Post by: deerslyr on May 20, 2013, 11:13:55 AM
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 (http://youtu.be/RAxKDziXulM)
Post by: huntnnw on May 20, 2013, 10:17:36 PM
Post by: deerslyr on May 21, 2013, 03:29:30 AM
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!
Post by: MLHSN on May 21, 2013, 12:47:29 PM
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.
Post by: BigTines on May 21, 2013, 03:00:27 PM
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!
Post by: deerslyr on May 21, 2013, 04:09:50 PM
Post by: Hunter mike on May 21, 2013, 09:52:50 PM
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...
Post by: coachcw on May 21, 2013, 10:02:39 PM
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 :chuckle:I thaught you were talking about me except for the cowboy hat and the marbro reds ! :)
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!
Post by: deerslyr on May 22, 2013, 04:05:22 AM
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 :chuckle:I thaught you were talking about me except for the cowboy hat and the marbro reds ! :)
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!
:chuckle: 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 :chuckle: 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 :bash:
Post by: deerslyr on May 22, 2013, 04:07:05 AM
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.
Post by: Hunter mike on May 22, 2013, 01:04:42 PM
Post by: jackelope on May 22, 2013, 01:52:47 PM
Have you put a good load into it yet?
Post by: deerslyr on May 22, 2013, 05:44:31 PM
Post by: BigTines on May 22, 2013, 06:31:50 PM
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!
Post by: Hunter mike on May 22, 2013, 09:43:14 PM
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.
Post by: coachcw on May 22, 2013, 09:51:32 PM
Post by: deerslyr on May 23, 2013, 04:17:39 AM
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 (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)
Post by: Hunter mike on May 23, 2013, 11:12:15 AM
Post by: grade-creek-rd on May 23, 2013, 09:13:51 PM
G-C-R