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.