Gear Tip

[WapitiTalk1]

Whether you're packing in or base camping, please share a gear tip for the viewers. Could be something like "pack a splitter connector for your propane tank so you can run several items off the tank", or, "keep your folded area topo map in a quart sized zip lock baggie".

[Trophyhill]

I don't know how far a good bow shop is to where you'll be hunting but I'm not very close so I take a backup bow and an extra release just in case.

[WapitiTalk1]

I don't know how far a good bow shop is to where you'll be hunting but I'm not very close so I take a backup bow and an extra release just in case.

Rings true.. Thanks Trophy. I know we've had a few of these threads started over the past few years but each time we start a new one, it seems a few more tips that can assist us pop up.

[ctdad]

Wrap duct tape around the handle of a lighter. Fire starter and tape for gear repairs and blisters.

Never used this one but plan to try it this year. Use a three inch length of sparkler as a fire starter. Burn hot enough to even start wet kindling from what I hear.

[cnelk]

I like to buy the brightest para cord I can.
Nothing more frustrating than trying to find a length of para cord when trying to dress out an elk by yourself
I also have a blaze orange handle on my knife [Cutco] for the same reason

Its easy to locate when needed and there isnt any need to have it camouflaged

[bnsafe]

take a GOOD pad, or cot with some insulation under you. an mummy bags suck

[>>>---WW---->]

Vacum seal your game bags. You'll be suprised how small they become when you suck all the air out of them. I fold mine so they are about the size of the bottom of my pack then seal them up.

[RockChucker30]

For a great fire kit I seal PJ soaked cotton balls inside giant pixie stix straws. Then carry them with a fire steel in an Altoids tin. The tin is held closed by a ranger band and I have a mini bic as a secondary ignition source. That's about 15 nearly guaranteed fires for just a few bucks and a little time.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1373292320.638012.jpg (68.97 KiB) Viewed 27406 times

I wrote a short blog post with video directions on how to do this:

http://seekoutside.com/giant-pixy-stix- ... toids-tin/

And the video on how to make them:

[mandrroofing]

For a great fire kit I seal PJ soaked cotton balls inside giant pixie stix straws. Then carry them with a fire steel in an Altoids tin. The tin is held closed by a ranger band and I have a mini bic as a secondary ignition source. That's about 15 nearly guaranteed fires for just a few bucks and a little time.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1373292320.638012.jpg

I wrote a short blog post with video directions on how to do this:

http://seekoutside.com/giant-pixy-stix- ... toids-tin/

Great idea!if you don't use all the fire straws in one season will still be good for the next season?

[pointysticks]

great tips.

i'm the rookie here, but i carry a small flashing beacon. i keep it clipped to my pack. RoadID has the smallest one i ever seen. about the size of the tip of my thumb and very bright.

last year, it saved our butts. we didnt have that far to bring out an elk. but it would have been dark on the next trip. just before leaving with the first load, i reached up to the highest branch and clipped this on. even with it, and a GPS coord, it was so hard to find the down elk!! my brother then clipped his on the trail out. you can walk by an elk by 30 feet and never find it in the dark. that blinky thing saved the day. now all my buddies do the same thing.

hiking out in pitch darkness..looking ahead at the fastest hiker and seeing the flashing light is reassuring. the thing weighs nothing.

[pointysticks]

on a macabre side note..i also wear their bracelet so the anyone walking up on my dry, crusty, decayed corpse can ID my body and call my family.

[RockChucker30]

Great idea!if you don't use all the fire straws in one season will still be good for the next season?

Time shouldn't have an effect.

You can also seal single use portions of neosporin into drinking straws for a first aid kit.

[Backcountry]

Great idea!if you don't use all the fire straws in one season will still be good for the next season?

Time shouldn't have an effect.

You can also seal single use portions of neosporin into drinking straws for a first aid kit.

What are you using to seal the straws?

[elkmtngear]

At the risk of losing my man card:

1. Take Tampons for fire starter (you do not just "light the fuse"...shred and fluff out the inner contents, they are highly flammable)
2. I take very large ladies panty hose for game bags, 4 pairs will bag one elk on bone, and they pack down into a light tennis ball size lump

[RockChucker30]

What are you using to seal the straws?

Pinch the ends with crosscut pliers, then melt the ends with a bic lighter, candle, torch, etc. You end up with a clean, waterproof, single use container. The straws burn too, which is useful for a fire extender. The ranger band I use to hold the altoids tin shut burns like a champ for a couple minutes, so it's multifunctional as well.

[Lefty]

pointy tips mention the biker/runner lights
I carry the tiny photon led lights for emergeny location and map reading

[treestanding]

I got this idea from anither site, but bring a couple of cheap solar powered lanscaping lights. I picked up 2 of them on sale for $1 each, shortened the post on them, and used them for lighting around the camp. One other thing we found out about them last year was that it made finding your camp in the dark a lot easier.

[Freebird134]

At the risk of losing my man card:

1. Take Tampons for fire starter (you do not just "light the fuse"...shred and fluff out the inner contents, they are highly flammable)
2. I take very large ladies panty hose for game bags, 4 pairs will bag one elk on bone, and they pack down into a light tennis ball size lump

hmmm.....ladies panty hose? As opposed to the manly ones?

I"m always pinching weight and I like everything to have dual purposes. A few years ago I started using a nylon strap with buckle as a belt. Not only is it lighter than leather and a big gold belt buckle, but it makes sure you always have a good strap with you.

[Bowhunter]

I like the roadid light idea. I searched Ebay and found theese. I plan to order a few sets.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111115459396?ss ... 1276wt_917

[WapitiTalk1]

I always have a pack of these with me. They work incredibly well during the hours of darkness getting to, getting out of, your hunting area or kill site. Have you ever had to backtrack in the dark because you ventured off the old game trail that takes you to your site? A few of these things strategically placed reflect incredibly well when wearing your headlamp.

http://www.amazon.com/50-Bright-Highly- ... B0009TPPAC

[Freebird134]

http://www.amazon.com/50-Bright-Highly- ... B0009TPPAC

Hmmm.....I actually find these things extremely unreliable. I've placed them 10 yards apart leading to tree stands before, and still manage to miss them. It seems like sometimes the light has to hit it just right...or maybe I've used bad brands before. At any rate, I'd caution everyone to use them as a convenience and not let them take the place of a more rigorous navigation tool.

[elkmtngear]

The reflector tape works as well...just tear a little piece and stick it on a tree.

http://www.3m.com/product/information/Scotch-Reflective-Tape.html

And, it won't lead someone to your spot next Season, cause it usually falls off the tree by then.

[WapitiTalk1]

http://www.amazon.com/50-Bright-Highly- ... B0009TPPAC

Hmmm.....I actually find these things extremely unreliable. I've placed them 10 yards apart leading to tree stands before, and still manage to miss them. It seems like sometimes the light has to hit it just right...or maybe I've used bad brands before. At any rate, I'd caution everyone to use them as a convenience and not let them take the place of a more rigorous navigation tool.

Odd, I've had good luck with them.

[mtnmutt]

This year I am dumping my blaze orange paracord for Bluewater reflective niteline utility cord in blaze orange. I got tired of trying to find my bear bag in the dark. This line can serve multiple purposes: guyline, meat hanging cord and lanyards for knives, GPS, and other things I may have a tendency to lay down in vegetation and never see again.
http://www.rei.com/product/782824/bluew ... e-of-50-ft

[Freebird134]

Awesome mtnmutt!!! I use orange paracord on everything, because I tend to lose things. I'm going to buy this reflective stuff now!!!! Thanks!

[Solitude]

If you are hunting in grizz country and plan to string you elk meat up, make sure you have enough cord to do the job (50'-75' not even close) and I strongly advice picking up a few featherweight pulleys so you can yank up 2-3 game bags/cord. (Pulleys Weight something like 1-2 oz each)

[pointysticks]

phantom. one time hiking in the dark in AZ, i kept seeing these glowing things in the bushes with the light of my headlamp. they flat out glowed.

i took a closer look and it was something similar to what you posted from Amazon. but they were Cube shaped. the cubes allowed a side to be facing in your general direction at all times. they worked very very well. sucked that the glowing cubes led some mystery hunters straight into my "not so secret" couse canyon. they worked very well.

i never did search them up at a store. i know guys that used surveyors marking tape. the same guys never pick the stuff up as they go back. i dont like it for that reason either. i would get lazy and litter as well..i know me

[elkaholic]

For a great fire kit I seal PJ soaked cotton balls inside giant pixie stix straws. Then carry them with a fire steel in an Altoids tin. The tin is held closed by a ranger band and I have a mini bic as a secondary ignition source. That's about 15 nearly guaranteed fires for just a few bucks and a little time.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1373292320.638012.jpg

I wrote a short blog post with video directions on how to do this:

http://seekoutside.com/giant-pixy-stix- ... toids-tin/

LOL RC30. You totally stole my tip I wrap mine in tin foil and then store them in old pill bottles. They work awesome. Will usually burn for about 2 minutes a cotton-ball.

[mandrroofing]

I just made mine last nite .it gave me something to do

[hike2hunt]

I vacuum seal my game bags. This takes six bags down to nothing.

[planebow]

I also vacuum bag my extra pair of sock. Don't need them very often but when I do they are dry even if the pack gets wet.

[Bowhunter]

I tried something last year that really helped with the thirst and dry mouth from hikeing. My wife has asthma and can't exercise without coughing. She allways chews a piece of gum to keep from coughing. Well it really helped when sucking wind at high elevations. I plan to have some in my pocket every day.

[RockChucker30]

My name is Nathan, and I am a chronic finger slicer. Phew, it feels good to get that off my chest!

I am impatient and tend to rush when cutting up critters. It's hard for me to get through a deer without a nick or slice, much less an elk. Last year I stabbed my index finger pretty good with the ol' Havalon and had to finish the job with one finger looking like a duct tape hot dog.

Never again!

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1373732631.658249.jpg (86.86 KiB) Viewed 27131 times

I got a cut proof Kevlar glove from amazon, and a meat hook from LEM. I will probably just take the glove. It won't allow me to be foolhardy, but should allow me to move through the work quicker.

Glove weighs 2 oz and hook weighs 3.

[Bowhunter]

My name is Nathan, and I am a chronic finger slicer. Phew, it feels good to get that off my chest!

I am impatient and tend to rush when cutting up critters. It's hard for me to get through a deer without a nick or slice, much less an elk. Last year I stabbed my index finger pretty good with the ol' Havalon and had to finish the job with one finger looking like a duct tape hot dog.

Never again!

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1373732631.658249.jpg

I got a cut proof Kevlar glove from amazon, and a meat hook from LEM. I will probably just take the glove. It won't allow me to be foolhardy, but should allow me to move through the work quicker.

Glove weighs 2 oz and hook weighs 3.

I worked in a packing house for several years. Those gloves are cut resistant and will help. Most workers wore them on the knife hand and wore chain mesh on the holding hand. You can still stab yourself with a pointy knife. Just a heads up.

[RockChucker30]

Bowhunter, I figured as much. In the packing houses I've been in the cutters have arm/wrist guards plus chain mail. But for what I'm doing the glove should protect from nicks and small slices.

[one_elk]

Great ideas....I guess my suggestion would be buy the best optics you can afford, they one of the most important pieces of gear you have IMHO

[ChukarNUT]

some sort of back-up water purification. i use a steri-pen (2 sets of extra batteries for 10+ days), but I carry tablets if pen fails.

[pointysticks]

Oh I rubberband a cheap coffee filter over the inlet of my water filter. Works as a cheap pre-filter for the pump. I think it works.

[pointysticks]

.....and I put a squeeze toy bubble in a pocket of my bino case. It works perfect as a varmint call. If I see a yote I cam make squeak noises with very little movement.

[WindedBowhunter]

I don't know how far a good bow shop is to where you'll be hunting but I'm not very close so I take a backup bow and an extra release just in case.

I second this statement and a bonus step. I leave my backup bow in the vehicle. But, for the field I take a backup release, whisker biscuit rest, a string pre-stretched with the peep already tied it and cable, portable bow press. This allows me to perform just a bit more than the basics, without wasting a day of hiking back to the truck, unless something on the bow itself has broken.

[cnelk]

Stuff newspaper in wet boots to wick away the moisture.
The newspapers can be re-used many times after they dry out

[cnelk]

When placing a tree stand, be sure the stand is at the same level as a step.
This way you wont have to fuddle around when stepping on or off the stand

[WapitiTalk1]

Oh I rubberband a cheap coffee filter over the inlet of my water filter. Works as a cheap pre-filter for the pump. I think it works.

That is a must in Western WA. There is so much volcanic silt in the high streams, you've gotta use the coffee filter method.

[RockChucker30]

Small multi tools are great, but the pliers aren't terribly functional, and the small knife blade isn't all that functional either.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1374065630.069139.jpg (59.89 KiB) Viewed 26952 times

I like a Mora and a channel lock 424 mini instead. These pliers weigh 1.2 oz and are actually useful, and the Mora is a well known affordable general use knife.

Oh, and gorilla tape rocks. I put some around the knife sheath. Another good way to carry gorilla tape is to wrap it lengthwise around a business card. You can get 3-4 feet in a very small package.

[mtnmutt]

After RockChucker30 mentioned those mini channel lock pliers on another thread, I bought them. They are great for removing the havalon knife blades and weigh so little. I only carry the smallest swiss army knife which is about 2.25" long and cost $13-15. The little scissors get the most use for opening my water purification tablet foil.

[>>>---WW---->]

+2 on the Mora knife. It's the best utility knife I've found and a heck of a deal for about $15 bucks. Great for general camp duty and razor sharp as well.

[Freebird134]

They are great for removing the havalon knife blades and weigh so little.

Don't mean to hijack, but doesn't that defeat the purpose of a havalon---I mean, the reason to pack a havalon is to save weight, right? Might as well take a nicer knife with a sharpener.

I've never heard of a Mora....going to look into buying one of those now!

[RockChucker30]

They are great for removing the havalon knife blades and weigh so little.

Don't mean to hijack, but doesn't that defeat the purpose of a havalon---I mean, the reason to pack a havalon is to save weight, right? Might as well take a nicer knife with a sharpener.

I've never heard of a Mora....going to look into buying one of those now!

Freebird,

The thing I like about the Havalon is it is super light and I don't have to sharpen it. And, I would take the mini channel locks even if I didn't take a Havalon. The channel locks slip joint allows them to actually get a bite on things, which is handy for gripping stuff, tightening bolts, pulling tent pegs, or any number of uses. Since I take both anyway I'll use the pliers to change Havalon blades, but it can be done without pliers. Simply take a small piece of wood and push the blade out then slip it off. I cut myself too much to do it with bare fingers.

The mora is a great general purpose knife. It is useful for tasks up to batoning firewood. Ragweed forge sells a ton of them with affordable shipping. My favorite model is the #711 because of the larger and very grippy handle. The #746-G is a green handled stainless version of the #711. I've also got a couple of the #11824: The Companion F's. The bright orange is easy to find and the stainless is nice, but the handles on those are a bit small for my hands.

[Freebird134]

RockChucker,

Thanks for the detailed info on the Mora knives! Very much appreciated! I've used a Piranta for hunting and general use for about 4 years now. I change my blades bare handed, and never have cut myself. But I can see how the little pliers would be useful for blade changing, if you planned to pack them anyway.

[RockChucker30]

If you get a carbon bladed Mora you can have fun forcing a patina with vinegar and mustard.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1374157038.438915.jpg (61.99 KiB) Viewed 26861 times

[pointysticks]

i have a Mora in my pack..for one reason. i want to use a rock to hammer a knife thru the rib cage of a deer. i am not trying it with a more expensive knife. seen it done, never tried. just gotta get a deer to cooperate. i'm gonna pull thru the pelvis as well to free the intestine. i watched a rancher do it once. huge kid. strong. he just lifted his buck knife thru the pelvic bone.

back to Mora. dont go wasting time figuring out which one you want. i ordered a companion and a swedish mil spec knife. i wanted to see which one i liked better and send the other one to my brother. i LOL when i opened the box. both knives are EXACTLY the same knife. the company took the time to put different stickers on them. just decide if you want their stainless (boo!) or their carbon (hooray!)

i forced a patina on mine by jabbing it into a lemon and leaving it there for 3 hours. it looks like Damascus now!

great knife! guts a trout with ease. the steel throws a huge spark when used with a flint striker. cheap. the sheath is comical!!

[Bow4Elk]

When you are camping for a long period we get some double reflective duct insulation (Home Depot or Lowes) and cut it to fit each cooler. Then place it on top of everything and close the lid. It helps ice last longer.

[mtnmutt]

I wrap each of my coolers in moving blankets and place my summer backpacking Enlightened Equipment Quilt on top of them. I may also put a car sunshield on top of them this year.

I am still trying to find a place that sells dry ice.

[DirtyErn]

Tie off with para cord or retractable anything you would like to keep to Pack,belt, ie: range finder, GPS, etc. I have always done this and have not lost anything important "yet". I would like to thank the guy that did not do this for the "new" Nikon range finder, found 4 miles back on remote trail.

[pointysticks]

Tie off with para cord or retractable anything you would like to keep to Pack,belt, ie: range finder, GPS, etc. I have always done this and have not lost anything important "yet". I would like to thank the guy that did not do this for the "new" Nikon range finder, found 4 miles back on remote trail.

You're welcome. I've lost two. In Arizona outside Tuscon.

[>>>---WW---->]

I'm with Dirty Ern. Been tieing off my GPS and Compass for years. Usually I use braided decoy anchor line. It's a little less cumbersome than para cord.

[Triplebhunters]

Made a two sided check list, laminated it,put a key ring through a paper punch hole and attached it to zipper on pack. Works great. One side list is for a calling set up when you set your binos, gps, range finder, 40 cal etc. down. And the other side is for when leaving camp. It's about 1 inch by 3 inches.