Skill, not stuff 2026 challenge

[goalie]

So, with AAC having issues procuring powder, who's shooting Bonefrog?

As a vet, I can get a free membership. They've got 77g Barnes and SMKs. Anyone shoot the AAC 77g OTM and the Bonefrog stuff?

 

[Tradchef]

I’ve been in this mindset for about 30 years. I just recently inherited my father’s weatherby collection and up until then I had a Thompson pro hunter with 2 barrels. It could kill moose to varmints. I shoot stickbow and only have one longbow that I have shot for 15 years. I look at it this way I want to shoot my rifles and not watch them collect dust because I have so many I can’t afford ammo or have all the time and money to reload for all of them and still stay skilled in each one to the degree I like. With archery I was a big compound guy and just got sick of the new bow bullshit every year which is now every 6 months. I spend time making my Doug fir arrows and practice shooting and being in the woods. I don’t want to listen how great my new Mathews is that I shot one animal with so now I’m an expert and it cost 4500 all said and done and now I need an upgrade. And still I watch them struggle on the line to this day. It’s amazing to me. And prices keep going up and people just keep spending. Maybe everyone is wealthy and I’m sure most are. I’d rather focus on killing animals with what I have and my woodsmanship and hunting skills. Everyone is different and I know the minimal mindset is in the minority and that’s ok. Same thing with gear. I buy what I want regardless of cost and just take care of it. Still using 35 year old LLBean wool. New stuff is awesome and we all love it. I just focus on fitness, woods and practice and learning. But when you lose sight of the basics for gear and bragging rights… I just don’t understand that

 

[roosiebull]

So, with Black Friday in the rear view mirror, and 2026 on the horizon, has anyone else hit the point where, if you're honest with yourself, it's time to stop thinking about newer, better "stuff" and focus on practice.

I'm going to attempt something my golf buddies and I try (and usually fail at by June) every year: an "I'm not buying anything new" challenge.

Instead of no new clubs (although I'm doing that as well) I'm going to try and buy nothing other than ammo/components from now until next Black Friday.

So, if, like me, you used Black Friday to get everything you need, join in and see who can make it the longest. Print out some targets, load some ammo, and improve yourself, not your gear.

FWIW, I decided to go all-in on the 5.56/223 trainer, and set up a Ruger American Ranch gen2 with flush fit Duramags, a SWFA 3-9x HD, Scope Bumper caps, and some LS Wild lightweight shooting bags. I'm going to spend most of my time shooting anywhere but the bench, and hopefully see significant improvement throughout the year.

So, if you want to try, get your shooting "stuff" by the end of December, and (hopefully) get your skill next year!!!!

I like it

You’re still on your own, but I like it

I think the premise of this goal is solid, and I think for the right people it would be a great reset/refocus.

I am very well aware that gear doesn’t make the hunter, and in most cases will not change the outcome of any hunt, but I have a couple very obvious problems with trying to participate… for one, I have a bare bow sitting here waiting on mods, so that’s some necessary purchases… an even bigger problem is K4X is going to be released this year, and though I don’t need it, I’m absolutely getting it

I do think there are plenty of people that connect new shiny gear to a better chance of success, I never have, I just like testing gear.

When I was younger, I was the poster child for low budget hunter, used beater bows, Walmart camo, hunted in the xtratuffs I worked in… everything cheap, and it never mattered, I filled my tags every year, and never thought about gear… back then, muzzys may as well been iron wills.

For me, gear is a separate activity from hunting, of course they are related to each other, but I am very well aware that any gear I buy is not connected to any success that I will have

I do like the idea, I just don’t like the timing I will make up for you guys not buying anything and do my part to keep the industry afloat

 

[goalie]

The complete lack of "window shopping" lately has me doing more cardio.

More cardio is never wrong. Especially at my age.

 

[mtnbound]

The hunting marketing machines and their social media influencers have pushed the belief that "Stuff" will make the difference, and from a business standpoint, I get that. Still, I wish more hunters would pull their heads out of their influencers' ass and realize that it's all about money. If an influencer is offering a discount code for a product, they are a ******* salesman.

We all need "Stuff," but the best "Stuff" you can spend money on is either training or field experience.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

The hunting marketing machines and their social media influencers have pushed the belief that "Stuff" will make the difference, and from a business standpoint, I get that. Still, I wish more hunters would pull their heads out of their influencers' ass and realize that it's all about money. If an influencer is offering a discount code for a product, they are a ******* salesman.

We all need "Stuff," but the best "Stuff" you can spend money on is either training or field experience.

I don’t disagree with you in principle, but this isn’t anything new. People have been selling “stuff will make the difference” for about the past million years. It’s the basis for nearly all technological progress.

 

[goalie]

I don’t disagree with you in principle, but this isn’t anything new. People have been selling “stuff will make the difference” for about the past million years. It’s the basis for nearly all technological progress.

Ooog dumb, he use low BC rock, not high BC spear like Grog!!!