15 to 16, what gear are you changing?!

[tipsntails7]

If you weren't successful with lesser gear, you won't be with better gear. Either you got "it" or you don't and if you don't, only being out there and learning as much as you can will help you, not gear.

While I agree with this, it is an unneeded statement. The guy didn't ask what gear would make someone the great white hunter, he asked what everyone was changing.

Last time I checked your not running out there with a cotton shirt and jeans with a pair of Bushnells. At some point you chose to upgrade your gear, just like most guys who hunt long enough.

 

[Nick Muche]

Last time I checked your not running out there with a cotton shirt and jeans with a pair of Bushnells. At some point you chose to upgrade your gear, just like most guys who hunt long enough.

I have and I could.

 

[5MilesBack]

I have and I could.

As could most all of us. However, I know for a fact that I'm more successful when I'm comfortable, getting a full night's sleep, and have gear that I can rely on to get the job done in even demanding situations. So to say that it won't make any difference just isn't correct.

Could I step out from under my lean-to naked and shoot an animal with my 10 year old bow? Sure. But over the entire course of a season I'm going to be more successful if I have good shelter, warm sleep system, dry comfortable clothes, and decent optics over being naked sleeping under a blowdown somewhere.

 

[novaman64]

Replacing the tarp I normally use for backpack hunting with a Big Agnes Fly Creek 2 tent and getting a 65mm spotter.... And adding a lightweight rain shell, so when I backpack hunt I can leave the softshell at home and bring a puffy and light rain shell.

 

[go4thegusto]

Roger that...I am close to 60 and made a decision on the mountain a few years ago that I will try and have the best and lightest kit available because THIS is what I do and live for. The old rear projection TV can stick around a while....

 

[Nick Muche]

I like being comfortable as well. It's nice, but it is not needed.

 

[Nick Muche]

I'm going to be more successful if I have good shelter, warm sleep system, dry comfortable clothes, and decent optics over being naked sleeping under a blowdown somewhere.

You said it yourself with the following adjectives; Good, Warm, Dry, Decent. You can get all of that without upgrading to the "best" every year, spending countless dollars that could be directed towards actual hunting trips (gas, tags, etc).

All I am saying is that the "Latest and Greatest" gear hype does no good for the average guy trying to hunt as much as possible.

Is it fun, sure, it can be. Is it necessary? Absolutely not and many that I look up to for advice and encouragement with a lot more experience than I, would agree.

 

[tipsntails7]

I have and I could.

I guess I'm not getting what your tying to put down here... No one asked what gear makes a hunter successful, you just made a comment that I'm pretty sure everyone here knows..

And I guess my point is you don't... And you won't. Because you have ALREADY upgraded your kit.

Most of the guys I know are not limited by money, they are limited by time, or effort.

This is not a dick measuring contest on who can be most the miserable while hunting.

 

[Nick Muche]

No one likes to be miserable and anyone with good, warm, dry and decent gear shouldn't be miserable. I know plenty of guys with the best and they still end up being miserable.

 

[dotman]

I have and I could.

Anyone could but what's your point? Do you feel we all should use our granddads gear, leave our families, stop working etc, lol. Nothing wrong with upgrading gear and I do agree it will not kill more game but not sure why point that out.

 

[Nick Muche]

You could use your granddad's gear if you'd like. I wouldn't suggest leaving your family or quitting your job, unless you'd like, that's up to you.

My point is that it seems many focus so much on unnecessary gear upgrades and so little on actually hunting.

We don't all have to agree.

 

[dotman]

You could use your granddad's gear if you'd like. I wouldn't suggest leaving your family or quitting your job, unless you'd like, that's up to you.

My point is that it seems many focus so much on unnecessary gear upgrades and so little on actually hunting.

We don't all have to agree.

I think it seems that way in the off season and the fact that many have limited time, plus gear is fun to talk about. Talking about skills does nothing for anyone really, as you said nothing like being out there hunting, just most only have 1 or 2 weeks out of the year for it and then 50 weeks to discuss gear.

 

[Nick Muche]

I think it seems that way in the off season and the fact that many have limited time, plus gear is fun to talk about. Talking about skills does nothing for anyone really, as you said nothing like being out there hunting, just most only have 1 or 2 weeks out of the year for it and then 50 weeks to discuss gear.

I can appreciate that and I also understand what you mean. That said, if most guys (per your figures) hunt one or two weeks a year, is it really necessary to have 5-10K in gear for those 10-14 days of hunting? Is it necessary to upgrade items every year for those 10-14 days? Or would it be wiser to spend that money on a quality hunt, trespass fee, LO Tag, etc as the list could go on and on.

Before my words are twisted, I am by no means saying that only guys who hunt a lot should spend money on gear.

Simply trying to say that this gear phenomenon is a disease and it can actually impact in one way or another the time a guy could spend hunting.

 

[elkguide]

I like new stuff. Do I need all of the new stuff that I get? Most of it no.
I bought my first rangefinder when I started hunting out west. While back here in the east, I tend to be very good at ranging, once I got to the wide open spaces of the west....... hoo boy was I off.
Now that I have a good range finder, do I need a new one? there is some really neat new technology out there.

If you can afford it and you want something new....... BUY IT!!!!!!
Don't you just love living the American dream?!?!

 

[dotman]

I can appreciate that and I also understand what you mean. That said, if most guys (per your figures) hunt one or two weeks a year, is it really necessary to have 5-10K in gear for those 10-14 days of hunting? Is it necessary to upgrade items every year for those 10-14 days? Or would it be wiser to spend that money on a quality hunt, trespass fee, LO Tag, etc as the list could go on and on.

Before my words are twisted, I am by no means saying that only guys who hunt a lot should spend money on gear.

Simply trying to say that this gear phenomenon is a disease and it can actually impact in one way or another the amount of time a guy could spend hunting.

Haha, I get what your saying. Really only an individual can make that call for themselves. Some I'm sure have way more money then time and do both. Some will never take hunting as serious as others

In the end if the person is having fun and enjoying what they do does it really matter.

Plus what's more fun to discuss, gear or how much people paid an outfitter or bought their LO tag for. I respect the guy that invests his time and money into a yearly endeavor whether successful or not he is trying it himself.

 

[5MilesBack]

All I am saying is that the "Latest and Greatest" gear hype does no good for the average guy trying to hunt as much as possible.

Nobody said anything about the "latest and greatest". There are a ton of hunting clothes that have been around for quite some time that would be an upgrade to all cotton, which by the way some guys still wear. It doesn't always have to be the latest and greatest to be an upgrade. And quite frankly, the thread title never said "upgrade" anyway. He just asked what gear we were changing. Would you consider changing from a 2015 compound to a 1980's recurve to be an upgrade? I wouldn't, but that would still be a change. But in your words, I agree.....that change wouldn't make me more successful.

 

[dreamingbig]

Y'all owe amp an apology for jacking his thread!

Back on track... I bought a like new Hoyt nitrum 34 which I plan to use in 2016. I just shoot it better than my faktor turbo.

 

[amp713]

Ive talked to Nick outside of Rokslide and I think he may have been just trying to give me hard time and crack a joke. I think a lot of guys took it a lot further than he meant for it to go and hell no one owes me an apology. Rabbit trails on the forums have led me to some of the most interesting facts, statements, opinions and random things ive ever found.....


Oh and Im adding an Alaskan Guide Outfitters bino to my list, my old harness will be passed on to the fiancée.

 

[airlocksniffer]

Not much for me. I'd like to upgrade my OR Alpine Awning to a Jimmy Tarp Granite Mountain. May downgrade my stove to the dirtbag special-Penny Alcohol stove.

 

[Slim Jim]

I'm gonna go back to a thumb release and give it one more shot. Now that I've trained my brain not to grab or punch at the shot going off, it should go well. We'll see