Your hunting pack

[washelkhunter]

After many years of carrying around just about everything under the sun and never using any of it, and after being severelly hampered last year while on the elk, i have done some serious streamlining of my day pack needs. I have a hunting partner so we fig'd why are we carrying all this crap around? when hunting we are never more than 2-3 miles apart at most, so support is not far away. So the question is: How much are you hauling around and how have you parred it all down. whats in your pack today?

[saylean]

I hunt with people lots of times (a few canyons apart or something similar) but hunt alone often (bear mostly). I normally carry the following in my day pack:

Matches (water proof), lighter, small fire starter, flint
kodiak knife set (bone saw, small knife, larger knife, sheath), very small knife sharpener
Fleece mask pull over, extra hat, extra wool gloves, (xtra coat depending)
space blanket
snacks (few high calorie bars), water in camel bladder
steripen and bottle (depending)
nylon sash cord (100ft)
game bags (3 or so, depending)
compass, extra batteries, a small sack of predator calls
small first aid kit (bandaged, duct tape, small scissors, etc)
A few instant coffee bags
Cooking burner with pot (depending)
thin hunter orange vest
almost forgot...>TP!
Flame orange ribbon
headlamp
Few extra rounds of ammo.

Thinks that bout it....sounds heavier than what it is.

[Johnb317]

I carry a bit more (just cause you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you).
Started with a Badlands 2200, little too tall for my liking.   
Settled on the Elberstock X2     

[7mag.]

Water proof matches
Wind proof lighter
Magnesium and flint
Dryer lint soaked in vaseline
Emergency blanket
Small First Aid kit
2 knives
Wyoming saw
2 rags
1 handkerchief
Zip ties
Small roll of duct tape
TP
1 pair extra socks
Head lamp and small led flashlight
GPS
Compass
Usually an extra insulating layer, like a fleece vest or fleece pullover
Surveyors ribbon
550 cord, 50 ft.
Wool glove liners
Watch cap(beanie)
Water

Writing it out, it seems like a lot, but most items are small and light. Most items stay in my pack year round.

This is my day pack, more for overnight trips.

[rosscrazyelk]

Couple knives
compact saw
matches
cotton balls dipped in vaseline in a film canister
beanie
first aid kit
snacks
water
extra socks
tp
head lamp
electrical tape
rope
sometimes my spotting scope , depending on the plan for the day

[Johnb317]

Oops missread the question

Water
Uv purify pen
Food
Knife
Line
First aid bag
Down jacket
Fire kit
Sox
Game bags
Line
Camera
Space blanket
Tp
Headlamp

[300rum]

I carry as little as possible too.  One thing I will mention that is a little different that I have added is a titanium cup, Starbucks Via Coffee and a few Esbit fuel tabs.  I have used the Stansport fuel tabs (much less expensive) and they work almost as well but sometimes I have to add another tab.  I can easily heat a cup of water, just almost to boiling (with two tabs) in below freezing weather.  If I want I also carry a Cup-of-noodles.  Since I have done this I can't tell you how good I feel to have a warm cup of decent coffee or warm food on a miserable day. 

[300rum]

Maybe this is a little off-topic but I wonder why everyone carries a first aid kit?  In my way of thinking you are wearing anything you might need to patch yourself up a little bit and if it is too bad it isn't going to matter anyway.  I guess it is a matter of opinion but this is somewhere where I shed some weight.  I would rather carry an extra bottle of water.    

[Johnb317]

Hope you're Kidding.    I carry a kit with bandages, quick clot etc.    Not always in cell phone range.  Friend of mine saved his guides life helped by the first aid gear he brought along.  Ironically the guide teased him about it earlier in the week.
It's well worth the space and weight.     
Old boy scout.    Be prepared.   

[blackveltbowhunter]

      My level of firstaid will vary based on whether im hunting alone or with friends, and length of stay in the woods. But I always have at least QC, amd some bandages of varying sizes at minimum. Your right 300, often times splints, tourniquets, bandages etc... can be fashioned out of clothing. And in an emergency that would be the case. But I would rather carry a few ounces worth of bandaging that cost a few cents, than whack up an expensive piece of clothing for a relativley minor laceration or avulsion.

    For day hunts....

 Fire Kit ( WP matches, lighter, andstarter)
 First Aid
 Some sort of food varies by season
 Stove and Cup ( again depends on season)
 100' cord
 1 Knife
 Headlamp
 Packable raingear
 Compass
 Camera and small tripod
 Space blanket
 Meat sacks ( type and quantity varies)
 TP
 H2O tabs
 

[Johnb317]

Kind of a side question.  I used to carry the water tablets, now have one of those uv pens.  Haven't gotten sick yet, anyone else use them?   

[bow-n-head]

I like 7mag's list, I also always carry game bags. I mostly bowhunt and the flies are still thick, keeping them off the meat is a must. Usually to far in to go back out to get them.

[Jason]

My hunting pack is a Eberlestock X2

Here's what I carry

Hunting license w/zip ties
Steri straw
GPS
Cell Phone
LED Headlight and flashlight
Range finder
Digital camera
Extra AA and AAA batteries
Kershaw blade trader
Knife sharpener
Cotton balls soaked in Vaseline
Wind proof lighter
Chunk of fire starter
Extra strength Tylenol and Tums
Band Aids and some medical tape
1/2 roll TP
6x8 tarp
Surveyors tape-pink
100' of Para cord
Extra Ammo
Game bags
Extra Gloves
Extra Beanie
Banana most days, but not always
Can of smoked oysters
Granola bars
Trail Mix
One to two bottles of water
Spotting scope and tri-pod depending what location i'm hunting that day

[SkookumHntr]

-Sharp knife!
-Buttwipe!
-3 beers!
-Pretty much sums up my daypack!

[ICEMAN]

I will say that at the end of the season, it is half as heavy than it was at the beginning. I re-assess at camp each night and start ditching stuff.... Then the next year, here I am jamming it full of stuff again. Happens every year.

[washelkhunter]

Im gonna hunt with Jason. That dudes got it all! 

[KFhunter]

on ropes and para cords
 
I like to roll up mule tape really tight and pack it in a tin the size of a hocky puck, can get a lot of mule tape in that small tin
 
 
 

[BlackTail]

In my pack I carry some a variation of what's already been mentioned plus two items I have seen mentioned yet.

A whistle - small, light weight, inexpensive, it doesn't expire and if you were to get lost you can make a lot of noise for a long time.
Extra boot laces - small, leight weight, inexpensive, they don't expire and it can be used for a lot of things besides replacing broken boot laces.

[ICEMAN]

on ropes and para cords
 
I like to roll up mule tape really tight and pack it in a tin the size of a hocky puck, can get a lot of mule tape in that small tin
 

KFhunter, do you have a good source for the muletape?

[huntnnw]

Maybe this is a little off-topic but I wonder why everyone carries a first aid kit?  In my way of thinking you are wearing anything you might need to patch yourself up a little bit and if it is too bad it isn't going to matter anyway.  I guess it is a matter of opinion but this is somewhere where I shed some weight.  I would rather carry an extra bottle of water.   

I've always wonder the samething ...if its that bad no first aid kits going to do chit.. cut yourself deep enough tear up your shirt etc

[ICEMAN]

I carry a first aid kit to be able to deal with a trip ending injury. Get a nasty cut, I want to be able to cleanse, apply an antibiotic, and protect the wound from infection. Now I can finish my week long or so trip. Carry nothing and are you heading for the truck or camp for woundcare? Not sure. .... 

[swanny]

I carry this kit no matter where I am going or what I am doing. It's cheap, basic, is in a nice storage pouch and packs pretty flat. It also has room for you to still add a few extras if there is anything else like meds or an epipen that you might need.

http://www.rei.com/product/800904/rei-day-pack-first-aid-kit

[colockumelk]

Will address the first aid kit issue. Your clothing is not designed for nor adequate to stop bleeding. Also if its cold the last thing you want to do is start cutting up clothing. With blood loss maintaining your body temp is difficult enough let alone with cut up clothes. Also your clothes will not absorbed blood like a pressure bandage etc will. The only thing your clothes would be good for is a tourniquet. Speaking of. If you clip an artery you have 4-5 minutes before you bleed completely out. 3 before you lose consiousness. It will take you a minute to realize you clipped an artery. From there how long will it take you to tear up clothing find a stick etc to make a tourniquet? My guess is you will die.

EVERYONE.......should have a CAT tourniquet in their pack.  http://www.combattourniquet.com/. It weighs like 2 oz and is super easy to use. It only requires one hand. If you screw up an arm, your by yourself this is the ONLY tourniquet you would be able to use. If you are relying on using your shirt and a stick YOUR DEAD!  Also for bleeding combat guaze http://www.narescue.com/Combat_Gauze-CNC988281412A7.html (there is places that sell it for cheaper) or quick clot will also stop bleeding especially serious bleeding 100x faster than a cotton shirt. Also one is sterile one is covered in dirt and sweat. Infection still kills people.

For those that think that there is nothing in a first aid kit that is more effective than their clothing you are EXTREMELY ill informed.

Now back to the original posters question. For a day pack I have

PACK
2- Game Bags. (Enough to carry out a deboned deer or 1/2 an elk)
Outdoor Edge Kodiak knife and bone saw set.
1- 50 foot roll of 550 chord.
1- 100oz camelback w/ water
1- PBJ sandwich
1- bologna sandwich
Various snacks
First Aid Kit
Beanie
Head lamp
Small flashlight
GPS
Cell Phone (Doubles as a camera)
Elknut Chuckler grunt tube.

ON ME
Binos
Range finder
2- Rocky Jacobson mouth calls
Rocky Jacobson "Who's your daddy" reed call
Primos Hoochie mamma push call ( shut up all of you, it has been the final key to calling in bulls a few times. Don't judge me.).
Face mask
Gloves
Wind checker

And that's about it.

[ICEMAN]

Colockum, that cat is freaking awesome,  how much do those run?

[colockumelk]

ICE they are about $27. I only did a quick Google search though. I'm sure you can find it cheaper though.  http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003IPZRYI/ref=redir_mdp_mobile

They really are awesome. Back in the day tourniquets were "in case of emergency only" kind of thing. Now if its arterial bleeding or a lot of blood we go straight to the tourniquet. Then put on the pressure bandage. It was a myth that tourniquets caused tissue damage.

I can (using one hand) pull the tourniquet out of my sleeve pocket (where we wear them) and put it on in under 30 seconds.

[ICEMAN]

I want one of those, thanks for sharing the info.

[fair-chase]

Great stuff Colockum. I've always just carried a half roll of Gamma Gauze Tape thinking I could wrap it tight enough if need be, but for the price of that thing (and the weight) it just makes sense. I think I will be adding it to my pack soon. Thanks.

[Eli346]

 I carry a lighter, duct tape (20' or so), 40' of paracord, small first aid kit, water purification tablets, firestarter (cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly), knives, (pocket, sheath, and Havalon Piranta), saw, small roll of wire, reflective survival blanket, 5 hour energy, bottle of water, energy bars, and of course; ammo. I'm sure I forgot something but that's it in a nutshell. Oops, don't forget the compass!

[washelkhunter]

My tourniquet is the belt holding up my pants. Its one of those camo web belts that you can use at any length and is always on my person. I see no reason to carry around a device that is essentially the same as my belt when weight is the issue. The cat looks more like a device i would like to have in camp, around the shop and in my rig.

[NWBREW]

My pack is an eberlestock X-1.

It's for sale.    Hundred bucks.

[RadSav]

on ropes and para cords
 
I like to roll up mule tape really tight and pack it in a tin the size of a hocky puck, can get a lot of mule tape in that small tin
 

KFhunter, do you have a good source for the muletape?

Iceman, Just about every phone company truck yard has a pile of the stuff they will give away for free.  They usually only use it once so there is always some real nice pieces if you look it all over.  Only catch is you will usually have to get it untangled which can sometimes be more than the brain can handle.

Our local phone company sold me the NEW 1/2 mile spool I carry in the truck for about 25% less than I could find it online.

Sorry to butt in KF.

[ICEMAN]

Thanks RadSav!

[grundy53]

I LOVE mule tape. You cant beat it!

[rasbo]

I LOVE mule tape. You cant beat it!

I ended up with a bunch of it last year at the catfish trip...Hmmm wonder who I got it from...

[grundy53]

I LOVE mule tape. You cant beat it!

I ended up with a bunch of it last year at the catfish trip...Hmmm wonder who I got it from...

I imagine it was some strikingly hansome gentleman that had enough to spare..... 

[Skyvalhunter]

striking yes

[jechicdr]

My daypack (fanny pack) I carry fire starting supplies, knife, sharpener, game bags, licenses/tags, emergency blanket, snacks, water (Camelback), trail marking tape, nice headlamp, cord and Thermacell with refills.  I'm usually layered in clothing in mornings and may ditch heavy clothing somewhere that I figure I'll be walking back by to pick up on the way back to camp, or along the way to an evening hunting spot so I can pick it up before it starts to cool off (mark it on GPS).  If I plan a bigger excursion, I'll pack my Badlands 2800 with layers of clothing, water filter and a few extra snacks in addition to the fanny pack.  Toilet paper, GPS, rangefinder, SPOT messenger, compass, cheap headlamp are either attached or in my pockets.  Don't want to try digging though the fanny pack in the dark to find headlamp, much easier to reach in a pocket, but If I get an elk down, my fanny pack gets emptied.