ect,ect......Taxidermy thankfully I havent spent much on that yet. Only because Im to cheap, lots of bone piled in the corner.

[pnbrock]

id be more worried she sells it for what i told her i paid!!!

[KB90]

I am guilty of over spending on my rifle and scope but I am a firm believer that your rifle is your most important tool for a hunt (thats pretty obvious).

I'm going to have to disagree on this, many many animals were and still are killed with old hand me down battered and beaten rifles and lots with open sights. You don't need a 1500 hundred dollar gun and a 1000 dollar scope to get the job done for most hunting applications.

Grandpas laugh at all all the money we spend on a guns and scopes today. Theres an old 303 open sights from sears in the basement, that has killed more animals than I could dream of. I am currently using an old husqvarna hand me down 30-06 from my grandfather with a nikon 3-9x40 scope and I bet it could do all the same things your gun could (minus actual personal shooting ability).

Don't get me wrong I like guns and scopes. I spend lots of money on them too, but I just disagree with the statement you made. The gun going bang is the easiest part of the hunt.

[Gateholio]

Rifle and scope - $1000- $3000
Binos- $2000
Spotter- $2000
Boots $800
MR pack $500

That's $8300 before I put the rest of my clothes on or put lunch in the pack. ;)

I'm sure I could kill as much stuff with a $400 rifle and Tasco scope, but I like good gear, and don't mind spending cash on it. I drive a old truck and live in a small house, it's all about what your priorities are.

[32-40win]

I've reached the point where for the most part, I can walk thru a store like WSS or Basspro and walk out with nothing. But, the stuff that has been bought over the years adds up in a hurry.
Going fishing for a day I could be as high as 5000 with rods and reels and etc in the vest, then there is the pontoon boat, float tube and a 14ft boat with 15hp motor and trolling motor mixed into that.
Bowhunting could hit 3000 worth of gear depending on what goodies I would choose to pack along, the bow and arrows and broadheads and binos and range finder and spotting scope and pack could all be in play in that figure.
Rifle hunting could be up to 3000, a lot of the same gear as bowhunting with the gun being about the same as bow & arrows and broadheads.
Waterfowl hunting could be as little as 2500 or as much as 5000 depending on what we are going after, snows being the most expensive with all the different dekes and crap.
I try to buy the best I can afford, sometimes even when I really can't afford it. And I think it pays off in the long run. I have what I need, some things I really don't neccessarily need. I've bought my share of high priced junk, a lot of that was things like bowsights, little paraphenalia that really wasn't needed, or just didn't get used.
But, it is there if I want it. If I decide I want to go do something, I likely have the stuff I need to go do it.
I just need the body that will do all that stuff as easily as it used to, say 15 years ago.

[abbyfireguy]

The moose don't care what I wear . Old under wear, a 30 year old stanfield under shirt and a fleece orange jacket I have had for decades.
Clothing isn't a big deal for me.. Can't afford all the fancy fart guard ginch you you guys get.. Gotta save my money for Geratol ..LOL !!!
My hunting equipment is good but the clothing is warm and functional,not the latest charcoal anti odor , spaceaged stuff.

[Darksith]

One day I'll buy myself a nice set of optics with a built in rangefinder. Put the super pricey scope on a new rifle that will let me count the eyelashes of my prey. But until then I'll continue to use trusty 30-06 that my dad bought me off his buddy when I was a teenager, the scope that only cost me $300 since I'll probably have to buy a new one after I break it again then next time I haul an animal off the top of the mountain, and whatever clothes I have in my drawer that suit the needs of that particular hunt. After I own all the toys that get me there, then I'll start to upgrade what I currently use even though it all works just fine.

[BiG Boar]

A lot of people get into hunting but dont realize all the costs to do it effectively. I wonder if you could spend less than $500 on all your gear and equipment and go on a hunt all by yourself with no free equipment given to you or borrowed. This would have to assume you own a truck, but you would have to take into account gas, gun, ammo, tags, boots, and binos and anything eles necessary to get into hunting.

[pnbrock]

honestly think i was a better hunter when i had less,was forced to get closer to identify.no quad to carry my ass up a hill.had to pay more attention to where i would hunt because it was a lot of work to get to another spot.

[pappy]

I don't have high end gear, most of my stuff is mid-priced. I find the more I take care of my gear instead of upgrading, the more money I have to go hunting with. I have spent $$ on gps, guns and scopes. All the rest will do for now, it does add up quick. I don't use expensive underwear or clothes. I have been trying to lighten the day pack lately as I find its a lot of sh#t to pack back out when you get game. I always keep an eye out for sales or a good deal and if I have the cash then I will upgrade. I just sold my savage 116 and a bushnell scope to help purchase a kimber montana in the same caliber and a leupold scope. I do like quality but I can't afford all of it, so its mid priced gear for me. I'm happy as long as I get to use it.

[browningboy]

Flip flops- $2.00
Ginch- $ 5.00
East end smoking jacket- $ 20.00
Jeans- $ 25.00
Gun- $ 12.00

Total- $ 65.00

Funny as most sit on a quad or sit in a truck so really who cares what you wear?

[frenchbar]

Flip flops- $2.00
Ginch- $ 5.00
East end smoking jacket- $ 20.00
Jeans- $ 25.00
Gun- $ 12.00

Total- $ 65.00

Funny as most sit on a quad or sit in a truck so really who cares what you wear?

Going all out on a good pair of jeans is the ticket to success lol

[WesHarm]

i want this 12 dollar gun >.< hahaha

and big boar, if you include CORE and PAL courses
your left with about 180 bucks to buy a rifle, license and tags to make it under 500 bucks >.< hahahaha

[mikeman20]

rifle (gunsmith costs added in) $2000
binos $600
clothing (under armor, camo ect) $400
boots $200
knife and various tools (bone cutting saw ect) $200
gps $300

rough estimate $3700

i feel like i pack light compared to you guys

[bigwhiteys]

I am trying to amass a large collection of high end gear for my 3 boys when they are old enough to start using it... Then they can spend their money on hunting trips rather than buying gear.

Carl

[Barracuda]

500 bucks is no problem to start hunting if you live in the right place and hunting is within 10 mins of hunting (108 mile , small town BC etc) and get what you need and not what you want.
You can find a 303 , 12bore and an old 22 for under $250 total you can also challange the core and firearms tests.

If you only need to impress yourself you could get into hunting for under $500?

[elkdom]

comparitivly speaking,,

My first so-lo hunting season 1969

like new cond .303 lee enfield rifle ,Army & Navy store $14.95
2 boxes(40 rnds) Imperial 180 grn Sabre tip .303 ammo, $9.00
200 rnds surplus ball .303 ammo, $3.00
woolen army surplus pants and jacket, $10.00
small hatchet and MORA Swedish hunting knife $7.50
army surplus wool socks, long johns, rain poncho, $6 or $7
surrplus army boots, weather proof $1.50
surplus army survival kit, matches,compas,first aid, food rations for 5 days, $5.00
surplus 4x binos, $9.95

results that year,,?
spring hunt !, 6ft blk bear, east side of Harrison (Hicks lake) 1 shot, about 80 yards
fall hunt !, Sept, 2x3 Blacktail buck, again Harrison east side, 1 shot, about 40 yards
then up to 100 mile, Oct hunt,
1 muley 2x2 buck, 1 shot, about 125 yards, 2 days later, fork horn bull moose, 2 shots, about 90 yards,,
many grouse that fall, cant recall how many ?, prob 25/30 grouse, Ruffed,Blues
and a couple yoties, and chucks,,,

any way, a man well "out-fitted with the BEST hunting gear" always does good ! lol:mrgreen:

[.300WSMImpact!]

all this stuff that I have bought is years of accumulation, finding what works what doesn't, where to spend money, where not to spend money, and most of this is for day hike hunting, not quad or truck hunting, having to debone the animal in the field, and pack it out by hand, either because of no road access or motor vehicle restrictions,

[Barracuda]

I think if you look at it like most folks look at getting thier first car it can be done affordably and when you can afford it you will upgrade but getting into t is the important thing

[RayHill]

Gun 2000
Clothes 250
Knife saw 350
Boots 60
Camera 200
trail cam 250
Beer 300
What more do you need?

[sparkes3]

oh yeah, i dont even want to add up what all the gear for a season costs.

[alecvg]

On a normal day hunt:

-Gun - $600ish
-Optics (Binos/spotter/range finder) - $2800
-Clothes (base layer/pants/shirt/jacket/raingear) - $750
-Pack - $400
-Knives/saw - $120
-Boots - $380
-Random - $150

Total: $5200

[alecvg]

For all those putting others down for spending money on high end gear. Here is my view. Hunting is my passion, I spend ALOT of times in the mountains, whether it be hunting, scouting, alpine climbing, rock climbing, scouting, fishing, backpacking, or just looking for critters, I spend alot of time. Being in the mountains, and mostly hunting, is my main hobby, I want gear that will hold up, and keep my comfortable. It is the same thing for other hobbies, for expample, I love going fourwheeling, I bought a cheapo fourwheeler, and am satisfied with that, it isn't fancy, it is basic and does the job for the most part. I have friends that are really into four wheeling, they spend alot of money on a fancy quad, good gear, boots, a nice helmet, they spend more than I would ever spend on it, but they do it alot more than me and care alot more than me. Its the same thing, Just because I wouldnt spend that much on it, doesnt mean I put them down when they do. Just my two cents.

[Jelvis]

about hundred buck$

[bridger]

on my first sheep hunt i had trapper nelson packboard, some oatmeal in baggies, some matches, rain gear that didn't make it to timberline, a sears sleeping bag that you could see through in the dark and a piece of clear plastic for a tent. Hate to think about the cost of the must have's I have now, but I think the point is you can always do with less but as alecvg says if hunting is your passion then go for the best you can. But no matter what your gear cost one thing is always the same! a stone ram is priceless!

[TyTy]

gun + scope, paid 640
vortex fury binos 350ish
fixed blade, folding blade 110 + 60
clothing 250ish
gerber saw 40
sil poncho 70
miscellanious stuff 100
boots (7 years old...) 300

didn't bother adding this stuff up, but lets say $2000+



but... $2000/ over many years, maybe .50 cents a Km?

guesstimating, but atleast it feels like the gear investment is paying off with fun and success :)

[Hunt'n Guide]

Several grand easy on any given day. But it is all write offs!!!!

[henderson]

Well I just bought a new rifle..1000
New scope...300
Boots...300
Backpack...120
Knife...free (fixed blade handmade by my grandfather)
92 F150...1500

Spending time outdoors with friends....Priceless

[backpacker]

I hear a lot of people giving guys a hard time for over spending but as an avid mountain hunter and guide I can't stress the importance of the best equipment in the field, some of it your life even depends on. For example if your doing a late october 10 day back pack sheep hunt you better have amazing gear etc. to not only be successful but to survive in some cases. And lets face it you get what you pay for, you buy cheap you end up buying it 4 or 5 times over in your life, you buy the best and it could last your life time if you take good care of it.
Here is an estimate of my list for a back pack excursion some may find it over priced but I have tried the less expensive things in the past and to be 100% honest that was the real waste of money, save time, money and hassle and go with the best you can find it is worth the extra initial cost.

Custom Back Pack/frame - $600
Lowa sheep hunter boots - $450
MEC gortex Rain Gear - $600
Sitka 90% suit and vest - $500
High quality base layer - $100
Blackdiamond trekking polls - $150
swarivski binos - $2500
swarovski spottingscope - $2000
Rifle/scope - $2500
back pack stove - $150
MontBell sleeping bag - $450
down filled sleeping pad - $150
GPS - $200
Food - $300
Kelty tent - $350
other clothing/equipment - $300
Proffesonal vidoe camera - $4000
Still digital camera - $250

Total - $15400

I realize cause I am a guide I need the best glass etc and I also film a lot so I have to pack a professional camera so the average hunter could maybe save on those, but the sick thing is I am actually a little low on my estimation if anything as there is tons of little things not listed here that make back pack trip after back pack trip bearable. Sure a guy can tough out a few but in the long run you might as well just collect the highest quality gear possible and make your trip atleast a little enjoyable as we can't control mother nature and what she throws at us plus the lighter you go the more $ it costs but light weight is a must not so much for packing in but more for when you actually harvest something way back and have days and days of hiking out ahead of you. It is scary to see how much we actually spend on gear though, no wonder guiding is a hard living, I think all us guides should raise our rates somehow

[kgriz]

Looks about right.....not really that out of context compared to 2 quads or sleds that lots of people cart around

[scoopy]

Gun-350
Scope-130
Boots-200
Mora knife-30


Total........More than enough to shoot deer.

[Tyler21]

Boots - 550
jacket/pants - 650
jacket/pants (rain gear) - 600
under layer - 150
binos - 800
scope - 2300
rifle and scope - 1300
pack - 300
cameras - 1000
food - 10 (granola bars for a day hunt)
other pack misc - 300
other clothes - 150
=$8110 - thats the usual day hunt, over nighters and weekend trips gets alot more $$

[stoneguide]

My everyday gear would go something like this,

Rifle and scope - $3600
Binoculars- Leica's $1800
Spare Bullets - $80
Spotting Scope- Swaro $2200
Tri Pod - $150
Knives of Alaska Caper - $100
S.P.O.T - $180
Sat. Phone - $1300
Camera - $500
Shooting Stix - $80
Rain Gear - $400
Spare clothes - $200
Pack - $200
Jet Boil(for lunch and a coffee) - $180
When weather is cold, Columbia wool coat and bibs - $400
Walking poles - $50
Assorted small iteams - $100


Rough total = $11520 in/and including my pack.

Clothing I wear - $300
Boots I wear, Kenetrek - $400

Total gear including what is on me roughly = $12220

Overnight trips go up from there. And may be adding a proffesional series video camera this season.

SG

[backpacker]

stone guide, I like the idea of the professional camcorder, they are pricy but so worth it the memories you get from them are priceless and you get to share with friends and family for ever. Go for it.

[Hunt'n Guide]

Reading this over I am amazed how many people have as much or more invested in the clothes on their bodyand raingear than in their rifle and scope.

[bridger]

gotta look good in the pictures lol

[srupp]

great thread...yes Elkdome probably did do this hunting stuff for significantly cheaper in 1969..but things have changed since then..like 40 years of change..

Stone guide and Backpacker kinda nailed it...way back werever you dont take stuff that MIGHT work...it HAS to work first time everytime..for enjoyment for success, for saftey..

George had his $29 tent...mine was $700 when the winds ripped his to shit..he bunked with Dave...mine was comfy..dry and still standing...raingear is another area that just has to work..under every scenario...take good care of your gear and it will be around for years to come..

Optics pay great dividends by relieving eye strain,allowing earlier and later viewing...saving the hiking for when its needed...

buy the best you can...even just one pice of great equipment each year

cheers
Steven

[tomahawk]

What is the total value of the gear you wear and bring on a day hunt ........................don't know, don't care! Its what I need for what I do, so I buy it regardless of cost though i do try to get the best deals from local merchants if possible. Its only money! Doing what you enjoy in life is priceless, just do it!

[cruiser]

Depends how you assign value to your stuff: todays value if replaced for new, todays value if sold used, or original purchase price. Makes a big difference if you've been at it a while and still use stuff from 20 years (or more) ago.

Either way, optics are by far the most valuable items I carry (binos, scope, camera). Including the contents of my day pack, I probably have at least $4k on me on an average hike in the woods.

[Barracuda]

Intererestingly enough this brings us to the question - will you be a better hunter or have more success if you have the best gear or the most money to spend?

[GoatGuy]

Intererestingly enough this brings us to the question - will you be a better hunter or have more success if you have the best gear or the most money to spend?

Two questions there.

No, probably.

[stoneguide]

Intererestingly enough this brings us to the question - will you be a better hunter or have more success if you have the best gear or the most money to spend?

Will it make you a better hunter? I doubt it.

Will it improve your success? Yes it very well could! The more comfortable you are the more time you will spend out. The better your optics are the better you are able to spot that trophy laying in the shade or in the rocks, and the less eye fatigue you get so the more you will glass. So yes in some cases it will help improve your chance of success.

Like I think Srupp stated, buy the best gear you can afford. And upgrade when you can. I guided alot of years with low end equipment. I did ok but many days were spent cold or wet. And that leads to unenjoyable trips.
To me spend the money in this order, quality clothing, quality communication(SPOT,Sat phone), quality optics, decent rifle and the rest.

Just my ideas.

SG

[Lone Ranger]

Wow, I definitely do hunt on the cheap then!

-Rem 700 SPS .30-06 and Leupold VX-II - $1000
-Irish Setter boots - $150
-Camo pants - $20
-Remington Camo jacket from Walmart - $20
-Camelback Ranger pack - $120
-wool toque from Mark's - $15
-long underwear - $20
-binos (Bushnell) - free (gift)
-Bushnell rangefinder - $150
-knife 4" fixed blade - $50
-backup knife, Kershaw flip - $90
-FRS radio - free (dug it out of a buddy's garbage can, didn't work so he tossed it out... the batteries were dead :???: )
-other misc gear in my day pay (like rope, bags, emergency rations and covering, ect) is usually just stuff I find floating around the shop. First Aid kit cost me $20 to start, then just kept putting other pieces into it as I found them. I just add to it as I find stuff or need stuff, so I can't put an exact dollar amount on it.

That all adds up to roughly $1,600. I have enough to survive overnight (or two or three days if I really need to) in a pinch. I don't feel the need to carry expensive gear, mostly because I'm a little rough on it so cheap is easier to replace. Even driving my truck, our last 5 day WT hunting trip up country cost us $300 each (split between 4 guys) and we still ate well. We had a ton of fun up there, and to keep costs down we hiked everywhere as much as possible. Hunting doesn't need to cost a huge amount if you don't want it to.. Most of our gear is years old but still works well, so we've definitely gotten our money's worth out of it. LR

http://i487.photobucket.com/albums/rr235/LoneRanger1993/photo5-2.jpg

[twr]

I don't think you need the most expensive gear to do this but the first time you put down your bushnell binos and pick up some quality ones you'll say heck yes their worth it.

DAM i have bushnell's hahaha. anyone wanna buy them????

[MooseWhacker]

Intererestingly enough this brings us to the question - will you be a better hunter or have more success if you have the best gear or the most money to spend?

Not according to my wife.Every time I want a new piece of gear I always get told that I keep getting my aminals without it so why waste more money.Hunted with the same rifle for 31 years took my father in law to convince her that I needed a new one for my 50 birthday and that probably wouldn't have worked if my son never wanted my old one so bad.Got to hand it to the boy though we offered to get together and buy him a new one,he said no he wanted the old meatwhacker.

[.300WSMImpact!]

Intererestingly enough this brings us to the question - will you be a better hunter or have more success if you have the best gear or the most money to spend?

I don't think my stuff makes me better, its the time I spend that makes me better, and having good equipment makes me want to spend more time, and gives me the ability to spend more time, anyone can get meat in the freezer, but getting mature and bigger animals is not as easy, so any help is nice

[Barracuda]

The better equipment allows a person to make the most out of those hunting opportunities and in some cases they really do give a great deal of advantage to the individual but of course it isnt cheap.

I think that most city folks understand that in this day and age of travel,fuel and equipment the more time and money you have to invest into hunting the better your odds of being successfull .

[dana]

Are you guys crazy or are is this just a dick measuring thread?

I hunt exclusively with hand-me-down rifles that have been in my family for generations. They are priceless to me but I haven't spent a dime for them. I wear my work clothes as my hunting clothes and I buy them all second hand from Value Village. Heck, I've even found top-notch high quality vintage boots for under $5 at thrift stores and garage sales. A guy does not need to break the bank to get into hunting. If you believe that, then you've took the bait, hook, line and sinker from those mass marketers out there that sell their snake oil to the gullable hunters of today. Do I own top-notch gear? Yup. But I actually use it and use it and use it. How do you break down the cost of something on a daily basis? The last pair of binos I had cost me roughly $400 15+ years ago. I have used them for over a hundred days a year for 15 years. How many critters did I spot with them over that time period? Countless! How many huge critters did I spot with them? Numerous. I could have spent Thousands on higher quality glass but really seriously, would that have got me more animals? NOPE! It isn't the glass, it is the person behind the glass. My first backpack I bought used for $200 and I packed out numerous critters and countless sheds with it. It lasted me 17 years of abuse. You can easily do things on the cheap and still have glowing success.

[frenchbar]

45 yr old rifle ..freebe
pack 250.00
knife 90.00
380.00 boots
385.00 binos
bit of gas for the jeep.some hard work
my mind sets much like danas i can have the same success the cheap route .

[tkillops]

12 year old truck-not worth much
25 year old rifle -whatever thats worth
sweat pants 15 dollars
t-shirt 2.50
old runners-15 dollers new
KFC-40 wings 35 dollars
beer 25 dollars
and gas
whole trip priceless

[stoneguide]

Are you guys crazy or are is this just a dick measuring thread?

I hunt exclusively with hand-me-down rifles that have been in my family for generations. They are priceless to me but I haven't spent a dime for them. I wear my work clothes as my hunting clothes and I buy them all second hand from Value Village. Heck, I've even found top-notch high quality vintage boots for under $5 at thrift stores and garage sales. A guy does not need to break the bank to get into hunting. If you believe that, then you've took the bait, hook, line and sinker from those mass marketers out there that sell their snake oil to the gullable hunters of today. Do I own top-notch gear? Yup. But I actually use it and use it and use it. How do you break down the cost of something on a daily basis? The last pair of binos I had cost me roughly $400 15+ years ago. I have used them for over a hundred days a year for 15 years. How many critters did I spot with them over that time period? Countless! How many huge critters did I spot with them? Numerous. I could have spent Thousands on higher quality glass but really seriously, would that have got me more animals? NOPE! It isn't the glass, it is the person behind the glass. My first backpack I bought used for $200 and I packed out numerous critters and countless sheds with it. It lasted me 17 years of abuse. You can easily do things on the cheap and still have glowing success.


Sure you can do things cheap. Many of us have. The thing I have seen in 24 years(many many 100plus day years in Alberta, Sask, BC and Yukon) of mountain, prairie and foothill hunting is that people are more apt to spend more hours in the bush, hiking prarie coulees or on that mountain side when they are comfortable. And I started hunting with low end gear, cheapest boots going and such because thats all we could afford. I had a cheap pair of 8x bushnells and a tasco spotter. Did I kill animals? For sure. When its stormed was I comfortable and hunted regaurdless? No. Many days were cut short due to weather, being cold and wet gear. If I had better quality gear would that have increased my time in the field? For sure. And would that extra time in the field have raised my chances at an animal I didnt get or at that elusive trophy? Guaranteed!

As far as your comment on Optics, well I dont know you well other than what you post on HBC but anyone that spends 100days in the feild behind optics and make the comment that better quality optics doesnt help doesnt seem to experienced.
"Its not the optics its the guy behind the optics" What? Sure a good hunter is a good hunter no matter what he looks through but I guarantee that I have seen sheep and other animals with high end optics that I wouldnt have sat there as long looking through low end glass due to the eye fatigue factor or wouldnt have picked up that rams horn against the shale. Its prooven knowledge that high end glass is easier on the eyes there for guys will use it more and spend more hours behind them. Plus under certain situations the sharper, clearer glass lets you pick out that small detail that you may miss with lower end optics.
So yes to many hunters quality gear and optics can actually help them be more succesful and enjoy that trip of a lifetime all that much more.

Top end gear is far from a must but from some one that started at the low end and know have worked up a decent set of gear, quality is a huge factor in all gear.

So if you think thats a dick measuring statment then that is cool but with the experience you say you have you should realize that better gear can for sure impoove ones odds. And to many, trying to be the tough super hunter that doesnt need better gear then that in itself is trying to win the big dick competition!

And your right you dont need to break the bank. But I bet you cant find one post in this thread that states that! Like I stated, get the best gear you can afford at the time then upgrade as you can afford it or until you are satisfied with what you have.

SG

[eastkoothunter]

Sure you can do things cheap. Many of us have. The thing I have seen in 24 years(many many 100plus day years in Alberta, Sask, BC and Yukon) of mountain, prairie and foothill hunting is that people are more apt to spend more hours in the bush, hiking prarie coulees or on that mountain side when they are comfortable. And I started hunting with low end gear, cheapest boots going and such because thats all we could afford. I had a cheap pair of 8x bushnells and a tasco spotter. Did I kill animals? For sure. When its stormed was I comfortable and hunted regaurdless? No. Many days were cut short due to weather, being cold and wet gear. If I had better quality gear would that have increased my time in the field? For sure. And would that extra time in the field have raised my chances at an animal I didnt get or at that elusive trophy? Guaranteed!

As far as your comment on Optics, well I dont know you well other than what you post on HBC but anyone that spends 100days in the feild behind optics and make the comment that better quality optics doesnt help doesnt seem to experienced.
"Its not the optics its the guy behind the optics" What? Sure a good hunter is a good hunter no matter what he looks through but I guarantee that I have seen sheep and other animals with high end optics that I wouldnt have sat there as long looking through low end glass due to the eye fatigue factor or wouldnt have picked up that rams horn against the shale. Its prooven knowledge that high end glass is easier on the eyes there for guys will use it more and spend more hours behind them. Plus under certain situations the sharper, clearer glass lets you pick out that small detail that you may miss with lower end optics.
So yes to many hunters quality gear and optics can actually help them be more succesful and enjoy that trip of a lifetime all that much more.

Top end gear is far from a must but from some one that started at the low end and know have worked up a decent set of gear, quality is a huge factor in all gear.

So if you think thats a dick measuring statment then that is cool but with the experience you say you have you should realize that better gear can for sure impoove ones odds. And to many, trying to be the tough super hunter that doesnt need better gear then that in itself is trying to win the big dick competition!

And your right you dont need to break the bank. But I bet you cant find one post in this thread that states that! Like I stated, get the best gear you can afford at the time then upgrade as you can afford it or until you are satisfied with what you have.

SG


Well said. I use a lot of my dads old gear and upgrade when I can. If I can make it easier on myself why not!

[Devilbear]

I agree with that, I started with old crap binos and the junk that the BCFS issued L/Omen in the mid-'60s, then went to Zeiss 8x30s in '67, age 21. I did not inherit anything, have bought every piece of gear I have ever had myself for money earned by working, often a second job for this purpose and I use the finest optics I can find, Zeiss, Leica, and now Swarovski.

I started with rucksacks my grandpa bought and left them at my parent's home and have bought the finest packs made and they also make HUGE difference. I buy the best boots and look after them, some of mine, kept for hunting exclusively, have lasted many years and three pair of soles and still give me the support I need.

I have some camo, from several to 25 years old and not pricey, but, used only for hunting. It is faded, but, it works and I do use the best rain gear and emergency gear/shelter I can find, price is the least important consideration. I spend many years of my life where I would be in the remote bush for 160-175 days per year and I found that the top gear is cheapest over time and helps you to perform better.

However, I never have and would not buy the trendy camo, etc. gear that many do now, have never even sat on an ATV, do not own or want a camper or trailer and I do not carry a camera, GPS, SPOT or any of that stuff as I have an emergency kit that works for me.

It's different for each person and even different kinds of trips, I think one should spend as one wants, use what works for you and just enjoy the hunting trips without worrying who has what or who has the longest "barrel". Any more spending I do will be on more top end optics as I enjoy nature study as much as hunting.

[pnbrock]

x3 stoneguide i have also been upgrading for some time know ,i love the new technology in high end gear.glass is the most important i believe .but im not as amazing as some think they are!

[waistdeep]

It's different for each person and even different kinds of trips, I think one should spend as one wants, use what works for you and just enjoy the hunting trips without worrying who has what or who has the longest "barrel".

Totally agree, don't judge me for what I have or don;t have, I buy good shit and I enjoy it. If I didn;t , I would spend my money elsewhere, Meantime, I love hunting :)

[knighthunter]

Last fall, on my last deer hunting trip, knowing who I was going hunting with, knowing that we wouldn't see anything shootable, I didn't bother taking my hunting rifle or ammo. So I can safely say my gear value of the day was about $850.00 less than usual. I did take a knife, as we were gonna have a weiner roast.

[Weatherby Fan]

I love buying new gear and trying new products for hunting,do you need it not always but some things for sure.

As long as I got dry warm feet and a rifle I'm going hunting,

but if there's one thing I would miss it's my binoculars,quality optics are a pleasure to use,I use my binoculars all year round day and night at work and also for hunting/scouting,no eyestrain,no headaches,if Im going to splurge on gear,gortex boots and good optics.

It doesn't matter to much weather I'm using my dad's Husqvarna 30-06 or my Mark V 300 Weatherby somethings going to die !
As long as were hunting were having fun ! regardless of the cost of our gear.

[beni]

With all of the stuff I bought last year I walked around with close to 3g on an average day. Over half of that being the new rifle setup I had purchased. This year might not be the case, but who knows :D

I bought a lot of hunting gear last year. I still need optics GPS/SPOT (for days when i'm out alone). I will probably have much around the same amount this year too. I have a few things on my wishlist :)

[Gateholio]

Lots of people have different ideas on how to spend their disposable income. As I said, I've got a old truck and a small house but I've got nice gear. :)

I recall when I first got my 300WSM custom rifle built by Bill Leeper. An acquaintance was admiring it and talking about how he wished that he coudl afford a custom rifle. I pointed out his collection consisted of a bunch of low to mid grade rifles and shotguns, and suggested that he keep a .22 and a shotgun and a spare 30-06 or something, sell the rest and be able to buy a custom rifle. He was shocked and said "then I would only have 4 guns!" I said "You would have one excellent rifle that you would enjoy so much you would never miss the rest of this crap" but he wasn't convinced and as far as I know he still has a bunch of crap guns that he doesn't really like,but he can't get past the quantity/quality thing.

I also know people who say that they would never pay $3500 for a rifle (that would last a lifetime and they could give to their kids) but they have no issue with buying a home theater system for twice that amount. (that will be obsolete in 5 years)...... (I've also got a small flat screen TV for my small house in case you were wondering) ;)

There are plenty of guys with $50K trucks that hunt with Canadian Tire made in China camo and backpacks and hand me down rifles, too.

I spend money where I think I get the most enjoyment out of it, or that it does a better job. On a thread last year Mark and I showed $30 knives that were in our opinions much better than $300 knives. I'm a professional chef so I've used many knives and I've yet to find better knives for cutting up animals at any price. Like the Stanfields sweater. They are less expensive than the high end clothing, but they work well, and I wouldn't be without one..

Another example is the fingerless gloves with flip over mitts I like to use. I get them for about $3 a pair on sale int he Spring at CT or Walmart, and buy 5 pairs at a time.

[stoneguide]

Good point Gatehouse. And people should always shoot for quality and that isnt always measured in dollars. And that is where forums like HBC are great. Gives guys a chance to get real product reveiws from our peers.

With many products quality goes up so do dollars but its not always the case. Some lower dollar products can still be very good quality.

SG

[Barracuda]

for me i have a wish list that over time I will chip away at.

Some things i will get entry level or second hand stuff then upgrade as i can and some i will do without till i can get what i want.

[TyTy]

Like the Stanfields sweater. They are less expensive than the high end clothing, but they work well, ad I wouldn't be without one..


x2


add a turtle neck with a zipper and your warm and protected

[dana]

Sure you can do things cheap. Many of us have. The thing I have seen in 24 years(many many 100plus day years in Alberta, Sask, BC and Yukon) of mountain, prairie and foothill hunting is that people are more apt to spend more hours in the bush, hiking prarie coulees or on that mountain side when they are comfortable. And I started hunting with low end gear, cheapest boots going and such because thats all we could afford. I had a cheap pair of 8x bushnells and a tasco spotter. Did I kill animals? For sure. When its stormed was I comfortable and hunted regaurdless? No. Many days were cut short due to weather, being cold and wet gear. If I had better quality gear would that have increased my time in the field? For sure. And would that extra time in the field have raised my chances at an animal I didnt get or at that elusive trophy? Guaranteed!

As far as your comment on Optics, well I dont know you well other than what you post on HBC but anyone that spends 100days in the feild behind optics and make the comment that better quality optics doesnt help doesnt seem to experienced.
"Its not the optics its the guy behind the optics" What? Sure a good hunter is a good hunter no matter what he looks through but I guarantee that I have seen sheep and other animals with high end optics that I wouldnt have sat there as long looking through low end glass due to the eye fatigue factor or wouldnt have picked up that rams horn against the shale. Its prooven knowledge that high end glass is easier on the eyes there for guys will use it more and spend more hours behind them. Plus under certain situations the sharper, clearer glass lets you pick out that small detail that you may miss with lower end optics.
So yes to many hunters quality gear and optics can actually help them be more succesful and enjoy that trip of a lifetime all that much more.

Top end gear is far from a must but from some one that started at the low end and know have worked up a decent set of gear, quality is a huge factor in all gear.

So if you think thats a dick measuring statment then that is cool but with the experience you say you have you should realize that better gear can for sure impoove ones odds. And to many, trying to be the tough super hunter that doesnt need better gear then that in itself is trying to win the big dick competition!

And your right you dont need to break the bank. But I bet you cant find one post in this thread that states that! Like I stated, get the best gear you can afford at the time then upgrade as you can afford it or until you are satisfied with what you have.

SG

SG,
I have hunted in this great province for 30 years now. I have killed a ton of critters for the freezer and have killed a bunch of trophies to boot. Not once has a big buck got away from me because I had cheaper B&L binos versus Swaro or Leicas. You can put good glass in the average hunter's hands and they will never ever see the difference. What pisses me off on this site is when the dick waggers start on how only real hunters use this or that glass and how you have to re-mortgage the house and not send your kids to college so you can pay for it. The average Joe doesn't need it and the average Joe can easily hunt without all the trappings that has been listed in this thread. Lots of new hunters get on this site and when they see threads like this and they suddenly are discouraged because they don't have all these things that are 'said' to make you a successful hunter. All you need is an old rifle, a box of ammo, a knife and some determination and you will have the time of your life. Get caught up in the latest gear fads and you will find you will spend way more time working to pay for them than you will using them. "Keep it simple Stupid" goes a long ways when it comes to being successful.

[Hunt'n Guide]

You can hunt succesfully without breaking the bank for tyhe best gear, but some guys have tons of $ to spend on toys and some of us have good tools for work. For a guide spending thousands on optics is no different than a mechanic spending thousands on tools for his shop.

[killer]

Rifle ,boots , camo gear stanfield of course, binos, knives, pack, gps all for a couple grand.I try to upgrade when possible,but i am very happy with what i have,as long as i am hunting nothing else matters.

[savagecanuck]

Pimped out rhino 20K,Browning SS stalker/with scope 2K/Camo and personal gear another 1500 so approx $23,500

[porcupine]

Rifle $1,400
Scope & Covers $ 2,200
Boots $450
Outer Camo pants and Jacket $450
Binoculars $1,800
GPS & Map chip $ 700
Underwear $ 80
Socks $20
Sweat pants & shirt $50
Back Pack $ 300
Spotting scope $900
Knives $150
Miscellaneous $100
Shooting sticks $150
Camera $450
Rangefinder $500
Ammo $ 80
Emergency and First aid $30
Flashlight $110
Toilet paper - priceless

Total for a day of moose hunting - $9,220

[Devilbear]

You can hunt succesfully without breaking the bank for tyhe best gear, but some guys have tons of $ to spend on toys and some of us have good tools for work. For a guide spending thousands on optics is no different than a mechanic spending thousands on tools for his shop.

I agree and this is why I worked my azz off as a young guy, after my first BCFS L/O in '67 to buy a Zeiss bino. I came back to Nelson, from where I had been stationed in Fernie and it was to be my third hunting season; my fire season had shown me that the cheap, old binos issued to us by the FS simply hurt your eyes and that top notch optics are among the few gear items REALLY worth spending serious coin on.

So, I made a deal with Ramsay's Camera Shop and got the Zeiss and used them constantly for eight years, then, sold them and bought the Zeiss B/GAF bino I have used for almost 36 years now and with total satisfaction. I bought a B&L spotter from them several years later and it lasted until I dropped on a rock in the late '80s and I then replaced it with a Leupold and sold that last year to a buddy who wanted it. I horsetraded into an "as new" Leica 10x40 bino and armoured 16x48 spotter and very good Manfrotto tripod and am happy with these setup. If, you research your gear well, first, you do not have to bankrupt the family to have good gear and optics really are important for so many serious outdoor activities.

That said, I see Dana's point and would say that one of my favourite Blacktail hunting rigs is a green fleece pullover and light pure wool green pants I bought a Value Village; the top was $5 and the pants were $3 and they work every bit as well as anything else, while being very comfortable to wear. Among the finest of my several pairs of highend mountain boots are an as new pair of Galibier Vercors I bought from a fellow in California and these cost $75.00, shipping included.......you cannot buy boots this good now and there is lots of used, highend gear out there if you search for it.

[M.Dean]

I've have a decent Gun, Bino's and my Quad. I got a real warm Coat and a pair of pants and good boots. Over the last 40 or so years I've added this, and was given that to make my stay's in the bush a little more comfortable. If I lose or break any piece of my gear I can replace it with out breaking the Bank, I don't want a pair of Bino's worth 2100 bucks, or a Rifle Scope that cost a Grand, if I lost them or smashed the shit out of them, it'd be a big hardship to me to replace them! I use exactly what I can afford, nothing more, nothing less! Yes, your Jacket is lighter than mine, your Scope is the newest, top of the line model in Quality and price, and your boots are 5 times nicer than anything I could ever afford, the bullets I shoot cost 36 dollars a hundred, yours are 58 dollars for 50 and will bust the motor block in a Abrams Tank,you know what? The Deer don't care! I don't mean to begrudge anyone for spending money on great equipment, you need it for Sheep hunting or Goats etc, some Back Pack into the great unknown, and you need the best to survive! I simply buy what I can afford, like quite a few working class hunters, we all share the same quest, well dressed or not, to get out as much as possible each fall and hunt for the Big One! I've got a friend who hunts in what ever pants and Jacket he puts on that morning, he shoots a old beat up Winchester 30-06 with a even older Bushnell 3x9 on top,he uses what ever bullets I have laying around for him and shoots some dam big bucks each fall, Go Figger!

[Brambles]

More than most, not as much as some.

Everyone has their own beliefs and values, some guys can see the value in quality equipment and some guys get a kick out of doing everything on the cheap. To each their own.

[yamadirt 426]

I'm prob around 2500 everything in. thats pushing it.

[brian]

I do things a little differently. I am a DIY gear guy and love to find used things that can be adapted to my needs. But I will say, if your life could be on the line, then your gear had better be the right gear. So I would not be caught dead wearing cotton long undies in the woods, even on a simple day trip.
So my run down

Merino wool base layer (I haven't been able to source cheap merino wool yet so this is my most expensive layer) roughly $120-$150
DIY fleece pullover and pants probably about $10 & $15 ish, but my source for cheap $5 a yard polar fleece just shut down, so I doubt I will find it that cheap for a while.
value village wool sweater $5 (if another layer is needed).
gortex waterproof shell got it on a great sale $80 or so, I don't trust my skills yet with rain gear.
converted used camel pack for day pack, $15 + first aid kit mostly stuff cobbled together and added to a small wilderness first aid kit $15
DIY mocassins I dug the leather out of a remnant pile so I got a decent price on it, about $5 square foot. Its good quality leather though. It has gone into a few projects. I would say they cost around $35 to make. The sheepskin liners cost another $35.
buck knife (gift)
back up compass, $15ish
GPS $350, my favourite scouting tool.
gloves $85 never managed to bring myself to make them. And my hands get real cold real easy. So I don't scrimp here.
hot pocket glove inserts, these thing come with me every time just in case. roughly a 1$ per pair.
vortex monocular $145ish
rifle & scope $1200ish

This year I am planning a few overnighters so I broke down and bought a $400 95L Arcteryx pack. I loaded it up with sand bags and carried it to work. Feels damn nice compared to my other bags, I have a feeling that will be money well invested. I plan on making a camping hammock, silnylon tarps, a down underquilt, possibly a down quilt, and if I still have time some down puffy layers to keep warm with. All of this will come out of roughly $400 of base materials (including roughly $200 in quality down, expensive stuff), and I should have plenty left over for future projects.

[The Hermit]

The main reason I started VantagePoint Outfitters was that I have always frigin lusted after gear that I couldn't justify spending my hard earned (some would argue the hard earned bit) money. I figured starting a dealership would allow me to get some of the expensive toys at great prices and be able to pass along excellent gear at much more affordable prices to regular guys. I don't have to make a fortune in my semi-retirement and I like to help others spend their money!!! LOL I'm trying to source high end gear and price it so that Dana would feel good about buying some better glass!! ;-) PS - He is still my hero!!!

One thing that bugs me are the guys that seem to have a hard-on for people that have lots of money! The wealthy are definitely discriminated against... some of the nicest guys I know are very wealthy yet down to earth, friendly, and go out of their way to help others! Not saying those less fortunate aren't just as nice but some guys assume that if you are rich you gotta be a prick! If someone has lots of disposable money who are we to say he is wasteful or stupid or an idiot for using that coin to buy the best of the best?

[The Hermit]

PS - I didn't add up the cost of my gear and post it on here cause that would give you bass tards way to much potential leverage with the threat of telling the war department!! LOL

[BlacktailStalker]

Caveman age; Loin cloth - free, spear - free, club - free.

I think the joke is on us.

[sawmill]

I've have a decent Gun, Bino's and my Quad. I got a real warm Coat and a pair of pants and good boots. Over the last 40 or so years I've added this, and was given that to make my stay's in the bush a little more comfortable. If I lose or break any piece of my gear I can replace it with out breaking the Bank, I don't want a pair of Bino's worth 2100 bucks, or a Rifle Scope that cost a Grand, if I lost them or smashed the shit out of them, it'd be a big hardship to me to replace them! I use exactly what I can afford, nothing more, nothing less! Yes, your Jacket is lighter than mine, your Scope is the newest, top of the line model in Quality and price, and your boots are 5 times nicer than anything I could ever afford, the bullets I shoot cost 36 dollars a hundred, yours are 58 dollars for 50 and will bust the motor block in a Abrams Tank,you know what? The Deer don't care! I don't mean to begrudge anyone for spending money on great equipment, you need it for Sheep hunting or Goats etc, some Back Pack into the great unknown, and you need the best to survive! I simply buy what I can afford, like quite a few working class hunters, we all share the same quest, well dressed or not, to get out as much as possible each fall and hunt for the Big One! I've got a friend who hunts in what ever pants and Jacket he puts on that morning, he shoots a old beat up Winchester 30-06 with a even older Bushnell 3x9 on top,he uses what ever bullets I have laying around for him and shoots some dam big bucks each fall, Go Figger!
I`m with Mr Dean,I have a decent rifle/scope and a couple of pretty good inexpensive knives,I wear what I put on in the morning too.100$ Bushnell Bino`s and Factory shells.I do OK,had to buy a backup freezer for the over load last fall.And that was only 100$.I figure the rifle and scope are worth a grand and the knives ....maybe 100$,so 1200$ at the most.Hunting in a raggedy old blanket lined jean jacket...............Priceless!

[muledeercrazy]

I think some of you guys have lost your perspective here! :) I believe the point of the thread was that it is really easy to spend alot of money on hunting gear. Is it needed? NO. Will it make your hunt more confortable if you have high end clothes? Yes. Have I been able to identify elk and deer at first light with my expensive binos that I know i couldnt have with my first pair of 60$ bushnells years ago? Absolutely. You just cant argue that better gear gives you a advantage and can make your trip more enjoyable. Sorry Dana. However, to say that you wont enjoy hunting or be succesful without good gear is a joke. Most of us started out with hand me downs and cheaper gear, and worked our way up. I was thinking the same thing as the op recently, "How the hell did i end up with this much money invested in gear." Less than some, more than many. Does it make me a better hunter. Nope. Does it mean im addicted to hunting and probably need help..?

[Barracuda]

the cost to keep and run hounds hasnt even looked at LOL
I know my trash chaseing fleafarms have cost me my sanity

[stoneguide]

the cost to keep and run hounds hasnt even looked at LOL
I know my trash chaseing fleafarms have cost me my sanity

Ya if a guy looked a total gear the costs would be unreal for the hunting I do also.

Id have to add,
Archery Equipment,
Newer ATV,
Atv Trailer,
Insurance on ATV
Goose Neck stock trailer,
1 Ton to pull horses,
7 Horses,
Tack for horses,
Feeding of horses,
Farrier Supplies(glad I do that myself)
Wall tents,
Wood Stoves and pipes,
Back Pack gear,
Bed Rolls,
Licenses,
Draws,
Reloading componants,
And many things im sure I forgot.

Deffenatly alot of cash but for the enjoyment it gives us the money doesnt really matter.

[Weatherby Fan]

I think some of you guys have lost your perspective here! :) I believe the point of the thread was that it is really easy to spend alot of money on hunting gear. Is it needed? NO. Will it make your hunt more confortable if you have high end clothes? Yes. Have I been able to identify elk and deer at first light with my expensive binos that I know i couldnt have with my first pair of 60$ bushnells years ago? Absolutely. You just cant argue that better gear gives you a advantage and can make your trip more enjoyable. Sorry Dana. However, to say that you wont enjoy hunting or be succesful without good gear is a joke. Most of us started out with hand me downs and cheaper gear, and worked our way up. I was thinking the same thing as the op recently, "How the hell did i end up with this much money invested in gear." Less than some, more than many. Does it make me a better hunter. Nope. Does it mean im addicted to hunting and probably need help..?

Muledeercrazy,
very well put and your bang on with your thoughts,I think everyone would have to agree your going to go hunting and enjoy the experience regardless of what hangs around your neck or the rifle your using,It doesn't matter if your using Leicas or Bushnells as long as your happy and your hunting thats all that matters.
My older brother has used a pair of 10x50 binoculars that weigh 3 lbs and you have to close one eye to look through them but he shoots more animals than most and always has a smile on his face and a freezer full of meat,to each his own and good on people for hunting their way regardless of what the next guy thinks or has.
As long as were hunting were having fun.

[ishootbambi]

my wife visits these forums too.....i best not get into specifics....

[bridger]

i got a new cabela's catalog in the mail tonite and my wife said"oh you must be disappointed? a new cabela's catalog and you already own everything in it!"

[warnniklz]

For my 1 day or weekend trip for deer...

Spotting Scope - $206.07 (was a gift, almost left it in the bush this year because it's a P.O.S!!)
Rifle Scope - $125.55
Rings/Bases - ~ $100 (forget what I paid for these... Leupold STD bases and rings)
Rifle - $558.88
Hat - $15 (either camo lighted or boonie... sometimes a Godsmack toque)
Jacket - $50
Pants - Freebie
Boots - $50
Ammo - $34.56 (20 rounds)
Sling - $17.98
Pack - $44.37
Knifes - Freebie (I pack 3 on me. 1 was a gift, the other a sample and the 3rd from my great g-pa) Still gotta get a good one.
Binos - $122.53
Gloves - Freebie
TP - Freebie (always get a pack in my stocking at x-mas. Goes straight to my hunting bag)

TOTAL - 1325.57 taxes in.

Socks and clothes underneath vary and are usually just long johns and/or sweats

[warnniklz]

If I took my .303 for bears I'd be at...

rifle - $100
Ammo - $22.04 (20 rounds)
Kives - Freebies

Total $122.04 taxes in

[hunter1993ap]

until this year i ran prety much on hand me downs. i finaly bought a good pair of boots and a spotting scope :P
rifle handed down-500 bucks new 30 years ago
scope-450$
pack- $5 from garage sale
gps-$100
boots -$520
binos-$350
pants-$old wool passed down from grandpa
jacket-$100
socks $5.00
underwear-5$
handloaded bullets- unsure but cheaper than factory

[bigslim]

All the talk about high quality gear lasting a long time. Sounds to me like all the gear you speak of is new so how do you know it will last. Oh right that's what the salesman said!!

[Livewire322]

Boots $60
Under-layer $50
Pants and shirt $60
Jacket and outer pants $550
Calls $50
Glasses $200
Pack $50
Misc gear $100
Knives $300
Camera $700
Gps $300
Binocs $70
Rangefinder priceless gift...
Rifle depends on what one I bring...
But generally almost 3k

[chinook]

Boots $300
Pants $200
Coat $150
Pack $200
Gun $2000
Binos $500
Knives $200
Ammo $75
Gas $100


On and on and on.... $3-4k all together.

[bosca]

:-?Parker an hale 30-06 (bought 1979) $300
leoupold vx2 3x9x40 $400
Nikon monarch bino $350
Garmin vista HCX GPS $129
Schrade knife (1982) $50
Scraps Boots (on season #4) $300
Shoulder type pack with various survival and deer pulling gear $50
total $1580
I guess one thing to always factor in is that high quality gear Tends to last much longer so over the long haul you could end up spending less. Ie., some of my gear is 30 years old and still functions perfectly.
Interesting exercise though...I,m not sure I want to start totaling up all my gear.:?

[ianwuzhere]

over $1500 on fuel alone each season.. take too long to add up the other stuff. i could become a far cheezy poof eater and sit around the house and watch sports or play video games the rest of my life- but then i would suck...

[hunter1993ap]

Are you guys crazy or are is this just a dick measuring thread?

I hunt exclusively with hand-me-down rifles that have been in my family for generations. They are priceless to me but I haven't spent a dime for them. I wear my work clothes as my hunting clothes and I buy them all second hand from Value Village. Heck, I've even found top-notch high quality vintage boots for under $5 at thrift stores and garage sales. A guy does not need to break the bank to get into hunting. If you believe that, then you've took the bait, hook, line and sinker from those mass marketers out there that sell their snake oil to the gullable hunters of today. Do I own top-notch gear? Yup. But I actually use it and use it and use it. How do you break down the cost of something on a daily basis? The last pair of binos I had cost me roughly $400 15+ years ago. I have used them for over a hundred days a year for 15 years. How many critters did I spot with them over that time period? Countless! How many huge critters did I spot with them? Numerous. I could have spent Thousands on higher quality glass but really seriously, would that have got me more animals? NOPE! It isn't the glass, it is the person behind the glass. My first backpack I bought used for $200 and I packed out numerous critters and countless sheds with it. It lasted me 17 years of abuse. You can easily do things on the cheap and still have glowing success.

this is the best response i have read on this thread. getting it done without breaking the bank. i just laugh at all the new gear people think they need to be a hunter :) i have just been inspired to spend as little money on hunting gear as possible. everytime i go hunting my mental checklist while leaving the driveway is gun, bullets, pack, and tag. everything else is not neaded for a day trip.

[jacox]

This thread makes me depressed. I hunt with a rusted hand me down 12ga., a box of 5 slugs, two bottles of water (one for my dog), and hope someone i know with a truck will take me out (it's a long walk otherwise). I dream about the day i can afford bushnell binocs and boots that keep water out. Fml, being a student sucks.
Once i graduate and pay off my student loans i'm buying the most expensive rifle i can find and an over under beretta!

[REMINGTON JIM]

Boots $60 $60.00 boots What are they ?
Under-layer $50
Pants and shirt $60
Jacket and outer pants $550
Calls $50
Glasses $200
Pack $50
Misc gear $100
Knives $300
Camera $700
Gps $300
Binocs $70 BINOS $70.00 What are they ?
Rangefinder priceless gift...
Rifle depends on what one I bring...
But generally almost 3k

Just wondering how you get around in $60.00 Boots and spot-look for game all day with $70.00 Binos ? LOL ! All ok if you do - just wondering ? LOL cheers RJ

[Barracuda]

not a problem for many I hike around all day in doubled up sock and baffin work boots, or even runners. if you not way outta condition your feet take far less abuse.



glass nowadays is pretty good even for the cheaper stuff .

its a global economy and everyone is fighting for a buck even the budget priced gear has to outdo the other budget priced gear.

[calvin L]

If my wife reads this thread she will crap herself at the amount of money I have spent . I have to shake my head as I add it up . Are we all nuts ? I say yes GEAR NUTS boys . Know if she would like to add up the shoes , clothes , and the rest of the crap I am sure. hunting gear is cheeper by a long shot

[vortex hunter]

Wow a camo "outfit" are you sure you're hunting and not modeling. Sounds like you started this thread to brag about over priced and useless gear you were suckerd into buying. I'm not trying to be a dick but I'm sure the rest of us EXPERIENCED hunters will all have a good laugh at all of this. Maybe your a J-I-C (just in case) kinda guy, but man we didn't even hall that much shit in the Marines. Good luck in the upcoming season, and I mean that.

I like your Last comment : but man we didn't even hall that much shit in the Marines ............. So True I hunt with Boots Knifes and ammo and cloths I am wearing nothing Special

[2tins]

Are you crazy? My wife might see this!

[troutseeker]

Someone hunts in $80 dollar underwear? Holy crap, are they from La Senza or Lululemon???

[Livewire322]

Someone hunts in $80 dollar underwear? Holy crap, are they from La Senza or Lululemon???

Victoria's secret... I heard the help when climbing up hills, added freedom and such!

[proguide66]

Never thought about this before...I'm guessing ( surprisingly) around 7 grand plus a few..:shock: ( thats sheep hunting or guideing).....deer for a day , maybe 5 k...wtf!

[snowhunter]

About 25 years ago, I read in some hunting magazine, that the US hunters and fishermen then spent 70 billions a year on their hunting and fishing related gears, and would at that time place their combined expenses at # 13 at "Forbes 500 List", as well as 650.000 Americans made all or part of their living from catering to the American hunters and fishermens need.

If these numbers are calculated into Canadian numbers, the Canadian hunters and fishermen would be spending 7-10 billion dollars a year and create about 65-70.000 jobs in Canada. That should give the Canadian hunters and fishermen some serious political cloud !

[Dirt Road King]

free: good ol 30-30(birthday present)
maybe 50$ in old carhartts

[.300WSMImpact!]

looking at this old thread and see that I now carry a lot more money with me when I hunt then I did years ago

[eric]

I wasn't going to go there
Me and the one son were sitting on the mountain side trying to glass up some goats, and we got to pricing out the gear we had with us..
Kifaru back pack...500.00
his pack...350.00
His boots, Lowa's...500.00
Mine, Meindle's.....400.00
Kimber rifle and scope...1600.00
Swarovski spotter..2500.00
Swarovski..8 x 30 bino's..1000.00
clothing, Merino wool, and Kuiu

Ho Li Phouc

[swampthing]

I get a good laugh when people say "isn't it cheaper to just buy meat". Of course it is.

[hare_assassin]

Well under $800 for my "day" gear, and it has paid for itself many times over in meat.

I get a good laugh when I hear hunters say game meat is more expensive than store-bought.

Not for this hunter. Not even close.

[ACB]

Anytime you can leave your truck for a day hunt and have between 5-7K invested with whats on your back and feet you'v got far too much money and don't know what to do with it. I think back to what my dad use to go out in the bush with. He started with a model 94 30-30, a old pair of Pierre Paris work boots that he had resoled with vibram soles water proofed with lots of Dubin; An old double back Pioneer Mackinaw wool coat and Pioneer Jones style reversible to blaze orange hat with the ear muffs and Fisherman wool pants with Stanfield wool under ware. Other than the 30-30 there wasn't anything special for hunting, those were his regular work clothes. I'm not one to talk I spend far to much money on this stuff, got to have it. What drive's me nuts is that it's made in a 3rd world country for pennies and sold for a fortune here, somebodys making a lot of money.

[john.b]

I am a noob (coming into my second deer season) but here it goes

Boots- 250
pants- 250
jacket- 350
shirts-75
hat- 50
rain gear 200
socks- 20
knife- 80
gps-250
pack-150
rifle/scope-1800
Binos-400
Range finder-550
ammo-60
misc survival-300

but don't tell my wife $4785

[M.Dean]

Just finished do'in a "Inventory" of my hunt'in gear, and with all the new stuff I bought last week, I'm well over the 35 dollar mark! I know, I went a tad crazy in WSS and Cabela's, but I like Quality stuff! No "Made in China" crap for me!

[brian]

It is interesting to look over this old thread. I spend less every season. My biggest expense these days is licenses and tags followed by ammo. The rest of my gear when amortized over the seasons of use is pretty cheap by the end. But that is conditioned by the fact that I don't really buy new gear and the stuff I have is lasting a good long time. Most of it is multi purpose too. I use it as my wet weather and hiking gear. Some of it like outer layers are in general rotation, none of it is really specialized hunting clothes.

[Bugle M In]

way too much!!
you would think after all these years, I would learn???:confused:
You see me walking, I am carrying a few grand in equipment...I don't even want to think about.
But, I am trying to lighten that Badlands monster pack.
Note: the bigger the day pack you buy, the more shit you seem to pack in it.:?

[Frango]

Wow 200 on underwear?.Have you been ordering from Victoria Secret again?

[knockturnal]

I'm pretty sure the "underwear" is base layers. Merino wool or under armor, it's not cheap.

As for gear for me, a lot.

[Sitkaspruce]

Who cares????

If I put a price on my gear for hunting and fishing, I would probably end up in a white padded room.......

We have to spend our $$$ because we cannot spend it in a 6' box, so we might as well spend it on something you love to do.....

Cheers

SS

[john.b]

Wow 200 on underwear?.Have you been ordering from Victoria Secret again?
200 is relatively cheap depending on where you are. You don't want to see the money I spent on thermals when I was working outside in the winter in the Yukon.

[Beaverhunter]

SG,
I have hunted in this great province for 30 years now. I have killed a ton of critters for the freezer and have killed a bunch of trophies to boot. Not once has a big buck got away from me because I had cheaper B&L binos versus Swaro or Leicas. You can put good glass in the average hunter's hands and they will never ever see the difference. What pisses me off on this site is when the dick waggers start on how only real hunters use this or that glass and how you have to re-mortgage the house and not send your kids to college so you can pay for it. The average Joe doesn't need it and the average Joe can easily hunt without all the trappings that has been listed in this thread. Lots of new hunters get on this site and when they see threads like this and they suddenly are discouraged because they don't have all these things that are 'said' to make you a successful hunter. All you need is an old rifle, a box of ammo, a knife and some determination and you will have the time of your life. Get caught up in the latest gear fads and you will find you will spend way more time working to pay for them than you will using them. "Keep it simple Stupid" goes a long ways when it comes to being successful.

How do you know what animals you've missed had you had better glass. If you didn't see them then in your eyes you haven't missed any.

[bpeters]

bow-750
arrows-70
broadheads-50
release-60
camo jacket-100
camo pants-100
vortex rangefinder-400
vortex binos-500
grunt tube-35
hiking boots-200
hat-10
treestand-90
kernshaw knife-50
trail cams-150 (x4). (600)
wind checker-5
scent block-15
doe urine-15
pack-100
gillie suit-50
misc-150

and do you know what that $3350 then gets me?? that's right... a 1k whitetail mount!! it ain't a cheap sport fellas, but I love it! and I would buy all that stuff over again in a heartbeat.

[ROY-alty33]

What gets me is guys spend this kinda juice on a hunt and still shoot federal blue box......."45 bucks for a box of shells thats hiway robbery."

[seizuresalad]

Have been out a few times so far for this blacktail archery season. Got one deer so far, last Friday the 4th. Here's the rundown:
Silver Adidas track pants: $20
Random Old Navy t-shirt: $10
Black and white Adidas sneakers: $40
Mismatched socks: ~$0.50
Costco underwear: $2.00 (rip-off; they ride up like crazy)
PSE bow: $300
Wal-mart Carbon Express arrow: $10
Canadian Tire random brand broadhead: $9
Buck knife: $60
Sharpener I stole from the kitchen cupboard: $8
My wife's backpack that I use so I don't get blood on mine: $75
Leftover game bags that a guy left in my pack from a hunt last year: $0
Total: $534.50

Getting up at 5:30am, hiking 6 km in the clothes you wore the day before, arrowing a deer in time to get it skinned, quartered, and packed back to the car, driving it home, and still managing to be on time for work: Priceless.

[Marlowethelazydog]

B.S. thread mostly. Most people don't need $6000 in pamper clothes to enjoy a good day if hunting. Christ, imagine if our grandfathers saw some of the ridiculous shit people buy to shoot a deer.

[ajr5406]

It's not a cheap sport, but like most things the barrier to entry can still be pretty low. Compared to things like: skiing, golf, fishing (with a boat), etc, it's not stupidly expensive.

I know a guy who collects rare sports cars (ok he is a neurosurgeon, so his income is a little higher than the rest of us), so I always compare my hobbies to his and instantly feel better about my hobby spending...

[Wentrot]

Id rather not add it up but if someone wants to spend thousands on what he/she loves doing who cares! And yes, I wear 80 dollar underwear.

[caddisguy]

If I add up all my gear, guns, cams etc it would get expensive but for stuff I take out in the bush on a day hunt it's pretty darn cheap. What I bring varies trip by trip and season by season, but around 1k on a "typical" day trip. Lets see:

Savage Axis XP 30-06 and scope: $350
Binos: $120
Backpack ($50 or $120 depending on trip)
Knives ($75-125 depending)
Shooting stick: $15
Game bag: $12
Bear spray: $35
Headlamps: $25 or $50 (if I bring 2)
Clothes: ($150-250 depending on trip)
Boots: $100
Camera: $90
Rope/Lighters/Compass/Survival odds ans ends: $100
Tablet if I'm checking cams: $50
GPS (if I bring it): $150
Air horn (if i bring it): $20

Too early to add all that up but I'd say just under $1000 on an average day and $1000-1300 if I bring the kitchen sink. Most of these things I have had for many years. I can see how it would go up when you get into expensive binos, range finders, scopes for 400 yard shots and what not. I hunt Region 2 timber 90% of the time so anything to see or shoot over 150 yards is pretty much useless to me. Depends what you hunt and how you hunt it. To each their own. Happy opening day! Hoping to see some bucks down from hunters all around, doing what we do no matter how (and with what gear) it gets done!! :)

Interested in this $80 underwear though. I'm a joe boxer brief kinda guy but $80 it better interface with bluetooth on the smart phone, have a massage button and a gas filter. New thread for pics of this super fly hunter ginch. The HBC Vicotria Secret!! Haha or maybe not

[Wentrot]

If ya want victoria secret for men, check out "my pakage". Double that with a splash of gold bond and you will go to heaven lol

Edit...dont actually check out my package....just the brand name!

[wideopenthrottle]

old recycled coveralls $0
hand me down army fatigues $0
silva ranger compass (12th bday) $0
m70 30-06 with scope (used) $800
cheap spare gun with scope (new) $700
ammo $60
repurposed camping gear $0
rubber boots with liners $40
hip waders (borrowed ) $0
hand me down cot $0
sleeping bag inherited from overseas friend $0
army navy touque $2
dollar store camo hat $2.99
buddy's truck/trailer/camper/wall tent/quads my cost $0
fuel (my share) $300
food (my share) $150
mostly repurposed clothes $0
dual layered camo jacket $200
light camo pants $60
other misc camping gear repurposed $0
....there is a theme developing here ...heheheheh
man am I glad I don't have to start over collecting gear cuz it would cost a lot to replace what I slowly accumulated/repurposed over the many years of outdoor life even if a lot of it was old work clothes etc (essentially free)...of course though my buddy's wife, who hunts with us once in awhile, refers to me as Jason from Friday the 13th on days were I just wear my old green coveralls covered in tar etc...and my wife also scolds me regularly for not being more fashionable in the bush...heheheh

[hawk-i]

F350 superduty...65000.00
Extreme Duty 1775 riverboat....55000.00
rifle,scope and ammo....1500.00
clothing, boots, raingear, camo....1000.00
binos......1200.00
wall tent,stove, cots, gen, winch....4000.00
....god,I hope the wife doesn't see this list!!! :)

[Bugle M In]

Seems like the sticking point on this thread is how much you spend for underwear?!?:?

[J_06]

The expensive ones hide the skid marks

[J_06]

Just wondering how you get around in $60.00 Boots and spot-look for game all day with $70.00 Binos ? LOL ! All ok if you do - just wondering ? LOL cheers RJ I often wonder how people with this attitude would have faired a couple hundred years ago, rocking moccasins and using your own two peepers. Not too mention how many people walk barefoot how far everyday just to drink the sweat off an elephants nuts sack.

[Bugle M In]

The expensive ones hide the skid marks

That's not the secret....the secret is "Wet Wipes";-)

[Sleep Robber]

Even though I have a ton of my own gear, this year I'll be using all my late fathers hunting gear so the cost was much more than any dollar amount could be.:(

I feel good/proud to be using it all and know he'd want me to put it to good use too..

Pretty sure I'll be leaving the Elmer Fudd hat at home though. ;)

Thanks pops.

[Faw]

^^^ this guy deserves a big buck this year. Hats off to ya. Make Dad proud. I went through the same thing with my Mom last year.

[Fred1]

I often wonder how people with this attitude would have faired a couple hundred years ago, rocking moccasins and using your own two peepers. Not too mention how many people walk barefoot how far everyday just to drink the sweat off an elephants nuts sack.

They died worn out, weak, unemployed and at a young age smelling of elephant piss... duh

[Murder]

$1400 - Rifle and Scope

$700 - Binos

$250 - Range Finder

$200 - Knives

$40 - Bear spray

$300 - Boots

$150 - Gaitors

$200 - First Lite Kanabs pant

$50 - First Lite Boxers

$100 - First Lite Allegheny long underwear

$100 - First Lite Lliano QZ top

$500 - First Lite Boundary storm tight rain gear

$70 - Stanfield

$500 - Eberlestock J105 Pack

$150 - Jetboil stove

$100 - First Aid/Survival gear

$450 - Oregon 450 GPS

$100 - Backtrack GPS

$250 - Delorme InReach sat communicator

$40 - Compass





$5650.00 Holy crap!

My wife just laughs. I have a keeper

Mike

[Bugle M In]

Even though I have a ton of my own gear, this year I'll be using all my late fathers hunting gear so the cost was much more than any dollar amount could be.:(

I feel good/proud to be using it all and know he'd want me to put it to good use too..

Pretty sure I'll be leaving the Elmer Fudd hat at home though. ;)

Thanks pops.

Good luck this season...

[tanker]

gun- 12 pack
boots 250
pants 200
shirt 230 filson destroys my wallet
jacket 380
hat 200
binos 50
knife 140
saw 50
pack 100
tp priceless

[1/2 slam]

Rifle..............2800
Binoculars......1000
Ammo............60
Clothing.........600
Knives(2).......120
Boots ...........400
Pack..............400
random..........250
Range finder...800

Total $6430

[1/2 slam]

It's not a cheap sport, but like most things the barrier to entry can still be pretty low. Compared to things like: skiing, golf, fishing (with a boat), etc, it's not stupidly expensive.

I know a guy who collects rare sports cars (ok he is a neurosurgeon, so his income is a little higher than the rest of us), so I always compare my hobbies to his and instantly feel better about my hobby spending...

It's not a sport at all.

[gcreek]

My old S&W 300 WM and maybe $400 worth of clothes. Most expensive part is the Muck boots.

[Bugle M In]

It's not a sport at all.

You got it!!...its a passion.

[Backcountry Hunter]

Pants and coat-300
Base Layer-150
Boots-400
Pack-500
knives and pack stuff-200
Gun and scope-3800
Binos-1500
Camera-100
Rangefinder-100
Hearing that mornings first bugle-Priceless

Total 7050!

[MichelD]

Rifle and scope value $800 (though it was in fact a gift)

Hi-Tek summer hikers from Sally Ann $14.00

German army surplus day pack $40.00

Cabela's Dry-plus jacket $49.99

T shirt from Midland Liquidators $4.99

Fleece shirt found after yard sale $0.0

Sylvania Compass $16.00

Army surplus pants $20.00

Two Buck Lites= $40.00

B&L 8x40 binos from gun show $40.00

Sony camera my bouncer friend found on a bar floor $0.0

$979.98

[wideopenthrottle]

You got it!!...its a passion.

perhaps even a "way of life"

[ajr5406]

It's not a sport at all.

Granted... not really the point of my coment though.

[frenchbar]

10 dollar penny pincher jeans 4 buck hoody off the racks of value village and a 500.00 dollar pair of lowas sheep hunters.

[kaptin]

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g338/Kevin_phelan/Mobile%20Uploads/image_3.jpg (http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/Kevin_phelan/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_3.jpg.html)

[.264winmag]

Easy $10k worth of riggin for a day hunt, bunch more if it's a backpack hunt. Some would say that's excessive, as they back their $10k + atv off the back of the truck. I have a quad of course, 93' 4trax payed 2k 8 years ago. There are areas to save $ to justify buying the best gear possible.

[selvir]

Sitka StormFront set (jacket, pants hat, gloves, balaclava etc.) $2000
HH Base Layers and Arcteryx Spare Set $2000
Rifle and Scope $3000 +
Day / Hydration pack $150
Bino and harness $500
GPS $450
Headlamps $220
Knives $200
Boots $200
Water filtration bottle $100
Go Pro4 Black $500
game calls, survival, scent block, game attractants, ropes, first aid kit,spare batteries, 2 way radio, etc...

and BTW i have one Arcteryx Set for sale or trade if anyone interested (Arcteryx Leaf) search the add or p.m. me :)

[Brno22F]

You guys spend $100 (300)and $150 (sako) on just UNDERWEAR'S... you got to be kidding me man.. my wife bought me 5 pairs of underwear 2 yrs ago they are still going strong cost was $75 and i thought that was expensive...

What stood out for me in the original post was $100 worth of rope. Braided steel aircraft cable can be had for less. A hundred bucks worth of 3/8 or half inch poly would leave no room for anything else in my pack.

[RackStar]

some people carry the most ridiculous stuff in their day pack.. I now know what I really need, and where and where not to cut costs... lots of this useless sh*t I would rather save my money and take a extra week off work and actually hunt. Being in the field will make you a better hunter, not all this fancy Gucci shizz. BUT, if your fortunate to have the dough to spend and still hunt all you want, it comes down to what ever floats your boat.

[monasheemountainman]

Boots -$350
gun+scope-$3000
pack-$350
optics-$1700
Kuiu gear-$700

shooting a spiker buck cuz I have an itchy trigger finger....priceless

[walks with deer]

Me how do I value you it when it took years to aquire.

First 30-06 $200 shells $20 clothes already owned knife cheap. tag $16 pretty cheap once you own.. once your stock is up its cheap to maintain...

If road hunting tag borrowed gun Sitka gear is made to catch hunters not game.

I hunted for years with a cheap rifle.and cheap shotgun and old pack from school.

[TyTy]

I posted on this thread in 2011. Ive bought more rifles and specialized gear since then, but dont really need it. Core gear is rifle, bullets, binos, boots, tags, knife. Sun glasses and hat for comfort :cool:

nothing is more value than buddies and motivation.

[2tins]

I'm not really sure that this is a safe thing we're doing. If our wives see this s--t could go side ways. Besides all my stuff is junk.

[HarryToolips]

For day trips:
Rifle $2000
binos $1300
rangefinder $500
SPOT $250
game carrying pack (army ruck sack) $200
hunting clothes $600
hunting vest, web gear, with other accessories including compass $700

[walks with deer]

I remember when I was 19.
gun bought 5 years prior 200
scope 50 cash
old clothes owned
knife owned

Just needed money for gas and hotdods/beer for night.

[Asco]

I started off with el-cheap-o stuff, and brought along stuff I didn't need, as well as not bringing stuff I did.

At at this point I only buy the best gear I can afford, and I enjoy hunting more, and I'm more successful.

Just like any passion, if you're into it you spend more time and money on it. Time makes you a better hunter, money gives you better tools and comfort


my 2 cents = binos, boots and scope first. Gun is almost last priority when choosing where to spend your $

[BiG Boar]

$7851 for me. I wonder what the cheapest someone could actually do it for?

Stuff that comes with me when hunting

On my person or in pockets:

1700 - Gun
20 - 8 bullets and magazine full
5 - wind checker bottle
200 - S.P.O.T.
600 - GPS (iphone)
0 - Digital camera
2100 - Rangefinder
600 - Binoculars

In my small day pack:

1 - Two heavy duty garbage bags (will work as game bags for pack out)
0 - One large zip-loc bags with water proof or bic Lighter in it(for grouse, organs, etc)
3 - 20ft strong light cord
10 - Choice of Jerky, instant oatmeal, instant soup, granola bars
0 - 500-1000ml water depending on availablity
90 - Headlamp with all electronics using the same type of batteries so no extras needed
1300 - spotting scope
250 - Short lightweight tripod
0 - Compass
1 - TP as marking tape
10 - Olfa Knife w/one extra blade
0 - Electrical tape wrapped around end of barrel
10 - Small first aid kid w/ tenser bandage, butterfly and regular bandaids, gauze, Mole skin, coagulating powder, tylenol, tums, Space Blanket, krazy glue vial, medication
1 - 2 feet of duct tape rolled up (emergency fix)
450 - rain poncho or packable rain gear
50 - Tags w/ LEH's
0 - 2 inch square of rubber inner tube (awesome firestarter even wet)
450 - Clothes

Optional gear (Check list to see if anything is needed prior to leaving):

Season appropriate Gloves
Season appropriate hat
Lightweight saw
Animal Scents
Game Calls
Snare wire
paperback novel
Sat. Phone
Spare socks
Shooting Stix
Hiking poles
Accessories for walking stick/hiking poles (rubber end caps)
Bear spray
Gaiters
water purification tabs (area pending)
trail cam
Sunglasses
Wet Wipes
Radios (for someone walking you into an animal)
camo face/bug net
Siltarp for overnight emergency, but have garbage bags also for emergency cover
Whiskey
Swiss army knife or multi tool
Camcorder
Dog tracking collars

If you print this out and keep it with you're gear you will never go without. Or save it into the notes section of your cell phone so you can check off the list and go hunting knowing you'll be okay.

[BiG Boar]

I think someone would be very hard pressed to do it for less than $500. Unless you get given a gun, and binos. Then it would be possible.

I don't only use mine for day hunts though, and I use it a lot, so I justify buying quality gear. My moto is buy it once, buy it right.

[walks with deer]

Big boar I sure you aquired over a king period or are independly wealthy

[hunter1947]

For me $520.00

[BiG Boar]

A close guess is around $4,000.00 bucks.


For me $520.00

Well which is it Wayne, $4000 or $520? Do you think to replace all your gear, binos, spot, gun, scope, clothes, rain gear is $520?


Big boar I sure you aquired over a king period or are independly wealthy

All my stuff was acquired over the last 6 years. I hunt around 80 days a year, so its very well broken in stuff.

On a side note, we added up our sheep gear in the truck on our way north and if the truck caught fire, we would be better off grabbing our packs, if we could only save the truck or the packs. I don't want to tell you what they cost all added up.

[bridger]

Well which is it Wayne, $4000 or $520? Do you think to replace all your gear, binos, spot, gun, scope, clothes, rain gear is $520?



All my stuff was acquired over the last 6 years. I hunt around 80 days a year, so its very well broken in stuff.

On a side note, we added up our sheep gear in the truck on our way north and if the truck caught fire, we would be better off grabbing our packs, if we could only save the truck or the packs. I don't want to tell you what they cost all added up.

Yep adding up your Sheep gear is scary for sure. Best not to think about it! Just enjoy it and keep a close eye on your pack. Lol

[Moe.JKU]

probably around 4500-5000

[okas]

all i can say as i hope there kids are clothed well and go to the dentist ... seen so much of dads hobby stuff spending$$ and kids doing without when i had the shop in Surrey :-(

[Weatherby Fan]

all i can say as i hope there kids are clothed well and go to the dentist ... seen so much of dads hobby stuff spending$$ and kids doing without when i had the shop in Surrey :-(

Im just spending their inheritance :wink:

[Xenomorph]

Im just spending their inheritance :wink:

HA, thanks for the chuckle.
I dare not put price tag on the gear. The bow alone is 2k+ ...but then again you don't buy your gear new every year. At least the 90% of us don't, so if I buy something I prefer to buy the stuff that would last and keep me safe IF shit hits the fan.

[Chopper]

This thread is funny , some of these numbers are not even that bad , both my mountain rifles are $6500 a piece ....

my day gear can touch 17k ... ive never thought to tally it before

having said that ... I don't buy quads or truck hunt either

[okas]

Im just spending their inheritance :wink:
PERFECT just like me .... i never save old and broke or rich and dead seems to be the way 8-)

[okas]

This thread is funny , some of these numbers are not even that bad , both my mountain rifles are $6500 a piece ....

my day gear can touch 17k ... ive never thought to tally it before

having said that ... I don't buy quads or truck hunt either WOW i just wear my couveralls and a cowboy hat .. and my mdl. 88 win.

[M.Dean]

I spend way more than any of you guys! All my Camo stuff is hand tailored and flown in from a small little town in Belgium, boots are also hand crafted from a old Italian guy I met on a hunting trip in Russia a number of years ago, and all my rifles are "Roy Weatherby Originals", Naturally! So Ya, my lunch is worth way more than you guys spend on hunting in a entire year for Christ Sakes!!! So There, that's what my "Apparel" for a one day hunt is worth! "Peasant's, all of you!

[Bugle M In]

I spend way more than any of you guys! All my Camo stuff is hand tailored and flown in from a small little town in Belgium, boots are also hand crafted from a old Italian guy I met on a hunting trip in Russia a number of years ago, and all my rifles are "Roy Weatherby Originals", Naturally! So Ya, my lunch is worth way more than you guys spend on hunting in a entire year for Christ Sakes!!! So There, that's what my "Apparel" for a one day hunt is worth! "Peasant's, all of you!

Hang on here....didn't you say in a previous thread you beer of choice is Budweiser!!??:mrgreen:

[Chopper]

A highend mountain rifle and top optics, it can get out of hand in a hurry

[Harv]

$15-17000, No qaud, my caulk boots get me where i need to be

[two-feet]

I am around $1300 for a day hunt. Good boots, old but good rifle, second hand clothes, nice knife and a few other goodies.

[Boner]

I could see the sheep and goat guys spending more than the other species hunts. I'd say my cheapest hunt was a spring black bear. That involves any long rifle with a caliber .25 and over, with a gas station bought bullet and a pair of gum boots.

[Chopper]

Good spotter, binos and range finder take you to the $7000 range easy, throw in a 5lb mountain rifle with top optics ... Another 6k , its super easy to do

i had a older guy and his kid admiring a full custom rifle i had on the bench at the range a while back. The Kid asked me how much the gun was ? I told him 6k , the Dad blurted our " Thats just stupid ! " i said " oh ya ? There are guys out there with 100k tied up in grady whites to go chase chinooks " the father turned around and walked away imediatly as the kid bursted out laughing ... I looked at the kid and said " he has a grady dosent he ? " the kid said ya lol

guys piss epic money away drinking and smoking dope ... My life revolves around my family and Hunting and fishing. I buy what i want when it comes to the important things in my life.

[gmachine19]

Rifle or xbow + bear thumber = $2500
Clothes - $500
Boots - $250
Knives - $500 - I bring multiple for some reason
Binos - $500
Rangefinder - $500
Pack with first aid kit, ropes, food, compass, lots of extra ammo 2 box min - $600

Total = $5350ish

So this is where all my money went?!

Like chopper said, no vice other than hunting and fishing for me.

[okas]

this is so gay really guys .. this should be like maybe a small penis site and who is the biggest bullshitter .:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[sawmill]

Good spotter, binos and range finder take you to the $7000 range easy, throw in a 5lb mountain rifle with top optics ... Another 6k , its super easy to do

i had a older guy and his kid admiring a full custom rifle i had on the bench at the range a while back. The Kid asked me how much the gun was ? I told him 6k , the Dad blurted our " Thats just stupid ! " i said " oh ya ? There are guys out there with 100k tied up in grady whites to go chase chinooks " the father turned around and walked away imediatly as the kid bursted out laughing ... I looked at the kid and said " he has a grady dosent he ? " the kid said ya lol

guys piss epic money away drinking and smoking dope ... My life revolves around my family and Hunting and fishing. I buy what i want when it comes to the important things in my life.

6 k for a rifle?That`s more than my truck cost me. 99.9% of your shots will be within 200 yards You guys make me laugh. I have a Brno 30.06 with a Bushnell Elite 3x9 and I always get my tags filled. Whole package is about 1300 bucks. 24 years in a row of one shot shopping.Sight it(check it) every fall and then ....harvest. I carry a Kershaw on my hip and a plastic bag in my pocket for the heart and liver, and 3 bic lighters,just in case. I got a spotting scope for Cristmas one year, gave it to a friend,too much junk to pack around. Took longer to look through it than just dropping the animal.Less is more.10 grand worth of stuff don`t make you a better hunter.Pack a roll of toilet paper if you want to be prepared.
But 6 thousand dollar rifles and 2 thousand dollar bino`s and 3000$ scopes......??????WTF. And Camo? Seriously, I wear jeans and a warm carhart jacket. Nothing funnier than Tm Hortons in the morning with all the camo ninjas getting the coffee they will chuck out the window in the bush. My biggest problem is getting the wife to let me hang more bucks on the wall, I managed to BS her into 10 but I think I have reached the limit of her kindness.(all 5 point whities and 4 x4 mules)
You don`t need to spend an assload of money but you DO need to practice and be patient and semi smart.
Shop smart and buy your wife something nice with the money you save so she lets you play more.
All the expensive gear in the world won`t make you a better hunter,but common sense will.

[Wentrot]

6 k for a rifle?That`s more than my truck cost me. 99.9% of your shots will be within 200 yards You guys make me laugh. I have a Brno 30.06 with a Bushnell Elite 3x9 and I always get my tags filled. Whole package is about 1300 bucks. 24 years in a row of one shot shopping.Sight it(check it) every fall and then ....harvest. I carry a Kershaw on my hip and a plastic bag in my pocket for the heart and liver, and 3 bic lighters,just in case. I got a spotting scope for Cristmas one year, gave it to a friend,too much junk to pack around. Took longer to look through it than just dropping the animal.Less is more.10 grand worth of stuff don`t make you a better hunter.Pack a roll of toilet paper if you want to be prepared.
But 6 thousand dollar rifles and 2 thousand dollar bino`s and 3000$ scopes......??????WTF. And Camo? Seriously, I wear jeans and a warm carhart jacket. Nothing funnier than Tm Hortons in the morning with all the camo ninjas getting the coffee they will chuck out the window in the bush. My biggest problem is getting the wife to let me hang more bucks on the wall, I managed to BS her into 10 but I think I have reached the limit of her kindness.(all 5 point whities and 4 x4 mules)
You don`t need to spend an assload of money but you DO need to practice and be patient and semi smart.
Shop smart and buy your wife something nice with the money you save so she lets you play more.
All the expensive gear in the world won`t make you a better hunter,but common sense will.

I'm fairly certain most people know the super expensive gear doesn't make them better than the next guy but who cares if someone wants to spend 6k on a rifle? As for the jeans and a carhart well I'd rather spend the money and actually be comfortable, the difference when actually hiking in rough terrain in jeans vs a quality pair of pants is night and day.

Anyways....who the eff cares if a guy chooses to spend more, sounds like the biggest problem is needing to buy your wife something nice so she "lets" you play more.....reach in her purse and grab your nuts back. You're a man-go hunt when you want to, the days of asking mom for permission are over. Congrats.

[tadpole]

sounds like the biggest problem is needing to buy your wife something nice so she "lets" you play more.....reach in her purse and grab your nuts back. You're a man-go hunt when you want to, the days of asking mom for permission are over. Congrats.

Do you beat your wife to keep her in line too?:D. Thursdays are best....it lasts through the weekend:wink:

But seriously, I'm like Sawmill, a minimalist. Good inexpensive quality wool from army surplus is more than sufficient.
Gear junkies are mostly city slickers I suspect.:lol:

[Muliechaser]

Rifle that was handed down =0 $
Last box of ammo i bought in 2008 last box before was in 2001 = 65$ only 2 left so this year need to restock .
Binos= 150$
Boots and clothing which ive had for 12 years payed about 200$
And cutting the provincial limit everyseason on deer ... well thats priceless.

So 415 $ roughly for the last decade .

Gear is just a extra bonus . Its not needed but sure is nice if you really need it .
I was raised using the bare minimums to hunt and still do .

Mc

[Bugle M In]

Hey Guys,

Buying the wife something every now and than....isn't a bad idea.....
"Divorce" can be really expensive!!!
It would put our "total price on hunting" to shame.....just something to remember.
:D

[Bowzone_Mikey]

Hey Guys,

Buying the wife something every now and than....isn't a bad idea.....
"Divorce" can be really expensive!!!
It would put our "total price on hunting" to shame.....just something to remember.
:D

I would rather spend money on the wife to help make my life happy than be hunting with half my stuff

[ruger#1]

I would rather spend money on the wife to help make my life happy than be hunting with half my stuff

News Flash. It is cheaper to get a hooker once a month. Then to be married.

[scoutlt1]

News Flash. It is cheaper to get a hooker once a month. Then to be married.

Ahhhh yes....the "pay as you go" plan :)

[ruger#1]

Ahhhh yes....the "pay as you go" plan :)

A different model every month. Plus no honey do,s.

[Bowzone_Mikey]

News Flash. It is cheaper to get a hooker once a month. Then to be married.
thats all fine and dandy untill a hunt is ruined by an itch even Gold bond cant fix

[ruger#1]

thats all fine and dandy untill a hunt is ruined by an itch even Gold bond cant fix

Mike. I sense some negativity in your post. LOL

[scoutlt1]

thats all fine and dandy untill a hunt is ruined by an itch even Gold bond cant fix

There's not enough Extra Strength Gold Bond in the world to get rid of the itch I got from my ex wife..... :)

[AgSilver]

News Flash. It is cheaper to get a hooker once a month. Then to be married.

And you still get laid twice as often!

[Chopper]

6 k for a rifle?That`s more than my truck cost me. 99.9% of your shots will be within 200 yards You guys make me laugh. I have a Brno 30.06 with a Bushnell Elite 3x9 and I always get my tags filled. Whole package is about 1300 bucks. 24 years in a row of one shot shopping.Sight it(check it) every fall and then ....harvest. I carry a Kershaw on my hip and a plastic bag in my pocket for the heart and liver, and 3 bic lighters,just in case. I got a spotting scope for Cristmas one year, gave it to a friend,too much junk to pack around. Took longer to look through it than just dropping the animal.Less is more.10 grand worth of stuff don`t make you a better hunter.Pack a roll of toilet paper if you want to be prepared.
But 6 thousand dollar rifles and 2 thousand dollar bino`s and 3000$ scopes......??????WTF. And Camo? Seriously, I wear jeans and a warm carhart jacket. Nothing funnier than Tm Hortons in the morning with all the camo ninjas getting the coffee they will chuck out the window in the bush. My biggest problem is getting the wife to let me hang more bucks on the wall, I managed to BS her into 10 but I think I have reached the limit of her kindness.(all 5 point whities and 4 x4 mules)
You don`t need to spend an assload of money but you DO need to practice and be patient and semi smart.
Shop smart and buy your wife something nice with the money you save so she lets you play more.
All the expensive gear in the world won`t make you a better hunter,but common sense will.

Ya .. I carry the same gear on my day hikes as I do on a 40km hike in and out, where I live out of my pack for a few days. i also commonly hike for up to 70 days a season, its not uncommon for me to drop to 190 pounds from 220 in a couple months hunting. I don't work during hunting season,When you hiking for over 2 months of days, you can justify owning high end stuff. No one said it makes you a better hunter. I will add 20k is not a lot of money for some people, I personally had never even though about tallying the value of my day pack it until I ready this thread.

The old faller I hike with packs 2k worth of gear when we head out. The gear you pack is a personal preference. I will add, due to the weight,I have not ran into a guy on the hill that didn't want my rifle and pack when I handed it to him. My Swaro HD spotter will literally save you a day of hiking when judging sheep.

if you got wet and couldn't dry out, You could die up north in Denim jeans sheep hunting, same situation BT hunting in the coastal mountains on a day trip. I have gotten FKN COLD in the knee deep snow when its blowing 40 and freezing rain. So I see your opinion , but it makes me question how serious some of the hikes you've been on.

Some of the hills I climb, I driven up to with guys that wanted to come out with me ... we pull up to the bottom and they look up , they are mentally broken before they get out of the truck. I even drive by and tell a guy I went up and down that hill yesterday, if they didn't know me better they call BS. Ive hiked heli that my brother fell , I told him i had hiked in there , he told me I was out of my fkn mind. A little 4 hour timber hike on some average ground ? sure ... But when you get in the some of the B.C hills in bad weather. I rely on my gear to survive

Any serious sheep or BT hunter on this thread knows what im talking about

[Harv]

Chopper, you hit the nail on the head there. i BT hunt north vancouver island hard every year. average day hunt includes 2-3000 vertical feet and 10-15 k of hiking. every bit of gear i take serves a purpose. i live and breathe hunting so have no issues dropping the cash i do.

[ruger#1]

And you still get laid twice as often!

Now you see the light at the end of the tunnel.

[Carrollizer]

Id say I'm on the cheap side of things in comparison with you guys
Rifle $500
Scope & Covers $ 300
Boots $300
Outer Camo pants and Jacket $100
Binoculars $ Handme downs
Backroads Mapbook $30
Hunt Buddy $15
Underwear $ 10
Socks $20
Sweat pants & shirt $30
Back Pack $ 80
Knives $150
Miscellaneous $100
Iphone $500
Ammo $ 80
Emergency and First aid $30
Flashlight(s) $110
Total $2,355

[stevo911_]

I think I'm on the cheap end too, there's something to be said for buying second hand and sale shopping

Rifle $450
Scope & Covers $ 200
Boots $150
pants and Jacket $250
Binoculars $180
Backroads Mapbook $30
GPS $50
Underwear $ 10
Socks $5
Shirt $15
Back Pack $ 80
Knives $30
Miscellaneous $50
Ammo $15
Emergency and First aid $30
Flashlight(s) $40
Total $1585 (a bunch of which i own/use for other things)

[fuzzybiscuit]

News Flash. It is cheaper to get a hooker once a month. Then to be married.

"I feel like Chinese tonight" brings on a whole new meaning! Bahahaha!

[fuzzybiscuit]

WOW i just wear my couveralls and a cowboy hat .. and my mdl. 88 win.


Hunting doesn't cost much when you are legally allowed to do it at 2:00am behind a million candlepower spotlight.

Gotta love the gold card and when all the game is gone you can just blame it on Whitey.

[okas]

way too drunk by 2:00 AM :smile:

no wounder them white boys left the 20 1/8 and 20 3/16 bears behind as easy to measure dead;) because they were smaller than your bear.. all good as the big ones eat the fawns old and wise

[markomoose]

Doesn't matter what you spend as long as you enjoy the "Whole Experience" Cheers Mark

[Xenomorph]

thats all fine and dandy untill a hunt is ruined by an itch even Gold bond cant fix


BWAHAHAHAHAHA, that had me laughing my head off. Thanks Mike.