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Post by parkerbow on Jan 9, 2020 17:07:30 GMT -5
I am 48 yrs old and have been hunting for 36 of those and I am to the point to where I can walk all around in a Bass Pro or Cabela's store and don't need or want a thing. If I buy something it would replace something I already have 2 of. I can even go into a Walmart or Rural King and see things on clearance and walk out with nothing. I don't need any more clothing because what I have is fine, No need for a new gun, mine are fine and kill anything I need to. Don't need a thing to help me kill another deer. I used to love buying new gizmos and gadgets but not anymore. I just use what I have because it works. So what I have been doing is buying points to bow hunt Iowa, Hopefully in 2021.
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Post by esshup on Jan 9, 2020 17:18:56 GMT -5
I've been hunting longer and I still have wants but no actual needs. My winter hunting gear is from 1998 and it still keeps me warm and dry. I'd love to have a Benelli Super Black Eagle 3, but I can get by with my 3" 1100. I'd love to have a couple mufflers for a few different rifles, and I could use a new set of chest waders.
But I can do the same as you, look and not buy. As for all the deer scents and the latest/greatest deer hunting fad, I'd rather put the $$ into food plot seed or equipment.
Speaking of which, if someone were to give me a 5' wide Plotmaster I wouldn't turn it down!
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Post by lawrencecountyhunter on Jan 9, 2020 19:09:56 GMT -5
I spend way more time looking at the calendar and trying to squeeze more hunting time in, than I do looking for "stuff". I suppose I am very fortunate.
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Post by beermaker on Jan 9, 2020 20:32:19 GMT -5
Interesting post/topic that I have been thinking about myself lately. The only hunting gear that I bought this year was a pack of back-up broad heads that are still in the packaging. My climbing stands are at least 10 years old, boots six, etc. I have guns that have not been fired in years, not to mention the ones that I have sold or traded. I've had a Parker Xbow for seven years and will use it until parts are no longer available. I'm 8/9 with it and the lone miss was a terrible yardage mistake by me.
Back up 20 years. I bought every gizmo, gadget, new camo pattern, the best new bow, etc, Anything that I could buy without defaulting on the mortgage or getting divorced. I had crap that I forgot that I had until I found it under other crap years later.
I'm currently on a quest to find the ultimate layering system for myself. Not what the reviews and videos say, but for me. I spend almost the entire work day, everyday, outside. I loathe cold, wind, and bulk. Once I find what works best for all day at work, I'll apply that product to hunting clothes. I'm currently testing KUIU and have been more than impressed. It's costly, but I don't mind paying good money for quality, comfort, and durability.
Enough unsolicited rambling. Tucker us on a roll and I need a refill.
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Post by firstwd on Jan 10, 2020 6:12:59 GMT -5
I turned 46 last month and know exactly how you feel.
Last year I bought all new cold weather hunting clothes, the year before it was warm weather. Now, some of what I replaced was older than my kids, so I dont feel too bad about it. I find myself spending outdoor money on really good deals. I have a NIB 21' ladder stand that I've decided to try to trade for a couple basic 15' ones. I have found a way to set up that suits me and my new found limitations and at the same time doesn't scare the crap out of my hunting partners. I keep finding bags (in my gear boxes, camper, behind the truck seat) of brand new socks, hunter orange hats, stocking caps, and vests. Apparently when I find these things on clearance I can't help but grab them even though I obviously don't need them. I do however have a history of handing these items out to those in need when I'm in the field. Hence the reason behind where I keep finding them.
As for guns, I bought the last one I "needed" last fall. It did hit me the other day that I truly didn't have anything else on my list and I'm not really certain how to handle that. Now, if something old or unique pops up or if an incredible deal (like my 308 last year) presents itself then I'm sure I can find space for it.
Personally, I think it's like the different stages of a hunter I teach about in Hunter Ed. We've settled. We don't have to have the "latest and greatest". We don't have to impress or keep up with the Joneses. We have what we have and it works for us and the experience is the story.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2020 7:02:47 GMT -5
Great post! I`ll be 63 in a few months, and although if I could afford it, I would buy some new, high-tech, top of the line cold weather hunting bibs and parka, other than that, I need nothing. Like esshup said, there are always wants, but I really have no needs. In fact, when I deer and turkey hunt anymore, I`m looking to use less "stuff" because it just amazes me when I take everything to the truck to head out for a deer hunt, how much I haul out to the truck then back inside the house after the hunt. It`s almost crazy.
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Post by jjas on Jan 10, 2020 7:22:49 GMT -5
I think most hunters who reach their 40's and 50's must feel the same way. I look @ the "new toys" every year and sometimes think I'd like to have "this or that", but realistically I don't "need" anything.
What I tend to do now is look @ the end of the season sales and pick up laundry soap, body soap, scent killer spray, and maybe a piece or two of camo (if I think it's better than what I have). Guns and bows are always on the "want" list, but it's tough to justify spending the money for a new one when what you already own is fine.
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Post by dawnpatrol on Jan 10, 2020 7:28:57 GMT -5
Im 41 and just need 4 cell cams and a new tree stand and I will have it all.....for now:)
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Post by greghopper on Jan 10, 2020 7:41:59 GMT -5
Im 41 and just need 4 cell cams and a new tree stand and I will have it all.....for now:) Them cell cameras are very tempting .....definitely changed how Deer hunting is done!
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Post by HighCotton on Jan 10, 2020 7:45:48 GMT -5
Like many on here, I’ve been on this crazy train since the mid 60’s. That was when my Uncle could make a few phone calls and we were off to tree coons in any of the Porter/LaPorte county woods we felt like hunting. So I’m pretty much maxed out on guns, gear, etc. Lately my passion has turned to finding and restoring (if needed) old .22 rifles! But, I keep fueling this beast. Always looking. Always reading and researching the next purchase. Why!?!? Because it fuels my kids and grandkids!!!! Maybe I don’t need anything else...but I’m sure they do!!!
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Post by lawrencecountyhunter on Jan 10, 2020 7:47:17 GMT -5
One thing I have been doing, and will be doing for a while to come, is setting up my girls with equipment.
I've bought enough junk over the years to have learned the hard way what type equipment is useful and what is not. As I set up the kids, I've taken the approach of buying quality products with good warranties when possible.
I got each daughter a pair of Vortex Diamondback HD binoculars earlier this year. They each have their own cots now for camping. They got their .22 rifles for Christmas with Leupold scopes. Cold weather sleeping bags will likely be next on the list.
I don't know if they'll ever want to hunt on their own or not, but I think there's still value in being a safe and competent gun owner, and I do think that they'll maintain some form of an outdoor lifestyle that the camping equipment will be useful for.
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Post by firstwd on Jan 10, 2020 8:00:21 GMT -5
One thing I have been doing, and will be doing for a while to come, is setting up my girls with equipment. I've bought enough junk over the years to have learned the hard way what type equipment is useful and what is not. As I set up the kids, I've taken the approach of buying quality products with good warranties when possible. I got each daughter a pair of Vortex Diamondback HD binoculars earlier this year. They each have their own cots now for camping. They got their .22 rifles for Christmas with Leupold scopes. Cold weather sleeping bags will likely be next on the list. I don't know if they'll ever want to hunt on their own or not, but I think there's still value in being a safe and competent gun owner, and I do think that they'll maintain some form of an outdoor lifestyle that the camping equipment will be useful for. I was in your shoes for years. My kids are now 25 and 23 and in the last 5 years I've finished out my collection since I wasn't filling theirs. I guess at this point I'm in a holding pattern until grandkids start running around.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2020 9:40:43 GMT -5
I'm in the same boat. Only buy ammo, bolts, and arrows when needed. Not much else. I will need to buy new all rubber boots this year. My current pair is dry rotting. Not sure how long I've had them, but I had them when my brother bought his farm and that was 28 years ago. I do seem to pick up a few fishing lures at times in the late winter spring adventures. I do have a wish list, but not a needs list. I'm with firstwd. Mine are 22,24,26 and first two moved out. It' like my biggest pay raise.
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Post by butlerj on Jan 10, 2020 10:06:46 GMT -5
I have what I need, but I still fall for the "oh that might be a game changer" in comfort, or the chase etc. when I walk into the stores. I am still on that young dumb spending spree. I do get to use the excuse of building credit so I can buy a house instead of renting...
Needless to say, I seen a ATA post last night about spypoint making a cell transmitter that can turn any camera you have into a cell camera via the SD card slot. check it out before you go out and spend that money. MSRP was stated around $70.
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Post by dbd870 on Jan 10, 2020 11:05:58 GMT -5
I’m 61 this year and I’m going to start downsizing; passing some on, maybe sell a few. Only thing I MAY pick up once I move to Alabama would be a Benelli or Beretta semiauto shotgun; we’ll see. I’ve played with a bunch of stuff over the years - I’m satisfied
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Post by elmo on Jan 10, 2020 12:12:45 GMT -5
I am going to get my center fire rifle for Christmas on Sunday, and got a new to me hoit bow back in the spring. The rifle makes me feel that I am complete. I can hunt anything that I want and can do it confidently. I hadn’t changed any of my equipment until this year and the bow was given to me and the rifle was almost half off on Black Friday. I never understood the need for the latest and greatest when what I have works great for me.
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Post by hornzilla on Jan 10, 2020 16:40:33 GMT -5
Well past needs. But come across wants ever once in awhile.
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Post by medic22 on Jan 10, 2020 19:44:46 GMT -5
I tend to buy a lot of stuff, but its because Im in a neverending search for what is best for me. Yeah it costs money, but comfort is priceless. Im adding and subtracting pieces of clothing yearly trying to get it just right. Most of the other stuff I no longer bother with (scent covers, attractants, etc), and I certainly have enough guns to choose from.
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Post by Pinoc on Jan 10, 2020 22:44:40 GMT -5
I find myself understanding my late Father more and more and his hunting style toward the end of his life. I enjoy being close to the truck more now incase it gets “too cold” or starts to rain “too hard”. If I didn’t have two sons sticking it out and bringing home venison then I would probably hunt a little harder. Don’t get me wrong I still enjoy being out there but like some have already said I don’t have to prove anything to anybody or show I have the latest and greatest anymore.
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Post by esshup on Jan 10, 2020 23:15:29 GMT -5
Lately my passion has turned to finding and restoring (if needed) old .22 rifles! But, I keep fueling this beast. Always looking. Always reading and researching the next purchase. Why!?!? Because it fuels my kids and grandkids!!!! Maybe I don’t need anything else...but I’m sure they do!!! 4 words for your next purchase: Anschutz Model 54 Match Rifle Peep sight front and rear, rear butt hook, sling and palm rest for 3 position shooting. It's what I used in College. Using Wildcat T22 ammo, using NRA USAS-50 targets where the center dot had to be cut for it to score a 10, the best I did in practice was 297. Did the same score in a match with Eley Tenex ammo so that tells me the things can shoot. 10 shots prone, 10 shots kneeling, 10 shots standing. No optic sights allowed, only peep front/rear. 10 minutes to shoot 10 shots prone (including any sighters), 5 min to change equipment to kneeling, 15 min to shoot 10 shots, 5 min to change equipment, 15 minutes to shoot 10 shots standing.
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