Equipment Types Common to Hunting

[Swede]

I was thinking over Elknut's comment regarding the wide variety of knives as elk hunters we use. We also have that variety in shooting equipment, camp equipment and just about everything else we use for hunting. The way we hunt dictates a lot of the variety of tools we use, but I got to wondering if there are some common points of agreement on equipment.
One thing that comes to mind for me is quality. I hate junk. Occasionally I buy junk, but I did not think it was poor when I bought it. I would rather have a few good reliable pieces of equipment than a truck load of junk. If I cannot rely on it, I don't want it. I know a newbie might be tempted to go cheap, just to get started or to see if they are really into hunting. I believe there is a danger that equipment failure may turn you away from hunting, more than not having all of the latest and greatest items.
What are some basic values or pieces of equipment that fits the bill of "common" to experienced hunters?
I believe a good reliable GPS is becoming very close to being a must have.
A solid comfortable tree stand is high on my list of necessities as a tree stand hunter.
What else?

[WapitiTalk1]

Common/quality gear that is perhaps agreed upon by most experienced hunters? I'm sure there will be a lot of items offered that span the globe of various hunting styles but for common ones that apply for most styles of elk hunting.......

All in one pack (becoming very popular) that serves as a daypack and expands into a meat hauler.
Binos
Headlamp
Compass/Map (shameless plug for the land navigation threads)
Rain Gear (if clothing counts as gear in this instance)

[jmez]

For elk:

Fixed blade broadheads
Would second the binos and headlamp, map and compass

[flystrait]

Boots. A solid quality pair is a must for hunting out west.

[Swede]

Just a thought on RJ's post; in particular he mention to binos. I certainly agree, but not just any binoculars will do. Here is a classic case where you do not want to purchase junk. I am not from the camp that says you need to pay $1800+ for something to look through, but I would rather have none, than some I have looked through. A good pair of binos are a lifetime investment. Junk usually stays on the bottom shelf for years, then either go to the garbage can, or in the case of poor binos, your kids or grandkids can play cowboys and Indians with them. I guess kids still play cowboys and Indians.

[fm]

While not for the hunt itself I bought a nice heavy duity cot after sleeping on a cheep one for a couple of years. Nights are to short to not get some good sleep. I agree with the boots and good socks to.

[Ridgernr]

I would say boots that I have already found reliable from spring and summer hikes, next A pack that I know fits the bill for my style of hunting,
Rain gear is a big one also. Flashlight ranks high too.

[Lefty]

I think knowing gear is important and you can certainly can get by with inexpensive stuff if you take care of it,.. not much can protects you from some moron tossing a log on a fire and sparks putting a hole in your tent or sleeping bag
Most of my camping gear gets used year around, I know what I need to stay comfortable in all Idaho weather conditions
I wear out boots and gloves,
Most synthetic clothing doesn't wear out even in 10 hard years of use.
my 12 year poly one has holes in it my two 20 plus year old Cabelas camo fleese still going strong
6 year old Under Armour ($5.99) hasn't stretched out and has about 50 days a year over the last 6 years
My packs are showing some wear and tear, but Im sure to get another 10 years each


I tend to like quality but often need to compromise and by medium quality gear and buy it on sale
I used a $30.00 tent, had well over200 nights replaced it for a on sale tent $179 for $69
Bonos, well we had a bit more spending money New in 92 for $430 replaced by Nikon last year
I have'nt paid more than $100 for boots in over 15 years but always bought on sale
Just replaced my old sleeping bag bought in the late 70's had over 400 nights with an $92 Grizzly bag
Energizer head lamp$12.00
Higher tech camo clothes mostly Kings stuff on sale some camo stuff from Cabelas
Trail cam and range finder $99.00 each
My gutting knife is a $60.00 knife but my skinners and boners are under 12.00 each
Would I like all premium stuff? you bet

[Swede]

Lefty: I like your point. Your are right on the money. There is a huge difference between inexpensive, for a number of reasons, and cheap.
What I was referring to was some poor fellow's sleeping bag that is rated for 15 degrees that you can buy new at Malwart for $30. While using the bag and wearing long handled underwear and a stocking cap, he thinks he might not make it through the night and it only gets down to 35*. Another good and real example is the range finder that failed on my desert Mule deer hunt. That little piece of junk cost me twice. The second time was when it failed as I was ranging a good buck.
I think I could go pro on finding sale items, garage sale treasures, and even thrift store bonanzas. I still take pride in the almost new tent, I have, that I got along with a great canvas tarp for only $50. Just because they were inexpensive does not mean they are not very good.

[pointysticks]

my one hunting buddy..he typically goes with the the most.

he isnt rich..he buys cheap stuff. he told me his binoculars cost him $30 at basspro. you have got to be kidding me!! he never even pulls them out. they are flat out foggy.

this guy buys some weird stuff. he got all new reloading equipment for his 300 win mag. he never even shoots..

it is really how you spend the money. make a list and prioritize. i think he wasted $30 bucks..

i think stuff you interact with should get the money. a GREAT sleeping bag is one. without good sleep, you just are not gonna perform well.

[itsnlkthing]

I definitely agree about quality gear and inexpensive vs cheap. I hate spending a ton of money on something but learned long ago that you only feel the pain once of a quality purchase but you feel the pain every time you use junk and then again when you finally replace it with what you should have bought in the first place. Good boots, sleeping bag, shelter and clothing to start with. I also think it's easy to get carried away. I know people with thousands of dollars in gear but they are out of shape, don't practice and are disappointed when an elk doesn't crawl in the back of their truck and die...

[pointysticks]

i was blacktail hunting with a good buddy. we saw a WHOPPER deer. two of them actually on top of a ridge. this was the day before the opener, so we climbed the adjacent mountain to try to get a closer look. we wanted to see if it was reachable.

we climbed and climbed. i was a sweaty mess at the top. like a fool, i wore shorts, and camo wool tops. so my top was okay..we hiked thru a cloud..or fog. i got to the top heaving with breath..and we started glassing the next ridge. i was scanning and scanning. i wanted to find deer first so badly. then my buddy utters."i got him!"

we did that "who's on first" deal. you know the drill. "you see the big white tree?..go down 4 oclock.."..i never saw the deer!! he then handed me his Swavorski binos and WHAM! it just popped out. i put my Pentax up to my face and yes, knowing EXACTLY where it was i could see it. but finding it blind was not gonna happen.

i climbed down that mountain..the entire time, i worked out mentally how the hell i was gonna budget top quality glass. expending time, energy..effort to climb a moutain-top..you want every advantage to find something. binoculars..get the best you can afford. it bums me out hunting with guys without binos. or cheap ones. i usually enact a rule. "you find it, you stalk it"..hahhaha.

[Swede]

Pointysticks: My eyes function exactly like your Pentax binoculars. That aside you are correct about your assessment of poor optics. Whereas I don't believe a person, on a limited budget, needs the highest level of optics, make sure you make a solid investment. If you pay only 50% for 99% of the quality and get 99% of everything available on the very best optics, I feel you have good value for your money spent.
When I think of junk it usually come with a brand name. Always avoid junk, it robs you of the money you could have set aside towards something useful.