Please help with advice on outfitting for first backpack hunt

[teegansdad]

Ok it's always been a dream for me to do a true back pack hunt buy myself and stay out a week. So I've decided this September I'm going to make it happen, I really would appreciate any advice from you experienced backpackers as to what you would pack with you on such a trip. I have already bout my badlands pack what would you fill it with? And FOOD?? What food do most of you pack in for such trips ?? I'm trying to go as lite as possible. I don't want to miss any asentials.

[KFhunter]

Don't get too far in where you can't get the meat out on time,  seems to happen quite a bit.

Other than that do some overnighters like now, then 3 day trips.  You'll figure out what you need and don't need pretty quick.

[jackmaster]

Is it in a place where your gonna scout? If its a place you plan to use multiple times you should make a few trips in and take some supplys  each time, you wont regret having more than you need. A friend would be a good idea since its your first time to.

[teegansdad]

I'm going to do a three day trial run first week in August and scout at the same time I'm going to stick to boundary trails and see how it goes

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

Have you spent any time in the backcountry?

I've posted a gear list on here somewhere but it boils down to this:

Shelter/sleep system
Clothes/boots
Weapon/optics
Water system
Food/cook system
Kill kit

Going light is possible but it isn't cheap.


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[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Mountain Money.... aka TP.

[KFhunter]

Mountain Money.... aka TP.

sock tops and sleeves is for the "Pilgrims"

TP is for the "Trackers"

kitchen paper towels is for the "Frontiersmen"

blue shop towels is for the "Longhunters"

wet wipes is for the "Old Salts"





and finally Tucks Medicated wipes is for the "Legendary" hunters

[Rider]

SPOT (http://www.findmespot.com)
Learn wilderness first aid

Somewhere in this vast forum someone posts a spreadsheet for a pack list.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

Wilderness first aid = Benadryl, duct tape, quick clot, IB profin


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[7mag.]

August is too late. You need to get out for one nighters as soon as possible. It doesn't have to be in the wilderness, just get out and test your gear. Everybody has an opinion on what works for them, the only way to know what works for you, is to use it. Your first trip that close to the season is a mistake, in my opinion, especially solo. Keep in mind that many people discover that they don't like being in the wilderness by them selves, once they are there. You will find out a lot about yourself after a few consecutive nights alone.

[kentrek]

Giving gear suggestions is easy....but giving you help with how to be successful (not talking filling tags gets) is a whole nother matter...your going to be alone with nothing but your own thoughts. ..alot of people cant handle that...you really can get lost in your own head

I would def start of with over nighters an work your way up if you wana do this solo thing...

[teegansdad]

I appreciate your advice I will try to find a like minded person that wants the same type of adventure and see how it goes at first then work it out solo

[kentrek]

Backpacking light has your gear suggestions summed up...few nights on that forum goes along ways

Goodluck 

[acnewman55]

If you're trying to adjust to spending a lot of time alone in the woods, I highly recommend downloading some audiobooks or podcasts to your phone.

Helps to keep you from getting bored.  You don't want to have headphones when actively hunting, but they're great for spending hours on a windy ridge glassing for game.  They also help you sleep at night if you're uneasy doing so in bear country... when every rustle and snap in the woods is keeping you awake, just plug in, turn your mind off, and you'll be asleep in no-time.

[ICEMAN]

A few of my favorite backcountry accessories are;

Foam sleeping pad

Neat Sheet ground cover... or tyvek chunk
Not sure these are available anymore, a soft water resistant cloth designed to be a beach type ground cloth. It is water resistant, quiet and very lightweight. I have used these to put down to sit on damp ground, over my summer bag at night when it got a lot colder than expected, used it to hide under for a short rainspell, used it during elk season to set meat on and keep it clean (ruined that sheet... )  and we use them a lot for snow camping. You can wrap up in it to keep the wind off, snow off, or use it to help keep an extra layer of warmth around you at bedtime. If I cannot find these anymore I would bring a chunk of tyvek house wrap run through a dryer many times with a few shoes in there to soften the tyvek.

Lightweight windproof/rainproof hoody as an extra layer.

Crystal light or similar, something to flavor water with...

Chewing gum.

Toothbrush

I know, not the normal stuff, but what I brought aside from the basics.

Acnewmann55, agree with you on the earbuds. Used it more than a few times to chase away the mice, creepy crawlies and anything else that kept me up...

[acnewman55]

Crystal light or similar, something to flavor water with...

You should look into Nuun.  Adds flavor and electrolytes/vitamins to your water.  Compact, pre-measured tablets, with zero sugar so you can use it in a camelback bladder hydration system and not gunk it up.

[ICEMAN]

Crystal light or similar, something to flavor water with...

You should look into Nuun.  Adds flavor and electrolytes/vitamins to your water.  Compact, pre-measured tablets, with zero sugar so you can use it in a camelback bladder hydration system and not gunk it up.

Does it mix well with everclear too?

[acnewman55]

Crystal light or similar, something to flavor water with...

You should look into Nuun.  Adds flavor and electrolytes/vitamins to your water.  Compact, pre-measured tablets, with zero sugar so you can use it in a camelback bladder hydration system and not gunk it up.

Does it mix well with everclear too?

If you're honest with yourself, you'll admit that nothing mixes well with everclear.

It is great for hangovers though!

[ICEMAN]

 

[darren]

Ok it's always been a dream for me to do a true back pack hunt buy myself and stay out a week. So I've decided this September I'm going to make it happen, I really would appreciate any advice from you experienced backpackers as to what you would pack with you on such a trip. I have already bout my badlands pack what would you fill it with? And FOOD?? What food do most of you pack in for such trips ?? I'm trying to go as lite as possible. I don't want to miss any asentials.

Figure out the water situation where you're going to be, your purification strategy, and figure out maps and the lay of the land.

Take a bunch of freeze dried meals (e.g., Mountain House and so on) from REI. Those are really light in terms of calories/ounce and you can take a variety of meals so you don't get sick of any one thing. Take a bunch of energy bars or snickers (the original energy bar!) so you can fuel up on the go here and there.

Use your head, trust your gut. I don't think you have to have everything proven out and nailed down before you head out, just be flexible. Nature is a good teacher, but you may get humbled. Be prepared to be uncomfortable or stressed but take the experience as it comes. Make plans, but keep an open mind and try to learn as much as possible.

[jackelope]

Ok it's always been a dream for me to do a true back pack hunt buy myself and stay out a week. So I've decided this September I'm going to make it happen, I really would appreciate any advice from you experienced backpackers as to what you would pack with you on such a trip. I have already bout my badlands pack what would you fill it with? And FOOD?? What food do most of you pack in for such trips ?? I'm trying to go as lite as possible. I don't want to miss any asentials.

What Badlands pack are you running?

Food==lightweight stuff that doesn't take up a bunch of space. Mountain House type meals, trail mix, etc. If you like tuna I like those little packets with the tuna, a couple crackers and mayo. Take all of it out of the package and vacuum seal it or put it in zip locks. DIY your own dehydrated foods if you have the means. Mountain house meals will be a little smaller and a little lighter if you take them out of their packaging as well.  I like to snack during the day rather than a full-blown lunch so I get some energy bars, trail mix, pop tarts, etc to snack on. My guilty pleasure has been coffee. I take some Starbucks via's and some of the little single shot creamers and sugar packets. I've got a little metal cup to drink it out of. Just enough for 1 cup a day.
Decide on what type of sleeping arrangements you prefer. I like a tent with a floor. Some people are good with a floorless shelter, some like a bivy bag, etc. You've got to decide that on your own. My tent is right at about 3 pounds so it's not too bad. I don't have the budget for the super lightweight stuff, but I've done ok with what I've got. Sierra Trading Post is a good place to get stuff at bargain prices.
I bought a 15 degree Marmot sleeping bag on Sierra Trading Post and it's worked out well. It was less than $100.00
Stoves can run the spectrum of price, size, fuel type, etc. I have an inexpensive Brunton Raptor and it's done great for me so far.

It pretty much all comes down to budget. It seems the more you spend, the lighter stuff gets.

[Shawn Ryan]

"Take all of it out of the package and vacuum seal it or put it in zip locks. DIY your own dehydrated foods if you have the means. Mountain house meals will be a little smaller and a little lighter if you take them out of their packaging as well."

You can add your boiling water right to a quart size Ziploc full of Mtn. House meal and the food will re-hydrate in the Ziploc.  I keep the desiccate pack in the Ziploc until I'm ready to eat it. I've had Mtn. House meals left over from one season in a Ziploc and they were fine the next season.