Trekking Poles
These bad boys have taken one hell of a beating with absolutely zero issues. Funny enough my back up pair is still new in the package beause my 5 year old set still has no issues.
Backcountry on a Budget
is a blog I wanted to put together to help save the western hunter money with the ever increasing costs of an out of state hunt. Below is a collection of budget friendly gear that I personally own and have tested in my hunts across the west. While I do also own and run some pretty high end gear I have found quite a few cheaper products that have served me well in the field. In full transparency all the links below are affiliate links from which I earn a small commission of sales but do not add any costs for you. I hope you enjoy and feel free to reach out with any gear questions
Tripod Head
This has been my absolute favorite bargin find so far. This little head is smooth, compact, and light. Great adjustability across all the axis. One of the biggest mistakes I think novice hunters make is not understanding how much more you can see with your binoculars on a tripod.
Titanium Pot
I personally run just a titanium pot and a canister top stove. Its lighter and more compact than the all in one options. Plenty of room to boil water for any brand freeze dry.
Power Pack
With all the electronics the average hunter carries into the field they need a way to charge them. Last year I made the switch to move to 100% rechargable products in a effort to reduce battery weight and improve the simplicity of the hunt. My go to Power Bank has been the Anker 10000 mah. This is an extremely afforadable option often found under $25. One of my units is on its fourth year and has shown little to no battery loss. This is one of the more lightweight options at only 8.6 oz.
Water Filter
I spent a ton of time researching water fiiltration before my first backcountry trip and settled on the Sawyer Squeeze. The two main selling points were its ability to cover the largest range of particle/ parasite removal, no added or funny taste to my water, and that my water is immediately drinkable. One note is to buy a few extra bags as I do blow out 1 bag a year on average.
Solar Panel
Debating wether to carry more power banks vs a solar panel? From my experiene the break even point was usually around day 3 depending on usage. If planning to be in the field for over 3 days this is a weight savings compared to power banks. It can also be shared among groups to bring the overall group weight down.
Tent/ Gear Repair Tape
I promise tou you will put a hole in your tent. And it will only get worse if not repaired quickly. A few small patches of this can be a lifesaver.
Blister Protection
Im lucky enough to have feet made of titanium, but if youre not as lucky this stuff will save you. This has been a lifesaver for my elk partners blisters he seems to get year and I've also used it to close up minor cuts and keep dirt out until I can properly deal with it.
Traction Boards
There is absolutely nothing worse than being stuck in the middle of nowhere. I am a firm believer in being self reliant on our hunting trips. These also live in my truck for the Wisconsin winters and have saved me a few times.
Flashlight
This little beast is an absolute workhorse and lives in my truck 24/7. Its always fun to watch my buddies envy when I pull this thing out on a blood trail. It is USB C rechargeable so no expensive batteries to replace. This unit puts out a ton of light with an extremely long throw yet wide enough to give you great peripheral views.
Broadhead Storage
I really wanted to get away from the broadhead boxes where I have to push my broadheads down into foam either dulling them or deploying the mechanical. I use this to hold everything from my Iron Wills, to my turkey machanicals.
DIY Bow Vice
I recently set out on an adventure to do my own bow tuning after some poor experiences at shops. I didnt want to shell out thousands for something to try and learn with. 3 Years later this is still my go to. I will say the minor adjustments to get level and getting the grip center can be a bit of a challenge at times but the huge savings have been worth it for me personally. There are quite a few youtube videos showing how guys use this that are worth a watch.
Shackle Hitch
Please dont be the guy who hooks a strap to his ball hitch to pull someone out. Its dangerous and stupid. Spend a few bucks and get the right tool for the job.
Scale
Two things I use this for is weighting my meat bags for the curiousity and bragging rights. And also when hunting with a partner and divying equipment you can help try and balance the load between you. Training with known pack weight and knowing the weight of what you can comfortably carry are important.
Tool Roll
This handy little man satchel lives under the seat of my truck 24/7 with just enough tools to keep me out of trouble without having to fight to cram a hard case into places.
Pulse Oximeter
Altitude Sickness ain't no joke and can be deadly. I always take this on trips to give a quick peace of mind if someone is feeling off and your wondering if its the gas station sushi or altitude sickness hitting you.
Figure 9 Carabiner
This little guy is what I use to hang my bear food bag at night without having to invite a new knot everytime. Ive also used to to add tension to hold elk legs in place when butchering in the field.