Hunting Gear - made of gold now?

[911boost]

My 15yo son has decided that he will miss sports this year and join us for deer/elk hunting. We do not tree stand hunt, its 100% spot an stalk here.

We have been slowly gathering what he needs for about a year. The "hard" gear, bino's, knives etc all cost about the same as they always have. You get what you pay for in that, but a ton of $ is not needed to spend on them.

Clothes are where I cannot believe how expensive everything has gotten. Keeping in mind he is just a teenager and still growing it is very difficult to see the value in spending serious $$ on the high tech hunting clothes out there. It isn't turkey hunting where full camo is needed, we have to wear a blaze orange vest and hat for safety.

Has anyone else seen this? It seems like everything is so specialized now a days in every hobby.

Bill

[Norm K]

It's almost as though the introduction of multi-trillions of new dollars into the money supply will affect the cost of goods.

_

[berettafan]

There are some super premium brands out there that make Orvis and Filson look dirt cheap!

Used to be Cabelas had fantastic store branded clothing but those days are past thanks to Bass Pro.

[cabmandone]

I got a smokin deal on my Cabelas MT050 winter gear... so much so that my friends are disappointed when they look at the asking price for the coat and bibs today. I think all the "dry tech" is where prices have really gone up. Anything with Gore Tex and Scent Lok seems to have really jumped in price. That and all these new camo patters Sheesh!

[911boost]

Yeah, I was taking the inflation into account Norm.

Like berettafan mentions, it seems like since the advent of Stika everyone makes their own version now and you can't find the house brands anymore. I have no problem buying high quality gear for myself, my preference is for Kuiu for certain things. Of course I wear it for years and years. Hell I have some wool Columbia pants that I bet I have been wearing for over 10 years.

Good comments on Cabelas and Bass Pro.

I agree Norm.

[craigster59]

Try Sierra Trading Post, brand name gear on clearance....

https://www.sierra.com/hunting~d~32/

Also, don't pass up military surplus....

https://www.sportsmansguide.com

[911boost]

We have a sierra outlet store in town, it is just so hit and miss.

[wilnj]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Try Sierra Trading Post, brand name gear on clearance....

https://www.sierra.com/hunting~d~32/

Also, don't pass up military surplus....

https://www.sportsmansguide.com

I’ve had good luck with Sierra too.

Originally Posted by Norm K

It's almost as though the introduction of multi-trillions of new dollars into the money supply will affect the cost of goods.



_

Anecdotal, but just talked to a steel fabricator I’ve done a lot of work with. He got a call Thursday last week from one of my competitors to attend a meeting yesterday, handed a set of drawings, need a price in 4 days. An award decision will be made and the successful fabricator released in 1 week.

The client has $800M to spend with a fuse date on the funds.

[911 Rod]

I remember growing up I'd wear old clothes and work boots.
I also didn't have $600 fishing rods. lol

[porsche4life]

Given that he’ll likely outgrow it soon, can you find anything used on FB marketplace? I’ve had good luck finding nice used snow clothes on there. Might be able to find some that another teenager grew out of.

[vash]

Originally Posted by 911boost

My 15yo son has decided that he will miss sports this year and join us for deer/elk hunting. We do not tree stand hunt, its 100% spot an stalk here.

We have been slowly gathering what he needs for about a year. The "hard" gear, bino's, knives etc all cost about the same as they always have. You get what you pay for in that, but a ton of $ is not needed to spend on them.

Clothes are where I cannot believe how expensive everything has gotten. Keeping in mind he is just a teenager and still growing it is very difficult to see the value in spending serious $$ on the high tech hunting clothes out there. It isn't turkey hunting where full camo is needed, we have to wear a blaze orange vest and hat for safety.

Has anyone else seen this? It seems like everything is so specialized now a days in every hobby.

Bill

what size clothing is the kid wearing?

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Got any military surplus stores nearby?

[911boost]

I’ve tried looking around some, yep went to the surplus place…..

He is wearing 32 inch waist pants and men’s medium/large outerwear. Realistically he is a 30 inch waist but the 32’s will work with a belt. We will be cycling in some good Carhartt pants and vests he already has

I found most everything but he is going to be wearing just two pairs of pants for the 5 days we are up there which is not a big deal since we will be in the camper and can dry the stuff if it gets wet by laying it near the heater.

For this trip he’s using an old BAR in 30-06 I have, used to use it for whitetail with iron sights but put the old Tasco made in Japan scope back on it my uncle used. It’s really clear glass and retro as hell but nice, 1x7 by 32

[911boost]

Well for one he wouldn't have to worry about someone shooting him from pretty far away

But yes, I agree.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

What happened to the red and black plaid hunting jacket?
That is all we ever used..
Everything has to be so special now........What would Danial Boone do?

Yes sir, same here. I actually stopped by a sporting goods store today and also was in sticker shock over hunting related things.

[cabmandone]

I bought everything but the boots a size or two bigger than my son needed. The pants and sleeves can be rolled up. I figured that way I could get a couple years out of what I bought him.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Try Sierra Trading Post, brand name gear on clearance....

https://www.sierra.com/hunting~d~32/

Also, don't pass up military surplus....

https://www.sportsmansguide.com

Sportsman guide has amazing international surplus. Some of my most prized wool blankets are from them and simply cannot be replaced

[LEAKYSEALS951]

God, when I was a teenager, all I wanted was a crossbow and a John Rambo knife!

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Arizona_928

Sportsman guide has amazing international surplus. Some of my most prized wool blankets are from them and simply cannot be replaced

What the hell do ya need wool blankets for in Arizona? Keeping the old 7.3 warm??

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

God, when I was a teenager, all I wanted was a crossbow and a John Rambo knife!

We had TOTALLY different wants as teenagers.