Jason C. said:

---

SteveBott said:

---

TP is a MUST in your bag. Trust me I know from experience

---

I recommend wet wipes instead. Better than TP for cleaning after a deuce and way better than TP for cleaning up after field dressing. Sometimes the packaging is really crinkly and noisy though so just buy the refills and put them in a sandwich bag.

---

Bring some anyway. Wet wipes don't really work to clean fog off your glasses or a scope after you drop your fancy cleaning cloth in the mud, and they're even worse at flagging a trail. A small bag of TP won't take up any room, but it's super useful, even if you've also got wet wipes.

Ark03 said:

---

Jason C. said:

---

SteveBott said:

---

TP is a MUST in your bag. Trust me I know from experience

---

I recommend wet wipes instead. Better than TP for cleaning after a deuce and way better than TP for cleaning up after field dressing. Sometimes the packaging is really crinkly and noisy though so just buy the refills and put them in a sandwich bag.

---

Bring some anyway. Wet wipes don't really work to clean fog off your glasses or a scope after you drop your fancy cleaning cloth in the mud, and they're even worse at flagging a trail. A small bag of TP won't take up any room, but it's super useful, even if you've also got wet wipes.

---

Tp has wood fibers in it. They can put light scratches in lens coatings, just fyi.

TheEyeGuy said:

---

Ark03 said:

---

Jason C. said:

---

SteveBott said:

---

TP is a MUST in your bag. Trust me I know from experience

---

I recommend wet wipes instead. Better than TP for cleaning after a deuce and way better than TP for cleaning up after field dressing. Sometimes the packaging is really crinkly and noisy though so just buy the refills and put them in a sandwich bag.

---

Bring some anyway. Wet wipes don't really work to clean fog off your glasses or a scope after you drop your fancy cleaning cloth in the mud, and they're even worse at flagging a trail. A small bag of TP won't take up any room, but it's super useful, even if you've also got wet wipes.

---

Tp has wood fibers in it. They can put light scratches in lens coatings, just fyi.

---

Oh, I know. And I generally I try to avoid dropping my microfiber cloth in the mud. Just trying to make the case for TP, as it's a time-honored tradition!

.243 should be enough if all you're doing is standard whitetail hunting. If you want a more multi-purpose gun, .270, .308, or a .300 would be fine if you see long ranges and bigger game in your future.

308, 243, 270. What ever. Doesn't matter. Just do your sef a cotton pickin favor and drop the savage idea.

C4D said:

---

308, 243, 270. What ever. Doesn't matter. Just do your sef a cotton pickin favor and drop the savage idea.

---

Depending on price... in favor of what? Savage rifles are very well regarded in regards to price. A lot of custom shops have started moving over to Savage actions over Remington actions, even.

Really disappointed no one has recommended a Bergara HMR Pro in 6.5 Creedmore

Quote:

---

I'm looking forward to it and I'm sure I'll get the itch to keep going after this first time. I love being outdoors and if nothing else deer hunting will give me another excuse to get out. Deer leases are just too dang high and with little kids it's been tough to find time to get away

---

This doesn't pertain to your immediate hunt as an invited guest, but just some advice for the future:

As a father of young kids, I've learned that if you try to spend your time "getting away" then you are going to severely limit your amount of time outdoors.

Instead, find a place to hunt whether it's a lease, someone's farm, public land, or whatever and take your kids (or at least one of them) with you. Even if they are really little, still in diapers, cant sit still, get home-sick , etc, just start taking them. You wont get any "serious" hunting done with the kids, but you will be introducing them to the outdoors and making memories. They grow up REALLY QUICK and will make good hunting partners in no time.

Most importantly, the old lady will have a hard time restricting your hunting excursions if are taking a kid with you.

C4D said:

---

308, 243, 270. What ever. Doesn't matter. Just do your sef a cotton pickin favor and drop the savage idea.

---

Whoa, whoa! Why no love for savage? I shot this group last week at 200yds with my savage. I've owned 3 and all have been great, sub-MOA shooters. Love the accutrigger. To each his own tho...

Sorry... one more post from a savage fanboy. Same rifle at 100 yds. I've stretched it to 1260yds so far. By far my favorite off the shelf big box rifle brand. I'll shut up now.

DoubleOught-BMA said:

---

Sorry... one more post from a savage fanboy. Same rifle at 100 yds. I've stretched it to 1260yds so far. By far my favorite off the shelf big box rifle brand. I'll shut up now.

---

you missed the bullseye... all 3 times

Haha! Nicely played. That's what my daughter said as well. Time to pick a different hobby.

Jason C. said:

---

SteveBott said:

---

TP is a MUST in your bag. Trust me I know from experience

---

I recommend wet wipes instead. Better than TP for cleaning after a deuce and way better than TP for cleaning up after field dressing. Sometimes the packaging is really crinkly and noisy though so just buy the refills and put them in a sandwich bag.

---

This sounds like really good advise.

A good book. My number of deer seen goes up drastically when I am reading. I can sit in the stand a lot longer, and if you situate the book so you are looking out the window too, you will pick up movement pretty fast. Learn to read a paragraph, lift eyes and scan....very little movement so you hold still. If the book is getting real interesting look up, pretty much a garuntee there is a deer around. In the evening, when you realize you can't read any more, it is time to pack it up.

TheEyeGuy said:

---

C4D said:

---

308, 243, 270. What ever. Doesn't matter. Just do your sef a cotton pickin favor and drop the savage idea.

---

Depending on price... in favor of what? Savage rifles are very well regarded in regards to price. A lot of custom shops have started moving over to Savage actions over Remington actions, even.

---

You get what you pay for.
You can keep your savage actions. If you want less, pay less. i get it tho. I have 4 savage rifles. They have their place in the back of the case.

I'd recommend a good range finder if you're not good at range estimation.

Is the OP going to be hunting by himself or in the blind with someone else? I'd try to avoid spending the money on rifle unless this is something that's going to be used multiple times.

Lot of good suggestions on here.

I'd add some form of earplugs/hearing protection. Odds are you'll be doing some target practice before actually hunting. If so, take some shells and targets if you'll be using someone else's gun.

Good warm gloves. With no Velcro strap.

Binoculars are great to have.

top drive

Not 100% sure yet if I'll be in a blind alone or with a buddy. Group of us going down and a few will be together for sure.

I ended up buying a Winchester model 70 sporter in .308.. picking it up Monday and can't wait to put a few rounds through it and get it sighted in. I already have ear protection but will definitely be buying gloves.