High Buck Hunt Pack Dump

[Carwash]

Happy Thanksgiving all.

Currently planning next season's High Buck/Bear camp. I'd like your recommendations for your high altitude/ backcountry gear. Good Boots, Packs, Light Tents or Bivvy. I'll be hunting Mt. Baker. Good luck to all the late season archers as well.

-Carwash

[Skyvalhunter]

They cancelled next year's high buck hunt due to the lack of deer in the wilderness areas. There's a possibility of a hunt in 2026 pending the commission's approval. if you repost in a couple years question can be answered

[Hectocotylus]

They cancelled next year's high buck hunt due to the lack of deer in the wilderness areas. There's a possibility of a hunt in 2026 pending the commission's approval.

Where did you see this info.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[teanawayslayer]

They cancelled next year's high buck hunt due to the lack of deer in the wilderness areas. There's a possibility of a hunt in 2026 pending the commission's approval.

[bowman]

Enjoy the high bear hunt!

[elsb0048]

You should check out the exo mountain gear podcast/blog/journal, they have pretty good recommendations in this space.

For myself I've been a fan of the load hauler packs for coming out heavy (mystery ranch, exo, etc.) I personally have MR Metcalf but I'd be interested to try exo, my buddy has one and it also looks good.

New for me this year to cut some weight is a trekking pole tent, mine is durston because I'm tall and it has one of the longer floor layouts but there's lots of good competition there.

La sportiva fits my feet and I use either a high top hiker (ultra raptor) or a lighter mountaineering boot (trango tech). I've been slowly working towards lighter weight options mostly although I still like the high tops in the steeps and to help keep the whole thing drier with gaiters in the wet.

[SWHUNTER]

Used a Cimmaron light this year and it was great. First time in a floorless tent. Only had one chipmunk bounce off my side during an afternoon nap. I've been using a Kifaru Timberline 2  pack for the last 12 years and it's still going strong. Might pull the trigger on a K4 this year. Have hear a lot of good and not much bad about them.

[Carwash]

Used a Cimmaron light this year and it was great. First time in a floorless tent. Only had one chipmunk bounce off my side during an afternoon nap. I've been using a Kifaru Timberline 2  pack for the last 12 years and it's still going strong. Might pull the trigger on a K4 this year. Have hear a lot of good and not much bad about them.

Are you running a tarp under the tent or just clearing a spot to sleep?

[SWHUNTER]

Just set it up on the ground, and use a sleeping pad. The tarp is a good option though. It's big enough that me and my hunting partner sat in our Helinox chairs, cooked and ate dinner in it. The weight of it was about the same as my 1 man tent that I've been using for years. It was a nice change. I borrowed it from a friend for the high hunt to try it out, and will be purchasing one before next season.

[addicted1]

What’s your first aid kit equipped with?

[boneaddict]

Mine is down to small bit of duct tape, Benadryl, and some Ibu.

[PacificNWhunter]

There is a lot of good info/pack lists out there. I’d just pack what you “think” you need based on your research, then do a few scouting trips. Try to get out in good and bad weather. Give it a few trips and start removing the items you don’t want/use. Gear wise lean into a happy medium of light weight but durable…that’s a good starting point. Boots and packs are really personal preference. Try and try on a bunch before buying. Feel free to PM me if you need more of a list.

[crabcreekhunter]

I’d focus on a good pack (exo k3-k4 for me), boots (whatever fits your feet, Meindl, Lowa, kennetrek, Crispi, Zamberlan, Schnees, etc), and quality three season tent (big agnus copper spit UL for me 2-3 man) Solid sleep system and pad.  I use an REI 20 degree bag and Thermarest inflatable pad.  If you can stay comfortable, warm and dry you will enjoy it much more.  A little more weight to be comfortable is worth it and not coming out early will definitely up your odds.  No matter how much you read won’t get your gear list trued up only scouting/hunting trips over a few years will do that it is somewhat personal on your needs.

[ganghis]

Some of it will be constant, and some will change depending on the weather.  There are high buck hunts where it rains 3/4 of an inch every day for 3 days and is totally fogged in for another couple.  And then years where it is sunny and in the 50s during the day. 

Boots: totally a personal preference as other have said.  Don't feel boxed in to "hunting" brands though.  I really like Salewa (and some of the goHunt guys too).   

Shelter: also totally a personal preference.  You shouldn't have to worry about bugs so much but you potentially do need to worry about a downpour.  If that's in the forecast I'd go with a a one/two man tent - don't get super focused on weight but under 3 pounds is nice.  If there's much rain in the forecast, dig some little runoff channels around your tent so you don't end up with running water coming through (ask me how I know this).  I've done shelters too - though probably through dumb set up stuff on my part have come back to wet snow blown under the shelter onto my sleeping bag with a 'v' shelter set up.  Though I've used a different type of floorless shelter (black diamond megalight) in Montana in a snowstorm at 0 degrees and been fine.

Pack: too many options.  This is where the hunting brands excel over the backpacking/mountaineering brands.  The only requirement is a strong internal frame (kuiu, mystery ranch, kifaru, storm glacier, etc. etc.) and enough room to bring big loads back.

I agree with others that it's going to be a bit of a trial and error situation until you get things dialed in.  The temptation is to bring everything you think you might need.  And then pretty soon you realize you're carrying 5-10 lbs more than you need... until you need it, and the adjustment continues.

Good luck, it's a fun hunt - even if you don't see any legal bucks you'll see some great terrain and hopefully some bears.

[Utah]

My hunting partner and I love our EXO  K3 packs.   Packed a large Bull Moose out this year and the pack is tougher than I am!