Solo Backpack Archery - Gear Help

[Rick M.]

First off, this site has been such an incredible resource for me in gearing up for my first western hunting season. I'm so glad to have found a such a gem of a community. I seriously spend more time on Rokslide now than I do Reddit, which is really saying something. Robby's book has been a fantastic resource as well, and very enlightening as to the culture of hunting big bucks out west.

Anyhow, I am slowly acquiring my gear for next hunting season here in Idaho. To cut down on up-front costs, I plan on hunting archery only for my first season, adding in a muzzle loader and rifle over the next couple of seasons.

Because I'm new to Idaho and haven't yet made any hunting buddies, I am planning on going solo. I will be backpacking in a reasonable distance and then trying to get into elk/deer. I am purchasing a bow soon, then a sleep system (likely a stove-less Cimarron for early archery), clothing system, pack (Stone Glacier), and other essentials (Kill kit, bear spray, water system, InReach, etc.). I am also getting myself into shape (I stay in pretty good shape, but am acclimating to the mountains and elevation) and trying to get in as much studying/research as I can before putting in for next seasons hunts.

With the above purchases, my budget is evaporating pretty quickly. This leads me to seeking some advice from some of the more seasoned hunters here. How handicapped would I be going without binos for my initial archery season? I originally intended to wait for a sale on the Cabelas Instinct HDs, but at $900 I figured it would be worth getting some feedback first. Are there any other pieces of gear that you found weren't as much an absolute necessity as you initially expected them to be (especially for early season hunting)?

 

[Graves14]

If you’re near Boise I’d stop in and check out Exo Mountain Gear. I love my pack and they’re awesome to deal with.

I also have a Cimarron and I absolutely love it so I think you’re on the right track there.

I’ve no experience with those binoculars but I do regret buying mid tier glass. I wish I’d saved longer and bought razors or slc’s.

 

[realunlucky]

I'd rather hunt without boots than bino's. Finding them and putting together a quality stock is going to be a huge handicap without some form of glass.

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[Rick M.]

Graves - I hadn't even realized that Exo was an Idaho company. That's great to know they're right here in town. I'll definitely swing in as I'm pretty sure they're right on par with SG as far as price/quality goes. That's also awesome feedback on the Cimarron. I plan on purchasing it with the stove jack so I can add in the stove down the road for later season hunts. For it's size/weight, it's an incredible looking shelter for a solo backpack hunter. Are you in Idaho as well? What pad/bag combo would you run for August-September here in Idaho? I was looking at the xtherm max and a katabatic flex 30 (I think it can dip into the 20's and 30's at night here in those months). Thanks for the feedback.


realunlucky - That's what I was worried about. I've never hunted out here before. I've read some people who say you don't need binos for early season elk, but I was worried about ending up trying to "glass" with a naked eye when trying to narrow down where they actually are in a given unit. I still have around 9-10 months to save, so I may be able to make it happen.

 

[JeffRaines]

First off, this site has been such an incredible resource for me in gearing up for my first western hunting season. I'm so glad to have found a such a gem of a community. I seriously spend more time on Rokslide now than I do Reddit, which is really saying something. Robby's book has been a fantastic resource as well, and very enlightening as to the culture of hunting big bucks out west.

Anyhow, I am slowly acquiring my gear for next hunting season here in Idaho. To cut down on up-front costs, I plan on hunting archery only for my first season, adding in a muzzle loader and rifle over the next couple of seasons.

Because I'm new to Idaho and haven't yet made any hunting buddies, I am planning on going solo. I will be backpacking in a reasonable distance and then trying to get into elk/deer. I am purchasing a bow soon, then a sleep system (likely a stove-less Cimarron for early archery), clothing system, pack (Stone Glacier), and other essentials (Kill kit, bear spray, water system, InReach, etc.). I am also getting myself into shape (I stay in pretty good shape, but am acclimating to the mountains and elevation) and trying to get in as much studying/research as I can before putting in for next seasons hunts.

With the above purchases, my budget is evaporating pretty quickly. This leads me to seeking some advice from some of the more seasoned hunters here. How handicapped would I be going without binos for my initial archery season? I originally intended to wait for a sale on the Cabelas Instinct HDs, but at $900 I figured it would be worth getting some feedback first. Are there any other pieces of gear that you found weren't as much an absolute necessity as you initially expected them to be (especially for early season hunting)?

I'm typing this post with the assumption that you have never hunted before.

Your optics, just as much as your sleep system, pack and weapon will evolve and change a LOT in the next 5 years(assuming this is your first season hunting). I'm absolutely a buy once/cry once kind of guy - HOWEVER... the gear you're listing, while its awesome, its also incredibly spendy for someone who doesn't know what does and doesn't work for them yet.

If it were me doing it all over again, I'd take it slow on the gear. Go with some more budget friendly options in the other categories while you're learning the ropes(and learning what you like/what works for you) which will make room for optics... which, by the way, you absolutely need as other people have pointed out. Honestly, because peoples eyes are so different, I'd even go budget on your first pair of binoculars. We can all sit and talk about how this brand is better than that brand etc etc, but thats because we've sat behind glass long enough to know whats going to work for our eyes. Sitting in a store looking at the mounts on the wall or out the windows for a few minutes doesn't really tell an experienced person much - so you can imagine, having no experience makes that interaction even more worthless. Whats worse, what works for me won't necessarily work for you. I run Swaro SLCs - they work great for my eyes, but you may look through them for 10 minutes and get a headache. I would go with a solid budget pair of binos for your first season or two, and once you have a better idea of what works, then you can go into the store with 1000(or more) and buy that lifetime pair. If you buy a solid pair of budget binos, the resale on them won't be bad either.

Use the same logic buying a bow.

 

[Phil4]

I’d look for a new bow on a deep discount (last year or the year before
Model). Pretty common to see deep discounts at the end of the year on nice bows. Check out a few shops and shoot everything on clearance and pick which one feels the best.

I have Maven C.1 binoculars and love them so far. Wait for Black Friday sale for those to go on sale and you’ve got decent glass for around 300 or less. Aaoptics.com has refurbed Vortex for decent prices as well.

Good luck!


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[Rick M.]

I'm typing this post with the assumption that you have never hunted before.

Your optics, just as much as your sleep system, pack and weapon will evolve and change a LOT in the next 5 years(assuming this is your first season hunting). I'm absolutely a buy once/cry once kind of guy - HOWEVER... the gear you're listing, while its awesome, its also incredibly spendy for someone who doesn't know what does and doesn't work for them yet.

If it were me doing it all over again, I'd take it slow on the gear. Go with some more budget friendly options in the other categories while you're learning the ropes(and learning what you like/what works for you) which will make room for optics... which, by the way, you absolutely need as other people have pointed out. Honestly, because peoples eyes are so different, I'd even go budget on your first pair of binoculars. We can all sit and talk about how this brand is better than that brand etc etc, but thats because we've sat behind glass long enough to know whats going to work for our eyes. Sitting in a store looking at the mounts on the wall or out the windows for a few minutes doesn't really tell an experienced person much - so you can imagine, having no experience makes that interaction even more worthless. Whats worse, what works for me won't necessarily work for you. I run Swaro SLCs - they work great for my eyes, but you may look through them for 10 minutes and get a headache. I would go with a solid budget pair of binos for your first season or two, and once you have a better idea of what works, then you can go into the store with 1000(or more) and buy that lifetime pair. If you buy a solid pair of budget binos, the resale on them won't be bad either.

Use the same logic buying a bow.

Jeff,

I appreciate your advice here. I didn't start off with the most expensive things in mind, but as my research continued it just sort of evolved into where it's at. You are absolutely right, though. I could end up hating floorless shelters and quilts, or may not even realize what that extra $500 got me in a pair of binos. This is exactly the sort of advice I was seeking. At the same time I don't want to end up in a situation where gear fails me in in an unforgiving environment. I guess I need to find a good medium there. I've hunted a lot of whitetails back east, but this will be so different that I consider myself a complete greenhorn. I'm also trying to find some kindred spirits to hunt with, so I plan on posting whatever unit I end up drawing (if any) and seeing if any Rokslide members want to possibly meet up or something if they will be in the same unit and in need of some company. I'll continue to filter and refine my gear list. I've also been keeping an eye on the classifieds for any deals.

 

[Rick M.]

I’d look for a new bow on a deep discount (last year or the year before
Model). Pretty common to see deep discounts at the end of the year on nice bows. Check out a few shops and shoot everything on clearance and pick which one feels the best.

I have Maven C.1 binoculars and love them so far. Wait for Black Friday sale for those to go on sale and you’ve got decent glass for around 300 or less. Aaoptics.com has refurbed Vortex for decent prices as well.

Good luck!


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Thanks, Phil4!

I'm planning on that with the bow for sure. I know Mathews will likely be releasing their 2019 news in the next month or so, I'm hoping the Triax drops in price. I'm going to shoot a few different bows some time next week, but I'll be on the lookout for deals. As far as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, I've stockpiled my gear money in anticipation for these sales - I'm hoping to grab a few of my higher priced items at a deep discount if possible. Are there any online shops that run well-known Black Friday sales? I was thinking Ovis, goHunt, and 1Shot for starters.

 

[Jkling12]

I believe exo packs runs a Black Friday sale. They have it listed under the FAQ. Also give cameraland ny a call and Doug will get you a killer deal on optics.

 

[5MilesBack]

realunlucky - That's what I was worried about. I've never hunted out here before. I've read some people who say you don't need binos for early season elk, but I was worried about ending up trying to "glass" with a naked eye when trying to narrow down where they actually are in a given unit.

For archery elk I rarely use my binos, and I carry 8x32's. But that would also depend on the terrain you're hunting and whether you can call proficiently or not. But I wouldn't hunt deer or rifle elk seasons without good binos.

 

[bozeman]

How about this.........buy your gear you want and I'll loan you a pair of Leupold 10x42 Pro HD bino (my backup pair) which will serve you well.

I'm pretty sure some other guys might would loan you a backup pack or tent to help get you going.......just a thought.

I've been very blessed to be able to buy whatever I want thus far in life. Hope this offer helps you.
Best of luck!

 

[Bulldawg]

I firmly believe that guys starting out need to suffer a little with cheaper gear for a while haha. Get a cheap pack and feel the suck of packing heavy weight with it. Bargain bin binos fogged up with specs in em. Pair of danner pronghorns and under armor camo. Let it suck, embrace the suck and hunt! I am very glad that I came into the game this way and I think that having the high speed gear can make a guy soft lol.


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[wisco_archer]

I'm a whitetail guy from Wisconsin and did my 2nd backpack elk hunt last month and will be going back every year for the foreseeable future so I'm in the same boat.

Spend the money on a good pack and good boots. Buy used if you can. Also if you already have a tent that will work or get a decent one for cheap you can save there. I run my Marmot Limelight 3 yet. Yes its 6 lbs and no it's not ideal and would love to upgrade but I make it work.

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[trail@goHunt]

we will definitely be having a Black Friday Sale. I can't leak what might be on that list yet but it should be some good gear.

 

[CrzyTrekker]

Sometimes I'll archery hunt without binos. You can usually see/hear rutting elk if you're in a good area that you pre-scouted in July and August. IMHO good quality boots should be one of your first serious purchases.

 

[Rick M.]

How about this.........buy your gear you want and I'll loan you a pair of Leupold 10x42 Pro HD bino (my backup pair) which will serve you well.

I'm pretty sure some other guys might would loan you a backup pack or tent to help get you going.......just a thought.

I've been very blessed to be able to buy whatever I want thus far in life. Hope this offer helps you.
Best of luck!

Bozeman, that's an incredibly kind offer. I'm still stuck on binos (just made another thread about it), so I would love to take you up on that once next season gets close, if you're still willing.

 

[Rick M.]

we will definitely be having a Black Friday Sale. I can't leak what might be on that list yet but it should be some good gear.

That's great! I'm a goHunt Insider and realize that I can get most of my gear through you guys. I have a ton of stuff in my cart already. In fact, I was just on the phone with Cody (optics) yesterday! You guys are doing awesome work. I'll keep an eye out for the sale.