Re: Share your favourite loadout!
Posted: November 11th, 2017, 4:27 am
This is my Timbergold Trails loadout. It's the very first loadout I plan on creating when the new preset loadout feature is released and I can't wait. In my opinion this loadout is deep and extremely versatile, while still allowing the hunter to fill all three weapon slots +1. Once fully equipped, the hunter would be armed with every weapon and ammo type needed to legally and ethically take down Timbergold's full lineup of game animals. If this loadout were to be sold as a bundle it would probably be a dream loadout to a new player, much like the Hirschfelden and Rougarou setup bundles were to me when I first started playing two years ago. With the uniqueness of predator hunting and Timbergold Trails overall, it would have certainly been high up on my bundle wish list back then. I'm calling it..
Being quiet, making like a bush to break up the outline of your figure, and eating healthy are the keys to victory in the EHR, and the denizens of Timbergold Trails can be exceptionally wary. If Arnold can fool a space alien with just some mud, think of the wonders you can do with this camo Face Paint. Apply liberally.
TGT Every Way
(premium editions of weapons and gear replaceable with standard editions)
Weapons
12 GA Blaser F3 Game O/U Shotgun (Custom Grade V Edition shown)
Wide, open areas in Timbergold are few and far between, being more dense and rough than even Settlers Creek reserve in most places, and a shotgun is just the ticket you need for a successful trip through it's rugged beauty. A superb utility weapon permitted for every game animal in Timbergold, the 12 GA Blaser F3 Game O/U Shotgun is a solid choice for a happy hunt. It has the speed and finesse for upland birding, along with the power and superb, on-demand follow-up shot capabilities required for larger game. There's a shotgun ammo for every need and desire; you get birdshot for the White-tailed Ptarmigans, your choice of buckshot or slug for the Grey Wolves, Bighorn Sheep and Mule Deer, and slugs for the hefty Grizzlies and majestic Rocky Mountain Elk. You can't go wrong with a double-barreled 12 GA shotgun which can deliver two quick successive shots with no ammo-cycling required. Practice those double-tap shots and feel like the hitman you've always wanted to be.
Heavy Recurve Bow (InstinctiveArcher Edition shown)
Does bowhunting in the EHR get any better than this? Not only a fellow hunter-designed weapon, but one that wrecks whatever it hits, even the grumpiest of grizzlies. The feel of both recurve bows is exceptional to all other bows in the EHR, but the feel of this particular recurve is super sweet in my humble opinion, not to mention it's awesome stopping power. This baby is another multi-purpose life taker with the ability to legally take all six of Timbergold's beautiful creatures, though the birds would certainly be a challenge. There's two other weapons to handle those much better, though.
.454 Revolver (El Toro Edition shown) w/2-6x20 Handgun Scope*
When you absolutely, positively must drop whatever you decide to point it at, and in Timbergold that means bears and elk. Whether it be self-protection against a rampaging Grizzly Bear, or protecting your best hunting bud from a rampaging Grizzly Bear, or protecting your dog from a rampaging Grizzly Bear, or protecting your kill from a rampaging Grizzly Bear, or even removing a whole pod of Rocky Mountain Elk ..who are rampaging ..It gets the job done, in outstanding fashion.
.22 Pistol (Grasshopper Edition shown) w/2-6x20 Handgun Scope*
Getting tired of slamming ounces of lead shot pellets into the smallest bird in the grouse family? Take the next step forward in your White-tailed Ptarmigan adventures and try your hand at placing just one tiny pellet into them instead. The good news is you get ten quick attempts before having to reload! The bad news is it's usually best if you do it when they're airborne. (Aw, aww!) Good luck.
*Same scope, can be used for both handguns. #smartlikethat
Ammo
12 GA Blaser F3 Game O/U Shotgun - 10 Slug Shells, 10 Buckshot Shells, 30 Birdshot Shells
Heavy Recurve Bow - 20 Standard Broadhead Arrows
.454 Revolver - 20 rds .454 Nosler Custom Handgun Ammunition
.22 Pistol - 50 rds .22LR Ammunition
Optics
16x50mm Spotting Scope - Excellent for picking out animals in the thick, pin-pointing the trophy in the bunch, or just straight up spot-info farming
7x42mm Rangefinder Binoculars - Nothing beats being able to range your targets/kill-zones to set yourself up for the perfect opportunity
Small Equipment
(every attractant for the ultimate Timbergold Trails experience)
Deer "Grunt" Caller - BE the big buck
Elk "Bugle" Caller - Elk sure are chatty, have a bit of good conversation with some
Wolf "Elk Calf" caller - Make like a hurt calf, cry a lot, and be in your shoot spot before they come slithering in
Mule Deer Urine Spray & Rocky Mountain Elk Scent Spray - Think "Classy", just a little dab behind the ears
Electronic Caller (Shockwave Edition) x2
Motion Predator Decoy (Double Tail Edition) x1
Motion Predator Decoy (Rabbit Edition) x1
Did you know that Timbergold Trails has many old, abandoned cabin/settlement sites which are not indicated on the map as Points of Interest? I won't spoil how many I've discovered or where, but I will say I've found more here in TGT than in any other single reserve. If you find them don't be afraid to use them as hunting stands, as many of them have multiple elevated shooting positions to choose from, usually overlooking flatter ground with shorter grass. Of course, this same strategy applies to the known Points of Interests already mapped out for us as well. The reason I mention all of this? Wolves. Big, Grey ones. If you happen to discover a long lost settlement or Point of Interest that's particularly hot with wolves, it might be worth putting down a permanent Electronic Caller and/or Motion Predator Decoy setup. The size of the reserve and the great range of the Grey Wolves' favorite hunting grounds certainly makes owning two e-callers and two e-critters a very desirable prospect, indeed. They, along with the Wolf "Elk Calf" Caller and elk carcasses to be found in the reserve, make for a truly personalized and unique predator hunting experience. Be creative and use all the various callers, along with all of the naturally existing features which Timbergold has to offer, in forming different combinations to aid in your success. There's nothing sweeter in the EHR than creating your own hot setup in your own hot spot in your own reserve. What will you do with yours?
Shooting Tripod Rest
The diverse and often harsh landscape of Timbergold Trails can sometimes drive even the most veteranest hunters to drink. Some may already be nipping at their flasks. So finding good shooting positions can be quite a tall order thanks to the rolling seas of tall, fall grasses which can be unholy and unmerciful in blocking your field of vision, oddly and perpetually with nary a boulder in sight. Thankfully, though, there's a solution; the Shooting Tripod Rest. It's the perfect tool for the job. Place it in an easy-to-access equipment slot, silently and quickly set it up either on the run or at a favorite ambush site, and presto-chango no more firearm wobble or uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach as you pull the trigger. Instead you can feel quite confident when you're aiming and you're shooting like a true Pro instead of poking out of the grass and waving your weapon around like an amateur weekender who's thinking about going vegan. From either a crouched or standing position, let 'er rip and watch your rounds go right where you want them, before burying themselves into the walking and poo'ing hit-box roulette machine you fired at. ~WINK~ JK! It's all good sport.
Marker Flag
How many times have you gotten out of your stand, crouched and crawled through thick brush and undercover to a call/scent spot, placed your calls and scents, turned around, crouched and crawled back through thick brush and undercover into your stand, only to look out in horror as you see your trophy buck moving in fast and heading right for the spot but that you don't know where that spot is exactly? Even worse, you need to hit your animal at a very particular range and/or hit a particular organ? For me, many. So, when it's sometimes crucial to know and remember exactly where your call/scent spot was placed, drop a flag on it.. and then now ya' know. (ProTip; Don't forget to pick your flag back up. Exactly as I've done ..each and every single time ...yeah) They can also be used as a good way to mark unknown/difficult to see water routes, or at hard to locate/best climbing routes in mountainous regions, or just at favorite shooting spot like a particular boulder in a sea of boulders for example. Helpful for both yourself and guests alike.
Face Paint (pattern optional)
Being quiet, making like a bush to break up the outline of your figure, and eating healthy are the keys to victory in the EHR, and the denizens of Timbergold Trails can be exceptionally wary. If Arnold can fool a space alien with just some mud, think of the wonders you can do with this camo Face Paint. Apply liberally.
Scent Eliminator - Be a thinker, not a stinker, just like Apollo Creed does. The 50 unit bottle gives you a good fair amount of uses for a good fair amount of weight.
First Aid Kits - From gruesome Grizzly Bear maulings to gruesome free-fall flights from great heights, they'll cure what ails ya' in Timbergold Trails. Apply liberally.
Dog
Scent Hound (sex and color optional)
The keen amongst you may have noticed by now that this loadout takes advantage of one of the most unique aspects of hunting life in the EHR.. a hunting aid and affable companion built right into one. For those not so quick on the uptake; it has four legs, a huge nose, big floppy ears, and saddle-bags.. Nope not a trail pony. They eat too much and, conversely, are too tempting a meal for the grizzlies who are fatting up for their fast approaching winter rest. That's right, the ever-faithful, ever-pursuant Scent Hound; a hunting partner that can assist you in tracking down any wounded prey(presumably due to the sun getting in your eye ..the good one) in even the tallest of grasses, as well as provide the small but vital increase in carrying capacity needed to completely fit out your upcoming expedition.
Dog Backpack (Fall Forest Camo Edition)
Wrestle one of these onto your hound and you're all set for a full day, or all that remains of it, of hunting without all the hassle of replenishing your ammo and supplies mid-day. Even better, the Fall Forest Camo version gives your hound the exact edge he or she needs for that extra boost of sneakiness to further help ensure success. Besides, they love being able to run around like crazy in the great outdoors, just like you.
Dog Treats (Extra Large Pack)
These scooby snacks are guaranteed to help hounds both young and old to learn faster. Be sure and treat your working animal after each and every successful tracking command to get the most out of this wonderful product. This extra large pack of 100 units will be sure to last a long, long time as your working animal learns their job, but the sheer genius of this whole system is that the burden of weight is placed directly onto your furry little hunting buddy's back. What could be better? And what could go wrong? (ProTip; toss in a handful of dry oatmeal and it also makes for a hearty (cough!) trailmix for yourself, or unsuspecting friend)
Large Equipment
Although I myself am a stealth/stalk hunter at heart, no matter what style of hunting you prefer, you surely will discover those extra special spots in Timbergold Trails that deserve extra special treatment, and in the EHR that extra special treatment comes in the form of HEAVY GEAR. My top three large equipment recommendations for Timbergold Trails, in order, would have to be..
#1 - Trapper Tent
It's all about the tents. If I had a theHunter mantra, that'd be it. Tents fully open up the EHR to you and your guests, and the EHR is ever-growing, so the more tents the merrier. Even with a fully tented out reserve, Timbergold's vastness almost demands that you leave one tent off the ground and in your backpack to use as a carry around for those special situation when you need the ultimate in hunting efficiency. However, either placed permanently in your reserve or used "on the run", the Trapper tent fits the rustic beauty of Timbergold's landscape beautifully while allowing you to easily and quickly swap out or replenish any gear you might need mid-hunt. Why waste time traveling to a lodge or tent, perhaps allowing the trail to go cold or perhaps even being forced to call the hunt prematurely, when you can simply set your tent down, grab what you need, and get right back on the trail? And trust me, your hunting buddies will love you for it. Whatever you do, don't forget to take full advantage of Timbergold's built-in transportation system, though; its fast-transit railroad and tunnel system. They'll get your where you need to go much, much quicker than could otherwise be achieved, and a smartly placed permanent tent near a train tunnel can greatly open up your highland hunting excursions as if by magic. Your Bighorn Sheep and White-Tailed Ptarmigans numbers will be soaring before you know it.
#2, First choice - Deployable Tower (Bare Wood Edition)
I must admit I list this as my number two large equipment recommendation in the hopes of finally seeing a Deployable Tower as part of a bundle. Another part of me thinks the Bare Wood version just fits Timbergold like a charm, just like the Trapper Tent. I personally have one located at the very productive river fork area and think it looks fantastic, but won't be surprised or sore if this item is dis-allowed because it's never been done before as far as I know, thus I've included an alternate choice..
#2, Second Choice - Two Person Tree Stand (Forest Camo Mesh Edition)
If the Deployable Tower in a bundle can't be a real thing, then my number two large equipment recommendation would be this dandy. A great way to get a great birds-eye view over a great big elk carcass as you try to tempt the great Grey Wolf out of cover. Alone or with a friend, gotta love the 360 degree field of vision this two-seater affords. Deaths from above.
#3 - Tripod Stand
Oh, what would I do without thee, my precious Tripod Stands? Sitting a lot closer to the ground, unable to see very far or very much around me, slowly spinning in circles to try and protect my back, being seen, smelled, and heard by all. That's where.
Other
A year later and I'm still learning Timbergold Trails. It's so large, and really pretty, and quite unique in many ways, and a whole lot to take all in. It's also extremely challenging, both in terrain and species. I'm still outfitting it and that's also a huge part of my attraction, as I'm happy to take my time equipping it while I continue to unlock its secrets. The new and upcoming backpack loadout system has been a dream of mine and many, I can't believe it's soon about to come true. I thank EW for developing a pre-set loadouts system and creating this fun competition around it. I like the plan EW has divulged to us and wish nothing but the best for everyone in its release. Also good luck to everyone joining this comp and happy hunting.