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How would you spend my birthday money?

I have a well used but functional tarptent stratospire 2 I’d send your way for a little more than the cost to ship. If looking new I’d recommend it or the durston tents for a great balance of weight, comfort, cost, weather resistance, and durability.
 
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No way would I buy a budget spotter. It seems like anything under 1,000 isn't worth it. Go too of the line or keep saving. A few cheaper things that you didn't mention is

Good game bags. I have used caribou gear for 5 plus years and really happy with them.

A nice light weight knive. I love my aragli. Worth every penny.

Puffy. Eddie Bauer has really decent coats. Love my first ascent. I buy earth tone colors, wear it for a year or two then switch to use as hunting coat.

Tent. I like Rei or Big Agnes. Both can be found used for very cheap. I found a Rei 10x10 for $100 in the gear garage used once, and a msr bubba with a broken like for $5. I emailed msr and they sent me a free pole.

Head lamp. Can never go wrong here

Last trekking poles. I don't use them a ton but always carry them. With a 100 lb pack after shooting something they are a game changer.
 
No way would I buy a budget spotter. It seems like anything under 1,000 isn't worth it. Go too of the line or keep saving. A few cheaper things that you didn't mention is

Good game bags. I have used caribou gear for 5 plus years and really happy with them.

A nice light weight knive. I love my aragli. Worth every penny.

Puffy. Eddie Bauer has really decent coats. Love my first ascent. I buy earth tone colors, wear it for a year or two then switch to use as hunting coat.

Tent. I like Rei or Big Agnes. Both can be found used for very cheap. I found a Rei 10x10 for $100 in the gear garage used once, and a msr bubba with a broken like for $5. I emailed msr and they sent me a free pole.

Head lamp. Can never go wrong here

Last trekking poles. I don't use them a ton but always carry them. With a 100 lb pack after shooting something they are a game changer.
Yeah, please tell your wife you're going to buy Big Agnes, and sleep with Big Agnes probably every time you go hunting. Please report back on how that goes, if you're able.
 
I have a well used but functional tarptent stratospire 2 I’d send your way for a little more than the cost to ship. If looking new I’d recommend it or the durston tents for a great balance of weight, comfort, cost, weather resistance, and durability.
I appreciate the offer, I will let you know. I need to look into it more about what kind of tent.
 
No way would I buy a budget spotter. It seems like anything under 1,000 isn't worth it. Go too of the line or keep saving. A few cheaper things that you didn't mention is

Good game bags. I have used caribou gear for 5 plus years and really happy with them.

A nice light weight knive. I love my aragli. Worth every penny.

Puffy. Eddie Bauer has really decent coats. Love my first ascent. I buy earth tone colors, wear it for a year or two then switch to use as hunting coat.

Tent. I like Rei or Big Agnes. Both can be found used for very cheap. I found a Rei 10x10 for $100 in the gear garage used once, and a msr bubba with a broken like for $5. I emailed msr and they sent me a free pole.

Head lamp. Can never go wrong here

Last trekking poles. I don't use them a ton but always carry them. With a 100 lb pack after shooting something they are a game changer.
Thanks for the input, I use the same game bags and they have been awesome! I have a decent black diamond headlamp and some black ovis trecking poles that do a good job.

I will look into a knife as that might be an option as well.
 
I’m leaning towards the tent option as that would seem to give me the best bang for my buck. To be honest it was at the bottom of my list of the three I listed. I like the kuiu mountain star or the copper spur that were mentioned.

I like the idea of being able to use the whole tent or just setting up the fly and going super light.

All the input has been super helpful!
 

What is Re/Supply at REI?​

Re/Supply, REI’s used gear business, is a more sustainable and affordable way for members to purchase gear and apparel. Re/Supply consists of items that customers have either returned or traded in. Putting these items back into use helps avoid filling landfills and gives usable gear a second life.



Members can participate in the following ways:

- Shop the dedicated used gear section in most REI stores

- Shop the used gear section of the REI website

- Shop our REI Re/Supply store in Manhattan Beach, CA and Clackamas, OR

- Trade in used gear in exchange for an REI gift card
 
Watch Camofire and Black Ovis for deals on down jackets. Seen a few lately. I have the Blavk Ovis puffy and love it
 
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I bought a blemished salt creek ls2 tent from big agnes a few years ago. Allegedly it had a color imperfection somewhere but all the people that looked for it could never find it. It had a steep discount and retained the warranty. It could also be set up as a fly only

 
No such thing as a "budget spotter" save and do it right!
Yup, I bought a "budget spotter" and barely use it because it's about as good as my nice binos. It's a bit of a disappointment. Save your money for a nice one. Also, I rock an Eddie Bauer down jacket, and I'm very happy with it. I think it was less than $100.
 
I’m leaning towards the tent option as that would seem to give me the best bang for my buck. To be honest it was at the bottom of my list of the three I listed. I like the kuiu mountain star or the copper spur that were mentioned.

I like the idea of being able to use the whole tent or just setting up the fly and going super light.

All the input has been super helpful!
Do consider if need a 3 season or 4 season tent. Love my copper spur UL2 (2 man that is really a perfect one man) but would be poor choice for a winter-y hunt. I hunt mostly Aug/September bow hunts at all elevations from 5k-12k elevation.
 
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