What can I skimp on?

[slavenoid]

All this hunting gear is getting expensive. While I love high quality products I am looking for some ways to save money.

Is there a piece of equipment you have no problem skimping on? Is there a lesser product that is as good as a higher priced version. Is there something you would never spend the extra money on?

I would really appreciate your suggestions.

[h20hunter]

I've gotten a little flak for skimping on everyday hunting clothes.  Not boots mind you...pants and shirts.

[bobcat]

Great question. I've gotten by with cheap stuff most of my life. Especially when it comes to clothing, and even boots. Buy used if you have to. You can get great deals on eBay or even Goodwill. You don't need to spend a ton of money on clothes, I never have.

[Scheindogg]

NOT OPTICS


 

[Scheindogg]

Great question. I've gotten by with cheap stuff most of my life. Especially when it comes to clothing, and even boots. Buy used if you have to. You can get great deals on eBay or even Goodwill. You don't need to spend a ton of money on clothes, I never have.

I got my hunting jacket and pants and marshalls on a helluva closeout deal after the season last year! There's always a deal somewhere!

[cbond3318]

I skimp on Just about everything. Don't let those dang marketers make you feel like you can't get it done without their product.

With that said, spend as much as feasible for you  on optics.

[Okanagan]

Wal...  Pants take a beating and my favorite pants for most hunting are high quality wool or wool blend dress pants from a thrift store.  They are cut roomy for ease of movement and leg lifts to step over a log, they shed light rain and dew, are lightweight, quiet for stalking in brush, and if they get torn or dirty-- toss them.  Buy thin dress pants, not heavy wool.

A plaid wool or acrylic shirt is quiet, sheds light rain, and if contrasty is at least as good at camouflage as most camo.  I like acrylic but when my old ones are gone I may not be able to find them any more. 

I own several backpack tents but never carry one backpacking.  A light weight nylon tarp will do if you site it well unless you plan to camp above timberline.  My favorite is homemade from kite/spinnaker cloth bought at Seattle Fabrics, and a slightly heavier one is a rain fly sans tent, purchased at REI sidewalk sale. 

I finally gave up on self inflating Thermarest type of pads for backpacking.  I love them when vehicle camping.  They are relatively heavy and prone to holes.  For backpacking a low cost closed cell foam is lighter weight, puncture proof, and better insulation from cold or frozen ground. I sleep well on them though there is relatively little padding to them.  Your call.  Comfort enough to sleep is critical if you are going to hunt well so test sleep on a closed cell before a serious hunt.  I put a closed cell pad under most other pads even when vehicle camping, for extra insulation and a smidge more padding. 

A moderately priced mosquito net from REI will work anywhere with any tent, tarp etc.  Versatile and lets you skip buying and carrying a bug sealed shelter.  I have the one for a full sized bed and have slept three men under it comfortably when backpacking with a tarp shelter.  Rig it sideways.  That is wide enough for three men to have their heads under it.  One side is tied up under the head end of the tarp high enough for a man to sit up without touching it, with the high part over your head(s).  The rest of the mosquito net drapes down and hits the sleeping bag about your hips and the sides also lay down on the ground sheet.  You have a triangular bug free area inside the mosquito net with room enough to sit up, and room enough to keep the bugs from buzzing near your ears. 

Used to buy fleece gloves from Wal-Mart for $3.95 and still have one pair left, though they quit selling those.  Cut a trigger finger slot inside the index finger joint.  Now I am using Dollar Store fleece gloves.  I pull the lining out of them and like them better that way with one layer.  I call every kind of critter that I hunt and my pale hands need covering on a calling stand and on frosty mornings.  Also have cheap white gloves for snow. 

Several THIN layers are superior to one heavy insulated coat or pant, (unless you are immobile on a sub-zero tree stand.)  If you walk and move, go thin layers, which can be quite low cost.

I use good optics, good rifle and premium bullets hand loaded to my specs.  Functional is the first priority, a higher priority than cost.  That is more true the farther you are from your vehicle and a store to fix or replace faulty gear.  Above all, wool dress pants are functional, closed cell foam is functional...

A fleece neck gaiter with flaps that extend down the front and back is the single greatest weight-and-space to warmth item you can buy and carry.  Take it off when you walk enough to get warm, put it on when you stop.  It will let you take a light fleece jacket and parka shell down to much colder temps. 

I keep thinking of ways to save money on good gear and adding bits...   

[pd]

Mr. Okanagan, you are worthy of respect.  That is a great post!

[jamesfromseattle]

I agree with the advice you're getting.  Animals can't tell if your clothes were designed for hunting or not.  They also can't tell between a 2016 camo pattern and a 2017 camo pattern. 

[GBoyd]

I agree that clothes are a good area to cut first. The high-dollar hunting clothing is great, but the difference is marginal when you consider the cost.

I also am looking to cut costs on backpacking food this year. I can put something together for about $1 per meal instead of paying $6 per meal on Mountain House. It adds up with lots of days in the field! I've been doing research on backpacking websites and looking for recipes that I can make using game meat from last year and vegetables from the garden.

I'd say you probably don't need a $500 tent either. A tarp made from 1.1 oz silnylon works great. You can buy one already made, or purchase the fabric and sew on the tie-outs yourself. I sewed one and paid about $35 for the tarp. I've also made a 9x9 foot pyramid tent and UL bivy for $120 and $40. That stuff all gets really cheap if you sew.

You probably don't need a $50,000 truck to access your hunting area...

The biggest savings is in gizmos. It seems like there's constantly somebody selling a new device that is just expensive enough to be annoying. You could save a lot of money by not buying it.

[Holg3107]

For me theres a few items I don't skimp on.
1: Boots - if your feet aren't happy neither are you
2: socks - Same as above
3: Underwear - If my boys aren't happy neither am I
4: Base Layers - No need for Camo here which tends to save money but I like to have quality where it counts. I go with Minus 33 merino wool. good price and worth every penny.

Potential cost saving items
1: Pants - For cold weather I like army surplus wool. For warmer weather there are some great hiking pant options from places like Backcountry.com, Steapand cheap.com, or SierraTrading post. Again even during bow season safari green is fine.
2: Tops - If camo is necessary (archery hunting) layers are key. Army surplus stores can have a lot of good options, or wool plaid.
3: Shelter - Warm weather I like to go hammock and tarp as mentioned above. Cold weather an affordable 3 season tent can be found off season at the sites I posted above. If you're patient you can find a great tent for $50.
4: Sleeping pad - Same as above, watch the discount sites like camofire and steap and cheap . You can easily find something for 50% off.
5: Packs - Shop discount but not cheap. I bought my badlands pack on Hunt Wa from a member for a great price. I also use my Gregory backpacking pack for 5+ day trips. Not a hunting pack but its comfortable an can carry the weight I need it to. Spend money here but I don't think that a hunting specific pack is the way to go if your looking for affordability unless you go used or find a closeout on an old model.

Shop off season, be patient, and look at the discount websites daily until you find what you are looking for. No reason quality cant be affordable... animals don't know the difference between the latest greatest camo pattern, or the one that's 10 years old. Control your sent and motion. Also if your rifle hunting, clothing can be a little more flexible.

[Stein]

I can't think of a single item that I couldn't do with (or haven't) done with a budget item.  Clearance sales on store brand stuff has been my best deals.  Great gear is nice and makes it more pleasant.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bobcat]

Another thing you can save money on is optics, although I know others have posted that you cannot. It does somewhat depend on where you hunt and your style of hunting, but you can get a really good binocular for $100, that's better than any binocular I used in my first twenty years of hunting. The binoculars I bought for my kids, Leupold Yosemite 6x30's are unbelievably good, and I got them on sale for about $75. Yes they're made in China, which I don't like, but if you need to get by with a $100 binocular they will get the job done. You can also get a very good rifle scope for $150 or sometimes a little less, if you find a good sale.

[cbond3318]

Mr. Okanagan, you are worthy of respect.  That is a great post!

  

[JimmyHoffa]

I probably wouldn't skimp on the license and tags.