Who Cares Less About Equipment
 

Is it just me or is there anyone else that really could care less about what specific kind of bow, arrows, rest, release, broadhead, stand, sights, camo, boots, etc etc that you use, just as long as it works? I've probably changed my bow setup twice in going on 14 years of bowhunting. I shoot a Pearson who I believe is out of business now. My camo gets replaced when it gets enough holes in it that you can see my tighty whities, and I buy whats convenient and practical and have never owned any form of scent eliminating clothing. I still shoot aluminum although I did make a monumental change a few years back and started shooting mechanicals although this year I may switch back. I buy a dozen arrows and as long as I have three straight ones in my quiver I don't buy anymore...a dozen will usually last a few years if not more. My stands are usually home made with an ocassional bargain buy @ Cabelas or Wally World. I have used the same release for 9 years. My rest is 5 years old and was replaced only when a cooler got dropped on my last one and bent it. With all of this frugality and disconcern in regards to my equipment I am fairly happy with the success I've had bowhunting. My biggest concern is getting close enough to big animals to kill them and I spend most of my time and energy in achieving that goal. I get bored by the details of equipment...anybody else like that or am I a freak[:o]:D[8D]

RE: Who Cares Less About Equipment
 

There is nothing wrong with that. I huted with the same set up that I startedwith up until this year. Then I went hog wild;). I bought a new bow (it was time) and all new accessories but now that I have those I should be all set for the next 5 or 6 years at least.

RE: Who Cares Less About Equipment
 

I have been using the same bow, that I bought new, since 1984. A Browning x-cellerator. Wood riser, laminated wood limbs, 44" axle/axle.
I'm starting to feel like it is time for new, but it is sooo pretty and light to hold and the wood is warm in your hand on a cold day and OHH I just love her! Nevermind....

RE: Who Cares Less About Equipment
 

I know exactly what you mean wolfen.

Some of my camo I can't even button anymore!! I have gotten fatter in the last 5 years and it don't really fit well anymore. That is right, I don't own any camo that is newer than 5 years old. Even my coveralls are that old, more holes in them than anything...zipper is broke. My rocky boots where mossy oak camo at one time and now they are faded so bad they look dark gray!!

Now my bow on the otherhand..I did upgrade that in 01 and bought into the Mathews game. I put a new rest on it 2 years ago, but the rest was a freebie from one time member gkftech. I did have to change out sights this year because the fibers were broke in the old one. I bought 6 new hunting arrows last year and still have 4. My arrow box is full of arrows for practice that might be bent or an 1 1/2 too long. I know I still have 2 or 3 of the original dozen I bought in 01. And yes my arrows are aluminum. My buddy switched to carbon a couple of weeks ago and then we went to a shoot, and all I can say is he can have them!! Pull out of the target way too hard. Sometimes it took both of us to get them out.

RE: Who Cares Less About Equipment
 

You are not a freak Wolfen.

I have a small assortment of older strap on stands, and my Lone Wolf climber is on its 3rd year of use. My screw in steps just need some touching up with a small file and a little paint. This will be the 4th season for my Martin Cougar Magnum bow. I still use Muzzys because they work for me. My faded but comfy cool weather camo is still going, same for the cold weather hunting clothing. Looks like the new Predator camo is gonna have to wait. I am using a dropaway with some Easton Axis arrows this season, and the same release. I am not a scent lure freak, but after trying doe pee and estrous doe scent from Rush Creek Deer Lure Co. with good results, its gonna be in use again this season!

RE: Who Cares Less About Equipment
 

I spend a lot of money on hunting supplies annually. I'm addicted. I like to buy as much as I can afford.

This year I bought:

new bow
new sight
new rest
new arrows
new stabalizer
new broadheads
new quiver
new fanny pack
3 sets of new climbing sticks
new bibs
new pants
new shirt
new boots
1/3 interest in 470 acres
new compass watch

RE: Who Cares Less About Equipment
 

I do think that you're a freak but that has nothing at all to do with this.:D;) But no I don't think that there's anything wrong with keeping the same equipment year after year, although I personally love to buy new stuff.

RE: Who Cares Less About Equipment
 

I love having new stuff, I just don't like buying it. But I still do.

RE: Who Cares Less About Equipment
 

You guys are no help[:o]:D But thanks to adams, livbucks, IBM, and Cougar;)

RE: Who Cares Less About Equipment
 

Part of my addiction to bowhunting is buying and trying new stuff. But if I find something I really like I stick with it. Example a old man grandvision is the only climbing stand I will ever use. I love it so I bought 6 of em. I think I will be set with climbers for the rest of my life.

RE: Who Cares Less About Equipment
 

Wolfen68, take a look at my current, tried 'n true, bow. I still shoot this bow with Easton XX75 Camo Hunter #2315's and don't see a need to switch. This ol' bow is still shooting straight, and lethally accurate. There is a certain feel and it's simple, rugged and reliable.



I have picked up Martin's, Parker's, Hoyt's, and that new wicked fast Fred Bear model. I just can't see buying a new bow at this moment, when I am still enjoying shooting my old PSE Edge Series 1000C bow.

Butch A.

RE: Who Cares Less About Equipment
 

It used to be that gearing up and the "tech" end of things were as much fun as the hunting. However, the older I have gotten the more it has gotten to be about the hunting and less about the equipment.

RE: Who Cares Less About Equipment
 

I like to tinker with things when I'm getting a new setup, but once I got it down I don't want to be bothered with thinking about it. When I buy anything, be it bow, gun, muzzleloader or even clothes and treestands, I like to set it and forget it, like Ron Popiel says. I like to buy something of decent quality and then wear the living crap out of it for years and years.
To me, the adrenaline rush of buying something new all the time is not why I hunt. I am a hunter and the bow and guns are just the tools I use to pursue my hobby, I don't give a crap about that "new car smell". If I hunt my whole life with one bow, a couple of guns, one ML and the same old treestands, then that will be okey dokey. Would things be different though if I had a pile of money to spend on it all the time, I don't know.

My old bow sure is purdy though with it's warm feel in my hand and the soft shimmer of the reflections in the natural tones of her limbs.........OH BOY! HERE I GO AGAIN! I SURE DO LOVE HER!.......

RE: Who Cares Less About Equipment
 

I agree,
The only time I will purchase new equipment is if something unfixable happens.
I have been shooting the same Bear split limb for about 6 years now and dont think I will replace it until I ABSOLUTELY have to. It shoots great and "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

RE: Who Cares Less About Equipment
 

I normally don't buy new equipment unless its worn out. I am not the type to need the latest gadget and expensive stuff. I will pay for quality when I need to, but typically can find good deals without breaking the bank.

RE: Who Cares Less About Equipment
 

I bought my current bow in 1986, I think, and it still serves me well. Not changing anytime soon. And I'm not a once a year bowhunter. I probably climb in the stand 30+ times a year.

Hell, the deer don't know what brand my bow is...they just know that the arrow passing through them is not a good thing.:D

RE: Who Cares Less About Equipment
 

Wolfen,

The last thing I would say is your a freak, your system and philosophy works for you. Your satisfied and your harvesting the animals your after right? why would you wanna change anything?

I don't think there is anything wrong with owning a new bow or a bow from what ever year as long as the hunter shooting it is proficient and confident with it. The last thing expensive shooting equipment is gonna do is make someone a better hunter... now maybe a little better shooter..... that may be argued. I do believe a hunter can stack the odds in his favor more by eliminating as much human scent as possible by following a strict scent free approach and using scent elimating clothing, but is it necessary to kill mature animals? nope..... history proves that, but theres that what if and what might have been when the wind changes or that animal is wise enough to circle downwind and you never knew he had snuck in and snuck out. Personally I care about the afformentioned scenario, so I choose the extreme scent free approach, but its a lot of work in most folks mind. The public land critters I hunt here are pretty reliant on their noses and the fickle swirling winds and thermals in the mountains will make a joke out of term prevailing winds. Light a campfire in mountainous country and watch it change directions every couple minutes. When I hunted in Alberta in the Bowzone it was just the opposite, prevailing winds, you could check with on the weather channel, it amazed me the drastic difference compared to back home. I can see why some folks in the right terrain have no problem with just playing the wind.

I still have my first bow, 1980s model Clearwater Mag my backup bow, sweet shooting ole dual wheel bow, I'd hunt with in a second if needed. I shoot a new bowtech, cause is shoots flatter and harder than my older bow and is much sweeter to pull and practice with, it just feels dang good too shoot. I feel that makes me a more accurate shooter at distances over 30 yards, and my max range is 40 on elk and deer.....but better hunter...nope that bowtech doesnt have anything to do with patterning critters and constructing a game plan to kill em. I combined old tried and true equipment with some new, I still shoot two blade cut on contact heads, the best penetration around imo. I shoot my ole scott release, will probably till it falls apart, I dont even care if I wear camo colored clothing, I just usually wear a dark green to blend in with the conifer trees.