These days deer hunting seems too much focused on equipment and big racks rather than hunting. And a lot of hunters getting "trapped" into the retail trap including me. I have my share of quality rifles with "good glass", GPS, thermacell, scent shield clothing, etc.
Well this year I am getting back to basics and not carrying a backpack full of stuff. Just going to try hunting the way my grandfather taught me. Get up early, eat a good breakfast. Pack a sandwich, canteen, apple and a candy bar in my coat. Grab my rifle (a Win 94 30-30) my knife and a drag rope and have some fun. And come back to camp at dark either with or without a buck.

Sounds like a good idea to me.

Don't forget your grunt tube....

Why not a doe???

I could not agree more. So many hunters get all caught up in all the new gadgets of today. Your grandfather teaches you well.

Go back to basics, remember your grandfather's words of wisom and always remember to hunt the wind.

Good Luck!

I am with your Grandfather. That is the way to hunt. Sometimes during the gun season I will leave my 7mm at home and bring out the old Marlin 336 in .35rem and sit up against a big oak and wait for a deer to walk on by. A little bottle of water and some beef jerky and I am as happy as a little boy.....

This sounds like a great idea. To me, too many hunters view hunting as if they are trying to reach a destination. My question is what destination? Life in general does not have a destination other than death I suppose. Hunting is a journey in which we must enjoy each step of the process. The comercial side of hunting leads you to believe that if you buy this gadget or this product you will be one step closer to the "buck of a lifetime". So if you do take that buck of a lifetime what about the next buck that comes a long that isn't quite as big. Is he any less of a trophy? Was the experience any less significant because his rack wasn't as big?

All of the gadgets simply get in between hunters and the wonderful experience of hunting.

My answer is D: All of the above!

I never got into all the equipment because at first I could not afford it, but when I could, because of working all the time, I found that the simplicity of a day in the woods really relieved the stresses of work in a technology field. So I have always kept it pretty simple, and I seem to enjoy it that way, so I see no reason to change. I am guilty of using a rattle bag. But, no GPS, no thermacell, no high end glass or rifle, closest thing I have to scent lock, is trying not to fart while hunting.

I would say that sounds like a perfect day, and anybody who enjoys "hunting" would agree. But, I find that lots of people have fallen into the typical American attitude of needing instant gratification. They don't really enjoy being in nature, or the solitude of stalking the woods alone. They want to go hang out with a few buddies in a box blind over a baited field, shot a 14 point buck, and be home in time to watch Sunday football.

I USED to hunt with a guy who always bitched and complained if he didn't have something dead and cleaned by noon. Come 11am he would hit me on the walkie and say "Damnit, I could have just taken my boat down the river, ran up on a hog walking down the bank, killed it and been home by now!!"

Needless to say, I have hunted alone for years now. Key word there being "hunted".

I, like many on here, just love being out in the woods. Scoring a kill is just a bonus.