Big Game Hunting > Backcountry Hunting

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Buckhunter24:

--- Quote from: JeffRaines on February 29, 2020, 08:58:37 AM ---I'd try to borrow gear to begin with. Yes, you don't need to spend thousands on gear to start with, but the reality is that lightweight gear thats good kinda costs $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$... its pointless, in my opinion, to buy a $100 sleeping bag, a $50 dollar sleeping pad, some $150 pack and a $100 tent to end up figuring out that you enjoy it. I don't know if you've checked the used market on stuff, but the cheap stuff holds value terribly... and thats if you can even find a buyer. You'll be lucky to sell the stuff back for $100 bucks total.

If you don't have anyone to borrow from, another alternative is buying used. You can find things like ultralight tents, packs, bags, etc that are already at used prices. Buy it, try it, if it doesn't suit you sell it back for little to no loss.

A third alternative is buying yourself a pack, and renting the other stuff from REI. The downfall is that all of the stuff will be heavier than you want... but at least you're getting out and trying it out before taking the plunge.

With that said, I echo kselkhunters #1 - get out there this summer and try backpacking in general. Hike in to some lakes with fishing gear... it makes for a fun evening, and bonus of maybe having some fish for dinner.

Another reason I push buying used is that inevitably you'll try gear that just doesn't work for you. A lot of things like packs, sleeping bag/pad, tents, etc. are very personal... some guys are totally fine climbing into a coffin at the end of a day with nothing more than a CCF pad and their rolled up jacket as a pillow and get the best sleep of their life. Other guys like an actual pillow and an inflatable pad... for the most part, this isn't something you can know beforehand... only through trial and error. This is also why there is a huge market for used gear... this goes from packs to tents and even water filtration.

--- End quote ---

This made me laugh, over the last few months I bought all 4 pieces of gear mentioned and was within $20 of each of the prices mentioned.. :cmp1:

Old Grizzly:
Hey Buddy,  theres a lot of good advice on here from guys that have done it.
I have done it as well, did 9 days solo in Idaho, ( 69 yrs old) last year and will do it again this year.  If you care to PM me I will give you my phone number and we can talk through all your questions and concerns.
Old Grizzly

blackveltbowhunter:
Bushcraft nailed it.  Gear cannot replace sheer determination no matter how good. It can make it more enjoyable/bearable, but unless you have catastrophic failure you will be the one choosing to leave the mountain.

If you have not backpack camped. Do that first and go from there.

A bottle of Tylenol PM can overcome lots of adversity and is cheap and light.

NOTHING on a backpack hunt is more difficult to overcome than lack of game. Spend 5 days socked in rain, wind, fog in a pup tent and get out and chase game all day. Who cares. Spend 5 days in gorgeous weather with no game spotted in that time and I will take the first option every time. Gotta be tough. But temper it with being smart.

Anything in the Cascades/Olympics be prepared for wet. Wool and functional rain gear are your friends.

Being over prepared comes at a high cost and is where a lot of weight can be saved that wont cost a dime. This will come with expereince, but besides survival gear and some basic backup items, be very skeptical of taking things you "might" need. I used to pack softshells, extra long johns, thermals, throw in extra bars and food "just in case". All that added up to significant weight and 99 percent of the time it never came out of the pack, the other 1 percent was luxury more than anything. I do pack extra coffee, tea or cocoa packets as it helps pass the time stuck in a tent, or behind the spotter and is very minimal weight cost.

Specific to GR get off trails. Especially if the weather is good. Its a beautiful area, have fun.

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