GPS or Range Finder or ???

[Lark Bunting]

I have overwhelmed the budget by getting into archery hunting; bow, bow accessories, case, arrows, target, release, sleeping pad, pack tent, field points, broad heads, etc. etc. the list goes on...

That being said, I have a list of wants/needs and am struggling with an order of importance. I am trying to make one "large" purchase each month but am running out of months before hunting season. How would you rate the following in "Must Haves" or "Nice to haves"?

I would like to get either a GPS or Range finder next. Of the two, which would you rank more important?

External frame pack-This is a must have, been looking used. $50???

Range Finder- I keep hearing this is a must have and see them for around $40-$60 for a Bushnell Yardage Pro 450 on AT.

GPS- I like the eTrex 20 or eTrex Legend HCx, $80-$100 used on AT

Camp Stove/Fuel- MRS Pocket Rocket

Water Purifier/Filter- No clue and I believe we are packing in water to cache during our scouting trips.

Sleeping bag- 0 degree or 20 degree. I may have a connection for one via a wings and beer meeting with a fellow elknut.

Maps/Compass- I will have these for sure

If you have any suggestions on gear I should be looking for, let me know. I am trying to keep the peace with the lovely wifey so anything budget-oriented would be appreciated.

If you think of any other "Must Haves" for a backpacking hunting trip, let me know.

[itsnlkthing]

I understand what you are dealing with and I'm somewhat in the same boat. Fortunately, I already had some of the gear from years of camping and rifle hunting. A camp stove is a nice luxury but I've seen plenty of DIY options using wood fuel sources that can be done for a couple of bucks. I bought a jet boil years ago and love it. If you camp where you can bring water then that eliminates the filter. Purification tabs can be carried for an emergency. Personally, I wouldn't be without gps and a range finder. Sleeping bag ratings are very misleading, get feedback from someone that has one. If you aren't backpacking in, size and weight don't really matter. Synthetic bags can be great until you have to carry one a few miles and they take up a lot of space. I packed in for 8 days last year. Most of my gear was great. The thing that needed upgraded was the pack itself.

[mtnmutt]

If you have patience and do not require rolling boil at high elevation make an alcohol stove. Fuel is Denatured alcohol which is better than the yellow HEET bottle that some people use. The fuel is cheap and your pack weight goes down as you use the fuel. I used one for several years before getting a SOTO stove last year. However, for my backpacking hunting, I do a cold camp.

Someone here made a double wall alcohol stove that looks better than mine. You make one using a cut off coke can or fancy feast cat food can.

Think of things in terms of "systems": sleep systems and shelter systems where some of the items may serve more than one purpose. I use a 20 degree down bag and wear merino wool clothing that helps to protect the bag from my grime and make the bag more useful in lower temps.

I had a GPS way before I had a range finder. The GPS mostly stays in my pack because I know my area a bit and I use a mytopo map to make notes of my area. I mostly use the GPS to mark waypoints. I practiced estimating distance on my walks and hikes, so a range finder wasn't as needed.

REI has garage sales of lightly used returned items. They have them about once a month. They are for members only and post it on their monthly calendars. I have never gone because it is a bit of zoo and I am mostly set with what I need. The items they do not sell at the garage sale, are put on a specials rack inside the store. I bet other stores have something similar usually at the back of the store.

Thrift stores and surplus stores may have some good finds.