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Top 5 best/worst gear purchases

Hall17 said:
Best
1. Saddle equipment - still working through what I like and don't like
2. Sitka hunting clothing - never been more comfortable
3. Kenetrek boots - takes a bit to break in but once they do they fit my foot like a glove
4. OnX maps - helps me locate an area to scout. Found new areas and killed deer in those areas


Worst
1. Cheap hunting clothing - just doesn't fit me well (too baggy)
2. All the mods I did to my climber a year before jumping into a saddle
3. Cheap hunting boots - always gave me blisters
Click to expand...

Yeah, I used to think hunting clothes didn't matter that much and I'd piece together a bunch of various layers and then be miserable. I also didn't scout back then and so didn't do much outside of hunting season. I think the internet and forums like this keep my excitement and tinkering going year round and makes me a better hunter because I don't forget about it.
 
Best:
Compound bow
Saddle
Canoe
Speedy stitcher
Truck topper (I haven't actually purchased this 1 yet but it will be top 5)

Worst:
Trail cameras
Anything scent related, attractants or cover spray
Ground blind
Mechanical broadheads
Bag targets
 
Best:
ThermaCELL
Quality Binos
Mission Platform
Eberlestock Base Layers/M1 Carrier
Fat Bike for Hunting/Scouting

Worst:
Mantis Saddle
Predator Platform
Sitka Tool Belt
Daisy Chain Webbing
Rubber Boots
 
AttackMode said:
Best:
ThermaCELL
Quality Binos
Mission Platform
Eberlestock Base Layers/M1 Carrier
Fat Bike for Hunting/Scouting

Worst:
Mantis Saddle
Predator Platform
Sitka Tool Belt
Daisy Chain Webbing
Rubber Boots
Click to expand...

Just bought the tool belt about 2 hours ago. Please tell us why it made the naughty list
 
Best:

1. Saddle - Started with a RCH/sit drag as a trial version. Graduated to a size 1 Kestrel. Primary is now a size 2 Cruzr S. Saddle has completely changed the way I hunt and has made me 10x more efficient and successful.

2. Lightweight Aluminum Sticks - Started with 3 OG Hawk Heliums before all the quality issues started showing up. Compared to what I was dealing with previously, they've been great. Bought a set of API sticks, which were cheap and super easier to modify. I have since cut them both down and made mini versions and platform-Frankensticks out of both. Doing so led me to one-sticking which further reduced bulk, weight, and changed the way I hunt forever.

3. Rappel Rope/ATC - One-sticking back down isn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be. That said, rappelling is much more fun and safer, in my opinion. Plus, I am more willing to climb a crappy tree in the right spot knowing I can rappel down after and bypass all the limbs, bends, and annoyances.

4. Garmin eTrex GPS - I bought this before GPS on the phone was a thing. It allowed me to mark spots and come back to them in the dark. It also gave me the confidence to explore large tracts of national forest without worrying about getting lost. I found and marked lots of great spots because of this little guy.

5. HME Accessory Strap/Hooks - I used to use screw in hooks for hanging my bow or gun, but they weren't legal everywhere and were sometimes a pain to screw into the tree. Slightly modified, this HME strap is the best and quickest solution I've found for hanging my bow or gun in the tree. Deploys in seconds and works great for how I use it.
 
enkriss said:
I need to revise this list…

Best:
1) Catalyst ION
2)Madrock safeguard
3)miendl Comfort fit boots
4)sheepfeet insoles
5)1” squirrel steps

Worst:
1)first beast stand
2)second beast stand
3)lacrosse alpha agility
4)nock-on back strap
5)wild edge steps
Click to expand...

Beast stand #1 cracked me up for whatever reason and beast stand #2 made me die laughing.
 
Worst:

1. Trail Cameras - I bought a couple cheaper ones to try out. Got some cool pictures. Had some success with them... But long story short, I hate setting them, I hate checking them, I hate worrying about them getting stolen. I think they're all junk, die too soon, and not worth the effort... Especially with 2 little ones at home now.

2. Primal V Steps - I had high hopes for these. Bought a bunch when they were dirt cheap. Replaced some of the stock straps with rope to use for climbing or presets. Left stock straps on a few for preset plywood platforms. I keep thinking of different ways they could be used... But I never actually use them.

3. Ladder Stands and Steel Stick Ladders - They just seem so ridiculous after hunting from a saddle and lightweight gear. :tearsofjoy:

4. Cheap Crappy Boots - Your feet deserve better, period.

5. Butt-Out Tool - Does anybody actually know how to use this thing without making a holy mess? .. And if you do, does it really make that big of a difference? No...
 
This is probably one of my favorite threads! So many “typical” hunting gear items I don’t like that “tv” hunters make so normal. Have had so little luck with calls/scents. So many times I’ve considered not carrying any calls at all. Also I’m also in the love/hate boat in the trail cameras.
 
Best:
Big Rolling tote/container for hunting gear
HME Tripod Hoist
Magnus buzz cut broadheads
Kestrel Flex
Red Head 800gm hunting boots

Worst:
Big rolling tote/container for hunting gear
Any scent attractant
Grunt tubes
Range finder
Wind checker powder crap
 
I’ll preface this by saying lots of the stuff listed as been on the list before.

BEST:
1. Tree hoper drill and bolts with the battery drill bit. This is an awesome tool. Super lightweight, but even more packable. Maybe the most underrated quality to this system is how easy it is at the end of the hunt. Just climb down and throw them in your pouch. Plus it’s very quiet. If you’re able to scout ahead of time, and pre-drill a tree… forget about it. It’s better than a lafferI wish I would have talked myself into these last year. I won’t be changing my climbing method anytime soon.

2. Latitude outdoors method. It’s so good I’d like to buy the method 2… just because. It’s light weight, and compact in the way, and very comfortable in the tree. Plus the ropes are way better than the original Tethrd ropes I had before. (I think Tethrd has released 8mm ropes now.)

3. New Breed GX2. This bow is easily the best bow I’ve ever shot. Albeit limited experience. It’s fast and forgiving. I hate that COVID (my guess) got the better of them.

4. Bone Collector Binos, and Kuiu Pro Bino Harness. The binoculars are great. Compact and clear. I got them as a gift from my wife, and they have been very useful. Equally as good, is the Kuiu harness. Easy to operate, comfortable, and protective. I can now take my binos with me on those miserable rainy days. Plus, they have a range finder attachment and tether, for easy access and quick disposal of my range finder when a deer is closing the gap. Which brings me to #5.

5. My range finder. I’m sure there are others out there… but my Nikon rangefinder has been great. It’s small, light weight, and just does the job. I really like it.

WORST:

1. Wildgame Innovations Cell Cams. Oh my goodness. Please listen to me. These cameras are terrible. You know the old say “you get what you pay for?” Well, it’s true here. I had wanted cell cams for a long time, when I saw these on sale at BPS, I hopped on them. For a very short while, these cameras operated as I would expect…but the pictures were below average, and detection range was limited. After that time, they were utterly useless. Wouldn’t pare with the app. And just frustrating to try to use. DO NOT BUY!

2. Climbing spurs. I wish I was able to use them. I wanted to like them. They are compact and lightweight. They are supposed to be quiet and fast. For me… I felt like a drunk black bear going up a tree… but going down was fast. I ditched them after several attempts and went back to my second worst purchase; sticks.

3. My lone wolf sticks did the job. And when I started using a run and gun system… they weren’t so bad. Or I just didn’t know any better. However, they were not light weight, or packable. And they took a lot of effort to make them quiet.

4. I hate to say this, because I love the Tethrd guys, but my mantis, was much less than comfortable. I don’t know how their other saddles are, but that first year in a mantis was a doozy.

5. HuntWise app. I wanted to like it because it had better satellite imaging than OnX. I mean to say it had images without foliage in my area. Other than that… the maps were not easy to use. OnX is far superior.
 
Murph4028 said:
It's no secret that saddle hunters love gear. We buy it all. The good and the bad. What are your top 5 best and worst gear purchases and why. This is intended to help those who are new and trying to figure out what may or may not work for them while they decide where to put their hard earned money. Here are mine:

Best:

Tethrd Mantis - easy to mod, super light, comfortable, simple, and not a problem to wear while walking. In stock form it's almost perfect.

SRT climbing system - easy to climb, easy to descend, lightweight, packable, can be multi functional and it's very safe assuming you routinely check your gear.

Kifaru pack - built to last, easy to mod, functional, lots of options for saddle hunters.

Bolts (treehopper and carbon) - can be used as a climbing system, gear hanger and a ring of steps. Easy to pack and to use. Multi functional.

Muck pursuit shadow boots - best hunting boots ive ever owned. Get the benefits of wearing rubber boots but can walk all day in them. Somewhat low profile rubber/neoprene boots that can be worn in warm weather and laced up for long walks.

Worst:

Climbing spurs - easy to use but hard for me to trust. Just couldn't get it down and be comfortable while using them. Stepping on and off platform was weird for me and constantly felt like I was about to gaff out. Kind of odd to pack in as well depending on your pack and how you prefer to carry your kit.

Cheap backpacks - went through a ton of them and could've bought multiple high end packs with the money I spent over the years. My advice is buy once cry once.

Mechanical broadheads - unpredictable arrow flight in my experience. When it's showtime I'll take a fixed broadhead anyday. Keeping it simple here.

Climbing sticks - went through a bunch of different sets of these over the years and never liked the fiddle factor of 4 clanking sticks equals 4 clanking strap buckles while trying to be in ninja mode. Trying to make one trip up the tree with 3 sticks dangling from me like a wind chime didn't make sense to me. I think I'd use spurs before I went back to multiple sticks.

Pull ropes - also bought a lot of these over the years and made some from 550 cord. Again the fiddle factor of untangling 550 cord or most conventional pull ropes can be frustrating and cost you a lot of time. Nowadays I like to strap everything to my pack and it climbs up with me. Second to that would definitely be a Doyle's gear hoist. Third, use the tag end of my SRT line if that's the climbing method of the day.

List could change upon the arrival of my wild edge steps/perch. It's the only climbing method and platform I haven't tried. And yes I have more gear I could mention under both categories but let's keep it simple at 5. Don't need to go too deep on all the stuff Ive wasted money on over the years lol.
Click to expand...
If you figure 8 your ropes, they fall easy and won’t tangle. Do it to all my ropes, and have no issues at all. Anything from 550 PC to a 6mm
 
Best
#1 Saddlehunter membership
#2 ONX
#3 Kuiu zip off merino base layers
#4 Treehopper drill
#5 Good boots (Lowa Tibet)

Worst
#1 Knushion
#2 rubber boots I don’t care what brand
#3 farm fresh doe piss
#4 cheap lights
#5 the new sitka fanatic hat that looks like a WW2 military helmet, I hate that thing lol
 
Ya, i got 2 sitting here in the boxes. First one got lost, Scheels sent me another 2 day and the lost one with Fedex showed up the next day. Props to Scheels customer service but a Bowspider on a Mathews running a quiver is horrible. Only way to run it is behind the stabilizer, makes it useless. Both are going back..
enkriss said:
glad I resisted temptation
Click to expand...

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
(In no particular order)

BEST:
1-WSI Sports heater base layer. I won a raffle where I got a $100 gift card, the top alone was $140. This thing is by far the best base layer i have ever owned. Doesn’t stink, and fries super fast even on a 30° day.

2-Matrix M2 target. Just simply a beast, I’ve dumped hundreds of arrows into the center module, both FP’s and BH’s and the center module alone is still holding steady.

3- Ropeman 1. Never want to climb without it, the adjustability is just too easy.

4- EZ green press, being able to do all my bow work at home saves so much time alone not having to drive to a shop makes it worth it’s weight in gold.

5- Buck N Bear knife with gut hook, I love supporting local companies from PA, and I just love their knives.

WORST:
1- cheap bow vise from Amazon, broke during the second use(tried to save a buck, shoulda spent the money the first time)

2- under armor hunting boots, go ahead and laugh but I don’t get smelly feet, as soon as these things get wet they never dry and smell so bad I think they attract skunks.

3- tru ball release, the release works great, I’ve been using it for years, it made the list for the Velcro, I really need to start shooting with a thumb release.

4- yellow jacket broadhead target…..i shot through it in 3 months, getting complete arrow pass throughs. Target just couldn’t take the abuse it was supposed to.

5- I’m really reaching here…..Remington core locks, my Remington 700 does not like them one damn bit.
 
Best: rienhart target

Worse: rappel roll up pouch


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
BEST:
  • Lone wolf sit and climb climber. Before I got into saddles, switching from two ladder stands that I'd sit in and burn out spots in two weeks, getting into a climber is what made me relearn how to actually hunt by finding fresh sign and being mobile.
  • Gaia GPS. Compared to OnX I think Gaia is superior. More layers, better sat. images, and my subscription gets me the whole world, not just my state. I know not many use GAIA in the hunting community, and while OnX has better hunter specific waypoint icons, overall I find it more useful.
  • Kuiu Pro pack. I love this pack. The frame and straps were an investment, but I now have three sizes to meet my needs. I love how it carries weight and is super bomb proof. I imagine these packs will last me decades.
  • Rouge Fishing co. phone tether. I hang this from my HYS strap and keeps my phone within easy reach without fumbling into and out of pockets.
  • Timber Ninja C1 sticks. Wow so light. This is my first season with them but I'm very happy with them so far.
WORST:
  • XOP climbing sticks. While solid and strong, they weighed a ton and were too long to carry anywhere without making a lot of noise.
  • Every trail camera I've ever owned. I'm convinced they're built with planned obsolescence in mind.
  • Scent-lok brand parka. For the price and bulk, there are way better options out there.
  • Cheap, low CRI headlamps. I'm somewhat of a flashlight geek, and blood trailing at night with a high CRI light is a tremendous improvement over low quality low CRI lights. With a high CRI light, blood looks like red blood, with a low CRI light the leaves just look wet.
  • Scents. I haven't used any scents the last few years and haven't noticed any change in the amount of deer I see.
 
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