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3 Awesome Tips for the Broke Hunter

January 3, 2015 by Aust 16 Comments

You started hunting to save money on meat. IMG_7917

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 IMG_0593

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…IMG_7523

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.

Homesteady can help you learn to hunt deer on the cheap!

  • Want to learn how to butcher your own deer?
  • Want to know what gear is really important to buy, and what is a waste of money?

Our Wild Harvest Whitetail 101 Class covers everything from what gear you need to buy and what you don’t, to how to field dress and butcher your own deer, start to finish!

Click Here to learn more

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This article was featured in the Simple Saturday Blog Hop

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Filed Under: Hunt Tagged With: bow, broke, camp, cheap, clothing, deer, gun, hunt, hunter, hunting, venison

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rhys Rawson says

    July 14, 2015 at 8:26 AM

    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?

    Reply
  2. Ethel says

    August 18, 2015 at 4:27 PM

    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!

    Reply
  3. Keith Asbury says

    August 29, 2015 at 2:26 AM

    Someone should hire a proofreader…

    Reply
    • Aust says

      August 29, 2015 at 2:05 PM

      Keith, we actually have one, this article must have slipped through the cracks. Awful! Fixed now. Thanks mate!

      Reply
  4. Alex Jennings says

    September 8, 2015 at 1:55 PM

    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!

    Reply
  5. Logan Murphy says

    November 9, 2015 at 1:08 PM

    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.

    Reply
  6. Patrick Horne says

    April 29, 2016 at 6:59 AM

    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.

    Reply
  7. Brandon Cox says

    May 14, 2016 at 4:50 AM

    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!

    Reply
  8. Skylar Williams says

    September 28, 2016 at 11:29 PM

    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.

    Reply
  9. Harry says

    October 27, 2016 at 2:35 AM

    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!

    Reply
  10. Genie Knives says

    November 30, 2016 at 11:32 AM

    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

    Reply
  11. Heather says

    August 31, 2017 at 12:54 PM

    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!

    Reply
  12. Camille Devaux says

    October 12, 2018 at 6:41 PM

    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.

    Reply
  13. Sam Li says

    November 1, 2018 at 3:16 PM

    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.

    Reply
  14. Jerry Gonzalez says

    July 9, 2019 at 4:48 AM

    Good experiences.
    “One good climber stand can still allow you to hunt many places.”
    Thank you for what you are sharing very helpful!

    Reply
  15. Hawk says

    March 8, 2025 at 8:30 AM

    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’.

    Reply

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