things you DON'T need to buy

[Dave Bulla]

I always see posts about things people really like and want to recomend to others but I figured I'd start one on what you DON'T need to buy.  Or even things to flat out avoid.  Might be to save a few bucks.  Might be because something doesn't really work.  Or maybe because you can make your own.... Here are a couple.

1.  "Hunter" type soaps/laundry detergent.   Just buy the sensitive skin laundry soaps made by almost every company who makes laundry soap.  Costs a LOT less and works better.  Same goes for bath soap.  

2. Fur string silencers  (the little two packs).  Look for an old fur coat or collar at antique stores or yard sales and cut your own.  You can also use yarn, old rubber bass plug skirts, a piece of flannel etc.

3.   True Center Taper Tool.   This one falls partly into the things to avoid category.  I wasn't impressed at all and most other people I know weren't either.  Some really like them though and a hand tool has it's place but a sanding disc on your table saw with a simple jig out does them all.

Well, I'll keep it short for now and see what you all come up with.  Have fun.  But please don't turn this into a gripe session.  Feel free to say what you don't like but keep it polite.  

[joebuck]

I quit buying those little green bow holders that screw into the tree. The threads were too blunt and hard to screw in...I just take an extra Amerstep tree step and duck tape the foot part ( to protects my bow finish and string). it goes in quick...can hold more and be used as a hand hold

[Blake]

The Butt-out tool...

[BobW]

thanks Blake....  I have been waiting for someone to show up with one of those......too funny!!!

[Marblesonac]

A tree stand...natural ground blinds work well and it's more of a rush when a deer comes in close.

[MI_Bowhunter]

Scent killer spray.   Cheap and easy to make at home.

[Rick Perry]

a bow

[Dave Bulla]

How about those fake leafy branches to put around your treestand?  I mean, won't real ones work?

[Pat B]

Most of what you see in the catalogs are not necessary...unless you are the manufacturer. Pat

[SlowBowinMO]

Double jointed tree steps.  The single joints are a joy, but I'm positive the doubles were put on the market by PETA.

I don't think Spiderman could hang on the side of a tree and get one of those things in.  

[buckeye_hunter]

MI_bowhunter,

How do you make your own scent ellimination spray?

-Charlie

[Apex Predator]

Spring operated retractable treestand gear retriever?

I second the Butt Out tool!

Scent dispersal heating units?

Anything that claims to take the "arch" out of archery!!!!

Electronic mosquito repellers.

Machines with wheels for launching arrows!

[non-typical]

16 oz. hydrogen peroxide
2 tsp. baking soda

I like to cut mine with a little filtered water. Mix in a glass jar or bowl...gently stirred, not shaken, Mr. Bond.

You can use the same formula plus 2 small drops of dish soap (I like the green deer hunters liquid soap) on pet odor spots on carpets and furniture. Works great. There's your home owners and deer hunters tip of the day.

[non-typical]

I should add don't keep this in a tightly sealed container but a spary bottle will work just fine. I have a gallon batch in a plastic garden sprayer and the seal leaks just enough that pressure build up is not a problem.

[geno]

I thought that stuuf was made from alcohol?

[mojo2004]

home made scent elliminator:
16oz. of distilled water
16oz. of hydrogen perxide
.25 cup of baking soda
1oz. of unscented soap
the soap is just where the spray will stick to your clothes better. thats it.

[Aeronut]

I've gotten to where I take nothing but my bow, two or three arrows, a knife, and a Bic lighter.  I do use my Shaggy Suit.

I don't use the scent cover/killer sprays, soaps, etc., I was taught to use the wind to my advantage.
I quit using tree stands......more fun to me to hunt from the ground.
My pop-up blind bit the dust this past winter and I just don't have the desire to replace it yet.
The timber I hunt is thick enough that I don't see the need to carry binoculars and have never considered buying a rangefinder.  Usually I can hear the deer before I can see them.

I guess after traipsing through the woods for around forty years I have gone from needing a pack train to just the essentials.

Dennis

[sagebrush]

These recipes for scent killer that contain peroxide, baking soda, and soap are what I use to kill skunk scent after I have killed one in the yard. My question is: Doesn't the peroxide bleach your clothes? Gary

[MI_Bowhunter]

buckeye_hunter, I use the same recipe posted above by mojo2004.

It leaves a slight coating of white dust on stuff; prob residue from the baking soda but I have not noticed any bleaching of my clothes.

[mojo2004]

i have never had a problem with it bleaching out my clothes, but if you get to much baking soda
in the mix it will leave residue. oh, does it kill the scent of the skunk? it will kill the scent off of me so that they will let me back in camp.