First Season hunting - need help with gear

[Nashville]

I would say your first priority should be securing land access as fast as you can right now. Go out every evening after work and start asking.
Once you get access to land, do some e-scouting before heading out. You can find a lot of the areas you’re looking for before you even put boots on the ground. You’ll also be able to see building locations so you know what’s behind your target once you’re on the ground.

Layering will be the key. Until the snow flies you will definitely be walking. Some owners will open the gates to drive through in Nov depending on weather.

The ihunter app is pretty convenient, otherwise you can check out county maps (cypress).

If solo hunting and packing out, I recommend youtubing how to field dress animals using the gutless method. As this is your first year, I’m guessing you will only be going after whitetails. Also make sure you have hiking poles for longer packs out. Cheap ones can be found at costco.

Given that land is all private around here, you won’t be camping out and will be returning to your vehicle every day. Unless you’re down in a deep coulee you should have reception. You can drop way points on the ihunter app where your vehicle is and you’ll know where to return to in the dark. Keep your phone warm and leave it on airplane mode when you’re out.

You seem to know what to be looking for. Lots of dugouts around and the river so water is usually close enough anywhere you go. Good cover like stands of trees/bushes, tall grass around dugouts or in low areas and sage brush patches is a good place to start. If you know of any old homesteads, they’re usually over grown and good places for deer to hide out. When crops are still standing, especially corn you’ll find lots of deer in them.
First light and last light is the best time to spot them when feeding in the open or travelling back to cover but coming into November now, they will be getting more active and will be out all day when rutting. Deer will get up and feed periodically during the day none the less.

Carry a little more food and water than you think you need, stay dry and watch the wind.

Also, don’t forget that big game hunting is closed on Sundays here.

 

[TrollGRG]

One thing that really seemed to work good for me when asking for permission to hunt. I printed up some sheets (ordinary letter type) with my name, address, phone number etc. A little bit about myself - likes and dislikes, hunting habits (closing gates behind me, respect for the land and other peoples property etc.), courses, training, and when you plan to do the hunting etc. - anyway you get the idea.

I also included a pic of my truck (with licence plate) on the sheet of paper

With the info sheet, I included a business card made up from the bulk stuff you can get at any stationary store. On it I had full contact info.

Remember to be respectful and honest. If the landowner says no then thank them for their time and move on.

Don't make promises of any type of payment or gratuity. If you are successful then you can get back to him/her and present them with something other than money.

 

[LE303]

When you get new clothing gloves hats boots etc . I like to go to a local park or hiking trails , something close to home , and go off the path and simulate bush walking / hiking to see how your gear feels sounds

 

[TANK1867]

...

 

[WhelanLad]

P.S. Is it a cardinal sin to mix camo patterns?

Unfortunatley its Not........... its kind of more Hunting Douche move by Jumping all over One Brand IMO. leave that for Youtube...

KEEP IT SIMPLE. cover your ass AKA weather conditions. so good question about the layers an clothing.

2- Yeh Bra/Harness or type of marsupial pouch.... latter keeps them out of the conditions more often when not being used. bra/harness is there right when u need them no unpacking marsupials.

keen to follow this thread. Cheers

 

[TheCoachZed]

my advice is more for the little things like make sure none of your gear has velcro..... seriously
For clothing , I'm a big advocate for fleece or fabrics that behave like fleece. If wools don't make you itchy there are some nice options. Merino wool is popular.
When you choose an outer layer it's nice if it is made of a very quiet material, is breathable and stops wind from getting in to your base layers. It should be "waterproof" enough that light showers or hiking in bush does not get you soaked. For actual wet weather hunting I have packable rain gear and I buy a size that will fit over my standard outer layer.

Camo is nice but not really necessary. If you do buy camo, think about the bush or areas you will be hunting. Try and buy camo that "fits" the colors of those areas.
fingerless fleece gloves are great , I wear Glacier Gloves and have for over 20 years.... probably going on 30.
a face covering is nice to protect the face from winds and also to break up the image of your face.
I learned a long time ago from one of the few mentors I have had and he said that hands and faces are natural flags and the movement will be the first thing an animal sees as it spots you.

25 years ago I was a total noob too, wandering the forests of bc with and SKS , an old .303 and cooey 64B alongside my only hunting friend who had only hunted with his dad back in manitoba. We had great fun camping and 4x4'ing but never shot much more than grouse. Got my first deer in year 5 while hunting with a much younger Ray Weins who went on to become a respected Taxidermist here in BC.
It will come together if you are keen, just keep things simple and most of all enjoy it!

Lots of good advice here, especially the bolded parts!

There is no substitute for time in the field, as you will learn from your own observations, mistakes and successes. However, you can make far fewer mistakes if you learn from others, which allows you to observe more and have more success, so - if you are big game hunting, I would recommend reading a wide range of books if you have the time. All the big name whitetail hunters have their own biased opinions, and if you can sort of pick out the best parts, you'll learn a lot. I particularly like Nordberg's helpful whitetail almanac (not cheap) and for online, free advice, another member on here turned me to Dan Infalt. His Beast Hunting ideas are hard core, but effective.

For most hunting, camo is not as important as minimizing movement. For waterfowl, camo can be very useful if you're run-and-gunning in a new area with little cover. But generally speaking, the best cover is to hide behind a boulder, log, tree, stump.

 

[TheCoachZed]

Far as my experience, OP, here are some things I've relied on over the years:

Stanfields' wool "long underwear" sweater - kinda expensive these days, but these are are great for when the weather is soggy.

Army surplus wool commando sweater - if you're active, these let just enough airflow through to keep you warm, but not soggy with sweat.

Good boots - have had a few different brands. From the years I worked on commercial fishing boats, the "green boots" that were quietest were Dunlops, the rest were pretty noisy.

Knife - I like to carry a small pocketknife for delicate work (breasting out a duck) and a larger fixed blade if I want to cut brush for a blind or something like that. Or a Buck 110 for everything.

Survival kit - Always in my gear bag if I'm hunting on my own outside the city.

Food - amazing how much better a crappy day can go, if you've just got a CLIF bar or something.

Binoculars - Nikon used to be the best value here, IMHO, not sure about now. Don't buy cheaper, larger units; even if your budget is Bushnell, buy ones that are slightly smaller. Of course, if you have $$, you can get a lot better than Nikon. I find binoculars are one of the most useful pieces of equipment I own.

good socks - I like old school high-rise boot socks, if I'm walking all day.

Dry clothes - I like to have a dry change of clothes at the truck. If I'm duck hunting and end up in a crick, or deer hunting in the rain, nothing better than putting on a warm suit of clothes at day's end.

pen and paper - sometiimes, you gotta leave a note somewhere.

electrical tape/hockey tape - better than nothing, if you have to repair a gaping hole in your skin in a pinch. Also good for ensuring tags remain attached to wild game, or fixing straps on your pack, or ....

Zip ties - if you need to build a blind in a pinch, these are useful.

 

[IzzyTheGreat]

Hey everybody,

Thanks for the additional replies I had been meaning to update this thread earlier but life has kept me busy.

I managed to find some good deals on some Wind River base layers at Mark's Work Wearhouse in my local CT store. I got a pair (top and bottom) of their micro-grid tech fleece and a merino wool top to round out my pre-existing pair of "Paradox" base layers from Costco I purchased in years past.

I took some days off and managed to get out these past 2 weeks to try and fill both or either of my whitetail/mule deer antlerless tags. My partner managed to arrange some land access for us about an hour away from where we live, I was worried we would not be able to get any land access at all. We didn't see a single deer on the first day (except the remains of one already harvested) but saw plenty of antelope. We found a few good spots to keep our eye on and I tried to make an effort to get out of the truck and glass from high-ground in the hopes we might see something. Our last outing was more successful, we saw plenty of deer and I even got a shot at a whitetail doe. Unfortunately I missed (did not have my rangefinder and underestimated the distance, hitting low) but thankfully it was a clean miss with no injured animals to worry about. Overall we struck out on our deer hunt but learned several valuable lessons to apply for the future.

I found that my current gear setup performed quite well. Temperatures varied from +10 to -14 (with windchill) and I never even had to use my camo hunting jacket, I never felt cold enough. I think an appropriate base layer has to be one of the most important aspects of staying warm, with both the micro-grid fleece and the merino I was feeling quite warm in my house while getting my gear ready to go out into the truck. The merino seems to regulate temperature better but in terms of how warm I felt I would say the fleece and merino were the same or too close for me to note any difference in the conditions I encountered. Over the base layers I was wearing a zip-up fleece jacket on top and the "dominion gear tactical pants" from Canada ammo on the bottom, they are very utilitarian with lots of pockets but they aren't the most quiet pants so I may consider something different in the future (they are my go-to shooting/range day pants so they will still be well used).

On my head I just wore my cap or blaze orange toque, I have a balaclava in my bag but never felt cold enough to use it (it also interfered with me being able to insert my earplugs for shooting so I think I think I will move to a neck-gaiter type mask for next time to eliminate this problem). My boots performed well but I never got to test their advertised waterproofness as there was no precipitation and not enough snowfall on the ground. I kept my Vortex binoculars in the included Glasspak and found them very easy to retrieve and store, the harness did not interfere with my backpack either so I was able to wear both at the same time comfortably.

There are a few issues I took away from the hunt regarding my gear, mostly regarding my rifle;
1. My rifle is too heavy for my taste, weighing in at around 11lbs. I wouldn't have an issue with it hunting from a blind or fixed position but hauling it around can start to get tiring after a while if I have my other gear on. It's not tortuous but it would be nice to have a rifle in the 8-9lb range for the type of hunting I seem to be doing. I'm using a CZ 557 Black Edition in .30-06, topped with a Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-16x44. It was already "chunky" before the addition of a scope and rings and I'm not sure how much weight I can realistically cut with a different scope (in retrospect I should have gotten something lighter, but I was attracted to the FFP reticle and magnification range offered). However for now this is what I am using and I may look to move to something lighter for next year so I am open to any recommendations.

1a. This may be solved with a lighter rifle, but I did not find my rifle sling worked very well, it doesn't seem very secure on my shoulder when used with my pack. I don't know if this is a universal problem or not (most slings are designed to carry the rifle on a bare shoulder) but I am going to try a different style to see if it works better.

2. The fixed magazine of the CZ557 means unloading and loading the rifle when getting in and out of the truck is a little more difficult versus a detachable mag. Releasing the floor plate is quick and easy but then ensuring the follower goes back in correctly and then loading your rounds back in can cause delays versus a detachable magazine. This wouldn't be an issue if I were not getting in/out of the vehicle so much so I don't hold this against the rifle but rather a consequence of our wildlife/firearm regulations and my hunting techniques thus far.

3. Using a balaclava precludes the practical use of earplugs, I'm testing a few different options for hearing protection (I don't care what other people say, I won't go without them. Hearing loss is permanent and it cannot be regained) including surefire earplugs (with the percussive filter) and am also considering a high-quality pair of electronic earmuffs to use for hunting and at the range. As mentioned I will probably also consider getting a neck-gaiter style of face covering to completely avoid this problem.

My hunting season is not done yet, I still have a chance to fill my 2 elk tags at the end of the month. I plan to update the thread then with a final conclusion (hopefully including a successful harvest!) about my gear and equipment in my first hunting season. There will probably be colder temps and more adverse weather so I will be able to put more of my gear to the test. I'll probably include pictures of everything I took including survival equipment and other things and what I would do differently for the next year.

Feel free to share you thoughts below!

 

[versarious]

Thanks for coming back with the update! I've been lurking on this thread as it was my first year hunting as well and wanted to see what the consensus was on the forum.

When it comes to the rifle being to heavy, I found that a proper sling really nullifies this issue. I hunted this fall with a 30-06 that I bought second hand off a widow. The original sling on it was le terrible. I changed it out for another vintage sling I had, one that was much wider with extra grip material where it rests on the shoulder, and it was much nicer testing around the house before I went out.

My Husqvarna Vapenfabriks also has a fixed magazine, which when road hunting was less than ideal. When I spotted the black bear I took in 8-8 I had a jam up because, being my first season, I was having a surge of adrenaline. Between getting out of the truck, leaving my door wide open on a narrow road, walking back to close it, I fumbled the ammo into the action and needed to drop the floor plate to clear the error. Doh! Having a detachable would make this much easier, and I'll be on the lookout for one second hand to try out.

Best of luck with the elk! I'll stay tuned for the results.

 

[MD]

Hey everybody,

Thanks for the additional replies I had been meaning to update this thread earlier but life has kept me busy.

I managed to find some good deals on some Wind River base layers at Mark's Work Wearhouse in my local CT store. I got a pair (top and bottom) of their micro-grid tech fleece and a merino wool top to round out my pre-existing pair of "Paradox" base layers from Costco I purchased in years past.

I took some days off and managed to get out these past 2 weeks to try and fill both or either of my whitetail/mule deer antlerless tags. My partner managed to arrange some land access for us about an hour away from where we live, I was worried we would not be able to get any land access at all. We didn't see a single deer on the first day (except the remains of one already harvested) but saw plenty of antelope. We found a few good spots to keep our eye on and I tried to make an effort to get out of the truck and glass from high-ground in the hopes we might see something. Our last outing was more successful, we saw plenty of deer and I even got a shot at a whitetail doe. Unfortunately I missed (did not have my rangefinder and underestimated the distance, hitting low) but thankfully it was a clean miss with no injured animals to worry about. Overall we struck out on our deer hunt but learned several valuable lessons to apply for the future.

I found that my current gear setup performed quite well. Temperatures varied from +10 to -14 (with windchill) and I never even had to use my camo hunting jacket, I never felt cold enough. I think an appropriate base layer has to be one of the most important aspects of staying warm, with both the micro-grid fleece and the merino I was feeling quite warm in my house while getting my gear ready to go out into the truck. The merino seems to regulate temperature better but in terms of how warm I felt I would say the fleece and merino were the same or too close for me to note any difference in the conditions I encountered. Over the base layers I was wearing a zip-up fleece jacket on top and the "dominion gear tactical pants" from Canada ammo on the bottom, they are very utilitarian with lots of pockets but they aren't the most quiet pants so I may consider something different in the future (they are my go-to shooting/range day pants so they will still be well used).

On my head I just wore my cap or blaze orange toque, I have a balaclava in my bag but never felt cold enough to use it (it also interfered with me being able to insert my earplugs for shooting so I think I think I will move to a neck-gaiter type mask for next time to eliminate this problem). My boots performed well but I never got to test their advertised waterproofness as there was no precipitation and not enough snowfall on the ground. I kept my Vortex binoculars in the included Glasspak and found them very easy to retrieve and store, the harness did not interfere with my backpack either so I was able to wear both at the same time comfortably.

There are a few issues I took away from the hunt regarding my gear, mostly regarding my rifle;
1. My rifle is too heavy for my taste, weighing in at around 11lbs. I wouldn't have an issue with it hunting from a blind or fixed position but hauling it around can start to get tiring after a while if I have my other gear on. It's not tortuous but it would be nice to have a rifle in the 8-9lb range for the type of hunting I seem to be doing. I'm using a CZ 557 Black Edition in .30-06, topped with a Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-16x44. It was already "chunky" before the addition of a scope and rings and I'm not sure how much weight I can realistically cut with a different scope (in retrospect I should have gotten something lighter, but I was attracted to the FFP reticle and magnification range offered). However for now this is what I am using and I may look to move to something lighter for next year so I am open to any recommendations.

1a. This may be solved with a lighter rifle, but I did not find my rifle sling worked very well, it doesn't seem very secure on my shoulder when used with my pack. I don't know if this is a universal problem or not (most slings are designed to carry the rifle on a bare shoulder) but I am going to try a different style to see if it works better.

2. The fixed magazine of the CZ557 means unloading and loading the rifle when getting in and out of the truck is a little more difficult versus a detachable mag. Releasing the floor plate is quick and easy but then ensuring the follower goes back in correctly and then loading your rounds back in can cause delays versus a detachable magazine. This wouldn't be an issue if I were not getting in/out of the vehicle so much so I don't hold this against the rifle but rather a consequence of our wildlife/firearm regulations and my hunting techniques thus far.

3. Using a balaclava precludes the practical use of earplugs, I'm testing a few different options for hearing protection (I don't care what other people say, I won't go without them. Hearing loss is permanent and it cannot be regained) including surefire earplugs (with the percussive filter) and am also considering a high-quality pair of electronic earmuffs to use for hunting and at the range. As mentioned I will probably also consider getting a neck-gaiter style of face covering to completely avoid this problem.

My hunting season is not done yet, I still have a chance to fill my 2 elk tags at the end of the month. I plan to update the thread then with a final conclusion (hopefully including a successful harvest!) about my gear and equipment in my first hunting season. There will probably be colder temps and more adverse weather so I will be able to put more of my gear to the test. I'll probably include pictures of everything I took including survival equipment and other things and what I would do differently for the next year.

Feel free to share you thoughts below!

A buddy loaned me a CZ (600 somehting or the other) rifle in 6.5x55 one time and after putting a scope on it, I couldn't tolerate the weight. He was the kind of guy who would have permanently loaned it to me if I liked it, and was a bit surprised I gave it back after spending $80 for scope mounts, but I couldn't stand it.

He later gave me two Husqvarna Model 4100 lightweight rifles, in 7x57 and 270. Now THOSE are carrying around rifles! Yeah, fixed box magazines can be a problem if you ae bailing out of the truck after sighting something, but I got used to it. My first rifle was/is a Model 10 Ross I got in 1967 and my first (and only) new rifle from a store was a Remington ADL 243 I bought in 1976 and it has a blind box mag too, so I'm just used to it.

 

[IzzyTheGreat]

Hey Everybody,

Good news! The elk hunt was successful! I made my first ever harvest, a younger cow that was trailing the herd as they travelled past us.



Rifle was my CZ557 in 30-06, loaded with my 30-06 180gr handloads.

The shot was broadside at around 150 yards, I had really been hoping for a vital hit but I hit my cow square in the middle of the hind quarter, I hope to improve my marksmanship for next season and optimally only take shots on stationary game (I'm confident I would have had a vital hit if the herd was standing still). However the hit was solid and she didn't go far. She was lying down about 150 yards from where I had hit her, where I dispatched her without any further suffering. Situations like that make me wish we could carry a centrefire handgun for dispatching wounded game. My dad also got a cow of his own, we had an experienced hunter accompanying us who showed me the entire field dressing process on the first cow and I did most of it myself for the second. Both cows are now hanging to age and I will be learning more of the butchering process as I am eager to learn how to process the entire animal from field to table.

The weather was beautiful and I did not even have to reach for any of my jackets. I used some military surplus pants I have which I am quite fond of so I was worried when they turned from MTP to crimson red from elk blood. Thankfully it washed out and they look good as new now. The only shortcoming was myself, I forgot my hearing protection! I had been using surefire earplugs that allowed me to hear normal conversation but still protect my hearing from gunshots. I did have spare foam earplugs but none of the shooting opportunities presented allowed enough time to put those in. So my biggest lesson as far as equipment goes for next season is to double check my gear every time I head out.

The biggest lessons I have taken away with regards to gear and planning after my first season;

1) Don't forget your hearing protection - I know a lot hunt without any but I find with modern products and active enhancement technology there is really no disadvantage to wearing a high quality set of earbuds or earmuffs. I have reason to believe I will be getting a high quality pair of active earmuffs for Christmas so as long as they are comfortable I will probably try to use those next year.

2) Get a high quality knife (preferably fixed blade) and bonesaw - I had 2 decent quality knives (Mora 546 and Ontario Rat 2) that had no problems with the field dressing, however after having to clean blood, bone and hair out of my RAT 2 it would seem that a fixed blade is easier to clean and maintain. My bonesaw I purchased at Princess Auto was horrible and will be replaced as soon as I can find a suitable replacement, I'm open to any recommendations

3) Bring more than one set of nitrile gloves - you never know if you'll need to handle something you don't want to get bloody or you might break your only pair.

4) Have a plan for retrieving your game - Elk are heavy, thankfully we were able to bring the truck right up to our animals but even then getting them into the back was still not an easy task. I am aware that in less accessible locations the common practice is to quarter our the animal and pack it out so I will have to further research that method for elk-sized game in the future.

Overall the whole experience was exhilarating and one of the most memorable experiences of my life thus far. I will definitely be putting in for more draws next season and would like to try to get my first whitetail or mule deer buck.

Once again thanks to all who offered their advice and thoughts on the thread and I wish everybody good luck in their future hunts!

 

[dand883]

Congrats on the elk!

I've been using the surefire and usually keep them like half way in and just nudge them in the rest of the way when i need to take a shot, works great. I don't think muffs would work very well if it's at all cold and you have a thicker hat on.

I learned the same lesson with a folding knife, i keep one in my pocket just in case, but unless i don't have another knife with me it stays in my pocket for the dirty stuff. Love those Mora knives though, sharp as hell and for the price you can have one in every bag or vest just in case.

 

[LittleBoyLefty]

Right on! Congrats!

Thanks for checking back in on your thread. Makes it way nicer.

 

[trevj]

Noice!

Don't obsess over gear, but see what works and what doesn't, every time out. You will soon find what works for you and your hunt conditions!

I'm another big fan of Value Village and the Salvation Army thrift stores.

I (being CF at the time) really missed the OD Goretex outerwear that got replaced by the CadPat stuff, as the OD stuff was as warm, and a lot quieter.
A set of Carhartt Work pants blends at least as well, in the dry grass country, as the high dollar Camo!

Never figured the guys wearing the entire Eddie Bauer catalog, had more fun hunting than us slobs that looked like refugees from the Salvation Army! LOL!

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Chiming in a bit late but going through the gear issue as I have introduced my neighbour's son to hunting. I have suggested the idea of investing in one really good piece of gear each year to slowly add to the foot locker without going broke. Skip the big box stores like Cabelas or BassPro as they mostly carry walmart quality, but the junk that does not sell south of the border.

Regarding the initial post, some military surplus gear is great but some is heavy and useless. Avoid being drawn into the belief that all military gear is useful. The Canadian winter parka from the 1990s is a great piece of gear for the colder seasons. If you can find them, the 1990s wind pants are also a great extra layer for when the temperature drops. Skip the current gore-tex stuff. A real wool sweater from any country is better than any synthetic fleece on the market. Also, the Canadian winter whites are nice for the years when we have snow on the ground and are typically an inexpensive acquisition. For warmer season, I love the Brit SAS smock as an outer layer. I have the woodland temperate pattern for the pines and the desert smock for the southern prairies.

Put your money into good boots and socks. Do not pinch pennies on footwear. Jump right into Lowa, Meindl, Scarpa, Hanwag, Zamberlan, or whatever fits you best. For socks, go merino. The next place to put your money is on a good pack, nicer rifle, or good optics, both scope and binos.

For carrying binos, figure out what you prefer. For me, I like the the Leupold and Swarovski type harness for simplicity. The type that stays on without special pockets, gucci camo, and added weight. They go on over my sweater but under the big layers and stay close to my chest. That said, several of my buddies prefer the bins harness that has a special protective pocket along with side pockets for a laser or other small gear.

 

[Ribstaylor]

I went for Canadian surplus polypro under layer at Army issue surplus, with some of the surplus socks, and the surplus wool shirts. I added wool pants form big bill and I've been the warmest I've ever been out in the woods. Probably spent around $400 total.

But I need to now get a water proof layer that is half decent and that I can layer ontop. I'm also interested in grabbing some Fjallraven Vidda Pro pants. But I'll be waiting for a sale, as they can get pricy.

 

[444shooter]

Not gear but an important piece of kit- baby wipes.

And TP!

 

[IzzyTheGreat]

I've been using the surefire and usually keep them like half way in and just nudge them in the rest of the way when i need to take a shot, works great. I don't think muffs would work very well if it's at all cold and you have a thicker hat on.

I learned the same lesson with a folding knife, i keep one in my pocket just in case, but unless i don't have another knife with me it stays in my pocket for the dirty stuff. Love those Mora knives though, sharp as hell and for the price you can have one in every bag or vest just in case.

I agree that the surefire work quite well and they are what I had been using earlier in the season when we were hunting deer, I don't know if it's my ear canal being finicky but I find they take a good 30 seconds to a minute to properly seal my ear canal after they are inserted, however keeping them most of the way in and putting them in before shooting is a viable method. They may not get a complete seal but it is better than no seal at all with regards to hearing damage.

I have worn a headset in winter on the range before, if you have a toque with decently stretchy fabric you can put on the headset and the toque over top. I have also put the headset over top on other hats and it can be comfortable with the right combination of hat and headset. However I will concede that compared to earplugs they are a lot bulkier and can get in the way. I think I may be getting a pair of Sordin Pro-X's as a Christmas gift so if I do I will try it out and see if it works. Worst case Ontario I will just continue to use my surefire earplugs and I'm sure they will be adequate for the small amount of shots taken in a typical hunting season.

Chiming in a bit late but going through the gear issue as I have introduced my neighbour's son to hunting. I have suggested the idea of investing in one really good piece of gear each year to slowly add to the foot locker without going broke. Skip the big box stores like Cabelas or BassPro as they mostly carry walmart quality, but the junk that does not sell south of the border.

Regarding the initial post, some military surplus gear is great but some is heavy and useless. Avoid being drawn into the belief that all military gear is useful. The Canadian winter parka from the 1990s is a great piece of gear for the colder seasons. If you can find them, the 1990s wind pants are also a great extra layer for when the temperature drops. Skip the current gore-tex stuff. A real wool sweater from any country is better than any synthetic fleece on the market. Also, the Canadian winter whites are nice for the years when we have snow on the ground and are typically an inexpensive acquisition. For warmer season, I love the Brit SAS smock as an outer layer. I have the woodland temperate pattern for the pines and the desert smock for the southern prairies.

Put your money into good boots and socks. Do not pinch pennies on footwear. Jump right into Lowa, Meindl, Scarpa, Hanwag, Zamberlan, or whatever fits you best. For socks, go merino. The next place to put your money is on a good pack, nicer rifle, or good optics, both scope and binos.

For carrying binos, figure out what you prefer. For me, I like the the Leupold and Swarovski type harness for simplicity. The type that stays on without special pockets, gucci camo, and added weight. They go on over my sweater but under the big layers and stay close to my chest. That said, several of my buddies prefer the bins harness that has a special protective pocket along with side pockets for a laser or other small gear.

I definitely see the wisdom in the piecemeal approach of buying higher quality items over time rather than spending a lot on entry-level equipment that will inevitably be replaced. The only "big box" items I purchased was my pack from Cabela's and then an insulated camo parka and pants from Canadian Tire. While I can tell the jacket and pants aren't top quality I think they are serviceable and would be a good "spare" set to keep around in case your fancier gear is torn/ripped or fails. I actually am quite impressed with the pack I got from Cabela's. It's an "Elite Scout Pack" and I got on sale for $60 off the "regular" price, for the price I am happy and while it isn't Mystery Ranch quality it has thus far been comfortable, quiet and capable of carrying quite a large amount of gear.

Regarding mil-surp I am definitely wary of "military-issue" being taken as an indicator of quality. Thus far I have been lucky to only purchase items I would consider worthy of field use alongside consumer grade gear. I'm a big fan of British Army pants. I have a pair in MTP (as pictured) and DPM and they fit me quite well and feel warm in freezing conditions when paired with the appropriate base layer. I will definitely keep my eye out for any good deals on previous generation CAF gear (pre-CADPAT). My Dad is a veteran so he tells me what is worth picking up and what is crap

I am also a wool lover and pretty much only wear merino-blend socks now. I also have a few good wool sweaters that I didn't want to use for "dirty work" like hunting but I'm thinking of picking up a commando sweater to put in my kit.

I have a decent pair of boots I got from Muck Boot Company but once they wear out I am thinking of getting Lowa's or Salomon's as I've heard they make good boots. Regarding binoculars I find the Vortex Glasspak works for me but I may also try neck band carry or something else that I have coming in the mail (I might make a new thread regarding this).

Thanks for the input from everybody and I am definitely glad I made this thread as the advice given has been invaluable.

 

[dand883]

I agree that the surefire work quite well and they are what I had been using earlier in the season when we were hunting deer, I don't know if it's my ear canal being finicky but I find they take a good 30 seconds to a minute to properly seal my ear canal after they are inserted, however keeping them most of the way in and putting them in before shooting is a viable method. They may not get a complete seal but it is better than no seal at all with regards to hearing damage.

Are you using the kind with the foamy plug that goes into your ear or the ones with with the rubbery flanges? Mine have the flanges and i've never noticed them taking 30 seconds to seal in to your ear, just push them in and you're good to go right away

 

[trevj]

Are you using the kind with the foamy plug that goes into your ear or the ones with with the rubbery flanges? Mine have the flanges and i've never noticed them taking 30 seconds to seal in to your ear, just push them in and you're good to go right away

Everyone has different ear shapes, so what works a treat for one guy may not work worth a darn for another.

Eg: I found that the straight walled, cut from foam sheet ear plugs, that you had to roll to insert, were far more comfy than the ones that had a taper and a sealed surface. And the 'nice' ones were nowhere near as comfy as the molded-to-fit silicone ones.
I knew other guys that either would not tolerate the ones that were comfy for me, or they just would not stay in their ears.