Game Changing Equipment

[IkemanTX]

I posted this thread on another site I frequent and it really took off. The premise is to post, with a detailed description of how and why, a particular piece of hunting equipment changed the way you approach deer hunting. I am not talking small improvements in efficiency or comfort, but true game changers... and specifically pieces of equipment.

As long as it actually changed the way you setup, hunt, approach, or access deer hunting... it fits in this thread.

Here are a few game changers for me....

Edit: The forum said I didn't have permission to post this in the Equipment thread... if a mod could move it over there, that would be great.



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[IkemanTX]

Game Changing Equipment

The Kayak

Nothing has transformed my strategic plan quite as much as kayak access. Northeast Texas has several lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and large creek systems adjacent to, or within, public hunting lands. This area has just over a 7,000,000 population in one metro area (71% of the entire population of Michigan in only 0.4% of the land mass), and only a few properties available for public hunting. Every place I hunt is within an hour and a half of these 7 million other people. The hike necessary to get away from other hunters is what drove me to saddles, lightweight climbing methods, and gear reduction in the first place. But, nothing stops the local boys like water. Kayak access opened up parts of property that never, or rarely get touched. Just this week, scoutman and I walked 6 miles without seeing any other deer hunter sign. Without the kayak to get us away from the pack, that would never be possible. I am used to marking at least 10 stands a day on "lightly pressured" Archery only properties....



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[IkemanTX]

Game Changing Equipment

My Saddle (specifically, a modified Sit and Drag)


The saddle has become my saving grace, but not for the reasons most people tout as it's greatest benefit. I have had some pretty bad back pain for the past 10-12 years. With 2 severely subluxated disks, and moderate scoliosis, traditional stands have been true torture on my back. The way it engages your back muscles (as a leaner, not a sitter) alleviates a lot of the posture issues that a permanent sitting position can bring about. I don't fidget near as much, and can sit much longer. It is far more adaptable to tree size, angle, and orientations than a traditional stand. The versatility of saddles is pretty staggering. I have sat in trees as narrow as 4-5" diameter at tether height. There is no way I could do that in a lock on. That opens up literally thousands of acres of floodplains that only have short, scrub style trees due to infrequent floods killing out the vegetation every decade or so.


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[IkemanTX]

Game Changing Equipment

Dan's Froglegs


I had seen mention of these before, and scoutman gave them a great review. I went ahead and ordered a pair last month. The specific boot and size I wanted were on back order, so I just got them a couple days ago. I know it is probably early to call them a game changer, but after seeing them in action on a recent scouting trip with scoutman, I know they make the cut. They are snake proof, briar proof, and water proof chaps sealed to a pair of waterproof boots. They fold down and snap to the top of the boot when you don't need high protection, but if you come across high water or briars you just pull them up and clip them to your belt. Voila! You are snake and water proof to your inseam. In those marshy, swampy locations you are completely covered. Or, if you have to cross a creek over knee high that stops other hunters... no problem. There are a lot of thigh deep, but wide creeks around here that might as well be the DMZ to most hunters. There could be Booners on the other side of that water, and most guys won't cross it. These things are slick, they open up a lot of places otherwise unreachable.



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[Jeremy7306]

Tagged


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[Drycreek3189]

I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but I can see those boot tops getting full of sticks, leaves, grass etc. if you wear them in the buttoned down position much.

[IkemanTX]

I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but I can see those boot tops getting full of sticks, leaves, grass etc. if you wear them in the buttoned down position much.

After several trips in, they do... and they are totally worth it.


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[elkaholic9292]

Nothing has changed the game like trail cameras for me. Sometimes I wonder if in a bad way.

[sharkhunter]

I've wanted to try a kayak on public land just haven't found the right place yet. The one item that has really changed it for everyone is the ATV. Those things have allowed hunters to reach much farther then just about anything. Also the mud motor for the duct hunters.

[Sabineshooter]

My lonewolf hand climber and flir ps320 have completely changed the way I hunt .

[mjbtexas]

cool, how many public land bucks have you taken?

I need a saddle!

[IkemanTX]

cool, how many public land bucks have you taken?

I need a saddle!

Only private land bucks so far, but after 7 sits this year (and 4 sits from the season before... yes, I know I need to get in the woods more) I can comfortably get on public land does, get 1.5-2.5 year old bucks in range, and passed two decent older bucks that didn't quite make antler restrictions (but I would have killed in a heartbeat without AR's). If I had gotten more than 7 sits last year, I think it may have been a different story. The most impressive part of the setup is that last year, I winged it on every sit. The property I had originally spent time scouting and setting up ended up covered in poaching sign in the two months before season. I abandoned it and went into new properties based on aerial and topo maps only. Didn't have a single Sit without deer sightings. I credit that to the saddle, I didn't have to find the "tree that might work"... I could sit in whichever tree was in the exact right spot, and setting up on the fly is easy too. Also, it is just so much easier going without the bulk of the stand on your back... I found myself going farther, and setting up in thicker cover. With a good bit of prep work already done, on multiple properties, typically 2-3 miles from access, I feel it's only a matter of time before I get an AR qualifying buck in range.


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[Krivoman]

ozonics

[Low Fence]

Climbing spikes (gaffs). Any tree is the perfect tree, with a minimum weight stand.

[Jamesl]

Two things I changed or added last year really helped me out. Rick over at West Houston Archery installed a clarifier lens peep to my bow. Targets 40 yards and out were too blurred for me to shoot. I know I need glasses or contacts, but as long as I can see through my peep, I'm good for now.

Switching over to a 3 pin adjustable sight. I went with the Axcel Accutouch Pro and started practicing out to 80 yards. I never practiced out to those distances with standard fixed pins. I didn't hesitate drawing back on a muley buck at 71 yards.