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Cheap Stuff that Gets the Job Done

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.

During OIF I had F18s and Harriers taking off 247 over my head and I slept like a baby with earplugs.

Not exactly “cheap” but SUPER cost effective is the blob target. I’ve had one for over 4 years that I use year round including many many shots with fixed blades and I literally estimate at least another 7 years of use. Considering I paid about $115 to $125 including shipping and it’s a big target I cannot imagine a cheaper solution for shooting short of a very cost effective DIY target.

Bonus - anything Ryobi.
 
During OIF I had F18s and Harriers taking off 247 over my head and I slept like a baby with earplugs.

Not exactly “cheap” but SUPER cost effective is the blob target. I’ve had one for over 4 years that I use year round including many many shots with fixed blades and I literally estimate at least another 7 years of use. Considering I paid about $115 to $125 including shipping and it’s a big target I cannot imagine a cheaper solution for shooting short of a very cost effective DIY target.

Bonus - anything Ryobi.

Had me at blob target...lost me at Ryobi


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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.
Just don't get the 3M combat ear plugs....
 
In case anyone else was interested in the story:
Much to my wife's chagrin, I just read three linked threads and slipped three more hours of my life into the "hunting research" column.
 
They work better, I'm not a zippo lighter fan, but the hand warmers are pretty good. There is a small smell of lighter fluid, but it's real faint.

I was skeptical at first too but for the $12 price tag I didn't figure I had that much to lose. The fire is pretty contained within the warmer
 
They work better, I'm not a zippo lighter fan, but the hand warmers are pretty good. There is a small smell of lighter fluid, but it's real faint.

I was skeptical at first too but for the $12 price tag I didn't figure I had that much to lose. The fire is pretty contained within the warmer
Interesting
 
Knives are kinda one of my "things" and I could easily walk into the woods deer hunting with nearly a thousand dollars worth of knives. But you don't need to.

I keep a Winchester 3 blade sheath knife in my pack, it has a knife, gut hook and bone saw. You can get one for around 25 bucks. One more knife is all you really need. I like having one for gutting and the other for cutting meart and organs out for eating.
Maybe a neck or belt knife for emergency rope cutting.

Another thing on knives...you don't need a knife while hunting that would make Mic Dundee proud unless you need to hack your way through a thicket to get to a downed deer or hunting partner. You really only need a 3" blade that has a stabby point on it to dress a deer. Makes maneuvering around the inside of the chest or abdominal body easier and less likely to cut yourself accidentally. While we're on that if I catch you with a havalon inside a deer...I'll call you an idiot and move on.

Never saw much need for a bone saw in the field as I don't see the need to open the sternum or pelvis. Unless you're just wanted to piss your taxidermist off or increase your chances of cutting yourself.
 
Fair enough. I'm sure one day I'm going to lose that blade and find it the hard way.
The factory blades on those might as well be made of tin. I've had them literally bend 90* on me when I hit something hard when trimming a pelt. I don't trust the standard blades. I get the thicker blades and use em only on things that I don't have to worry about hitting bone or other solid objects.
 
The factory blades on those might as well be made of tin. I've had them literally bend 90* on me when I hit something hard when trimming a pelt. I don't trust the standard blades. I get the thicker blades and use em only on things that I don't have to worry about hitting bone or other solid objects.
I've never broken or bent one, but I have had a few blades slip off. I have always been very "prissy" about cleaning deer though, at least according to my old man. I prefer the word, "finesse." I love always having a super sharp little blade on hand without having to mess around sharpening.

Anyways, cheap things that work.

Scott Samurai release. Cheapest one Scott's makes, and my favorite.

Treehopper drill and bolts. Climbing method and platform for $60. Lightest and most compact option on the market.

Core-lokts. I've murdered a lot of animals with them.

Tingley boots. I was impressed enough with the ones on my yoders chaps that I ordered another pair by themselves. Also talked a buddy into them and he also owns 2 pairs.
 
I’ve used a replaceable havalon to gut several deer with no issues, just put my finger along the back spine of the blade for better control and to ensure it isn’t gonna turn or come off and get me
 
Another tool I like to use that is about as dirt cheap as you can get for skinning raccoon size critters to deer are carpet hook utility blades. You can get a cheap body for the blades for 2 bucks at most hardware stores and the packs of blades pretty cheap and takes forever to dull em. I use them mainly for opening cuts on critters for skinning, not so much for field dressing and theyre really great for opening boxes.
 
Not trying to correct you but just asking. I thought the carpet blades were double sided not hooked? I was thinking the hooped blades were the ones used for shingles.
 
I've never broken or bent one, but I have had a few blades slip off. I have always been very "prissy" about cleaning deer though, at least according to my old man. I prefer the word, "finesse." I love always having a super sharp little blade on hand without having to mess around sharpening.

Core-lokts. I've murdered a lot of animals with them.

X2 for core-lokts and Havalons

Havalon also makes a multi tool - features the blade, pliers, guthook, screwdriver and comes with replaceable saw blade and carrying case (caught mine at a discount)

 
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