Back country packing

[shanevg]

You  have a good attitude, get your gear together and start packing now to get in shape. Life will be a lot easier when your coming out with meat and your camp,knees hurting, calling yourself a *censored*, swearing you will never do it again. Then start making plans for the next backpack hunt about a week later 

Well, I'm not too worried about the be in shape part, but can't wait for the rest of it!

[Hunting Cowboy]

Well, I'm not too worried about the be in shape part, but can't wait for the rest of it!


Ah, to be 20 again

[boneaddict]

I was going to say something......

I would really suggest you spend the $20 bucks and get that book.  I found it very interesting some of the things Cameron struggles with when on these hunts, are things I had to overcome myself.  If you are aware of them, then maybe it would be easier for you.   You won't quite grasp it until you do it once on your own, but the mental part is just as tough as the physical part.  Tyr not to laugh at ole boneaddict.  When you have just busted your guts out and you have arrived at heaven, the loniness creaps in.  You lay under your tarp and the first snowstorm of the year hits and the snags are hitting the ground and the wind is howling and the fire is low, and all you can think about is that sweet thing back home.  Trust me.......its corny sounding but real.  Then you walk through the door and that nagging voice says What are you doing home so early.  Then your pissed and want to hike back up there.   

[coastalghost]

You  have a good attitude, get your gear together and start packing now to get in shape. Life will be a lot easier when your coming out with meat and your camp,knees hurting, calling yourself a *censored*, swearing you will never do it again. Then start making plans for the next backpack hunt about a week later 

Well, I'm not too worried about the be in shape part, but can't wait for the rest of it!

  Oh the beautiful pain...I would rather pack a hundred + pounds uphill than down anyday. 

[actionshooter]

I was going to say something......

I would really suggest you spend the $20 bucks and get that book.  I found it very interesting some of the things Cameron struggles with when on these hunts, are things I had to overcome myself.  If you are aware of them, then maybe it would be easier for you.   You won't quite grasp it until you do it once on your own, but the mental part is just as tough as the physical part.  Tyr not to laugh at ole boneaddict.  When you have just busted your guts out and you have arrived at heaven, the loniness creaps in.  You lay under your tarp and the first snowstorm of the year hits and the snags are hitting the ground and the wind is howling and the fire is low, and all you can think about is that sweet thing back home.  Trust me.......its corny sounding but real.  Then you walk through the door and that nagging voice says What are you doing home so early.  Then your pissed and want to hike back up there.  

 I won't laugh for one second, the mental part is what gets me for sure. Thats the hardest part, set up camp, eat dinner and then the silence. I miss the wife and kids.

[boneaddict]

Yep, even with Idabooner along, I struggle alot with that.  I can get down really easy out there and when you are by yourself, sometimes the sand just isn't there.  I have troubles with it when we do our big trips.  Its always such a big push, like driving up to AK, then the day to get in, and you've never been there before, and the second guessing starts.....  When I have been successful are the times I've dug deep enough to keep my head on straight.  Yeah the warm wife or girl at home, soft bed and that shower sounds good, but no monster bucks there.

[archery288]

It sure is a lot tougher than a guy thinks doing that kind of stuff!  Sitting at home reading about it or looking on the internet and/or watching guys do it on tv makes it look easy... But all of the uncertainty doesn't hit until your about 5 or so miles from the truck in the dark and wondering what a certain noise was or what not?  And then if its cold and rainy or snowing, it gets even tougher on a guy... It takes a lot of practice and mental ability to pull these things off and be successful!

[shanevg]

Ah, to be 20 again

Ain't it the truth! 

I was going to say something......

I would really suggest you spend the $20 bucks and get that book.  I found it very interesting some of the things Cameron struggles with when on these hunts, are things I had to overcome myself.  If you are aware of them, then maybe it would be easier for you.   You won't quite grasp it until you do it once on your own, but the mental part is just as tough as the physical part.  Tyr not to laugh at ole boneaddict.  When you have just busted your guts out and you have arrived at heaven, the loniness creaps in.  You lay under your tarp and the first snowstorm of the year hits and the snags are hitting the ground and the wind is howling and the fire is low, and all you can think about is that sweet thing back home.  Trust me.......its corny sounding but real.  Then you walk through the door and that nagging voice says What are you doing home so early.  Then your pissed and want to hike back up there.   

Yeah, I definitely plan on buying Backcountry Bowhunting before I head out.  Also (luckily) I won't be alone.  I've finally convinced my future father-in-law to get out his old rifle and come along.  He would only agree to it if it was an "epic adventure."  Then to help pack, his wife and my fiance want to tag along.  I don't think they know what they are getting into, but the would never pass up a long, hard backpacking trip.  That's why I love the family I'm marrying in to!  We may even convince one more person to come along to help pack out, so that should be helpful to say the least. 

[actionshooter]

I have a ton of respect for the guys who can pull it off (alone). This aspect is one of the reasons I don't do it by-myself often.  One thing I can say is its a good time to think, it really brings a guy down to earth.

[archery288]

Backcountry bowhunting is a great book for sure!! cameron sure knows what it's like in the backcountry and I have learned a lot from him - read the book and you'll get a lot better understanding for the stuff you'll encounter!

[boneaddict]

Well, if nothing else, a family trip like that would be awesome.  I'll be honest with you its a good chance that might screw up your chances for a big one alot of times that doesn't matter.  The hunt is alot of what this is all about.  Family time can't be beat.  You guys know I solo it alot. Its not for alot of folks. 

[shanevg]

Well, if nothing else, a family trip like that would be awesome.  I'll be honest with you its a good chance that might screw up your chances for a big one alot of times that doesn't matter.  The hunt is alot of what this is all about.  Family time can't be beat.  You guys know I solo it alot. Its not for alot of folks. 

I'm sure I will try solo someday.  But as far as chances to get a big one, I don't even care.  I would love to shoot a big one, but I really just want to get a semi-decent buck.  Like I've said before, all I have ever shot is a pencil-sized spike.  Just shooting a 4 point would thrill me.  We'll see, I'm going to scout it out in July or August and then we're going to decide how to hunt it from there. 

[boneaddict]

You're already doing the right thing in more ways than one.   

One, you are researching...
Two you are coming up with a plan
Three you are involving family
Four and most importantly.  You are dreaming and thinking about it constantly, and thats the fun part.

[shanevg]

You're already doing the right thing in more ways than one.   

One, you are researching...
Two you are coming up with a plan
Three you are involving family
Four and most importantly.  You are dreaming and thinking about it constantly, and thats the fun part.

Yes to all of those (especially the last part.)  I wish you all could have seen the bucks my brother and I shot in my dream the other day!   

[shanevg]

So for bedding, do you guys just take a tarp?  No tent/bivy, no pad, no sleeping bag?