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Cheap Stuff that Gets the Job Done

BackSpasm

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2019
Messages
1,635
Location
Tennessee
Hey Fellas,

I saw an awesome thread over on Rokslide where everyone was sharing gear that was cheap but that they love. I thought I would start one on here to see what you nut jobs come up with.

I will start:
Costco Merino Hiking Socks
Paracord and a CamJam for a gear holder on the tree
Minus33 Merino wool beanie from Amazon
 
This is geared towards repurposing stuff that a lot of us have laying around. There's some cheap gear in there too..


Quick release buckles can be bought off eBay to be used on leg straps or whatever as a good no sew option or mod to replace broken hardware or g hooks.

550 cord can be used for tons of accessory purposes such as gear hangers, haul lines, stick hangers for when climbing, etc. Amsteel can be used as well though more expensive.

WEI steps in addition to a climbing method make great deer dragging handles (so if you own these I'd save your money on a drag)

WEI rope can be used to make nice and compact stick aiders. So does amsteel. Just another option.

Browning cap light. Think it cost like 20 bucks. Gets used as my primary. Puts out a good amount of light but not as much as my headlamp. Rechargeable. Battery lasts about 2 hours I think.

Hawk cutoffs can be made into tiny sticks for 1sticking, gear hangers, your imagination is your limit really.

Nite Ize Gear ties. Cheap alternative to stick quivers, platform hangers, accessory hooks etc.
 
Nite Ize Gear ties. Cheap alternative to stick quivers, platform hangers, accessory hooks etc.

+1 on the Nite Ize gear ties.. used a few last year threaded through the back of my GW to hold my sticks. Plan on doing the same with the MOLLE loops on my pack this season & my new 20” hawks.




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I like dollar tree. 1 dollar knee pads, 1 dollar for 3 cheap plastic carabiners, batteries, locks, and anything else you can think of to DIY for hunting.
 
A year or more old new in box Bear bow off of ebay from a reputable seller.

The newer Bear bows are actually pretty good shooters. There for a while, they kept running slightly modified versions of the same hybrid cam system. The demand isn't super high for them and resale isn't great, but you can use this to your advantage. On Ebay, you can find their flagship bows from a few years back new in box and get them for half price, and they shoot about like the newer ones. The flagships that once cost $900 but are now more like $400 new include: Bear Escape, Arena 30 and 34, Kuma (still made), and Moment. I bought a new 2015 Bear Traxx in 2016 and gave $300 for a $750 bow. The only difference between it and the flagships was the cable guard, and I just replaced that with a Saunders teflon glide.

I haven't seen new in box 2018 PSE or Mathews flagship bows. Just know that when you are done with it, you won't get much for it used (the Bear). I've considered stockpiling a few.
 
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A year or more old new in box Bear bow off of ebay from a reputable seller.

The newer Bear bows are actually pretty good shooters. There for a while, they kept running slightly modified versions of the same hybrid cam system. The demand isn't super high for them and resale isn't great, but you can use this to your advantage. On Ebay, you can find their flagship bows from a few years back new in box and get them for half price, and they shoot about like the newer ones. The flagships that once cost $900 but are now more like $400 new include: Bear Escape, Arena 30 and 40, Kuma (still made), and Moment. I bought a new 2015 Bear Traxx in 2016 and gave $300 for a $750 bow. The only difference between it and the flagships was the cable guard, and I just replaced that with a Saunders teflon glide.

I haven't seen new in box 2018 PSE or Mathews flagship bows. Just no that when you are done with it, you won't get much for it used (the Bear). I've considered stockpiling a few.

I have turned several new shooters onto this find as well! Some great deals to be had if you want a new bow or backup bow.

The only issue is that buying in this format means you can't see any of the components, test fit, or shoot them before you purchase and returns can be unwieldy or non-existent if something isn't right
 
I have turned several new shooters onto this find as well! Some great deals to be had if you want a new bow or backup bow.

The only issue is that buying in this format means you can't see any of the components, test fit, or shoot them before you purchase and returns can be unwieldy or non-existent if something isn't right

Good point. I know that any Bear bow from around the same time and with similar specs and cam will be like my Traxx. So, I would feel comfortable ordering a Bear Moment, for instance, without seeing it first.
 
Ear plugs are priceless. Try to get a good nights sleep at hunting camp with 2 other guys sawing logs 5 feet away. Then try to go hang in a tree for 11 hours, or make the long drive back home without falling asleep at the wheel. Ear plugs can make the difference between a good night's sleep or a miserable night and a tiresome next day.
 
Coghlan's pin-on ball compass. I probably have 6 of them I use religiously.

My freeshavacanoe. For the cost of some epoxy and spray paint, I got a whole season of duck, deer, and squirrel hunting out of it, plus I've been running trotlines on it. You can find a lot of abused canoes for little to nothing online and fix them right up.

Havalon knives and their replacement blades. Fugly little things, but they work awesome.
 
My freeshavacanoe. For the cost of some epoxy and spray paint, I got a whole season of duck, deer, and squirrel hunting out of it, plus I've been running trotlines on it. You can find a lot of abused canoes for little to nothing online and fix them right up.
In case anyone else was interested in the story:
 
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