RE: If you could bring 1 thing with you on a hunt...
Yep I'm right with Rob and the others, quality optics are an absolute MUST. Anyone who isn't carrying the best quality optics that they can afford is seriously cheating themselves......they are so valuable from preseason, to in the stand pre and post shot that I will go BACK to the vehicle to get them before I would climb into the stand without them.
When I dropped coin on the first really good pair it was painful and I wondered if I would ever get "my money's worth". I look back and realize just how silly that statement was and now I understand how people can justify spending BIG bucks for Swaros etc. My binos are probably the MOST used piece of equipment I own.
Next item is also optics.....good laser rangefinder is also a must in my book.