Becoming LESS gear oriented.

[Wmmichael20]

I recently got into a conversation with a guy I work with about this subject and we began to wonder when hunting became a fashion show where guys think they need 3 grand worth of the latest cloths from manufacturers like Sitka,or kuiu,or first lite. Their products though no doubt nice is darn pricy. I for one like just grabbing my Carhartt jacket and small game vest and putting on my work boots and going hunting. Sanwich in my pocket and Stanley thermos in my game vest and just going for the day.

 

[deerkiller]

I feel completely blessed that I can go through Cabelas, BP or any store and honestly say there is nothing I need. I buy now to upgrade but that is still out of want. I bought a ton of high end gear when I was young and single. Most of that is 20 years old and still my go to. I am a gear junky though and like to try out stuff.

If I'm in town and near Cabela's I'll sometimes just go in and walk around, get kinda pissed off at all the B.S. changes they've made since BPS buy out, then leave totally satisfied that I'm good to go

 

[16Bore]

The “feel good tour” of ones own crap is always nice. I was eyeballing a new blaze vest...then realized I’d been wearing the same one for 25 years.

Now it’s a timeless classic piece of gear...

 

[ICEMAN86]

I have all the gear I need to get the job done. I have a couple higher end pieces of gear but most of my stuff is older and not very expensive. These days all I need to spend money on is tags, gas for my 22 year old pickup and food.

 

[drewhill007]

I've always subscribed to the "buy once, cry once" theory, but there is a point at which one realizes having the best gear is not going to make you the best hunter. There is gear that you definitely should spend money on as it will increase your chance of success (good glass) or keeping you safe/warm, and there are other items that are just nice to have, but not a necessity.

 

[WCB]

I'm in that boat. I definitely have more guns than I "need" but have gotten all of them on steeeeep discount where they are actually and investment. Even if I do shoot them out I will make money on them.

Other than that I have bought good gear, clothing, and decent optics. I do have extras of almost everything but to me that makes sense considering my wife hunts almost as much as I do and we are not always together. So two people tend to have gear issues more than 1 so an extra pair of binos or range finder makes it easy to just grab and go on the next trip and not worry about it. Now I purchase things only if it will actually get me out more or actually benefit my efficiency.

 

[pk_]

Guns don’t kill people and gear don’t kill deer.

 

[Meatinskull]

I find that if I'm happy with a piece of gear or system I don't really feel the need to upgrade. I do put new gear I might like to try on birthday and Christmas list, plus helps with the want to buy when looking and researching. Too many hobbies to always be buying new things.

 

[Racethesunset]

Putting in long hours at the office, I have found that gear is a way to both escape from the grind and plan for the next adventure. Experience the trip multiple times, in a way.