Cost to go deer hunting

[bgeddes]

In a water cooler conversation at work, we were discussing the upcoming deer season etc. A non-hunter in the group voiced that he would like to try hunting but doesn't have the $5,000 it takes to buy all of the stuff. Apparently he asked at Cabela's or Gander Mountain or something.

$5,000? The converstaion then went to how much would it really take to get a new deer hunter fitted with the mere basics. I said $500.

$300 for a low end new or middle of the road used firearm - doable for less
$25-50 for hunting and pre-hunt practice ammo
$75 for camo clothing, and this in generous
$50 weapon cleaning stuff & cheap lockable gun case
$25 descent, compass & boyscout book to learn to use it

What do you think, is $500 enough? License in addition of course.

For the record, this guy will hunt this year, be borrowed or bought, he will be out there after some range time.

[jcabin]

u can pick up a mosin nagant for under 100 bucks.
cleaning gear 20 for kit and 10 for break free cpl
camo isnt required but orange gear is for certain seasons
--vest and hat from walmart, 20 bucks.
i can get 100 rounds of ammo for my mosin for 20 bucks at a local shop.
I cant imagine this being more than 30.

Then probably 20 bucks for 20 rounds of special soft tip hunting ammo.

so 40-50 for ammo.

all in all you could go hunting for 200 bucks.

most hunter trapper education courses are free, but idk how much it is for seasonal licenses, ill have to look into that.

[Dredly]

In a water cooler conversation at work, we were discussing the upcoming deer season etc. A non-hunter in the group voiced that he would like to try hunting but doesn't have the $5,000 it takes to buy all of the stuff. Apparently he asked at Cabela's or Gander Mountain or something.

$5,000? The converstaion then went to how much would it really take to get a new deer hunter fitted with the mere basics. I said $500.

$300 for a low end new or middle of the road used firearm - doable for less
$25-50 for hunting and pre-hunt practice ammo
$75 for camo clothing, and this in generous
$50 weapon cleaning stuff & cheap lockable gun case
$25 descent, compass & boyscout book to learn to use it

What do you think, is $500 enough? License in addition of course.

For the record, this guy will hunt this year, be borrowed or bought, he will be out there after some range time.

hahah how cold are you going to be?

75.00 for clothing? thats a joke right? just a good base layer is going to run you 75.00

I would put minimum clothing budget at 250 - 300 min and that is being extremely smart with your purchases and only buying on clearance. 75.00 today would buy you a camo sweat shirt and pants, possibly a hat.

You forgot a knife, washing detergent, scent free soap and sprays, footwear, socks, pack...

Conservatively I would put the minimum amount you'd want to have to begin hunting from nothing to in the woods for rifle season at min 750 - 1k

[jcabin]

Conservatively I would put the minimum amount you'd want to have to begin hunting from nothing to in the woods for rifle season at min 750 - 1k

Thats a pretty extreme estimate.

Assuming everyone already has a good pair of boots, all you need is a rifle, which you can get a used 30-30 or milsurp for about 100 bucks + ammo.

Good layer or two of long johns from walmart, 50 bucks, if you're worried about keeping warm.

[bgeddes]

$75 -

Generic poly underwear - $20
the long undies you use to snowblow /snowshovel
the poly mix tshirt you already own
the sweat shirt you already own
Boot, socks, and gloves, see snow removal gear.
Add layers accordingly.

I have $55 to buy a hat and outer camo layer, no problem with Milsurp or el cheapo stuff.

Detergent - Purex Free & Clear $7 a bottle.

Is it raining? $1 clear poncho.

Fancy no, basic yes.

Many years ago I dropped a buck with a $70 Kmart shotgun wearing military issued camo gear. No descent, no prep other than a few range rounds. It can be done, and you don't need a million bucks.

[Paradigm]

Depends...

If you want to hunt like they did 20 years ago, you can do it quite cheap. If you "need" the latest camo patterns, technical clothing, scents, detergents, etc, then it gets insane expensive.

As for clothes, you can buy what they wore 20 years ago...thermal underwear, jeans, a Carhartt coat, and an FO stocking cap. Not the most warm or stylish, but it worked for decades before Gore-Tex and RealTree came along....

Happy hunting!

[knight0334]

If you're going hunting with a gun, save your money on camo because you're gonna be wearing 250sq inches of blaze orange on your chest, back, sides and head.

Just wear warm clothing in layers and stay still.

Save the camo for archery.

[TwistedCopper]

License, gun, ammo, orange vest and hat.

These are the only real requirements to hunt with a firearm in PA.

If you spend anytime working outdoors in the cold, for a living or around the home, you already have clothes.

When hunting with a rifle, your best camo is to stay still. I have always thought that camo looks pretty silly under a bright orange vest.

These items should be seriously considered:
Really, really warm boots.
A tree stand (they are at yard sales everywhere)

Okay so we have a $400 base model .30-06 (they come with cheap scopes, bore sighted), 2 boxes of core-lokt ammo for $40, and some orange from Wally World for $25. The license costs $21.

SO yeah, $500 would be enough.

I'd get a pair of ridiculously warm boots like I have. Warm feet make the hunt enjoyable

A tree stand isn't a must, but it sure helps your chances of getting a deer

[soup]

Last year was my first year deer hunting. Craigslist is your friend. I spent $225 on a 20 Gauge Mossberg 500 field deer combo and an equal amount on clothing purchased from craigslist from a gentleman who was getting out of hunting. I picked up 2 pair insulated pants, 1 heavy blaze orange jacket, 1 light weight water proof camo jacket, gloves, hats, knives and about 10 other things. I spent $100 (sale) on a good pair of waterproof and insulated boots. I didn't need half the stuff I bought from craigslist and ended up giving a lot to my cousin so he can get started this year.

Like was stated before: Warm clothing is the most important. Spend the $ on that and boots and just get one of those cheapo orange hats and vests. You can always add to your clothing later when things go on sale.

[Dredly]

sorry I was going off the assumption that the person had nothing and needed to buy everything from underwear to outerwear.

Here is my breakdown for gear specifically for rifle season

1. Boots -75.00
2. Socks (wool) - 10.00
3. Long underwear - 30.00
4. Mid layer - 30.00
5. Outerlayer - 100.00
6. Scarf / face covering - 10.00
7. Hat - 10.00
8. Vest - 5.00
9. License holder - 5.00
10. Backpack - 25.00

300.00