This years goals and gear?

[Bearmtn]

So i'm find it frustrating waiting for the weather to get better and thinking about my goals and afew things i need and why for next year, so what about all the rest of ya?

Goals
250+ miles HIKING before High buck starts, not walking around work or whatever, should be able to do this because i plan on either the the full washington run or possibly just a couple of sections of the PCT.
Gain 15lbs, i'm a skinny dude and it would really help to get some more muscle on my frame if i do get a deer this year.
Work out at least 4 days a week for 1 hour a day minimum.

Gear
-BOOTS!, i'm done with crapbelas boots, i killed 2 pair last year
-Better tent thats still in the 3-4lb range but can fit me and my dog or gear better, screw bivvy body condom tents!
-ultralight sleeping bag, been thinking about the kifaru woobie or doobie whatever they call it.
-*Maybe* if my wallet can handle it build a lighter mountain rifle, something single shot and stainless, the one thing i didn't weigh untill my 2nd trip into the GPW was my 25-06, the damn thing weighs 13.5lbs!

[Karl Blanchard]

Alaska is still in the limbo for me this year because I am waiting to see what my little brothers training schedule is for the summer but if it is a green light than its christmas in july for me!   

1.  Kifaru Timberline
2.  stainless/synthetic rifle (not sure which one yet)
3.  Leupold VXII from their custom shop
4.  better rain gear
5.  BEAR MASE!!!!!!!!!

If its a no go on alaska then a kifaru paratipi and a new Bowtech invasion w/spothog 5pin and some new axis arrows.

[Karl Blanchard]

Bearmtn,  I don't know what kind of coin you are wanting to drop on a tent but check out the kifaru paratipi.  Its about as roomy as you can get and about as light as you can get as well.  Also the marlin xl7 in 25-06 comes in at 6lbs 3oz and will shoot half inch groups at 100yds all day long!  Fully adjustable trigger as well for $300!  It also comes in a stainless version for a little more.  They aren't pretty but damn good rifles!

[deerslyr]

Goals
Kill a spring bear
Kill a bull elk with my bow
Kill a trophy class mule deer bigger than last years
Kill a mule deer doe with my muzzle loader pistol and recurve each
Kill my first antelope. 

Gear
New boots-looking like asolos or Meindl
New bag-Big agnes
New pack-best pack I can find used
New rifle-m70 featherweight 7mm wsm topped with a leupy ultra light 3-9x33
New spotter-undecided on which 65mm that fits my budget

[couesbitten]

Good post, I like it.  I've already gotten started on some of mine.

Gear
1. Better backpack - Just ordered a Kifaru Highcountry, can't wait for this thing to get here,  was told April 8th ship date.
2. Better boots - Purchased a pair of Hanwag Alaskans, couldn't pass up the sale, I've only tried them on (comfortable, like angels
                           massaging my feet  ) and talked to Steve at Lathrop about the sizing. He says it sounds correct, time to
                           start putting some miles on them.
3. New tent - Would love to buy a Kifaru or Seek Outside tipi, but instead, I bought all the materials, and I'm going to sew my own,
                      similar to a Bear Paw Luna 4.
4. Packable wood stove - Am going to build a packable cylinder stove out of supplies that Titanium Goat sells, figure I can build it for
                                         about half the price of buying it.
5. New spotting scope - Looking seriously at the new Vortex Razor 65mm.

Goals
1. Time to start running and lose a solid 10 - 15 lbs.
2. Spend a lot of time in the mountains, getting in shape and looking for those bucks.
3. Sew that tent
4. Build that stove

[fair-chase]

Oh boy, the list is endless. If I had to prioritize it would go like this...

Gear
Mid range DSLR with a couple decent lenses
Lightweight spotter
Digiscoping accessories
Quality lightweight tripod

Goals
Get a mountain lion call-in on video
Shoot said mountain lion 
Have said mountain lion taxidermied (full with habitat)

That's it. 

[jackelope]

I just cut my tent weight in half with a 3# Sierra Designs vapor lite 2. Gonna sell my Omega CD. Great tent for backpacking and 4 seasons but too heavy with hunting gear. Going to look hardxat either a new pack or new sleeping bag. I have decent versions of both but would like to upgrade one or the other.

As far as goals go, I'd like to get my wife and 5 year old daughter out for an overnighter or 2 this summer. Other than that, come hunting season my goal is to spend great times with great friends in the mountains. Killing a big buck would be icing on the cake.

[shootnrun]

I have found that I have most of the gear I need and it all functions to my liking. I just upgraded my glass and ordered a tripod that I cant wait to get into the high country! So what I really need to improve is..

-A new clothing system. Ive been reading a lot about kuiu and other wool systems, just have to figure out which weight and such.
-A decent sleeping pad!! I have a Light styrofoam one from walmart but I know id sleep a whole lot better and wake up with more energy if I had a more comfy pad.
-Stickng with crossfit and getting more workouts in. I became a crossfitter about 4 months before this last years high hunt, and man could I tell the differenc in my conditioning. Im hoping that next year is even better!
-Do more scouting! Never hurts to spend more time with nature

[KevinClimbs]

I like this post too!

Goal:
1.  Scout, scout, scout! I was riding my bike across the country last year so I got zero scouting done - but I can tell you west Texas has a lot of deer, road kill every mile in some places. If I could get 3 solid weekends of scouting done in the high country before Aug 1st I would be a happy camper.

2.  Hunt Mule Deer. I have gotten a Blacktail and a Whitey but the Muley has alluded me thus far.

3 and 4.  Hunt more grouse - why? Cuz they are freakin' tasty.

Gear:
1.  Some good binoculars! I currently have a range finder and that is it!
2.  Dry bags for the kayak - a paddle in hunt would be great but not if my stuff is soaked
3.  Rifle - have only bow hunted for big game in the past but would like a rifle for bear and a potential Alaska trip. 
4. Trail cam. Or more specifically "borrow" my brother's trail cam

Best of luck folks

[wildmanoutdoors]

New bow string and a META peep.

[Bearmtn]

Bearmtn,  I don't know what kind of coin you are wanting to drop on a tent but check out the kifaru paratipi.  Its about as roomy as you can get and about as light as you can get as well.  Also the marlin xl7 in 25-06 comes in at 6lbs 3oz and will shoot half inch groups at 100yds all day long!  Fully adjustable trigger as well for $300!  It also comes in a stainless version for a little more.  They aren't pretty but damn good rifles!

looked into the paratipi, really would prefer a tent with a bathtub bottom on it, i've been lucky to not hit much rain in the last few years up there so I think i'm do for a good rainstorm on one of my future trips. if i do build another rifle this year i'm going ULTRAlight, i mean i'm thinking single shot .243 stainless or at least something that can be cleaned in the field in seconds and that can be broken down to fit in my pack or on the back of my packdog

oh and yeah scout scout scout!, I have 4 different areas i am itching to get into this year, i won't have time for all 4 but 2 of them are close enough to get to if i had a 4 day weekend, the other 2 are waaaaaaaaay off and would be a 3 day weekend minimum just to get into the bowl/basin there tucked into.

oh and a big 4x4 muley would be sweet, would love to break this damn 3 point curse i seem to have with muleys

[grundy53]

Goals: Scout SMARTER
           Get in better shape

Gear: new spotting scope
          new binos
          snow shoes
          possibly a new ultra light rifle



List subject to change (add more stuff )

[Jingles]

Wow some serious goals and  gear improvements there mine is very Simple.. I just want to get past the next visit to the onocologist without more bad news

[fillthefreezer]

plan to switch my water filtration to a sawyer inline, might switch from my BA qcore to the xtherm, new spotter, possibly a 1 person shelter since im thinking some solo trips
just picked up a kuiu 230zip and a tigoat bivy, hanwag alaskans.
also gotta get some new early season pants as i only have ascent "shorts" now

[MtnMuley]

also gotta get some new early season pants as i only have ascent "shorts" now

   Surely going commando for the rest of the trip would have been a better choice!

[fillthefreezer]

bwahahahaha. i was already commando, hence the predicament... j/k
actually i tore the knee out pretty good so i had my mom make them into shorts as i wore them rolled up 80% of the time anyway but i like the fabric and pocket layout.

[MtnMuley]

  

[actionshooter]

Good thread.


 GEAR:
I am buying a 16' whitewater raft (already have a down payment on one)
Looking for high quality chest waders, probably SIMMS
New boots, having foot problems so looking at Lathrop & Sons




 GOALS:
Learn how to run a whitewater raft.......
Scout 3 new backcountry deer/bear areas
More exercise

[Watimberghost]

Gear
- Add another trail cam or two
- New spotting scope
- New boots

Goals
- Strategically place game cams on first scouting trip
- Strategically scout/glass high country with 3 other hunting buddies
- Find and shoot bears
- Find and shoot good mature Mulies

July cannot come fast enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kentrek]

gear..

build custom pack
new zpack sleeping bag

goals..
 200+ days in the field
get old man back into elk shape
complete winter pack raft trip with out injury

[hillbillyhunting]

Goals:
-Get the girlfriend and her son out on a couple of overnight trips
-Scout More!
-BE IN SHAPE THIS YEAR  (I have been doing backcountry hunts for the past 7 years and every year I say I should be more prepared physically.  We have hiked in between 8-20 miles each year, but last year was only 8 miles and I felt like I was going to fall over dead.  I can not let this happen again. I need to loose about 20 lbs and be in shape this year.)
-Become comfortable with a tarp setup for weight loss.  If it is nice weather this would not be a problem, but I want to get comfortable using a tarp as a shelter in the nasty weather.  I bought a Hubba hubba this year and it is an awesome tent for when my girlfriend and I are taking a hike, but a little too heavy for hunting trips.  Very comfortable tent!
-DRAW A SPECIAL PERMIT SO I CAN JUST HELP MY PARTNER DURING THE EARLY SEASON HUNT!

GEAR:
-Dont expect that I can afford more than food, but if possible I would like to purchase some more wool clothing both base and outer layers.  I need to have more confidence in my clothing so that I can pack less.
-Instead of going on a 7-9 day trip we are also contemplating taking two 4-5 day trips so that we can pack less and check out multiple locations if necessary.  September is so far away 

[Andrew]

- Get in better shape...did 10+ miles into the boonies and felt fine, however, I know I was too close to the threshold!
- Acquire some patience...I can glass from sun up to 10:00, however 10:05 I'm a "junkie" look'n for a fix!
- Return to last years spot and scout for more than a day, set up some game cameras, etc.
- Practice shooting beyond 300 yards.
- Pray that my brother-in-law doesn't bail!

[Jburke]

This will be my first year doing the high hunt.  Will just be my brother and I. As far as gear I have pretty much ordered everything I plan to need for it, that I didn't already have.  Between the two of us we have everything we will need for camp.  I however will get some better clothing for it.  I have plenty of hunting clothes, but I have nothing worthy of back country hunting.  I don't want to bring cotton, and just need to upgrade a few things to have what I want for it.  My expectations are not extreme for the hunt itself.  A nice buck would def be a great start but I am not going to be disapointed if it doesn't happen in my first year in the wilderness.  Want a fun hunt and I'll be happy.

[colockumelk]

Alaska is still in the limbo for me this year because I am waiting to see what my little brothers training schedule is for the summer but if it is a green light than its christmas in july for me!   

1.  Kifaru Timberline
2.  stainless/synthetic rifle (not sure which one yet)
3.  Leupold VXII from their custom shop
4.  better rain gear
5.  BEAR MASE!!!!!!!!!

If its a no go on alaska then a kifaru paratipi and a new Bowtech invasion w/spothog 5pin and some new axis arrows.

Brother you don't wan the spot hog 5 pin wrapped.  It costs $230.  You want the Black Gold Surge.  It adjusts just like a scope does.  1 click equals an inch at 20yds.  No more estimating how much you need to adjust your sight.  And it only costs $159.  Made in Montana with a better warranty.  Check it out!!!!

http://www.mountain-archery.com/Black-Gold-Surge-Sight.aspx

[deerslyr]

Alaska is still in the limbo for me this year because I am waiting to see what my little brothers training schedule is for the summer but if it is a green light than its christmas in july for me!   

1.  Kifaru Timberline
2.  stainless/synthetic rifle (not sure which one yet)
3.  Leupold VXII from their custom shop
4.  better rain gear
5.  BEAR MASE!!!!!!!!!

If its a no go on alaska then a kifaru paratipi and a new Bowtech invasion w/spothog 5pin and some new axis arrows.

Brother you don't wan the spot hog 5 pin wrapped.  It costs $230.  You want the Black Gold Surge.  It adjusts just like a scope does.  1 click equals an inch at 20yds.  No more estimating how much you need to adjust your sight.  And it only costs $159.  Made in Montana with a better warranty.  Check it out!!!!

http://www.mountain-archery.com/Black-Gold-Surge-Sight.aspx

Thats a kick *ss site. I was gunna go with the accent till I saw this.

[SkookumHntr]

Goals-1 Get Taxidermy bill paid off.
          2 Start new Taxidermy bill! 

Gear- Spotting scope
       - New tires for the truck!

[Quicksilver]

last year was my first year rifle hunting, so i am learning as i go. can't wait for next season and to put to use the knowledge i've obtained from the past season.

goals   -shoot my first deer...whatever it is
           -shoot my first bear
           -spend as much time up high as i can...scouting...hunting...hiking...etc.
           -shoot a whitetail in texas next december
           -get in shape during august before september starts. work doesn't allow me the time in june/july/early august so i want           
             to work hard for 2-3 weeks and get somewhat in shape for hunting.

gear - spotting scope
          range finder
          large frame pack
          snow shoes
         

[washelkhunter]

Purchase recreational property and build a log cabin. Buy a decent shotgun for ducks, hunt more for ducks. Get that big bull elk.

[Mudman]

Need a new bow string.  Maybe some clothes.  Maybe snowshoes clamp ons.  Goals are to be out as much as possible and remote and new as I can.  Enjoying being outdoors, filling tags isnt most important but an added bonus. 

[earlmarne]

last year was my first year hunting since i was a youngster so i have tons of gear still wanted. n goals to boot
i want to hold out for a nice buck this year
log more time in the woods elk hunting
show a turkey that i am above it in the food chain.those birds made a fool out of me last year



gear
i need to get some good glass
better late season layers
i need to get with the program n get in a tree stand
gps
either trade out my badlands2200 for a smaller day pack or just find a smaller day pack
early season boots
scent control of some sort

[timberghost72]

1. More backpacking. Can't come fast enough to get to new places.
2. Get my wife and 4 year old daughter out on an overnighter or two.
3. Hoping for spring bear.
4. Try not to read everyone's gear lists wants and needs. My wallet can't take that