I have not hunted since I was in my teens, 16-17 and I'll be 30 in march, and I wasn't ever really taught how to properly pack for a hunt. My typical pack consisted of some hand warmers, a heavy/light pair of socks depending on what I had on, something to snack on like a granola bar, and a roll of TP. Now that I'm an adult I realize how stupid I was. Thankfully I never shot, or even shot at, a deer because I never took a knife or rope or anything like that. Now that I going to start hunting again I want to do it right. I know I need things not only to get a deer out of the woods if things go great, but also things to get myself out, or to even get me through the night, if things were to go bad. I was wondering what you all consider essential in your packs or maybe not essential but at the least something that is super helpful.
Here is my list, although it will REALLY depend on what "kind" of hunt you'll be doing (e.g. if you're hiking in several miles in adverse terrain, it might be one kind of loadout; if you're walking into a tree stand on a local farm, that's a different loadout most likely). But, in the interest of helping out since there hasn't been in replies to your questions, here is my generic list. Remember, you don't have to bring all of this, and you certainly don't need to have everything listed here in your pack. Deer Hunt Supplies (the "--" indicate things that I usually have to add to my ready to go stash, or at least think about whether I need it) Clothing: --Insulated socks --Camo undershirt --Longjohns --Camo pants (warm and/or thin) --Camo belt --Camo shirt --Camo fleece base coat --Camo outer coat --Camo ballcap --Boots Attached to person: Eye Protection (bp; useful if tracking in thick brush) Doe/buck call (bp) Binoculars and carrier (bp) Rangefinder and clip (bp) --Phone --Pistol and holster (in MI, we can CC while hunting) Backpack: Hunting Digest (bp) Orange vest (bp) Camo fleece hat Camo gloves Camo backpack Camo knit hat Camo face mask (bp) Portable seat (bp) --Shooting sticks, if necessary Antler rattle (bp) Knives (bp) Sharpener (bp) Flashlights/batteries (bp) Headset flashlight/batteries (bp) Drag rope (bp) Rubber gloves (bp) TP (bp) --Wet Wipes --Paper towels --Licenses/zip ties --Scent control spray Bungee cords --Pruner/saw Firestarter/matches/lighter (bp) --Maps (printed) --Lunch/snacks --Water Compass (bp) --Socks (extra pair) First Aid kit (bp) Optional: --Blind --Sand bag (if in permanent blind) Gun: Muzzleloader Ram rod extension Bullets Primers Powder Powder measure Scale Premeasured Shot Loads (6) Gun cleaning kit/Hoppes --Rifle --Shells --Gun cleaning kit/Hoppes Bow: Bow Quiver Arrows Release Lighted Nocks Broadheads Treestand Sticks with carrier Harness Linemans rope Lifeline rope Bow Tote rope In car: --Clean towels --Garbage bags --Shoes --Water (more) --Phone charger This is NOT a list for every type of hunt, but perhaps it will get your started thinking about what you want to bring.
Hey thx for the reply. And it's good to just see a general list that might be needed. I am fortunately able to hunt on a nice piece of private land, bout 75 acres, so I don't have to quite as deep as I might have to if I was on public. Thanks a lot duke this will surely help a lot.
I don't carry half the stuff listed above. This is what I generally have in my hunting backpack: knife, rope, tow rope to get my gear in the tree, release, flashlight, something light to snack on if I am planning a longer hunt, bottle of water, face mask, a few zip ties, zip lock baggy (have to put that heart some where to get it home), lighter, stick of EverCalm, my deer stand seat cushion, linemen's strap, and my tree strap. Licenses are kept in my coat pocket and safety harness is wore out.
I have a small pack and I have two knives, two calls which I rarely use, light, tags & license, scent wicks, zip ties and a extra tree strap. All the other stuff besides decent clothes are optional and they don't have to be camo. They can be plaid, brown, black and camo which is most popular for obvious reasons. You don't need a hanger stand or blind but the hanger is nice to have and the stand and blind can give you the advantage of being somewhat hidden keeping you out of plain sight but if you have a stand you will need a good harness and a pull up rope. Bow Duke went into every detail but a lot of those things aren't necessary especially if you're strictly a bowhunter. I might be missing things but a lot of the most important things were listed.
on my way in... unless stand is already in the tree, on my person, camo, licence, range finder, binos, knife, gps, hunter safety system... on my back tree stand with steps and day pack attached, in my hands, bow, flashlight, and trail markers if needed.. in the day pack, water, snacks, extra gloves, warm hat, hand warmers, something to read, field dressing kit (gloves, string, plastic bag), game bags, extra batteries, 25ft of rope, extra knife, limb saw, spare release, rain gear... Left in truck for if I need it... back board pack (packing out elk), more rope, cell phone.
I'll generally don't carry too much. Of course it's all going to depend on several factors. How far from the truck? How familiar with the area am I? And how long am I going to sit? Spare clothes vary, but some things are constant. I'm over a mile from the truck with no atv access. Knife and light are always on body. Bag holds gloves,hat, mask small sharper , warmer packs,snack,drink, harness,calls and cover scent,head lamp, tags , TP and a med kit. The med kit goes with me every time without exception, it fits in a cargo pocket. (if your going to carry something that can make holes,might be a good idea to have something to fix it and the knowledge to do so.) Another tip, take all you stuff and put it in a pile on the table, now find a bag that it will fit in perfectly. This will stop you from buying a big bag and filling it with a bunch of crap you won't use and don't need.
I love lists! I started to get into backpack hunting back before I had kids. The hardcore backpackers have everything listed and weighed so they can trim weight where ever possible. It's worth reading some blogs from these guys. Also, safety is a priority for them since they are typically solo and far out (because that is the point), as it sounds like it is for you. I'm in central PA also so let me know if you need any guidance on public land hunting. I can also recommend a blog or two.
First item on my list no matter how far or close I am hunting is toilet paper! Then depending on distance and duration as to what I pack. I don't like carrying extra weight so I try and imagine what I might need. TP Matches/lighter Extra knife. Flashlight/headlight Extra gloves Rope Snacks/food These are basics that I have in all of my packs and then I add or increase depending on the time and distance.
Thank you all for your in put. This has helped me so much and I can't wait to put these into practice next season.
This is what I take in my pack for an all day hunt not counting any clothes like gloves etc.. I may stick in my bag. - pocket bible - scent killer - couple bottles of water -trail mix - a few apples -a Diet Coke for some caffeine -knife - range finder - 2 lights - grunt call - safety harness - tp
My pack consists of.... -knife -tags/zip ties -broadhead wrench -grunt tube/primos can/rattle bag -scent/wix -hooyman saw -food/water -hot hands -2 pull ropes/lineman belt/tree strap -ez hanger/extra gear hanger -binos if I'm not wearing them -and a partridge in a pear tree
My packpack list. 1# tags 2# hand saw 3#spare flashlight 4#knife 5#grunt call 6#binos 7#rangfinder 8#drag rope 9#hoist rope for bow 10#cover scent 11#scent away spray 12#face paint 13#face mask 14#gloves 15#water bottle 16#small ziplock with 15ft of paracord+spare batteries for rangefinder/flashlight 17#arm guard 18#wind checker 19#spare hoodie and if hunting a very large piece of ground (800+) then I will add in a survival pack. Safety harness is put on before leaving the house.