question about wilderness hunt

[blacktailchaser]

my main concern is where do i start...i will be asking questions about wilderness hunting for people who have done it..i am think that christmas is coming up and i should ask for the most exspensive thing to start out with..what would be the most costly thing to get for this...i all ready have a pack frame...i was thinking a water purifier or a sleeping bag...thanks for the help...

[bbell]

A good book to read would be Backcountry Bowhunting by Cameron Hanes. Lots of the equipment is outdated and heavy compared to now but lots of good info. I have slowly been getting more and more gear. I got something I could afford that worked well and slowly upgraded my gear. Unless you got a lot of money then by the best and all at once:-) REI is a good place to buy from with the warranty and their sales.

Have fun with the journey. The whole gear thing can be kind of consuming.;-)

Brandon

[Sockrsblur]

Starting out I thought I needed a lot more than I did but shelter is the one area I would spend what you can ie. tent and good bag. There are deals if you have time to watch but you kinda get what you pay for most times and if you take care of your stuff it will truly last!

[Seth Stevens]

I have made six, solo, back county hunts to Colorado, Montana and Utah. Your equipment can make or break your experience.

The first year, I used stuff I had or could borrow. Each year I purchase one new piece. My pack, for eight days, has gone from 90lbs to 45lbs!

I also, would rate your shelter system as the most important and expensive. The first year, I used a borrowed bivy. My first night on the mountain, it started raining. It didn't stop for two days! I have never been so miserable in my life! Everything I had was soaked and I was loosing my mind from laying in that nylon coffin for 36 hours! It was 36* and I thought I was going have to pack out without having hunted!

I have since purchased a MSR Hubba Hubba, lightweight, 2-man tent, and a Marmot 20* down bag. I am comfortable in just about any situation (except lightning!!!).

[Stone Sheep]

I agree with Seth, go with a light weight 2 man tent, preferably side entry and a good down bag. Another item that's key is your sleeping pad. If you toss and turn all night you will wear down in a couple days. I use a Big Agnes 2.5"pad. Keep in mind that the stuff that you buy should not only be light weight, but of compact stored size. This makes a huge difference in your pack. A good set of light weight rain gear is a must. I use it as a wind layer as much as rain. Cabela's Space Rain Gear is good.

[far rider]

Tent and bag as good and light weight as you can possibly afford. Your next concern should be water. Then food prep. Then emergency kit. Past that it's comfort items that your willing to hump since you already have your pack. The camping stores are great for the light weight high tech things, but don't overlook the Army/Navy surplus stores when your filling the voids, especially if your making up your own first aid kit.

[slivrslingr]

All good advice so far.  I'll add that the single most important piece  of gear for this kind of hunt is your boots.  Nothing ruins a hunt faster than tore up feet.  Get a pair that FITS, is absolutely comfortable and doesn't cause blisters.  There is a growing trend away from stiff, heavy hiking boots towards lighter and more flexible trail running shoes with gaiters.  That said, figure out what works for YOU.  

The next most important piece is your pack.  A poorly fitting and constructed pack is almost as bad as the wrong boots.  A pack that is ok with 45 pounds in it can be absolutely miserable with a  90 pound load of meat.  Throw a bunch of weight (50-60lbs) on the pack you have now and see how it feels then go from there.  

Another consideration is how are you going to deal with an animal once it's down.  Will you be deep enough in to require a packer to come in and get it for you?  Or will you be able to pack it out on your back?  My advice, for you first couple trips don't go too deep, far enough that you feel like you're in the wilderness but not so far that you can't deal with an animal.  

What else?  Training well before the hunt, hiking w/loaded pack, running, mtn. biking, hit the gym.  Do a couple shakedown trips before the season to figure out what gear works and doesn't.  Pare you gear down to the absolute "must haves", don't be carrying gear you don't need.  Oh yeah, have FUN figuring all this stuff out!

[Machino]

Where are you going and what are you hunting?  Will you have partners?

[Bjorn]

Have a great adventure and If you have a family invest in some tracking device like Spot.

[beendare]

Been doing it for over 30 years and I totally agree with the good boot comment above- número uno for sure. My equipment has evolved to be pretty light now- which makes it much more fun than lugging a bunch of gear around. Most newbies pack way too much stuff and extra clothes. I usually at about 25# nic water for a 4-5 dayer.

Clothes wise I bring 1 extra socks and underwear. I like merino base layers, light rainwear, polar fleece insulation layer with hood and usually a primaloft camp jacket that weighs nothing. Beanie is essential.

So many options for tent, pad and bag. I like the Henry shires tarp tents with options at about 2 1/2 # for full shelter. Many like the B A Fly Creek  though lesser quality than HS and it can be found on sale cheap. Hilleberg makes some killer stuff. Kifaru makes some good stuff also though pricey.

Primaloft bags are cheaper, more forgiving in the backcountry though a tad heavier. Down is good but if it gets wet you are  in trouble. Many of the best bags go on sale in the winter( Feb or so) for 30-40% off. Marmot, Montbell, Western Mountaneering and many good ones. I'm a bigger guy and really like the Montbell stretch bags since they don't feel constricting.

Insulated pad is a must, the UL inflatables from Big Agnes, Exped and Thermarest are excellent. The little butane stoves with a canister will fit in a one pint aluminum pot with the small canister lasting 5 days+ for 2 guys.. M H backpack food has some tasty options though a 2 serving is really a one. I bring a long plastic cook spoon and let them cook a few min longer than directions.

Oh and the most important thing: Via Italian roast- thumbs up!

[LB_hntr]

I recommend starting small and building up. As mentioned Cameron's book is a great resource to get you started. And all above advise is super valuable. But the proper equipment and mainly skills are developed and acquired over time. Build up from a smaller hunt to bigger ones. Borrow or rent gear until you find what you do and don't like. Start with a simple 3 day not too deep in hunt with a buddy. See what you learn there then take the next step etc.
   Anyone can buy 5 grand of camera gear but that doesn't make them a photographer. Same principle applies here. Take it slow and learn as you go.
  Best part is wilderness skills and experience can be learned year round with wilderness camping, hiking and backpacking in the off season.
  I love the fact that you want to expand your skills, adventure and experiences. Just don't cheat the process and skip straight to the big leagues. Take it slower and build up so you learn it all and have the best time of your life thru the entire process.
Im very excited to hear about your adventures as you begin this process.

[blacktailchaser]

there is so much info here i might have to print this out..there is stuff i didnt think about like boots...i do plan on just starting out on a 2 day trip and working my way into more...i will be doing some looking around for youtube videos or blogs and storys about this hunting to learn more...last year i did one day trips and had alot of fun doing it...thanks for the info..john

[Biathlonman]

I've been doing the backcountry thing for a few years and have been through a ton of gear. Even took a class on backcountry hunting that helped shorten the learning curve greatly.  I took a class from Ed Tyanich,  www.edtsbackcountry.com,  and loved it.  If I was starting over this is what I would do.

-Pack: Marine corp ILBE from the big auction site.  I've got 2 and I'm in both about $50.  You have to get into the Kifaru realm to get a better hunting pack and that's going to cost you a bunch.

-Tent: Tarptent:  I've got a contrail now but have had several and all are excellent, just depends on the features you like.  Should be able to fine one for about $100 gently used.

-Sleep system:  You need a good insulated pad.  Some people can sleep on closed cell foam but I like something a little softer.  I've owned several Thermarest products and used an Exped too.  I need an inflatable to sleep well.  $150-200 will get you a great one.

    -Bag/Quilt:I've owned some of the top bags, Western Mountaineering/Mont-bell, etc.  I like a quilt better and have recently gotten two Enlightened Equipment Revelation X quilts that so far I love.  Super light, comfortable, and very affordable. ~$200

-Water filter:  I bought a Sawyer squeese for this year and really like it.  Used a Kathadin base camp before that and worked well but a little heavier and bulky.  I can't imagine pumping with the other options out there.  The squeeze was less then $50.

[-snypershot317-]

i know i may not qualify as a 'wilderness' hunter but i do a lot of primitive camping/overnight stays when scouting out new hunting areas, and another good resource is wildernessoutfitters from youtube...i think its one of the better ones out there, and what he does works...i will say i dont agree with some of the stuff that is taught, and i dont agree with some of the stuff in the books mentioned above, but keep in mind also that everyone is different; so the gear, what you wear, how you set up, etc will be different because not everyone likes the same thing. enough with the resource rant for me..as far as equipment goes, i agree with the boots being most important, then shelter and sleeping being the second. i will say this, dont skimp out on cutting tools. I say tools, because deep in the woods, you want a good stable, sharp knife ( blind horse knives makes a good knife, condor is decent-do your research dont cheap out!!) and possibly a good quality hand axe/hatchet so as not to beat up your knife (plus it helps when processing larger game) and then maybe a good quality smaller sharp knife for skinning and finer processing skills like cleaning small game and fish ( this knife could be a knife of your choice just make sure its a good one- mora knives are a good example) i also prefer anything that i pack in to be multipurpose; it helps keep the weight down, but this all is just my $.02 and it works for me...there is a lot of information out there and on here; again some of these are just opinions and youll find what you do and dont like, just remember to be safe and leave a plan with someone close and remember to have fun!!    

[blacktailchaser]

thanks brad and jesse for the info..i was looking at a one person tents and mummy bags...SO,far it looks like the tent or shelter is going to be the most cash...IF any one else has some ideas lets keep them coming...and jesse,nice verses...thanks john