At one point during my 25 years of compound bowhunting; I found that my compound bow with bow quiver and arrows, my climbing treestand, and all my absolutely cannot live without required accessory “stuff” made me 40 lbs. heavier than my weight with only my standard street clothes. This season I am going to attempt hunting from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset as a minimalist. How little gear can I use? I am sure location and terrain makes a difference. I will be “still hunting” (i.e., no climber, ground blind, etc.). I will be hunting in 900 acre “edge” terrain composed of dense 10 to 40 acre deciduous woodland patches (predominantly oaks). I will be using a #40 lb. Bear Montana longbow, so the weapon and woods will limit my shots to less than 20 yards. I will have no need for neither my optical rangefinder (works better in brush or rain) nor my laser rangefinders. While always useful, I am not going to bring any of my binoculars. No calls, scents, walkie-talkies, or cell phones. A dousing with mosquito repellent at the Jeep prior to the hunt “normally” suffices for my location. In addition to the weather appropriate clothing, boonie hat, boots, and gloves; I think the following will suffice: Weapon -longbow -kantpinch hair tab -two aluminum arrows, feathers, 125 grain fixed cut-on-contact twin blade broadheads -four aluminum arrows, feathers, 125 grain judo points -Hill style backquiver with extra tab & string in pouch (I don’t use an armguard) Large Leather Possibles Bag with long wide leather carrying strap -safety whistle -compass -butane lighter -area map -small first aid kit -folding lock-knife with 3 inch blade -one quart water -hunting licenses & tags -LED headlight band & flashlight with switch that cannot accidently be turned-on while carrying -Glenn’s Deer Handle - extra nylon rope -small sharpening stone Thin water-proof butt pad with its own belt How little hunting gear can you use for a sunrise to sunset hunt where you hunt?
I have a few questions respectfully You say 25 years of experience yet profile says you are 24? Your profile says you are in NYC yet(as a NYer we don't use mosquito spray nor can you hunt down there, so what zone are you in. Zone pending you also can not hunt half HR before sunrise or half HR after.
If I were going dark to dark, light as possible. I would have my weapon, water, knife, headlamp, license and a few snack bars.
No reply to Fix’s questions? Interesting observation skills Fix. He’s still thinking on how to answer evidently
I usually hunt pretty minimally, Most hunts I just have my bow 3 arrows in a quiver Knife Tags Phone although I hunt on my own property, so it’s easier to leave most things at the house. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
I hunt in a loincloth with raven crossgun. I am good out 90 yards, little less if its windy and breeze distracts me
