Gear wish list for 2013

[tecumseh]

Everyone getting their wish list for 2013 together? I don't need much for this year. I upgraded to a better tent for backcountry use and need to get another filter for my water purifier. I'm sure I'll come up with something else in the meantime.

 

[Guest]

My son and I are just about fully outfitted for backpacking now. Just got two very nice 3lb Mountain Hardwear 20deg sleeping bags for under $50 each. Gotta love Sierra Trading Post and last year's model gear. We have everything we absolutely have to have as of now. I'd like to get another stove - preferably a simple JetBoil style so my son could use it easily - and I'd like a lighter tent. What we have now is not heavy, as it's a sub-6lb 3-person tent (including the footprint...) but I'd like to get a 2-person that's around 3.5-4lbs for when just one of us is going afield. Most of our packing is with the scouts, but I'm starting to pack in a little on my hunting lease, and will likely continue to do so. I might also like a smaller pack, as mine is huge and ~7.5lbs, but it's a freighter frame, so it'll carry anything I need. There's a 5lb external frame, but I think I might venture into one of the sub-4lb internals as my alternate pack. Might be kind of fun to see how they work. My son will want one, too, though, which just doubles the price.

From a hunting gear standpoint, I have a list of things I'd "like" to have. Most of it is superfluous, but some of it will be necessary if I can ever get WifCom to authorize the trip. Of course, the economy isn't helping my argument at all. But I'd like to get the following:

Spotting scope - I really need another one for range work, as my last one broke after 18yrs. I'm thinking it would be prudent to get a good one to use at the range, and to take out west for antelope/muley/elk.

Spare binoculars - I have one spare pair (8x26 compacts) but now that my daughter has stolen them since she started hunting with me, I'd really like an extra pair again. Something in an 8x30 or 8x42 to complement my 10x42s would be perfect. I would keep the spares in the truck year-round, I imagine.

Warm weather boots - I really need a new pair of lightly insulated boots. My 12yr old Rockys now leak if I get them more than just splattered. I'm pretty sure they've done their time and I've gotten my $120 out of them. Something in the 200-400g Thinsulate range would be great. I'd really like an uninsulated pair as well as a 200-400g pair, but I know better than to ask for two pairs of boots in the same year. Maybe we'll have another record period at work and the boss (who is a huge Zappos fan) will treat us all to shoes again. So far, he's gotten me a pair of Irish Setter leather hunting boots (1000g Thinsulate and GoreTex, so they're great this time of year) and a pair of The North Face hiking boots (uninsulated Gore-Tex). The hikers are very comfortable and will be great on scout trips with the troop.

It's not really a need, but I'd like to get a couple of treestands. Maybe a two-man ladder and a loc-on of some sort, or just a couple of two-man ladders. We have some spots on the lease where a permanent stand would make much more sense, and allow better access without disturbing things.

Beyond that, I don't have much on a "needs" list. I'm sure something will pop up. It always does! But those are the things I'm watching for deals to get.

 

[onesonek]

Don't know where or which end to start. I just grab as I see the need or want. I found I spent more time making the list than filling it otherwise. But on the other hand I do watch my inventory close. Right now, bullets and more powder are my priorities however. But I use to make out bunches of dream list too. If there was one on the list right now, would be 40-80 acres of prime hunting land up in the transition zone of MN, but cost and my wallet rules that out.

 

[wisconsinteacher]

A DSD jake decoy for spring turkey season. A few tree stands for bow season. (you can never have too many) A new leather arm guard and shooting glove for my long bow. I always have a wish list going. Right now it is filled with reloading supplies. (powder/30-30 dies and bullets/brass)

 

[Elkman]

I need nothing, but I would like to have a Foxpro and a chronagraph. I have made it 50+ years in the fieldwithout either, so I will probably buy neither.

 

[pre6422hornet]

I upgraded some stuff last year with 2 sets of Leverage Climbing sticks and 2 pair of Meindl Perfekt boots. I haven't bought boots or anything clothing related for hunting since 1998.

I do need another hang on stand. I have 3 currently and I keep finding really nice ambush sites out in the woods while I walk around looking for sheds.

Maybe a new scope as well, but I really don't need one at the moment. That is unless I buy a new rifle !

 

[tddeangelo]

Spotting scope - I really need another one for range work, as my last one broke after 18yrs. I'm thinking it would be prudent to get a good one to use at the range, and to take out west for antelope/muley/elk.
-------------------------------

Warm weather boots - I really need a new pair of lightly insulated boots. My 12yr old Rockys now leak if I get them more than just splattered. I'm pretty sure they've done their time and I've gotten my $120 out of them. Something in the 200-400g Thinsulate range would be great. I'd really like an uninsulated pair as well as a 200-400g pair, but I know better than to ask for two pairs of boots in the same year. Maybe we'll have another record period at work and the boss (who is a huge Zappos fan) will treat us all to shoes again. So far, he's gotten me a pair of Irish Setter leather hunting boots (1000g Thinsulate and GoreTex, so they're great this time of year) and a pair of The North Face hiking boots (uninsulated Gore-Tex). The hikers are very comfortable and will be great on scout trips with the troop.

Dub....

On the spotter, I know we were kind of nosing around the same price range of optics. I decided to "go big", though, and I got a Zeiss Victory Diascope. The good news, sort of, is that they can be had for much less than one would think. The bad news is, well, that's still a boatload of cash. I got mine for about half of retail when the dust settled. Not a bad arrangement, really, although now it needs a carry case, scope coat, etc. :roll:

On the boots, I think Pat will join me in saying what you describe as your criteria tell me you want a pair of Meindl Perfekt's. I have them, and Mike (280 Remington) and I got Pat to buy a pair. Pat now has two pair, actually.

 

[Guest]

Tom, I'm actually thinking in two directions on the boots. Right now I could get some Columbia Bugaboot Plus with 600g plus their omni-heat liner (reflective barrier) and gore-tex, with a coupon code from Sierra Trading Post for about $60 shipped (regular about $150). May have to try those. Wish they had the 200g pair in my size. Ultimately, Irish Setter has an entire line of boots in the model I currently have, with the only difference being the amount of insulation, from none to 1000g. As much as I love the current pair, a 200 or 600g pair would be welcome anytime. Of course, they're only $215 or so…if money were no object I'd have one pair of each, plus the uninsulated pair as well…

The Setters are great boots.

As for the spotter, I keep looking and putting one in my cart. I just haven't pulled the trigger yet. Maybe this spring.

 

[SJB358]

Give a look at Kenetreks or Asolos for a Gore Tex/lightly insulated boot Dub. I've been trompkng around on Asolos for about 10 years now and the Kenetrek Mountain Hunters were awesome this past Fall.

I have to start outfitting Lori for elk now. Pretty sure she is goin to head out this Fall.

 

[DrMike]

I have to start outfitting Lori for elk now. Pretty sure she is goin to head out this Fall.

That'll be a great time for you. Elk hunting with your wife would be just delightful.

 

[tddeangelo]

You're in the south, what the heck do you need 600g boots for???



My Meindls are 400g, and are good into the low 30's or so. Below that, I will often take my blanket boots of going on an extended sit. Nothing beats them for warm, and they make much less bulky versions than my 20 yr old pair. I'm going to have to update my gear next year with a newer pair. Walk in with comfortable walking boots, put on the blanket boots while your feet are warm, and you will NOT get cold feet.

Of course, I still come back to...how cold can it get down there????

 

[Thankful Otter]

275 H & H, a new snowmobile, a new sled dog ( one of ours died recently ) and some new beaver traps

 

[Guest]

We have a lot of days where the high doesn't hit 40deg, and we have ice up on the mountain. The drives up the switchback blacktop are fun those mornings...

Couple that with sitting in a ladder stand and the wind whistling through the creek drains up on our lease, and all of a sudden, feet get cold. I'm good hiking around in 400g, as I once had a pair with that rating. Even my 600g Rockys are good for hiking and some sitting. But if I find a good place, and want to sit a long time (6hrs or more some days watching a draw and the bench below it, pretty shortly my feet are cold. North Alabama gets snow, too. You think it's all warm and cozy down here, but it's not. We don't get goofy weather like my friend in MN gets, but we get cold, snow, and ice. I like warm feet!

I'll have to look at the Meindls, Asolos and Kenetreks.

 

[tddeangelo]

For what you describe, I'd really suggest some overboots to put on over a pair of 400g boots. Comfort for walking, warm feet when stationary.

 

[pre6422hornet]

Dub,

I will throw the Arctic Shield boot covers out there. My feet always get cold. I used to put a boot warmer in when I got to my stand and they would still only last 2 hours maybe.

I bought a pair of the Arctic shields this fall. You can roll each one up into the size of a pop can and put them on when you hit your stand. They are quiet and my feet NEVER got cold, even without a boot warmer. I spent 4 or 5 days in the stand where I didn't leave the stand at all and the feet never got cold while sitting in the 30's and 40's in the wind.

 

[Guest]

My feet don't get cold in my Irish Setters, either. So far, that's the best solution I've found. Nothing extra to carry, just well protected, comfortable feet. I just want a lower insulation pair to replace the 600g Rockys that have reached the end of their useful (hunting) life, and will be relegated to dry workdays henceforth. Eventually they'll wear through on the soles, and since they're not resoleable, that'll be the end. The Setters, of course, can be resoled, so they'll be here for the duration. The side of me that squeaks when he walks is still thinking about cheaper boots, but the reality is, I'll likely just save up and get the Setters before next hunting season. They're too perfect for my feet to not buy them again. If I get a chance I'd like to try on some Asolo/Mountrek/Meindl for comparison, but as yet, nothing has fit like the Setters. And I've tried on a ton of boots in my time from Rocky, Wolverine, Danner, Cabelas, BassPro, and many others. We'll see what happens - but I doubt it will be boot covers. My feet don't get uncomfortable stalking or walking in the 1000g Setters, so I doubt the 600s will be a problem.

 

[tddeangelo]

To get somewhat back on track, since all we've done is dig Dub's heels in deeper, lol....



I'm really focusing this year on getting better clothing....particularly more wool, and fleece, improving my cold weather gear to get thinner, light layers if possible so mobility is not so hampered in cold weather.

Maybe a few more 2-man treestands to facilitate taking my kids with me more easily (plus my dad feels safer hunting from them)....build a few box blinds, too, probably.

Contemplating a ShurShot stock for my 870, as well, as it's primarily a turkey/deer gun now.

 

[hunternyny]

275 H & H, a new snowmobile, a new sled dog ( one of ours died recently ) and some new beaver traps

Cheyenne, Our family met in Jackson Wy a few years ago and went on a dog sled ride. We rode all morning to a hot springs in the mountains and changed into our trunks and spent an hour in the hot springs and then had lunch and rode the dog sled back. It was a fun day. We were surprised at how small the dogs were but also at how strong they are. We got to take turns being the musher as we had four sleds in our group plus the outfitter that took us I am sorry about your dog and hope you find a replacement soon. I like the new snowmobile and 275 part of your wish list better than a new pair of boots and I have no immediate need for a sled dog or beaver traps lol

 

[Africa Huntress]

John, that does sound like fun, glad you and your family had a good time.

Cheyenne, I have got the word out for your 275, the number I sent you will help you save some money on a snowmobile, also talk to George at LEL,

like john, I am so sorry about your dog, I know you get close to them. your husband will have a new dog in that harness in no time. If I was replying on a different forum I would reply to your beaver trap request differently,
but here I will just say, I hope you get some new ones.

Dubyam, I agree with you about the boots. the one place we dont try to cut corners, expenses wise, is our boots.
And if you found a pair that works, stick with them.

 

[ajvigs]

A good set of bino's and a rangefinder, a multi-purpose shotgun, some camo, and a good set of hunting boots would make me happy