Where to invest to improve success?

[WstrnCP]

If you had 700-1200 to spend to become a more successful hunter where would it be? The two areas I think about are finding game and killing game. I hunt out west, including western Cascades. I’m not looking for trophies if that matters.

I’m currently running mid tier glass, Kowa BD binos and Nikon ED50 fieldscope. I have solid rifle setups, small diameter Tikkas with SWFA scopes. I have 5k rounds budgeted for practice this year. I like to backpack hunt and have my mid season base weight right at about 20 lbs.

Here are three thoughts I have. 1) pick up some image stabilized binos (find the game). 2) invest in a Rokstok/Rokstok lite (kill the game). 3) new rain gear to be able to stay out longer (find the game).

A year ago I was saving for alpha glass but with the tech advancements want to wait for that purchase until hopefully there is a IS/RF option.

Let’s hear your thoughts and totally open to other ideas as well.

 

[Firestone]

More time in the field. 1200 bucks is 2 more tags depending on the tag. 2 tags is 15-20 more days in the field.
Gear is cool but in the end your not killing more shit with a new stock or up graded rain gear. Your current glass is better then most have already.

 

[il_cop]

More time in the field. 1200 bucks is 2 more tags depending on the tag. 2 tags is 15-20 more days in the field.
Gear is cool but in the end your not killing more shit with a new stock or up graded rain gear. Your current glass is better then most have already.

beat me to it. If you could magically turn that cash into time in the field...That's the investment. If there's something in your setup that makes you go home before you have to, I'd address that first.

 

[Elkangle]

gas money & time

 

[Ross]

How long have you been hunting? Do you find enough game for success currently?

 

[sndmn11]

Fuel and foods

 

[Speaks]

This year my biggest constraint will be time and $1200 isnt going to buy me any of that. Zero chance I will get out west so I am really talking about Northern WI and MN white tail for 2026 anyway.

I do plan to do some habitat work on my property which may have some material impact on hunting success though usually my place is more of a base camp for hunting public than where I hunt. Maybe some trail camera additions would help.

Being totally honest I dont think there is much success I can buy this year.

 

[Johnny Tyndall]

In my experience these guys are spot on. Unless you're trying to solve a specific gear problem, more time in the woods is the main thing. I'm fairly new to hunting but have gotten decent at some other outdoor endeavors and there's nothing like just doing it. I don't know what your experience level is, but if you're short on time and want to fast track it maybe doing the right guided hunt would help? I haven't done it but have considered it as I am mostly learning on my own.

 

[M4Madness]

In my opinion, being warm, dry, and comfortable goes a long way towards a successful hunt. If you're cold and wet, you're more likely to quit early. I'd be looking into outerwear if you already have the weapon and other gear secured. I recently picked up a set of First Lite Thermic bibs and jacket in anticipation of next season's treestand sitting.

 

[leroy5150me]

As someone who finds more money to spend then time to spend this is the correct answer. I wish there was something I could buy to maximize my success but that doesnt really exist.

 

[TaperPin]

- I’d get good fitting light weight rain gear first. Safer. More comfortable.
- Extra traction will allow you to go up muddy or slick slopes other hunters can’t. Micro spikes and used SMC brand crampons are a good investment that might only get used once in a while, but pay off big when they are needed. I have one elk because of them.
- A quick to use cow call will stop all kinds of animals better than anything else I’ve seen without scaring them. The Elk Inc is compact and goes on my binocular strap. It’s helped clobber a number of animals that would never have stopped.
- A tarp of some kind to sit under while waiting for wet clouds to pass can pay off big since animals love to get out, stretch and move around after being hunkered down until a storm passes. My first bear was hunkered down until the rain let up.
- Fly fishing pole and gear for bank fishing high country lakes. It gets you up the mountain to explore little out of the way locations that sometimes turn into big deer or a new elk area. The oldest deer I’ve ever pulled the trigger on was due to a high country fishing trip nearby that turned into a scouting trip.
- Compact 6x or 7x binoculars dedicated to still hunting. I like the compact Leicas from the 1990’s, but the old Zeiss compacts, or a new Mavin 6x would be as good. It lets you see farther into the trees to pick up fur before fur picks up you. I’ve used them for almost every elk I’ve taken in the timber.

 

[mt100gr.]

What kind of physical condition are you in?

 

[WstrnCP]

More time in the field. 1200 bucks is 2 more tags depending on the tag. 2 tags is 15-20 more days in the field.
Gear is cool but in the end your not killing more shit with a new stock or up graded rain gear. Your current glass is better then most have already.

Totally get more time in the field. Unfortunately, life only allows so much with other commitments. Maybe a better a better way to look at it is how to maximize a limited amount of time by investing in ways to be more efficient.

Edit: I am planning on at least doubling the amount of time I have set aside from last year, pending some draws.

 

[WstrnCP]

How long have you been hunting? Do you find enough game for success currently?

I started in my early twenties and had to take about a decade off, started back with some intent in the last few years. As far as success goes, I’ve been about 50/50 on the 2-3 tags/yr I’ve had in the last few years.

 

[WstrnCP]

What kind of physical condition are you in?

Decent, always room for improvement though.

 

[dirtytough]

I’ve been successful through the years when it comes to killing. I’ve always had decent glass, been in shape, and can shoot. I haven’t been as successful when it comes to killing big mature animals.

I wonder what other hunters that are successful every year on big animals do? And the main difference I’ve come up with is time in the field. They put a lot of time and effort into finding mature animals.

So with that being said I decided gear isn’t going to improve my success much. I need to spend more time in the actual field.

If you can’t turn your extra $1200 into extra time afield, I would upgrade glass. You can’t kill if you can’t find something to kill.

 

[DangerRanger]

Decent set of binos and a bunch of ammo, then do the shooting drill form posted a million times

 

[HuntHarder]

Gear wise- it's hard to know where any and all your deficiencies are without knowing all your gear.

Clothing can be a major item, often over looked. It can provide warmth, wind resistance or water resistance, which will allow you to be in the field when others are not willing to be.

RF binos with ballistics can speed up your shot if that is a struggle point.

Back country gear ( tent, pad, sleeping bag) can all be weight reduced with $ if you back pack hunt often.

Looking passed gear, I would look into online courses that teach you how to use all the digital tools a hunter has at their disposal right now. Huge advancements in aerial photography that can show you drainages or paths that animals are likely to take. If you hunt in unfamiliar terrain ( i.e. out of state) online scouting can be a HUGE tool. Their are now classes that teach you how to effectively use said tools. At some point in the next 5 years, S2H might even offer an online version of their class that will likely teach a guy a lot.

 

[Maverick1]

It’s already been said. The latest and greatest gear won’t do anything to fill more tags. Experience and time in the field matter.

Example: I’ve been archery elk hunting for 20 years now. At this point I have almost all of the high end gear out there. When I started elk hunting I had none.

If I had a Time Machine and turned back the clock to the younger version of myself, gave him all the high end gear I now own - I still wouldn’t shot an elk in that first season when I would have killed any elk that walked in front of me. And rightfully so - I had no idea what I was doing.

Conversely, if I was to take all of that “lower end gear”, and use it this upcoming season, I wouldn’t have a problem killing an elk.

It took me awhile to learn: it’s not about the gear.

 

[mt100gr.]

Decent, always room for improvement though.

Good! Fitness isn't something you can buy, but if the gear you have is solid, I wouldn't spend money just for the hell of it. Easier said than done, I know. I am always changing things up....

If I had to recommend one thing that has led to more success (and more fun in the mountains) for me it would be a good weight vest and a Garmin watch. Or another high quality watch that will track your training effort. I'm pretty OCD, so it fits my personality, but set some goals in that thing and promise yourself that you will do the work every day until the season ends...but then keep going.

Tents aren't that "fun" to buy, but they can make the difference in staying on the mountain. What tent do you have?