What piece of equipment...
 

has changed the way you hunt and it would be tough for you to hunt without it?

I think mine is the GPS. I go deeper into the woods, stay later in stand, have no problems following a blood trail at 10pm, I do more scouting...it has just opened up a ton of options. I've always been good with a compass, but with a GPS and a compass I can literally go anywhere.

RE: What piece of equipment...
 

How does this help you follow a blood trail?

Just curious. Are you talking about not being afraid to get lost? If so....I can see that. For the places I hunt......I'd have to say I'm going to enjoy the luxury I have to own a lone wolf hang on........and have 4 places I can use it by simply hanging it on a hook/strap I've installed on the various trees. I can have 4 stand locations and never risk losing one stand.

Now.....when I was living in Charleston....and fishing the coastal waters......the GPS was WITHOUT A DOUBT THE MOST important thing I took with me, out there........along with the 2-way.....and......well....it was VERY important.

Jeff

RE: What piece of equipment...
 

The GPS is also important to me too. It provides all of the same things. Though I can say that I've had a few scary moments after being out there for a while and the GPS unit was unable to pick up a signal because of the clouds or the canopy or whatever. It has happened to me a couple of times.

Tom

RE: What piece of equipment...
 

Most bow kills I've had have been right around that last hour (or less) of shooting light. After waiting an hour, it's dark. When I'm on a blood trail, I am so 'into' finding the next drops everything else in my mind (like direction) goes away. And in the dark, things look different than in the daytime. With a GPS, my stand is logged in, I start on the blood trail and go. I'm not really afraid to spend the night in the woods, it is just that my bed is more comfortable. So I guess it doesn't help me follow a trail, just gives me the confidence to know when I find the end of the trail, I'll be able to easily find my way back.

RE: What piece of equipment...
 

:DGood point. I think that the GPS/walkie talkies are the best piece of gear I have ever come across. Mainly usefuel in wide-open spaces where you could get hurt and stranded for a LONG time if you couldn't get ahold of someone and have your position show up on their unit. It just gives me such peace of mind. Other than that I would saya range finder. These are my picks but they mainly apply to ground hunting spot and stalk style.

RE: What piece of equipment...
 

I never fully rely on any piece of equipment when I go into the woods...except for my bow, treestand, and camo.
The only reason is that if I lost something, say my GPS or my laser rangefinder (which I love) then I would be out of luck.
Rely on your senses, that is why you were born with them.
That said...I still want a GPS unit. ;)

RE: What piece of equipment...
 

No doubt Campo, I always have a compass along as well.Never know whenI'll have to pull the batteries out of theGPS to use inthe flashlight ;)

RE: What piece of equipment...
 

Lone Wolf Treestands and Predator Camo are the only (2) things that I can honestly say have changed the way I hunt!

RE: What piece of equipment...
 

Sounds like you guys just need the "right" equipment!

RE: What piece of equipment...
 

One I've come to rely on is No Doze. I rely on most of the stuff everyone else does, but No Doze keeps me very alert. Otherwise, just sitting there is a killer for me. It really gives me an edge.

RE: What piece of equipment...
 

Topo maps. Too cool.

RE: What piece of equipment...
 

Laser Rangefinder. My yardage estimation ability has improved a lot since I've had it. I'm always picking something out, guessing the yardage, and then checking my accuracy with it. I also use it to determine shooting distance to travel lanes and set my stand within my shooting range ability.

RE: What piece of equipment...
 

Without a doubt, it's my release.

RE: What piece of equipment...
 

I read this thread several times and I can't think of just one item. Each has a purpose, a need, a use or I wouldn't take it with me. I could continue hunting if I lost any one thing or if one thing wasn't invented. Hell, I did before most of these items and I will if I didn't have them.