Cost cutting hunting tips?

[njloco]

Get yourself a good ozone generator, put all the stinky cloths in a plastic bag, attached to the OZ generator and turn it on for about an hour or so, turn it off and let it sit in the bag for another 1/2 hour, That's it, it's done, no smells at all, no bacteria at all, totally clean.

Use Dove soap for sensitive skin, unscented.

Use Arm and Hammer unscented deodorant.

[South MS Bowhunter]

X2 on the Dove soap and A&H deodorant.  For the price of Scent Killer deodorant ($4.97)  you can buy a bottle of A&H unscented detergent that will do 60 loads!  And if you buy unscented deodorant you can find the cheap stuff for about a $1.

[Covey]

I'm a surplus and goodwill junky. I think everything I wear (except an Asbell pullover and a Cabela vest) come from these two places. Two dollar wool sweater's are hard to beat!

[gringol]

Stop buying bows.  Seriously.  You only need one.  Holding off on one or two bows will save enough for a sweet hunting trip.  

Yes, this includes used bows.  They are a bargain, but $500 for a sweet bow is still $500 that won't be spent getting you to a good hunting spot.

[Knotter]

Carry less into the woods!  I've hunted a few times this year with just my bow, quiver, tags and a knife .  I did sneak a juice box and an eatmore bar into the quiver in case of a zombie apocalypse.  

I like the concept of going on the cheap.

Used gear,re purposed equipment and making your own stuff is far more satisfying than buying new.

[Archie]

I just went on a 2-week back-country hunt in Alaska, and almost all of my field clothes were wool that I bought at local good-will stores.  I collected it through the summer, and didn't spend more than about $50 for all of it.  Merino wool, unused pants and shirts and sweaters, and a Woolrich coat.  

When the trip was over, I had a lot of dirty, stained, and ember-burned stuff.  At $3-4 per item, it didn't hurt much to throw things away!  We also came across some people that had dumped their raft under a sweeper and lost most of their gear.  It wasn't hard to give away some of my wool to them.

Go all year without stuff that you would be better off not spending money on in the first place. Tobacco, booze, soda pop, Mc Donalds, lottery tickets, Disneyland, prostitutes, new bows, Taco Johns, cotton socks, weed killer for the yard, sell the Harley or don't buy one, get a car that is cheap to buy and to drive, and going on unneeded shopping trips just to get out of the house.

[Zradix]

make my own bow.
make my own arrows.

auction sites and goodwill for layers

[PUDDLE JUMPER]

Good advice on a fuel efficient ride. Probably the one area where savings can be the greatest.

Processing your own meat not only saves money but is a key part of the hunting experience.

If you travel a lot a good tent and stove may seem expensive at first. But it will quickly pay for itself.

[Jock Whisky]

SELL THE HARLEY????? Are you mad! It's the only thing that keeps me sane during the off season.

[Stumpkiller]

Shoot $100 bows from the 60's.

Make your own wood arrows.  

Walk to your hunting destination (cheap if you live sensibly near the woods).

Avoid camo fads.

Butcher your own game.

Use no cover scents, baits, lures.  Shower regularly and don't use perfumes/colognes the rest of the year so you don't have much to cover.  Keep your nose to the wind and assume a deer can smell you regardless.

Do not subscribe to bowhunting magazines.  They convince you to buy all kinds of unnecessary stuff.  ;-)

[britt]

I make my own tube quivers out of carpet tubes. Free from carpet stores. Wrap them with burlap, camo, plaids or what ever. Used belts for strap. Also I make my own ground blinds out burlap and re-bar.

[kill shot]

I make my own soap. I buy a brick of unscented soap for about  $6.00 and a bottle of scent. This year I used apple scent with deer musk. Add the scent to the soap after it is melted in a pan.  Pour it into a cupcake pan and it gives me 12 soap bars for a little over $1.00 each. I know the deer musk part sounds grose but you can't notice it but I think the deer can. I also use "Arm and Hammer" deoderant. It's cheap and it works as good as the name brand hunting stuff. Does it work? I think so. And attitude is everything.

[Slasher]

Originally posted by Knotter:
Carry less into the woods!  I've hunted a few times this year with just my bow, quiver, tags and a knife .  

Gee I find that my secret to killing stuff... less to stink up, less fiddling around in the stand... I will also walk farther and deeper into the woods and double my success right there!!!

 

Originally posted by pavan:
 get a car that is cheap to buy and to drive, and going on unneeded shopping trips just to get out of the house.

Yep Got Yaris with 1.5 liter engine and manual.. Pump tires up to 42# and drive slow 42-46 mpg

 

Originally posted by Jock Whisky:
SELL THE HARLEY????? Are you mad! It's the only thing that keeps me sane during the off season.

I hear you, but mine may be about gone... But with 3 kids and all their doings... Mine collects more dust and costs me about $25 a mile that I ride it... 2008 with less than 6000miles...

[Knotter]

One that has not been mentioned but I think is worth it.  Hunt with like minded guys that will split the gas.  

Another cost saver is that I am always downsizing my gear. I imagine I will become something of a minimalist over time. I unltralight backpack and there is something about heading out with 25# of stuff in a small rucksack vs 50lbs of mostly single purpose gear.

there's another cost saver.  Only buy stuff that serves more than one use.  Its not just a hunting expense.

[Stone Knife]

I make my own arrows with Blems from Big Jim, Cut up my own game, hunt close to home. I own some woods close to the house that supplies me with food and firewood to heat my house. I also reuse arrows and broadheads that I sharpen myself with a file.

[William F. Adams]

I try to only more my truck when I'm hauling stuff or going on a long trip. Combine trips where possible.

 Started riding  a bicycle to work and for local errands.

 Stuffed my bag target w/ grocery bags.

 Make as much of my own gear as possible. Hauled out and organized all my Dad's leatherworking tools and supplies.