What stuff do you carry in the woods?

[JohnHV]

Every year I start preparing for deer season by laying out all the junk that I think I need for a day in the woods and loading a day pack full.  By the end of the season, the pack is left in the truck and I'm down to a flashlight, compass, drag rope, knife, bow and quiver.

Thought it might be fun to hear what others carry in the woods and how it differs across regions and hunting styles.

Are you a minimalist (take only what fits in your pockets) or a "Winnebago" type?

[ishiwannabe]

I take whatever I can. The Army taught me it is better have and not need than to need and not have. I typically downsize everything as much as I can. My pack includes:
A knife, small flashlight(led), larger flashlight, batts., compass, latex gloves, ziplock bags, TP, 35 mm film case with matches and striker, space blanket, small first aid kit, folding saw, some 550 cord, and a handful of candy and/or other snacks, various scents/scent killer, and my calls. It sounds like a lot, but it all fits into my pack nicely.

[Shakes.602]

Since this is my Very First "Trad" Turkey Safari that is for Archery Only!! My Main Thing I will Carry is a Camp Seat!! I dont do too Good Standing Still For Very Long.
  I got some Camo from a Very Dear Friend of Mine, I still have to Make "Huntin'Arrows", Take my LongBow as I have a Natural Little Blind, good thing I am Short!! hahaha  I figure a Couple of Bottle of Water, and a Little Something to Munch on. I think they call what I am doing is Hunting By the Seat of My Drawers!!
   I Can Hardly WAIT!!!

[bunyan]

I like to travel light.  In Maryland you're never far from civilization so a fanny pack carrys my tags, map and compass, a pair of latex gloves, knife, dragrope, camo facepaint (I don't like facemasks for bowhunting), one of those small pocketsized packages of kleenex for TP, a flashlight, snacks (usually some trailmix, granola bars, apples), and waterbottle.  That's the basics.  Smmetimes I'll have a small sketchbook and pen/mechanical pencil.  I often have a small folding stool to sling over my shoulder (I like hunting from the ground).

[the Ferret]

Bunyan that's travelling light? LOL

I'm a minimalist. Around here, bow with a one or two arrow quiver, headlamp (in front left pocket), neck knife (around my neck), headnet in back left pocket. Wallet with license & tag in back right pocket. Truck keys in front right pocket. Small 3 cornered stool over shoulder for hunting off the ground.

If going out of town or in unfamiliar terrain I might have a lakota quiver with a couple more arrows and a gps around my neck.

If on a really serious hunt I wear a small fanny pack with a bottle of water, a granola bar, my cell phone and maybe a frs walkie talkie.

I always carry 2 bandaids in my wallet.

[Pat B]

Way more than I need!   Pat

[Shakes.602]

"You Is Stuck On Band Aids......"      

[bunyan]

What can I say, I like to pamper myself!  And I'd rather forget my knife than the TP!

[eagle24]

Backpack includes:

camo toilet paper (biodegradeable)
knife (2)
folding saw
flashlight
binoculars
realtree bow hanger
compass
matches
grunt tube
rope
spare gator straps
spare shooting glove
spare bowstring
digital camera
bandaids
aspirin
gloves
lightweight poncho
snacks
water

I think that is all

[vermonster13]

Toilet Paper
Knife
Drag Rope
Bow/Arrows/Quiver
Gloves for dressing out

Not much more

[Killdeer]

I am usually in the Nat'l Forest, and usually, alone. The weather up there can change at the drop of a hat, and there is no cell service.

I carry a garbage bag, and a couple of smaller bags. (emergency poncho and liver/heart transport containers.)

Spare socks, I stay out all day. My money and keys are in a front pocket.

Knife, compass, map, drag rope. Fire makin's plus a candle stub. String in a film can. Two light sources, AA's in a film can. Another knife, small whetstone. Paper towels folded up in one of my plastic bags, and a small roll of non-camo toilet paper in a sandwich bag. I figure that unless my butt is camoed, (And I don't have enough camo makeup for that job!) it wouldn't be practical to have camo TP.  

I carry a huge chocolate bar and some jerky, and maybe a water bottle. I trust the springs where I hunt. I carry some Tinks and have a bit of rag on a big safety pin on my boot. I may carry extra scent wicks in a container if I know that I am going to sit. And I may have a pistol on me somewhere, too.  :D  

Killdeer

[Plywood Bender-laptop]

For Illinois deer I carry kleenex pack (tp), latex gloves, knife, license, small headlight, cell phone, snack and water.  All fit in pockets of my jacket or cargo pockets of pants.  Oh yeah, bow with bow quiver.

That's all I need.  But now, I bought one of those strap on camera holders.  I am going to have to go to a large daypack to carry the camera arm, video camera, and misc. stuff involved.

I hope I get some good pics.

Carl

[JohnHV]

Thanks for all the detailed responses!  So far I've learned 2 things: that they make camo TP  (who knew?) and 2) never sneak up on Killdeer! She's heavily armed!   :D

[Killdeer]

You  CAN'T  sneak up on Killdeer.  

[JohnHV]

I stand corrected!  

[Flesner]

Minimalist here.
Bow w/ one arrow quiver for the broadhead.
Lakota (sort of) style quiver full of squirrel arrows and a couple extra broadheads. Little pocket on the quiver has my tag, small game license, and bic lighter.
Neck knife.
Small hatchet stuck in my belt with para cord wrapped on the handle for drag rope.

[BTH]

It's either too much or not enough.

For the long day hunts...

Camelback Commander pack with water bladder
two deer drag handles
50 ft cord
pulley and carabiner (mechanical advantage!)
webbing
knife
sharpening stone
energy bars or energy gel
latex gloves
compass
GPS
maps if needed
headlamp
surefire flashlight
emergency blanket
emergency fire makin's
Radio (if I have a partner in the vicinity)
Cell phone
camera
clothing layers (depend on the weather)
Bow
Arrows
powdered gatorade

For the close to camp quickie hunts

Bow
Arrows
water
knife
gloves
phone or radio
snack
deer drag handle

[JohnHV]

Flesner

I like the idea of the paracord wrapped hatchet.  Could use the hatchet handle as a deer drag handle as well.

I like carrying things that have more than one use!

[the Ferret]

ok I've got to ask? What is energy gel? Sounds like something from an adult store.    

[702plmo]

Something I always carry with me (During warm Weather) is a small package of benedryl.   Just in case i come across some mad bees or snakes.    Its nice to get that into your system ASAP and let it start working.