Hunting has become an increasingly expensive pursuit, with the cost of tags, gear, and travel stacking up quickly. The cost of archery equipment can be a significant barrier for new bowhunters, too.
For many, the passion for the outdoors, or even getting started in bowhunting, is being tested by tight budgets. Fortunately, there are smart ways to cut costs without compromising the experience.
Gear Up on a Budget
Unfortunately, gear is where most of us go off the rails when it comes to excessive spending. There’s nothing wrong with wanting the best of the best in equipment. That’s typically a sign of our passion and commitment. However, there will be times when the budget simply does not allow high-end gear. And that’s okay.
Premium gear is nice, but it’s not necessary. If you’re working on a strict budget, there are ample options to get you outfitted with everything you need.
Budget Bows
My first compound bow was a used Jennings bought from my neighbor for $60.00 in 1995. That included three arrows. It was an older model, and that price was high even for a 15 year old. However, it was a fraction of the cost of a new bow, even back then.
I practiced every day with that bow and harvested an antlerless deer that fall. The next two seasons I killed bucks. Finally, once I turned 18 and had some cashflow, I upgraded to something substantially better.
Yes, that was 30 years ago, but you can still find deals out there on bows of all kinds, if you look hard enough. Poke around at your local archery shop, and ask the owner if he knows anyone who has a bow for sale. There’s a good chance he does and can connect you with someone fairly quickly.
Online marketplaces are also great for finding used bows. The most important part of buying used is to make sure the parts are solid, and the bow fits you. If needed, you can have cables replaced and upgrade any accessories such as sights and rests.
If you’re set on buying new, wait for year-end clearances once next year’s products are released. These are not always heavily discounted at first, so you may have to be patient. However, eventually these previous year model bows will be marked down substantially in price. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for online marketplace options as well for used bows.
There are many folks who buy the “latest and greatest” models every year and are willing to part with their gently-used last year’s model at a very reasonable price.
Most of all, especially if you’re new to bowhunting, it’s important to leave room to upgrade. Buying a used bow is a great way to figure out what you want, what feels comfortable to you, and what you enjoy shooting.
Bow Accessories and Treestands
Keep in mind, everything we just discussed about bows can also apply to accessories. And although I’d hesitate to buy a used bow online without being able to inspect and handle it first, I will purchase accessories this way.
Accessories are a smaller investment (at least compared to bows) and, short of electronic devices, typically don’t have as many parts that can malfunction. They’re also smaller and easier to return if they don’t meet your criteria upon arrival.
Also, on many platforms, such as eBay, you can find late model accessories still in their factory packaging. They’re basically brand new, even though they were manufactured years ago.
Every time I see these accessories in their old packaging, I feel a hint of nostalgia wash over me. Some of the arrow rests and sights were downright simplistic compared to today’s high tech and high-priced goods.
But hunters still harvested plenty of deer back then, which often makes me wonder if we rely too much on sophisticated technology nowadays.
Treestands are a somewhat different story. I’m more skeptical when it comes to trusting used treestands than I am used bows or other accessories, simply because my life is literally at stake if a treestand should fail. When buying a used treestand, I inspect it thoroughly and even ask to try it out prior to purchase.
Then again, who says you even need a treestand? Any hunter who knows how to use the wind to their advantage and how to break up their outline with brush can have success in the deer woods.
Case in point: two years ago, I got off work and walked into the woods with just my bow. No treestand, no seat, and just sat on the ground with my back against a tree, same as I did when I was 15 years old.
But something happened that I only dreamed about way back then. A 150-inch 10-point came up and worked the scrape only 25 yards in front of me, and a perfect shot dropped him within 50 yards of where I sat.
Camo Clothing
My first camouflage hunting outfit was a hand-me-down from my dad. No realistic-looking bark, foliage, or other patterns – just a random mix of browns, grays, beiges, and olives. And it worked. I hunted from the ground and often had deer walk right up to me and never even knew I was there.
We’ve come a long way in the world of hunting clothing since then. Heck, there’s more technology in my hunting outfit nowadays than there were in vehicles back then.
That’s an exaggeration, of course, but sometimes I’m not so sure. But I do know that today’s clothing comes with a much higher price tag, which, in my opinion, is not always worth it.
Sure, it feels good to look good, but if your budget is limited, that money is best spent on fuel for your vehicle for scouting trips and time spent hunting. Even the best scent-eliminating garments in the world won’t help you be more successful until you have the experience to make it pay off.
Sometimes you can find decent camouflage clothing in thrift stores at deeply discounted prices, particularly if those stores are located in rural communities.
Some of the best used hunting clothes I’ve found have been at neighborhood yard sales. I’ll sometimes do a slow drive-by until I spot something fluorescent orange, the telltale sign of a hunter, hanging on a rack. If they have fluorescent orange clothing for sale, there’s a very good chance they also have camouflage clothes, too.
It’s sad in a way to get outfitted like this, but the truth is that many hunters are getting older, and there’s a lot more used camo available now than ever before.
Hunting on a Budget
Does it take big money to kill big bucks? That’s a question I’ve pondered and written about here on Bowhunting.com in the past. But the nice thing about hunting is that it is what you make it.
In other words, yes, you can spend lots of money on private leases, massive food plots, and out-of-state fully guided hunts. Or you can hunt near home, get permission on a local piece of property, focus on public land, or plan a do-it-yourself hunt to a nearby state.
Public Land Options
I grew up a two-state hunter, every fall hunting in my home state of Pennsylvania as well as traveling south to hunt West Virginia. Both states have an abundance of public land, and both offer fairly cheap, over-the-counter licenses.
Pennsylvania, for instance, is home to 4.2 million acres of public land in the form of state forest, game lands, and state parks. The vast majority of it is open to hunting – yet the cost of a nonresident hunting license in Pennsylvania is only $101.97, plus a $26.97 archery stamp.
In West Virginia, it’s a similar story. There you’ll find 1.4 million acres open for public hunting across 96 different Wildlife Management Areas. The cost for a nonresident license is only $110.00.
Even after purchasing the required Conservation/Law Enforcement Stamp and Archery Stamp, the total still only comes to $152.00 – and for an extra $35.00 you can take a second buck with a bow.
Michigan and Wisconsin are two more states with an abundance of public hunting land but reasonable nonresident license fees. And if you’re looking to head west, states like Montana and Wyoming, have millions of acres of privately-owned land that is enrolled in public access programs.
Non-resident tags in these states come with a hefty price tag, but once secured, you have plenty of options for planning the hunt of a lifetime for a fraction of the cost of a fully guided trip.
In a way, whitetail hunters are the luckiest of all hunters because whitetails are plentiful almost everywhere they are found, so you don’t have to travel far to find quality bucks.
And because most state and local wildlife agencies are always looking for ways to keep deer herds in check, license fees are relatively low (compared to other big game species) and not as hard to obtain.
Combine that with millions of acres of public land, and whitetails are the perfect species for a do-it-yourself budget hunt.
The Stay-at-Home Option
For many of us, there’s simply nothing like hunting our home state. As I get older, I find myself dreaming less about extravagant trips to far-off places and more about finally figuring out that elusive old mountain buck that’s been outsmarting me for years.
The deeper I dive into whitetail behavior, the more I realize how much there is still to learn, and my local state forest offers endless opportunities to continue that education. That, in itself, is a huge reward.
Hunting close to home also comes with cost advantages—less travel, no lodging expenses, and fewer logistical headaches. And honestly, given how much whitetail management has evolved, your chances of tagging the buck of a lifetime may be just as good at home as in any other state, provided you’re willing to put in the time.
Of course, there are drawbacks to staying local for your next “rut-cation.” One of the biggest is the difficulty of fully immersing yourself in the experience. It’s hard to forget about everyday responsibilities when you’re just minutes from home.
Too often, I’ve seen friends spend their time off tackling house projects instead of watching the woods from a treestand. Instead of enjoying the season without distraction, they end up squeezing hunts into whatever free time they can find.
Another downside is that we often let the weather dictate our decisions. If it’s raining or the wind isn’t right for a favorite stand, it’s easy to just stay home. But when you’re on a destination hunt, time is limited, and you’re more likely to adapt and hunt anyway, or come up with a new plan based on the conditions.
Lastly, limiting yourself to your home turf means missing out on the learning that comes from experiencing new places. Every trip to hunt unfamiliar ground teaches valuable lessons that can ultimately make you more successful back home.
Conclusion
Budget-friendly bowhunting is not only possible, but it can be incredibly rewarding. With smart gear choices and a focus on building skills rather than buying the latest equipment, hunters can enjoy the thrill of the hunt without breaking the bank.
Finding mature animals and having a quality hunting experience is well within reach, even for the most budget-conscious bowhunters. With a little planning, hunters can explore nearby states rich in public land opportunities or find just as much satisfaction chasing a local big buck close to home.
That’s the beauty of bowhunting; it’s a personal journey that can be shaped to fit your goals and your budget.
You don’t need top-of-the-line gear, expensive camo, or a guided hunt. All you really need is time, patience, and an appreciation for every moment spent in the woods.
