Hunting Pack Essentials

[ssharp]

So I'm just getting into different types of hunting after many years. Before recently the last time I went was when I was very young with my dad. When you are young and hunting with dad you don't have to worry about anything, dad has all the stuff ya need. Well he quit hunting for a few reasons and here I am years later getting back into it.
So the reason for the post is this: What do items do you keep in your hunting pack that are always in there no matter what kind of hunting you are doing? Things that never leave the bag unless it is being used. Obviously a first aid kit but what else? Give a list and maybe a reason that you keep it.
Thanks everyone!

[pianoman9701]

first aid kit which now includes qwik clot wraps

[JLS]

Compass
Space blanket
Water purification
Headlamp/batteries
Firestarter (2 kinds)
Matches
Lighter
Knife
Paracord
Duct Tape

[Goldeneye]

I'll add one thing that was not mentioned previously.  TP, mountain money has uses besides the obvious. 

[bobcat]

GPS, map, knife, parachute cord, folding saw, camera, headlamp, surveyors flagging, large plastic garbage bag, baby wipes, lens wipes and/or cotton rag for cleaning glasses and optics, extra batteries for everything that requires them.

[Bob33]

Depending on where and when you hunt, in Washington the vast majority of survival situations involve a high risk of exposure and hypothermia.  The ability to provide some form of shelter and the ability to make a fire are essential.

I also value communication highly.  A cell phone works in many areas. If I am hunting solo and know I will not be in cell phone range, I take a satellite phone. 

[ICEMAN]

Sleep pad; A cut down in width closed cell backpacking sleep mat. Narrowed to the width of my backpack. Enough material to get me off the ground and preserve body heat to avoid hypothermia if I was to get injured.

Tarp or Neatsheet; either one to help shed rain, or wind, or both.

Firestarter kit.

Flashlight and/or headlamp, usually both.

[Huntbear]

On top of all the normal survival gear.  I carry two tins of kippers or sardine type food.  I refuse to eat them unless I am REALLY hungry because they disgust me...  Plus they will last forever.  lol..

[400out]

   Plus they will last forever.  lol..
[/quote]Probably long after your dead huh! 

[RockChuck]

Cheap Poncho unless already carrying raingear. Extra socks. 

[Lcl 66 Tinner]

A sharpening stone or something Equal is nice too.

[ssharp]

Awesome. Thank you guys!

[RB]

Map
GPS/radio
Compass
Cell Phone (sometimes)
Folding saw
Knife
Large heavy duty Orange garbage bag
Two different fire starters plus a small piece of pitch wood and a candle
rain gear (depending on weather)
spare ammo
surveyors tape
paracord (at least 50ft)
camel back
first aid supplies (including flask of Crown Royal for a true emergency 
lens cleaner pen
assorted paperwork to be legal
small game bag
Food (sanwhiches, cliff bars, and trail mix)
TP for the call of nature

[Miles]

knife
Led light (usually that's clipped on my jacket zipper though and not in my pack)
water
small snack
A small amount of rope (paracord)
Garmin Geko (GPS for the time and marking any point that I really want to remember)
lighter
paper towel (holds up better than TP)

That's it.  The one thing that amazes me is some people still carry around big flashlights.  A small LED light is more than enough and will last a very long time.  Sometimes I'll have one clipped on my jacket zipper and an extra in my pack because the are so small and weigh next to nothing.  I prefer the ones that you can "click" on, and not the ones that you have to continuously press the button.

[huntnnw]

my must haves

small light weight shelter...very cheap
light
purifying water bottle
fire starters

[halflife65]

Anvil + shoeing tools
Battery for my pickup
Anchor for my boat
Cast iron stove
1,000 rounds extra ammo
Bowling ball
Chainsaw (usually the MS880 with the 59" bar)
Maul + wedges
Defibrillator kit + first aid
I carry iodine pills rather than a filter to keep things light

or sometimes (besides first aid kit):
Headlamp
Firestarter+lighter
GPS/Compass/Map
Parachute cord
Space blanket
Garbage bag
Knife (in addition to a pocket knife that's in my pocket)
Water purifier pills
Paper towels
Cell phone
Camera

And then the normal stuff which changes depending on circumstances: gloves, stocking hat, rain gear, extra clothes, spotting scope, tripod

[danderson]

The 10 essentials of scouting
 
 1. water bottle and purifier
 2.map and compass, gps
 3. flashlight and extra batterys
 4.space blanket or light weight thrmo blanket, can also be used to signal and to collect rain water
 5. extra clothes, wool
 6.first aid kit, asprin, mole skin, light weight cord
 7.firestarter, matches, candle, lightweight cook stove
 8. insect repellent, sunscreen
 9. food, trail snacks, jerky
 10. signaling device, mirrior, knife

[RB]

Anvil + shoeing tools
Battery for my pickup
Anchor for my boat
Cast iron stove
1,000 rounds extra ammo
Bowling ball
Chainsaw (usually the MS880 with the 59" bar)
Maul + wedges
Defibrillator kit + first aid
I carry iodine pills rather than a filter to keep things light

or sometimes (besides first aid kit):
Headlamp
Firestarter+lighter
GPS/Compass/Map
Parachute cord
Space blanket
Garbage bag
Knife (in addition to a pocket knife that's in my pocket)
Water purifier pills
Paper towels
Cell phone
Camera

And then the normal stuff which changes depending on circumstances: gloves, stocking hat, rain gear, extra clothes, spotting scope, tripod

Love the first part I pack the same way 

[268bull]

This is always in my pack. Cottonelle wipes. I don't know about you boy's, but about three hours after 2 huge breakfast plates full of hash, eggs, bacon ends, and 3 or 4 cups good stiff black coffee, my system is due for a royal flushing. You can buy travlers pacs of cottonelles to throw in your fanny pack. Nothin' worse than havin' a sore monkey butt the rest of the day. Believe me, you use cottonelles and you'll never go back to packin' along standard TP! I put it up there right beside havin' my first aid kit, and extra flashlight batteries in importance. Nothin' worse than huntin' with a sore arse!! :tup:Bull

[bobcat]

This is always in my pack. Cottonelle wipes.

I carry the baby wipes from Costco.   

[washelkhunter]

This is always in my pack. Cottonelle wipes. I don't know about you boy's, but about three hours after 2 huge breakfast plates full of hash, eggs, bacon ends, and 3 or 4 cups good stiff black coffee, my system is due for a royal flushing. You can buy travlers pacs of cottonelles to throw in your fanny pack. Nothin' worse than havin' a sore monkey butt the rest of the day. Believe me, you use cottonelles and you'll never go back to packin' along standard TP! I put it up there right beside havin' my first aid kit, and extra flashlight batteries in importance. Nothin' worse than huntin' with a sore arse!! :tup:Bull

Always wondered what that big stink rising from the south was...now i know.

[268bull]

LOL !! :tup:Bull

[Dhoey07]

Honestly the only thing i bring every single time is a headlamp and gps.  Depending on what kind of hunting i am doing, I add things in. 

[B.G.hunter]

Anvil + shoeing tools
Battery for my pickup
Anchor for my boat
Cast iron stove
1,000 rounds extra ammo
Bowling ball
Chainsaw (usually the MS880 with the 59" bar)
Maul + wedges
Defibrillator kit + first aid
I carry iodine pills rather than a filter to keep things light

I like your thinking got to keep it light weight.     If you cut the corners off your band-aids you can also shave an oz. or two. 

[pianoman9701]

Elknut has a pretty good list in his Playbook - 24 items. It's a pretty good list.

[Cascade_fisher]

Pretty much my list as well.  I always have some misc. calls and binos on a harness too. 
Duct tape! (normally wrapped around my poles or Nalgene bottle)
Water purifier
Micro stove
Sidearm
Extra shoelaces, socks
Sunglasses
Whistle

Map
GPS/radio - Garmin Rino that always scans channel 9-11 in addition to our designated channel
Compass -mine has a mirror, Silva Ranger
Cell Phone (sometimes)
Folding saw
Knife
Large heavy duty Orange garbage bagS
Two different fire starters plus a small piece of pitch wood and a candle
rain gear (depending on weather)
spare ammo
surveyors tape
paracord (at least 50ft)
camel back
first aid supplies (including Mole Skin and flask of Laphroaig for a true emergency.
lens cleaner pen
assorted paperwork to be legal
small game bag
Food (sanwhiches, cliff bars, and trail mix)
TP for the call of nature

[Cascader74]

Backpacking Pack List

Backpack
Tent
Sleeping bag
Sleeping mattress?
Stove
Cookware
Silverware
Fishing pole 
Raft
Flashlights
Firestarter
Lighter/matches
Map
Water filter
Ziplock bags
Toilet Paper!!!
Soap
Axe
Saw
Towel
Sunglasses
Insect Repellent 
Socks-Extra
Moleskin
Shoes
Clothes
Food
Firearm
P38 Can Opener
Advil
Pocket Knife
Bandana
Hat/Cap
Toothbrush 
Rope/Paracord
Garbage bags

[dreamingbig]

A can opener?  Please don't tell me you are packing food in cans? 

[7mag.]

A can opener?  Please don't tell me you are packing food in cans? 

   I noticed that too. I can't imagine packing canned food. Your pack would weigh more on the way in, than the way out, even if you got something.

[Cascader74]

If you think that's bad, that ain't nothing, I eat damn good.  I just can't do all that cardboard powdered food crap, I'd be crapping sawdust hockey pucks not to mention the # it does on your guts.  I even throw frozen steaks in sometimes. 

[washelkhunter]

Hey i dont mind packing in a few canned goods. Nice sardines, kippers, some smoked oysters, hell yeah. A couple cans of nalleys chili and some fritos fills the bill. I will take a dozen eggs in as well so the bacon and pancakes dont get lonely. Doing a 3-4 day trip back in this year and also plan on taking in some IPA and a 3lt bag of red. Gotta have some sauce for the trouts will be slaying. Im not gonna survive on MH and mres, blech!

[swanny]

Hey i dont mind packing in a few canned goods. Nice sardines, kippers, some smoked oysters, hell yeah. A couple cans of nalleys chili and some fritos fills the bill. I will take a dozen eggs in as well so the bacon and pancakes dont get lonely. Doing a 3-4 day trip back in this year and also plan on taking in some IPA and a 3lt bag of red. Gotta have some sauce for the trouts will be slaying. Im not gonna survive on MH and mres, blech!

Please, show us pictures of your pack when you are done packing. I want to see just how BIG it is and how much crap is on the outside.  I'm all for eating good, but you have 20lbs worth of food and drink! That is crazy!

[Special T]

The 10 Essentials
Product Descriptions for The 10 Essentials
Outdoor Smarts in previous issues
By Karen Berger
Photographs by John R. Fulton Jr.

Don't leave home for the outdoors without these basic items. They could save your life.

THE 10 ESSENTIALS are items every outdoor adventurer should include in his or her pack. The original list was devised in the 1930's by The Mountaineers, a Seattle-based hiking, climbing, and conservation organization, whose members get out in some truly dreadful weather—including in the rainy North Cascades, along the Olympic Peninsula, and on such snow-covered peaks as Mount Rainier.

The Mountaineers' essentials list was designed to keep climbers safe in case of accident, injury, or misadventure. Over time, like any classic, the list has been used and altered, but the core remains the same. Seventy years later, the list is included in many outdoor guides, including the latest edition of the Boy Scout Fieldbook.

Here's what you need—and why.

1. Pocketknife or multipurpose tool.
These enable you to cut strips of cloth into bandages, remove splinters, fix broken eyeglasses, and perform a host of repairs on malfunctioning gear—not to mention cut cheese and open cans.
2. First-aid kit.
Prepackaged first-aid kits for hikers are available at outfitters, but you can customize your kit with your favorite blister treatment and ointments for common outdoor ailments (a topical antihistamine, for example, to take care of itches and rashes). Double your effectiveness with knowledge: Take a 16-hour Wilderness First Aid Basics course from the Ameri-can Red Cross
3. Extra clothing.
Above timberline, bring one more clothing layer than you think you'll need. Two rules: Avoid cotton (it dries slowly and keeps moisture close to your skin), and always carry a hat. A windproof, water-resistant fleece jacket can help you withstand ornery mountain conditions. Plastic baggies or extra socks can help keep hands warm.

4. Flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries.
Headlamps and flashlights allow you to find your way in the dark or signal for help. Headlamps are conve- nient for hands-free use.
5. Rain gear.
Remember that high mountains make their own weather, and storms can erupt suddenly and violently. Even in a temperate summer forest, a dousing rain can quickly chill you to the point of hypothermia. Rain gear protects against not only rain, but also wind, cold, and even insects.
6. Water bottle.
Without enough water, your body's muscles and organs simply can't perform as well. You'll be susceptible to hypothermia and altitude sickness, not to mention the abject misery of raging thirst. Al-xways carry plenty of water and stop often to drink.
7. Map and compass.
A map not only tells where you are and how far you have to go, it can help you find campsites, water, and an emergency exit route in case of an accident. A compass helps you find your way through unfamiliar terrain—especially in bad weather where you can't see the landmarks. A GPS (global positioning system) can also help—but it is no substitute for knowing how to read a map.
8. Matches and fire starter.
The warmth of a fire and a hot drink can help prevent hypothermia. Also, a fire can be a signal for help if you get lost. Carry matches and a small amount of fire starter protected in zipper-locking bags. Dripping candle wax on match tips helps waterproof them. Commercially available windproof and waterproof matches are also a good choice.

Fire starter is anything flammable, from pocket lint to filled-in journal pages. Pine needles and birch bark make especially good starter, even when wet.
9. Sun protection and sunglasses.
Especially above timberline, when there is a skin-scorching combination of sun and snow, you'll need sun-glasses to prevent snow blindness and sunscreen to prevent sunburn. Buy sunglasses that are ultraviolet ray (UV) resis-tant and have side flaps (ventilating holes that keep them from fogging).

Don't use sunscreen that's been sitting in your medicine cabinet for a season or more: It has probably lost at least some of the effectiveness of its sun-protection factor (SPF), a rating of how well and how long the sunscreen will keep you from getting sunburned. A light-colored hat with a wide brim is also an effective sun deterrent. In desert conditions, consider using a long-sleeved light shirt and lightweight loose-fitting long pants. Zipper-off legs give more versatility.

10. Trail food.
Nothing boosts energy and spirits as much as a quick trail snack. See the Outdoor Smarts column in Scouting's September 2003 issue for suggestions. You can make your own trail mix with nuts, raisins, banana chips, and chocolate bits. The combination of sugar, fats, and potassium tastes great and provides quick energy, long-lasting calories, and replacement electrolytes.

Always take a bit more food than you think you will need. A lot of things could keep you out longer than expected, like a lengthy detour, get-ting lost, an injury, or difficult terrain.
Karen Berger's latest book, More Everyday Wisdom (Mountaineers Books), answers scores of outdoor questions. Visit her at www.hikerwriter.com.

[windygorge]

Costco has 200 lumen flashlights, pack of 3, for 15 bucks.  small and compact.  super bright.  got them yesterday in east vancouver costco.

[ICEMAN]

Costco has 200 lumen flashlights, pack of 3, for 15 bucks.  small and compact.  super bright.  got them yesterday in east vancouver costco.

LED type?

[windygorge]

Costco has 200 lumen flashlights, pack of 3, for 15 bucks.  small and compact.  super bright.  got them yesterday in east vancouver costco.

LED type?

no, they are the diode type.  super bright and i was actually expecting to see LED when i picked them up.  nope, diode.  did not hesitate once i seen that they were.  super great deal.

[Special T]

They work great for shooting coyotes. I have one attached to my shotgun. I have shined them for my bro inlaw so that he could shoot them with his rifle at 150 yards+- I have bought 3 packets and give them to family that need a bright investigation light for yotes or things that go bump in the night. They eat batteries but will throw the light out there!

[fillthefreezer]

Hey i dont mind packing in a few canned goods. Nice sardines, kippers, some smoked oysters, hell yeah. A couple cans of nalleys chili and some fritos fills the bill. I will take a dozen eggs in as well so the bacon and pancakes dont get lonely. Doing a 3-4 day trip back in this year and also plan on taking in some IPA and a 3lt bag of red. Gotta have some sauce for the trouts will be slaying. Im not gonna survive on MH and mres, blech!

on our memorial weekend hike 3 men, 2 dogs, 2 flasks, divied up case of beer, 1.5lb half frozen burger, nalgene full of chopped onion, garlic, seasoning mix, "darn good" chili mix, can tomato paste, our camp was 8.5mi in.

[washelkhunter]

Thats what im talkin about. Goood friends good.food good times. You are coming out alot lighter. I dont mind humpin 50lbs of good food and drink back into a base camp. Split between 2/3 others you can live high on the hog. Im not a marathon thru hiker. Set up  nice little base camp and fish and hunt out of there.

[fillthefreezer]

Thats what im talkin about. Goood friends good.food good times. You are coming out alot lighter. I dont mind humpin 50lbs of good food and drink back into a base camp. Split between 2/3 others you can live high on the hog. Im not a marathon thru hiker. Set up  nice little base camp and fish and hunt out of there.

we were camped at echo lake up outta green water. forgot my rod

[washelkhunter]

Oh. Bummer!

[Snapshot]

Compass
Space blanket
Water purification
Headlamp/batteries
Firestarter (2 kinds)
Matches
Lighter
Knife
Paracord
Duct Tape

To answer the original question that was posted:
To JLS's list I'd add: a map of the area, a small poncho, a small first aid kit, a signal mirror, a whistle, a small sharpening stone or steel. I'd omit the duct tape (it and baby wipes are luxuries ).

[washelkhunter]

Never, ever not include duct tape! 6ft of DT can save your life and it wraps around the pencil or pen your going to be carrying. You or someone in your group gets a deep cut and dont know how to suture, well DT will probably help close the wound. break a long bone, you're gonna have to splint with something and DT makes that easy. DT-Dont leave home without it.   

[jaymark6655]

Costco has 200 lumen flashlights, pack of 3, for 15 bucks.  small and compact.  super bright.  got them yesterday in east vancouver costco.

LED type?

no, they are the diode type.  super bright and i was actually expecting to see LED when i picked them up.  nope, diode.  did not hesitate once i seen that they were.  super great deal.

He is screwing with us right?

Usually I try to pack at least:
TP (sometimes I forget this and regret it everytime)
mini mag (I have tried others and keep breaking them)
First aid Kit
Trash Bag
water
jerky
knife
550 chord
socks
wear sidearm
Everything. else seems to vary with what I am doing.

[wraithen]

Costco has 200 lumen flashlights, pack of 3, for 15 bucks.  small and compact.  super bright.  got them yesterday in east vancouver costco.

LED type?

no, they are the diode type.  super bright and i was actually expecting to see LED when i picked them up.  nope, diode.  did not hesitate once i seen that they were.  super great deal.

Of course he isn't! A Diode that Emits Light can't possibly be a Light Emitting Diode

[windygorge]

 ....sorry im ignorant.  ok, well then it must be a single led light then.  not sure if that is an LED or something else.  i relate LED as the multiple lights you see at the end of a flashlight.  usually a cluster of lights, not a single light source. 
thats too funny.  i never knew what LED stood for.  you guys never fail to amaze me.

[wraithen]

No worries. My brain just came to a screeching halt when you said it wasn't an led but instead a diode. It could be an led but if it is just one source i'd suspect a bulb similar to the ones in higher end flashlights. Especially when talking about short battery life.

[windygorge]

exactly like the higher end flashlights.   just like surefire and the others.