Useless hunting stuff we own...........

We have all done it. We have all fallen victim to the knee jerk reaction to buy something because you thought it was needed, it was cool, or it would make you a better hunter and it ended up at the bottom of one of your hunting tote's never to be used again?

What products come to mind? I remember talking to a new hunter and he had a list of things he 'needed' to get and I think I crossed off 1/4 of them and saved him from spending over a $150 on stuff you will use one or twice. This is not to slag any products out there but we all see the new gadgets every year that try to separate you from your money and at the end of the day is does more to fill your garage and not your tag.

• Turkey Calls - I get it.....you like to collect them but you do not need to bring every one you own on every hunt. The vest gets pretty heavy pretty fast.
• The need for matching camo - Like you have never fallen victim of that purchase
• Camo lens sunglasses - Really.....nuff said
• Reflective tacks or tape to help you find your blind or stand......if you need a flashlight to find your way around you should not be out at dark
• Shotgun bandolier sling - just do not be that guy that actually uses it.
• Shotgun stick for Turkey - you will get tired of carrying that stick around with you to shoot a orange size target at 40yds all well trying to limit movement
• Tripod Charis for blind hunting - these things are terrible. Nut crunchers and too high to use in a blind - completely useless.

https://i.imgur.com/9wZosvl.jpg

• Turkey seats - Unless you are on wet ground these are useless. My preference in order are Turkey lounger, trailer inner tube stuffed in a camo bag (do not knock it until you have tried it), insulated seat stuffed with crushed foam.

https://i.imgur.com/fgBlwtM.jpg

• Hand held GPS - I am in Southern Ontario........you are NOT getting lost.

https://i.imgur.com/1mLWgtn.jpg

My wife??

Oh you meant hunting equipment.:moose:

Lots of odds and ends around I do have both chairs you show and I find them extremely uncomfortable

yes indeed I've bought more than a few useless things over the past 25 yrs.....only one you list I find a life saver

-reflective tacks.....I hunt in a planted pine forest..all the trees are exactly the same size , evenly spaced and straight rows. I got turned around a few times in the dark so I marked the path with the tack reflectors so I don't have to sleep in the woods. HaHa..

I too like the Turkey lounger. Recently I've been taking it when I hunt Deer. Works great on the other side of a log to keep my butt from sitting in the snow on cold ground. High enough so I can use the log as a gun rest.

A bipod. Didn't take long to realize that shooting sticks make far more practical sense for hunting.

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Lol
Way too much clothing and boots.
Way too many Duck/Goose calls
Have done the same on stools trying to find just the right one. Finally found one I like that swivels
Reflective tacks
Anything Scent Lok

I see so many new hunters watching tv shows and buying everything they use. I always laugh when I see the new hunters with all the gadgets.
I wear 15 years old walmart camo, same equipment I have always had from the start.
Turkey calls are all different. I find I have to change up the tone once and a while.
Turkey lounger is the chair of choice but a big rock will do.

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I see that on here with the young people and people just getting into hunting.
They want every toy right now and not later.

Took me most of my life to slowly acquire all the hunting equipment I have.

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Originally Posted by Camoman

I see so many new hunters watching tv shows and buying everything they use. I always laugh when I see the new hunters with all the gadgets.
I wear 15 years old walmart camo, same equipment I have always had from the start.
Turkey calls are all different. I find I have to change up the tone once and a while.
Turkey lounger is the chair of choice but a big rock will do.

Sent from my SM-A505W using Tapatalk

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-Butt Out
-99% of potions in bottles
-gut hook knife

Some stuff is quite useful for one application but quite useless for another. For example, at my central Ontario deer camp (deep woods rifle hunt) new guys show up with the following items that are of no value or benefit to that particular hunting style and terrain:
-bi-pod
-shooting stick(s)
-binoculars
-bull/target barrel
-3-9x (or higher) scope.

My Prime compound bow i paid about 1500$ all said and done.

Have zero interest in bow hunting now, What was I thinking, think I shot about 3 arrows.



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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Camoman

I see so many new hunters watching tv shows and buying everything they use. I always laugh when I see the new hunters with all the gadgets.
I wear 15 years old walmart camo, same equipment I have always had from the start.
Turkey calls are all different. I find I have to change up the tone once and a while.
Turkey lounger is the chair of choice but a big rock will do.

Sent from my SM-A505W using Tapatalk

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With hunting less is more IMHO. I am also an amateur photographer and some of my best images have been where I had 1 camera, light meter, and maybe 1 or 2 lenses. I found when I had a backpack loaded with a camera body, 2/3 film backs, 3-4 lenses and an array of filters I would spend more time screwing around with the equipment rather than using the tools I had on hand to take the best possible image.

Hunting is been transformed to a gadget oriented sport. Just look at some of the packs some hunters are using for an afternoon hunt and I am floored - looks like they are running away from home for F sakes. Stop buying all that crap stuff just to have stuff that is crap. In most cases you are better off not having it to begin with. Buy what you really need and buy quality the first time - boots, clothing, scope, gun, knife, flashlight, ect.... Remember that post about the BPS employee? He hit the nail on the head because you cannot hunt unless you have a camo phone holder and wallet combo - LOL.

Reversible "Heat-a-seat". Very uncomfortable. It was a gift.
Also a gift, a folding hunting chair that has a built in soft cooler/lunch bag.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 410001661

With hunting less is more IMHO. I am also an amateur photographer and some of my best images have been where I had 1 camera, light meter, and maybe 1 or 2 lenses. I found when I had a backpack loaded with a camera body, 2/3 film backs, 3-4 lenses and an array of filters I would spend more time screwing around with the equipment rather than using the tools I had on hand to take the best possible image.

Hunting is been transformed to a gadget oriented sport. Just look at some of the packs some hunters are using for an afternoon hunt and I am floored - looks like they are running away from home for F sakes. Stop buying all that crap stuff just to have stuff that is crap. In most cases you are better off not having it to begin with. Buy what you really need and buy quality the first time - boots, clothing, scope, gun, knife, flashlight, ect.... Remember that post about the BPS employee? He hit the nail on the head because you cannot hunt unless you have a camo phone holder and wallet combo - LOL.

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I chalk it up to hunting being largely a "failure dominated" sport (like golf, full of gadgets to make you more successful). That, and short attention spans. People would rather buy success now than achieve it the long way by learning how and enjoying the journey.

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Sitka or other expensive "designer" hunting clothing. I know these will make you "look good" to your buddies LOL, but will they make you a better hunter? The people wearing them think they do LOL.

I fell for that tripod chair as well - what a bad purchase (now in a landfill). Cant imagine anyone comfortable sitting on one - "nut cruncher" indeed!!

ahhh the tape doesnt always help, i hunt in a dense forest but its VERY EASY to get lost especially in the dark even tho the path is not far at all from the open fields but stil, i bought a nice head lamp so i can have both hands free.

countless times ive looked around for my stand and im standing right beside it thinking im lost lol

My useless list:
- chair blind
- tripod
- many collapsable turkey decoys
- big camo backpacks
- gobbler decoy

Necessary items:
- turkey lounger, Avian-x hen decoy, thermacell in late spring, old 2-piece camo rainsuit sprayed w permethrin for ticks, fanny pack, hot packs in cold weather, high rubber camo boots

Questionable items:
- hub blind (dont find it of much use)
- 3 point chair - I do use it, but keep intending to buy swivel chair
- rangefinder (never time to use it in most situations)

There is a young lad that hunts the property next to me so I run into him quite often. I get a chuckle because he always has something new to show me. One day it was a new range finder with some kind of fancy angle compensator. Next trip it was a fancy new Scent Lock suit with some kind of a charcoal lining. Late in the season he bought some kind of Ozonics box that mounts to the tree. I'm not saying that this equipment is useless but let's just say I ended up sharing my venison with him.

One of the magazines that I subscribe to is Deer and Deer Hunting. I’ve been collecting them for 25 years and, every now and then, I’ll go through some of the older issues and laugh at some of the advertisements. Here’s an example from an issue from 1995: polarized scope covers, swivel limb tree seat, tree seat, hunting software, trail timers, scent shield soaps, tree lounge tree stand, cough suppressor/muffler, ATV handle bar mitts, just to name a few,

useless hunting equipment is a function of hind sight being 20/20. Most of the purchases at the time I think was based on "well it seems like a good ideal at the time."
Its only experience that enable us to determine wants needed or not unfortunately the novice is in short supply and easy pickings for slick advertising promos.

Entertaining thread lol, I have a "nut cruncher" chair too. I strap it on the front of my atv at the start of the hunt and it stays there until the hunt is over. Never use it or...... flashlight, binoculars, hot packs, scent free soap, gut hook

Collapsible deer decoy (took too long to set up), plastic resealable gong target (rounds went right through and it didn't even move to let me know if I hit it or not), range finder (only use it cutting lanes for stands but never actually hunting), owl/crow call (nothing ever gobbled back), leafy cover that went over you when sitting at the base of a tree and then rolled up into a pack behind your head, but got caught on every twig and stick in the forest, are the most regrettable ones, but if any newbies want a good deal on this stuff, just PM me! lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ahuntr300

Sitka or other expensive "designer" hunting clothing. I know these will make you "look good" to your buddies LOL, but will they make you a better hunter? The people wearing them think they do LOL.

I fell for that tripod chair as well - what a bad purchase (now in a landfill). Cant imagine anyone comfortable sitting on one - "nut cruncher" indeed!!

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Sitka.
Quite the opposite.
Like most I've spent a ton on "outdoor" clothing. I was an early Sitka adopter. Have more than I likely should, however all of it is now years old, years. Most at least 8 years old, a few pieces 9-11 years and still going strong. Haven't spent 1 penny on anything else since. I could care less about how it looks. It works. In fact I wore the "waterfowl" heavy parka today. Goretex kills the wind and the down fill, I'm snug as a bug with just a light shirt underneath. Also own the same parka/bibs in the green/white ( whitetail pattern). I've spent hours in tree stands in that set up when it was -15, -20 and -30, blizzards, freezing rain...... As someone else mentioned. Good boots, good clothing. Is the stuff that allows us to be out when others go home early or stay home and their expensive bows, rangefinders, scopes, and useless gadgets are in the closet/safe as well. All that said, the stuff is stupid expensive.

4100
Photography.
lol, definitely a less is more thing.

I am the same way with the fishing gear mostly tackle lol. Buy alot of things on sale say I will maybe try it and never do.

I know it's not hunting related but its the same issue . Buy it cheap and and never use it lol.

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Been there, done that ! Only about a tenth of my outdoors purchases are really used. Like 410001661, I have the same Magellan SporTrakColor Gps, bought decades ago on sale for around $350. My friends thought it was the cat's meow ! Great for finding my fishing hotspot, but gets me lost in southern Ontario. It shows Hwy35/115 around Oshawa as Hwy 38, that's in Kingston. Never found a way to update it.
The items I don't leave home without are: GoPro, Rangefinder, Thermacell and LED flashlight. The rest gather dust ...

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Originally Posted by JBen

Sitka.
Quite the opposite.
Like most I've spent a ton on "outdoor" clothing. I was an early Sitka adopter. Have more than I likely should, however all of it is now years old, years. Most at least 8 years old, a few pieces 9-11 years and still going strong. Haven't spent 1 penny on anything else since. I could care less about how it looks. It works. In fact I wore the "waterfowl" heavy parka today. Goretex kills the wind and the down fill, I'm snug as a bug with just a light shirt underneath. Also own the same parka/bibs in the green/white ( whitetail pattern). I've spent hours in tree stands in that set up when it was -15, -20 and -30, blizzards, freezing rain...... .

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I was one of those guys that questioned the expense of Sitka and poked fun at my buddies who owned it. Then I got a deal on a barely used Sitka Incinerator set. First time wearing it I did a morning hang & hunt in minus temps and was so comfortable I ended up sitting all day til dark. Didn't even bring gloves. 30 minutes in I remember thinking... "ok, I get it now"

I got on board, I think around 2006-2008. And because I was doing a lot of work for magazines, was an "ambassador". If not for that, I wouldn't own as much as I do, and I now have a collection. The incerator bibs/parka and the same parka in waterfowl. Multiple Pants, shirts, a hoodie, and my first suit light pants/jacket in what they called mothwing. And its all, every single piece still going strong. Zipper for cargo pockets on the most heavily worn pants now gone. But the pants themselves despite hundreds, if not thousands of hours of abuse ( I wear stuff fishing, working in the yard, clearing snow). The only stuff that hangs most of the year is the whitetail incinerator. Want this to last 20+ years :) This is the same "incinerator" waterfowl parka I am wearing today with just a light shirt underneath. I think that year I brought both sets because when it's - 30 and showers are once every fw days....:) Image is from 2013. Likely around -10 to -20. I have other pictures where I'm covered in ice/sleet after hours in the stand. Do I care how I look? lol, not in the slightest

Is it "worth it"?
Not for me to answer. I am though a huge believer in getting the best boots/clothes we can. The world most expensive bow, tricked out and gadgets aren't doing anything if your going home early or staying indoors because its nasty out.

https://jbenphotography.ca/img/s/v-10/p42090213-4.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JBen

Sitka.
Quite the opposite.
Like most I've spent a ton on "outdoor" clothing. I was an early Sitka adopter. Have more than I likely should, however all of it is now years old, years. Most at least 8 years old, a few pieces 9-11 years and still going strong. Haven't spent 1 penny on anything else since. I could care less about how it looks. It works. In fact I wore the "waterfowl" heavy parka today. Goretex kills the wind and the down fill, I'm snug as a bug with just a light shirt underneath. Also own the same parka/bibs in the green/white ( whitetail pattern). I've spent hours in tree stands in that set up when it was -15, -20 and -30, blizzards, freezing rain...... As someone else mentioned. Good boots, good clothing. Is the stuff that allows us to be out when others go home early or stay home and their expensive bows, rangefinders, scopes, and useless gadgets are in the closet/safe as well. All that said, the stuff is stupid expensive.

4100
Photography.
lol, definitely a less is more thing.

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I agree.......buy the best quality clothes/boots you can afford. Nothing is worse than guys on a sit freezing their can off with their $2,500 shotgun on their lap.

Things got worse when I moved from 35mm to medium format. Cameras got bigger and heavier and more expensive. Ended up shooting 4-6 weddings a year to finance the equipment (fricken bridezilla's) - LOL. But I cannot tell you how many time I have taken my camera, tripod, backs, lenses, filters and light meter on a walk and never even took a shot. I called that taking my equipment for a walk. Some of my best images were with my Rolliflex or my C330f, light meter, and tripod - it all fit in my Domke shoulder bag and I used the tripod as a walking stick. Quick and easy to set up and you only had the one lens so deal with it! When I eventually migrated to a DSLR I could not believe the difference in weight and bulk.

Lol I hear ya. Back in the day, before C and age wore out my back, I would lug hunting gear and 20-50 pounds of camera gear into the bush, up into a tree stand, tacking bears through bush. Did a shoot for the mag way way back at Rondeua for ducks. Had to hump about 2 klicks into the blind. By the time we got there, I was soaked in sweat. Cold morning, just above freezing I stripped to my skivvies to quickly get rid of the sweat. This was before Sitka and moisture wicking...

This was a bear hunt for them. Some evenings it was close to 30 degree's in the stand. stuff soaks up sweat like almost nothing else I've owned. For the record, this outfit I wear for everyhting. Fishing, working in the yard, you name it. Still as good as new except the zipper on the cargo pocket. Bought it around 2009-2010. Pic from 2012
https://jbenphotography.ca/img/s/v-10/p1119858538-2.jpg

I have more photography crap and doo dads, than I do hunting and that says something. Actually considering selling some stuff this year. Either collecting dust, or I just cant lug it around the way I used to when in my 40s and early 50s.

When it comes to useless gear, I don't have much. I don't have much in the way of hunting gear either way. I have a warm camo suit but in warmer weather I never wear camo aside from waterfowl and bear hunting.

Useless.... I don't know why but I bought this scent dripper thing years ago that only dripped when the sun was up. That was my biggest derp moment. I have a lot of useless flashlights that looked good at the time but just don't work. Bloodsport flashlight was the worst, the only time it will make blood glow is when its on snow.....

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The older I get, The less stuff I carry with me.

Not because its too much to pack, Its just I don't NEED it.

I coyote hunt with a guy that has to bring his entire arsenal of calls/gimmicks everytime we go.

He has squeakers taped on the stock of his rifle, binos on a chest pack, about 15 calls around his neck, backpack full of stuff, big heavy bipod on his rifle, Gillie suit he can hardly walk in, camo cloth hanging every which way off his rifle.

I show up just carrying my rifle and slip on my snowcamo over my old coveralls and go.

Seen him ram that camo cloth Inside the bolt before and jam his gun, bipod catch on branches and not able to shoot, miss because he's trying to range the coyote and coyote sees him and takes off. Fiddling with his heated gloves and not even get a shot off.

He was so mad one time as he never even got a shot off and I killed both coyotes, He just looks at me like WTF how do you shoot so fast.

I just say because I just have to take the safety off and shoot, Skip the 50 steps YOU take to get it done. Haha


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Hey sorry to offend the Sitka fans, but I tried them and IMHO they were no better than my high quality browning gore tex hunting clothes. I am just as warm and dry and comfortable with those except at much lower cost. But that sitka symbol is nice though!!

i too have bought my share, but GPS sure wasn't a wasted item. Used them for years fishing, hunting and snowmobiling. Phone takes over most of the time now, but the little GPS is still in my pack with fresh batteries ready to go.
Butt out tool is the cats , if you clean animals that way. I don't much anymore but it does the job. Not necessary, but sure makes that part simple and easy.
Sitka clothes - I can't justify the cost but I sure would love to have some.

I've given away more crap over the years that I just had to have and used once. Easy to get sucked in.

Gave up buying extra crap for fishing and hunting years ago but not soon enough. Now I give stuff some serious thought before buying to be sure its something I think I really will use.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JBen

I got on board, I think around 2006-2008. And because I was doing a lot of work for magazines, was an "ambassador". If not for that, I wouldn't own as much as I do, and I now have a collection. The incerator bibs/parka and the same parka in waterfowl. Multiple Pants, shirts, a hoodie, and my first suit light pants/jacket in what they called mothwing. And its all, every single piece still going strong. Zipper for cargo pockets on the most heavily worn pants now gone. But the pants themselves despite hundreds, if not thousands of hours of abuse ( I wear stuff fishing, working in the yard, clearing snow). The only stuff that hangs most of the year is the whitetail incinerator. Want this to last 20+ years :) This is the same "incinerator" waterfowl parka I am wearing today with just a light shirt underneath. I think that year I brought both sets because when it's - 30 and showers are once every fw days....:) Image is from 2013. Likely around -10 to -20. I have other pictures where I'm covered in ice/sleet after hours in the stand. Do I care how I look? lol, not in the slightest

Is it "worth it"?
Not for me to answer. I am though a huge believer in getting the best boots/clothes we can. The world most expensive bow, tricked out and gadgets aren't doing anything if your going home early or staying indoors because its nasty out.

https://jbenphotography.ca/img/s/v-10/p42090213-4.jpg

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Couldn't agree more. In my younger days , many fishing and hunting days ruined by me being too cheap to buy good outerwear. I've got that figured out now. Never regret purchasing quality clothing.

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Originally Posted by fishfood

I am the same way with the fishing gear mostly tackle lol. Buy alot of things on sale say I will maybe try it and never do.

I know it's not hunting related but its the same issue . Buy it cheap and and never use it lol.

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"some lures are made to catch fish and some lures are made to catch fishermen"

For me it would be a camo mesh sort of thing that you could put in front of you for cover. Only used it once for turkey hunting but with wind if it isn't tied down properly it could do more harm than good. The backside is also white instead of camo so if it gets turned over by wind you'll have white covering you instead of camo lol. I guess it could work if used properly but I find just brushing in using natural tree branches from where your hunting is way better.

Every scent control product and gimmick on the market. I religiously practiced cover scents, scent free detergent, spray on scent killer etc.. for about 5 years. Got busted more than when i wasn't using it. After stopping the stupid rituals i just played the wind and have been more successful than i ever was. Smoke cigars and drink coffee wearing diesel stained clothes and still fill my primary plus additionals every year and for the most at less than 25 yards.

Ya, lots of stuff I call junk, definitely am a less is more kind of hunter now.... I try and go with bare essentials, keeping it light..... I have way too much camo clothing that I seldom ever wear.....

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Originally Posted by ninepointer

-Butt Out
-99% of potions in bottles
-gut hook knife

Some stuff is quite useful for one application but quite useless for another. For example, at my central Ontario deer camp (deep woods rifle hunt) new guys show up with the following items that are of no value or benefit to that particular hunting style and terrain:
-bi-pod
-shooting stick(s)
-binoculars
-bull/target barrel
-3-9x (or higher) scope.

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This ^^^^^


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Scent killer should be on the top of that list. Complete pseudoscience. Snake oil salesmen. Basic knowledge in deer biology or how scent is made completely refutes any "effectiveness" scent killers may have. Scent killer is a cover scent, it's just a stronger scent. Deer can smell weaker scents simultaneously... Even if scent killers "killed" all your scent, it wouldn't work. You'll simply produce more scent through sweating and breathing. Only way, and I mean the ONLY way to fool a deer's nose is playing the wind.

I've gone undetected within 5 yards of deer plenty of times, this was after sweating my arse off and wearing camo washed with the rest of my clothes. Heck I even throw some dryer sheets to make it extra soft. My dad's been hunting deer and black bear for 20 years and not once has scent been a primary issue when playing the wind.

This year ....

My Deer tag!!! ,,,, AND ..... MY DUCK STAMP Between cancellations, work, lockdowns etc. I got out ZERO!

I use very little equipment besides warm clothing and boots and a decent gun. Our fathers and grandfathers shot lots of game without many tricks.

The Gamefinder. Thankfully it was given to me to try during the bear hunt so I wasn't out any cash. It didn't even register my setter when she was sound asleep on the couch.

" A fool and his money are soon parted" ? Gadjets and dodads are good for somebodies bottom line but I find the K.I.S.S. method usually does the trick.
Buying quality basic items such as knife, boots, coats etc. goes without saying because as stated if you can't sit out there comfortably you won't fill your tag by standing/sitting in front of the fireplace. I've found some great deals at second hand stores.
I admit I've purchased a few things that ended up in the dump (nut cruncher chair comes to mind) and through trial and error have figured out what is worth putting in my pockets and what can stay home as a back up in case of loss or damage. At least that's my logic for having an abundance of gear.

Deer attractors (scents) I seem to buy a different one every year. lol Only once many years ago did I think one scent product got me some action. I saw someone mention a "Butt Out". I like my butt out, (that didn't sound right) have used it a few times. Only thing I don't like is putting it back in my pack with Deer poop on it..........................Daniel

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Originally Posted by boogaloo

I saw someone mention a "Butt Out". I like my butt out, (that didn't sound right) have used it a few times. Only thing I don't like is putting it back in my pack with Deer poop on it..........................Daniel

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I like mine too. I bought it way back at a Gun Show from a salesman before they were in the stores. Great and quick tool for envisorating the bottom end :)

Bear tags, musta bought close to 20, and never used 1. Even had a bear right under me once, never shot it cause I was listening to what I thought was a buck messing around in a bedding area 80 yards away that never showed up anyway.
John

The Butt Out tool is worth buying. We use ours every year along with those cheap shoulder length gloves which we snap a pair of nitriles over top of for better dexterity . Always carry some shopping bags to stuff heart/liver or garbage into and/or your poopy Butt Out tool.

I'm yet another fan of the Butt-Out tool. I never really fell prey to gimmicky stuff and my hunting clothes are things I've had for 30 years, by and large.

What I do seem to keep doing is buying hunting rifles, then selling them again, lol! I develop a good load, get bored, sell them.....
I could easily do with my .280 A-Bolt for everything, but I seem to get the itch for another .30-30 or .38-55 or .250 or .300 Savage or.....

I think I will buy a few items this year as I'm invited to hunt mules in B.C. this fall but I'm thinking good Binos and a better rangefinder. And really good pants.

I dont think I have anything thats completely useless. Most stuff just has a fairly specific purpose.

I guess a Redhead sling I bought a long time ago without really checking it out. Its a damn confusing tangle of nylon webbing. Like someone looked a good sling and said "how can I screw this simple concept up"? You look at it and assume that all this looped webbing is supposed to do something fancy like wrap around your shoulder or elbow to brace the shot; but no. Its just stupidly designed.

EDIT

On the other end of the spectrum, a cheap thing I bought which has well exceeded the price I paid for it is a dragging harness. I paid $5 I think for it about 10 years? Its 2" wide nylon webbing that goes around each shoulder and your waist with a D ring on the back to tie your drag rope too. It folds up tightly in the pack and weigh almost nothing. It dramatically improves the ease of draggina deer as it allows you to use your shoulders and chest and keeps your hands free for grabbing trees and what not or carrying other stuff. Its awesome.

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Originally Posted by blasted_saber

I dont think I have anything thats completely useless. Most stuff just has a fairly specific purpose.

I guess a Redhead sling I bought a long time ago without really checking it out. Its a damn confusing tangle of nylon webbing. Like someone looked a good sling and said "how can I screw this simple concept up"? You look at it and assume that all this looped webbing is supped to do something fancy like wrap around your shoulder or elbow to brace the shot; but no. Its just stupidly designed.

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haha, you bought one too......

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Originally Posted by Deer Hunter

haha, you bought one too......

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hahahahaha

Quote:

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Originally Posted by blasted_saber

hahahahaha

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Ha! I have that sling too. I did find a use for it though. I put it on my crossbow and 90% of the time the sling is cinched up tight like it’s not there. The odd time I need a free hand I loosen the sling.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ninepointer

Ha! I have that sling too. I did find a use for it though. I put it on my crossbow and 90% of the time the sling is cinched up tight like it’s not there. The odd time I need a free hand I loosen the sling.

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I ended up taking mine apart and rebuilding it the way I wanted it. I bought some chicago style screws and redesigned it so it more resembles a normal sling.

I could argue that a GPS is useful. It often helps to navigate the terrain. Good thing you didn't include binoculars in your list. Although you may find that item useless if you have a scope. But I don't like tracking my deer with a scope. I find it more enjoyable to hold the best elk hunting binoculars up to my eyes and peek at a deer or elk without interruption. Plus, you won't hit grass or leaves with the gun's muzzle when you have a shorter object in your hand. Perhaps I have a negative experience with hunting without binoculars. By the way, about the shotgun cartridge belt, that thing never came in handy for me. My jacket is always long and covers the belt.

I'll probably get crucified over this but my Sumit aluminum climber
ya it's comfortable when up there but it's loud and cumbersome compared to a tree saddle and climbing sticks and the saddle is more comfortable even for a guy weighing in at 250lbs

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Originally Posted by 410001661

We have all done it. We have all fallen victim to the knee jerk reaction to buy something because you thought it was needed, it was cool, or it would make you a better hunter and it ended up at the bottom of one of your hunting tote's never to be used again?

What products come to mind? I remember talking to a new hunter and he had a list of things he 'needed' to get and I think I crossed off 1/4 of them and saved him from spending over a $150 on stuff you will use one or twice. This is not to slag any products out there but we all see the new gadgets every year that try to separate you from your money and at the end of the day is does more to fill your garage and not your tag.

• Turkey Calls - I get it.....you like to collect them but you do not need to bring every one you own on every hunt. The vest gets pretty heavy pretty fast.
• The need for matching camo - Like you have never fallen victim of that purchase
• Camo lens sunglasses - Really.....nuff said
• Reflective tacks or tape to help you find your blind or stand......if you need a flashlight to find your way around you should not be out at dark
• Shotgun bandolier sling - just do not be that guy that actually uses it.
• Shotgun stick for Turkey - you will get tired of carrying that stick around with you to shoot a orange size target at 40yds all well trying to limit movement
• Tripod Charis for blind hunting - these things are terrible. Nut crunchers and too high to use in a blind - completely useless.

https://i.imgur.com/9wZosvl.jpg

• Turkey seats - Unless you are on wet ground these are useless. My preference in order are Turkey lounger, trailer inner tube stuffed in a camo bag (do not knock it until you have tried it), insulated seat stuffed with crushed foam.

https://i.imgur.com/fgBlwtM.jpg

• Hand held GPS - I am in Southern Ontario........you are NOT getting lost.

https://i.imgur.com/1mLWgtn.jpg

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On our 100 acres of thick forest those reflective trail markers are essential. So easy to get turned around at 5:00AM even if you know the place well.

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Originally Posted by Bowjob

ahhh the tape doesnt always help, i hunt in a dense forest but its VERY EASY to get lost especially in the dark even tho the path is not far at all from the open fields but stil, i bought a nice head lamp so i can have both hands free.

countless times ive looked around for my stand and im standing right beside it thinking im lost lol

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We've tried every product there is for flagging trails. This is the only thing you need, you can see it from 100 yards away in the dark:

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/58122...8aAgGtEALw_wcB

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Originally Posted by rali

We've tried every product there is for flagging trails. This is the only thing you need, you can see it from 100 yards away in the dark:

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/58122...8aAgGtEALw_wcB

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The challenge with such huge signs is the public land. When you lay a trail, everyone who passes by will see it
Did anyone came across any product (apart from small reflective tacks) that is hidden during daytime but shows at night ?

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The only thing I have found in the woods that is invisible during daylight but shows up after dark is bruiser bucks lol.
John

Quote:

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Originally Posted by newbiehunter

The challenge with such huge signs is the public land. When you lay a trail, everyone who passes by will see it
Did anyone came across any product (apart from small reflective tacks) that is hidden during daytime but shows at night ?

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What is wrong with the tacks for the purpose mentioned?Not challenging,just asking.

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Originally Posted by gbk

What is wrong with the tacks for the purpose mentioned?Not challenging,just asking.

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Just curious, if folks know any better products I might have missed

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