I have been a lifelong Traditional Bowhunter and have been hunting big game for 45 years. I have been fortunate to hunt many species throughout the Lower 48, Alaska, Canada and Russia. Most of my hunts have been DIY. A long time ago, I learned that the cheap man spends the most money, meaning if you buy cheap gear you will have to replace it soon. So, I tend to do a lot of research before I buy gear so I only have to buy it once. I also try to keep things simple. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That being said, I am still trying out new things as technology changes, but I still swear buy the old standbys like wool clothing. Below is a list of a few things I have been using for several years.
BOW: Bear Take-Down A Handle 60# at 28”, Grayling Bear Recurves QUIVER: Original Bear 4 and 8 arrow. New Selway Retro Bear Quiver. STRING: B-55 Flemish Twist, Jeff Nowak custom strings. LIMB ACCESSORIES: Bear came limb covers. ARROW REST: Bear Hair Rest CLICKER: None ARROWS: Footed Surewood Douglas fir Shafts FLETCHING: Gatweway 5 ½” Shield Cut. CRESTING: None BROADHEAD: Original Bear RazorHeads FINGER PROTECTION: 3Rivers Dura Glove BOW CASE: SKB Take-Down Recurve Bow and Arrow Case. CLOTHING: King of The Mountain Wool, Kuiu Rain Gear, Sitka Traverse Shirt, Black Ovis Merino wool. Kuiu Guide Gloves, Fingerless Wool Gloves. SOCKS: Darn Tough-Hunter Extra Cushion, Kuiu- Ultra Merino Socks BOOTS: Meindl Vakuum Hunters, Cabelas Instinct GAITERS: Kuiu BINOS: 10x42 Nikon RANGE FINDER: None BACKPACK: Kuiu 1850 Pro Day Pack TRAVEL DUFFLE: Cabelas Outfitters Duffle, Eagle Creek roller duffle. WATER PURIFICATION: Katadyn Hiker Micro Filter TENTS: Eureka Apex 2XT Adventure. SLEEPING PAD: Therma-Rest Luxury Lite XL cot. SLEEPING BAG: Still looking for a good one. Cabelas Alaskan Guide. KNIFE: Kershaw Alaskan Blade Trader. Case Sharktooth GAME BAGS: Caribou Gear, Black Ovis
Randy Cooling shares his archery gear list after 46 years of trial and error. From back country mule deer to African dangerous game, Randy has seen it all.
