What's in your hunting pack

BJung · January 9, 2021, 12:19 PM

I hope to soak your brains and keep the thread interesting. When I use to dive, my oldest brother decided to help me pack first, and before I left, I poured everything out on the driveway, spread it out, and inspected whether everything I wanted was there. What's in your hunting pack after so many years of experience and why?

Ifishsum · January 9, 2021, 02:05 PM

Let's see...(going from memory not going to dump it in the living room LOL)
First Aid kit (customized)
Gloves (both field dressing and warm versions)
extra socks in ziploc
1/4 in nylon rope
a few granola bars/trail mix packets
range finder
matches/firesteel/tinder
space blanket
folding knife (4" blade)
folding saw (bone and wood blades)
small sharpening stone
flagging ribbon
Flashlight
spare cartridge holder
paper map of area
lightweight rain jacket
extra T shirt
TP in ziploc bag
A couple extra ziplocs and a kitchen size garbage bag

I also keep a smallish waist pack with a compass, lighter, AA lithium spare batteries, smaller flashlight, gps, Leatherman multi-tool, chap stick, band-aids, ibuprofen, nail clippers, a couple more snack bars and a Kleenex pocket pack (TP). I generally take the waist pack if I'm going to be out of sight of the truck and both packs if I'm going any more than a few hundred yards away.

My brothers occasionally tease me about bringing too much but guess who they ask when they need something? LOL

Doyle · January 9, 2021, 02:25 PM

One of my "essential" items is a pouch that rides on the outside of the pack containing a folding limb saw (like Ifishsum mentioned) and also a set of pruning shears. Those pruning shears get used for things like thorny vines that can entangle you and trimming little branches that are in your face when sitting in a stand.

doofus47 · January 9, 2021, 03:31 PM

license/tag
cutup kit: knives, gloves, alcohol
game bags
paracord
gps,compass
snacks
water
3 ways to start fire.
rain gear
head lamp
spare batteries for both gps/headlamp
binos or range finder
calls

mxsailor803 · January 9, 2021, 04:54 PM

Since I hunt my private property, I go extremely light. A simple flashlight, handkerchief, tags, thermacell, and knife.

jmr40 · January 9, 2021, 06:00 PM

It depends on where, what, and when I'm hunting. If I'm quite a distance from the road hunting big game in colder weather I carry more stuff. I need supplies to survive overnight in the woods in an emergency and all the stuff I need to break down an animal and at least carry part of it out in one trip.

That means energy bars, water, water filter, enough extra clothes for conditions. I always have multiple sources to start a fire and a heavier duty survival type knife in addition to a game knife.

Turkey hunting in mild weather closer to the road means I carry very few things.

Some tips I've picked up:

A large, heavy duty trash bag makes a very good survival shelter. Pulled over your head it will come below the waist. Cut a small hole to breath, sit down and pull your knees up and you'll stay dry in a rain and it retains heat in cold weather. Light a candle inside for more heat. Two or 3 of them take up next to no space in a pack and can also be used to carry meat out.

I always keep some para cord, but like to keep at least one of these. They work better than rope for dragging game out.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Keeper-8...5243/202065658

Instead of TP, paper napkins picked up when you eat at fast food works better. And better still are a small pack of baby wipes. They can also be used to clean hands. Especially after processing game.

GeauxTide · January 9, 2021, 06:17 PM

First Aid kit
Gloves (both field dressing and warm versions)
Small and medium sized Battlehorse fixed blade knives
peanut butter crackers and granola bars
Tums
20oz bottle of water
range finder
space blanket
binoculars
machete style 14" knife with multiple edges
Flashlight and headlight
spare cartridge holder
paper map of area
waterless soap and hand sanitizer
electronic insect repellent

Double K · January 9, 2021, 11:07 PM

I hunt on 2 private ranches for the most part, neither have good cell phone coverage but I can text and get through so for health reasons a cell phone is at the top of the list{twice I've had kidney stones that completely incapacitated me within a couple of minutes}. Also I have tree stands at both which present a certain amount of risk for injury.
That being said as my cousin always said growing up, gun shells license knife, everything else is just a convenience.
But in addition to that my pack always has binoculars, range finder, reading glasses, toilet paper, calls,scents, flashlights, batteries, headlamps, extra ammunition usually in a magazine, a long cord, toilet paper, granola bars, folding saw, gloves, hot hands, two way radio, toilet paper, always have a handgun as well. Oh and I usually have toilet paper in my pack as well.

The list changes for archery hunting as one could imagine, it's warmer and sometimes I bring my dogs.
If I'm going to my little house I take a thermos of coffee and a 1lb propane bottle. Pretty handy when the temps get down around zero which is often here in november and december.

bamaranger · January 11, 2021, 05:52 PM

I rarely carry a pack hunting anymore. I still deer hunt primarily from a climbing treestand, which has a small pouch in the seat. The stand has heavily padded straps and carries like a backpack. I wear a climbing vest that has multiple pockets.......all my stuff is in the vest or stand/pouch.

pouch
-pee bottle
-limb saw
-pruning shears
-mask or balaclava
-emergency treestand "descender" w/ carabiner
-first aid kit; tourniquet, cling and gauze

vest
-headlamp w/ spare set of batteries
-2 or 3 cylalume lightsticks
-Acme coaches, whistle tethered to vest
-Superknife, tethered to vest
-compass, helps refine stand sites & wind direction
-set of spare nuts for treestand, wire tied together
-thin set of mechanic gloves
-grunt call
-nylon strap/ tether, w/ carabiner, doubles as deer drag
-home made reflective trail marker clothes pins

Kreyzhorse · January 11, 2021, 07:10 PM

Spare gloves
Knit Hat
Multitool
Rubber Gloves
Rope
Deer Drag
Water
Snacks
Candy
Ink Pen

As I get older, I find less is more no matter how much I want to over pack.

std7mag · January 14, 2021, 09:16 AM

2 liters of water in a bladder.
Rubber gloves.
Spare set of AAA batteries.
Headlamp.
Fixed blade knife.
Gerber multi tool.
First aid kit (custom).
Jerky.
Granola bars.
Parachute cord.
Butane lighter. (Zippo in my pocket).
Folding saw.
Deck screws. (2.5" long)
Compass.
Ziplock bags.
Paper napkins.
Milkweed pods. (3)

January 9, 2021, 12:19 PM	#1
BJung Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2019 Posts: 773	What's in your hunting pack I hope to soak your brains and keep the thread interesting. When I use to dive, my oldest brother decided to help me pack first, and before I left, I poured everything out on the driveway, spread it out, and inspected whether everything I wanted was there. What's in your hunting pack after so many years of experience and why?

January 9, 2021, 02:05 PM	#2
Ifishsum Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,033	Let's see...(going from memory not going to dump it in the living room LOL) First Aid kit (customized) Gloves (both field dressing and warm versions) extra socks in ziploc 1/4 in nylon rope a few granola bars/trail mix packets range finder matches/firesteel/tinder space blanket folding knife (4" blade) folding saw (bone and wood blades) small sharpening stone flagging ribbon Flashlight spare cartridge holder paper map of area lightweight rain jacket extra T shirt TP in ziploc bag A couple extra ziplocs and a kitchen size garbage bag I also keep a smallish waist pack with a compass, lighter, AA lithium spare batteries, smaller flashlight, gps, Leatherman multi-tool, chap stick, band-aids, ibuprofen, nail clippers, a couple more snack bars and a Kleenex pocket pack (TP). I generally take the waist pack if I'm going to be out of sight of the truck and both packs if I'm going any more than a few hundred yards away. My brothers occasionally tease me about bringing too much but guess who they ask when they need something? LOL Last edited by Ifishsum; January 9, 2021 at 02:11 PM.

January 9, 2021, 03:31 PM	#4
doofus47 Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: live in a in a house when i'm not in a tent Posts: 2,483	license/tag cutup kit: knives, gloves, alcohol game bags paracord gps,compass snacks water 3 ways to start fire. rain gear head lamp spare batteries for both gps/headlamp binos or range finder calls __________________ I'm right about the metric system 3/4 of the time.

January 9, 2021, 06:00 PM	#6
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	It depends on where, what, and when I'm hunting. If I'm quite a distance from the road hunting big game in colder weather I carry more stuff. I need supplies to survive overnight in the woods in an emergency and all the stuff I need to break down an animal and at least carry part of it out in one trip. That means energy bars, water, water filter, enough extra clothes for conditions. I always have multiple sources to start a fire and a heavier duty survival type knife in addition to a game knife. Turkey hunting in mild weather closer to the road means I carry very few things. Some tips I've picked up: A large, heavy duty trash bag makes a very good survival shelter. Pulled over your head it will come below the waist. Cut a small hole to breath, sit down and pull your knees up and you'll stay dry in a rain and it retains heat in cold weather. Light a candle inside for more heat. Two or 3 of them take up next to no space in a pack and can also be used to carry meat out. I always keep some para cord, but like to keep at least one of these. They work better than rope for dragging game out. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Keeper-8...5243/202065658 Instead of TP, paper napkins picked up when you eat at fast food works better. And better still are a small pack of baby wipes. They can also be used to clean hands. Especially after processing game. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

January 9, 2021, 06:17 PM	#7
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	First Aid kit Gloves (both field dressing and warm versions) Small and medium sized Battlehorse fixed blade knives peanut butter crackers and granola bars Tums 20oz bottle of water range finder space blanket binoculars machete style 14" knife with multiple edges Flashlight and headlight spare cartridge holder paper map of area waterless soap and hand sanitizer electronic insect repellent __________________ Reloading For: 223R, 243W, 6.5 GR, 6.5 CM, 260R, 6.5-06, 280R, 7mmRM, 300HAM'R, 308W, 30-06, 338-06, 9mm, 357M, 41M, 44SPL, 44M, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 450BM.

January 9, 2021, 02:25 PM	#3
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	One of my "essential" items is a pouch that rides on the outside of the pack containing a folding limb saw (like Ifishsum mentioned) and also a set of pruning shears. Those pruning shears get used for things like thorny vines that can entangle you and trimming little branches that are in your face when sitting in a stand.

January 9, 2021, 04:54 PM	#5
mxsailor803 Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: SC Posts: 1,344	Since I hunt my private property, I go extremely light. A simple flashlight, handkerchief, tags, thermacell, and knife.

January 9, 2021, 11:07 PM	#8
Double K Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2020 Location: Colorado Posts: 486	I hunt on 2 private ranches for the most part, neither have good cell phone coverage but I can text and get through so for health reasons a cell phone is at the top of the list{twice I've had kidney stones that completely incapacitated me within a couple of minutes}. Also I have tree stands at both which present a certain amount of risk for injury. That being said as my cousin always said growing up, gun shells license knife, everything else is just a convenience. But in addition to that my pack always has binoculars, range finder, reading glasses, toilet paper, calls,scents, flashlights, batteries, headlamps, extra ammunition usually in a magazine, a long cord, toilet paper, granola bars, folding saw, gloves, hot hands, two way radio, toilet paper, always have a handgun as well. Oh and I usually have toilet paper in my pack as well. The list changes for archery hunting as one could imagine, it's warmer and sometimes I bring my dogs. If I'm going to my little house I take a thermos of coffee and a 1lb propane bottle. Pretty handy when the temps get down around zero which is often here in november and december.

January 11, 2021, 05:52 PM	#9
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,300	rarely I rarely carry a pack hunting anymore. I still deer hunt primarily from a climbing treestand, which has a small pouch in the seat. The stand has heavily padded straps and carries like a backpack. I wear a climbing vest that has multiple pockets.......all my stuff is in the vest or stand/pouch. pouch -pee bottle -limb saw -pruning shears -mask or balaclava -emergency treestand "descender" w/ carabiner -first aid kit; tourniquet, cling and gauze vest -headlamp w/ spare set of batteries -2 or 3 cylalume lightsticks -Acme coaches, whistle tethered to vest -Superknife, tethered to vest -compass, helps refine stand sites & wind direction -set of spare nuts for treestand, wire tied together -thin set of mechanic gloves -grunt call -nylon strap/ tether, w/ carabiner, doubles as deer drag -home made reflective trail marker clothes pins

January 11, 2021, 07:10 PM	#10
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Spare gloves Knit Hat Multitool Rubber Gloves Rope Deer Drag Water Snacks Candy Ink Pen As I get older, I find less is more no matter how much I want to over pack. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

January 14, 2021, 09:16 AM	#11
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	2 liters of water in a bladder. Rubber gloves. Spare set of AAA batteries. Headlamp. Fixed blade knife. Gerber multi tool. First aid kit (custom). Jerky. Granola bars. Parachute cord. Butane lighter. (Zippo in my pocket). Folding saw. Deck screws. (2.5" long) Compass. Ziplock bags. Paper napkins. Milkweed pods. (3) __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...