Loving Where I'm At

[Cintax]

I'll second that, Kent is at an a great price when they have their 15% off sale's, I grab a few flats.

When does this happen? Every time I see one of these sales advertised the flyer always says "excludes ammunition, firearms and gift cards".

[blasted_saber]

Im fairlyy similar when it comes to hunting stuff (although I still tend to find myself eying up new pocket knives when I really dont need another one). Im always on the lookout for more ammo though.

Now fishing stuff, thats another story. Big box fishing stores are the bane of my wallets existence.

[GW11]

Good thread! All you really need to be successful (especially when it comes to turkey/deer/grouse) is your gun or bow, a good knife, warm clothes that can be bought at a surplus or second-hand store rather than a big box store, a day pack, some ammo and your licence/tags. A call or two if you're turkey hunting and perhaps some binoculars. The vast amount of everything else is nothing but frills and gimmicks to attempt to "buy success" as Welsh put it.

Hopefully the newer hunters are paying attention here and will see that you don't "need" a lot of new gear for success. Buy some quality used stuff when starting out rather than new junk. You don't need trail cams, ATV's, scent control products, 400 fps crossbows, magnum calibres, $500 scopes, 15 different turkey calls, designer turkey decoys, name-brand ground blinds or tree stands, the latest GPS, $300 boots, most "camo" in general (although sometimes it's all that good rain gear comes in), 3.5" shells, the list goes on and on.

Think of what our ancestors used back in the old days. They had no trouble killing turkey, deer or moose and they didn't have any of this new stuff. It's nice to have some of it and nice to be in a position to buy what you want, but not very much of it is necessary.

[MikePal]

Besides, a good shotgun is only worth $150 used right?

One of the best guns I have bought, a Wingmaster 870, picked it up at Gun Mart on consignment for $125...heck a a good deal !!

Don't mix up buying cheap and buying crap....I own a whack of top of the line hunting gear...and it was all purchased thru eBay, estate auctions, Gun shows etc. I don't remember the last time I bought something retail. I've rarely been in any of the box stores, usually only go there when a buddy is buying something. On-line shopping thru Amazon is far better than going into Bass Pro.

....never spent more than $4,500 on any of my 4x4 trucks, the last 3 I've owned amortized out to about $1K per year. The ones I'm in now (97 Sierra) I picked up 2 years ago at an estate auction for $3500..so far no problems. Singly the worst investment and the biggest waste of money a guy can make, spending $20+k on a truck....for the 'look of success'

[TurkeyRookie]

When does this happen? Every time I see one of these sales advertised the flyer always says "excludes ammunition, firearms and gift cards".

The store in Vaughn, anytime I've gone during the sale it always included firearms and ammo.

[Cintax]

The store in Vaughn, anytime I've gone during the sale it always included firearms and ammo.

Well, alright then. Thanks TR.

[bellerivercrossbowhunter]

I am a grear junkie too & always seem to have 2 crossbows on hand when I really only need one.

However like most of you I am @ a good point in my life being in my mid 40's & the big ticket purchases are all over for me. Now I just buy small items like arrows,broadheads & a few fishing lures here & there. I just hope Excalibur doesn't come out with a bow that's better than the Micro becuase I will convince myself that I need it!! LOL

Jeff

[hunter75]

man I envy you having too much money that you have to go find something to buy. im lucky if I have enough money to buy something when I really need it.

I find Sail a good store for ammo pricing and selection, plus the new store is right around the corner from my house. but overall they don't have the best selection of hunting specific stuff. I find they cater more to the general outdoorsmen (ie kayaker, camper, hiker) than hunting. however this means for my camping and general outdoors stuff they have what I need.

I find it kind of funny that all the stores have the hunting and fishing stuff upstairs, and even have a separate hunting boot section upstairs separate from the normal footwear section. my guess is this is so they don't mix the hippy tree hugger outdoorsmen with the hunter/fishermen.

I am also trying to minimize what I carry into the woods with me. I have a basic set of stuff that I need, and some more stuff for the longer hike days and special circumstances, but I am really trying to get away from having a backpack with me during every hunt. I have in the past brought too much stuff, but those are bad habits to get in especially since I would like to do some more rugged back country type stuff in the future, and efficient gear selection is key to this.

Do not envy him.. its call living the dream. am only jealous

[TurkeyRookie]

Well, alright then. Thanks TR.

No problem almost bought my A400 during their sale last year, was down to 1699.99 plus tax, still found a better deal, glad I held off, but they made a point of putting up posters in the store that said includes firearms and ammunition.

[line052]

I spent the last 35 consuming the “next thing”; it seems as I get older I just want to get back to the simple life. Next purchase is not the Honda foreman 500 I just looked at this week, but a 1993 Suzuki King Quad 300 for $1600.00. Don’t need to go fast, or new. Paid up front, no interest or payments. If it breaks, not making payments on stuff I can’t use. I am starting to get sick of the “buy into the system” of mortgages, interest, student loans, and quite frankly tired of it. If I had my choice in the woods, off the grid on 100 acres, farming and hunting as much of needs a s possible.