High Hunt in 2 years- rookie gear mistakes

[Branden]

I guess cold means different things to different people. It was cold to me when I was hunting archery deer at -57 degrees. It wasn't cold to me on the high hunt when it was 27 degrees.

I think most guys would be nice and comfortable in a 15 degree high quality bag hunting the high hunt. It also depends on the pad you use.

[haugenna]

I would rather have the warmer bag than not. Everyone has a different style and different opinions and I respect the guys who have posted on here because I know they have done it and spent a lot of time in the back country. I would rather unzip my zipper and let out in some cool air to cool off then put on layers. Day two or 4 of a Long hunt, those layers could be wet with sweat or precip. If I don't have a stove keeping me warm then I prefer a 15* bag. 

If the weather forecast is 90 and sunny for the week, they yes, pack your 40 degree bag which has been the case for the last few years of the high hunt.  Going into 2006, no way am I packing a 40 degree bag.

[blackveltbowhunter]

My base pack weight is 1.5 pounds depending on whether I have my machete or not for a  21 day hunt. Can you say naked and afraid I don't get a lot of hunting done but when I do kill some critter I always wish I had sprung for a couple salt packets.

 JK, but back to the OP, clearly there is more than one way to skin a cat Really trial and error is the only thing that will work for YOU. I run a big pack, because I can and do haul pretty big loads and prefer to make as few of trips as possible.  I like a stand alone shelter with a floor Season permitting. And I sleep like a baby in the backcountry unless I wake up cold. To be completely honest I don't really care what an item weighs ( to an extent ) as long as it functions well and I have confidence in its reliability. So pack weight is not a huge concern. This works for ME. It may or may not work for you

Lessons I have learned from mistakes....

1) Taking TO MUCH of any item is the number one mistake I have and continue to make occasionally. Clothes are first on the list. Anymore I almost feel like if I am not slightly worried I may get cold then I am over packing. Ditch anything with the word softshell, unless you are absolutely certain you will be wearing it ALOT. The clothes you will hunt in, a insulating layer, and a waterproof shell should cover the majority of situations. Especially during that time frame. I have been ditching my rain pants as well, and running gaiters and a longer coat. Weight saving is not my motivator here, but durability and better water repellency is. Extra socks. Undies if gone for 5 or more days might be justified.
  Next is food. Be real about how much food you will need and your body needs. But don't go overboard and its very easy to do. I like to itemize my food by day. and find that saves weight. Other wise that "extra" power bar or bag of trail mix ends up in the bag "just in case".  Water is another. This is highly variable depending on the hunt, but truly assess your needs and don't carry to much "insurance" if water sources are readily available.

2) Get an efficient stove Or pack some sort of wind screen. The difference in fuel consumption and burn times is huge. And a canister of fuel is significant if not needed. Also try to test them out so you will know what to expect from a canister.

3) Quality gloves and Beanie are often overlooked items but go along way in keeping you comfortable.

4) Learn how to cape your buck completely. Not only will it save weight but it will make the load much less awkward which is even more important.

5) If a real weather event is likely, snow, heavy rain etc. The best weight you may pack is quality fire system. Do not skimp.

6) When it comes to gear, buy the best you can afford. And if you can't afford the best make do with what you have till you can. A middle of the road upgrade is seldom ( it does have its place ) worth it.

That's all for now, I am sure more will come to me tho



 

[fillthefreezer]

BVBH's point on fuel brought up a thought in my head. a couple guys saw me scratching my boils in the side of my fuel can recently and were blown away. i have been doing it for awhile and dont really think about it anymore, but it hadnt occurred to them.
this will allow you get an idea how many boils you get on avg from a can. then when you have a bunch of half full cans around, allow you to use them on shorter trips to save weight and utilize the rest of the fuel.

for me, with my jetboil and the way i run my stove, i get about 27 boils out of a small can.

[high country]

You can pack a can stove as a backup for a 1 Oz weight penalty....including the fuel.

[high country]

I guess cold means different things to different people. It was cold to me when I was hunting archery deer at -57 degrees. It wasn't cold to me on the high hunt when it was 27 degrees.

I think most guys would be nice and comfortable in a 15 degree high quality bag hunting the high hunt. It also depends on the pad you use.

I'm not believing that you were backpack hunting at 57 below......been there, it's DEADLY

[h2ofowlr]

My new investments have been a MSR Sweetwater purifier, MSR Windburner, A new 800 down -20 sleeping bag, Big Agnus 3-person tent as the two man was way to tight.  Also picked up a cirrus insulated air mattress that folds up to nothing.

[Branden]

I guess cold means different things to different people. It was cold to me when I was hunting archery deer at -57 degrees. It wasn't cold to me on the high hunt when it was 27 degrees.

I think most guys would be nice and comfortable in a 15 degree high quality bag hunting the high hunt. It also depends on the pad you use.

I'm not believing that you were backpack hunting at 57 below......been there, it's DEADLY

I didn't say I was backpack hunting. I said it was cold out when I was hunting at -57. Please learn reading comprehension. And thanks for not believing something that I never said I did.

[haugenna]

I am a noob to archery and equipment but can you safely pull back and release an arrow at -57 degrees or would the amount of clothing to safely hunt in -57 allow you to draw it back?

[high country]

We break LOTS of stuff at 50 below.....steel, plastic....nothing is immune. I'd be scared to death to even carry a bow at that temp for fear of frostbite.....but it's been done.

[Highmountaindan]

High mountaian dan- just your pack and gun weigh 21 pounds together. And food for a 6 day hunt will be 7-9 lbs. the rest of your gear is only 5-7 pounds? Sleep system, binos and tripod will likely be more than that.

I don't pack in the tripod that is in my pick, it's to heavy. The 33-35 lb claim is my pack fully loaded for 4-6 days. Food is really just what I explained, oatmeal, freeze dried, trail mix, little candy and some jerky maybe. My sleep system is a military sleep system ( can't remember what it's real name is but it is a U.S.G.I military surplus sleep system.  I sleep in my clothes and that one sleep bag that is 35 degree one. Since I am on the west side of the state, water is not an issue so I fill up my camelback then keep it filled while hiking. Yes one half roll of toilet paper, my P,L,B. I just know after I packed my hunting pack for a 4 day high buck hunt and black bear hunt I weighed it and it was at 33 lbs. I can give a full list if it helps. I think clothes and and food is definitely the most over packed stuff. Also cook wear. One small tip is to carve your own utensils in the bush. Saves a couple extra ounces. I just have a slick little spark that is lite that came with my minimalist coolest.

[Skyvalhunter]

 

[haugenna]

I would love to see a full list for 6 days.

[BeWitty]

Just imagine if you got rid of that 10 lb (empty) pack and got an exo or SG. And then you got a Tikka T3 Lite instead of the 11.5 pound gun. You'd be under 25 lbs for a 6 day hunt!! That's basically a world record ultralight 6 day backpack hunt!

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

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