Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

This is not intended to agree or disagree with the effectiveness of all the relatively new products on the market. I certainly know why folks use these products and I wish them all the luck. That being said, when I hunt, I only bring bucklure(Tinks 99), which I have been using for years. I use no scent lock suits, so scent eliminators, no cover scents, no Trailcams, nothing to aid my hearing...well you get the idea. Simply put, I wash my hunting clothes in baking power, store them in rubbermaid containers with leaves, twigs etc from the area. I then spread my bucklure in my area and spend precious hunting time high in my treestand. I feel like I'm definitely in the minority, Am I?

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

A bow or gun, camo clothes, facemask, treestand and I also use a grunt call. Other than that I bring something to eat and drink and just relax.

I do believe a gps is an excellent tool for people who "get turned around" alot. Matter of fact I have made it a mandatory item for 2 guys in camp!

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

I wear cammo to bow hunt ,but I don't wear cammo gun hunting because I want other hunters to see me .I carry a rangefinder and spotting scope in my pack .That is about the limit of my high tech hunting gear . I could get along without the rangefinder .

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

Yes....How times have changed!!

When i first got into bowhunting (76).Using a cover scent was hanging your hunting clothes outside on a line.My tree stand was a crouch of a tree for years.A recurve bow wooden arrows no sights.

I still wash my clothes in arm and hammer,and use cedar chips in a lined closet to store the clothes off season.

I guess i have changed with the times.Rangefinder,binos,climbers,chain on's,Ect....I did'nt take many deer in the early years,like i do now.I could'nt imagine haven to go without venision for a year.A fellow has got to have some kind of a cruch....LOL



It's not how big the Deer,But the size of the experiance that matters!!

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

i do less than you.....i store my clothes hanging in the garage...dont use scents or anything of the sort...wash them in plain ole water before season...and just hunt....this year i am feeding the deer herd on my friends land...but thats just to help insure the big buck we see all the time is under my stand looking for my food when i get there...(cant be there for 30 days before season but i think they will still be hungry and say..o ya lets go to that one place with the tree with metal limbs and eat that good yellow stuff that was there that one time) and i hope im there....they already bed there and eat there...and pass through to get to water....so my chances to see deer are good....everywhere else i just hunt...i dont believe in that scent killer stuff...it may work but i dont think i need it...every year hunting squirells and fall turkeys im sweaty...sometimes i have blood on my....and i stink of human period....and i still see big wall hanger bucks yearly..probally 5 a year while not hunting them and hunting something else....if you like it buy it...not me..

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

Jim,

There is no doubt you are in the minority, but it doesnt make you in the wrong. I couldnt tell you how much money I've spent the past few years on all the new camo, scents, gear you name it. Some things make getting a clean quick kill easier which is good. But, sometimes I think we're all just little boys and girls who just cant wait to try out the new toys that are on the market. Whatever makes you happy and sucessful is whats important. Enjoy. <img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>

Any day spent huntin, is better than any day spent workin,,

Duckmastor2

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

Most of my hunting is with recurves and longbows.I do wear camo during the archery season and an old set of the red/black Woolrich clothes during the rifle season.My rifles are scoped and I carry binoc's but I don't use GPS-my compass works just fine.Scent-loc clothing?I just hunt downwind.Personally,I think everything is getting a little hi-tech.I mean after all,we're just hunting deer-it's not that complicated.It's just a shame that too many people rely on gadgets instead of learning good woodsmanship skills.:)

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

The only thing &quot;high tech&quot; I use is a couple of Motorolas that I use when hunting with my father. He is not in the best of shape anymore, and I want him to be able to contact me in my stand if he needs some help.

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

I hunt in northern Maine and carry a rifle, knife, rope, wear a wool shirt, coat, and pants, and a pair of either bean boots or cold weather boots. Our group has been pretty successful without any high tech stuff.

My brother-in-law carrys grunt tubes, bleat calls, lure, pack pack, drag rags, rattling antlers, and food (more stuff most likely). Carries so much junk that he can't hunt more than 100 yards from the road. Shot 1 deer in 10 years of trying.

Its not what you carry but what you know.

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

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 &quot;Can&quot;.

-Mike

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

<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.

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

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

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

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

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

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

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

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.

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

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.

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

<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

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

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.

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

Spears anyone? <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

I'm with you Jim. I started hunting with an old hand-me-down Bear compound bow, aluminum arrows, and old Wasp broadheads. My hunting clothes consisted of an old pair of olive drab surplus duds that my uncle camoflaged by spraypainting the outline of backyard leaves on. Hunting was all from the ground and each trip felt like an adventure.

It wasn't long before I fell into the techno trap as was lugging a decked out bow, treestand, decoys, and backpack full of scents, rangefinder, calls, gizmos, and warmer clothes (I'd sweat to death if I wore them in while lugging that stuff around). It would take me forever just to get everything together and leave the car and an hour to get all set up. Hunting became as much of a chore as recreation.

Now I've reverted back to the slimplistic route, hunting from the ground with a handmade wooden selfbow and wooden arrows, and generally carrying only what can fit in my pockets. Hunting like that is rejuvinating and enjoyable. The irony is that I'm every bit as successful each season as when I hunted with all the &quot;must have its&quot;.

I have to admit that after several seasons of thinking about getting a climbing treestand, I broke down and bought a Summit Cobra. I thought it might be nice to sit high and have a decent view once in a while. But after taking it out for the first time recently on a scouting trip, I quickly remembered why I had decided to leave all that stuff behind in the first place. It's heavy, cumbersome, and noisy to carry, won't let me sneak through dense woods without getting snagged on everything, takes about 20 minutes to get set up, and makes no less noise than a demo crew ripping down a tin shed. ;^) The view is at least nice, but I've been kicking myself so far for buying it.

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

The more stuff you carry the more work it becomes. I carry my rifle and a small day pack with some light food, small flash light, binoculars, extra knife, water, and some cover scents. To much gear takes the fun out of hunting.

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

I wear camo because deer come to within 6 feet of me sometimes while I'm hunting on the ground. I think it has helped me get up close and personal with my favorite animal, the whitetail. I don't use any type of cover scent, just wash my hunting clothes in cold water. I also use an 50 yr. old open sight 30/30 rifle. I keep it simple and I don't think I would change anything. I have used tinks 69 a few times but I really can't say that it has helped me in any way. I think I'll do without it this year.

****I'd rather be a fence post in Texas than a corn boy in Ohio****

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

I often walk very long distances when I hunt, so I make sure I have enough stuff to allow me to quick set up shop overnight in the woods if I have to. Even so, I think about as high-tech as I ever get is in using my climber and cell phone. Often I don’t use the climber. I wear good boots and camo. But scent-lok stuff I’ve never tried.

Typically, I carry my bow or gun and my pack. In the pack I have stuff like bread, water/coffee, first-aid kit, flashlight, knives, steel, saw, tarp, string, rope, matches, whistle, etc. – stuff that will help me survive a day or two in the woods should I get hurt and can’t call anyone.

I have used scents (and I’ve used them correctly), but I don’t think they really work. Long ago I stopped using the store-bought variety. Sometimes I take urine from a downed doe or buck and use it during my next hunt. But I refuse to actually pay for pee.

I like gadgets, even if I don’t use them. Can’t help it. Gotta have myself some gadgets. Right now I am looking into buying one of those Heater Body Suits. I’m curious if they work well and if I can use it to literally camp a few days straight in my tree stand.

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

Great question. Several years ago, when I was much younger, I fell for those stupid smoking punk stick scents. What a crock of crap those were. They drove ME out of the area. Imagine what they did to the deer! After that I decided enough was enough and cut everything back to the simpler life. All I take into the woods with me now is my 870 (rifled barrel, open sights), my binos and my camo. No cover scents needed if you hunt the wind right and no attractants needed if you scout out the right spots. I've taken more deer and been more relaxed ever since!

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

i dont have a tree stand , i use an old plastic milk crate that i leave in &quot;my spot&quot; in the woods year after year, i do sometimes take a seat cushion for it and a fanny pack with scent and snacks and a book to read. i try and keep it simple. high tech equitment is high maintance and you cant properly enjoy your hunt if you are always tending to or looking after your equitment. i do not add all the useless extras to either my bow or gun. i do wear camo but no fancy scent suits or even rain gear, ect. i have long ago given up on not scratching my gun, i find this almost impossible when walking and crawling through brush. i used to concentrate on not scratching my gun instead of hunting. now i do whatever i can to keep it simple, plus the more equitment you have the more chances to scare away the game.

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

I don't buy into all that techno BS. I travel as light as possible. Weapon, knife, rope, camo, food/bev, binos and scent eliminator.

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

Jim, I am with you, and I have been wonderng if the real hunters, not the TV people, really think all the stink and no stink really works. Seems its a croc. I keep it pretty simple. A combo of home made comfy stands with safety bars. I have a useless Sumit Viper climber, as someone above said its like fightimg in a tin shed. I leave it in a good tree for the season with a ladder. I use a nice model 70 270 and have to have a scope, can't see without it. What a pain to go over 50!! Any way I hunt close to home and bring a gun/bow and a phone in case I fall out of the stand. When I wack one I go home and get the stuff I need. So without all the fancy stuff 2 bucks last year and 5 the year before and 4 the year before. One 130 point 8 point. &quot;Keep it simple keep it fun&quot; Phil

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

I got a theory 'bout all the gizmos an' doodads. I think they replace the proper huntin' upbringin' thet us ol' timers used to git. Fellers nowadays need a gizmo to sharpen their knives cause granpa or dad never taught 'em to use a stone. Plus, generation Xers cain't bear to fail. They want all the insurance agin failure technology can muster. Somewhar along the way hunters have lost their outdoors skills an' appreciation fer everthin' cept the kill. Jus' look at the non-shooting posts on this board. Very few, and fewer still thet deal with some huntin' skill thet used to be passed down. As a choice atwixt skills and doodads, I choose skills evertime. Maybeso I could be more &quot;successful&quot; with high tech gizmos. But whats the point?

BJ

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

We hunt with pretty much the basics..longbows and recurves, no cover scents,no range finders,no gadets on the bows!

Although we do have some nice sleeping Indian wools and do carry a GPS, but I consider that to be a insurance policy where we hunt because the weather changes so often and its easy to get wet and cold and turned around in the dark.

Dianna

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

beaverjack you have brought up a good point on hunting gizmos, but I will bring up two things in addition:

1. Probably some of the best white tail hunters over all were the native americans, I have heard that some of them were not even allowed to hunt until they had plucked hair from a live deer!!!! They had no camo, they had no cover scents, heck all they had was a bow and their brains.

2. Most of the hunting gizmos are just something to sell and useless in regards to getting a deer, I will say this, there are a few of them that when used by a knowledgeable hunter will truely increase his number of kills, calls used properly will turn a deer in the heart beat, but by the same token used incorrectly they will spook a deer just as quickly.

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

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

But if a man increases his kills through the use of gizmos, are they not diminished? Used to be my grandaddy would say thet I would know I was a hunter when I kilt a whitetail buck in his bed. He didn't mean do it from 500 yards with a spotting scope and a beanfield rifle. Fellers usin' such devices are missin' out on what it is to hunt. Tradition an' skill are part of hunting. Otherwise, its just shootin' animated targets.

BJ

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
But if a man increases his kills through the use of gizmos, are they not diminished?<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

I think it all depends on the kind of gizmos one uses. It is good to know and use the old skills and I use them wherever it is feasible. But unfortunately we live in an age where the old skills are not as workable as they used to be. For example, there was a time when a hunter could in almost every place walk into the wilderness and take a drink from a nearby stream when he grew thirsty. That time is gone. So, I use a gizmo (camelback, for example) that helps me carry lots of water comfortably so that I can stay in the woods longer. Gizmos that help you sit comfortably for 14 hours are gizmos I also think can have a respectable place in a hunter's arsenal. The same applies to gizmos (boots) that can help you walk 10 miles comfortably without wet feet and blisters. I really like gizmos that help you stay warm in subzero temps (It's just no longer that efficient to kill a sheep or bear and wear the skin <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>).

But I certainly understand the point against a lot of gizmos (perhaps most of them). Many products simply exist to allow hunters the pleasure of never having to learn good wood and hunting skills. I gotta tell you I experience a little vicarious embarrassment whenever I look in a catalog and see electronic deer and duck calling systems with loud speakers and stuff like that. Eeeeeew! There are also some things that hunters commonly use that I won't use because they are designed too much for &quot;deer attracting&quot; and not enough for &quot;deer hunting.&quot; The gadgets I enjoy are virtually all of them made to help me stay longer in the woods so that I can do there what I like to do - live in, enjoy and hunt in the woods.

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

LOL.... Good post. Brings back memories of fishing offshore in mid 80's. We were about 37 miles out of Barnegat Inlet and another boat comes up and asks us if we had the Loran numbers to inlet. We told them no ,that we had no Loran and a look of amazement and shock came over thier faces.
I have to admit some &quot;hi tech&quot; stuff I enjoy. Gore tex outer shells are one with gore tex line boots. But as far as GPS's, scent blocking clothes , robo ducks etc, biggest waste of money is. I guess all the game I shot over the years just didn't realize they weren't supposed to let themselves be shot because I wasn't decked out with the lastest equipment. I've found a good wool outfit and good personal hygene works as good today as it has in the past.

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

Don't believe in personal hygiene myself. Real overrated lessn' yer cruisin' topless joints gettin' lap dances. I do believe in wool over fleece, oil cloth over goretex, an' leather over plastic. Otherwise, I'd be sleepin' with a blow-up doll 'stead of these leathery injun wimmins I keep wakin' up with.

BJ

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

Perspective is everything I guess. I thought I was going high tech with a compound bow, sights & release.

For scent control I use Arm & Hammer baking soda and water. I prefer to hunt from the ground using a folding chair and camo netting. Still hunting is my favorite thing so I travel light.

Other things I take advantage of: replaceable blades for broadheads, Wyoming knife w/ replaceable blade, mini binoculars, mini flashlight and camo everything.

I resist the urge to buy gear in the off season because I've watched myself collect alot of stuff that I use once or twice. Besides, I like to become one with my gear. The older it is, the better I like it and trust it.

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

all i use is a bear recurve bow make my own arrow's cedarshaft's, the only hitec is the broadheads which are muzzy's, to each his own if it help's you be a better hunter than use it. goodluck to all fellow hunters out there

RE: Anyone simply hunt without all the hightech stuff?
 

Here in my part of Canada, it can get down right nasty cold(-30 plus the wind factor)sometimes so our priority is cold weather gear.Then comes the usual stuff, Compass, whistle,small flares,food, drink,knife, rifle/bow, ammo, etc. My hunting partners and I are all in our 50s. We have all been hunting for roughly 40 years each and have done quite well without all the fancy gizmos you see today. We just don`t seem to need them.

Ron<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Let em land!