first time back country hunt

[Western-Extremist]

im gunna do my very first back country hunt this year and was wondering if anyone has any advice as far as gear that is absolutley need to just general advice. im looking to go into the pasayten wilderness. any advice will be greatly appriciated. along with this if there is anyone that is thinking about doing the same thing this year and needs a partner let me know. im always up for striking new friendships up.

[Western-Extremist]

sorry. forgot to specify what animal ill be hunting. ill be hunting deer and will have a bear tag also and im looking on doing the high buck hunt

[deerslyr]

Good pack, good boots, decent glass and a warm sleeping bag. Those are the must haves for me. I can make do with what ever else as far as equipment goes.

[Western-Extremist]

got a tenzing 5000 pack, boots- havent quite decided what im going with this year. vortex glass and a 20 degree bag.

[Wea300mag]

If you have decent gear already, I suggest keep your fitness level up and keep a strong mind. Backcountry hunting is grueling and can wear on your mind if the hunting is slow and/or the weather turns bad. Jim Shockey says it best in his show intro, "there will be times when the last place on earth you want to be is right where you are".

[ICEMAN]

Think layers. Dress in layers. No cotton for the hunt, rely instead on manmade fabrics or wool. From underwear and socks, to thermals, shirts, pants, vest, gloves, hat, jacket and shell, buy either of these fabrics;  silk, synthetic, polypropylene, fleece, merino wool or normal scratchy wool.

[Western-Extremist]

ya. i gotta get in some good shape. im so pumped to do this!!!!

[Western-Extremist]

ive got kuiu gear. its made out of merino wool. but thanks for reminding me. should i bring an extra set of clothes? socks/underwear?

[Skillet]

Done the high buck on foot in the pasayten a few times now.  No matter how big and steep you're planning for, it's bigger and steeper than you think it is.   in order of importance of gear I rate-

Boots
Socks (extra pairs)
Layered gear, no cotton
Shelter (doesnt need to be fancy, just light and durable)
Sleeping bag
Food and mess kit.  Forget taste, go for light calories.  Lots of calories.
Pack (I use big external frame pack for this hunt).
Oh yeah - going to need a gun, too.  Shots can range from a few yards to as long as you dare. 

[Western-Extremist]

thanks skillet. i agree with you on the list. what do you prefer as far as food. mountain house??ect or home made meals?

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

I try and average about 2200 calories per day, heavily loaded on the first day.  For food.  You want to make sure you are averaging at least 100 calories/ounce.  I try and average closer to 125 or higher.  You can do this in whatever combination you want.  If you bring mountain house, you are going to need a stove.  A water filter might be helpful depending on where you are, though plenty of people just drink from the streams on the HH (as you're generally pretty high).

Also, have a plan to get an animal out.  The Tenzing has gotten some pretty terrible reviews (not trying to be debbie downer), but there's a lot of packs in that price range (Eberlestock) that would work better I think.  I've never run the Tenzing though, so I will make sure to add that disclaimer.  As I've found out, getting into backpack hunting is extremely addictive.  FTF and I are doing an archery wilderness elk hunt in Colorado this year, but it's also extremely expensive.  Good luck, you might want to lurk on the forum over at Rokslide.com.  It's geared specifically towards backpack hunting.

[Western-Extremist]

ive got a stove and water purifier. do mountain house meals have enough calories to keep me going just by themselves? and i do have an eberlestock pack also but seem to like my tenzing better yet ive never used it on a back country hunt. so we'll see. so ive been doing a little research and was wondering if you guys would recommend hunting or have any experience around canadian lakes or smith basin? im trying to gather some info on where to go also. not looking for your honey hole but any advice or direction will help. thanks again guys.

[7mag.]

I sent you a pm.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

ive got a stove and water purifier. do mountain house meals have enough calories to keep me going just by themselves? and i do have an eberlestock pack also but seem to like my tenzing better yet ive never used it on a back country hunt. so we'll see. so ive been doing a little research and was wondering if you guys would recommend hunting or have any experience around canadian lakes or smith basin? im trying to gather some info on where to go also. not looking for your honey hole but any advice or direction will help. thanks again guys.

Load them each up with 100 pounds and take them on a hike and decide which one feels better.  It's not the hike in that defines a pack, it's the hike out

[jackelope]

ive got a stove and water purifier. do mountain house meals have enough calories to keep me going just by themselves? and i do have an eberlestock pack also but seem to like my tenzing better yet ive never used it on a back country hunt. so we'll see. so ive been doing a little research and was wondering if you guys would recommend hunting or have any experience around canadian lakes or smith basin? im trying to gather some info on where to go also. not looking for your honey hole but any advice or direction will help. thanks again guys.

Load them each up with 100 pounds and take them on a hike and decide which one feels better.  It's not the hike in that defines a pack, it's the hike out

Hopefully anyway.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

ive got a stove and water purifier. do mountain house meals have enough calories to keep me going just by themselves? and i do have an eberlestock pack also but seem to like my tenzing better yet ive never used it on a back country hunt. so we'll see. so ive been doing a little research and was wondering if you guys would recommend hunting or have any experience around canadian lakes or smith basin? im trying to gather some info on where to go also. not looking for your honey hole but any advice or direction will help. thanks again guys.

Load them each up with 100 pounds and take them on a hike and decide which one feels better.  It's not the hike in that defines a pack, it's the hike out

Hopefully anyway.

Truth


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Western-Extremist]

ill have to do that.

[WaltAlpine]

Check this out...

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,97940.0.html

and do other searches on this site.
This place is a treasure of information. Use the search, do your homework, and you will have everything except what experience will give you.

[Western-Extremist]

good point sundance. does anyone have any input on this? would love to find out how to keep the meat and cape from going bad.

[jackelope]

Search through this board. Tons and tons of info. Everything you'll ever need to know has been covered.

[teanawayslayer]

The main thing you need to bring with you is a strong mental attitude.  Without that you will fail miserably.  Like silk said it matters on the way out.  I will not take most people on the backcountry hunts for that reason.  They say they have what it takes.. But most have no Idea.  There was a couple of guys that went up with us three years ago and shot a really good buck and all they took was the head and one hind quarter.  I was *censored*ing livid. they were friends of a guy that goes with us. If you kill something up there you are responsible for that animal. To leave it to waste is not an option.  Putting a head and a hind in your pack and picking it up and decide it's to heavy.  Then maybe you should have thought about it before you pull the trigger.

[fillthefreezer]

good point sundance. does anyone have any input on this? would love to find out how to keep the meat and cape from going bad.

depending on temps you have options, first, get in skinned and boned and bagged, hang in tree in shade. if its going to get cool that night and youre heading out in the AM youre probably ok. if its 80 out, you better find a creek or snow bank. get that meat in your garbage bag and submerge/bury it. do not let it get wet. after a bit, take it out to air out, condensation will form in the bag, and thats bad.
clean, dry, cool meat, is good meat.
as for the cape and head, that gets more time and temp sensitive. if its hot and youre not heading straight out, you should know how to cape the skull, as well as split the lips, ears and eyelids. or be happy with a nice euro 

[sneakyjake]

I have definitely evolved as a solo back country hunter over the years.   My turning point was when I finally prepared myself mentally to be prepared to stop and survive. Whether you are following the herd to a different drainage or you get injured or you need to take care of an animal that you have killed or just need clean water.  Not as an emergency but just part of the hunt, you don't even need to think about it. You will make clear and conscious decisions that will aid in your success. Your preparation physically and mentally and the trust in the equipment that you have chosen will lead you to this.  It will take away any doubt you have in yourself.  You'll be able to adapt to the hunt good or bad.  You will be ready to retrieve the animal anyway possible, whole, or piece by piece if needed. Knowledge is no substitute for experience, so get out there and figure out your own personal limitations.  Oh.  And have fun.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

Scout.  Scout.  Scout.  It isn't going to be just about seeing animals for you.  You are going to be learning about everything else that comes with backpack hunting.  You will get your gear in order, understand how to find water sources, how much water you need to get through a day or two, etc.  Getting into the backcountry will teach you more then you will learn on these forums.  Just make sure you tell someone where you're going and when you are expected back.

[Western-Extremist]

wow. thanks you all. all of your advice is absorbed but you are all right. i need to just get some experience under my belt. ive been hunting since i was 10. now 24. archery hunted for elk for the last 7 years. have hunted some high country but im inexperienced as a backpack hunter and have never hunted deer up high. well if anyone is doing some spring/summer backpacking and would like someone to go with im up for learning. again thanks for the input and advice.

[pd]

wow. thanks you all. all of your advice is absorbed but you are all right. i need to just get some experience under my belt. ive been hunting since i was 10. now 24. archery hunted for elk for the last 7 years. have hunted some high country but im inexperienced as a backpack hunter and have never hunted deer up high. well if anyone is doing some spring/summer backpacking and would like someone to go with im up for learning. again thanks for the input and advice.

It sounds to me like you already have most of the gear, and also have sufficient experience.  Now, it is just a matter of getting out there and doing it.  If you have been archery hunting for elk these many years, then get a few years of backcountry hunting under your belt and you will be a hunting monster.  Best of luck.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

ive got a stove and water purifier. do mountain house meals have enough calories to keep me going just by themselves? and i do have an eberlestock pack also but seem to like my tenzing better yet ive never used it on a back country hunt. so we'll see. so ive been doing a little research and was wondering if you guys would recommend hunting or have any experience around canadian lakes or smith basin? im trying to gather some info on where to go also. not looking for your honey hole but any advice or direction will help. thanks again guys.

Load them each up with 100 pounds and take them on a hike and decide which one feels better.  It's not the hike in that defines a pack, it's the hike out

And I might add to that, going down you'll use completely different muscles. If you're packing an animal you'll notice it even more. If it's steep enough and wet, it can be slick and you'll be continuously trying to put on the brakes.  Did a goat hunt in Alaska once and coming down I tried to stop, but slipped a little and the momentum of the pack flipped me off the trail. Luckily no damage was done, I slip about 30 yards into an alder patch. But it could have been a disaster in some places along that trail.

[JLS]

ive got a stove and water purifier. do mountain house meals have enough calories to keep me going just by themselves? and i do have an eberlestock pack also but seem to like my tenzing better yet ive never used it on a back country hunt. so we'll see. so ive been doing a little research and was wondering if you guys would recommend hunting or have any experience around canadian lakes or smith basin? im trying to gather some info on where to go also. not looking for your honey hole but any advice or direction will help. thanks again guys.

Load them each up with 100 pounds and take them on a hike and decide which one feels better.  It's not the hike in that defines a pack, it's the hike out

And I might add to that, going down you'll use completely different muscles. If you're packing an animal you'll notice it even more. If it's steep enough and wet, it can be slick and you'll be continuously trying to put on the brakes.  Did a goat hunt in Alaska once and coming down I tried to stop, but slipped a little and the momentum of the pack flipped me off the trail. Luckily no damage was done, I slip about 30 yards into an alder patch. But it could have been a disaster in some places along that trail.

Do yourself and your knees a favor and invest in some trekking poles.

[aorams]

Don't go alone if you can help it would be my advice. I'm a new hunter too but have a lot of backcountry experience not hunting. While the appeal of hunting alone is huge, it's probably also an advanced maneuver.

[Boss .300 winmag]

 

[Western-Extremist]

ya the problem is finding someone who is dedicated enough and will take it as serious as i am. but im trying to talk a buddy into it.

[MtnMuley]

ya the problem is finding someone who is dedicated enough and will take it as serious as i am. but im trying to talk a buddy into it.

I'd be worried if I "had to talk a buddy into it".

[JLS]

ya the problem is finding someone who is dedicated enough and will take it as serious as i am. but im trying to talk a buddy into it.

I'd be worried if I "had to talk a buddy into it".

True that.  There are always mental and emotional ups and downs, and if you're constantly having to pep talk your buddy it won't be fun.

My hunting buddy has a pretty good sense of humor, and a willingness to do most anything that I suggest.  However, he now has an intepretation for when I say "it's not that steep" or "it shouldn't be too bad" he realizes right away that it's really going to suck.

We spend more time talking each other out of things than we do talking each other into things.

[MtnMuley]

That's hilarious and so true.  I think we have the same hunting buddy

[7mag.]

ya the problem is finding someone who is dedicated enough and will take it as serious as i am. but im trying to talk a buddy into it.

Most of my friends aren't serious enough about it to get in shape and have the right gear, so I refuse to take them. I have one buddy that I can count on being ready to go, but our schedules don't always line up. If you are interested, we could do a summer scouting trip.

[Western-Extremist]

That's hilarious and so true.  I think we have the same hunting buddy

its so sad but unfortunatly true.

[JLS]

You know you have an indispensable hunting partner when this is your conversation.

Me:  There's an elk.

Buddy :  Where?

Me:  Two canyons over in the headwall of the basin

Buddy:  Holy schnikes, that's steep.

Me:  Yep

Buddy:  You ready?

Me:  Thought you'd never ask.

Four hours later......

Me:  Well, we screwed the pooch on that one.

Buddy:  Yep.

Me:  Wanna climb to the top and see what's on the other side?

Buddy:  Though you'd never ask.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

You know you have an indispensable hunting partner when this is your conversation.

Me:  There's an elk.

Buddy :  Where?

Me:  Two canyons over in the headwall of the basin

Buddy:  Holy schnikes, that's steep.

Me:  Yep

Buddy:  You ready?

Me:  Thought you'd never ask.

Four hours later......

Me:  Well, we screwed the pooch on that one.

Buddy:  Yep.

Me:  Wanna climb to the top and see what's on the other side?

Buddy:  Though you'd never ask.

Last season with FTF convo went something like...

FTF:  I think there's an old trail that splits up to a small pass into the next basin.

Silk:  *Slams trekking poles into side of heather slide, above a talus field and props up against a tree*  Ok so how do you want to find it?

FTF:  I'm going to rock climb that little 10 foot wall...and walk it down until I find the pass.

Silk:  Ok, I'll guard the packs.

[JLS]

 

[Capt. Rob]

Sent you a pm. I am having the same issue of trying to convince my buddy.

[zackmioli]

I'm currently reading Cameron Hanes' book on backcountry bowhunting. its something i want to do in the next few years but want to learn as much about it before hand. this thread has been enlightening as well. got a buddy that does a lot of backcountry hiking and camping but hasn't hunted yet, I've been hunting for 15 years now (26 years old), but don't have a lot of backcountry hiking so we are gonna combine and get prepared for backcountry hunting! can't wait! good luck to all.

[Rock7]

If you are worried about meat care on a back country hunt bring a few packages of citric acid. When you skin the animal out, spray it on the meat and it prevents bacteria from forming. It helps the meat crust up and doesn't have any funky taste.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

If you are worried about meat care on a back country hunt bring a few packages of citric acid. When you skin the animal out, spray it on the meat and it prevents bacteria from forming. It helps the meat crust up and doesn't have any funky taste.

Here's a link that provides info on this subject and expounds on it. Pristine Ventures is an Alaska based hunting site run by Larry Bartlett. Larry has a "Do it yourself, remote hunt" planning business in Alaska and he has researched just about every subject that can make your remote hunt successful, or turn it into a disaster. He had an ongoing study for years on the subject of meat care and keeping the quality of your meat high, that was especially important to remote hunters in Alaska who might be on a week to two week long hunt well away from any meat processing facilities or freezers let alone electricity. This seems to be a summation of his findings.

http://www.pristineventures.com/our-blog/124-front-page/159-why-use-citric-acid-on-game-meat.html

[300rum]

Backcountry DIY Solo hunting is 10% physical (including all the gadgets the we take) and 90% mental. 

Work on the 90%, that is where the big bucks are.