Back Country On A Budget

[deerslyr]

Some of you may have seen this on rokslide but Id thought Id post it here for all to see.

Hey folks I know a few of you are on strict budgets and getting into back pack hunting can seem over whelming and nearly impossible when looking at the price tags of the gear people are mostly posting. I know Ive been on a really limited budget but that was going to keep me out of the back country so I made a video of what ive been using for the past two seasons. Its all worked really well for me and I cant say I have a whole lot of complaints. I thought it may give some of you some ideas for stuff.

I will say right after I mentioned I use a poncho and it doesnt seem to rain a whole lot here, it never stopped raining and it still hasnt lol most ive seen it rain in this part of montana. The poncho did come through though and work well and I dont have plans (or money) to buy new rain gear.

Some stuff I forgot in the video-My clothing is all russel outdoors APXG2 stuff that I got on clearance for really cheap. I highly recommend it if you can still find any of it. Its worked great. I have the zephyr jacket and pants and the primaloft vest. For boots, im running danner pronghorns with cynergy footbeds. They work well and are very waterproof, as I found out this weekend.

http://youtu.be/RAxKDziXulM

[huntnnw]

its actually kinda funny to see the gear we own today and some people wouldnt even leave home without $2k in clothing...and to look back to the 50's and what they wore...denim,wool etc 

[deerslyr]

I hear yuh, the hard core fellows with unlimited budgets literally have $15k+ on there back in gear when they head into the wilderness, nothing wrong with it and im sure its awesome, but im not quite there yet 
I will say the most successful elk hunter I know is about as western as they come. Cowboy hat, two packs of marb reds, wool, pack boots and an open sighted slide action 30/06. Thats all he ever carries. He'll just build a fire if he ends up farther in than he wanted when it gets dark. The man is a straight killer!

[MLHSN]

Interesting video.  This will be my first year hunting but I've been backpacking on budget gear for a while.  One thing to add, I will often find previous year's top of the line items discounted on ebay.  When the newest big thing comes out, many will upgrade and sell some really nice stuff on forum classifieds and ebay.  I picked up my Snow Peak titanium stove for $20.  It weighs 2 oz. 

Weight savings is a big item for me.  I'll actually price how much it will cost to save an ounce.  For instance, I was packing a 5 lb tent.  I bought some silnylon and my wife sewed together a tarptent with bug screen for me.  Total cost was $75 and it weighed 1.5 lb.  So that's $75 / 56 oz = $1.34 per ounce. 

Another suggestion for saving weight and $$$.  I bought a cabelas packframe very similar to the one you have.  Instead of buying the whole pack, I paid $80 for the frame.  Then you can buy a couple large stuff sacks around 2k cubic inches a piece and strap them down.  You can always sew some mesh on to one for an exterior pocket. 

For rain gear, I've got a set of Frog togs.  Weighs less then a pound.  I know it's not that durable.  But I take some extra duct tape and can always patch holes. 

One thing you mentioned in the video and I agree with is the sleeping bag is one area I don't mind spending a little bit more money.  I've gone through several cheap sleeping bags and ended up spending some cold nights.  I upgraded to a 20 deg GoLite down bag that has kept me toasty.  It weighs 2 lb w/ the stuffsack and cost $150. 

[BigTines]

hey deerslayer,

i am looking for a two man tent that is relatively cheap. Is this tent big enough for two people+gear?

Also, does it come with a rain fly? Or is the material waterproof to protect it from the elements?

Looks like it could be a good option, just thought I would get a bit more information about this tent or any others in a similar price range and specs. Thanks!

[deerslyr]

The terranova is a very interesting tent with an interesting design. It is a European company but I found one for sale at a Basecamp here in montana (like REI) Dustin and I are both smaller guys about 150 lbs and 5'8-5'10 but we fit just fine will loaded packs, two guns and camera gear. Slept really well too. If your bigger guys I probably wouldnt recommend it. The rain fly is completely water proof, as we found at this last weekend haha its real sturdy and Ive had it in really high winds, rain, snow etc with no complaints.

[Hunter mike]

I was definately in the same boat last year - and most of the gear is coming back out this year with a few small tweaks!


Pack- $25 Craigslist Cabela's Alaskan I (Now also using a $65 Arcteryx surplus ILBE)

Stove- $20 alcohol stove and stainless pot from ebay

Sleeping Bag- $75 (Coleman backpacking gear line) about 3.5 lbs

Pad- Walmart CCF - hasn't let me down! $7

Clothes are all budget synthetics with some higher end stuff found on extreme sale!
#1 priority = good gear, much lower priority = camo

Binos- used $40 Bushnells (bad idea), Vortex Diamondbacks well worth $200!


None of my stuff is fancy, but it works.  I bought a sleeping bag for cooler weather, but used it last night partially unzipped.  My thought is I can't use a 30* bag when it's 0*, but can use a 0* bag when it's 50* no prob.  I'll get a lighter/higher temp rated bag when I can. 

My pack weighed 45# including rifle and all last season.  I did OK and actually ran into several guys who packed in #65!  I won't be much lighter this year depending on the weather...

[coachcw]

I hear yuh, the hard core fellows with unlimited budgets literally have $15k+ on there back in gear when they head into the wilderness, nothing wrong with it and im sure its awesome, but im not quite there yet 
I will say the most successful elk hunter I know is about as western as they come. Cowboy hat, two packs of marb reds, wool, pack boots and an open sighted slide action 30/06. Thats all he ever carries. He'll just build a fire if he ends up farther in than he wanted when it gets dark. The man is a straight killer!

I thaught you were talking about me except for the cowboy hat and the marbro reds !

[deerslyr]

I hear yuh, the hard core fellows with unlimited budgets literally have $15k+ on there back in gear when they head into the wilderness, nothing wrong with it and im sure its awesome, but im not quite there yet 
I will say the most successful elk hunter I know is about as western as they come. Cowboy hat, two packs of marb reds, wool, pack boots and an open sighted slide action 30/06. Thats all he ever carries. He'll just build a fire if he ends up farther in than he wanted when it gets dark. The man is a straight killer!

I thaught you were talking about me except for the cowboy hat and the marbro reds !

  First time I hunted with him he told me to drop the stupid pack and binos. Grab a lighter, some smokes, and a candy bar, if I needed water I could drink snow  Probably not the smartest idea but that day was the first and last time Ive ever got a shot at a bull elk. And of course I missed 

[deerslyr]

I was definately in the same boat last year - and most of the gear is coming back out this year with a few small tweaks!


Pack- $25 Craigslist Cabela's Alaskan I (Now also using a $65 Arcteryx surplus ILBE)

Stove- $20 alcohol stove and stainless pot from ebay

Sleeping Bag- $75 (Coleman backpacking gear line) about 3.5 lbs

Pad- Walmart CCF - hasn't let me down! $7

Clothes are all budget synthetics with some higher end stuff found on extreme sale!
#1 priority = good gear, much lower priority = camo

Binos- used $40 Bushnells (bad idea), Vortex Diamondbacks well worth $200!


None of my stuff is fancy, but it works.  I bought a sleeping bag for cooler weather, but used it last night partially unzipped.  My thought is I can't use a 30* bag when it's 0*, but can use a 0* bag when it's 50* no prob.  I'll get a lighter/higher temp rated bag when I can. 

My pack weighed 45# including rifle and all last season.  I did OK and actually ran into several guys who packed in #65!  I won't be much lighter this year depending on the weather...

Sounds like a set up that works! I love seeing people get into the back country, even if they dont have all of the high end gear. Hope you enjoyed the video.

[Hunter mike]

Vid was good!  Just wish I was closer to MT and further from Roy LOL!  Looks like the same Cabela's pack I was using.  I only moved on to the ILBE because I wanted something more comfortable to use as a daypack once I'm in the backcountry.  With the external frame, I was always stashing it in the bushes when I was a ways from camp and had to go back for it.  I'm hoping now I can keep my pack on most of the time.

[jackelope]

How do you like the ILBE??

Have you put a good load into it yet?

[deerslyr]

My brother ran an ilbe on one of our trips and that thing is a tank, will pack just about anything you can fit in it.

[BigTines]

deerslyr,

Would you recommend using the zephyros 2 as a 1 person tent? Sometime I will be doing backcountry hunts by myself, sometimes I will be going with another hunter. After doing some research, it seems that this tent has some pretty good reviews.

Also, any ideas on the best place to order one of these for cheap? Thanks!

[Hunter mike]

How do you like the ILBE??

Have you put a good load into it yet?

So far I'm lovin it!  I've only hiked with about 50lbs so far, but it feels really good.  35lbs it's like nothing's there (and higher weight is only tough because of my fitness...).  It's a bit heavy, but a lot of capability and I don't think I'll mind using it as a daypack.  Lots of places to stuff gear and I think I could get tons of meat in the bag with my camp stuff hanging off the outside.

Family guy here... no money for Kifaru.  Until this doesn't serve my needs, it's what I'll be using.  I'll still have the external frame back at the truck for hauling, but the ILBE is much more comfortable until the loads really get up there.

[coachcw]

A good sleeping bag , pack and some visqueen and rope.  and you can do pretty well , the rest of the stuff just makes it heavier !.

[deerslyr]

deerslyr,

Would you recommend using the zephyros 2 as a 1 person tent? Sometime I will be doing backcountry hunts by myself, sometimes I will be going with another hunter. After doing some research, it seems that this tent has some pretty good reviews.

Also, any ideas on the best place to order one of these for cheap? Thanks!

Absolutely! Plenty of room for just one. Like I said we both slept in it last week and we did just fine but if your bigger guys it might not work as well. From now on we will only be bringing one tent when we both back pack in. Heres a decent deal I found on one http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/shop/product_Terra-Nova-Zephyros-2-Person-Tent_10215922____?cm_mmc=PPC-_-GooglePlusBox-_-na-_-Terra-Nova-Zephyros-2-Person-Tent&ad_id=GooglePlusBox&adtype=pla&gclid=COOqsPqMrLcCFQE6QgodiWYAsg

[Hunter mike]

I've been using a Kelty Grand Mesa 2 that's been great.  Paid $100 on sale.  I was in a full-on downpour monsoon the other night and stayed bone dry inside.

[grade-creek-rd]

I don't know if you have an REI store where you are, but I have one close by and twice a year they hold their "yard sale" which is the sale of returned items, since REI accepts all returns there are some awesome deals on barely used gear. Just an idea...oh, and of course Craigslist...some things are just fine used, like lightweight tarps, tens (put them up before purchase), packs, and even optics and other items like knives, rope, etc...but I must admit good quality raingear is worth its weight in cash...that and boots...as long as I am dry, warm and my feet don't hurt I don't care about much else...

G-C-R