High Country/Backcountry gear lists...

[Hunter mike]

I'm getting ready to set out on the high hunt this year, backpack style.  I see there are a bunch of threads for indivudual pieces of gear - I'm just curious what different people have for the "full package."

What do you all carry for gear (sleeping bag, stove, shelter, food etc.)?

Any smaller accessories/tidbits/advice on what to bring?

What Kind of knives do you carry?  Do you de-bone your meat?

Any tips for securing a rifle to a non-hunting specific pack for climbing rough terrain?

This will be my first big game hunt ever, so my preparations are high and my expectations are low.  I'm pretty comfortable in the backcountry, but I'm sure I'll get schooled by terrain or conditions at some point.  I've got a spot picked out that I think could be pretty good, but we'll see how it looks when the snow melts and I can get up there to scout!  I've accepted that this might just be a camping trip, but I will still aggressively try to be successful!  At this point I'm rolling solo, but Hopefull will talk one of my buddies into tagging along...

[washelkhunter]

This is gonna be long.. i dont camp above the treeline i like a fire, and besides i can hike up in the am..i uxe a nylon whelen leanto as my shelter, so i need to be near trees for poles or.suspension since there are no tent poles. Youll need a hatchet p, wood saw and two knives. i use a fixed blade and a 3 blade. If youre going solo i suggezt a plb for emergency.  A 0-15 degree bag and pad..think wool, poloypropelene and fleece clothes with a waterproof shell. Since i can dry out i usu just use gaiters. Bring a good sturdy pair of camp shoes to relax in, but ones that if you have to you can pack back out in them. Take enough food for one extra day, stuff happens. Trekking poles. One large heavt duty meat bag, not the cheese cloth kind, for the deer meat cause you are going to bone it out. A paperback. Cabelas probly has an addon rifle pack kit. Use the individual water bottle purifier or just boil it over the fire. Get everything together spread out on the floor then toss.out half of it. You should be ready.

[Branden]

I would never take the stuff washelkhunter suggests on a backpack hunt. To much weight. But that is me personally. Here is a short list

Optics: Binoculars, spotting scope, rangefinder, tripod and a camera.
Weapon: Rifle/bow, ammo/arrows.
Kill kit: Scalpel, and a couple of those super cheap, stretchy game bags.
Sleep system: Sil tarp, or tarp tent. 40 degree down sleeping bag. And a closed cell foam pad.
Misc: Headlamp, lighter, 2 garbage bags, hiking sticks, some heavy duty twine, marmot precip rain gear.

An extra pair socks, an extra top layer, and a down puffy vest, and long johns, balaclava, and beanie. All synthetic except the vest. 

Food, just make sure it has at least 100 calories per ounce, and if you shop around you can do 120-130 pretty easily.

That is pretty much it I think.

[7mag.]

I just upgraded my gear, because I haven't done a backpack hunt in a few years. I'll give you my list, that I can remember off the top of my head.

Shelter- Eureka Solitaire
Sleeping bag- Marmot Trestle 15* (a little heavy and bulky, but not bad for $80)
Sleeping pad- Closed cell foam
Stove- Brunton Raptor (there are better out there, but I already have this one and I am on a budget)
Cookware- GSI Soloist kit
Water bladder- Platypus 2 liter
Water filtration- Sawyer Squeeze filter (9 oz., awesome) and Aquamira drops
Binos- Leupold Cascade 10x42
Spotter- Swarovski 20-60x80 HD, and tripod
Range Finder- Leupold RX IV
Rifle and ammo
Knives- 2 Outdoor edge, and a Leatherman
Rope- 2 50' lengths of paracord
Headlamp, small LED flashlight
GPS
Compass, and map
T.P.
Small towel
2 synthetic or merino base layer tops
1 synthetic or merino base layer bottom
2 pair smartwool socks
1 pair warm gloves
Fire starter
Water proof lighter and matches
Boots- Kenetrek Mountain Extremes
2 lightweight stretchy game bags (I might upgrade to Kifaru meat baggies)
Fleece vest
Lightweight micro fleece shirt
Soft shell rain jacket
Synthetic pants
Pack- Mystery Ranch BDSB, 7400 ci.
2 pair synthetic boxer breifs
Synthetic t-shirt

The pants, one pair underwear, one pair of socks, the t-shirt, boots and either the vest or micro fleece top, depending on weather will be worn on the hike in. This does not include food, which adds up quick.

[oldleclercrd]

Just marking so I can follow.

[JLS]

The kind of knife isn't all that important.  I carry a Knives of Alaska Alpha Wolf, and carry a small diamond hone.  I bone out meat sometimes, but not always.  It depends on weather, rain, how far, etc.  I prefer to leave bone in to make it easier to pack and reduce exposure to contamination, at least on the hinds. 

It is easy to secure a rifle to a non hunting pack.  My Dana Glacier pack can have a rifle in the water bottle pouch on the side, cinched in with one of the side compression straps or I could strap it to the daisy chain on the back.   The side is more comfortable and more stable IMO.

My gear list is a little different, but it is more tailored to archery season.

Pack:  MR Longbow
Bag: Marmot Sawtooth 15 degree
Pad:  Big Agnes Insualted Air Core
Tent:  Big Agnes Fly Creek 2
Stove: Snowpeak Gigapower w/ titanium cup
Filter: Katadyn Pro Hiker
Boots: Lowa Baffin
Clothes: Sitka Gear mix (Mountain Pants, Traverse 1/4 zip, Celsius Vest)
Coat: Merrill Soft Shell
Merino wool 1/4 zip top and bottoms
2 pair wool socks
1 extra pair briefs
Firestarter
Headlamp and flashlight
Small first aid kit
Game Bags
Spotter: Leupold 20x Gold Ring
Tripod:  Slik Sprint Mini
Binos: Zeiss Classic 10x40
Paracord
Batteries
Camelback 100 oz bladder
Knife and steel
Underarmour beanie
Polypro gloves or wool liner gloves

I'd like to add a insulative coat for elk hunting, like a Kuiu Spindrift.

[JimmyHoffa]

If you don't mind eating packaged foods, you can get peanutbutter crackers/snickers marathon bars/pop-tarts/dried fruit/beef jerky/propel fitness water and other no-cook foods.  Then you can leave stoves/fuel/pots/utensils at home and eliminate camp chores like dishes and fetching cooking water.
Sleeping pads are definitely worth the pack! 

[Branden]

If you don't mind eating packaged foods, you can get peanutbutter crackers/snickers marathon bars/pop-tarts/dried fruit/beef jerky/propel fitness water and other no-cook foods.  Then you can leave stoves/fuel/pots/utensils at home and eliminate camp chores like dishes and fetching cooking water.
Sleeping pads are definitely worth the pack!

I don't pack a stove anymore either. Just adds weight and bulk.

[dreamingbig]

I can't go without a stove.  A cup of warm coffee goes along way with me.

[Skyvalhunter]

having a good warm meal goes a long way and is a must for me.

[atfulldraw]

I use this list from Bowhunter magazine as a guide changing thing that work better for me. http://www.bowhunter.com/your-gear-checklist-for-backcountry-bowhunts.html

[JPhelps]

If you don't mind eating packaged foods, you can get peanutbutter crackers/snickers marathon bars/pop-tarts/dried fruit/beef jerky/propel fitness water and other no-cook foods.  Then you can leave stoves/fuel/pots/utensils at home and eliminate camp chores like dishes and fetching cooking water.
Sleeping pads are definitely worth the pack!

I don't pack a stove anymore either. Just adds weight and bulk.

I agree for shorter trips.  For longer trips (4-5+ days) or hunting with a partner the lighter dehydrated food and stove combo seems to have advantages weight and space wise.

[Branden]

If you don't mind eating packaged foods, you can get peanutbutter crackers/snickers marathon bars/pop-tarts/dried fruit/beef jerky/propel fitness water and other no-cook foods.  Then you can leave stoves/fuel/pots/utensils at home and eliminate camp chores like dishes and fetching cooking water.
Sleeping pads are definitely worth the pack!

I don't pack a stove anymore either. Just adds weight and bulk.

I agree for shorter trips.  For longer trips (4-5+ days) or hunting with a partner the lighter dehydrated food and stove combo seems to have advantages weight and space wise.

I don't think dehydrated food is lighter?

Here is the info for a spaghetti with meat sauce.

Nutritional Infromation
Net Weight   5 oz
Servings Per Package   2
Serving Size   1/2 pouch
Calories
Total Calories   280
Calories from Fat   60


That equates to 112 calories per ounce. Not that great when you can do 120-130 calories per ounce if you shop. If you add the weight of a stove, fuel, pot, and eating utensil it even makes the food heavier calorie per ounce. Also I have always thought it was bulky for mountain house meals? Maybe not.

This is in regards to mountain house like stated above. I don't have experience with other kinds so it might be a lot better with a different brand?

Has anybody ever weighed their food with a stove, and without a stove? I would be curious to see how close it is for a week long hunt for the same amount of calories.

[75johndeere]

It is if you take it out if the packages and put it into ziplocks or vacume pack it so that it fits as small as possible just keep one bag and wash it out or buy a titanium pot

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[Hunter mike]

Great replies so far!  I'm finding lots of ideas that I hadn't thought of...

I think the stove is a luxury that I need...  I'm a bit worried about what would happen if I tried to go 4 days without coffee

I will be using an ultralight alcohol stove and whatever lightweight pot I can find.  I'm hoping to find a pot that fits the top of my french press so it can serve double duty.  I won't be having hot breakfasts or lunches though - I know I won't want to take the time until I'm ready to settle in for the night. 

It looks like I was planning to bring maybe a few two many clothes...  looks like most bring just one change of baselayer?  I might bring an extra mid-layer shirt since my setup is a bit untested - I could just double up if needed.  No one will be out there to smell me I guess