What's in your pack?

[robtattoo]

Okay, so you're going for a good long days huntin', say, 8 hours minimum. What would you normally take along with you?

P.S.
You're limited to either a small daypack or fannypack  :D

[SteveMcD]

extra socks
extra gloves
extra hat
extra compass
magnesium & steel fire starter
container of waterproof matches
flashlight - extra bulb & batteries
couple bandannas
parachute cord
extra knife
topo map
3 snickers bars
sandwich
canteen / bottle of apple cider

[mich-mtnman]

i asked this one my self a while back and i seem to realy be cutting the junk that i carry into the field.

bow-2 arrows [in little attached quiver]
knife
drag rope
flashlight [small]
tp in a ziplock bag
maybe a snack but this varies.
 all this can easily be carried in a haversack or a possibles bag.

[Stalker58]

8 hours?
OK.2 sandwiches and a 6pack of beer!...LOL!
Sorry I couldn't help myself!

[Deerhntr]

Two 16 oz. bottels of water
Good flashlight
Knife
Parachute cord
Beef jerky and a breakfast bar or two
Gerber saw
Nikon bino's

[hunt it]

Rob thats a good question, for me where Im hunting dictates what I carry. For example, if I'm in a remote wilderness area or a fly in type hunt, I would always carry: topo map, GPS, small pen type flare gun and flares, water purification tablets or my Katadyn filter, emergency blanket and fire starting devices, first aid kit, whistle. This is above the must haves such as items listed by others above. For a local hunt I carry very little, knife,rope,water,snacks.

[JBiorn]

waterproof matches
TP in a ziplock bag
band-aids
electrical tape
2 buttons---1 black, 1 green
GPS
and a couple of sandwiches

 I'm just assuming you wanted to know whats in the pack, so I excluded my canteen and the other peripherals like a knife and such.

 Jeff

[Gray Buffalo]

If I can’t get in my possible bag or pockets it doesn’t go. Some trail mix, 16 oz. water, matches, and tags. In my pocket are a watch and a pocket knife. I have enough problems carrying my fat butt around already.

[Desertman]

I'm a park ranger and can say with some  experience that its better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!
My standard work/hunting outfit is just about the same:
     First aid kit (not the store bought package)
     space blanket
     fire starters
     leatherman
     stocking cap (orange, I like to help my friends in a chopper find me)
     windbreaker/rain coat
     energy bars
     lots of water
     100' of parachute cord
     GPS & compass,maps
     My boss, either at work or the wife know generally where I'm going.
     Oh yeah,most importantly is a generous amount of applied horse sense. Many of those I've had to go find had little gear and less common sense!
     As a final thought;I'm supplied a radio at work but find that a cell phone can be real iffy.Don't rely on it unless you know for sure that it will work EVERYWHERE you intend to go.

[ChuckC]

OK...8 hours where ?   Treestanding in the midwest, or chasing elk in the Rockies, or javelina in the south, or ....
ChuckC

[tim roberts]

Chuck,
You hit right.  Basicly there are some things that always stay in my pack.  My little survival kit, water, some type of food, flashlight, to many knives, hopefully the new one will take the place of 2  :D , thanks Rob!  But if I'm treestandin' or groundblindin' whitetails, or chasing the antelope, my pack is empty compared to if I'm going after elk.
>>>Tim------->

[ChuckC]

Yeppers...... I carry Soooo much stuff in the mountains, but almost nothing to the treestand in Wisconsin.  Water and a knife, compass and a mini- mag.  Probably should carry more, but I guess I got lazy.
ChuckC

[Autumnarcher]

One thing I see missing in every list is a whistle. They weigh next to nothing, take up no space to speak of, but can save yer butt if you get hurt. The sound carries much further than your voice yelling for help, and a whistle doenst get worn out. I recommend it to everyone.

Another item I carry for fire starter is a short road flare. They will light easily even in wind or rain, and burn hot for a long time after lighting. Almost impossible to put out. Will get a fire going in a hurry in an emergency.

As for all the other stuff, it depends on where I'm hunting. Obviously while elk hunting in the wilderness I carry more than if I'm out for an evening deer hunt.

Regardless, the minimum I carry a small pouch with first aid stuff, whistle and flare, knife, a couple zip lock bags,a couple power bars and some water. Oh yeah, some TP too!

[Mike Orton]

Rob,

This thread comes up about 27 times a year but it's because it is such a frequently asked question that I have gone an inventoried my base hunting pack.  The contents are are follows:

Most importantly my common sense is packed first...that tells me I'll need the following in the field:
Optics
1.   Binocs: Steiner 8 by 30 Night hunter

Water
1.   Camelbak 102 ounce hydration bladder

Navigation & Communication
1.   GPS Garmin Rino 530, includes a FRS 2 way radio, Weather Service Radio, altimeter, digital compass and GPS capability
2.   Cammenga Tritium Military compass
3.   Waterproof Topo Map of area I’m hunting

Cutlery
1.   Knives of Alaska Light Hunter Combo, includes a skinning/field dressing knife and a small detail caping knife.
2.   Small Hatchet
3.   Hack Saw blade wrapped in Duct tape handle
4.   Diamond based sharpener tool
5.   Gerber model 700 Urban Legend multi-tool (Leatherman)

First Aid Kit
1.   Kit for emergencies, including sutures, pain-killer and the normal first aid stuff.  Keep it small.

Emergency Bag
1.   One heavy weight plastic trash bag (rain poncho, water collection etc.)
2.   One unbreakable signal mirror & Whistle
3.   MSR Miox emergency water purification system
4.   Fire Starter (commercial fire tabs or petroleum soaked cotton balls)
5.   Magnesium based fire starter and disposable butane lighter
6.   Foil based Space Blanket (emergency warmth & lay out quarters on after field butchering)
7.   50’ Para cord & Military poncho for shelter
8.   Heavy Duty Needle/Thread
9.   30’ 3/8” rope and mountaineering pulley wheel
10.   1 sealed baggie containing moist baby wipes

Food
1.   WWII vintage canteen cup w/ attached cook stove, & fuel tabs
2.   dry soup & hot chocolate powders
3.   Trail mix, nuts, candy bars etc.

Miscellaneous
1.   License, tags, waterproof pen, pencil & paper
2.   spare batteries & bulb
3.   extra bow string & finger tab
4.   small roll surveyor’s tape
5.   Digital camera
6.   Zippered cotton pillow cases or Game Quarters Bags

Optional (Depending on climate, conditions & activity)
1.   Tripod and Spotting scope
2.   Packable Rain Gear

This "stuff", including the full load of water loaded into my Badlands 2200 pack tops out at 26 lbs.  You don't want to hump too much more than that all day in the tall country.  I disagree with the opinion expressed above that too much is better than not enough.  My experience is that too much is a very bad thing and will hurt you more than help.

Oh yeah,  the Badlands 2200 has a built in Flourescent Orange Meat shelf (about 2 feet square), in case I want to be found.

In this photo, I'm wearing all of the above listed items at 12,500 ft in the Colorado Rockies:
 

[robtattoo]

Originally posted by ChuckC:
OK...8 hours where ?   Treestanding in the midwest, or chasing elk in the Rockies, or javelina in the south, or ....
ChuckC

Good point, well made.

A dry, mountainous region. Say, West Texas.
Hunting for goat, sheep, javies etc...

F'rexample     (three-and-a-half weeks to go!!)

[JBiorn]

Preparation is definately the key. I like your kit Mike. But isn't it a bit noisy?


 Jeff

[Arwin]

flashlight,knife,calls/scents,lighter,water,energy bars, piece of nylon rope, extra gloves and hat, license, all in a fanny pack. I'll take my bible along if I'm in a pop-up.

[Mike Orton]

Jeff, at the end of the day I've cursed it for being heavier than when I started in the morning but I've not noticed it to be noisy.  When it comes to that critcal moment I shed the pack anyway.  Sure you can get surprised while hunting but if I have any control the pack is shed like a winter antler.  

[Jmatt1957]

knife,12oz water,flash light,rubber gloves,hunting lics.,film canester of cattails for checking the wind,energy bar, apple, camera.

[Wudstix]

Bow
three Arrows
water, @2 liters(Camelbak Hawg)
3-4 knives
rope
wool hat
flashlight(s)
energy bars
dried fruit
first aid kit
fleece vest
wool shirt