You started hunting to save money on meat. 
But with the 400 FPS compound bow to purchase, with composite carbon and space age alloy arrows, tipped with heat seeking broadheads, suddenly the savings on meat begins to lessen.
Here are a few places to cut back on the latest hunting fad gear, so you can spend more on guided trips out west.
Scent Control Needs Spent Control
Buying special clothing that reduces odor, sprays that supposedly eliminate microbes that cause odor, and machines that mask ozone can add up real fast.
There are a few simple ways to cut back on our scent without breaking the bank.
Instead of using special brand name scent elimination clothing detergent, spay and soap, try to wash your clothes with baking soda, and put a little extra baking soda in a sock with you, to dab on when needed. (the baking soda filled sock doubles as a good wind checker too!)
Leave hunting clothing outside hanging in a pine tree when not using them, and place some pine needles in your clothing bag when your traveling with them.
These techniques will save you money, and still mask your scent effectively.
Blinds and Tree Stands 
The first step to saving money with blinds and treestands is to think mobile. If you buy one climber, it may save you lots on many stands that can’t move.
I have found a good summit climber to be worth its weight in gold, being both comfortable, secure and portable. One good climber stand can still allow you to hunt many places.
Another great way to save money on stands and blinds is to make natural blinds. Brush blinds can be put together with leaves, branches and zip ties.
Add a little camo burlap, and they become just as good at concealing you as a 200$ popup blind. I have had lots of deer walk by me when sitting in brush blinds. If you want elevation, find a rocky ridge over a funnel and use camo burlap to create an elevated hunting spot without spending $150 on a treestand.
“One good climber stand can still allow you to hunt many places.”
Camo Makes Money Disappear Too…
Buying the latest name brand camo clothing can make you go broke real fast. Big box stores often stock generic camo clothes, for a lot less. Remember, deer don’t see very well, so wearing an expensive camo pattern may only make your money disappear, not you.
Find a light weight generic camo shirt and pair of pants, and wear your warmer clothing (that your already own) underneath.
“Remember, deer don’t see very well, so wearing an expensive camo pattern may only make your money disappear, not you.”
Can You Make These Cuts and Still Kill Deer?
My first hunting season I had Walmart brand camo, no treestand or ground blind, and didn’t use scent elimination. I shot my first doe from the ground, hiding behind a rock, wearing $30 of camo. And she fed us for months.
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This article was featured in the Simple Saturday Blog Hop
Thanks for the tip about not spending too much money on camouflage clothing. It’s so true that you don’t need much, just a good pair of pants and a jacket. Do you have any other tips for me?
Money saving tips are always awesome! I really like the idea of keeping baking soda in a sock, that serves multiple purposes. These are really innovative ways to save but still have all the right gear. Using clothing that you already have to stay warm, underneath your outerwear is a great idea. Thanks for sharing!
Someone should hire a proofreader…
Keith, we actually have one, this article must have slipped through the cracks. Awful! Fixed now. Thanks mate!
Great article, Aust! I’m glad that I stumbled upon it because I’ve been thinking about hunting some deer. I think you’re absolutely right: if you’re a hunter, you’re saving money on food. I’ll be sure to follow your suggestion by buying some blinds so I’m more successful at hunting. Thanks for sharing these great tips with us!
I agree with you, “Buying the latest name brand camo clothing can make you go broke real fast.” My cousin is really into whitetail deer hunting. He’s a college student so of course he has a budget to stick to. I’ve been trying to help him out by looking up tips on what he could change. I’ll have to talk to him about the clothes. I think he’ll be excited about it! Thanks for your help.
Though I might add that when shooting archery use both eyes open when shooting , your group will get much tighter very quickly, for those who don’t.
Great tips, good experiences, I like the sentence:
“Remember, deer don’t see very well, so wearing an expensive camo pattern may only make your money disappear, not you.”
Thanks for your sharing!
That’s interesting, I never knew that deer had poor eyesight. I guess that’s why you wouldn’t need the latest and greatest camo. I’m just trying to figure out what supplies I would need for this trip coming up.
Great article Aust! Well done!
I am always very excited in reading anything that help people save money while still making efforts. Really love your suggestion on making a natural blind which seem to be reasonable.
Any chance we can read more tips on hunting which low budget?
Thank for sharing!
Thanks for the great tip, I guess the best way to really save on your hunting gear is to innovate things like for example your weapon of choice and what you will be wearing. I agree with what you have written: “Remember, deer don’t see very well, so wearing an expensive camo pattern may only make your money disappear, not you.”
I find it rather useless to buy expensive camouflage when what you are hunting doesn’t appreciate what you are wearing. hehe
Hunting can certainly be an expensive hobby if you let it, but if you simply do not have the budget for the best equipment, you can still get by with cheaper items and even see amazing results, as you did. Thanks for these tips!
I think that you made a good point to look for effective camo than the latest brands. This makes sense as you want to save money for the parts that really matter. My friends might like knowing this as they look into a cougar hunting package for an upcoming trip.
I like the suggestion you gave about finding a generic, light-weight camo shirt for hunting deer. I think it’s important to know what kind of game you’re hunting when looking to get proper apparel. My brother-in-law loves hunting, so I’ll be sure to tell him the importance of finding a good place that supplies quality hunting apparel.
Good experiences.
“One good climber stand can still allow you to hunt many places.”
Thank you for what you are sharing very helpful!
Rhys,
Deer do not have “bad eyesight.”
Be able to sit still. Deer are experts at detecting movement. Try to scan an area by just moving your eyes. If you should see a deer looking at you, freeze and do not make direct eye contact.
Good luck and good huntin’.