Gear or Grit: Your First Elk Hunt on a Budget
Gear or Grit
I recently had a conversation with a young hunter regarding necessary gear and the marketing push from all the large brands in the outdoor industry. He mentioned that every time a new piece of gear comes out, there is a catchy phrase associated with it that makes it seem like a necessity. He specifically mentioned a rain jacket that is new to market and how the marketing of it makes it feel like a life-or-death situation. I think everyone can look back at something they bought that was touted as “the last one you’ll ever own,” only for the same company to have a new and improved version launching six months later. If you’re an experience hunter or outdoorsman, this stuff is just part of life, but if you are a beginner or expanding into a new area, this can feel daunting.
Getting into hunting or fishing seems like a tall task unless you have someone willing to take you under their wing. If you are a whitetail hunter in the Midwest or Eastern US, then you can likely find someone with experience and shorten the learning curve. However, if you want to head west for your first elk hunt or vice versa, it can feel impossible. That is what makes Rucklist such a great product. You can look at what others have used on similar trips. Search through gear lists and compare items. If you don’t have the newest Sitka Jacket, but you have a King’s Camo jacket, it’ll probably work just fine. Can’t justify a pair of $500 boots for your one week of elk hunting this year? No problem, snag a pair of Danner’s or a similar boot, and you’ll be on your way. Hunting doesn’t need to be a battle of riches.
Gear and apparel have come a long way in the last twenty years. There are advantages to owning a nice base layer, some wool socks, the latest and greatest backpack, and many other quality items. They aren’t a necessity, though. If you want to come west for your first hunt, Rucklist will help you build your gear list on a budget. You can message guys about their list, ask questions about specific gear, find out what they didn’t use or wish they would have brought, and anything else that you can think of. Don’t let the overwhelming ad campaigns from major brands make you feel like you need to invest half your life savings for an elk hunt.
While I’m a firm believer in quality gear that you can depend on, there is also the fact that a lot of it is about comfort. If the ability to go on a hunt comes down to wearing less comfortable pants and going hunting or waiting a year to afford new Sitka pants before going, go hunting. Sometimes you need to weigh the options. Are you putting your plans on hold so that everything can be perfect? Or can you have a little more grit and go enjoy a hunt with some cheaper gear?
You only get so many hunting seasons.
Don’t wait.
Have a little grit.