Budget Hunting (pun intended)

So, I've been thinking about this for a while, and it may have been done before, but I scrolled through a fair bit of history and didn't find anything.
Times are reasonably tough for many at the moment and many of us have to stretch the dollar a little further than we'd like. For my household, putting good quality red meat in the diet at a good price (the costs of hunting) has been invaluable and we haven't had to buy red meat in quite some time. My dearest wife is coming around to the fact that hunting is not just a "hobby for the boys" in the family, and that it has some tangible benefits (we all know there are many right!!). She is a great wife, and very low maintenance, spending very little on herself, which is par for the course when you have three kids that include two large teenage boys who are growing out of everything (their backpacks are way too small and I am carrying way too much weight in my pack for a 49 year old:XD:)!

So, to get to the point, we can't all spend, or justify spending on the high end gear (even if we'd like to) - the Tatonka pack, with the Thermarest sleeping mat, the Domex Halo sleeping bag, the MSR tent, the Jetboil cooker etc. etc. etc.
Yes, I know that it is often true that "you only get what you pay for"......often, but not always. So, what I'm after here is anything you have found or bought (as a budget conscious hunter) that fits into the category of getting MORE than what you have payed for, so to speak. Things that you have bought at a cost far cheaper than the high end stuff, but has performed well, or well enough.

Thanks.

This stove has served me well
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...d=MLNT28ZQi450

Light weight cook ware, worth checking out

https://barrettoutdoorsnz.com/shop

Those twig stoves look interesting!

Waterproof breathable jackets $95 from Hunters Corner https://www.nzgrhunts.com/

Active intents' lightweight pants from the Warehouse $25 approx

Second hand packs off TM - I got a very good but dirty Macpac for $5. a soak and water blast and all good.

I still cruise through the Salvation army and other second hand stores every now and then. Have picked up absolute bargains now and then. Best was a little used Fairydown Everest sleeping bag for $5. Is the warmest bag I now own. Other bargains will be fluffy thermal blankets and copper bottomed pots for cooking over gas in a car based camping scenario, and thin thermal mats for protecting the underside of your flash harry inflatable sleeping mat. All will be just a few bucks.

Ali express gear is generally half the price or less than store purchased stuff here, and will have often been manufactured in the same Chinese factory.

If you really want to save $$ on hunting clothing, and you or the wife are handy with a sewing machine then places like Spotlight and some emporiums have fleece in many colours plus camo. About $6 worth of material will make a hunting shirt or pair of trou.
Attachment 229666

If you don't have a sewing machine, they will be available in those same Salvation army second hand stores for 20 or so bucks.

Then there's the on line 'Army surplus' stores that sell quality wet weathers for pretty much cheap as chips.

There's lots of ways to get by cheap. My mum made all us kids 'waterproof clothing' for going up Mt Ruapehu out of clear polythene plastic welded together using an iron and cellophane to stop the polythene melting onto the iron.:cool:

Warehouse Back Country farm fleece and shorts, Army & Outdoors new (when available in the right size) army surplus "goretex" pants and jacket, Victory 4" drop point hunter or 6" boning knife (straight from the factory"... There's a few cheapies :)

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Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

Waterproof breathable jackets $95 from Hunters Corner https://www.nzgrhunts.com/

Active intents' lightweight pants from the Warehouse $25 approx

Second hand packs off TM - I got a very good but dirty Macpac for $5. a soak and water blast and all good.

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None of those jackets from Sarvo look seam sealed I doubt they'd last very long before they start leaking

Go to one of those big hock shops.Theres a lot of good second hand type hunting clothing in them.I accidently came cross one in chch.Good swaney type jackets,near new like $20-$30 each.That was a few yrs ago.

Wives Multitool, that is nearly as good as my leatherman for 1/4 the price. Gutted and skinned a pig with it a few weeks ago.

https://goodtohave.co.nz/product/13-function-multitool/

Lightweight and cheap as chips gas stove, they also are available on aliexpress.

https://goodtohave.co.nz/product/lig...ini-gas-stove/

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.

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.

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Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

None of those jackets from Sarvo look seam sealed I doubt they'd last very long before they start leaking

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I thought that too, but at $55 for a knock around farm jacket I thought it was worth a crack ( I bought one of the specials ).
Anyway I have used it everyday including just now (as I have come in for smoko) for shifting deer breaks in a 1 mtr + kale crop. I have not been wet, including Sunday when we got 100mm, while slashing break lines. Give the jacket a shake and it's dry. Has a concealed waterproof membrane so I guess that is overlapped or sealed. The membrane does make a slight 'crinkle' sound but no scape noises

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

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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.

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

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Originally Posted by Clappy

Those twig stoves look interesting!

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Super cheap to buy off AliExpress, we have a couple for the kids. They do work well as long as you can find dry fuel.

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

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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

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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.

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.

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.

Mums of yesteryear sure knew how to economise!! We had a crack at sewing up some gaiters, but I think it was just a little too far outside our circle of expertise. Thanks for the tips.

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Originally Posted by XR500

I still cruise through the Salvation army and other second hand stores every now and then. Have picked up absolute bargains now and then. Best was a little used Fairydown Everest sleeping bag for $5. Is the warmest bag I now own. Other bargains will be fluffy thermal blankets and copper bottomed pots for cooking over gas in a car based camping scenario, and thin thermal mats for protecting the underside of your flash harry inflatable sleeping mat. All will be just a few bucks.

Ali express gear is generally half the price or less than store purchased stuff here, and will have often been manufactured in the same Chinese factory.

If you really want to save $$ on hunting clothing, and you or the wife are handy with a sewing machine then places like Spotlight and some emporiums have fleece in many colours plus camo. About $6 worth of material will make a hunting shirt or pair of trou.
Attachment 229666

If you don't have a sewing machine, they will be available in those same Salvation army second hand stores for 20 or so bucks.

Then there's the on line 'Army surplus' stores that sell quality wet weathers for pretty much cheap as chips.

There's lots of ways to get by cheap. My mum made all us kids 'waterproof clothing' for going up Mt Ruapehu out of clear polythene plastic welded together using an iron and cellophane to stop the polythene melting onto the iron.:cool:

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Mums of yesteryear sure knew how to economise!! We had a crack at sewing up some gaiters, but I think it was just a little too far outside our circle of expertise. Thanks for the tips.

Quote:

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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.

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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.

Quote:

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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

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Good to know, thanks.

Quote:

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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.

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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.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by H.M

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

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Nice. What's the brand name of that?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Clappy

Mums of yesteryear sure knew how to economise!! We had a crack at sewing up some gaiters, but I think it was just a little too far outside our circle of expertise. Thanks for the tips.

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My dad made me gaiters….cut the toe off an old pair of socks and boom

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Originally Posted by Clappy

Nice. What's the brand name of that?

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Likely the brand is Naturehike. Model is probably a Mongar or Cloud Up. I use a aliexpress clone too. Review here https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....a-clone-66856/
Heaps of good stuff via ali. Almost all my 200+ orders have arrived within 3 weeks. Had 3 that took 3 months (trackign showed most of the delay was in NZ), and have had 3 refunds where stuff never arrived. Zero issues with refunds.

I bought the Naturehike Mongar 2 Tent which is a rip off of the MSR Hubba Hubba and the Bushbuck 8000 (which is also a MSR ripoff). I bought mine from an NZ supplier so was like $250 but apprently you can get them off Ali Express for around 100-150. Would be great sjopping. Good 3 season tent. I have used in the rain which no issues.
Only thing is that it's got a low tub so wind can come in from the sides but tent placement can basically solve that

Quote:

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Originally Posted by uk_exile

Likely the brand is Naturehike. Model is probably a Mongar or Cloud Up. I use a aliexpress clone too. Review here https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....a-clone-66856/
Heaps of good stuff via ali. Almost all my 200+ orders have arrived within 3 weeks. Had 3 that took 3 months (trackign showed most of the delay was in NZ), and have had 3 refunds where stuff never arrived. Zero issues with refunds.

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Yep correct. Naturehike and not sure what model. 👍

Budget hunting means my feet get a hammering, helicopters, quad bikes etc are never going to be a reality for me

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Originally Posted by Happy Jack

Budget hunting means my feet get a hammering, helicopters, quad bikes etc are never going to be a reality for me

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Keeps us fit though, just got to look after those knees.

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Originally Posted by Clappy

Keeps us fit though, just got to look after those knees.

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My 56 year old knees are doing ok, my lower back not so much

Swiss army surplus rain jacket for $15 off army and outdoors, actually pretty good jackets.

One area I think people get sucked into spending for too much on is rifles and scopes. You don't need a high end scope for 90% of applications. Binoculars, now there is an item not to skimp on but not scopes.
I've never been in a situation where I thought I could have Shot an animal if only I had a better scope.