Gearing up - Prioritizing a Budget

[GodBlessAmerica]

When you’re starting out, what equipment should you spend the money on for top quality? And what equipment can you make do with a cheaper option?

I’m looking to gear up for September elk hunts. I already have archery equipment. Most of my other equipment isn’t well-suited for this hunt. Like most, I can’t buy top quality for every piece of equipment. I don’t mind spending the money on some items. But my reality is that some stuff will be budget friendly. I’m looking at camping, backpacking, apparel, optics, etc. Where should I start and what should my priorities be?

Thanks for helping out a rookie. I’m sure there are some good articles on this topic. Please share those links with me as well.

 

[KurtR]

Boots and pack don’t skimp.

 

[deerhunter628]

Boots and backpack should be at the top of the list.

 

[renagde]

Boots, backpack, sleep system.

 

[Clayniss]

The way I see it there are 2 styles for diy hunts. There's the style where you drive your vehicle to a spot and set up camp and use your 4 wheeler or hunt on foot from there or there's the backcountry style where you backpack or use pack animals to get into remote areas and hunt from a spike camp or with camp on your back. What gear you need will depend on what style of hunting you want to do. If you want to do a combination of both styles then you'll need backpacking gear and a base camp. Definitely get your camping gear first whichever route you take. Lots of different options out there..

 

[NYyotekiller]

Like others have already said, Boots, and a Backpack is where I’d start.

 

[SWOHTR]

buy A good used pack. Take the money saved and apply it to a great set of new boots.

 

[Forest]

Certainly look for used/demo/holdover stuff.

Mid-upper end binos.

Good pack, it is amazing how much better I feel at the end of the day since I got a good pack.

Boots that fit good, sure kenetrek are awesome but you can get by with something less expensive just make sure they fit your feet good.

You should be able to get all 3 of these for under 1k if you shop around.

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[Clayniss]

Sierra Trading Post has good deals on boots. People seem to like the Alico brand but I don't have any personal experience with them.

 

[GodBlessAmerica]

The way I see it there are 2 styles for diy hunts. There's the style where you drive your vehicle to a spot and set up camp and use your 4 wheeler or hunt on foot from there or there's the backcountry style where you backpack or use pack animals to get into remote areas and hunt from a spike camp or with camp on your back. What gear you need will depend on what style of hunting you want to do. If you want to do a combination of both styles then you'll need backpacking gear and a base camp. Definitely get your camping gear first whichever route you take. Lots of different options out there..

Thanks, ultimately I want to be doing backcountry hunts. But I don’t want to be that guy who’s unprepared and in over his head. Thanks for the advice.

 

[GodBlessAmerica]

Thanks for the advice. With that, i’m definitely not skimping on the boots and pack.

Is there anything you look back on and think you wasted your money? Something that wasn’t necessary?

 

[elkocd]

GLASS! The boots...

 

[Pgohil]

You physical body, then mental preparedness. Spend as much money as you possibly can to cover those two first. After that boots, sleep system and then pack.

It doesn't matter how great you were equipment is if you don't have the body in the mental game to back it up nothing else matters. If you are physically fit, and mentally strong you can overcome a lot of obstacles without top end gear.

PGohil
WV

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[Landiswood]

Depending on how long you’re realistically going in for, battery pack / solar panel isn’t necessary. Again depending on hunt, skip the spotter. Don’t need brand news gps or InReach. Buy used. Don’t pay more than 80 for trekking poles. In general, you can build a good kit cheaply if you look for sales and watch rokslide classifieds.

 

[Forest]

Thanks for the advice. With that, i’m definitely not skimping on the boots and pack.

Is there anything you look back on and think you wasted your money? Something that wasn’t necessary?

Theres quite a few things I would do differently. But my spotting scope is the thing i still use a lot and not a hunt goes by that i wish i would have saved up money and bought a good one.....

On the flipside of that if you would have told me 10 years ago i would spend $1000 on a pair of binos I would have laughed at you, but after having them I couldn't imagine life without them. Same goes for most all of my sitka & kuiu clothes.

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[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Boots, pack (can find good used ones), and good merino base layers. Seen several folks go wearing cotton and it can literally kill you in a bad situation.

Glass is important but not priority if starting with Sept elk. Most places high end glass in September isn’t going to do you much good.

You can budget sleep system, will just be heavier but their are worse things and can upgrade later.
Other than that just physical fitness. If you think you are in good enough shape, you probably still aren’t. Keep pushing.

 

[Clayniss]

Anytime..if you want to do backcountry hunts then a good pack and boots are going to be at the top of your list. You'll need a shelter and sleep system as well. I've never used top end glass or a spotter and I've hunted Wyoming all my life and killed plenty of animals so I don't see it as a necessity.

 

[GodBlessAmerica]

You physical body, then mental preparedness. Spend as much money as you possibly can to cover those two first. After that boots, sleep system and then pack.

It doesn't matter how great you were equipment is if you don't have the body in the mental game to back it up nothing else matters. If you are physically fit, and mentally strong you can overcome a lot of obstacles without top end gear.

PGohil
WV

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I didn’t really consider fitness as part of my budget. Completely understand the need for it. Not going to dismiss that aspect.

 

[KChunter71]

I didn’t really consider fitness as part of my budget. Completely understand the need for it. Not going to dismiss that aspect.

Fitness, good boots, and a top end pack. My first elk hunt I didn’t take the fitness part as serious. The altitude gets you fast id your a flat lander.

 

[Pigdog]

Like others have said, boots at the top of the list. Pack is a close second, doesn’t need to be hunting specific, a high quality backpacking pack will do. Good water filter and an easy to use light weight food prep setup too.