Another what in your pack thread

[Commando]

I k ow it's been discussed on here before but I as wondering g what everyone has in there elk packs this coming season? I am going to be going for my first elk hunt this year and really don't have that much stuff geared elk hunting.  I just got a kifaru late season a few months back so I've got a quality pack just dont really kown what to put in it. I will be day hunting out of my buddies camp. Do the usual be gone all day and be back late at night if that dictate what goes in there

[HUNTaHOLIC5]

A lot depends on the area I'm in and what the pack out is going to be like.
- havalon and a few replacement blades
- garmin rhino
-2 game bags
-small camcorder
-dslr (pain to carry but great when it's used)
-bugle tube
-4-5 mouth reeds
-2 cow calls
-small first aid and survival kit
- water, amount depends on the area
-cordage
Probably a few things I'm forgetting.

[hogslayer]

No particular order but for a day pack this is what I would bring.
-Gps
-2 liters of water with mini sawyer inline filter so you can fill up fast where you find water
-kill bag.  2 pairs nitrile gloves havalon knife with 2 extra blades, 40 feet orange relective paradors tag game bags emergency poncho extra head lamp quick clot
- head lamp
-food
-radio and or cell phone
- elk calls
- wind bottle
- black pepper for meat
- bio degradable flagging tape for kill

[WapitiTalk1]

EXO MTN 3500 pack.
MSR Hydration bladder - either 2.5 or 3L.
Kill Kit (Gerber fixed blade and Outdoor Edge RZR Lite knives; VIAM Outdoors game bags; rubber gloves; tags; SOG Bone Saw; 100' paracord) in VIAM Outdoors G3 bag.
Day snacks in 1 quart zip lock.
First Aid Kit (in VIAM Outdoors G3 bag).
Lid of pack - Headlamp/spare and batteries (Xtreme Beam and Zebralite); roll orange flagging ribbon; small spray bottle of peroxide; trail tacks-bright eyes); TP; Clipshot; lens wipes for glasses and optics; scentless skeeter repellant (state dependent).
Belt - Range finder; GPS; tiny Canon camera.
Elknut Chuckler EL over my shoulder; Berry Game Call reeds in pocket; xtra TP in pocket.  Map for area hunted in cargo pocket and compass in pants pocket, corded to belt loop or belt; facemask in cargo pocket.   
Vortex binos on chest; hand cannon if hunting brown bear country.   

I think that's it? 

[carlyoungs]

I always bring a small hard case of baby wipes and refill them each night at camp. Nothing worse than chaffing in the heat while you're hiking.

[kentrek]

I think 80% of my pack is changed about depending on weather,trip, Terrian

But what always stays in the regardless of anything is

Med kit
Spot
Fire starting stuff
Paper towels
Enough game bags for an entire mature bull
Two knives
Garbage bags
Para cord
Headlight
Wind checker
Calls
Rangefinder
Rain jacket
Neck gator

I'm sure I'm forgetting some small stuff but that's the important stuff

[ridgefire]

Bt2, 3l bladder, water pump, gps, safety stuff, rain gear, food for the day, kill kit including five game bags, 1 fixed blade knife and a havalon piranta with extra blades, bugling bulls grunt tube, mello yellow diaphragm, raging bull diaphragm, hoochie mamma, hyper lip single or a who's yrr daddy, license, tag and id, jetboil for afternoon coffee. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things. Pretty much the same stuff if I'm going for a week but more food, extra socks, and sleeping stuff.

[Commando]

Thanks guys. I appreciate it. I am primarily a waterfowl hunter so this is gonna be a new experience for me. I've been after deer a few times with my bow but it just turned u to a walk in the woods. I am getting pretty excited. For water do you guys use water bladders or take a couple bottles with you and use water purifier?

[hogslayer]

Bladder with purifier inline with hose.  You don't have to stop and open up your pack to get water.  I like the filter inline because I can find a stream and scoop it in there and be on my way.

[MtnMuley]

All based on the type of elk hunt. Single overnighters, 3-5 nighters, 5+ nighters, and day hunts. Even the type day hunts dictates what I'll bring. Most day hunts I'm very light: havalon, tag bags, ,kifaru meat sacks, small headlamp, range finder, binos, bottle of water, snack, phone, 40' small mule tape, tube/calls, gps, and most importantly windicator (rf comes in second). Obviously weapon is included.

[JJB11B]

alcohol, snacks, IFAK, lights, water, sharp blades, alcohol....rope, game bags, alcohol

[Boss .300 winmag]

alcohol, snacks, IFAK, lights, water, sharp blades, alcohol....rope, game bags, alcohol

I'm sure that's all rubbing alcohol for medical reasons. 

[NOCK NOCK]

An elk heart, 

[Karl Blanchard]

Everything in my pack is sorted by uses into kifaru pullouts.

Kill kit: B.O.M.B. bags, contractor garbage bag, havalon and blades, pcord

Fire kit:

matches
lighter (I have lighters everywhere on me and in my pack)
trioxane tablets (min 4)
flint and steel

Other:

electrical tape
Med kit
Space blanket
Contractor bag
Leuko tape
Lighter
Flagging
Batteries
Aquamira drops
Steripen
Leatherman
Tenacious tape
Flashlight

Other things in my pack are my puffy jacket, travel size gold bond, wet wipes or TP, 65L dry bag, appropriate food supply for the day, and usually my jet boil because I like hot lunch. 

For water storage I have mostly moved to nalgene's because aquamira drops or Steripen is much easier to use and nalgenes are more simple to fill.  Water pumls, inlines, and similar filters can fail quite easily if not properly cared for and protected from freezing.  One cold morning and your filter is worthless.  However if non moving water sources is an issue, then I'll pack the pump.   Although I've yet to elk hunt where there isn't a flowing stream somewhere.

[blackveltbowhunter]

Knife
Flint and steel
(splurge item ) Extra undies.

[kentrek]

electrical tape
Med kit
Space blanket
Contractor bag
Leuko tape
Lighter
Flagging
Batteries
Aquamira drops
Steripen
Leatherman
Tenacious tape
Flashlight

Just out of curiosity could you eliminate the electrical tape since you already have the tenacious tap and leuko tape ?

I've always used electrical tape as a do all but I'm on board now with the tenacious tape & leuko tape....

Maybe just carry a small amount to attach tags ?

[Karl Blanchard]

electrical tape
Med kit
Space blanket
Contractor bag
Leuko tape
Lighter
Flagging
Batteries
Aquamira drops
Steripen
Leatherman
Tenacious tape
Flashlight

Just out of curiosity could you eliminate the electrical tape since you already have the tenacious tap and leuko tape ?

I've always used electrical tape as a do all but I'm on board now with the tenacious tape & leuko tape....

Maybe just carry a small amount to attach tags ?

  electrical tape is my do all tape.  Million and one uses, but the tenacious tape shines way above it for taping tears in sleeping pads, tents, bags, and puffy's.  Leuko tape is mainly only good for first aid.  I only carry a small amount wrapped around a lighter handle.  Enough to cover a blister (which will last roughly 36,000 showers, and 100,000 foot miles ).

[hogslayer]

I have to say, yesterday I picked up an outdoor edge replaceable blade knife and it is far superior to the havalon.  I have boned out 3 elk with a havalon and usually break 2 blades per elk.  The outdoor edge is a lot better design and just as sharp. I am hanging the havalon up.

[kentrek]

electrical tape
Med kit
Space blanket
Contractor bag
Leuko tape
Lighter
Flagging
Batteries
Aquamira drops
Steripen
Leatherman
Tenacious tape
Flashlight

Just out of curiosity could you eliminate the electrical tape since you already have the tenacious tap and leuko tape ?

I've always used electrical tape as a do all but I'm on board now with the tenacious tape & leuko tape....

Maybe just carry a small amount to attach tags ?

  electrical tape is my do all tape.  Million and one uses, but the tenacious tape shines way above it for taping tears in sleeping pads, tents, bags, and puffy's.  Leuko tape is mainly only good for first aid.  I only carry a small amount wrapped around a lighter handle.  Enough to cover a blister (which will last roughly 36,000 showers, and 100,000 foot miles ).

Okay thanks 

Is it September yet ? Holy smokes I'm worried about packing too much freaking tape 

[MtnMuley]

I have to say, yesterday I picked up an outdoor edge replaceable blade knife and it is far superior to the havalon.  I have boned out 3 elk with a havalon and usually break 2 blades per elk.  The outdoor edge is a lot better design and just as sharp. I am hanging the havalon up.

Downside is, it weighs 3 times as much and is 3 times bulkier.  I'm an ounce counter, and besides, I can't remember the last time I've broke a Havalon blade.

[blackveltbowhunter]

I have to say, yesterday I picked up an outdoor edge replaceable blade knife and it is far superior to the havalon.  I have boned out 3 elk with a havalon and usually break 2 blades per elk.  The outdoor edge is a lot better design and just as sharp. I am hanging the havalon up.

If you want to trade a outdoor edge for a havalon let me know. 

Just curious.... on your elk do you typically do full bone out gutless in the field or break hip sockets and take quarters out bone in?

[Karl Blanchard]

Downside is, it weighs 3 times as much and is 3 times bulkier.  I'm an ounce counter, and besides, I can't remember the last time I've broke a Havalon blade.
[/quote]     except I tend to bust a few each year.  Usually because I get to rushing stuff like cutting the head off, or caping a head. Blades are light and cheap though

[hogslayer]

I do the gutless method.  Last few elk I have been solo and it's been in the morning and sun is out and it's going to be 80+ so I am in a hurry.  I am very mindful of weight saving on my hunts.  But 2.9 ounces to 5 ounces for the outdoor edge, I find that to be so minimal I am not worried about it.  The havalon has worked great over the last 4 years but I think the outdoor edge having the support for the end of the blade would help with durability.   Maybe I'll bring both

[Commando]

Thanks for the input guys. I am gonna get everything rounded up and out together this weekend. I can't wait for Sept!