Post by: yakimanoob on August 01, 2018, 12:42:00 PM
Where can I cut weight? What could I do as an alternate strategy to carry less gear and thus less weight? How can I get better at this?
Mission: take a bear or mule deer out of ALW or GPW.
General strategy: solo rifle hunt. mix of trails and bushwhacking. Get as high as I can on the forest roads and hoof it up into the wilderness alpine/sub-alpine areas. Not likely to be more than 4-5 miles in as I would likely need to make two trips to get all the meat out. 2 nights / 3 days max.
Pack and poles:
- Osprey Aether 60 (I know, I know, I should get a different pack from your favorite brand, but I'm neither sold on that idea nor flush enough with cash to buy a big hunting pack. Maybe one day.)
- Leki Makalu Ultralight Ti trekking poles
Findin' and Killin':
- Savage Lightweight Hunter, 7mm-08 with Nikon Prostaff 5 2.5-10x44mm scope and Quake Claw sling
- 4 rounds in the mag + 4 extra rounds of Hornady Precision Hunter ELDX factory ammo
- Leupold BX-4 10x42mm binos, with soft case and tripod adapter
- Vortex Summit SS-P Tripod
- Thermarest Z-Lite Seat
- Bushnell SpaceMaster 15-45x50mm spotting scope
- Dead Down wind checker
Misc tools and Kill kit:
- Leatherman
- Gerber Vitals knife, with extra scalpel blades
- electrical tape (currently about 1/5 of a "full" roll)
- tags and license
- 4pk 48" Alaska Game bags
- 2 pair nitrile gloves
Toilettries:
- toilet paper
- Duece of Spades trowel
- moist wipes
- contact solution and case
- glasses and case
- toothbrush and toothpaste
- floss
Light and electronics:
- Black Diamond Storm headlamp, plus 1 set of extra AAA batteries
- iPhone 7 in UAG case
- Anker PowerCore 13000 portable charger
- 2' iphone charger cable
- Garmin InReach SE+
- in-ear headphones and adapter
Shelter and sleep system:
- Hennessy Expedition Ultralight hammock
- Mtn Hardwear 20° down sleeping bag
- Exped Synmat HL, large
- Sea2Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow (you keep your dirty mitts off my pillow)
- **3x9' Tyvek (in case I need to use the hammock like a tent in very cold weather; may double as a ground sheet for processing meat)
- two MSR groundhog stakes
First Aid/Emergency:
- 1 roll 2" Coban
- 1 roll 1" athletic tape
- moleskin
- surgical pad
- 2 non-stick gauze pads
- various band-aids
- antiseptic ointment
- alcohol wipes
- ibuprofen
- antihistamine
- anti-diarrheal
- pepto tabs
- space blanket
- lighter and firestarter
- ~50' reflective cord
Apparel (everything is synthetic):
- Sunglasses
- OR boonie hat
- Prana Stretch Zion pants
- OR pants (backup in case my zions get soaked)
- 2 pair Darn Tough hiking socks
- 2 pair undies
- longsleeve t-shirt
- short sleeve t-shirt
- Marmot Variant jacket
- **Mtn Hardwear Phantom puffy jacket
- OR Foray Rain Jacket
- **Cabelas spacerain pants
- **Patagonia Capilene 2 long undies
- Scarpa Zodiak Plus boots
- OR Flextex II gaiters
- **OR overdrive convertible gloves
- **OR Guide gloves
- **Mtn Hardwear beanie
- Scarf
Water:
- MSR Hyperflow water filter
- 2.5L Osprey Hydraulics hydration pack (filled to the minimum point I think I need at any given fill-up spot)
- 1L Platypus collapsible water bottle (used almost exclusively in camp)
Cookware/Kitchen:
- JetBoil Sol Titanium stove
- small JetBoil fuel can
- Sea2Summit Titanium cup
- MSR Mugmate coffee filter
- Sea2Summit long spoon
*Food:
- Mtn House dinners, portioned into foodsaver zipper bags
- oatmeal for breakfast
- lara bars
- trail mix
- deer summer sausage for good luck
- sometimes dark chocolate
*Obviously highly dependent on the length of trip, which varies from an overnight to 2night/3day.
**May be left at home depending on the weather forecast.
I'm about 100% I've forgotten to list something, so I'm sure I'll be editing this as we go. Thanks in advance folks!!
Post by: 7mmfan on August 01, 2018, 01:09:12 PM
Leatherman. What you forsee using it for?
Toothbrush/paste
Headphones
Moleskin, use athletic tape
Do you need both Anti-diahreal and pepto?
Sunglasses, use the hat
1 pair undies, buy wool, they'll last 3 days
Short sleeve T-shirt, roll up the sleeves on the long one
One of those puffy's, based on weather forecast. Should be pretty confident in a 3 day out forecast
1 pair of those gloves
Scarf if any of your jackets are hoodies
Post by: Jonathan_S on August 01, 2018, 01:22:12 PM
There’s a whole bunch of stuff there. After a few high hunts, you’ll figure out what you want to ditch
That’s a lot of clothes IMO
Post by: shmacker on August 01, 2018, 01:22:42 PM
Post by: yakimanoob on August 01, 2018, 01:26:30 PM
Various things; I find myself frequently using it backpacking and scouting. Importantly in this case, I'm not a huge fan of the gutless method and that little saw makes quick work of the pelvis and ribs to access the body cavity. Also it's the only thing I'm carrying for a pocket knife.
Toothbrush/paste
I've got enough bone loss in my jaw already from inadequate care, and while I could leave this behind for a trip or two each year, if I skipped it every time I'd seriously regret it when I'm older.
Headphones
Moleskin, use athletic tape
Tape had been my standard technique for many years, until I realized that moleskin weighs basically nothing and is way more comfortable if you do get a blister.
Do you need both Anti-diahreal and pepto?
I hope not, and haven't yet. I think about this just about every time I go through my first aid kit.
Sunglasses, use the hat
1 pair undies, buy wool, they'll last 3 days
Short sleeve T-shirt, roll up the sleeves on the long one
I hear ya. The prepper in me can't stand the idea of not having a back-up set of clothes though, in case the set I'm wearing gets wet. If the weather's warm and getting wet isn't dangerous, I could probably stand to leave the extra clothes at home.
One of those puffy's, based on weather forecast. Should be pretty confident in a 3 day out forecast
That's what I meant with the **. I agonize over the forecast every time trying to decide to carry my puffy or just make due with layers. The thing about that Phantom jacket though, is that at 11oz, it's easy to tip the scales with 1 or two layers.
1 pair of those gloves
Agreed. I should have clarified that I would take EITHER not both, depending on the forecast. Editing now...
Scarf if any of your jackets are hoodies
They are not (besides the rain jacket, anyway). Picking up a hoodie might need to happen before Sep 15...
Thanks!!
Post by: yakimanoob on August 01, 2018, 01:30:28 PM
:yeah: Plus I would drop the spotter unless you are really keen on trying to size up a trophy. One you use those Alaska game bags and toss them, do yourself a favor and get some T.A.G.s or Black Ovis synthetic game bags and never look back.
I've been thinking a lot about getting some good synthetic bags. The Alaska bags I have are already used and washed. I've heard mixed advice on whether that's a good idea in the first place... I guess those syn bags are worth the $$, in your opinion?
Thanks for the feedback! :).
Post by: banishd on August 01, 2018, 01:31:57 PM
Everything else costs more money. I dont know what the vortex tripod weighs but check out kdc ultralight to cut maybe 2lbs of weight out for under $200. Everything else will probably be less cost effective for reducing weight.
Post by: jackelope on August 01, 2018, 01:33:31 PM
Wind checker(Don't need it)
Leatherman(Don't need it)
Alaskan Game Bags. Upgrade these to some Tag bags, Caribou bags or VIAM bags or anything smaller and lighter.
Trowel(use a rock)
Anker PowerCore 13000 portable charger
2' iphone charger cable(put phone in airplane mode and shut off all your apps and it will last a week.
1 pair of pants.
Marmot Variant jacket
Scarf
Pick 1 pair of gloves
MSR Mugmate coffee filter (get via's)
Post by: yakimanoob on August 01, 2018, 01:34:09 PM
4 game bags?I've been mulling over this. Do y'all carry only 2-3? I figure if I'm boning out the meat, I could probably get by with just 2?
Post by: jackelope on August 01, 2018, 01:37:12 PM
4 game bags?I've been mulling over this. Do y'all carry only 2-3? I figure if I'm boning out the meat, I could probably get by with just 2?
I put all the meat from my mountain goat in 1 bag boned out and put the cape/head/horns in another bag. 2 is all you need if you're boning meat. Those other brands are lighter and will save a bunch of space too. The Alaskan bags don't pack down very small, which would be my main concern. You'd be better off with a few pillow cases.
Post by: yakimanoob on August 01, 2018, 01:42:16 PM
Wind checker(Don't need it)
Yeah? I use it all the time and feel naked without it. You don't use one?
Leatherman(Don't need it)
What do you carry for blades? Without the leatherman, I'm guessing just a skinning knife? I think if I dump the leatherman, I would at least add my pocket knife (Kershaw OSO Sweet) back into the mix. I'll have to learn how to get at the heart without breaking the ribs...
Alaskan Game Bags. Upgrade these to some Tag bags, Caribou bags or VIAM bags or anything smaller and lighter.
Trowel(use a rock)
Just as a note: the trowel I carry weighs 0.6 oz and does double duty as a shovel in case I need to cover a fire. I've covered a depressing number of campfires left unattended by other groups while out and about.
Anker PowerCore 13000 portable charger
2' iphone charger cable(put phone in airplane mode and shut off all your apps and it will last a week.
You're right about it lasting that long in airplane mode. Right now I use it for mapping and navigating; I suppose I could shave weight by going old school and using a paper map. But I'm a millennial soo...... :chuckle:
Most of your clothes.
1 pair of pants.
Marmot Variant jacket
Scarf
Pick 1 pair of gloves
MSR Mugmate coffee filter (get via's)
Now is a good time to mention that I'm an extreme coffee nerd. You're lucky I'm not carrying a grinder. :chuckle:
Post by: yakimanoob on August 01, 2018, 01:43:54 PM
I put all the meat from my mountain goat in 1 bag boned out and put the cape/head/horns in another bag. 2 is all you need if you're boning meat. Those other brands are lighter and will save a bunch of space too. The Alaskan bags don't pack down very small, which would be my main concern. You'd be better off with a few pillow cases.
Good to know. Thanks!
Post by: yakimanoob on August 01, 2018, 01:48:03 PM
Plus I would drop the spotter unless you are really keen on trying to size up a trophy.This is certainly on my mind. I'm in the stage of my hunting career where I'll take the first legal animal I can, so definitely not trying to size anything up. I need to do more field testing between the very nice binos and the VERY budget spotter. I'm a little unconvinced that I can see more detail through the spotter anyway -- the bad optics seem to balance out the added magnification.
Don't be surprised if I end up going binos-only.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 01, 2018, 01:50:11 PM
Ditch any duplication in clothing. Good wool socks just need a good mid day scrubbing in a creek and a solid naps worth of time to dry and they are good to go. Same with undies. Any good synthetic or wool will easily scrub to "good enough" with some water and a rock.
I agree with others on the game bags. Not only weight but serious space can be saved. I take half a B.O.M.B. kit per deer.
Id leave my wife before i evwr left my spotter.
Hammocks are the devil but to each their own.
I don't even waste space with T.P. 100% wetwipes for this guy.
If weight is an issue then dry them out then rehydrate once you are up there. I also take a travel sized bottle of gold bond for any chaffing issues or to just clean up a bit.
Other than that evwrything looks solid. Give er hell up there!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 01, 2018, 01:52:12 PM
Post by: yakimanoob on August 01, 2018, 01:52:19 PM
Take this for what it's worth but if you are boning out your meat it is absolutely silly to gut the animal. There's literally ZERO point in adding that step.My delicious elk heart tacos beg to differ. :chuckle:
Post by: yakimanoob on August 01, 2018, 01:54:33 PM
If weight is an issue then dry them out then rehydrate once you are up there.
Now THAT is a pro tip. I'll have to try that out...
Post by: 7mmfan on August 01, 2018, 01:55:40 PM
Post by: jackelope on August 01, 2018, 01:56:15 PM
Wind checker(Don't need it)
Yeah? I use it all the time and feel naked without it. You don't use one?
I don't think I've ever felt much like I needed to check the wind when I'm rifle hunting. It's not a huge weight or a space loss, but it's something, and all those ounces add up.
Leatherman(Don't need it)
What do you carry for blades? Without the leatherman, I'm guessing just a skinning knife? I think if I dump the leatherman, I would at least add my pocket knife (Kershaw OSO Sweet) back into the mix. I'll have to learn how to get at the heart without breaking the ribs...
I carry a Havalon and a Benchmade fixed blade knife. The Benchmade weighs a lot less than my Leatherman. I used to carry one, but cut the cord a few trips ago and never felt like I needed it. You don't need to split the pelvis for anything.
Alaskan Game Bags. Upgrade these to some Tag bags, Caribou bags or VIAM bags or anything smaller and lighter.
Trowel(use a rock)
Just as a note: the trowel I carry weighs 0.6 oz and does double duty as a shovel in case I need to cover a fire. I've covered a depressing number of campfires left unattended by other groups while out and about.
Trowel seems light, but I still don't know why you need it.
Anker PowerCore 13000 portable charger
2' iphone charger cable(put phone in airplane mode and shut off all your apps and it will last a week.
You're right about it lasting that long in airplane mode. Right now I use it for mapping and navigating; I suppose I could shave weight by going old school and using a paper map. But I'm a millennial soo...... :chuckle:
OK.
Most of your clothes.
1 pair of pants.
Marmot Variant jacket
Scarf
Pick 1 pair of gloves
MSR Mugmate coffee filter (get via's)
Now is a good time to mention that I'm an extreme coffee nerd. You're lucky I'm not carrying a grinder. :chuckle:
There's a time and a place??
Post by: jackelope on August 01, 2018, 01:59:35 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 01, 2018, 02:10:46 PM
I take the heart from every single animal I kill. Two slices at the bottom of the rib, pull rib loose from brisket and you've got a straight shot to the heart and liver (if you are nasty and like liver :chuckle:) I get every piece of neat off a boned out, guts in deer that a guy would get off a full carcass. And I can do it as fast as a guy could skin gut and quarter.Take this for what it's worth but if you are boning out your meat it is absolutely silly to gut the animal. There's literally ZERO point in adding that step.My delicious elk heart tacos beg to differ. :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 01, 2018, 02:14:37 PM
Post by: yakimanoob on August 01, 2018, 02:14:52 PM
I take the heart from every single animal I kill. Two slices at the bottom of the rib, pull rib loose from brisket and you've got a straight shot to the heart and liver (if you are nasty and like liver :chuckle:) I get every piece of neat off a boned out, guts in deer that a guy would get off a full carcass. And I can do it as fast as a guy could skin gut and quarter.I stand corrected. Are you talking about the anterior or posterior ribs? Could you link a video or something showing that method?
I've done the gutless method before, but didn't know how to access the heart and always regretted it. Y'all are definitely selling me on the idea of the gutless method if I can still take the heart though... (and as such, selling me on leaving my leatherman at home).
Post by: 7mmfan on August 01, 2018, 02:15:48 PM
Post by: yakimanoob on August 01, 2018, 02:17:06 PM
On the coffee thing. If you aren't picky go vias or whatever else. If you love GOOD coffee get some dark timber ascent packs. More more than 10oz of water per pack for a killer cup of Joe. It's so good I buy it in bag form and drink it daily out of my drip pot.I've been wanting to try those, actually. Thanks for mentioning it. There's also a new brand of instant coffee called Viola, and I may carry those instead of the mugmate. But I'm not super happy with the quality and they're the opposite of cheap...
Post by: Magnum_Willys on August 01, 2018, 02:24:57 PM
Post by: Jonathan_S on August 01, 2018, 02:26:13 PM
Coffee I go with Via because I'm usually just guzzling it anyway and want the warmth and caffeine. That and a squirt bottle of Mio is all I need for food.
For clothes put on everything you'd wear during the coldest glassing session - and only take that plus whatever rain gear :twocents:
Post by: Jonathan_S on August 01, 2018, 02:27:32 PM
For tenderloins after gutless method done then saw the backbone about the 4th rib from tail and peel back with a lil knife work and perfect tenderloins can be pulled out. Tried other ways found best results with this.
The "other method" being to slit between pelvis and ribs and extract?
Never had issues doing it that way except when @BULLBLASTER knicked the gut of a moose and hit me with that unholy smell :chuckle:
Post by: andersonjk4 on August 01, 2018, 02:29:31 PM
My M.O. is to get all the meat/quarters off the carcass and then I spill the guts to access the heart/liver/tenderloins. Once all the meat is off the carcass, you don't have to be as careful or thorough about it. You're just releasing the pressure to gain easier access to the cavity.
:yeah:
As long as you can get access to the diaphragm you can get to the goodies above it. Roll up your sleeves and cut through the diaphragm then reach up into the chest cavity until you find the heart then CAREFULLY reach up in there with your other hand and knife and then either cut just the heart out or find the windpipe and esophagus above the heart and lungs and cut through them both, get the knife out of there and get both hands back up in there and stick a couple fingers down the windpipe for grip and then pull. You should be able to pull the heart and lungs out far enough to get the heart out easy enough.
Or as Karl said you can displace a couple ribs and essentially do the same thing. It is surprisingly easy to cut through the cartilage where the ribs attach with a stout knife, especially at the sternum.
Post by: 7mmfan on August 01, 2018, 02:29:46 PM
I've broken down a couple elk and half a dozen deer with nothing more than a havalon and 2-3 extra blades. Heart, tenderloins, boned out meat, cape/hide in some cases. Literally my backpacking kill kit is one game bag, a havalon and a 60L dry sack. For laying out meat, you can lay it on grass, tree limbs, smooth clean rocks, the animal hide itself etc.
Coffee I go with Via because I'm usually just guzzling it anyway and want the warmth and caffeine. That and a squirt bottle of Mio is all I need for food.
For clothes put on everything you'd wear during the coldest glassing session - and only take that plus whatever rain gear :twocents:
This. I stopped carrying a saw of any kind a long time ago. Last half dozen animals have been done exclusively with a Havalon.
I like your approach to clothing, that's a very concise way to pack only what you will wear.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 01, 2018, 02:31:47 PM
Tenderloins just push back on the gut sack and cut it out. They come out blood free and perfect. Slice thin, toss in a Ziploc qith beef ramen flavoring and sear on a stick over the fire😍
There's lots of wasted steps in deboning an animal. Example:buddy quarters the animal, lays quarters out, then debones. Quartering is a wasted step in that process. Bone it out on the carcass and save yourself the time. If processing is in the near future I'll take it off in roast form. If it's gonna be a hot minute I'll fillet out the bone and take the whole quarter off in a single piece. Neck comes off in a single piece per side as well as I braise those as a whole roast (two roasts per side actually).
Post by: yakimanoob on August 01, 2018, 02:34:40 PM
I'm surprised how many folks don't carry an extra set of clothes. Coming from backpacking, that's always been a bit of a golden rule to ward off hypothermia. I'll have to chew on that idea.
Post by: 7mmfan on August 01, 2018, 02:36:13 PM
Post by: 7mmfan on August 01, 2018, 02:38:11 PM
OK, y'all sold me on dropping the leatherman. I'll carry my regular pocket knife (which can't weigh more than 1/3 the leatherman) and the gerber vitals.
I'm surprised how many folks don't carry an extra set of clothes. Coming from backpacking, that's always been a bit of a golden rule to ward off hypothermia. I'll have to chew on that idea.
If you're going to carry extra clothes, make them count. No cotton, high insulation only for emergencies, like a pair of wool long underwear and a highly compressible down jacket in a vac seal bag or something. If you get wet, those items will do you the most good while you get your other set dried out.
Post by: shmacker on August 01, 2018, 02:43:01 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 01, 2018, 02:50:05 PM
Speak of the devil.just like that except you don't need two ribs and I can't for the life of me figure out why he took all of it out. The heart is right there, just nick the sack and yank it out. Literally start to finish it takes like minute/minute and a half at most. Good visual reference though.
Post by: idaho guy on August 01, 2018, 03:35:46 PM
Post by: Doublelunger on August 01, 2018, 04:10:27 PM
Post by: MtnMuley on August 01, 2018, 04:35:12 PM
Take this for what it's worth but if you are boning out your meat it is absolutely silly to gut the animal. There's literally ZERO point in adding that step. Also if you are gutting, splitting the pelvis is also a wasted step. Ring the pooper and it all comes out when you pull the guts out.
Ditch any duplication in clothing. Good wool socks just need a good mid day scrubbing in a creek and a solid naps worth of time to dry and they are good to go. Same with undies. Any good synthetic or wool will easily scrub to "good enough" with some water and a rock.
I agree with others on the game bags. Not only weight but serious space can be saved. I take half a B.O.M.B. kit per deer.
Id leave my wife before i evwr left my spotter.
Hammocks are the devil but to each their own.
I don't even waste space with T.P. 100% wetwipes for this guy.
If weight is an issue then dry them out then rehydrate once you are up there. I also take a travel sized bottle of gold bond for any chaffing issues or to just clean up a bit.
Other than that evwrything looks solid. Give er hell up there!
For an ultimate ounce counter, I can't believe you pack any size bottle of Gold Bond and not take a mini Ziploc with some anti monkey butt in it...…..also dubbed as wind checker :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 01, 2018, 05:02:11 PM
I fear change :chuckle:Take this for what it's worth but if you are boning out your meat it is absolutely silly to gut the animal. There's literally ZERO point in adding that step. Also if you are gutting, splitting the pelvis is also a wasted step. Ring the pooper and it all comes out when you pull the guts out.
Ditch any duplication in clothing. Good wool socks just need a good mid day scrubbing in a creek and a solid naps worth of time to dry and they are good to go. Same with undies. Any good synthetic or wool will easily scrub to "good enough" with some water and a rock.
I agree with others on the game bags. Not only weight but serious space can be saved. I take half a B.O.M.B. kit per deer.
Id leave my wife before i evwr left my spotter.
Hammocks are the devil but to each their own.
I don't even waste space with T.P. 100% wetwipes for this guy.
If weight is an issue then dry them out then rehydrate once you are up there. I also take a travel sized bottle of gold bond for any chaffing issues or to just clean up a bit.
Other than that evwrything looks solid. Give er hell up there!
For an ultimate ounce counter, I can't believe you pack any size bottle of Gold Bond and not take a mini Ziploc with some anti monkey butt in it...…..also dubbed as wind checker :chuckle:
Post by: milldozer on August 01, 2018, 06:37:06 PM
Post by: Bill W on August 01, 2018, 06:57:43 PM
Post by: Stickerbush on August 01, 2018, 07:06:14 PM
Post by: Branden on August 01, 2018, 08:00:55 PM
Alright folks, shake down my setup.
Where can I cut weight? What could I do as an alternate strategy to carry less gear and thus less weight? How can I get better at this?
Mission: take a bear or mule deer out of ALW or GPW.
General strategy: solo rifle hunt. mix of trails and bushwhacking. Get as high as I can on the forest roads and hoof it up into the wilderness alpine/sub-alpine areas. Not likely to be more than 4-5 miles in as I would likely need to make two trips to get all the meat out. 2 nights / 3 days max.
Pack and poles:
- Osprey Aether 60 (I know, I know, I should get a different pack from your favorite brand, but I'm neither sold on that idea nor flush enough with cash to buy a big hunting pack. Maybe one day.)
- Leki Makalu Ultralight Ti trekking poles
Findin' and Killin':
- Savage Lightweight Hunter, 7mm-08 with Nikon Prostaff 5 2.5-10x44mm scope and Quake Claw sling
- 4 rounds in the mag + 4 extra rounds of Hornady Precision Hunter ELDX factory ammo
- Leupold BX-4 10x42mm binos, with soft case and tripod adapter
- Vortex Summit SS-P Tripod
- Thermarest Z-Lite Seat
- Bushnell SpaceMaster 15-45x50mm spotting scope
- Dead Down wind checker
Misc tools and Kill kit:
- Leatherman
- Gerber Vitals knife, with extra scalpel blades
- electrical tape (currently about 1/5 of a "full" roll)
- tags and license
- 4pk 48" Alaska Game bags
- 2 pair nitrile gloves
Toilettries:
- toilet paper
- Duece of Spades trowel
- moist wipes
- contact solution and case
- glasses and case
- toothbrush and toothpaste
- floss
Light and electronics:
- Black Diamond Storm headlamp, plus 1 set of extra AAA batteries
- iPhone 7 in UAG case
- Anker PowerCore 13000 portable charger
- 2' iphone charger cable
- Garmin InReach SE+
- in-ear headphones and adapter
Shelter and sleep system:
- Hennessy Expedition Ultralight hammock
- Mtn Hardwear 20° down sleeping bag
- Exped Synmat HL, large
- Sea2Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow (you keep your dirty mitts off my pillow)
- **3x9' Tyvek (in case I need to use the hammock like a tent in very cold weather; may double as a ground sheet for processing meat)
- two MSR groundhog stakes
First Aid/Emergency
- 1 roll 2" Coban
- 1 roll 1" athletic tape
- moleskin
- surgical pad
- 2 non-stick gauze pads
- various band-aids
- antiseptic ointment
- alcohol wipes
- ibuprofen
- antihistamine
- anti-diarrheal
- pepto tabs
- space blanket
- lighter and firestarter
- ~50' reflective cord
Apparel (everything is synthetic):
- Sunglasses
- OR boonie hat
- Prana Stretch Zion pants
- OR pants (backup in case my zions get soaked)
- 2 pair Darn Tough hiking socks
- 2 pair undies
- longsleeve t-shirt
- short sleeve t-shirt
- Marmot Variant jacket
- **Mtn Hardwear Phantom puffy jacket
- OR Foray Rain Jacket
- **Cabelas spacerain pants
- **Patagonia Capilene 2 long undies
- Scarpa Zodiak Plus boots
- OR Flextex II gaiters
- **OR overdrive convertible gloves
- **OR Guide gloves
- **Mtn Hardwear beanie
- Scarf
Water:
- MSR Hyperflow water filter
- 2.5L Osprey Hydraulics hydration pack (filled to the minimum point I think I need at any given fill-up spot)
- 1L Platypus collapsible water bottle (used almost exclusively in camp)
Cookware/Kitchen:
- JetBoil Sol Titanium stove
- small JetBoil fuel can
- Sea2Summit Titanium cup
- MSR Mugmate coffee filter
- Sea2Summit long spoon
*Food:
- Mtn House dinners, portioned into foodsaver zipper bags
- oatmeal for breakfast
- lara bars
- trail mix
- deer summer sausage for good luck
- sometimes dark chocolate
*Obviously highly dependent on the length of trip, which varies from an overnight to 2night/3day.
**May be left at home depending on the weather forecast.
I'm about 100% I've forgotten to list something, so I'm sure I'll be editing this as we go. Thanks in advance folks!!
I changed the stuff to red that I would leave behind. Plus I didn't go through all your clothes or first aid. I'll list what I take for that.
When I first started hunting the high country here is what I used for clothes.
2 pair of Smartwool socks
1 pair of Exoficio boxer briefs
1 pair Arc teyrx long johns
1 pair of board shorts. (the swimming kind that dry fast)
1 thin fleece 1/4 zip.
1 thick fleece 1/4 zip.
Marmot precip rain gear.
Under armour beanie
Glo mits
Balaclava
I have packed in during the regular season with this same setup. I wear the rain gear a lot as a layer while sitting glassing. It blocks the wind extremely well and cuts down on the amount of clothes needed.
First aid I only bring Aleve, Zantac, and blood stop powder.
I think you will have a tough time getting all that gear in an Aether 60. I have one, and my dad has actually used it on the high hunt. But we had to pack some of his gear because it wouldn't all fit in the pack.
I would add a couple garbage bags like someone mentioned above. I use one to line my pack, then while sleeping at night I use it as a pack cover. I use one to lay meat on when butchering, and sometimes I will use them to put meat in and submerge them in a creek to cool the meat if its hot out.
Good luck
Post by: Mtnwalker on August 01, 2018, 08:27:21 PM
I've broken down a couple elk and half a dozen deer with nothing more than a havalon and 2-3 extra blades. Heart, tenderloins, boned out meat, cape/hide in some cases. Literally my backpacking kill kit is one game bag, a havalon and a 60L dry sack. For laying out meat, you can lay it on grass, tree limbs, smooth clean rocks, the animal hide itself etc.
Coffee I go with Via because I'm usually just guzzling it anyway and want the warmth and caffeine. That and a squirt bottle of Mio is all I need for food.
For clothes put on everything you'd wear during the coldest glassing session - and only take that plus whatever rain gear :twocents:
Savage
Post by: 7mmfan on August 01, 2018, 08:47:08 PM
No kidding. That Mio must be super high in calories! I'd at least bring a snickers or two for when I get hangry.I've broken down a couple elk and half a dozen deer with nothing more than a havalon and 2-3 extra blades. Heart, tenderloins, boned out meat, cape/hide in some cases. Literally my backpacking kill kit is one game bag, a havalon and a 60L dry sack. For laying out meat, you can lay it on grass, tree limbs, smooth clean rocks, the animal hide itself etc.
Coffee I go with Via because I'm usually just guzzling it anyway and want the warmth and caffeine. That and a squirt bottle of Mio is all I need for food.
For clothes put on everything you'd wear during the coldest glassing session - and only take that plus whatever rain gear :twocents:
Savage
Post by: Jonathan_S on August 01, 2018, 09:02:25 PM
I meant “besides food”
Post by: yakimanoob on August 01, 2018, 09:27:57 PM
yeah I eat raw rockchucks.It must be late. I laughed loudly when I read that.
Post by: yakimanoob on August 01, 2018, 09:35:33 PM
You don't carry a means of boiling water or cooking? I guess that would save weight...
Post by: Shawn Ryan on August 01, 2018, 10:24:28 PM
Post by: banishd on August 01, 2018, 10:49:47 PM
Post by: WA1232 on August 01, 2018, 11:06:27 PM
Post by: yakimanoob on August 02, 2018, 07:17:08 AM
I don't see a rangefinder on your list. I think they are super handy in the high country.
I told you I would forget something!
I carry a Sig Kilo 1250 :)
Post by: Branden on August 02, 2018, 09:23:17 AM
@Branden You've intrigued me with the "leave everything in the cookware section at home" bit.
You don't carry a means of boiling water or cooking? I guess that would save weight...
Nope. I eat cold food. I know some guys think that freeze dried food weighs less per ounce then other stuff but from my past research it does not. I remember it being around 110 calories an ounce. I just checked the Mt house beef stew and it is 116 calories per ounce from what I could tell online. When I go shopping for backpacking food if its not a minimum of 125 cals per ounce I don't buy it. So lets say freeze dried and the food I bring all averages 125 cals per ounce. You are still saving weight, volume, etc not taking a stove, fuel, spoon, cup for coffee, etc. But I would say my average is 140 cals per ounce. So now I am getting more cals to burn for the same weight as the guy bringing freeze dried.
I could be wrong about the calories freeze dried food contains. Its been awhile since I have used it, and the beef stew was the first thing I saw when I googled it.
Anyway you could look into it yourself.
Regards, Branden
Post by: Jonathan_S on August 02, 2018, 09:41:48 AM
@Branden You've intrigued me with the "leave everything in the cookware section at home" bit.
You don't carry a means of boiling water or cooking? I guess that would save weight...
Nope. I eat cold food. I know some guys think that freeze dried food weighs less per ounce then other stuff but from my past research it does not. I remember it being around 110 calories an ounce. I just checked the Mt house beef stew and it is 116 calories per ounce from what I could tell online. When I go shopping for backpacking food if its not a minimum of 125 cals per ounce I don't buy it. So lets say freeze dried and the food I bring all averages 125 cals per ounce. You are still saving weight, volume, etc not taking a stove, fuel, spoon, cup for coffee, etc. But I would say my average is 140 cals per ounce. So now I am getting more cals to burn for the same weight as the guy bringing freeze dried.
I could be wrong about the calories freeze dried food contains. Its been awhile since I have used it, and the beef stew was the first thing I saw when I googled it.
Anyway you could look into it yourself.
Regards, Branden
In general you may be right. However, there are some pretty dense freeze dried meals compared to the beef stew I think.
I know personally, that my double cheddar, bacon, sausage and jalapeno spicy mac really packs in the calories/ounce :chuckle:
Post by: 7mmfan on August 02, 2018, 09:48:43 AM
@Branden You've intrigued me with the "leave everything in the cookware section at home" bit.
You don't carry a means of boiling water or cooking? I guess that would save weight...
Nope. I eat cold food. I know some guys think that freeze dried food weighs less per ounce then other stuff but from my past research it does not. I remember it being around 110 calories an ounce. I just checked the Mt house beef stew and it is 116 calories per ounce from what I could tell online. When I go shopping for backpacking food if its not a minimum of 125 cals per ounce I don't buy it. So lets say freeze dried and the food I bring all averages 125 cals per ounce. You are still saving weight, volume, etc not taking a stove, fuel, spoon, cup for coffee, etc. But I would say my average is 140 cals per ounce. So now I am getting more cals to burn for the same weight as the guy bringing freeze dried.
I could be wrong about the calories freeze dried food contains. Its been awhile since I have used it, and the beef stew was the first thing I saw when I googled it.
Anyway you could look into it yourself.
Regards, Branden
In general you may be right. However, there are some pretty dense freeze dried meals compared to the beef stew I think.
I know personally, that my double cheddar, bacon, sausage and jalapeno spicy mac really packs in the calories/ounce :chuckle:
But you have pack twice the mountain money and pepto to compensate for that meal!
Post by: Hunter mike on August 02, 2018, 09:53:32 AM
I've found the hammock to be not the way to go for logistics, weight, and heavy weather. And I love sleeping in my hammock. Also, didn't see a tarp, but assume you're using one...
I don't usually use down - personal preference. Part of the no extra clothes system should include layers that keep you warm even when wet.
Allen synthetic game bags are cheap and get the job done - not quite Tag bags, but way better than the Alaskas.
Post by: Hunter mike on August 02, 2018, 10:04:03 AM
I wouldn't consider Space Rain sufficient - prefer more of a shell outer layer (would definitely trade the weight of extra clothes for an upgrade here). The mountain will hand it to you sometimes...
I also don't have a high end spotter - I use a cheap Alpine brand fixed power for backpacking and have found it to be a happy medium. Planning to upgrade to a Leupold brand fixed power soon. Seems to be the difference between spotting a deer (binos usually) and putting points on it across a canyon.
Still no high buck success for me, but I feel like I've become pretty good at thriving on backcountry hunts these past several years. I tend to use the same clothing systems and applicable gear when hunting from my truck - it just works.
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on August 02, 2018, 10:09:47 AM
I would lose the leatherman and upgrade the kill kit to better bags as the "must do". Personally I would also pare down the clothing list and probably the food depending on the variables.
For a couple nights you can get by without alot, but on the flip side you can also be more comfortable and still at a decent pack weight. Finding the balance is individual. Dont overthink it. If your finding you are consistently coming back with items that you didnt use, or could have got by with out. Leave it and see if you really miss it.
I cold camp from time to time but its much more rare than I used to. I enjoy hot coffee and warm breakfast In the mountains. Chugging ice cold via and hard protien bar is not worth it to me unless the situation dictates it. So I budget the weight for the stove and fuel and dont think twice.
Post by: Holg3107 on August 02, 2018, 10:52:29 AM
- Savage Lightweight Hunter, 7mm-08 with Nikon Prostaff 5 2.5-10x44mm scope and Quake Claw sling
- 4 rounds in the mag + 4 extra rounds of Hornady Precision Hunter ELDX factory ammo
- Leupold BX-4 10x42mm binos, with soft case and tripod adapter
- Vortex Summit SS-P Tripod
- Thermarest Z-Lite Seat
-
Misc tools and Kill kit:
- Gerber Vitals knife, with extra scalpel blades
- electrical tape (currently about 1/5 of a "full" roll)
- tags and license
- 4pk 48" Alaska Game bags (there are better options out there for this as has been noted)
- 2 pair nitrile gloves
Toilettries:
- moist wipes
- contact solution and case
- glasses and case
- toothbrush and toothpaste
Light and electronics: (Everything here besides the Garmin and headlamp is technically unnecessary but your list is almost exactly what I take so no changes here...)
- Black Diamond Storm headlamp, plus 1 set of extra AAA batteries
- iPhone 7 in UAG case
- Anker PowerCore 13000 portable charger
- 2' iphone charger cable
- Garmin InReach SE+
- in-ear headphones and adapter
Shelter and sleep system:
- Mtn Hardwear 20° down sleeping bag
- Exped Synmat HL, large
- Sea2Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow (you keep your dirty mitts off my pillow)
- **3x9' Tyvek (in case I need to use the hammock like a tent in very cold weather; may double as a ground sheet for processing meat)
- two MSR groundhog stakes
First Aid/Emergency:
- 1 roll 2" Coban
- 1 roll 1" athletic tape
- moleskin
- surgical pad
- 2 non-stick gauze pads
- various band-aids
- antiseptic ointment
- alcohol wipes
- ibuprofen
- antihistamine
- anti-diarrheal
- pepto tabs
- space blanket
- lighter and firestarter
- ~50' reflective cord
Apparel (everything is synthetic): As has been mentioned. Pack what you would wear on the coldest point you can envision glassing. nothing more... Also Merino wool is your friend. Your synthetic stuff is going to stink after a day or two.
- OR boonie hat
- Prana Stretch Zion pants
- 2 pair Darn Tough hiking socks
- longsleeve t-shirt
- Marmot Variant jacket
- **Mtn Hardwear Phantom puffy jacket
- OR Foray Rain Jacket
- **Cabelas spacerain pants
- **Patagonia Capilene 2 long undies
- Scarpa Zodiak Plus boots
- **OR overdrive convertible gloves
- **OR Guide gloves
- **Mtn Hardwear beanie
Water: I use a steri pen and nothing more. Up to you if you want to invest money here.
- MSR Hyperflow water filter
- 2.5L Osprey Hydraulics hydration pack (filled to the minimum point I think I need at any given fill-up spot)
- 1L Platypus collapsible water bottle (used almost exclusively in camp)
Cookware/Kitchen:
- JetBoil Sol Titanium stove
- small JetBoil fuel can
- Sea2Summit long spoon
*Food:
- Mtn House dinners, portioned into foodsaver zipper bags
- oatmeal for breakfast
- lara bars
- trail mix
- deer summer sausage for good luck
- sometimes dark chocolate
Heres my pack for a 7 day solo hunt if it helps. I still have room for improvement especially in the shelter area and overpacked cloths but overall it ended up not being too bad.
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on August 02, 2018, 12:41:03 PM
Some of these other cuts seem insane. Dental floss has multiple uses, not to mention it is nice to have for its intended use and take up no space and truly insignificant in weight IMO. If cutting a few ounces in glasses do go with the sunglases. I dont use prescription lenses, but if I did there is no doubt I would be packing a spare in case something happened to the primary system. I always have a spare release, Its worth a few ounces not to have your hunt over because of something simple like that. Glasses break, contacts can fall out, get lost or get irritated. When it comes to saving weight at times the GIF can get the better of sound judgment.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 02, 2018, 12:42:07 PM
Packs: regardless of what you have, fit it properly and learn the proper way to put it on. I see so many people who bypass this step and then wonder why they get hotspots or sore shoulders. Just last night I watched a video of a couple guys hunting. These dudes LITERALLY SELL several lines of packs and both had packs way out of adjustment.
Food: pack what you are going to enjoy eating. Some stuff may not hit the calorie content that the internet tells you it has to have but by God you can eat it day in and day out it will be more beneficial than the calorie dense food you hate after two days and end up not eating. If you don't eat it then it's worth zero calories and hurts you mentally
Weight: I stopped weighing my stuff years ago. Don't really care honestly. I've gone ultra light and its not for me. I pack what I want and what I need, weight be damned. I want good food, coffee, and I wanna sleep good. If that comes at a weight penalty then I'll do a few extra squats and lunges. The guy who struggles with a 50lb pack is gonna struggle with a 40lb pack. Get some weight on your back and make your lungs burn a bit before season and a few extra pounds is a non issue.
Mental toughness: if you don't have some grit, it doesn't matter what your pack weighs or what gear you have, you will fail and you will come off the mountain early. When it gets hard, lonely, or boring, attack the issue. Always keep stepping! Physically and mentally. It won't kill you. Unless you walk off a cliff or mauled by a bear. Then it will kill you :chuckle:
Like others have said, overall you've got a pretty good list going. With time you'll figure out what you need/don't need.
Post by: PlateauNDN on August 02, 2018, 01:59:30 PM
Post by: fillthefreezer on August 02, 2018, 03:51:01 PM
A couple things to think about.. if your pants get soaked, and you're moving, you're fine. Otherwise crawl In your sleeping bag or don your rain pants. I'd be more inclined to bring a pair of shorts as 2nd bottoms. No longjohns for me. Folding knife and a replaceable blade knife, no multi tool. I prefer a 2nd headlamp (petzl e-lite) to spare batteries
Post by: Branden on August 02, 2018, 04:44:55 PM
For me I would not be able to hunt mule deer in the high country without a spotter. First high hunt I did my dad killed a buck I spotted a couple miles away. It was a 6 mile stalk to get on top of it. We wouldn’t have hiked around to it if we didn’t know it was a buck. Which without the spotter we couldn’t.
Regards, Branden
Post by: jjhunter on August 02, 2018, 06:10:56 PM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on August 02, 2018, 07:35:22 PM
Post by: Shawn Ryan on August 02, 2018, 08:25:26 PM
My highest calories/ounce food is macadamia nuts at 235 calories/ounce.
Post by: yakimanoob on August 03, 2018, 07:32:54 AM
Post by: WA1232 on August 03, 2018, 08:28:17 AM
Post by: Colville on August 04, 2018, 10:13:43 PM
OK, y'all sold me on dropping the leatherman. I'll carry my regular pocket knife (which can't weigh more than 1/3 the leatherman) and the gerber vitals.
I'm surprised how many folks don't carry an extra set of clothes. Coming from backpacking, that's always been a bit of a golden rule to ward off hypothermia. I'll have to chew on that idea.
I'm late but you prefaced by 5 miles? You are 2 hours from the car. Duplicate clothing for survival?? Why, if crap is on the fan, just walk out. Pack up and go, your body heat is plenty for the trip.
Post by: addicted on August 05, 2018, 12:22:05 AM
As previously stated wool underwear and socks will last three days. If it's super killer hiking maybe a second pair of socks to get some cushion back after a couple days.
Pay attention and layer and strip without delay so that you don't need extra clothes. It's downright dumb and dangerous to sweat up your clothes or neglect to put on your rain gear ASAP.
Your phone on airplane and power save mode should last 5-7 days in good working order if you aren't playing angry birds so ditch the charger and heck, that's a big charger. You'll still be able to take a few pictures a day too
You don't have to be talked out of the Leatherman, just make sure it has the right tools to fix your scope rings and any nuts or bolts on your pack.
Boned out deer can fit in a few small light game bags.
Post by: addicted on August 05, 2018, 12:27:29 AM
When I'm on mountain house I go through 4 liters a day pacing myself... So maybe a bigger platypus
Post by: yakimanoob on August 05, 2018, 03:41:51 PM
I'm late but you prefaced by 5 miles? You are 2 hours from the car. Duplicate clothing for survival?? Why, if crap is on the fan, just walk out. Pack up and go, your body heat is plenty for the trip.You're not wrong. I guess I was thinking more along the lines of getting hit with a rainstorm and then a cold morning of glassing the following day -- I'd sure be thankful for that set of dry pants. I hear the argument for careful use of rainpants to avoid that scenario though. Still chewing on the idea...
Post by: yakimanoob on August 05, 2018, 03:45:38 PM
This is a bit of an unknown for me, as I haven't had the time to do any proper scouting this year. Hopefully I'll have a chance to get both my binos and the spotter on a bull or buck before season and compare the level of detail I can see. If it's close, the spotter will likely stay home.
My next big upgrade (which may happen next year or the year after) is to get one of the little Vortex Razor 11-33x spotters. I have enough high country experience to know that little guy could save me a LOT of walking.
Post by: yakimanoob on August 05, 2018, 03:49:31 PM
How many backcountry hunts have you done Noob?One, technically; last year's high buck. But I have a few dozen backpacking trips under my belt, so I'm pretty familiar with the logistics.
Post by: yakimanoob on August 05, 2018, 03:55:07 PM
. I've gone down the ultralight ounce counting road and I've kept some of the items and philosophy, but gone away in other areas as it just doesn't matter that much if I'm 42, 45, or 48#, for gods sake I'm a 200+ pound man, not a dainty thru hiker😂😉
This is exactly where I am with my backpacking setup. I'm somewhere around 28-30# dry weight, and cutting ounces from there is negligible considering the surplus 30# of fat I'm packing.
But when I add all the hunting gear to that, things get pretty hefty and it has me in the mood to get creative.
To Karl's point: I 100% agree that packing weight on my back and hoofing it up and down mountains is a far more productive method of preparing for the high hunt than worrying about the odd ounce in my pack. But I get bored at work sometimes so why not worry about the odd ounce when I can't be in the hills :chuckle:
Post by: addicted on August 05, 2018, 06:52:15 PM
On the spotter:
My next big upgrade (which may happen next year or the year after) is to get one of the little Vortex Razor 11-33x spotters. I have enough high country experience to know that little guy could save me a LOT of walking.
I have the little razor. It's nice, I can fit that spotter and my kuiu tent in the spotter pocket of my pack
Post by: pd on August 05, 2018, 08:25:26 PM
Don't bring extra clothing. Nothing. One set of whatever you will need. Colville is correct, if you are that close to the rig, you won't need anything extra. And don't worry about wet anything! Get in your bag wet, you will be dry in the morning (I don't mean soaking wet, of course---you have rain gear, so you won't be THAT wet!). I am an alpine climber first, this is how we roll.
Yes on the heat source. Vias are fine. Something warm can save your life.
Yes on the sunglasses. You bring floss/toothpaste/toothbrush because you care about your teeth, right? Trust me, your eyes are even more important than your teeth.
TP is utterly unnecessary. Baby wipes for everything.
The others touched on the first aid kit--have some courage, you don't need 90% of that.
Otherwise, you are doing great.
What is your weight goal? Karl said to not worry about it. I say WORRY about it. Your backpack is already too big and too heavy, but you own it, so use it. For 2 or 3 days in the high country, not counting water, aim for 25#. Seriously.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 05, 2018, 09:06:49 PM
Post by: pd on August 05, 2018, 10:15:35 PM
I didn't say don't worry about it, I said don't sacrifice quality sleep and food to achieve some magic number. Pack what you need, leave what you dont. Noob even stated above that he's carrying around an extra 30lb of body weight. I'd be trimming there not cutting off my tooth brush handle and drilling holes in stuff. I'm personally a big fan of my tooth brush handle and would never wish to do it harm :tup:
Fair enough.
30# extra on the midriff is an issue, but not my business. Next year’s goal I would say.
Post by: yakimanoob on August 05, 2018, 11:08:35 PM
And y'all aren't wrong about the extra 30#. But thankfully one of my close friends is a professional trainer and designed 3 months of workouts for me, and my wife and I are already on a diet. Plus, those things are less fun to talk about on the internet. WAY more fun to argue about gear :chuckle:
Post by: Stickerbush on August 06, 2018, 10:17:15 PM
Post by: shallowforks on August 07, 2018, 06:41:50 AM
On the spotter:
My next big upgrade (which may happen next year or the year after) is to get one of the little Vortex Razor 11-33x spotters. I have enough high country experience to know that little guy could save me a LOT of walking.
would you be interested in a Nikon fieldscope ed 50. same size as the vortex and from what ive read just as quality glass. id let it go for pretty cheap. Its been a great backpacking spotter for me but I just don't use it much any more.
Post by: Magnum_Willys on August 07, 2018, 07:43:35 AM
I've never understood the drilled/filed toothbrush thing. I mean, to each his own, but how much are you actually saving there? 0.5oz?The age old backpackers joke was how they cut the handle off their tooth brush to save weight. :). Some people took it literally and made “like the pro’s”. From most people toothbrush mods are spoken with a chuckle. :chuckle:
And y'all aren't wrong about the extra 30#. But thankfully one of my close friends is a professional trainer and designed 3 months of workouts for me, and my wife and I are already on a diet. Plus, those things are less fun to talk about on the internet. WAY more fun to argue about gear :chuckle:
Post by: yakimanoob on August 07, 2018, 07:50:10 AM
Post by: Odell on August 07, 2018, 08:19:25 AM
I didn't say don't worry about it, I said don't sacrifice quality sleep and food to achieve some magic number. Pack what you need, leave what you dont. Noob even stated above that he's carrying around an extra 30lb of body weight. I'd be trimming there not cutting off my tooth brush handle and drilling holes in stuff. I'm personally a big fan of my tooth brush handle and would never wish to do it harm :tup:
This is great advice, but it takes a few trips to convince yourself "I don't need this." Usually killing a buck and figuring out how to fit it and carry down drives that lesson home. My first high buck hunt I had 5 knives and 4 ways to make fire. Never killed a buck or made a fire lol.
The other advice on clothing is spot on. Currently all I take is a one complete outfit plus one extra change of socks. So if its pouring rain and cold I have everything on. Granted, my full layered outfit is still more than some guys as I bring an insulation layer of down pants/puffy. If there is a problem I can just walk out, like you we are usually 5-7 miles from the truck. I keep an extra sleeping bag and set of clothes in the truck in case I want to go back in.
In a serious survival situation I'd be using one of my four fire starting devices to stay warm hahaha.
Post by: hunter399 on August 07, 2018, 08:29:03 AM
Honestly I don't think I would bring half that stuff .
First aid gone
Tooth brush gone
Trecking poles gone
Leatherman gone
Floss gone
Headphones gone
- Duece of Spades trowel gone
2 pair nitrile gloves gone
About half the clothing gone
Food +water keep
Electrical tape and part of clean cloth make a bandaid if you cut yourself.
I would have at least ten rounds of ammo
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on August 07, 2018, 10:37:24 AM
If your going to pack a significant amount of weight in glass, make sure you pack clothes and equipment YOU need to stay comfortable while stationary and without cover. The most expensive swaro spotter is useless if your eye isn't in it.
Post by: chef bama on August 07, 2018, 12:26:47 PM
Post by: yakimanoob on August 07, 2018, 12:40:27 PM
Figure out how much you can comfortably carry every day. For me, that's 27 pounds. I took my hunting pack to work every day for a year, walking (or running) for the bus, transferring downtown, and walking another mile each way. I didn't carry the same gear, but I learned exactly how much I could carry and how far I could go with it not be sore the next day. Take the glass, take the raingear, wear the wool clothes.27lbs... I assume not including weaponry? Does that include glass?
BTW, I'm doing a training hike tonight and Section I of the PCT this weekend, so I'll be a little more focused on what I can cut through those trips. My pack for my training hike tonight is set up as if I were on a 2-night, 3-day scouting trip (i.e., everything but the kill kit and weapons), and I'm weighing in at 31lbs wet (all food + 1.5L water, which is a typical starting point for my hydration pack).
That's sans leatherman, extra pants (I did keep an extra shirt for some reason...), and I trimmed down the med kit from ~9oz to ~5oz.
Post by: Magnum_Willys on August 07, 2018, 01:31:10 PM
Post by: addicted on August 08, 2018, 11:49:04 PM
Post by: yakimanoob on August 10, 2018, 09:08:42 AM
Thanks ;)
Post by: 7mmfan on August 10, 2018, 11:52:41 AM
Post by: addicted on August 10, 2018, 12:28:27 PM
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on August 10, 2018, 02:44:04 PM
My emergency kit consists of: Leukotape (far superior to athletic or moleskin), quick clot, 12’ of para cord that gets robbed all the time, and a small baggy with IBP, claritan and a separate baggy with a couple of Benedryl tabs
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: ian_padron on August 12, 2018, 02:20:51 PM
Cut your toothbrush in half and drill holes in it. Don't forget whisky.😂😂😂
Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk
Post by: ian_padron on August 12, 2018, 02:32:35 PM
Few random thoughts on this stuff from a guy who spends 50+ days a year living out of a backpack and packing out a dozen plus animals a year. I've learned all this stuff the hard way and wish I would have had someone 15 years ago to drop some wisdom on me.This^
Packs: regardless of what you have, fit it properly and learn the proper way to put it on. I see so many people who bypass this step and then wonder why they get hotspots or sore shoulders. Just last night I watched a video of a couple guys hunting. These dudes LITERALLY SELL several lines of packs and both had packs way out of adjustment.
Food: pack what you are going to enjoy eating. Some stuff may not hit the calorie content that the internet tells you it has to have but by God you can eat it day in and day out it will be more beneficial than the calorie dense food you hate after two days and end up not eating. If you don't eat it then it's worth zero calories and hurts you mentally
Weight: I stopped weighing my stuff years ago. Don't really care honestly. I've gone ultra light and its not for me. I pack what I want and what I need, weight be damned. I want good food, coffee, and I wanna sleep good. If that comes at a weight penalty then I'll do a few extra squats and lunges. The guy who struggles with a 50lb pack is gonna struggle with a 40lb pack. Get some weight on your back and make your lungs burn a bit before season and a few extra pounds is a non issue.
Mental toughness: if you don't have some grit, it doesn't matter what your pack weighs or what gear you have, you will fail and you will come off the mountain early. When it gets hard, lonely, or boring, attack the issue. Always keep stepping! Physically and mentally. It won't kill you. Unless you walk off a cliff or mauled by a bear. Then it will kill you :chuckle:
Like others have said, overall you've got a pretty good list going. With time you'll figure out what you need/don't need.
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Post by: wendigo on August 21, 2018, 02:34:32 PM
Bring extra bullets, incase you need to check your zero for whatever reason. I feel that bullets and gun are two things that should be classified as weightless.
Ditch the second pair of pants, those zions dry out fast and you can wear your rain pants if the zions are soaked and its too cold to walk them dry.
Ditch doubles of anything else for that short of a trip including undies.
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Post by: yakimanoob on August 21, 2018, 02:51:42 PM
FYI - @shallowforks sold me his Nikon ED50 which is 4oz lighter than my Bushnell and about a million times better optically (nevermind waterproof, etc.) so the spotting scope is definitely coming with.
My Exped sleeping pad never materialized due to a mistake by REI, but they gave me a discount on the next purchase so I got a Sea2Summit ultralight insulated pad for about $80. It's got a few ounces on the exped, but overall I'm super happy with the upgrade.
I dropped the $$ on a Heather's Choice dehydrated meal (about 2oz lighter the equivalent MH meal) so I'll be eating that either on my scouting/bear hunt the weekend before high buck or on the weekend of opener.
27.5 miles on the PCT tought me my insoles were worn out, so I've got a fresh set of Superfeet trailblazers in my boots now. I'll break them in this weekend, REALLY break them in the following week climbing Mt Adams, then be all set for hunting season to kick into full gear :)
Post by: yakimanoob on August 21, 2018, 08:12:22 PM
Mission: take a bear or mule deer out of ALW or GPW.
General strategy: solo rifle hunt. mix of trails and bushwhacking. Get as high as I can on the forest roads and hoof it up into the wilderness alpine/sub-alpine areas. Not likely to be more than 4-5 miles in as I would likely need to make two trips to get all the meat out. 3 nights / 4 days max.
Pack and poles:
- Osprey Aether 60
- Leki Makalu Ultralight Ti trekking poles
Findin' and Killin':
- Savage Lightweight Hunter, 7mm-08 with Nikon Prostaff 5 2.5-10x40mm scope and Quake Claw sling
- 4 rounds in the mag + 4 extra rounds of Hornady Precision Hunter ELDX factory ammo
- Leupold BX-4 10x42mm binos, with soft case and tripod adapter
- Vortex Summit SS-P Tripod
- Thermarest Z-Lite Seat
- Nikon ED50 13-30x50mm spotting scope
- Sig Kilo 1250 Rangefinder
- Dead Down wind checker
Misc tools and Kill kit:
- Pocket knife - Kershaw OSO Sweet
- Gerber Vitals knife, with extra scalpel blades
- electrical tape (currently about 1/5 of a "full" roll)
- tags and license
- 3 Allen Game Bags
- 2 pair nitrile gloves
Toiletries:
- Duece of Spades trowel
- moist wipes
- contact solution and case
- glasses and case
- eye drops
- toothbrush and toothpaste
- floss
Light and electronics:
- Black Diamond Storm headlamp, plus 1 set of extra AAA batteries (or possibly my extra headlamp instead, if I can find it)
- iPhone 7 in UAG case
- Anker PowerCore 13000 portable charger (I realize this is a luxury, but I use my mapping systems on my phone extensively during the hunt and my phone's battery is not in great shape).
- 2' iphone charger cable
- Garmin InReach SE+
- in-ear headphones and adapter
Shelter and sleep system:
- Hennessy Expedition Ultralight hammock
- Mtn Hardwear 20° down sleeping bag
- Sea2Summit Ultralight Insulated sleeping pad, large -or- Thermarest Prolite 3/4 pad if the weather's warm
- **3x9' Tyvek (in case I need to use the hammock like a tent in very cold weather; may double as a ground sheet for processing meat)
- two MSR groundhog stakes
First Aid/Emergency:
- 1 roll 2" Coban
- moleskin
- 2 non-stick gauze pads
- various band-aids
- antiseptic ointment
- alcohol wipes
- ibuprofen
- antihistamine
- anti-diarrheal
- space blanket
- lighter
Apparel (everything is synthetic):
- Sunglasses
- OR boonie hat
- Prana Stretch Zion pants
- 2 pair Darn Tough hiking socks
- Ex Officio Undies
- long sleeve t-shirt
- Marmot Variant jacket
- **Mtn Hardwear Phantom puffy jacket
- OR Foray Rain Jacket
- Cabelas spacerain pants
- **Patagonia Capilene 2 long undies
- Scarpa Zodiak Plus boots
- OR Flextex II gaiters
- **OR overdrive convertible gloves -or- OR Guide gloves, depending on weather
- **Mtn Hardwear beanie
- Scarf
Water:
- MSR Hyperflow water filter
- 2.5L Osprey Hydraulics hydration pack (filled to the minimum point I think I need at any given fill-up spot)
- 1L Platypus collapsible water bottle (used almost exclusively in camp)
Cookware/Kitchen:
- JetBoil Sol Titanium stove
- small JetBoil fuel can
- Sea2Summit Titanium cup
- MSR Mugmate coffee filter -or- Dark Timber packs. Still deciding on this.
- Sea2Summit long spoon
*Food:
- Mtn House dinners, portioned into foodsaver zipper bags
- oatmeal for breakfast
- lara bars
- trail mix
- deer summer sausage for good luck
- sometimes dark chocolate
*Obviously highly dependent on the length of trip, which varies from an overnight to 2night/3day.
**May be left at home depending on the weather forecast.
Post by: shallowforks on August 21, 2018, 08:19:06 PM
Post by: fillthefreezer on August 21, 2018, 10:49:18 PM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on August 22, 2018, 05:14:58 AM
reading material(To occupy time due to not being able to see wildlife)
Post by: 7mmfan on August 22, 2018, 08:24:12 AM
Looks pretty good to me. If you haven't, print this list. When items are used, check them. Do this for the whole season. Then, scrutinize items with no checks. You're well on your way to being dialed.
This is a good tip.
Post by: yakimanoob on August 22, 2018, 08:44:51 AM
Visine(to help relieve smoke in the eyes and no visibility)
I never leave home without it; just forgot to list it :). I added it to my updated list above.
reading material(To occupy time due to not being able to see wildlife)
I'm an audiobook and podcast kinda guy; hence the headphones and battery pack. :tup:
Post by: swanny on August 22, 2018, 09:53:43 AM
My Exped sleeping pad never materialized due to a mistake by REI, but they gave me a discount on the next purchase so I got a Sea2Summit ultralight insulated pad for about $80. It's got a few ounces on the exped, but overall I'm super happy with the upgrade.
Ah, that burns my eyes!
Post by: StoneTrees on August 27, 2018, 01:59:23 PM
Shelter and sleep system:
- Hennessy Expedition Ultralight hammock
- Mtn Hardwear 20° down sleeping bag
- Sea2Summit Ultralight Insulated sleeping pad, large -or- Thermarest Prolite 3/4 pad if the weather's warm
- **3x9' Tyvek (in case I need to use the hammock like a tent in very cold weather; may double as a ground sheet for processing meat)
- two MSR groundhog stakes
At one point in the thread, you made a comment about us keeping our hands off your pillow. Did I miss the pillow getting deleted? If not and if it's just overlooked here, you could drop the pillow and bring along the puffy jacket to use as a pillow. Stuff it into one of your stuff sacks to get it into a reasonable shape to it.
I'm trying to streamline my gear down to a 40L pack so this thread is timely.
How did the trial run go?
Post by: yakimanoob on August 27, 2018, 02:55:06 PM
I can use a jacket for a pillow, but with my 3/4 pad I typically put my extra layers under my feet and legs for insulation. With the Sea 2 Summit upgrade, I'll likely just use my midlayer as a pillow because my feet will be comfy on the pad :).
Post by: yakimanoob on August 27, 2018, 03:20:19 PM
Post by: addicted on August 28, 2018, 06:17:52 AM
Post by: yakimanoob on September 11, 2018, 01:39:54 PM
Looks to be a cool and wet weekend in my hunt area, but I can't wait to get up there in any case. Thanks again for all the tips and good luck to everyone headed out to the mountains!