Where to save your money??

[machinethomas]

I think it's quite obvious that backpack hunting is a never ending gear quest. It can also be an expensive venture to acquire all your gear. I've accumulated stuff over a couple years now but am far from having everything dialed in. So my question is what items do you spend less on, and what items do you not want to skimp on? I have some ideas, but am curious what others have to say?

 

[j.baum]

I'm far from an expert in any way on this, but me, I have to constantly ask myself if what I have will do the job. For example, do I NEED to replace my gps or wet weather gear, or can I get a few more seasons. Once I talked myself out of the want factor, surprisingly I have a lot less to buy.

To answer your question specifically, the one thing I refuse to skimp out on is quality boots.

 

[belly-deep]

Boots and packs are my #1 item to have the absolute best of.

Stoves not so much. You can buy a pretty dang light one for relatively cheap. And future technological advances won't save much weight. Same goes for tents and bags, generally.

Sleeping pad might need an upgrade. Nothing better than a good night's sleep.

 

[Manosteel]

For me Boots and pack. Is where to spend $$$. Everything else you can make due. But in upgrading order I would go optics, then sleeping bag/quilt & pad and everything esle.

 

[Jon Boy]

Optics is where I would save my money at. Buy a pair of vortex diamondbacks and ull be fine. Buy the absolute best sleep system you can afford. I can make do with low grade boots and pack but if I cant sleep because im too cold, my hunt is over

 

[go4thegusto]

I take a little different tack, this is what I DO. I think, eat, breath, scout, shoot, plan, hunting all year long. When my trip is only the amount of gear I have on my body and in my pack I am going to have the best available within reason. I am pushing 60 and life is too short to hit the mountains for 10 days and be miserable because of low quality gear and preparation.

For me ebay has been a life saver here. I scour the house and sell junk I am not using or want to upgrade to pay for the new acquisition.

 

[RamDreamer]

I will second some of what J.baum has said and I find myself constantly asking myself if I really need this new item or if my current model is fine. I have to do it all the time and sooner or later I convince myself and I erase that need from my mind. A good example in a new range finder. The one I currently have goes to 550 yards and I want one that is a 1000 yard model, but when hunting I only ever want to shoot 350 to maybe 400 MAX. Yes the extra yardage capability would be nice for making stalks, but I just can't justify the cost. When I do buy gear though I buy the best I can now. I used to make due and now find myself replacing crappy equipment and I kick myself in the but for going extremely cheap on some things. Every now and then when I put on some old Danners that are beat up and stretched out I laugh thinking I packed elk out of some nasty places with those things. Boots are one thing I will not skimp on any more.
My main saving is in other portions of my life where I find myself purging old stuff I do not use and doing jobs myself instead of paying others to do them.

 

[charvey9]

This may not really answer your question, but I think the most important things to spend money on are your sleep system (shelter, bag, pad), pack, and boots. Not necessarily saying you need to break the bank on those either, but those things will contribute more to the quality/comfort than the other gear in your kit.

Save money by keeping it simple. Don't really need much in the mountains.

 

[AK Troutbum]

Optics is where I would save my money at. Buy a pair of vortex diamondbacks and ull be fine. Buy the absolute best sleep system you can afford. I can make do with low grade boots and pack but if I cant sleep because im too cold, my hunt is over

I guess I'm not answering your question with this answer but I'm going to go just about the complete opposite of what Jon Boy says. Hi quality optics IMO are worth their weight in gold and is the first thing I would not skimp on. Buy the absolute best that you can possibly afford. I think this is especially important if you are hunting out west. I also think that boots and packs are right up there with some of the things that you should not be too concerned about how much they cost. If mountains hunting is your primary focus, quality boots that fit you right, along with a quality pack that will allow you to pack bulky, heavy loads as comfortably as possible, are of the upmost importance.

 

[idig4au]

^^what he said

 

[Jon Boy]

No Worries AK. Agree to disagree. I'm a very cold sleeper and have literally not got a wink of sleep all night, up in the morning and hiked off the mnt.
On the flip side I've guided deer and elk hunts with a pair of diamondbacks when all of my razors have been rented out and in no way felt handi capped

 

[Carlin59]

Not necessarily gear related, but western-hunting strategy budget related: Getting out of the preference points game and learning general season areas really well. With just getting in the game now and point creep showing no signs of slowing, I think learning an area by hunting (or even scouting) it multiple times is a better approach than spending money for years on points but having little knowledge of the area during hunting season. Especially for some of the very limited draw (especially nonresident) tags out west like moose, goat, and sheep, 20 years of preference points would go a long way toward a guided hunt. Just my opinion, but a strategy I'm switching over to personally.

 

[airlocksniffer]

Anytime you have to spend substantially more to save a few ounces. A $20 titanium spork vs a regular plastic one. A $500 down quilt vs a $250 synthetic one. Etc. I would definitely not skimp on boots or a pack. My current optics are shit but when I actually buy a good pair, I don't think I'll be able to justify a $2000+ pair of Swaros vs $1000 pair of Mavens. That could change if I start spending a lot of time behind the glass for high country mule deer hunting, etc but don't think I'd notice a difference hunting elk in dark timber.

 

[Nick Muche]

Different species and different styles of hunting require a range of glass in terms of quality, etc. No way is wrong, so long as it works for you. I am in the "best optics" you can afford club because I enjoy hunting a wide range of species. I can also say that I have owned only two pairs in my life. First pair, 60$ Nikons... Second pair, Swaro's. I never plan to buy another pair, I consider that money well spent and a "savings" in the long run.

Other items I won't skimp on... Sleep system, boots and pack. Most all other items allow me to save money but I don't necessarily skimp on gear that will be used long term. Buy Once, Cry Once is my motto and sometimes I do actually cry haha

 

[Weekender]

Anytime your starting out with a fresh new system value is your friend. Buy a pack that fits you right, boots that are comfy and waterproof, sleep system you can stay warm and dry. After you've taken care of yourself you can worry about your hunt. Upgrades happen over time so leave yourself something to spend on later. Sleep systems are one of the better ways to save weight with a little extra money and rifles are some of costliest per oz. Lots of good info out just remember the best cost twice as much and it's never twice as good.

 

[BroodBuster]

Knives. The last few years I've seen some pretty expensive knives set aside in favor of a $6.00 Little Vickie. It's not a good all around camp knife but IMO there's nothing better out there for breaking down big game.

 

[yardwork]

One tip I've learned from contributors here is to buy the non-hunting equivalent where it makes sense. I wanted a down puffy, well in January all the retailers are trying to ditch their puffies so I started shopping around at REI, Dick's, LL Bean and Eddie Bauer to see what was out there. I got a pretty nice coat for $80 that will suit me fine for many years. Doing the same thing with rain gear this fall. Still searching...

 

[Felix40]

Food is a big one for me. I dehydrated all of my own food this year. Cost per meal was close to $3. Compare that to $8 for mountain house for 10 days and you can see the savings every year. It will be better for you too.

I also save money on glass. As long as you aren't carrying tasco or barskas and relying on them to spot bedded deer you can get by with $300 of binos rather than $1300.

I think the oazark trails headlamps at walmart are pretty legit too. I bought two for $9 a piece and they have been on all my hunts for the last 3 years. They are like 150 lumens and have a red led as well. No need for a $60 petzel imo. If I happen to loose one its not a big deal. The way I see it, flashlight technology moves fairly fast so they are only going to get better and cheaper.

My other go to is buying used gear. I was able to get into a kifaru pack this year for $375 because I bought used. One guy in my group bought a pair of lowa tibets lightly used for $60. Lots of rich guys out there think mountain adventures look fun and buy all this nice stuff only to realize the mountains are work.

 

[elkyinzer]

One tip I've learned from contributors here is to buy the non-hunting equivalent where it makes sense. I wanted a down puffy, well in January all the retailers are trying to ditch their puffies so I started shopping around at REI, Dick's, LL Bean and Eddie Bauer to see what was out there. I got a pretty nice coat for $80 that will suit me fine for many years. Doing the same thing with rain gear this fall. Still searching...

Exactly. First lite, Sitka, kuiu etc prices are absolutely out of control. Similar gear can be had in non camo for 1/4 the price if you look around. Drab colors are just as good as camo or else animals would all have camo fur.

I don't have the lightest sleeping bag or tent but I strap it on and make do. Boots and pack are most important to have quality in my mind. Optics depends big time on where/what you're hunting.

Do you research so you only have to buy the right thing once and take care of it. That may be the biggest money drain, when you realize you need to upgrade and the previous junk is a sunk cost. Some just like trying out the latest and greatest but that is hard on the wallet

 

[bcimport]

No camo or hunting branded stuff will save lots of money as noted above. In many cases you en up with higher quality equipment at a lower price point.

The other place to save is buying used equipment. There seem to be a lot of folks that have to buy the latest and greatest gear that the marketers tell you will revolutionize your experience. In most cases it's smoke and mirrors used to take your money.