What gear are you going to ditch (or ditched)?

[cuerro viejo]

Ditched Bino post’s and now running right stuff bino cinch. 100x better with less stuff to loose

 

[AZ8]

Ditched Bino post’s and now running right stuff bino cinch. 100x better with less stuff to loose

Never heard of it. I’ve been putting off adding a stud to my high dollar Zeiss. I might order this!

 

[cuerro viejo]

Never heard of it. I’ve been putting off adding a stud to my high dollar Zeiss. I might order this!

I got a tip about it from another guy on another forum. It’s best money I’ve spent, I run sirui va-5 heads and they fit perfectly. No studs coming loose, no nuts And no adapter plates etc. also fits in marsupial enclosed with maven 11x45 w/ no issues

 

[Rjsand70]

I’d like to upgrade to range finding binoculars, seems much easier than switching back and forth.

I just bought a used set of Swarovski el range I’ll try to remember to let you know my impressions compared to sig 3000 bdx

 

[ODB]

Havalon Piranta……..doesn’t hold an edge and is a safety issue waiting to happen in the field. Rather use my Outdoor edge swing blade or Argali and resharpen when necessary.

I ditched my Havalon after the blade snapped off inside the animal. Kinda sketchy trying to swap the broken blade and then find the other half.

Both of these happened dressing a moose this year (not to me). Also the blade just popped off.

I chalk all three up to user error. I'll keep using them.

 

[AZ8]

I got a tip about it from another guy on another forum. It’s best money I’ve spent, I run sirui va-5 heads and they fit perfectly. No studs coming loose, no nuts And no adapter plates etc. also fits in marsupial enclosed with maven 11x45 w/ no issues

That’s what intrigues me……I can leave it on the bino and it’ll still fit in my bino harness.

 

[landman650]

Good call. Why people pack sidearms in addition to rifles is beyond me.

I use a Kifaru Gun Bearer set up on the rear of my Metcalf. If my pack is on, the rifle is of no use to me in an emergency. Some Eberlestock packs store a gun out of reach as well. If I was in grizzly country, I’d have a sidearm as well.

 

[Elkdreamer]

Ditched my Jetboil last year. That thing is heavy plus the antihunting sentiment.

 

[Dennis Warner II]

I’m ditching the Nalgene water bottle. A smart water bottle is lighter and just a durable and I can use the squirt top to back flush my sawyer water filter.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

Very interesting to see the personal preferences and differing experiences that pop up here.

I went to Basemap over a year ago from OnX, and it's night and day better for me. And cheap.

I use a Benchmade Bugout in S30V and can go through quartering and boning an entire elk without needing a blade touch up. Still rough shaved at the end of the job, and folder or not, clean up was easy.

I also can't stand not having trekking poles on me, especially when rifle hunting. They make a dang good makeshift rest in the field, and I've killed a lot of animals from weird positions and angles off of them.

It just goes to show, that you gotta get out there and actually DO STUFF to get your personal kit dialed in.

 

[Huntindog45]

i ditched Mrs. Taylor 2.0 I dont think I will be looking for Mrs. Taylor 3.0. Seems to be plenty of inexpensive ready to use models out there that are available as needed.

 

[ranchhand02]

Upgrading to better binoculars was one of the best things for me. The quality glass makes a difference compared to the cheaper stuff I was using. Also using better quality camo and baselayers really helps to keep me warm

 

[540-Virginian]

For those with the knives with interchangeable blades… I’ve used the same outdoor edge blade for 3 years. Multiple elk and whitetails. I bring the lansky quad sharpener and resharpen in the field. No reason to go through blades. The outdoor edge is the best I’ve owned so far, which isn’t saying much but if definitely gets it done. Best wishes

What model of the outdoor edge knife you using?

 

[KurtR]

my bow dont have the patience for archery hunting and to many other things to kill during that season

 

[twall13]

I'm about ready to ditch beanies in general. It seems I always pack one or two but just end up throwing on the hood to my mid layer and puffy as needed instead. I feel like those hoods are more versatile for heat regulation as they zip up and down for more or less coverage around the neck etc. as needed. I haven't done it yet but I'm leaning towards it for most hunts anyway.

Rain pants- I haven't totally ditched them, but I only carry rain pants if the forecast calls for heavy rain all day. In my area most storms just pass through quickly and I'm better off without the added weight as my hunting pants dry quickly and really don't get that wet to begin with. I hunted all day in snowstorms two separate times this season and never missed the rain pants in those situations either. I still feel like they are a useful tool, I'm just more particular about when and where I need them and they don't make the cut for most trips. Gaiters and a light rain jacket cover me in most situations, at least for Utah hunting.

Lastly, I'm ditching flip open caps for my rifle Scopes. I liked the Vortex defender ones much better than the Butler Creek caps but I'm tired of dealing with them in general. Going to try a neoprene scope cover instead.

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk

 

[Antares]

I use a Kifaru Gun Bearer set up on the rear of my Metcalf. If my pack is on, the rifle is of no use to me in an emergency. Some Eberlestock packs store a gun out of reach as well. If I was in grizzly country, I’d have a sidearm as well.

The beauty of the Gun Bearer is setting it up so you do have access to the rifle.

Otherwise you're pretty much saying "ok, I'm going to pack an 8 pound rifle, but I'm going to carry it in such a away that I can't get to it. I know! I'll carry 3 pound sidearm, that's the solution..." Why not just carry the rifle so you can get at it? But that's just like...my opinion, man.

 

[Fitzwho]

Ditched the Mystery Ranch Cabinet, like the overall minimalism of it, but I find my new Stone Glacier R3 to be much more comfortable than the Mystery Ranch. Thought about keeping the MR as a backup/loaner, but now probably just going to get rid of it. Had two cousins that were supposed to come along on each of my trips, but both flaked out, so not going to worry about it. Probably should have just gone with the 3300 in lieu of the 5500 or whatever it is. The smaller packs fit my hunting style better, as I'm not a super back country guy, but having the larger pack gives me the option to do it.

Contemplating upgrading binos. Currently have Nikon Laserforce and Vortex Kaibab 15x56. Looking at the Razor UHD 18x56 and either the Fury HD AB or the Sig Kilo RF binos. Something with a ballistics calculator in it. If the Nikon's had that I wouldn't even be thinking about upgrading those. They have been a solid bino and RF for the entire time I have used them.

Thought for a little while about selling both of my custom rifles (6.5CM and 300WM) and building one nicer 6.8 Western bolt gun. Seems like a perfect combination of my two rifles. Then thought about selling only the 6.5CM and just upgrading the glass on the 300. Decisions, decisions.

 

[HuntingIndian]

Ditched all my wool hunting jackets. Heavy and not helping with high winds.

 

[Ralphie]

The beauty of the Gun Bearer is setting it up so you do have access to the rifle.

Otherwise you're pretty much saying "ok, I'm going to pack an 8 pound rifle, but I'm going to carry it in such a away that I can't get to it. I know! I'll carry 3 pound sidearm, that's the solution..." Why not just carry the rifle so you can get at it? But that's just like...my opinion, man.

I’ve never used a gun bearer so I’m not commenting on it. I used to only carry my rifle in grizzly country, where I live, but after a few bear encounters and especially the Mark Uptain attack I now carry a handgun and my rifle.

I don’t know how I’d cut up an elk with a rifle in my hands or even in a gun bearer. But it’s easy to do with a handgun in a holster or bear spray. I kill quite a few elk alone and I’d rather have that tool available to me. It isnt a fail safe but I’m not going to not have it because of some weight. Yes I know the overall risk of a bear attack is low, but the consequences of being unarmed or out of reach of my weapon during a bear attack are too high. And a few pounds of additional weight are a very low cost.

 

[fngTony]

Replaceable blade knifes or the ultra light skeleton handle titanium knives, very happy with the mora knife and a pocket sharpener.

Rain pants, sort of done. I can get much more use out of my zip off base layer (morning chill, wear while other pants dry). If weather is to be expected then my rain pants replace the regular pants, still bring the base for warmth.

Pack cover (unless it’s going to be consistently crappy. I always have a trash bag with me that I can use in a pinch.

I ditched the nalgene awhile ago (winter time I still use it because it can withstand hot water). Bladders, maintenance nightmare and setting up an in-line filter or hanging between your frame and bag is more likely to have a problem, I like simple.

Light gloves, I much prefer my hands half covered by my midlayer with thumb holes. I will carry my insulated mittens which are only 2oz heavier than a pair of liner gloves. Plus those mittens are more helpful if you are trying to stay warm on an unexpected night out.