wondering if there are others out there like me?

[stilllearning]

I am just wondering if their are many out there like me. I don't have a lot of money that I can spend on new stuff each year so I get ther bear neccessatys each year and hunt quite close to home. I mean within a 50 mile radius. I use older but very accurate equipment that I have got used or in some cases free. I thuraly enjoy myself and even get fraustrated from time to time too but in the end I love it.

My dream hunt is to someday go on a turkey hunt somewhere else but out of province is just to much money for me right now so I will continue to dream We don't have turkeys that we can hunt here YET but I hear they are moving in from the Maine area.
Can't wait for a season to open here so I can go.

But i was just wondering if there are others that are like me and what would be your dream hunt?

[patdoyle]

Hey stilllearning, I can without a doubt relate to what you're saying. I hunt with the most advanced gear you could get 20 years ago. For one thing, hunting has become so popular that it's now a big business trying to sell you anything and everything. All a company has to do is put some well known pro hunters name or face on a product and instantly sell it for 3or4 times its' value. The next time you watch a hunting show you'll see they're always at a paid hunting preserve using a guide. I would really love to do that but I live in the real world and can't hunt in a different state every week. But as much as I would love to go on a guided hunt and take a monster 12point, I don't think it would come close to the sense of pride and accomplishment that I get from taking an average animal that I went out and scouted,found, shot and dragged back to my truck all by myself. So there's nothing wrong with keeping it cheap and simple because it's those ''do it yourself''hunts close to home that you'll look back on and Cherish the most. P.S. I wasn't trying to put down guided hunts, I was just trying to express the fact that the average Joe can't afford all that stuff, and really don't need it to be a successful hunter. That's just my two cents. Take care stilllearnimg.

[4pointer]

I know all about that 20 to 30 year old stuff & it's still workin.
I used to go to Canada on bear hunt's, Pa. huntin...Loved every minute of it.....The PRICE OF LIC. GAS & EVERYTHING WENT UP SO HIGH
THAT IT'S HARD FOR THE AVERAGE HARD WORKIN GUY/WOMEN TO HUNT THERE OWN STATE ,,,, SURE I'D LOVE TO GO ON A GUIDE HUNT FOR DEER OR TURKEY'S ..BUT YOUR LOOKIN AT BIG $$$$$$$$$$BUCK'S & I DON'T MEAN THE ONE'S WE HUNT ;D..........SO I'LL KEEP USEIN THE SAME OLD HUNTIN STUFF I HAVE ....JUST REMEMBER EVERYTHING YOU GET IS A TROPHY...

[bowslap]

I read the initial post, and thought to myself.....Hell, I'm not alone!

Now certainly, I do have some new stuff.......but the majority of my gear is used. That may not have me in good stead with the trend-setters, but it works for me............and that's all that matters! As a father of 3 kids(almost 16, almost 8, and 5), my dollar has to stretch as it is.....hence the whole mantra of hunting/fishing/camping with my HEAD, not my WALLET.

Just because technology's advanced doesn't mean the old stuff won't do the job. It may not be as efficient or easy to use, but it'll still get the job done. As for the high-dollar guided outings, well......I've lived this long without them, a few more years won't kill me.

[hoosieroutdoorsman]

Having all the latest and greatest equipment is fine but lets face it if you kill it it dead, doesn`t matter if it was a $100 bow or gun or a $800 bow or gun its still just as dead. I went out on a limb and had a bow built to my specs, would I say its better than the bow I sold slap? Only in the sense that it is something that I helped create and not a off the shelf bow. Would I trade it for any other bow out there?? NO ! ! Don`t worry about the trends or the trend setters, don`t worry about how far away from you can or can`t hunt, learn your woods, learn the animals that live there ALL OF THEM. Each little critter out there will point to the bigger ones at some point or another, you just have to have your eyes open to see them little fingers. Plus you have this forum with plenty of brothers and sisters willing to offer advice, so don`t ever feel stupid for asking questions thats what life is all about ask and ye shall recieve. Its just like a bow there are alot of things you can do to make one 15 years old shoot just as good as a 2 year old. Don`t be afraid of ebay either,,lol, I got the majority of my stuff off there. I have my stepsons high country solocam on there now for sale, starting bid is $75 and buy it now is $150. It is a great little bow it will kill just as many deer and turkey as any mathews. Maybe all of us needing equipment could put out a watch list? List what you need or want and see who can find the cheapest price.

[stilllearning]

LOL Right now I am good for gear and loving every minuite of it. not complaining but you hear of so many folks getting new stuff I just wondered if anyone was the same as me anymore. I see now that there are a lot of us that still enjoy to hunt on a little smaller budget. Can't afford to upgrade this year but who knows what next year will bring.

[hoosieroutdoorsman]

Thats why we all try to set back a few $$`s each week at least I do, even if I can only set back $2, it puts me that much closer to getting the things I need. But make sure you buy smart and not just follow trends, there are alot of guns, bows,clothing,knives,etc. Out there that you can get for less money and do the same job just as good.

[stilllearning]

hoosieroutdoorsman said:

List what you need or want and see who can find the cheapest price.

After thinking about this abit all I can come up with for stuff I wold like not need would be a newer and lighter bow than the Whitetail II I am using and I would love to have an older range finder so when that buck is coming in I am ready.

That is about it.

[bowslap]

Needs?

I have a lot of WANTS, but not TOO many needs for gear.

1)Climbing tree stand. Have been borrowing one from a friend for the past few years, gonna make the purchase this year.
2) Hunting boots. My pull-on insulated knee waders do OK, but would like the free-er movement of regular hunting boots for warm late spring, summer and early fall outings.
3) Camo clothing. Need to add a camo jacket/coat, and a pair of bibs......not to mention a couple new shirts, and another pair of pants..
4)Animal calls. I have a couple of deer calls, but need to expand my turkey call selection, and practice them. Informative for me, raucous fun for the kids, and Excedrin Headache #9 for the wife ;D

That's for hunting. I won't even go into fishing... ...that's a whole'nother story! It'll happen in time...'slap