fisherman66
New member
Seems like a lot of "new to hunting" people have been dropping by with questions about aquiring the gear to hunt. The prices have been slowly marching north and the cost to use the land has been rocketing north.
I'd imagine not many people here are rich, but I'm sure some are comfortable. For those who are in the middle of trying to get comfortable, I have a few suggestions.
Gear....
Dedicate money to the scope first if you are shooting in low light. If you are electing to use forgo the telescopic sites, a peep site is hard to beat; and IMO money well spent. Cost 30% gear budget (for telecopic)
A super accurate rifle is rarely important in the field. Super duper maggies are not needed for most hunting. Anything from 243 - 30'06 will do the trick with a minmium of recoil (and possible flinch.) Millitary Surplus are a cheap way to get into hunting, but scope mounting is often difficult. Pawn shops are another place to find a good deal. Don't buy the first deal you find unless your research indicated it's a great deal. DO NOT show up opening day without knowing the point of impact. Bore sighting alone is not adequate. If you have a 22lr rifle it is an unbeatable training tool and should be shot from any angle you are likely to encounter in the field. Same for the centerfire rifle, but it is expensive and redundant to constantly train with. A good sling can provide support for a shot. A trigger job is useful and usually money well spent. Cost 30% gear budget
Stillness is paramount in the field. Camo is often overpriced. Surplus BDUs are an inexpensive option. A head net is great for taking the shine off face skin. "Duck/barn boots" will keep your scent in the rubber and warmth inside. They are often inexpensive compared to many other hunting boots. If you are walking alot (stalk hunt) then snake boots or leather hunting boots may be worth the extra money. Don't forget gloves (I like the mittens that fold over with gloves inside, fingertipless) Cost 5-10% gear budget
Binoculars are something that I can't go without. Do not use the rifle scope to "scout". Cheap optics can give you a headache and fail to provide high resolution. Buy the best you can afford, but there are some budget designs that won't break the bank. Cost 10 - 20% gear budget
Calls, scents, ect.... Not worth it to me, but I know others who think it works for them. If that buys them a little extra awareness then it may be worth it to them. Cost 0 - 5% of gear budget
Hunting is about awareness to me. Enjoy the fruits of the land and beauty of the creatures that inhabit it. Be safe at ALL times. Watch the wind and reactions of other animals. Be patient and still. When your heart beats uncontrolable, take a deep breath; let half out and reassess your shot. Repeat as needed to calm down. (Know the cost of processing or taxidermy prior to going afield if that is the route you plan to take.) Manage the land...eat what you can and remove preditors if they threaten land management (JMO).
Hunting is expensive, but not unaffordable by most.
I don't hunt public land as I have access to family owned land. I don't feel I have the liberty to comment on that aspect. Perhaps someone else will.
I'd imagine not many people here are rich, but I'm sure some are comfortable. For those who are in the middle of trying to get comfortable, I have a few suggestions.
Gear....
Dedicate money to the scope first if you are shooting in low light. If you are electing to use forgo the telescopic sites, a peep site is hard to beat; and IMO money well spent. Cost 30% gear budget (for telecopic)
A super accurate rifle is rarely important in the field. Super duper maggies are not needed for most hunting. Anything from 243 - 30'06 will do the trick with a minmium of recoil (and possible flinch.) Millitary Surplus are a cheap way to get into hunting, but scope mounting is often difficult. Pawn shops are another place to find a good deal. Don't buy the first deal you find unless your research indicated it's a great deal. DO NOT show up opening day without knowing the point of impact. Bore sighting alone is not adequate. If you have a 22lr rifle it is an unbeatable training tool and should be shot from any angle you are likely to encounter in the field. Same for the centerfire rifle, but it is expensive and redundant to constantly train with. A good sling can provide support for a shot. A trigger job is useful and usually money well spent. Cost 30% gear budget
Stillness is paramount in the field. Camo is often overpriced. Surplus BDUs are an inexpensive option. A head net is great for taking the shine off face skin. "Duck/barn boots" will keep your scent in the rubber and warmth inside. They are often inexpensive compared to many other hunting boots. If you are walking alot (stalk hunt) then snake boots or leather hunting boots may be worth the extra money. Don't forget gloves (I like the mittens that fold over with gloves inside, fingertipless) Cost 5-10% gear budget
Binoculars are something that I can't go without. Do not use the rifle scope to "scout". Cheap optics can give you a headache and fail to provide high resolution. Buy the best you can afford, but there are some budget designs that won't break the bank. Cost 10 - 20% gear budget
Calls, scents, ect.... Not worth it to me, but I know others who think it works for them. If that buys them a little extra awareness then it may be worth it to them. Cost 0 - 5% of gear budget
Hunting is about awareness to me. Enjoy the fruits of the land and beauty of the creatures that inhabit it. Be safe at ALL times. Watch the wind and reactions of other animals. Be patient and still. When your heart beats uncontrolable, take a deep breath; let half out and reassess your shot. Repeat as needed to calm down. (Know the cost of processing or taxidermy prior to going afield if that is the route you plan to take.) Manage the land...eat what you can and remove preditors if they threaten land management (JMO).
Hunting is expensive, but not unaffordable by most.
I don't hunt public land as I have access to family owned land. I don't feel I have the liberty to comment on that aspect. Perhaps someone else will.