Thread: Budget Hunting (pun intended)

Things I have bought relatively cheaply:
- Secondhand pack as @Moa Hunter says.
- Torpedo7 inflatable mat.
- Bahco knife.
- AliExpress trekking poles if you're into them (I shoot off them). Otherwise a mustering stick.
- AliExpress SNDWAY rangefinder.
- Most of my thermal & fleece gear.

Things I wouldn't scrimp on:
- Boots (in saying that, I picked up some as-new Lowas off TradeMe for $200).
- Socks. I'm still using Bridgedales I bought in 2003!
- Jacket. This is personal preference, but I wouldn't trust a cheapie for multi-day, all-season trips. I run a Macpac Prophet I picked up on special years ago.
- Sleeping bag. My Fairydown Arete SL is also 20 years old now.
- Binos, although $400 - $500 will get you a perfectly serviceable pair.

There are lots of other hacks on here for hunting on a budget. One of my favourites is to buy 450g gas canisters for cheaper than a 125g canister, and fill a used 125g with one of the adapter things from AliExpress.

I've owned, and still do, a lot of quite expensive knives but my standard go to knife for general hunting and breaking down a venison carcass is this one. $60
https://victoryknives.co.nz/lightweight-hunters-set/
Even if you happen to loose the knife you still have the sheath, so you replace the knife for $28.
https://victoryknives.co.nz/drop-point-knife-10cm/
The're bloody good knives that wont break the bank and wont make you cry if you loose it.

Originally Posted by zeropak

I've owned, and still do, a lot of quite expensive knives but my standard go to knife for general hunting and breaking down a venison carcass is this one. $60
https://victoryknives.co.nz/lightweight-hunters-set/
Even if you happen to loose the knife you still have the sheath, so you replace the knife for $28.
https://victoryknives.co.nz/drop-point-knife-10cm/
The're bloody good knives that wont break the bank and wont make you cry if you loose it.

Terrific Knives. nice and light, grippy handle and slender blade for those tight spots, Wouldn't use any thing else now.

Might be a little controversial for some however I use a topo app on my phone for navigation. You get one chart free and you can delete it and load another for free.
If you want multiple charts I think it was $7.00
Set your phone to aeroplane mode to save on battery, should last 2 days.
Doesn't have all the features of a gps but it will tell you where you are and you most likely already own a phone.
Mate had a gps, has since sold it and uses his phone now as well.
If you want more battery life, take a power bank with you.

Originally Posted by 7mm tragic

Might be a little controversial for some however I use a topo app on my phone for navigation. You get one chart free and you can delete it and load another for free.
If you want multiple charts I think it was $7.00
Set your phone to aeroplane mode to save on battery, should last 2 days.
Doesn't have all the features of a gps but it will tell you where you are and you most likely already own a phone.
Mate had a gps, has since sold it and uses his phone now as well.
If you want more battery life, take a power bank with you.

Yeh, I like the big screen the phone has as it's easier to see with the up close vision not as sharp as it used to be. I carry a small GPS I was gifted by a very kind person and use the phone as a backup and camera for pics. Have found the phone GPS is very accurate thus far.

Oh yeah
I forgot, Buy your gas canisters at Bunnings-not at camping stores $6.90vs$12+ They only sell the med-large sizes though
https://www.bunnings.co.nz/gasmate-2...ister_p0114564

Originally Posted by No good names left

Oh yeah
I forgot, Buy your gas canisters at Bunnings-not at camping stores $6.90vs$12+ They only sell the med-large sizes though
https://www.bunnings.co.nz/gasmate-2...ister_p0114564

The Bunnings cylinders are straight butane where the more expensive ones are propane/isobutane mix which burns hotter and much better at altitude and in cold conditions. Best thing to do is buy a cheap transfer valve off Ali Express and then you just have to buy the big (500g) cylinder and can refill the smaller (230g or 100g) cylinders. Works out much cheaper than buying the smaller ones.

Originally Posted by No good names left

Oh yeah
I forgot, Buy your gas canisters at Bunnings-not at camping stores $6.90vs$12+ They only sell the med-large sizes though
https://www.bunnings.co.nz/gasmate-2...ister_p0114564

Good to know, thanks.

hmmmm where to start????
all my scopes are 2nd hand leupolds
I reload all my centrefire ammunition
laceup bullers are worn 90% of the time
socks we bought 4 supermarket bags full when alpsocks was having closing down sale in washdyke
usually wear postie plus shorts and thermal tights
polarfleece pants are either warehouse brand or set I got given for my 40th birthday 11 years ago
tops are mish mash of polarfleece bought on sale or off trademe 2nd hand or on sale
jackets are also mish mash all bought cheaply....
hats I have been given far too many over the years
pack is a K2 Hunter bought 2nd hand off here after waiting 20 years for one to come up at right price when I had spare funds
daybag is polarfleece pikau sewn by my wife
knives...oh boy do I own a few..nothing has cost me more than $60 except for the one I made on knifemaking course bought for me for 50th
cooker has been a penny stove...bum of two redbull cans and meths for years..now sometimes a jetboil knockoff from Kmart $80

Lots of things are nice to have not must haves, a few things i would spend as much as i can on is scope, binos, rain jacket and a good puffer.
Head torch and back up and your preddy set i hunt in the same clothes i wear to work 90% of the time.

Sent from my SM-G998B using Tapatalk

My father always told me as long as you have fuel and a handful of bullets the worlds your oyster.

We all get carried away with gear but mainly out of too much time on the internet.

We never had a tent growing up, and dad used to carry a blue trailer tarpaulin, lay on the ground then put over ourselves. You make do, just get out and enjoy it.

Originally Posted by Stag

My father always told me as long as you have fuel and a handful of bullets the worlds your oyster.

We all get carried away with gear but mainly out of too much time on the internet.

We never had a tent growing up, and dad used to carry a blue trailer tarpaulin, lay on the ground then put over ourselves. You make do, just get out and enjoy it.

Your Dad sounds like a smart man, and you're right, the memories kids hang on to are about the experience, and time with people, not the bling.

Macpac halo puffer, got mine on sale for under $100, never been cold glassing and never thought i needed to spend another $300 on a stoney creek one. Long johns from the wearhouse. Sndway rangefinder of aliexpress.

Tent off aliexpress, msr
Copy for 1/4 of the price. Done me 5 years so far.

Originally Posted by H.M

Tent off aliexpress, msr
Copy for 1/4 of the price. Done me 5 years so far.

Nice. What's the brand name of that?