new to western hunting elk and mule deer

[joelweb]

thank for all the advice I have a good pack and boot I am just wondering what you guys think about binoculars because I have 300 dollars to spend on them?

Binoculars are one of the most important things you can buy for hunting in Nevada. Spot and stalk is the name of the game for big game hunting in the Silver State.

While certainly the best, you don't need $1500 binoculars. Technology has increased the quality of the lower end models and you should be able to find an adequate pair for $300.

All I will say is do not go compact.You want to be in the 42mm-45mm range. I prefer 8 power because they attract more light, but some guys prefer 10 power because the magnification is stronger. The most important time to glass is at first and last light. Bigger objective and lower power means more light. That's why I would either rock 8x42 or 10x45.

Buy the GPS some other year...

 

[LopeHunter]

Ya know, here's an interesting fact. Back in the 1960s, 70s, 80s, hunters across the American West killed thousands and thousands of elk and deer every year. And they did it without GPS, Gore Tex, carbon-fiber, laser rangefinders, two-way radios, Google Maps, trail cameras, ATVs, short-mags and the typical elk call was a PVC pipe with a cork in one end. How in the heck did they do that?

The advances the past 50 years since I was born are in some cases, lifesavers. Gear that keeps me warmer, drier, weighs less, allows more accurate shots, lets me to know in seconds which way to walk to get to the trailhead, etc,, are welcome in my camp.

If I am comfortable, I hunt better. If I am confident, I shoot better.

As for trail cameras and ATVs, those can all go into a landfill with no tears shed from me.

 

[Ben Long]

lopehunter. no doubt. I am a sucker for this gear too and a lot of is great improvement over a generation ago. But I also think Madison Avenue ad writers are pretty good at convincing people they "need" stuff they don't. I hate to send the message that a new hunter has to fork over thousands and thousands of dollars to hunt elk and deer. They don't.

 

[SFC B]

lopehunter. no doubt. I am a sucker for this gear too and a lot of is great improvement over a generation ago. But I also think Madison Avenue ad writers are pretty good at convincing people they "need" stuff they don't. I hate to send the message that a new hunter has to fork over thousands and thousands of dollars to hunt elk and deer. They don't.

>>>>This. I am somewhat constrained in my budget ( kids and Army pay ) but have found that it isn't a big issue. For clothing I (like one of the comments above) suggest looking at the right materials but not necessarily "hunting" clothes. Military surplus can be good deals (I use my military poly pros and our tent is a GP small with a pot belly stove). The suggestions about footwear, packs(again, don't HAVE to be hunting specific) and optics are great. A low cost item that I would suggest you put together with some thought and take EVERYWHERE with you is a good little survival kit. I don't know what your skill level is but this is a MUST in my opinion. If you would like a outline of what I have in mine shoot me a PM. Best of luck!!