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