Hunting on a budget

[Augustus46]

Hey everyone,

I've been lurking for a while and decided to sign up. I finally drew for an elk hunt here in Nevada so I've been trying to research the gear that I'm going to need. Primarily a pack and then some cold weather gear (sleeping bag, clothing, tent).

What would I be missing out on by purchasing a Tenzing or Badlands pack compared to a Kifaru or Mystery Ranch? I was looking at Kuiu's offerings, but they seem hit and miss on their QC.

Any brand recommendations for clothing, etc.?

My hunt will be in Northern Nevada, but I still hunt in my native Idaho when I get the chance. I don't mind spending money if it's that will last me for a while either, but I also don't want to break the bank.

 

[muleman]

Welcome and congrats on the elk tag.

 

[Rucker61]

What equipment do you already have? Will you need to fund a firearms purchase?

 

[Ross]

If you choose Kuiu you will be happy with the product. I have been using the majority of their clothing line since it came out and beat the heck out of it. It is very good gear. I cant comment on the packs, but the clothing is top notch.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

If you go with badlands or Tenzing in my opinion you would be giving up comfort, modularity and longevity.

Quite a few clothing companies such as first lite, KUIU, Sitka, kryptek, etc.

 

[Augustus46]

What equipment do you already have? Will you need to fund a firearms purchase?

I'm good there, I have an old model 70. I do have some good boots and some alright cold weather gear that I use for waterfowl, but I don't think all of it will work for backpack hunting.

I think my main focus is a pack.

 

[realunlucky]

Did you look into the exo pack? If the pack holds together than comfort is all that separates them. There is a big difference and it grows as pack weight grows. Everyone has to start somewhere. One trip a year may not justify the expense to you right now. My advice is look at buying used. Lots of people upgrade or only do one trip where they need a pack that large.

 

[bobhunts]

Yep just like the last post. Try and pick up a used Kifaru or Mystery Ranch 6500. If you get MR pack that is not a 6500 get the load lifter attachment ( extension) to make the load lifters work better. No experience with some of the newer brands of packs and some of them have very good reviews! Stone Glacier comes to mind with a good review on here if you look it up. Bob.

 

[rodney482]

Start with a good set of base layers (i recommend firstlite)
Merino socks (darn tough brand)

Layering is the key!
i love a good puffy jacket

packs.... I want a pack I can use as a day pack and also pack out an Elk 1/4. I use a Kifaru.

 

[couesbitten]

For a budget minded hunter, I'd be looking at a Horn Hunter Full Curl pack, carries a load well, modular, and made in the USA, you should be able to get one for about $300.

 

[fulldraw1972]

I second the Horn Hunter Full Curl. Or find a used Kifaru in the classifieds. If its not the bag you want you can always sell it later and keep the frame.
I got my Kifaru T1 on the classifieds and wont sell it for anything. lol

As far as clothing goes Rodney gave solid advice. Along with that you can get Cabelas Micro Tex and it will perform good for you. Rain gear look at Cabelas space rain set. Its light and packable for $200 or less.

 

[JWP58]

Budget? Used quality stuffs, rain gear? How about a poncho? No sense in blowing an entire budget on high end raingear, when you can get by with a poncho.

Watch archerytalk, ebay, here, and any other site that people sell stuff. Heck I used a usmc ilbe pack last year. Its heavy, cheap, and bomb proof.

 

[Beendare]

Budget pack; Numero uno on any of these packs is fit. If you can find a mountaineering pack or other that fits- you are golden too many options to mention.

Key to pack buying is to try it on with some weight in it. With you being in the central valley I would check out the Kuiu stuff at their store- Dixon, i think. Their new packs look good...just have to make sure it fits.

 

[KMT]

I hunted for several years with a badlands pack. It was great every day except the days that I hauled elk. A kifaru will haul heavy weight much better. That being said, you spend more days not hauling an elk than you do hauling one.

For cold weather clothes, I use the same ones that I ski with. Double or triple duty jackets are the way to go. So far, elk haven't cared what I was wearing.

 

[brewer427]

Another one for the Horn Hunter full curl, my girlfriends brother has had his for a bit and has been very pleased with it considering the price.

As far as clothing or other gear watch the classifieds on here. Also look at ebay, scierra trading post and the wilderness exchange just to name a few. I've bought a lot of good quality stuff for way cheaper the retail.

Congrats on the tag hope you get to use whatever pack you decide on for a haul out loaded with meat.

 

[Augustus46]

I second the Horn Hunter Full Curl. Or find a used Kifaru in the classifieds. If its not the bag you want you can always sell it later and keep the frame.
I got my Kifaru T1 on the classifieds and wont sell it for anything. lol

Yeah, hoping I can luck out and find some 2nd hand stuff in good shape.

 

[miller1]

I just got a pair of microtex pants from cabelas for $42 bucks, they are on sale and I had a $10 coupon, unless you are going to use this stuff constantly I cant justify spending the money for the high end stuff, you can get a good pack, Eberlestock, Horn Hunter, Badlands that will do you just fine for less than 1/2 of the price. you can also get a good bag and tent for less than $200 each on sale, I have a kelty tent I got clearance out for $90 and it has held up as good as a $400 tent but it is about 1 lb heavier, never has leaked a drop, I got my marmot sawtooth 15° bag for $185 on sale at REI. even with my low to mid range gear I have my blue widow loaded for a week is 50 lb and I take more than I need.

 

[bivouaclarry]

For clothes, if you don't mind solids, check out Sierra Trading Post online. They have screaming discounts for pants, shirts and other items that will work well for the budget minded. I hunt in some Mamut pants in solid that cost like $40 with one of their coupons that they send daily. Below that I bought Icebreaker merino top in solid for about $55 and then top that with a thinner woolrich wool button down in grey/black/brown/biege plaid. For insulation I added a Marmot softshell and Mountain Hardware puffy on closeout from the REI outlet. For rain gear I take a lite weight poncho (can't remember who makes it). I use Black Diamond gators and a combo of glove liners from my skiing kit.

Very inexpensive setup for mountain hunting. I love the my woolrich top in a button down because of the flexibility to roll up sleeves and unbotton for ventilation. It also offers some camo breakup with the light/dark plaid pattern. You can do the same thing in finding a used pack. The one place I never look to save money is on my boots. If my feet aren't happy, I am not happy and my hunting suffers. I don't get enough day's off work to suffer sore/hurting feet.