Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: vandeman17 on April 27, 2011, 09:26:47 AM
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About 6 of us are going on a week long deer hunt to Idaho this fall and one of the guys has never big game hunted before. He is buying a rifle this spring and stocking up on other gear throughout the summer. If you were taking him, what would you say are the essential things for him to buy. Its hard for me because I have so much crap I use but have bought it over the years. I don't want to bankrupt the guy but I also want him to be prepared.
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GPS, compass, maps, and the skills to use all of them correctly. I'm not sure how far from camp you'll be hunting, but a survival kit with a metal match, mirror, tin cup, fire starters, rubber tubing, extra knife, rope, space blanket, wire for snare, compact survival book, all closed up in a foodsaver bag. Again, the knowledge of how to use all of them.
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Socks, socks, and more socks. Spend the money to get the good ones. Wet feet suck ass. For a week I'd say bring 10 pair and rotate them often. 1 pair on your feet, 2 pair in your pack and the rest back at camp drying.
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GPS, compass, maps, and the skills to use all of them correctly. I'm not sure how far from camp you'll be hunting, but a survival kit with a metal match, mirror, tin cup, fire starters, rubber tubing, extra knife, rope, space blanket, wire for snare, compact survival book, all closed up in a foodsaver bag. Again, the knowledge of how to use all of them.
That is a good point. I carry stuff like that but sometimes neglect them as essential or they slip your mind. He is going to get a nice pack so having space for the stuff shouldn't be an issue
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Socks, socks, and more socks. Spend the money to get the good ones. Wet feet suck ass
And good boots that are broke in before the trip. Blistered feet have ruined more than one hunt before.
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#1 Good boots!!!! Buy them now! wear them a lot over the next few months to get them well broken in. Wear them to work, shopping what ever, just get them broken in. Also, don't skimp on cost. View them as a major investment that will last for years. Probably be $180-250.
#2 Good binoculars. At least 10x50 and fully waterproof. There are a lot of good treads on here about what to get. View them as a major investment that will last for years. Probably be $$300 range or up.
#3 Good scope. View it as a major investment that will last for years. Probably be $$200 range or up.
#4 Good rain gear.
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If you guys will be returning to camp every night, I'd recomend a smaller sized pack and bring just the essentials. Even for a person that is in great shape, 10-12 hours of humping even 20lbs through the woods can be difficult if they aren't used to it.
I made that mistake my first year. I bought a BIG pack and stuffed it with everything I thought I'd need for a day of hunting. By hour 2, I was dropping stuff and telling myself I'd pick it up on the hike back out.
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If I had to start all over again without any gear I would start with optics. The absolute best that I could possibly afford. Then a cheap used rifle and some good wool clothing.
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Tags and licence !!
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PILLOW. Sometimes I forget that. It especially sucks when you are on a cot. Aside from that, a lot of what everyone else said. Plus a kick ass, waterproof jacket. Being wet sucks.
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Good knife (or knives) and favorite sharpening tool ie whetstone etc
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optics are the most important gear you can have.if you cant see it you cant shoot it.the best value i have found for binos is leupold cascades 10x42.I have a pair that were $400 when I bought them but they have come down since then.you can get them on binoculars.com for about $280 now.and leupold has great customer service.I broke an eye cup on mine sent them in to get fixed and 2 weeks later I got a brand new pair in the mail.as far as scopes look at the bsa scopes from sportsmans guide.you can get a great longrange scope for less than $200. :twocents:
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quality boots are a must have, people can withstand a lot of abuse but once the feet get worked over its game over
thermal clothing, preferably layerable types you never know what weather the mountains will throw at you. i believe its better to strip layers than have and all or nothing coat
a decent to good quality rifle scope
lots of socks, i can attest that getting athletes foot on day 3 of a 7 day hunt sucks really bad
good knife
good quality pack that fits well
map and compass and know how to read them
not sure if he is new to rifles or not but if he is i would strongly advise shooting the new rifle a lot over the summer to get the practice in and build some marksmanship skills, no use hunting if you cant shoot straight
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I'd say for a new hunter use the iron sights on the gun and spend that $300-400 that would have went to a scope on upgrades in boots, binos, socks, wool clothes, gps maps and gym membership. No need to try and make a 300 yard shot with a $500 scope if you can't stay in the woods long enough to get a shot. If you can stay in the woods long enough, then you'll likely get a shot at less than 100 yards. No sense going in the woods if you can't get back out on your own. The shooting is the easiest part of hunting.
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Baby wipes.
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Baby wipes.
:yeah:
:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
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Its funny because baby wipes are high on my list. It goes license, tag, rifle, boots, jacket, baby wipes because it is inevitable that as soon as I get a few miles back in the woods... :o
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Good boots, Dry plus rain pants ( I loved mine this year wish I could afford to buy a couple more) Nice coat/rain coat, Socks, Baby wipes,
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A quality sleeping bag appropriate for the weather conditions and a decent cot. A dry, warm camp at night. I can hunt all day in any weather if I know I can get warm and dry at the end of the day. And don't forget the PILLOW!! And baby wipes. Hunters don't let hunters leave home without them!! :chuckle: :chuckle:
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For the area I hunt in Idaho.....
1. Gloves
2. Hand warmers
3. Good Boots
4. Snow gear
5. Binoculars and covers
You can have the best gun and ammo but if you are too cold, not comfy, or cant see the deer, it won't do you any good! Best of luck on your trip!
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c'mon guys.. first time! Just tell him to shove some TP in his back pocket, load his gun, strap on some cheap bushnells and have at it. Is this a for sure thing that he'll be doing again and again?
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c'mon guys.. first time! Just tell him to shove some TP in his back pocket, load his gun, strap on some cheap bushnells and have at it. Is this a for sure thing that he'll be doing again and again?
Good point!
I used to shoot a lot more and better critters with just a bow, pocket knife and tennis shoes than I ever do now with GPS, binos, and a pack full of really expensive stuff.
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...spend that $300-400 that would have went to a scope on upgrades in boots...and gym membership.
Best advice by far.
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The rookie must have thick skin because he will undoubtedly be nominated as camp boss. Camp boss settles all disputes and assigns all camp duties. The rookie camp boss is only over ruled by veterans which is everyone since the camp boss is always the rookie. Is there anything like hunting camp??
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The rookie must have thick skin because he will undoubtedly be nominated as camp boss. Camp boss settles all disputes and assigns all camp duties. The rookie camp boss is only over ruled by veterans which is everyone since the camp boss is always the rookie. Is there anything like hunting camp??
Basic maybe.
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Number One must have for a Rookie is some common sense, or he won't make it back to camp. Common sense will over rule panic when he can't find his GPS/compass to tell him which direction to go to get back to camp. Common sense will get him back on track following his wounded animal when he goes 5 feet with no blood. Common sense will also keep him from beating the ever living dog doo out of you "old heads" who've been coming to camp for years when you incessantly give him heck. Common sense will let him realize just how much fun he is having even without seeing or killing anything and let him realize that the good old US of A is one of the few places in the world, where you just get to go down to the store and buy a license, and a gun, and get to become part of the worlds oldest tradition, the hunt. :twocents:
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Here's what I tell the high school kids that ask me this same question:
1. Rifle
2. Scope (best you can afford)
3. Binos (best you can afford)
4. Boots (best you can afford)
5. Knife
6. Light pack with a hydration system
7. Black electrical tape
8. Windicator or Smoke in a Bottle
9. Wool everything if you can manage it
10. As much practice out on the rifle range as you can manage
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Rook needs to get out & do some shooting asap. Not just sighting in. How green is he really, Can he go off by himself or need to be with another? We still work hill sides a few hundred yards apart. Radio's are good to keep in touch.
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Rook needs to get out & do some shooting asap. Not just sighting in. How green is he really, Can he go off by himself or need to be with another? We still work hill sides a few hundred yards apart. Radio's are good to keep in touch.
He is pretty green but I am confident that he is smart enough to know his own abilities and not push the envelope with regards to how far he ventures from us on his own and all that. My plan is to be with him most of the time to not only coach him but to also hopefully be there to watch him shoot his first buck. :IBCOOL:
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take him to the top of the mountain in the dark and tell him to meet ya at camp before dark !!! :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: Just messing with ya !!!
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take him to the top of the mountain in the dark and tell him to meet ya at camp before dark !!! :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: Just messing with ya !!!
I will have to make sure it is on one of those foggy mornings too where you can't see 20 feet in front of your face. :chuckle:
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Baby wipes.
:yeah:
:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
The non-scented kind. His wife/girlfriend might be impressed that his butt smells like a baby, but the animals will not! I can work up a sweat fast, and use them to defunkafy myself as well as for toilet paper. The scented kind can be smelled for miles!
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Rain gear packable, good day pack with hydration and water tabs , Benydril , energy bars , garbage bags acouple large , fire starter , rope or cord 75 feet , hunting knife and sharpener, pocket knife , whistle, athletic tape , and a simple wound clossure kit. I'd say a inexpensive like the extrex legend with a easy back track feature . led headlamp and spare batteries for both . this in your day pack along with good layering and optics will get him a good start , I'd pretty much be comfortable goingany where with it.
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lotion,paper towels, and dental floss fer sure!!!! :dunno:
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Don't forget a hair dryer. (inside joke)
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i also think a nice chilled riesling would be quite nice!!! or maybe a wine cooler!! :dunno:
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Realistic expectations... be sure he knows its hunting, rooks can get discouraged easy and a negative first outing could have a lasting impression!!
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A roll of the bright orange tape/ribbon for marking a trail or where an animal is.
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A roll of the bright orange tape/ribbon for marking a trail or where an animal is.
That is a good one. I plan on being with him most the time but you never know if we get split up for some reason.
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Has anyone said duck tape :dunno: :chuckle: just kidding. If it has not been said radio's are always great to have encase you get split up or can't find eachother + get help.
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A Basic gun
B Boots
C Ten Essentials
1. Map
2. Compass
3. Flashlight/headlamp (be sure to have an extra set of batteries that fit your flashlight/headlamp)
4. Extra food (enough for one extra day)
5. Extra clothing
6. Rain gear ( jacket and pants-always carry rain gear even if the sun is out)
7. First aid supplies (be sure to include an extra day of any medication you are taking or might need in an emergency)
8. Pocket knife
9. Matches (stored in a water tight container in addition to matches or a butane lighter)
10. Fire starter (can be candles, chemical fire starter, backpack size fire logs)
I think people over think camo and clothes too much, and often spend too much as well. I love wool, but have used Basic fleece often because it is light, cheep, & breathable When its cold i have often put on a fleece layer, water wind proof layer then flece again. I often use my Grey fleece sweats and Green shorts under that has lots of pockets. A fleece jacket and vest. some kind of cheep rain gear. As long as your moving you'll stay warm its when you stop is when you suffer. :twocents:
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As a teenager, I used to hit the woods with an old Marlin lever gun with iron sights, a sharp knife, a tag, an orange vest, a few snacks in my pockets, and a liver bag. Killed a buck almost every year. It used to be a lot more simple when I didn't have any money to buy gadgets.
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I was also going to add if you know where you will be hunting go over it on Google Earth. It will let him get a good feel for the land before going into it. I even printed off pages last year and took then to camp to show other people in our group what we had been talking about.
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I might add a range finder!
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I think without knowing the guys woods savy myself i would say before all the electronic gagetry spend a few weekends in the woods with him pick some spots you are familiar with figure out some short destinations on a map hike with him don't guide but support check and test his capabilities and limitations help advise and teach where it is needed.
if nothing else comes from it .lt will at least give you an insight on how much you have to "babysit"and how confident you should be with his outdoor skills :twocents:
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You guys are WAY over thinking this except for the survival gear. His rifle doesnt have to be anything fancy and neither does his scope just make sure its some what waterproof/fogproof he wont be shooting much past 200 yards anyways if hes that green. Binos-he doesnt know what good glass is and doesnt even know how to properly utilize them, mike eastman said something along the lines of "hoping expensive glass will make up for poor spotting technique is not only wishful thinking, but expensive as well" I couldnt agree more, Ive seen a guy with a hundred dollar pair of barskas spot more game than the guy next to him wielding swarovskis. He needs a cheap pair and learn how to use them so he can truely appreciate and utilize good glass. How many of you actually rolled out your first day of deer hunting carrying $300+ binoculars? And for boots, well i had a pair of rockies that I got on sale for 70 bucks and through a pair of aftermarket soles in them and they were just fine for me for a few years. This guys not goin on a back pack wilderness hunt. I got along with a field line pack for years as well.
The first couple years of hunting are more of a learning experience than anything else
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Get him a 243 Win.... A $40-$60 scope from wallmart.... "the simmons they have is very accurate"....... Some cheap or hand me down bino's..... The tags of course.... Decent clothing and boots..... Socks like crazy..... Most of all make him comfortable in camp..... Especially sleeping wise.... Nice cot, foam, mattress, bag, whatever your group does..... If he has a good time and comfy in camp he will come back..... :twocents:
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Keep it simple on what he NEEDS, Wool pants= can be purchased at an Army surplus store. Wool Jacket/ shirt Same place for purchase. He Does need to invest in a GOOD pair of boots. I have a pair of Whites pack boots w/ the wool liners that are the cats meow for keeping my feet dry and warm. Take the liners out at night in camp and they are dry in the morning. Wet from perspiration, can even get a second pair of liners. Orange or green flagging tape and a partial roll of tp for marking blood trail can use a single sheet at each or every other blood spot. TP also melts with the first rain and you can see where the deer has been to give you an idea of back trail taken in case you loose the trail. A bottle or 2 of water, candy bars or high energy snacks, Waterproof matches, TP can also serve as Fire starter if brown pine needles aren't available although a manufactured firestarter is guaranteed to be available if you have it. Good comfortable sleeping bag and cot. While at the the Surplus store have him consider one of the canteens with the metal canteen cup, Makes a great way to heat up water for a drink if absolutely necessary and can be heated over an extremely small, smokless fire Plus serves as the water for the day.
Where this person has never been hunting before Lots of time at the range with whatever gun he uses. Also MY recommendation would be to not to let him go by himself as when he gets his deer, and he will just because of beginners luck, he is gonna need someone to dress it out for him so it is done right and he doesn't try to drag it back to camp whole, Damn deer are heavy enough without an additional 70 pounds of entrails. Let him see what you have impressing on him that it has taken you X number of years to accumulate and he can decide what he can afford. If money doesn't matter send him to me and I'll help him spend his money
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Keep it simple on what he NEEDS, Wool pants= can be purchased at an Army surplus store. Wool Jacket/ shirt Same place for purchase. He Does need to invest in a GOOD pair of boots. I have a pair of Whites pack boots w/ the wool liners that are the cats meow for keeping my feet dry and warm. Take the liners out at night in camp and they are dry in the morning. Wet from perspiration, can even get a second pair of liners. Orange or green flagging tape and a partial roll of tp for marking blood trail can use a single sheet at each or every other blood spot. TP also melts with the first rain and you can see where the deer has been to give you an idea of back trail taken in case you loose the trail. A bottle or 2 of water, candy bars or high energy snacks, Waterproof matches, TP can also serve as Fire starter if brown pine needles aren't available although a manufactured firestarter is guaranteed to be available if you have it. Good comfortable sleeping bag and cot. While at the the Surplus store have him consider one of the canteens with the metal canteen cup, Makes a great way to heat up water for a drink if absolutely necessary and can be heated over an extremely small, smokless fire Plus serves as the water for the day.
Where this person has never been hunting before Lots of time at the range with whatever gun he uses. Also MY recommendation would be to not to let him go by himself as when he gets his deer, and he will just because of beginners luck, he is gonna need someone to dress it out for him so it is done right and he doesn't try to drag it back to camp whole, Damn deer are heavy enough without an additional 70 pounds of entrails. Let him see what you have impressing on him that it has taken you X number of years to accumulate and he can decide what he can afford. If money doesn't matter send him to me and I'll help him spend his money
Good advice IMO. Keep everything simple, chances are once he starts spending on a rifle, scope, binos, boots, and maybe a chest bino harness because of how handy and stable they are, he will be second guessing this b/c it costs so much already. Besides those 4 items, real basic items are all one needs, essentially the 10 essentials. Enough to let you SURVIVE for a night or two, they aren't meant to make you be comfortable while surviving. These essentials can easily fit in a 1200 (20L) day pack.
Hunt with him and show him the ropes, having someone with you to get your first animal would be a more exciting time anyways, b/c someone gets to share that time with you. Make the hunt enjoyable, don't try and kick his butt by hiking extreme distances the very first day. Make him want to wake up the next morning and go out again.
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If you were taking him, what would you say are the essential things for him to buy.
I think even more important than what he should buy would be to make sure he ALWAYS had someone with him and did not hunt alone, with 6 people in camp there should be no reason for him to be out there by himself. :twocents:
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At least 400 sq inches of hunters orange.
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i dont have the time to read all the posts but the most important thing is a good comfortable pair of boots that are waterproof, and some clothes that breath and stay dry, a lever action 30-30 with open sights and a pair of binos, they have good ones for 75 dollars, and a good teacher. dont read to much into your first few years of huntn just go out have fun taking in the scenery and with any luck you will connect with the critter you pursue which is the bonus of the whole season... good luck to ya. :hello:
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Remind him to bring lots of cash to camp, lots of quality meats and cheeses, smoked oysters, a large bottle of crown royal, lots of cashews or mixed nuts, lots of beef jerky, pepperoni sticks, snickerbars, fresh baked cookies, maybe a cake or pie, a case of small green propane bottles, really expensive olive oil, a few bottles of champagne, some 3xl brand new never opened poly thermals and size 13 top of the line socks (6 pairs). 8)
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A good attitude and a desire.
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Definitely some wool clothes and a good pair of boots.
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you said "must haves" not desires or wish lists. so I would say good companions is the most important thing a rookie needs. ones who will not steer him wrong & tell/show him how to "bend" rules or laws. keep him comfortable, make it fun & share wisdom, equipment, work around camp.
agree with those that mentioned foot care. but when I went to Africa my family & I bought good but cheap hikers from Big-5 & gave 'em to our guides & their children when we left the country, you can get good hikers without breaking the bank, just break them in before hand. we aso took cheap $25-30 binos for all except mine, they worked fine until it started getting darker & then mine were the only ones gathering enough light, but for a newbie? they'd work. practice @ the range like many mentioned, from field positions though not just benching it with bags. good luck to you all.
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Rain gear, Good boots, hunting regs.
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hell i started with a pair of tennis shoes and a 30-30 it worked for me, :chuckle:now i have things that cost more than my vacation time.
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Toilet paper. Lotsa toilet paper......
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If the rookie is bowhunting a good quality flashlight attached to the bow to help see the game in early morning and late evening situations.
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If the rookie is bowhunting a good quality flashlight attached to the bow to help see the game in early morning and late evening situations.
:chuckle:
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:chuckle: Oh no! Here we go again :chuckle:
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A short deers hunting check list.
OK, there is a list on http://www.muleymadness.com/other/checklist.php (http://www.muleymadness.com/other/checklist.php) that is actually pretty darn complete, but 50 years of deers huntin has given me the insight to make a few additions, here is what I recommend:
1. Beer. Take plenty of beer. With global warming upon us, you just can't have too much!
2. Spare gas. On a normal deers hunt, I've been know to run through 100-200 gals. Of course I am old school and still drive a big old pickup to do my day-to-day huntin. You might cut down on that figure ifin you dive an ATV.
3. Extra condoms. I always keep one on the end of the barrel of the gun. Not that you're going to get any rain or anything like that down the barrel beins you're mostly in the truck, but those rough roads can make a guy spill his beer from time to time.
4. A good pair of really dark sunglasses. Not only will they help with that God awful bright morning sun, but will cosmetically improve your appearance over those enlarged eyeball blood vessels that you get every year up deers huntin...I am sure it's allergies.
5. A Briggs and Stratton 8 ½ hp generator. Those fancy quiet running jobs they been bringin' in from foreign countries...they're just downright un-American. Besides that, it takes bookoo power ta keep that much beer cold. A lot of times I've had to let that bad boy run all night or else risk warm beer in the mornin!
6. Plenty of ammo. Once you get camp set up, ya still got ta get old Betsey sighted in. Don't worry about targets, should be enough empty cans laying around camp to sight in all the guns in Sherman's army.
7. Your 9mm. Nothing better than running through four or five boxes of ammo while your sitting around camp trying to figure out which road to try later on this evenin. Here again, should be plenty of cans for plinkin at.
8. Lots of Chili and beans. Might be the only time you'll get to “not” notice the effects of ten grown men with a gut full of beans, given the fact you're sleeping off the effects of the beer chasers.
9. And last but not least, your brother-in-law. While the two of you are sittin around the campfire loudly singing good old bawdy songs, there's a good chance he'll forgive you once and for all for defiling his little sister before ya married her, low, those many years ago.