Basics:

Headlamp/extra batteries

Map

Extra clothing as needed

H20

Snacks

Game calls

Bear spray

Rain jkt

Camera

Bow-related:

Extra string

Stringer

Spare tab

Wind powder

Game kit:

2 fixed blade knives

Strop/extra fine sandpaper

Game bags (at least 2)

Zip-loc freezer bags

25ft. of heavy cord

Orange flagging

Emerg. Supplies:

Small 1st Aid kit

Small fire kit

Compass

Whistle

Signal mirror

A couple small glow sticks

Emergency blanket

Eastern Hunting: 2 knives, one fixed blade, one Swiss army, accusharp, extra wind check powder bottle ( the other one stays in my cargo pocket), gutting gloves, large trash bag, hand held flash light, head light, extra pair of gloves, extra shooting glove, one bow string, 1-2 hand warmers, 2 rock climbing slings (for deer drag), small tea and small water (if any), Clif bar, GPS, compass, iPhone

Western: add mucho food and water, one fleece sweater, rain gear, meat bags.

For NY or Az hunting/scouting… I have a choice of either a Diablo or Super day pack from Badlands…

One Randall knife, a small fillet knife, folding saw. First aid kit with Quick-Clot, strike-a-light,water tabs, hot sauce and a few large battle dressings added. A few 10ft lengths of 550cord, small closed-cell foam pad,two mini-mags, GPS with extra rechargable batts, Silva compass, 10×50 binos. At least 3litres of water, stainless steel cup, Mexican coffee, one 2hour Sterno, 1lbs can of roast beef, 2 ramen noodle packs… Camo bandana to silence steel cup/coffee/sterno, one extra Shamagh…

Extras added when going deep or Lion hunting… Hammock,Elec. caller with remote…

Always with a sidearm,2extra mags…

I should add that while mine might seem like a long list, the whole kit, minus food and water but including the pack is < 10lbs.

Something that never goes in mine but always should is a crepe bandage for snakebites. But I always forget 😳

Good stuff but who brought the t.p.!

ausjim wrote: Something that never goes in mine but always should is a crepe bandage for snakebites.

Plus, you can always drizzle a little creme and strawberries on them if you get hungry. 8)

paleoman wrote: Good stuff but who brought the t.p.!

Meh – natural t.p. is everywhere! Well almost everywhere. I do remember a few times in prickly pear/cholla forests where I uh…oh, nevermind.

ausjim wrote: Something that never goes in mine but always should is a crepe bandage for snakebites. But I always forget 😳

Arent there “two-step” snakes down under???

I ‘bump” into rattle snakes a couple of times a year, but dont worry about snake-bite-kits… hopefully cell-phone gets a signal… Adds to the excitement of hunting down south…

Old desert trick… While camping you set a rope all the way around your bedding area, snakes wont cross-over the rope…

(probably doesnt work, but if you believe you might get a full nights sleep)…

1shot wrote: (probably doesnt work, but if you believe you might get a full nights sleep)…

Haha, that’s the real value of a lot of those old tricks.. peace of mind 😉

I think Americans know the inland taipan as the two step from soldiers coming here during WW2. We call it the fierce snake, as it can get a bit uppity. You wouldn’t want to step on one.

Most snakes down here are pretty peaceful, although none match the gentleman’s rules of the rattler, so civilized a duelest that he gives you an en garde.

ausjim wrote: [quote=1shot](probably doesnt work, but if you believe you might get a full nights sleep)…

Haha, that’s the real value of a lot of those old tricks.. peace of mind 😉

I think Americans know the inland taipan as the two step from soldiers coming here during WW2. We call it the fierce snake, as it can get a bit uppity. You wouldn’t want to step on one.

Most snakes down here are pretty peaceful, although none match the gentleman’s rules of the rattler, so civilized a duelest that he gives you an en garde.

Rattlers dont ALWAYS buzz, I have almost stepped on a few over the years all coiled-up on cool mornings… Once while leading another hunter along some rail-road tracks a few hours before dawn to quietly get into some Mule deer cuts, I walked by a rattler that was coiled by the rail sucking some heat off the iron, I heard some javis move out so we stopped for a few mins. to let them move out, and I “forgot” to point out the snake to my buddy, he jumped and yelled like a girl… All I could do was say “Sorry about that…” hehehe

One thing I’ve been thinking about adding to my pack is a lightweight pulley.

Bruce

Sure you know this but–a couple of biners can give you from 2 to 3 MA and they do double duty for other uses. Having said that a brass pulley just large enough for your line works great and is easily unfrozen–well don’t hit it to hard:shock: Can find at most hardware stores

Mike

Man, youse guys must do some serious backcountry adventure hunting to pack all this stuff “just in case.” My motto for life has been “go as light as possible” and it sure applies to hunting. Reliable fire starter (bic and waterproof stick matches), rain gear even when the sky is clear (I’ve been to hypothermia-ville and don’t wish to return), two headlamps and a very basic and tiny first aid kit is it for me … plus about 20 pounds of game-handling gear, extra clothing and all the other stuff you have to have not just in case but guaranteed. If someday they find me out there dead, well, at this point I the game it sure beats dementia (no comments, please). 😆

Great stuff listed here guys! Keep it coming. I love these kinds of posts.

Pack items in a very personal thing based on locations, durations, weather and skill level.

I think Skill level really determines how much and what types of survival stuff a person brings. There are not a lot of people that can get by comfortably or safely in the woods in the fall over night with just a knife like you see people do on tv. It good to have the right gear with you. As skill levels increase and knowledge increase pack items can decrease.

I love all these types of topics and seeing who carries what and why. Actually I love anthing survival or skills related.

me personally I will never be out in the woods or even out in the city with out a knife, lighter, magnifying glass, compass small feresium rod, flash light with adjustable power (so I can run on candle or low for weeks if need..lol)

These items are on me every day.

when in the woods I always have at minimum 2 crushed flat plastic water bottles (for boiling or just a container), iodine tablets, 2 silver space blankets, 50 foot paracord, good fixed blade knife, 3 lighters, cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly, extra compass, extra flashlight battery, big feresium rod, some Toilet paper and 10 feet duck tape.

That is my minimum that is always in my pack.

all this stuff is small enough to fit into a quart zip lock bag and weighs very little. But there is no condition or location that I have yet been in that this would not make life comfortable and safe.

Lots of good things named here, but of course the trick is to make the complete package as light as possible. When weight isn’t critical, the sky’s the limit. Backpacking I light to go light, but I still haven’t heard three things mentioned that I always take, at least in most circumstances: 1. An extra set of rawhide bootlaces. A destroyed lace can make a boot miserable, and you can always loose them for tying down things around camp. 2. A little spoll of fishing line and some flies. In Alaska during spring and fall there are almost always fish in the streams and they won’t be hard to catch. Great survival food. 3. A good paperback book.If you get weathered in badly and have to stay in a tent flat on your back for a couple of days, this will keep you from growing crazy. Good supply of TP too. Make it long. Dostoyevsky saved my life in New Zealand once, but that’s another story. Total weight of all this is less than a pound. Don

We’ve got stuff here we call hoochy cord. In the UK they call it comms cord, I’m not sure what it’s called in the US. It’s like a poor man’s para cord, narrower, lighter, weaker. It’s about 1/8th of an inch thick and 10 yards of it weighs about an ounce and a half. I don’t know that I’d bother with it in a day bag but I’ve always got a little stash of about 10 yards in my field pack. One of it’s many uses is spare bootlaces. Cheap as chips too.

I have open on top Maddog Pack about 1800 cc space, not including outer compartments. In the pack: Rain Gear, extra wool jac shirt, pair of socks, extra wool hat, game towel, deer drag, first aid kit, water proof matches, flint & steel, brunton compass, silwa compass, flashlight (spare bulb & batteries), accusharp, black arkansas fine stone, HC steel fixed blade, damascus steel neck knife, buck 110 folder, US Military fire starter pkg, two water bottles, parachord rope, St. Hubert’s Medal, Almonds, cashews, trail mix. Some hard candy (Butterscotch). Sometimes a sandwich.

David Petersen wrote: Man, youse guys must do some serious backcountry adventure hunting to pack all this stuff “just in case….

Dave – the “just in case” part of my kit weighs < 1.5 lbs and fits into two 3"x5" pouches. It really ain't all that much, and worth it's weight in gold if something happens and I can't make it 5 miles back to the truck, which isn't an unrealistic scenario. But to each his own – that's why I find this thread so interesting. 😉

From the side quiver thread:

David Petersen wrote: When I hunt I have a big daypack with an attached fanny pact, and other stuff on my belt so that entire waist area is already taken up. I have stuff in my cargo pants pockets also….

Jeez, it sounds like you’re carrying a lot more than I am, compadre!

donthomas wrote: Lots of good things named here, but of course the trick is to make the complete package as light as possible. When weight isn’t critical, the sky’s the limit. Backpacking I light to go light, but I still haven’t heard three things mentioned that I always take, at least in most circumstances: 1. An extra set of rawhide bootlaces. A destroyed lace can make a boot miserable, and you can always loose them for tying down things around camp. 2. A little spoll of fishing line and some flies. In Alaska during spring and fall there are almost always fish in the streams and they won’t be hard to catch. Great survival food. 3. A good paperback book.If you get weathered in badly and have to stay in a tent flat on your back for a couple of days, this will keep you from growing crazy. Good supply of TP too. Make it long. Dostoyevsky saved my life in New Zealand once, but that’s another story. Total weight of all this is less than a pound. Don

Don –

For multi-day backcountry trips the items you mention are good thoughts. However, instead of spare rawhide laces, I carry some extra p-cord. It will work as a backup boot lace in a pinch, and it’s useful for lots of other things.

As far as books in the backcountry go, this was my reading material when things were slow in the field last fall:

😉

colmike wrote: Bruce

Sure you know this but–a couple of biners can give you from 2 to 3 MA and they do double duty for other uses. Having said that a brass pulley just large enough for your line works great and is easily unfrozen–well don’t hit it to hard:shock: Can find at most hardware stores

Mike

Good point, Mike. I found an ultra-light climbing pulley that only weighs 3 oz. and is stout enough for anything I would need it for. But a couple carabiners would be about the same weight and more useful for other things as well.

Chorizo, why don’t Leatherman have awls anymore, my close up eyesight is crap now so a magnifying glass is really useful for thorns.

A mate that’s paranoid about getting lost and going hungry.

Sense of humor and a brew kit.

Hard candy, in the bottom of my pack otherwise it just gets eaten.

Spare truck key and cash.

Tabasco, wetwipes, spare dog whistle.

‘Dostoyevsky saved my life’ Don, did you use him as a fire lighter? or paste the pages together as a shelter?

Happy trails, Mark.

Forget the comma, Tabasco wet wipes would keep things lively. 😀

I carry two flashlights, a bit of fire starting equipment, some p-cord, two knives, a Leatherman tool with a saw, etc., an emergency space blanket, some usually gooey candy bars, a mini first aid kit, a spare tab (lesson learned the hard way), a couple of small trash bags, and a small file and whetstone. Water of course in this country. That is usually the biggest bulk and problematic to keep quiet. But I manage.

I will probably add my recently purchased Vortex 10×32 monocular so the next time the sun comes up and my binocs are way back in the truck…………

The tab? I didn’t forget one, I had it turned around on the back of my hand tending to my business, swatted at a fly and the tab flew off and down about a 100′ cliff. It’s still down there somewhere I guess. So if you find one with R2 on it, let me know.:D

R2 wrote:

I will probably add my recently purchased Vortex 10×32 monocular so the next time the sun comes up and my binocs are way back in the truck…………

I’ll be curious to hear how that monocular works for you after you’ve had it a bit, R2. I’ve been really happy with my Vortex Talon 8x42s. Always been curious about their monoculars, since there are some situations where hauling a sizable pair of binos isn’t really necessary, but I wouldn’t mind having a more compact, lighter-weight option just in case. I believe you can even mount those on a small tripod if you want?

Pardon me, my monocular is 10×36 not 10×32. I just looked and I don’t see any tripod mounting inset. There is a tactical model that may have though.

I’ll let y’all know my thoughts after I get out next. The last week I’ve been painting and prepping for carpet layers and today babysitting said folk. Tomorrow too and the weather is going south again so it’ll be a few days.

A friend, now a dealer for Vortex, fell in love with their glass. He ordered $32K for his store. That’s a lotta love!:D

R2 wrote:

A friend, now a dealer for Vortex, fell in love with their glass. He ordered $32K for his store. That’s a lotta love!:D

Yep – short of dropping a a major investment on Leupolds or Swaros, Vortex have the highest quality optics I’ve found. I used to work for a Vortex dealer – their customer service is excellent as well.

For small, light, inexpensive and good quality for most wanderers check out Bushnell 7-15x 25mm binocular. Model Powerview Porro 13-9755C.

Ok we almost have the basic covered, but we need Kotexs , tampons and other 1st aid items. also when you have a chance pick up a life straw or two. And always remember for critical items one is none two is one

I might shoot wheels but I have a traditional heart

I always tell our students in our Hunter Ed classes the best thing to have in your pack is a deck of cards. When you are lost sit down and deal out a hand of Solitaire. Before you are done some SOB will walk up behind you and tell you to put the black Jack on the red Queen. Then all have to do is follow him back to his truck.:lol:

R2, ‘Tabasco wet wipes would keep things lively. :D’

Wetwipes laced with tabasco left lying around camp, that is an evil thought sir:twisted:

You wouldn’t want to know, because it’s probably illegal in your state. 😆

David Petersen wrote: You wouldn’t want to know, because it’s probably illegal in your state. 😆

Bowtote by vintage archer.Spare tab, bowstring,bowstringer. Map, 2 compasses (silva,tru nord).Matches,bandaids,space blanket,bic lighter, fire sticks (in zip lock bag).Blood clot bandage,straw water filter, t.p.Merino wool undergarment( elk hunting, cool mornings/hot afternoons)in place of jacket.Headlamp, camo compact(signal mirror)digital camera in cloth cover(not pictured).Gorilla tripod,nylon rope,paracord,game calls,wool gloves,cell phone,flagging tape.2 vine maple forked sticks(marked for use as bow square)for hands free calling/ tree raking/blind sitting. Energy bars and jerky(no sodium nitrate/high fructose corn syrup,evil ingredients).In my cargo pockets I keep field dressing gloves,diamond sharpener and headnet (to keep the gnats away when needed).On belt fiskar pruning shears in sheath(clearing shooting lanes or cutting yourself out of a hellhole/trail blazing).Broadhead sharpener in homemade sheath (leather belt loop for use for stropping).Sheath knife(thick blade)and homemade bow holder.In my binocular cover I keep a lens pen and lens cloth.Wind indicator in pocket.For water, hydration bladder in day pack.Game bags,wyoming saw, and WW2 packboard at truck.

I have been following this tread for some days and I chuckle and wonder at some of the stories that must have decided you all to load your self down with all that gear.:D

But here is one you have missed and as I learned if you need it you will never forget it again.

A little case about the size of one of those aspirin things bout the size of a half dollar or a loonie for you brothers up north. And it contains—4 little rods of dental wax.

When you crack that filling or a tooth and you are about 3 days from the dentist its a life saver and a bloody .tongue relief.

I can’t believe Don doesn’t have that in his pack.

Ouch

Mike

colmike wrote: When you crack that filling or a tooth and you are about 3 days from the dentist its a life saver and a bloody .tongue relief.

I thought that was what the leatherman was for 😉

When you crack that filling or a tooth and you are about 3 days from the dentist its a life saver and a bloody .tongue relief.

I have done that, loose a filling that is. It sure makes for an uncomfortable trip and I never would have thought of carrying dental wax. Great tip!

Smithhammer wrote: One thing I’ve been thinking about adding to my pack is a lightweight pulley.

With 2 small pulleys and enough rope you can set up a block and tackle, and lift/drag most anything.

Cell phone and Les Straud’s phone number.

Jim, assuming that’s you in the photo … did you catch a bullet in your teeth?

David Petersen wrote: Jim, assuming that’s you in the photo … did you catch a bullet in your teeth?

Some of us eat Cliff bars in the field, Jim just eats a toof know and then.

Nothing heroic like that Dave, my face has just had a rough life. That tooth figured it had had enough and cracked right down the middle on me.

Don’t worry, the Army drilled a hole in me and screwed in a beautiful new tooth once I got home. So I’m basically robocop now. I also have a pile of pig bone in my gum. So I’m also like spider man, only I’m pig man. Unfortunately my only super powers seem to be poor table manners and excessive gas 😕

Trail mix (nuts and berries)

tea kit (includes fire stuff)

camo handkerchief

cell phone to call survivor man

master card

insurance card

truck keys

inhaler for asthma

dry socks

usually have birch bark for fire starter

knife

water (don’t want to drink water with bear poop)

Boot laces (the long ones to tie things up)

I was reading some choice chapters from Liedenberg’s Art of Tracking over my afternoon coffee and came across a passage that I thought may be of interest to readers of this thread 😀

A Kalahari hunter carries a leather hunting bag over his left shoulder. His bow may be run through the slits in the straps of the bag, while loops and a small sheath attached to the bag hold the spear. His poison arrows are carried in the bark quiver sewn into the bag. In the bag he carries a knife, club, snares, a carrying net and a small quiver containing a repair kit of spare parts of arrows, lengths of prepared sinew for repairing bowstrings or bindings, gum for fixing bindings and a small supply of poison cocoons. He may also carry with him a spring-hare probe.

I’ve also heard Liedenberg say in a lecture that a man would traditionally carry a single ostrich egg that has been tapped on the top, emptied and filled with water, although these have been lately replaced by readily available discarded plastic bottles.

Jim

pothunter wrote: Chorizo, why don’t Leatherman have awls anymore, my close up eyesight is crap now so a magnifying glass is really useful for thorns.

A mate that’s paranoid about getting lost and going hungry.

Sense of humor and a brew kit.

Hard candy, in the bottom of my pack otherwise it just gets eaten.

Spare truck key and cash.

Tabasco, wetwipes, spare dog whistle.

‘Dostoyevsky saved my life’ Don, did you use him as a fire lighter? or paste the pages together as a shelter?

Happy trails, Mark.

Your “spare tuck key” is invaluable!! Probably one of the most important pieces of gear! When I hunt with a partner, he gets the spare, or I stash it somewhere close to the truck in a spot we both know.