Don’t buy the marketing...unless you want to.

[daniel craig]

When it comes to hunting you’ll see constant advertisements about the gear you need. The camo, the special tools, the knives, the scents and the taking implements and countless other gear items.

Never forget that your ancestors hunted successfully before any of that stuff even existed. Camo for hunting is a relatively recent thing too. My grandfather used to hunt in his work pants and a red flannel and took at least one deer every year for 50 years. There were no fancy cover up scents, there were no $100+ Camo outfits or carbon lined clothes etc etc.

The deer don’t really care all that much what you look like, what gun/bow you used, what arrows or bullets you shot at them or how much you spent.

Hunting is about enjoyment. If you get enjoyment from buying gear, GREAT go for it, but if you don’t get enjoyment from it, don’t get yourself worked up thinking you “have to or
otherwise not a good hunter.”

I’ve seen many a new hunter agonize about spending a limited budget on all the gear they believe they need and I’ve seen more than a few not get into hunting because they think they can’t afford it (which always made me feel like there ought to be a gear co-op type thing for new hunters).

Budget for the license, the taking implement and a place to hunt/the trip, everything else is secondary. Remember, if you’re not enjoying it (and it’s the type of thing you think you’d enjoy) your focus is probably in the wrong area.

edit: yes, the art of Camoflage is nowhere near a new idea. “Fashion camo” is as is buying from the store.

edit 2: Nobody needs to feel that they have to justify the way they do or don’t hunt. Do it your way, however you want, whatever you like.

edit 3: the main point here is that like in many other areas of life there are people who feel lesser than others because they don’t have the same access to the latest sand greatest. It’s a normal part of the world we live in. The point here is that, if you don’t have access to all that, it’s absolutely ok and you can still have fun and be successful and meet any goal you have.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Use of camo isn't a relatively new concept. Native Americans were using camo at least 900 years ago (depicted in SW art) and certainly documented (witnessed) historically (as far back as late 1500s). Camo pattern clothing used in hunting may be relatively new, in the last 100 years or so, but the camo concept predates it considerably.

https://fcit.usf.edu/florida/photos/native/lemoyne/lemoyne5/lemoy532.htm

We tend not to camo like this today because we will shoot each other. It happens...https://www.kansascity.com/news/nation-world/national/article146032349.html

I have no doubt that camo hunting has been in practice for thousands of years, though no such artifacts remain to substantiate this.

Native Americans also (somewhat) engaged in scent control measures.

Can't say I have ever heard a hunter be concerned about the deer's regards for the hunter's gear or budget. You are correct that the deer doesn't care, but was that ever an issue?

Hunting is about a lot of things, one of which may be enjoyment for some. It may be a necessity for others and a job for still others. Some do it out of a perceived need to have accomplished such a task. Some will do it for ritualized reasons. It all depends on why you are hunting.

The attitude of "If you don't hunt how I hunt, with the gear I hunt with, for the reasons I hunt, you are doing it wrong" sort of attitude is part of what is wrong with hunting today. Too many hunters feel the need to tell other hunters that they are wrong for doing what they do, how they do it, or for why they do it.

I do agree with you completely that the marketing hype is way out of hand. Hunters will spend money on just about anything they think will give them some sort of magical advantage. No wonder they think the animals are so smart! Far too many, I feel, use gear to try to offset poor skills or poor field craft. Does wearing camo help? It certainly can. Does scent control help? It certainly can. Does having superior gear help? It certainly can. Are any of those absolutely needed for hunting? Absolutely not.

 

[daniel craig]

Use of camo isn't a relatively new concept. Native Americans were using camo at least 900 years ago (depicted in SW art) and certainly documented (witnessed) historically (as far back as late 1500s). Camo pattern clothing used in hunting may be relatively new, in the last 100 years or so, but the camo concept predates it considerably.

https://fcit.usf.edu/florida/photos/native/lemoyne/lemoyne5/lemoy532.htm
View attachment 927308
We tend not to camo like this today because we will shoot each other. It happens...https://www.kansascity.com/news/nation-world/national/article146032349.html

I have no doubt that camo hunting has been in practice for thousands of years, though no such artifacts remain to substantiate this.

Native Americans also (somewhat) engaged in scent control measures.

Can't say I have ever heard a hunter be concerned about the deer's regards for the hunter's gear or budget. You are correct that the deer doesn't care, but was that ever an issue?

Hunting is about a lot of things, one of which may be enjoyment for some. It may be a necessity for others and a job for still others. Some do it out of a perceived need to have accomplished such a task. Some will do it for ritualized reasons. It all depends on why you are hunting.

The attitude of "If you don't hunt how I hunt, with the gear I hunt with, for the reasons I hunt, you are doing it wrong" sort of attitude is part of what is wrong with hunting today. Too many hunters feel the need to tell other hunters that they are wrong for doing what they do, how they do it, or for why they do it.

I do agree with you completely that the marketing hype is way out of hand. Hunters will spend money on just about anything they think will give them some sort of magical advantage. No wonder they think the animals are so smart! Far too many, I feel, use gear to try to offset poor skills or poor field craft. Does wearing camo help? It certainly can. Does scent control help? It certainly can. Does having superior gear help? It certainly can. Are any of those absolutely needed for hunting? Absolutely not.

I mean, camo the way we most of us know/use it. The concept and usage of camouflaging techniques has been around as long as humans. Buying a separate full outfit for every different kind of hunting....not so much.

I appreciate your insight, this was meant as a “don’t worry, you don’t need all that of you can’t afford it” because I legitimately have seen new hunters feel bad about not having the “proper” gear.

 

[skeeterfogger]

I've taken plenty of game in jeans, t_shirt and moccasin house shoes.

 

[Milt1]

You're right! I hunted in Montana for three and 1/2 years while I was stationed there in Great Falls. My hunting outfit was a pair of jeans, waterproof boots, a wool shirt and some type of coat but nothing fancy and a hat or over vest with blaze orange on it. Did it get cold out there? You betcha, our first year there it got down to 50 below but it's a dry cold and if you're out hunting and moving around you can work up a sweat really quick. I have nothing against modern hunting clothes!

 

[jmr40]

Camo and cover scents have been used for thousands of years. But it wasn't always bought from a store until recently. Camouflage is designed to help you blend in and sometimes blue jeans and red plaid is the best camo. Deer that live in more populated areas see humans every day and aren't alarmed by them since they never pose a threat. Even in more remote areas hikers and backpackers walk by on a regular basis.

I've never had access to hunting such a place, but I've always thought that sitting out in open on a tractor in the middle of a field wearing jeans and a flannel shirt with a rifle might be the best camouflage. Deer see the farmer every day and get to the point where they ignore him. I see game animals at very close distances all the time when riding my Mountain bike, or hiking in the woods. I really believe the deer know the difference between a hiker and hunter wearing orange. Trying to not look like a hunter just might be the ultimate camo.

I make a point to wear good camo when waterfowl and turkey hunting. For those species it is a big help. For other game not so much. But I already have the gear so it often gets used for big game hunting too.

But I do agree that hunting is about fun and we should choose the gear we enjoy, and can afford, using. For some people having a really nice knife is just part of the experience. Others just want a sharp piece of metal with no regard to aesthetics. Neither is wrong.

If giving advice to a new hunter I'd tell them not to skimp on boots. Other than that they can do pretty good with gear from Walmart.

 

[huntsman]

I’m a minimalist and that carries over into hunting, for years my deer hunting jacket was a green/black plaid wool coat and brown duck for small game.

I carry a small bag with a few snacks, knife and deer dragging rope. My son on the other hand carries a pack on his back with all kinds of toys and gadgets.

For me I want hunting to be simple and gadgets seem to complicate things but I admit there’s been a few times where a rangefinder would have helped me.

 

[buck460XVR]

The most popular hunting apparel for the longest time was a red plaid wool mackinaw. Wasn't till a century later we understood that it's pattern and it's color made it a piece of camouflage clothing to deer. For the average rifle hunter hunting in areas where their target is going to be only mildly disturbed/pressured, and at a range of 75 yards or more, camo is more of confidence thing. Also, try to buy any sort of decent hunting clothing that does not come only in camo. When archery hunting or hunting for game that are not color challenged like wild turkeys and waterfowl, while it is not mandatory, camouflage may make the difference bewteen a good shot and no shot. Criticizing folks just for wearing camo is kinda like criticizing farmers for having "barn" clothes. Same goes for scent reduction. Shoot at a deer at 100 yards from an elevated blind and you could soil your pants while eating Garlic bread and it wouldn't matter. Waiting for the buck of lifetime to come within bowrange at a slight downwind angle and you'll be hoping like 'ell that your scent killer is working. Things are relative. But not all things need to be the most expensive. Sure one can go the bare bones/cheap as possible ropute, but there is omething to be said for comfort, like being warm and dry on a cold, rainy, windy day in a treestand in November in Wisconsin. Many a time I've thanked the Good Lord for Gore-tex and Thinsulate. But comfort comes at a cost. Some things are a bit outrageous tho......like those guys on T.V., hunting over bait, on a high fence ranch, from an enclosed elevated blind, with a high-powered rifle and they are in full camo, right down to the artistically drawn face paint.

Grandpa may have very well did well hunting deer while just wearing his bibs after doing chores. But gramps didn't have much of a choice. I doubt he would have turned down a pair of Iceman boots if offered to him instead of just his five buckles on a below zero day on the stand.

 

[.308 Norma]

Hunting is about enjoyment. If you get enjoyment from buying gear, GREAT go for it, but if you don’t get enjoyment from it, don’t get yourself worked up thinking you “have to or
otherwise not a good hunter.

Just counting big game hunting, (and not counting the years I went with my folks before I was old enough to carry a rifle myself) I've been at it for 57 years. I've always hated it because I've never been able to afford the "latest and greatest" guns and gear I see advertised. And now that somebody came up with the internet, and I can read everyday about folks that have "nicer and newer" gun and gear than I have, hunting has become intolerable for me.
No wait....maybe I'll give it one more season to get better.

 

[dh1633pm]

Hoes does one add to an excellent written thread?

 

[labnoti]

For most people, the gear is a small expense compared to the time off, guide and travel expenses. Of course there are people that hunt out the back of their yard, but most people in the US live in urban areas now and the largest portion also lives in the east. If they want to hunt at all, especially for medium or large game, they're looking at taking a lot of time off work or away from their business. Most people have absolute limits on how much of that they can afford for a given year. If the travel time and distance also makes it impractical for them to take more than one trip, they're probably looking at hiring a guide to maximize the limited time they have. There's a real good chance they'll have to pay to get on private land anyway. When you look at the real cost of hunting for a big portion of the population, the designer camo outfits, the electronic rangefinders and the latest trendy ultra long range precision rifles with glow-dot optics and all the other accessorizations are relatively affordable. They're baubles that they can buy without even making the commitment to be in the field for longer than 5 days a year.

 

[troy fairweather]

I'd bet half the and I've hunter killed have been with normal cloths, I've never had much camo mostly because I'm big. There's places now that sell big sizes but don't have the money to go spending on it.

I have been camo shamed more then once, never stoped me from harvesting a animal. I do like wearing more natural colors with out being to brown I do live in New York After All some of them city hunters will shoot at anything that moves.

There are some handy hunting items but most aren't necessary. Your weapon a good knife and your licence is all you really need, maybe a short rope to drag bigger game.

 

[.308 Norma]

For most people, the gear is a small expense compared to the time off, guide and travel expenses.

Yep, there's a lot of truth to that too - even for those us that live in the heart of some of the best deer, elk, pronghorn and moose (if I ever draw a moose tag) hunting country in the lower 48. We've never paid for a guide, but during our (my wife and my) working years, we still had to take vacation to go big game hunting, and sometimes that vacation was hard to come by because there's a lot of other people around here that put in for vacation time during big game season(s).
Then there's the cutting and wrapping of the meat. We learned to do it ourselves, but it takes time and equipment.
And don't forget - if you and your spouse both hunt, and you have kids, you have to worry about your kids not missing too much school. All in all though, I still think big game hunting is a great form of recreation, even if USDA prime beef costs less and is easier to come by.

 

[Ks5shooter]

I hunt out of one of these with the canopy on top.Not so much for rain but to keep light off me and conceal movement. Very low to the stand for firearm season,a bit higher for crossbow. I am fortunate that I hunt the farm where I park my work truck. Out of the truck change boots walk 300 yards to my stand. Maybe a camo shirt or jacket a hat and a camo facemask all different patterns none match. Poor mans breakup pattern clothes,very inexpensive LOL.

 

[dh1633pm]

ks5shooter has a good point. But in no way does anyone have to justify how they hunt. Or what he they use. Sweet setup by the way. The tread to me is to remind us of simplicity.

 

[Milt1]

Camo and cover scents have been used for thousands of years. But it wasn't always bought from a store until recently. Camouflage is designed to help you blend in and sometimes blue jeans and red plaid is the best camo. Deer that live in more populated areas see humans every day and aren't alarmed by them since they never pose a threat. Even in more remote areas hikers and backpackers walk by on a regular basis.

I've never had access to hunting such a place, but I've always thought that sitting out in open on a tractor in the middle of a field wearing jeans and a flannel shirt with a rifle might be the best camouflage. Deer see the farmer every day and get to the point where they ignore him. I see game animals at very close distances all the time when riding my Mountain bike, or hiking in the woods. I really believe the deer know the difference between a hiker and hunter wearing orange. Trying to not look like a hunter just might be the ultimate camo.

I make a point to wear good camo when waterfowl and turkey hunting. For those species it is a big help. For other game not so much. But I already have the gear so it often gets used for big game hunting too.

But I do agree that hunting is about fun and we should choose the gear we enjoy, and can afford, using. For some people having a really nice knife is just part of the experience. Others just want a sharp piece of metal with no regard to aesthetics. Neither is wrong.

If giving advice to a new hunter I'd tell them not to skimp on boots. Other than that they can do pretty good with gear from Walmart.

Excellent Advice!

 

[ms6852]

As a little boy my grandfather told me to cut up branches of whatever desert plants grew in west Texas and put them in a container and then just put in my hunting clothes in that container. As the plants dried out replace them with fresh ones every couple of weeks until hunting season. I've been very successful for many decades without camo. I do recommend buying the heavy duty canvas pants for hunting because there is a ton of cacti all over where we hunt and they just go right through the jeans. But I've never worn camouflage for hunting, only in the military.

 

[Ernie Bass]

I do not see the new gear as just hype. Most of my hunting clothes are well worn, but I did buy some new gear last year. Bought a lighter weight jacket and pants due to the extremely warm winter we had and the material much more breathable. I also made a change to a tick repellent pair of pants. I spend more time hiking in the woods during deer season and pretty much scout all rear around. I do believe in camo, it has proven itself to work better..

And I will not wear Blue Jeans. That is a color deer can see. Plus I do not get the larger pockets for food, and other gear. I have been in the woods with Blue Jeans but keep a very thing light weight camo cover pant for them.
Heck yes, I believe in Scents and scent removal. The deer I hunt are not use to humans and that nose of there's is one Powerful defense for them. Even in area's that there are humans, deer get spooky as heck during the season.

I have seen them use that crazy nose of there's so many times. Many tools like back packs etc get improved on. Lighter and more efficient. Boots are your friend and when I switched to a lighter boot shoe was a blessing for spring and summer scouting.I do not believe in all the gadgets, special optics, special calls etc. I have used the same deer grunt for 30 yrs.

I was glad to see Tick Repellent come out that is non-scented. I do not hunt in a tree stand, do not care for that kind of hunting in modern large stands with heat and whatever else they make them of. But do use blinds and there are some very light weight portable one's that they have been developed over the years.

I have no idea of what "fashion Camo" is. Camo is camo and pick the right one for the area that I will be hunting. Heck, even when I am in the woods in the off season, I can see some guy without camo from far off and notice him quickly and I ain't even a deer.

 

[Bfh_auto]

I agree with the premise of this thread.
I say don't skimp on footwear or cold weather gear.
Nothing ruins a good time like shivering, wet feet, or blisters.
This doesn't have to be hunting gear. Or even new stuff.
I usually hunt 4 days during deer season.
I believe in cover scent, binoculars, a range finder, and a framed backpack to carry food, coffee, and double as a seat.
I get aggravated by people shaming someone on their choice of weapon. If all you can afford is an Axis and a few boxes of corelocks. It will still work.
I hunted with an SKS and hp wolf ammo for a few years. I still killed the one deer I shot at with it.

 

[ms6852]

If all you can afford is an Axis and a few boxes of corelocks.

Core-lokt ammo is still the only ammo I ever use for deer and elk in over 50 years. It works!

 

[Patocazador]

When it comes to hunting you’ll see constant advertisements about the gear you need. The camo, the special tools, the knives, the scents and the taking implements and countless other gear items.

You are correct. Hype doesn't produce success.

 

[Bfh_auto]

Core-lokt ammo is still the only ammo I ever use for deer and elk in over 50 years. It works!

It does. But I need an excuse to reload.

 

[MikeInOr]

I do believe in comfortable clothes and footwear that allows body moisture to evaporate and keeps me warm but not sweaty. I bought my Northface shell and liners 25 years ago... And I am still using them. There has been tons of "advances" since then but I have resisted. I do love the pit zips for body heat regulation.

I don't understand the hunting rifle and scope craze? I use my father's Rem 760, not known for moa accuracy, in 30-06 and his old Weaver scope. I can easily shoot under 1 moa with my target rifle from a bench... but I can't from a standing position in the field.

But let's face it, our society is about commercialism and corporations convincing us we "need" stuff that we really don't.

 

[Rembrandt]

I'm guilty of being suckered into hunting gear hype....marketing firms paint a compelling argument for the success of their product. Sometimes they work, other times they get taken to a swap meet and recycled.

 

[ms6852]

It does. But I need an excuse to reload.

That is what I mean to, I reload the car-lokt in 165 grains for my 06". I'm sure there are better bullets with better coefficient but dropped my first deer with one and I've been loyal since.