What have you purchased or packed that you didn't use? I've got a closet full.
Super heavy coats. I bought several in the past and they just sit....too heavy/bulky. Including a KOM ten ring that was something like 500 bucks..yikes.
I've been thinning the "gear & equipment " herd the past few years. If you buy good gear it's really amazing how little you really need.
I second the heavy coats. I've never used the "extra" anything I've packed. I don't wear any of the scentloc clothes I bought. Face masks - I use face paint now. I don't wear anything cotton anymore.
Trad-man I agree quality is key but what items are you thinning?
I agree with Exit Felix about the cotton. I am trying to phase out all my cotton base layers and replace them with merino wool, or synthetic layers that still insulate if wet.
Base layers are your first defense against the weather. Don't scimp on them, Definitely worth the investment...
My extra heavy cold weather coat and bibs never get used, when it is that cold I stay by the fire.
Oh yeah, I bought a bunch of fantastic merino wool base layers, but they all had metal zippers up the neck. They dont get used. #1- I can feel the cold of the zipper when its frigid out against my skin, #2- I cant stand ANY type of zippered neck anymore. I dont find that a zip neck really vents me very well anyway, so I'm sticking with crews or mock t necks.
Metal zippers on extreme cold merino underwear...really?
Maybe the super heavy stuff is good for muskox hunting......
Those over-slippers you pull on over your boots for quieter stalking; who has time to pull them on when you start a stalk? Same with moccasins: who has time to take off boots and put them on? Out here in the west, we really do need rugged boots for the approach over sharp rocks, ect, and I haven't solved the problem of how to make quieter stalks, other than just move slow and be careful.
well'....here latley i been leaving my drag rope behind...since i don't figure im gonna need it anyways.... :knothead:
Great point McDave, I learned to bow hunt in the sierras and never did get those things on. That said I'd take my boots off sometimes. I've got good memories from hunting up near susanville.
GPS
Ah arrow30. You gotta think positive!
I stopped carrying my knife my Dad gave me. It's hard not to, but that thing is awfully heavy. I used to always bring my day pack, but lately I have been going without. It has binoculars, first aid & survival stuff, some snacks extra gloves, hat, calls, etc. I feel naked without it at times, but also a lot lighter and more traditional.
I hardly know where to start. I've got an insulated set of ASAT that I've worn only once. I've got a spare pair of boots I bought 3 years ago I've never worn. There are the lousy ScentLoc Baselayers that I wore once. They are the most uncomfortable, ill fitting garment ever. Then there are several rattle bags, a scent dripper, a new set of fleece pants, a Cabelas wool sweater, at least 4 pairs of heavy gloves, and on and on.....
Any type of air or foam seat for sitting on the ground.
an armguard, i don't even practice with one now
more than 3 arrows (kind of a superstision with that number)
warm clothes in general. Did a lot of stalking and i found my old army pants and a cotton camo shirt were more than warm for the movement i made
I used to carry a folding saw, clippers, a range finder, flashlight (large 2 celled D batteries) rattling horns, extra jacket, particularly arain jacket and hood, extra knife, and some survival stuff like matches, compass etc.
It dawned on me (finally) thatsince i walk from my front door about a half mile over to my hunting area and I am hunting in stands where I've already clipped etc., I don't need that stuff with me anymore.
I carry a small "mini-mag" flashlight, a small grunt tube, and one good knife. I do also carry an extra string and sometimes in really cold weather, a balaclava (sp)? Oh, and I wouldn't think of going without my small binoculars---my 71 year old eyes appreciate the help. All that other stuff gets left behind and if I really need anything, I can usually just walk home and pick it up.
Joe
QuoteOriginally posted by danderson:
an armguard, i don't even practice with one now
more than 3 arrows (kind of a superstision with that number)
warm clothes in general. Did a lot of stalking and i found my old army pants and a cotton camo shirt were more than warm for the movement i made
I've started carrying the arm guard again. I never wear it in practice, but took a shot at a squirrel (since nothing bigger was available) and I'll be darned if the string didn't hit my jacket sleeve. I'd have cried really big tears like a little kid if that had been the buck of my lifetime.
Rattle bags, scent killers, heavy gloves, heavy coats, face masks, folding saw, wind floaters, and large grunt tubes are all things I have done away with. Over the years I have replaced those things with an extra pair of wool socks, more water, a good set of pruning shears(splits rib cage too.) and small bleat can.
Rob
I have an entire plastic tub full of stuff I don't use. Mostly gloves, hats, misc broadheads, sharpeners that never worked as intended, etc.
Climbing stand!! You would be suprised what you dont need when you stay on the terra firma. :)
Jason
Rob,
Never thought of splitting bone with pruners!
Dan, I also practice without an arm guard, but never go without one when I have on camo or cold weather gear. The biggest buck of my hunting life still walks (OK, probably dead of old age, now) because I felt the little "tick" of my bow string on my sleeve and watched the arrow run out of steam and drop j-u-s-t below his chest at 21 yards. I wear an armguard now...
Gee,
St.Jude's auction should be replete with all this "UNUSED" stuff above!
Or you can send me your addresses and in my wanderings, I'll stop by, split some wood or mow yard if'n you let me root through your junk tubs!
:rolleyes: :knothead: :jumper:
Cabelas folding seat (never used in the woods! keep in trunk for sitting on to changing out of boots when I get back to the car), stake in the ground bow holder (used once, weights a ton and bow fell off of it first time out), Montana deer decoy (used a few times one deer came in and when it got close spooked), mess blind material (brought in a few times but looks like nothing in nature), Assorted clothes, gloves, hats, military canteen, more fanny packs then any one hunter could need in a lifetime!
Total waste and I bought a few of these things this season. Shoot me!