Hunting Season's Annual Gear Can be Expensive

This year, I realized just how expensive hunting can be. By the time a hunter buys all the things he needs and wants to perfect his hunting expedition, the costs add up. Each year, there is a new piece of equipment or gear that promises a better hunting experience for all who buy it.

Every hunter has his preferred hunting season. In our area, it is mostly turkey hunting and deer hunting. There is of course coyote hunting, but that does not put food in the freezer. The regulations do not allow just any firearm to be used and each season has its own dates. Each season brings its own restrictions. This adds up to a pricey collection of gear and equipment.

The first thing a hunter must have is a hunting license. Where we live, a Sportsman's License is $25. I find that to be reasonable since it's an annual fee. If a hunter can fill his tags, the meat is tastier, leaner, healthier, and cheaper than buying meat at the grocery store. Deer meat can be ground and used in place of hamburger.

All hunting seasons require camouflage. I find camouflage to be one of the more expensive hunting needs. There is camouflage for wearing in the rain, during cold weather, specifically designed camouflage for turkey, deer, and all other animals, and camouflage designed in different patterns for better concealment. If there is a place perfect for hunting, there is the perfect camouflage to wear while doing it. A hunter needs camouflage shirt, pants, bibs, gloves, boots, hat, mask, etc. Turkey hunting requires complete camouflage of every piece of skin from head to toe. There is even camouflage to contain the human scent of the person wearing it.

All hunting seasons are not created equal. We have a bow turkey season and a shotgun turkey season. We have a bow deer season, a muzzleloader deer season, and a modern gun deer season. If a hunter wants to hunt during all these seasons, he needs the appropriate firearm. That can get very costly. The more seasons a hunter can hunt increases the amount of time that can be spent hunting which in turn increases the likelihood of filling the freezer.

Bow hunting has its own expenses. A bow can cost from hundreds to over a thousand dollars. It may or may not come with a scope. Then, there is still the cost of arrows and broad heads. Adding more to cost are cleaning supplies and optional accessories.

Shotguns, muzzleloaders, and rifles also come in a range of prices. If you choose to purchase a gun with optional scope, cleaning kit, or camouflage design, the price of the gun can increase substantially. Reading product reviews of fellow hunters can help you find the best gun with the desired features and performance at an affordable price.

Guns require regular cleaning to maintain performance and condition of the firearm. Ammunition is a must with any firearm. There are a variety of brands and loads. There are hunter must haves for each gun. Each must have has its own price tag and use. There are slings of different make, styles, and price. There are gun socks, cases, and safes. Scopes come in a wide variety and price range. Range finders and spotting scopes are quite pricey. Binoculars are handy and available in a range of prices. There are interchangeable barrels for some guns offering convenience and flexibility.

After the hunter has his weapon of choice and accessories, he then begins looking at ways to improve his chances of getting a deer or turkey. Deer hunters have a wide range of products to increase their odds of bagging that big buck. Wildlife Research Labs is the brand of choice for my hunters. There are products to remove scent and mask scent. Hunters can buy specially designed laundry detergent and fabric sheets for their camouflage clothing. Then, there is special deodorant a hunter can wear in case they should become sweaty.

There are deer scents of a buck and doe that can be used while hunting. These do not smell very pleasant. Wildlife Research Labs makes a scent to spray on your hunting clothes that smells like wet leaves. They also make a sweet smelling acorn scent that works as an attractant.

Of course, I have never seen a hunter without a call. Turkey calls and deer calls come in a variety of types to fit the hunter. There are mouth calls, box calls, and many more. There is virtually something for everyone. Some hunters do not lack in comfort either. A hunter can buy a blind to comfortably sit in while hunting.

Bow hunting seems to be easier with a tree stand. These can become costly quickly. A hunter has to decide between weight of the stand and cost. The more you want to pay, the lighter the weight.

There are numerous other small accessories that enhance the hunting experience. These range from tools to help when cleaning a deer to videos that teach certain techniques or just let you in on a spectacular hunt.

Hunting can be an expensive hobby. It can be a great family experience. Hunting brings a person out into nature and the fresh air. Hunting develops concentration, dedication, and patience. It can also bring a sense of accomplishment and self worth at providing food.

Hunting starts out expensive. It's relatively easy to maintain the gear and equipment after the initial purchase. I never realized how much hunting cost before now, because I was not the one making the purchases. I was shocked at first. I had to think about it all before I came to my final thought on hunting. Hunting pays for itself in the end.