stdeb11 said:
I finally gave in to First lite/merino wool craze this year and can say it's definitely worth it for base layers. Sign up for camo fire and pick up deals on the black ovis merino stuff if you're on a budget. Earth tones work plenty well.
Some camo tends to "blob" at a distance, but if you're on a budget I'd much rather have nicer gear than camo specific stuff so if you can get deals on quality clothing via REI, Sierra Trading post, etc i'd pick that over lesser quality camo gear.
Cabelas space rain pants and jacket works well and can catch them on sale.
On hunting packs, the main difference should be the frame/suspension. Designed to haul out a heavy load of meat vs 35lbs of backpacking gear. If you're on a budget, check out rokslide classifieds. Depending on your hunting style a stand alone daypack and then a frame at the truck might work, or you may want one that can do both. Boots, socks, and pack are the best places you can spend your money.
I can't agree with this enough. If your hunting rifle season, you're mostly going to be orange anyway. If it's not freezing or wet during rifle season, I'll wear some of the Duluth 5 or 6 pocket fire hose work pants in grey and brown. They hold up well to the underbrush, but aren't too heavy.
My only additions would be Cabelas shirts and pants were what I found to be a good balance between cost and value. They have good quality stuff and all the varying thin to fleece / wool options. I also like their western hunting pattern. Go to the store to try on the various weights and to figure out a size. Watch weekly and they'll run it all on sale at least quarterly it seems.
Best thing I added last year was a down vest from Eddy Bower that was earth brown on one side and hunter orange on the other. Caught it on clearance for 60 or 70% off last summer. It was awesome and saved me wearing the extra hunter orange vest for rifle season.
I took my grandfather on his last elk hunt this last year and he needed a pack as we were way back in for a drop camp. I found him a nice Badlands pack on the Rokslide classifieds for less than $100. It will probably be my new pack moving forward.
The Costco / Walmart trekking poles for like $35 are awesome. I'll never hunt the back country without them again. A quick google search will show you which ones from the various back country hunting sites.
My dad purchased a nice spotting scope and tripod for my first year and I've never got to use it. None of the public land in Colorado I've hunted have had the terrain to be able to use it. I probably won't even pack it moving forward. They won't be stationary out in the open during daylight during rifle season anyway.