I missed this. Here's my list of essentials for new hunters on a budget.
All you NEED to kill deer is a weapon and ammunition for it. Oh, and to LEGALLY kill them you need a license. As far as what you want...
- The bow or gun really, truly doesn't matter. You won't be using it a lot starting out. DO pay the money and/or take the time to have it tuned or sighted in. It doesn't have to be new. I'd encourage you to borrow one from the mentor you hopefully have and treat it respectfully. You don't have to "buy once, cry once" either. That's what salesman and the people they have duped say. You do want to not buy junk. If you have $300, you can buy a new bow or gun that will kill deer as good as anything.
- You want comfortable clothes for the conditions you'll be hunting in. You probably have them. Got a pair of tennis shoes and some old khakis? Got a jacket that's not neon pink or blue? Ok then. You've got clothes. Get in the truck and let's go. If you don't have that, your mentor probably has something he got too fat for that you can borrow.
- You want a backpack. Again, it doesn't need to be camo. That old college bookbag? She'll do. Your buddy may have one if you don't
- You want a a compass and a good light. Actually, you want two of each. Buddy may have a spare.
- You want a pocket knife or a fixed blade that's light and has a 4 inch blade. Thereabouts. If it came from a gas station you're gonna have a bad time. Buck, victorinox, mora, shrade, and gerber all make ok knives for cheap. Your mentor has hundreds of these knives that friends and family have gifted him over the years, and that he's bough on a whim.
- You don't need to be in a treestand unless your buddy has one you can borrow and he'll show you how to use it and you trust him not to be a retard. You do need a place to sit. A bucket or a lawnchair works fine. I am literally BEGGING you to not try and learn to hunt and safely climb a tree at the same time.
- DO NOT BUY ACCESSORIES!!! You don't need hand warmers, grunt calls, butt-out tools, reflective tacks, special knives, or any other item that lives on the end caps and clip strips in your local sporting goods store. Chances are if you mention said items, your mentor will laugh and say he has one you can have, because he sure as heck doesn't need it.
Get a trend. You need a flesh and blood huntin' buddy/mentor. And you don't need a lot of gear.
For all you seasoned hunters out there. Adopt an adult-onset hunter or a young adult. They can drive you nuts but they can also make you a better hunter because they'll ask the questions you haven't though about in years.
