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I really struggle with this. Every year I try to whittle down the items I take with me on the hunt. I'm trying to get it to a point where I do not need to take a pac of any kind. Right now I'm down to a fanny pac that has several pockets. I'm very close to being able to do this. One really only needs their licence, tags, weapon, and a knife. Everything else could potentially be left in the truck.

As for hi-tech stuff, I have a rangefinder. I take it bowhunting the first few times to get distances to key objects. I also like to take along bino's. My bow is a PSE Thunderbolt but there's nothing fancy about it. No ultra high letoff, string loops, etc. I shoot Easton aluminum arrows. I do use things like Scent Killer spray but I do not use attracting scents. I have a Ridge Runner grunt tube and a Primos "Can".

-Mike

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> I use no scent lock suits, so scent eliminators, no cover scents, no Trailcams, nothing to aid my hearing...<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

I don't really use any of that stuff either. I do use HS Scents laundry detergent instead of baking powder...not because of any special advantage it might have at removing scents but more so because I trust the HS Scents more at getting out any Poison Ivy, Oak, etc.. oils that might be in the clothing.

I do consider myself a techie though with a laser rangefinder, compound bow with all the latest gadgets etc.. I have fun with all the gear and, for me, it is an integral part of the hunt. I also believe that it isn't necessary for all folks to have it in order to enjoy the hunt. Basically, to each his own.

I do think you are in the minority though.

Well, I use BDU camos, an old Mauser with iron sights and little else. I do have a grunt tube and have used the scents in the past, but less and less each year. Everything fits into a butt pack, but 50% of the pack is filed with a good drag rope, knife, GPS, compass, plastic bags and gloves, etc. for cleaning, lots of food (I get hungry when out all day, so 3-4 candy bars, trail mix, two apples, etc. is not too much.) and two bottles of water. Plus the first aid kit.

I hunt from the ground, so sometimes I will carry in a milk crate or bucket to sit on, or I keep a little plastic sheet (18 inches square) to sit on if the ground is really wet.

I DO wish I had warmer pants. Might get some good bib overalls this year if I can find a deal on them...

Chubber

Jimmy I don't think you are in the minority, just on the lower half of the hunters. You sound a lot like me. When I first started hunting your clothes consisted of jeans, flannel shirt, long johns if needed and a fatigue jacket if it was real cold. No one used scopes, calls and scents or scent blockers were unheard of! We killed tons of deer! Last year was the first year I ever used a call(I hate to say it, but I should have used one before)and the first year I ever used a lure scent(jury is still out on this).

I got my first camo this past turkey season(my first)and will probably use it during bow season this year. BTW I do shoot a compound bow that is over 20 years old, nothing fancy, pin sights and quiver. I will be trying mechanical broadheads for the first time this year. My main gun is a model 94 with iron sights, I will be going black powder this year for the first time and my smokepole does have a scope, but the only reason it does is because it had one when I bought it, I do not like scopes and if I have a problem with it I will pitch it. I am from the old school and have killed my share of deer, some of the new stuff is good, most of it is marketing!!!!

Treestands is one road I have not taken yet, I do build wood stands in long term hot spots though, otherwise I hunt from the ground. I am thinking about building a portable ladder stand for this season though. I am from the old school and still have a hard time trusting my life up a tree to a chunk of metal someone else built, I have used a few that were set up on a freinds property he told me I could use, I was nervous the whole time I was in them.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club

I confess I too have had to fight the additive habit of giving into marketing trends and acquiring gizmos that just add extra weight to my hunting pack. Last year and this year, my hunting pack includes rifle, tree-stand (they don't let you build treestands in national forests), knife, rope, compass and binos. During bow season it is the same except I carry a 10-year old Browning compound. I've also went to a single-shot rifle this year and still use a Hawken w/iron sights for blackpowder.

Heaven is best viewed from a deer stand at sunrise in the forest

I have an eight year old Marlin 30-30 with a 3X7 scope on it. That is as high tech as I get. I've never used cover scent, I've never used attractant scents, I don't own a range finder, I don't use calls or rattling antlers.
I know about these things but I never use them.
Success? Six bucks in nine years of hunting in PA.
When I bring down a whitetail, I know it's because of me and not my stuff.


ALWAYS CALL YOUR SHOT.

Yeah, It's getting a bit ridiculous, don't you think? Too many of us have bought into the philosophy of more is more. Cameras, hearing aids, ATV's, feeders, etc. Technology has become a crutch and is supplanting the development of skilled woodcraft and physical and mental conditioning. I guess we all have different perspectives on it though i.e. When is enough, enough? I don't think many of us are prepared to stalk deer with nothing more than a loin cloth and a sharp stick. Well, Ted Nugent, maybe.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I don't think many of us are prepared to stalk deer with nothing more than a loin cloth and a sharp stick.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

Hehe. I'd love to do this. The problem is, I'm too scared somebody will see me... <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>



Edited by - SwampMonster on 09/06/2002 19:52:28

I believe that most of the gadgets can help to some degree but no where neer as much as good woodsmanship and common sence. I myself cant see taking a pack at all. If it cant fit into my pockets I dont need it. I wash my clothes with all the rest of the laundry(the wife actualy) fold them up and put them in a dresser untill season. I will get dressed, grab my bow and 3 arrows, a folding chair then get into the truck that the dog rides in, go to the farm and walk around untill I find a nice spot and sit down. It don't get any easyer than that.