What would you add/upgrade?

[guitarpreston]

Dreaming of getting that 1k in points from gohunt and think about what I’d spend it on, albeit not likely

For reference, last year was my first western hunt, I based out of the truck and day hunted, planning on doing that again this year. Also hunted private land whitetail in Texas and used my pack to haul my saddle and platform a lot.

Gear layout as follows
Kifaru duplex light
Straight jacket
First aid kit
Power bank
Muzzle loader gear bag
Kill kit
Columbia rain gear
Stove
Bladder
Water filter
Lights
Carbon Costco trekkers
Viam tarp
Manfrotto befree tripod with Amazon head
Nikon ed50
Razor UHD 8x42
north face down puffy
Jetstream
Black ovis merino base layers
FL and Sitka pants
Merino and alpaca socks
Crispi boots
Ozark trail camp chair for glassing
Marsupial harness
Inreach

I’m fairly happy with everything honestly but what would you upgrade or add? One big thing, a few medium things, or several small things?

I do have a crappy sleeping bag and pad I use in my truck but nothing you could really pack in the field, but not planning that type of hunt currently, so a shelter, and sleep system would just sit in storage for a year or more.

The mini razor would be nice, but aside from when I’ve been tinkering with my ML I haven’t used my spotter at all since Sept.

 

[TN2shot07]

If I’m sleeping in the truck I’ll have some kind of actual mattress (air or foam) I’m not using a pad when I’m not being penalized for weight.

You don’t specify what kind of hunts you’re planning but if you intend to use that tripod I would definitely plan to upgrade the head and add an adapter to your binos.

 

[guitarpreston]

It’s like a 3 inch self inflating mattress pad. Comfort wise that was not bad honestly. Just not enough leg room in the truck. Also forgot to put I have an adapter.
This year chasing mule deer and bear.

 

[neil.hansford]

If you're happy with your setup, why upgrade? I'd keep doing what you're doing. Something will eventually break or you'll lose something or go on a different type of hunt and then you'll have an opportunity to spend those points.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

 

[guitarpreston]

If you're happy with your setup, why upgrade? I'd keep doing what you're doing. Something will eventually break or you'll lose something or go on a different type of hunt and then you'll have an opportunity to spend those points.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I don’t even have them, just dreaming on what I’d do if I did.
That being said, my shoulder straps are kinda wore and my tripod setup is heavy for being too short to stand and use.

 

[coyote_out]

when I get a little extra cash (bonus at work) I will typically try and upgrade items that are hard goods that will last “forever” first. I consider clothes, boots, etc. to be consumables, so those are off the table unless there is something that failed or frustrated you on your last outing. So personally I would focus on those items that are least enjoyable for you.

So I would look first at (not in order):

Tripod and head
(Is there a rangefinder on your list?)
Glass (an extra set of 10’s or 12’s are nice to have)
Stove
Pack (different bag?)
Knives

(Looking at your list I would get a pair of 12’s if you already have a good rangefinder, but that is my style of hunting and what i prefer, if your happy with 8’s then don’t worry about it)

 

[guitarpreston]

when I get a little extra cash (bonus at work) I will typically try and upgrade items that are hard goods that will last “forever” first. I consider clothes, boots, etc. to be consumables, so those are off the table unless there is something that failed or frustrated you on your last outing. So personally I would focus on those items that are least enjoyable for you.

So I would look first at (not in order):

Tripod and head
(Is there a rangefinder on your list?)
Glass (an extra set of 10’s or 12’s are nice to have)
Stove
Pack (different bag?)
Knives

(Looking at your list I would get a pair of 12’s if you already have a good rangefinder, but that is my style of hunting and what i prefer, if your happy with 8’s then don’t worry about it)

Forgot to add my rf. I’ve got a spare set of leupold 10s but they’re not in the same league as the razors. But work as a backup. Left off knives and multi tool as well but they’re there.

 

[TaperPin]

If you aren’t missing anything, I would upgrade based on weight - light weight and still durable is usually more money. For any potential upgrade the cost divided by weight savings will quickly show where the most bang for the buck will come from.

Leaving something like a power pack or stove at the truck is even better for day hunts.

 

[guitarpreston]

If you aren’t missing anything, I would upgrade based on weight - light weight and still durable is usually more money. For any potential upgrade the cost divided by weight savings will quickly show where the most bang for the buck will come from.

Leaving something like a power pack or stove at the truck is even better for day hunts.

Based on last year I didn’t need anything I didn’t have, and didn’t have anything I didn’t need. Stove stayed at camp, had to use battery pack on the mountain a few times (my phone battery sucks)
Jumping to an ark frame vs duplex light and a better tripod seem to jump out to me as things I would use regularly compared to a tent and sleeping bag or even a spotting scope.

 

[coyote_out]

What’s your next out west hunt? And what is your rangefinder?

 

[guitarpreston]

What’s your next out west hunt? And what is your rangefinder?

Hopefully muzzle loader deer and bear. Sig kilo 4k

 

[Davyalabama]

What about something for camp --- two bladed axe, machete, bush axe, maybe an old military trenching tool ---- fire starters ---- -- jumpstarter/air compressor/battery operated impact wrench -- You're hunting from your truck, you can carry stuff for your gun -- gun cleaning kit, torque wrench, extra scope -- a pull rope and hi-lift jack -- extra ropes and bungees --- drop leg holster for handgun (this thing is invaluable) -- Wd40/break cleaner/pb blaster/battery terminal cleaner and scrubber ---

meal prep items at home --- cooler -- extra water carrier (maybe even a new bladder system for hunting) ---- pots and pans ok, utensils?

How is your rain gear setup? The Columbia the good stuff?

You look like you have a great setup, I'm just throwing stuff out there to see if it sticks, and maybe jog your memory to something you thought of while out there, then forgot once you got back to camp or home. You may be young enough where you don't do that, I can think of something, then forget it before I remember to type it in my phone.

Now boys and girls, a lot of this stuff that I mentioned in the first paragraph is always with me in my truck or SXS.

 

[guitarpreston]

What about something for camp --- two bladed axe, machete, bush axe, maybe an old military trenching tool ---- fire starters ---- -- jumpstarter/air compressor/battery operated impact wrench -- You're hunting from your truck, you can carry stuff for your gun -- gun cleaning kit, torque wrench, extra scope -- a pull rope and hi-lift jack -- extra ropes and bungees --- drop leg holster for handgun (this thing is invaluable) -- Wd40/break cleaner/pb blaster/battery terminal cleaner and scrubber ---

meal prep items at home --- cooler -- extra water carrier (maybe even a new bladder system for hunting) ---- pots and pans ok, utensils?

How is your rain gear setup? The Columbia the good stuff?

You look like you have a great setup, I'm just throwing stuff out there to see if it sticks, and maybe jog your memory to something you thought of while out there, then forgot once you got back to camp or home. You may be young enough where you don't do that, I can think of something, then forget it before I remember to type it in my phone.

Now boys and girls, a lot of this stuff that I mentioned in the first paragraph is always with me in my truck or SXS.

I’ve pretty much got all that in my truck (tried to overland a bit when it was cool but ended up just collecting more junk to haul than anything)

I’ve only used the rain jacket a couple times and honestly I was pretty pleased. Never used the pants. But for less than $50 for both on eBay I was thrilled.

Based on where I went last year and where I plan to go this year I didn’t “need” anything, and didn’t have very much I didn’t use except my first aid and kill kit…that’s why I’m more thinking upgrade vs add

 

[Tick]

Upgrade any truck camp gear you were not happy with. Then having backpacking gear can provide that option for future hunt situations. Opportunity to catch sales with time instead of scrambling to get all at once.