Where to invest to improve success?

[RockAndSage]

Based on everything you've shared, and everyone's advice...if you can't make more days in the field happen, then more hours more comfortably is probably where some gains can be had, via primo clothing.

I get the impression that the Western Cascades aren't the kind hunting grounds where you're spending whole mornings or afternoons glassing one hillside, as is more common in the Great Basin regions. Normally, better glass to keep you hunting in that context is a winner, but if you're not spending literal hours at a time, it may not be for you. The only exception might be your ability to see deep into the shadows, especially if the sun's lower. If you're typically glassing at distances less than 1000yds or so, in dense brush, the only glass upgrade that might be worthwhile is far outside of your budget.

So, yeah - excellent field gear to keep you hunting longer each day you can get out.

 

[WstrnCP]

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.

That has been my first thought. Any experience with image stabilizing binos?

 

[5MilesBack]

You can't buy success..........unless you've got enough money to be able hunt large tracts of private land every year.

 

[WstrnCP]

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

Yep, shooting is on the menu

 

[WstrnCP]

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.

Yeah, knowing how to take advantage of the digital resources is a good suggestion.

 

[WstrnCP]

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.

For sure, but it can make some things a bit easier. And, kinda fun to spend time thinking about it.

 

[WstrnCP]

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?

I’ve been pretty comfortable with a tarp and bivy. A hunting partner has a tipi. I also have an msr tent that I’m not super stoked on. At some point I might check out a durston xdome

 

[dirtytough]

That has been my first thought. Any experience with image stabilizing binos?

Sig was at an event and had demos out. Comparing them to Swaro NL’s I was underwhelmed. I can buy any optics I want and haven’t bought any IS binos yet. You are still looking through subpar glass.

 

[Steve300xcw]

$1200 buys a lot of gas and gas station snacks

 

[grizz19]

If you were coming out west and you had an accurate rifle and usable glass, I’d say spend that money on good boots and a good pack. Next to those upgrading glass would be high in my list. Since your not coming west, I’d say pick your 2 weakest gear categories and upgrade those.

 

[SleepyJones]

I would say the main reason you have that money burning a hole in your pocket is because you want to be a successful/ better hunter and that you're a person who likes gear, tech and such. Which is perfectly fine. But I would recommend gaining the experience so you won't need to ask forum advice on how to spend your hard earn. The reason people keep repeating time, time, time, is because when you go through your own trials and tribulations, you will find out for yourself where you need to focus your earnings.

Stupid example: This year I was gutting an elk while my buddy was bringing his picker truck over to load it up and I didn't have a bone saw with me to cut the sternum to finish. My buddy had one in his pack that I was thankful for. So for me, spending $15 on (misplaced my old one) a small compact bone saw would be the number 1 thing on my list. After a few hunts, a few seasons etc. It won't matter a bit on anyone's recommendation's because you'll just know.... On second thought, that picker truck was pretty handy. Maybe buy one of those, lol.

 

[grfox92]

What kind of physical condition are you in?

My first thought was something to improve strength and conditioning. I personally don't stay in good shape only to hunt the right now, but I stay in good shape because I dont ever want to have to stop hunting because of my age. I want to hunt until the day I die.

I kill plenty of animals with Maven C series binos and no spotter. The no spotter isn't ideal and every now and then can cause some heartache, like shooting the wrong buck in the moment of truth (avatar picture). But I dont think glass is an emergency for you.

I would say to save it and put it in a good ETF and keep adding to it, build that money up to an amount that can subsidize time off from work, gas, tag and food for a future western hunt. In the mean time, keep shooting, working out and getting in shape.

Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

 

[WstrnCP]

My first thought was something to improve strength and conditioning. I personally don't stay in good shape only to hunt the right now, but I stay in good shape because I dont ever want to have to stop hunting because of my age. I want to hunt until the day I die.

I kill plenty of animals with Maven C series binos and no spotter. The no spotter isn't ideal and every now and then can cause some heartache, like shooting the wrong buck in the moment of truth (avatar picture). But I dont think glass is an emergency for you.

I would say to save it and put it in a good ETF and keep adding to it, build that money up to an amount that can subsidize time off from work, gas, tag and food for a future western hunt. In the mean time, keep shooting, working out and getting in shape.

Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

Well said

 

[mtnbound]

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.

Are you only hunting western WA?
In your hunting areas what’s the typical shot distance?
What is your current effective range with your rifles?
How much are you currently shooting?
How many days are you planning to backpack hunt?

 

[Stache Attack]

Rain gear and a tag. It just takes time

 

[WstrnCP]

Are you only hunting western WA?
In your hunting areas what’s the typical shot distance?
What is your current effective range with your rifles?
How much are you currently shooting?
How many days are you planning to backpack hunt?

Last few years have been hunting western Oregon and high Cascades Washington. Planning on Idaho and maybe Montana this year, which I’ve hunted before.
Typical shot distance could be a huge spread. I feel confident to about 400 now based on conditions. Since picking up a 223 I’m shooting a lot more, planning on around 500 rds/month in 2026.
Generally will spend 4-7 days backpacking.

 

[Amos Keeto]

It's called "HUNTING", not "KILLING"!

If you're THAT focused on killing game, you're missing the point of the experience.

Know a guy who spent $2500 on a set of Steiner binoculars!
Are they nice?
Hell yeah! You can count the staples in a fence post a half mile away! ....but you don't "need" clarity like that to tell if a buck is a shooter or not at that range! I'm not going to shoot at that range anyway!

You like to backpack.
1) buy good quality equipment - you don't need a Rolls Royce to get to the prom, but you don't want a Ford "Falcon" either!
2) the BEST way to be successful afield is to spend time afield!

If you'd like a bit more comfort afield, consider a pack animal. They can carry more equipment and help pack out game. The more comfortable you can be, the longer you can stay in the field....comfortably.

 

[7mm-08]

Going to add something you might want to consider, which I don't believe has been mentioned. Find a way to get your binoculars on a tripod. The number of animals I spot with my binoculars on a tripod goes up exponentially when compared with handholding my optics.

Otherwise, folks are spot on with the frequency and time in the field advice.

 

[Beendare]

I'm in the camp of the guys saying to invest in You......

doing things that will improve your skillset as a hunter.

 

[CMF]

Based on your choices, I'd say the image-stabilized binos.

But saving the money and taking time off, even if unpaid, is hard to beat. It's always suprising to me when people talk about not having enough time off and they never even consider unpaid time off. I've managed it at two different companies without issue. I'd always just slide an unpaid day in with 4 days of pto to get a week off vs taking an entire week of unpaid that raises more eyebrows, or a friday here or there...