Pack Contents?

Firedog · 10-07-2002, 02:32 PM

I was just loading my new day pack with all of my gear out of my old one and was wondering what the rest of you carry.

I have a couple of maps, spare batteries for GPS and Radios. Lighters, Lighter fluid for Zippo lighter, waterproof matches, Compass, GPS,space blanket. Rain gear on the days when I might need it. Dry socks, Twine, sash cord,Hatchet, Cow Call. Bag for liver and heart. Bag for mushrooms if I run across a god chantarell patch :smile: Sure do like this new pack with all of the room it has and comfortable to wear.

What do you carry?

TP for sure cant forget that one.

[ 10-07-2002, 05:03 PM: Message edited by: firedog ]

kodiakfisher · 10-07-2002, 02:54 PM

How about hunting tags, light for nightime, survival food for 48 hours (Gatorade powder mix, a few power or balance bars and some beef bouilon cubes) most are found in the first 48hrs, light weight metal container one that a water bottle slips into (progresso soup cans work good) once hypothermia starts the fastest way to reverse is drink warm fluids hence the metal can. Even warm water does wonders. Extra bullets to signal if needed a couple of candles, cotton balls and vaseline, the vaseline serves several purposes, chapped hands/lips put it on a cottonball and makes great fire starter. TOILET PAPER TOILET PAPER again multiple uses. Cover scents, knife sharpener, small water filter.

Most important a first aid kit and small cards/pamplet of basic first aid/cpr. I carry a small suture kit many uses there. Basic cold and pain medicine, if you can get good pain medicine if you twist an ankle probably dull the pain enough to get back to camp.

I carry all this in a nimrod pack I can expand the pack and carry out an elk quarter, and with two 22 ounce water bottles, lunch for a day, wind river spotting scope, tripod survival gear, first aid kit and misc items knives sharpeners tags calls cover scents the pack weighs in at less then 25 pounds 23 or 24 to be exact.

Enjoy the new pack, always plan for an emergency so that it doesn't beccome a life threatening situation.

Kodiakfisher

[ 10-07-2002, 03:57 PM: Message edited by: kodiakfisher ]

Firedog · 10-07-2002, 03:07 PM

Kodiak, I do carry most of the other stuff you listed also. I was going off the top of my head and I have been up since yesterday so Brain isnt working quite right :smile:

My tags are always in my wallet and I dont go anywhere without it. A CPR and Basic first aid instruction card would be good for some guys. I use it at work all the time so it is almost second nature unfourtantely. TP is a must also never leave the truck with out it.

This is a nimrod pack, I really like it so far. Going to hit the woods tomorrow and give it a real test.

Keep the ideas coming guys, I am sure we are helping som of the rookies with ideas.

[ 10-07-2002, 05:02 PM: Message edited by: firedog ]

OneLastCast · 10-07-2002, 03:30 PM

You have pretty much covered everything I carry that I can think of except

Extra compass. I did have to use it once.

An ACE bandage, good for a twisted knee or ankle as well as other things.

Several long leather shoelaces, good for shoes or just tying things up.

Surveyors ribbon, for marking that difficult site you want to get back to.

A small break down Wyoming Saw. This has worked wonders when cutting and elk or even wood for a fire.

I am sure I will think of more.

OneLastCast

AnnaDraMoss · 10-07-2002, 06:09 PM

A distress whistle,stocking cap, leather gloves

MarlinMark · 10-07-2002, 08:03 PM

In addition to... I take a GPS, compass, map, ZIPPO- flame stays on without a finger holding down the button!!! Think about it. ZIPPO's are the best. You can build a little windbreak for it. Light it, set it down and then start feeding it wood/starter. On that line. I read an article about elk hunting and the guy talked about his favorite fire starter. It goes something like this.... Take a 35mm film canister and remove the lid. Pour in one bottle of clear nail pollish. Fill up with smokeless powder. Stir with two match sticks. Cut a hole in the lid. Leave match sticks in canister and place lid on so that sticks poke out through the hole (see the fuse?) I guess these babies really light up a fire.

Good luck hunting,

Mark

p.s. I will be over east looking for a bull.

Flying Roast Beef · 10-08-2002, 03:08 AM

You guys carry a lot. Mine has water,tp,lunch,emergency food,pain medicine,extra knife,gloves,ammo,some waxed string,drag rope,spare glasses,compass,lighter & tinder, cell phone,mini mag and some AA's, also a polypropalyn thermal. Probably another thing or two here and there but I carry almost no weight and have plenty of room to shed layers of clothing if I need to and certainly enough to survive should I do something stupid and get lost or hurt. Yes I know cell coverage is a regional thing but I'd rather have it with me. I'll probably update the light this year too, the mini mag was the berries at first but there are some much better and brighter one's available now while still keeping size and weight at a minimum.

[ 10-08-2002, 05:29 AM: Message edited by: Flying Roast Beef ]

skein · 10-08-2002, 08:22 AM

Good list.

I also carry a "buddie burner." It's a tuna fish can stuffed with dryer lint with a piece of kersosene lantern wick stuck in the middle. Pour melted paraffin over it and you've got a light-weight heater that's easy to light and will burn for 45 minutes. You can also smother it out and reuse it again and again. It'll heat water in your tin can, (good tip - I hadn't thought of that) warm you up, or start a fire.

If I'm going into really remote country I'll add a smoke flare from the signal kit in my boat. They're light and would make you visible to a plane or chopper even down in the thick trees.

Skein

Myles · 10-08-2002, 08:45 AM

Several plastic tie-wraps/zip-ties, for attaching tags or emergency repairs, several wraps of duct tape around a water bottle can come in real handy. Spare socks, moleskin for your feet.By the way test your matches occasionly, I found out the ones I had just didn't work after a while.

I'm looking for suggestions for a backpack/daypack. My biggest complaint is that because I bow hunt it's usually warm so I'd really like to have one that didn't lay on my back and feel like a small sauna.

myles

kodiakfisher · 10-08-2002, 01:12 PM

smoke flare good one hadn't thought of that one.

Flying roast, beef what do you mean we carry alot, seems most of our pack gear is close to the same and to have all this stuff with less than 25#s isn't a problem at least for me. This years addition of spotting scope and tripod is what is adding all the weight, but worth it. Glassed three black bears this year that I couldn't even see a black dot with the naked eye.

Firedog · 10-08-2002, 02:59 PM

Myles, I really like the Nimrod pack Nimrodpacks.com They have a great selection of packs as well as options to add if you need more room for an overnighter or to pack out some meat. Kodiakfisher talks about this pack in his first post also. Adventure Outfitters out in Hillsboro carries them.

I like the smoke flare idea also. Gonna have to find room for one of those on those deep woods hunts.

Everything I have seen so far in this post is pretty much a necessity if you are going to be out on long hunts or overnight. I know my pack doesnt weigh that much probably in the 20lb range. Couldnt imagine trying to figure out something to take out if I had to.

[ 10-08-2002, 04:00 PM: Message edited by: firedog ]

Dan Christopher · 10-08-2002, 05:35 PM

i take a road flair and cut it in to 2 pieces.and put it in a baggie.

you ever try and get a fire lite in the wet woods???
do you know how hot a flair burns??? get the point.

the only other thing you need is a dehydrated deer or elk.. just add water. :tongue:

god luck out there everyone and be safe.

BuKuBass · 10-08-2002, 06:37 PM

Ray-o-vac makes a great, lightweight headlamp. LEDs and 3AAA batteries. $13 at wallyworld.
A spool of dental floss is both compact and strong.
Stuff a one pound coffee can with fiberglass insulation, saturate with rubbing alcohol and secure the plastic lid. When lit, it yeilds a virtually colorless and odorless flame. Great for warming hands and liquid. I've cooked sausages, boiled water, etc. Allow rim to cool before replacing lid.
Sawdust, placed into a pulp egg carton and saturated with melted parrafin yeilds twelve fire-starters.

crabbait · 10-08-2002, 11:06 PM

I bow hunt for the most part and use more than one pack so that I can custom my carry for the hunt. I start with a "possibles" bag that attaches to a belt and hangs on my right side. This one always goes with me. In it are my GPS and batteries (6 AA), FRS radio, lazer range finder, Gatormate knife and diamond steel (small), digital camera and extra "fingers" (no release aid for me) and marking tape. As the contents of this bag are well over $1000 it never gets out of my sight. This is my grab-and-go bag. Even with all the electronics it is very light and everything is readily available without readjusting. Just reach down and open the appropriate pocket.

I also use a fannypack for short trips. I modified a 'Nam-era set of web gear to carry my fanny pack so that weight is distributed to my shoulders and hips. The web gear also has a "bow hook" for carrying my bow (I only have to steady the bow with one hand and can have the bow in my hand in an instant). It has two surgical rubber bands attached to the top so that I can take off my jacket, wrap it up and secure it. Works great for a rain coat if I want to carry one but only use one on the really wet days (fleece works almost as well and is quieter). Inside are a water jug stuffed into extra socks (quiet and works as a cooler), flashlight, vac-packed towel (small, light, and handy for getting the blood goo of your hands and gear when field dressing), a folding saw, 50' of heavy cord, fire starting material, a space blanket, a couple of plastic bags, and a small first aid kit. Weight is under 10lbs (without the bow). The "possibles" bag hangs below the web gear and its utility belt fits under the web gear. If I want to make a stalk, I can drop the web gear and still have all "gotta have" gear with me (I attached about 8' of marking tape to a loop just inside the fanny pack and pull it out and drape it over a bush so that I can find my web gear when it is time to pick it up).

I have a day pack that attaches to the web gear if I need to be out for the whole day. I carry a couple of game bags, extra clothes, food and water plus anything elase I need that day in the day pack.

The web gear was cheap and easy to modify. With it and the cord, I can carry out that first load. The whole unit is easy to customize for the days events. I hate to carry a bunch of stuff that I never use.

Flying Roast Beef · 10-09-2002, 02:58 AM

Kodiakfisher, I really wasn't referring to anything in particular. The different lists here just reminded me of some things I've seen people carry in the woods that I felt to be overkill to the extreme. I remember a fellow that joined us in Utah a couple of times that carried three quarts of gatorade and among other things four boxes of ammo. Yep, 80 rounds. I never figured that out because the guy was a good shot. Throw in the rest of his wardrobe and I bet he packed 50lbs around every day. I remember another fellow that carried a .44 revolver around on his hip while rifle hunting. Never quite figured that one out either. I just try to carry what I know I need and enough to keep me safe for a reasonable time should I get into trouble that's all. I try to avoid things I know I wont use. I always have water, and two quality knives. If I'm elk hunting I'll carry a small ceramic stick type sharpener to touch up an edge if necessary but I don't carry it if I'm deer hunting. I know I wont need it. That's all I was really getting at.

kodiakfisher · 10-09-2002, 08:32 AM

Flying roast beef,

Thanks for the clarification, 80 rounds and a 44 revolver that makes me laugh. Your right I have seen some guys with full backpacks in Eastern Oregon were I hunt and there is no possible way to be more than about two miles from were you parked your rig. Now the terrain could be tough and the two miles could be the worst you have seen but still in the big skeem of things not that far. I used to carry a road flare in my pack and I decided to leave it at home it is still a good idea but I refuse to pack around with more than 25#s on an elk hunt. That 25# is everything except boots and clothers. Knives, gatorade not 4 qts, food, gps, batteries, led headlight, survival gear etc extra clothes elk bags first aid kit. That Darn spotting scope and tripod add about five pounds if it weren't for those I would be under 20#s, but the spotting scope and tripod allowed me to spot three bears this year couldn't even see a black speck with the naked eye.

Myles,

Thanks for the tip on the ribbon. I have never left my camo pack for fear of not finding it ever again. Too much money for a new pack gps spotting scope etc etc. I also don't like being seperated from my fluids I seem to dehydrate really easy. Probably from growing up in Alaska pleanty of rain and cool temps. The looped ribbon was a great idea. Myles if you would like to take a look at the Nimrod pack let me know I'll let you take a look at mine.

shoot me an e-mail and we can hook up. The Nimrod pack I have has the expandable nylon pack that clips onto the pack for getting out elk/deer. This adds a few pounds but will save you a trip back to camp. I can just expand my pack and pack out a quarter without going back to camp for a pack. BTW thanks for the Pheasant I will dry it out this weekend.

Kodiakfisher

FireHead · 11-02-2011, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flying Roast Beef

I remember another fellow that carried a .44 revolver around on his hip while rifle hunting.

I do that in a western style rig (sometimes it's a .357).......... I would tend to agree it's wierd, but I shot my elk one year with it, when I set my rifle down when returning to a ridge line from working a draw, I was fooling around aways from my rifle, and an elk walked out of the brush less than 20 yards in front of me................ The better part of the story is: 2 hours later, two dudes showed up and claimed it was their elk that they had shot with a .270 from a ridgeline that I estimated to be over 2 miles away.

getting back to the topic at hand, this is a really helpful thread. I haven't hunted big game in a few years (not since we moved) and I have scattered or lost alot of my stuff that is normally in my pack.

daiello91 · 11-02-2011, 04:12 PM

This is what I carry in my "Camelback" day pack. I used to carry a much larger day pack that wore me out too fast.

- Space Blanket
- Flint Stick
- Lighter
- Several knifes
- Wet stone
- Tarp
- Snacks
- Tums
- Advil
- Excedrin
- First Aid Tape
- Band aides
- GPS
- TP
- Rope/Straps
- Shooting Sticks
- Camera
- Calls
- 1 Extra Layer of cloth (either 1 sweater or extra under armour)
- Couple extra rounds of ammo

plumberfishes · 11-02-2011, 05:16 PM

i have 2 packs, one for close hunts and 1 for out there hunts... one thing i added to my out there pack those little strobe flashers that blind you at the 4th of july,,, they burn for like 30 secs with a BRIGHT strobe effect... i have 4 of them in my fire making packet,, if lost after dark and you think rescue is near light one, or for planes overhead at twilght they can be seen for a long ways off.

Highcountry · 11-02-2011, 05:29 PM

Things i make sure are in my pack for close hunts.

flashlight/headlamp
bone saw
knifes
game bags
camera
radio/gps
licence and tags
calls
first aid kit

That's the basics for me.

Sockeyeman · 11-02-2011, 07:15 PM

I have added to my pack:

Super Glue - for cuts
Hydrogen Peroxide - in small spray bottle to identify blood / body fluids
Eye Drops - for dust / etc in eyes
Nitrile Gloves - for gutting animals
Rubber Bands - to attach game tags