I read about all kinds of expensive hunts and gear but I can only admire from afar.
I'm sure there are others out there like me. I try not to spend a lot on my hunting. When I first started hunting it was with an SKS rifle and a used PSE bow. My first tree stand was made from 2x4's and plywood, and I could move it from tree to tree. I have hunted mostly public land. In the last 8 years my luck has been pretty good and I've killed a almost a dozen deer.
When I started hunting I didn't have much money. Times have changed and I have been fortunate but I still try to squeeze as much out of my gear as I can. My hunting boots are about 5 years old and I plan to wear them for another 5 years. My camo pants and shirts are from when I was in the Army in the late 90's. Last year I was given a nice compression thermal shirt in camo and some gloves that are built to hold chemical heaters in the back. My rifle and scope combo cost me about 400 and I'm very happy with it. My crossbow cost me about 125 9 years ago and it's taken most of my deer. I have a 10 + year old hand me down muzzle loader that I will be using for the second year. My one big expense this year is a scope for the muzzle loader that will run me about 150 including mounts. If all goes well I plan to use that for many years. I kicked in 150 bucks 15 years ago to be part of a hunt club. Spent sweat equity building a cabin and the next year we lost the lease. I don't pay to hunt any more. I just hunt public land or ask for permission to hunt on land of people I know. My biggest expense will be gas i the truck this year. I don't have a problem in the world with people spending lots of money or getting nice shiney new stuff, I'm just super tight on a dollar and want to buy stuff that lasts a long time.

So What's my point. I guess I have made an effort to Spend less and get the hunting done. I totally enjoy most of the things I have bought but I try to buy less and just make do with what I have. I certainly don't look down on anyone who spends more hunting or think I'm superior, I just have tried to incorporate my cheapskate nature into my hunting as well. I was just wondering if there were others out there who also feel somewhat out of place when they hear about 600+ dollar bows and 1500+ dollar rifle packages.