Another Pack Inventory for Expert Review (getting ready for 2016!)

[aorams]

Update: I don't know how to feel about this yet...  So far no remorse, but I was able to cut almost 2 lbs from my Outdoorsmans Optics Pack by unsewing several pockets that added little value and cutting away some "extra material".  This saved me from buying a new one for a little while, but it's clear that a new one is in my future...

Thanks again for all the help!  I will post an updated pack weight soon...

[fillthefreezer]

How many do you think I will need for a deer?  I thought about taking half of them for deer and all of them for elk.

without a doubt two of the large and 1 small would do. for most boned deer you may even be able to get by with less, but likely not worth it.
IME, the long bomb bags will hold 55lbs of meat. 60 at most.

[aorams]

How many do you think I will need for a deer?  I thought about taking half of them for deer and all of them for elk.

without a doubt two of the large and 1 small would do. for most boned deer you may even be able to get by with less, but likely not worth it.
IME, the long bomb bags will hold 55lbs of meat. 60 at most.

copy.... thanks!

[blackveltbowhunter]

Vortex Diamondback 8 x 42 with tripod adapter
Vortex Ranger

On longer hunts/hikes, I'm finding that I'm using my Leupold 1000 ranger just as much as my 10x42 Nikons. So I'm leaving the Nikons behind to save almost 2 pounds.

1 Hawks Vittles Dinner   -At up to 27ounces each, you need to watch which ones you select.
2 Justins Nut Butter Packets
1 Elk langjagers
1 Packet of dehydrated fruit
Bagel Sandwich
electrolyte tabs

I take Jerkey as it's already quite dry. Other sausages are heavier. NUTS! Trailmix! Stuff that's high in protein. That's to nibble on while on the move. Bagels and cream cheese? PEANUT Butter! Little Snickers bars   Rice is light as hell. Stovetop Stuffing, also light. Dehydrated chicken or canned chicken re-packaged in per-serving vacume bags. Dehydrated mango slices. Lipton noodle soup packets.

Jet Boil Stove(the basic one) = 15.25 ounces.  ( suppose that includes the cup?)

MSR Pocket Rocket stove = 3 ounces. (Add in the Snow Peak TI-Silicone Hybrid Cookset which gives you a pot, silicone bowl and a pan/lid for the pot. The Pocket Rocket fits inside. Epoxy the Pocket Rocket case holes and you've got a cup for tea. The pan/lid on the pot saves fuel when boiling water by keeping the heat inside) Total weight of the stove and cookset = 11 ounces.   Now that 4.25 ounce savings might not seem like much, but if you analyze all of your gear, weight savings add up. And... you get the extra cooking items that come in handy. Oh, and it's much smaller in the pack than that Jet Boil.  I also use Snow Peak Ti-Spork.

3L Camelback bladder with Sawyer inline filter

I do not use pack bladders!  Crush a 2L pop bottle to use at camp. A nalgine, couple of 20oz or 1L Dew bottles are great. I like the Nalgine since my water filter fits the top.  I agree about other comments, there is no reason to carry that much water. Know where your water sources are. Use your filter/tabs and refill when necessary.

Sawyer Filter Syringe

Too small for an extended trip. Great for just a little hike, but filling bottles for camp water would burn precious time.  I'll stick with my Katadyn Hiker Pro.

T.A.G. Bomb Bags = 10 ounces..

I'll stick with pillow cases! They breath too.

changes of socks and underwear all merino(depending on trip length)

You take more than one change of underwear? Turn them inside out.. You get an extra day. Wash the previous pair, they'll get two days to dry!

I think there's still some weight you can cut from your pack.

-Steve

  Not sure where you hunt, but I can only think of very few areas where dropping the weight of the binoculars would outweigh the benefit of having them, heck depending on the hunt I would carry more weight in optics if it means I will walk less miles. But in some areas where the timber and vegetation is thick a lighter pair of binoculars may suffice. I still dont know about a rangfinder but each his own.

Second the bomb bags or other synthetic bags. Dont see how you can argue pillowcases penciling out in the backcountry from a weight standpoint.Unless you are onto some sweet new pillowcase then please share!

Bladders are lighter than nalgene. And can compress smaller than  soda bottles of similar capacity. I usually carry a nalgene and large bladder in areas where water is scarce. Fill the nalgene as needed and the bladder for camp or when I know I will be in a dry area.

Although the stove is smaller, is the entire cookset that much smaller than a jetboil? I agree with FTF I have used the "freeburner" stoves plenty and efficiency and cooktime is not even close. Even if packing foil or other material for windscreen I havent had as good of luck, and its a PITA, offset by a couple ounces for convenience.

Update: I don't know how to feel about this yet...  So far no remorse, but I was able to cut almost 2 lbs from my Outdoorsmans Optics Pack by unsewing several pockets that added little value and cutting away some "extra material".  This saved me from buying a new one for a little while, but it's clear that a new one is in my future...

Thanks again for all the help!  I will post an updated pack weight soon...

This is smart  and another reason I like my kifaru. It allows me to taylor what pockets I want without paying a weight penalty for pockets I don't. The AMR came with 3 pockets. After a season, I decided to add a couple waist belt pockets because of convenience. 

[kentrek]

I don't do much for backcountry deer hunting, but in the elk world it never seems like I can have enough game bags !! Esp for cooling it's nice to get lots of air surface!! Pluss you never know when youl shoot that freak deer that no one believes you about...."i swear...biggest body deer witnessed by man...too bad I lost half the meat to Flys !!!"

Also be sure to vacuum seal the game bags into a nice flat package, space is important too 

[JackOfAllTrades]

Some good feedback here... Sorry.. I mean sorry!... I never even heard of Bomb bags before! Next ya'll be saying you don't wear wool! That must be some real antiquated stuff!  People have used pillow cases, feed and seed bags for a hundred years!

On the ridge top.. I'll use the spotter. It has an adjustable zoom. Funny.. Most people don't ever dial it down. Just an option folks.. Don't shoot me.

-Steve

[300rum]

I would ditch the boresnake and the syringe for the Sawyer.  Not much weight savings but it all adds up.

I would just stick to Ibuprofen, Aspirin is so hard on the system (especially doing what you are doing) and if you start bleeding you don't want it in you to begin with.

My first aid kit consists of a couple of band aids, Ibuprofen, and duck tape.  If you need anything more then that, you won't need it for very long.  That's just me though.   

Coghlans makes a Cotton Laundry bag that is plenty big and plenty sturdy for a boned out deer or two trips with and Elk.  I have used this bag many times now.  The bags cost less then $10, I have both thrown them away after using and reused them again, I haven't found anything lighter or sturdier.  I would imagine they weigh a couple ounces (if that) but I haven't weighed one.   http://www.coghlans.com/products/laundry-bag-9856

I too would go with a pocket rocket and their small fuel can.  I went head to head with my buddies jetboil for 7 days in Idaho (8k feet) this year and he took so much longer to get things going, at least twice the time.  You can also use your Ti kettle on the fire which will save your fuel and, again, makes it more useful then the jetboil.  After the trip, he ditched his jetboil....

Use a couple of Freezer style heavy duty Ziploc gallon bags, they will come in very handy for storing and gathering bulk water.  I like to have some bulk stored up water at camp, if I can.  I made the mistake my first time on a long B-P hunting trip, I didn't have anything for bulk water, just my bladder and a water bottle.  I went through those pretty quick throughout the day and had to get water every day.  Luckily, I found a gallon milk jug in the (designated) Wilderness, I thought that I found gold!