Pack list for October

[GetOutside]

I've tried searching but havent had much luck finding what a solid pack list would look like for an October rifle hunt in Colorado or Wyoming. What are you carrying in on your back?

[Indian Summer]

On my back during rifle......

Hunting license, cell phone, ballpoint pen, game bags, knives- Havalon and 2 Buck knives, para-cord, small saw, GPS and compass, range finder, binos, 2 headlamps, fire starter, several Bic lighters (no other brand!), camera, Clip-Shot, flagging tape, reflective tacks, referee whistle (priceless!), rain gear if needed that day, warmer outer jacket, Stormy Kromer hat, fleece neck gaiter, lunch, water in Nalgene bottles, extra ammo, extra batteries for camera, GPS, & headlamp, toilet paper in a zip-lok bag, topo maps... and reading glasses lol, ibuprofen, Chap Stick, cheap crappy emergency sleeping bag, elk calls, if applicable spotting scope & tripod, hand held radio if with a partner, and a locket with a picture of Phantom in it for good luck.

That's just off the top of my head but I think it's pretty complete. Notice I didn't say first aid kit? Yep... I don't carry one. For any type of cut or laceration I use my flagging tape and either toilet paper or piece of game bag to stop bleeding and I can use the saw to cut a splint for broken bones and attached that with flagging tape as well. The tape stretches so it works very well for both. I guess it sounds stupid but I don't plan on getting hurt. I make wise and careful decisions when I'm out there.... no risks. Plus the big thing is... I have been a woodsman since I was old enough to walk. I've watched Jeremiah Johnson a hundred times and haven't seen him pull out a first aid kit for any reason so I figure I'm good.

Hope that helps.

Disclaimer: I suspect the locket sometimes backfires and brings bad luck!

[GetOutside]

What does your layering look like Joe? There's a lot of First Lite deals right now and I'm wondering how many layers I would need.

[Indian Summer]

Base layers are merino. I love the stuff and feel it can't be beat. I use both Sitka and Core 4 Element. I have looked over the First Lite and although I don't have any I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Very nice.

On the bottom I add the Sitka Timberline pants. If it's colder I'll use an Under Armour 4.0 instead of the merino base which is a quilted polyester bottom and is SERIOUSLY warm. If it get's wicked cold I go to wool pants with the merino on the bottom and a pair of plain old poly/cotton sweat pants in between. I don't worry about the 50% cotton because sweat and rain is not an issue. Otherwise I never use any kind of cotton.

For tops I'll put a polyester long sleeve shirt of any brand including cheap stuff over the merino base. After that it depends on the temps. For warm I use the Sitka Ascent. Cool to pretty darn chilly the Sitka Jetstream which is my favorite piece of clothing hands down. Colder.... add the Sitka Kelvin vest under the Jetstream. Seriously cold.... back to the wool In that weather

If it is actually wintery out I keep a lightweight down jacket in my pack for emergencies. I can jam it in a 1 gallon zip lock to keep it from taking up too much space. It's a Cabela's but they no longer make it. If I had to pick a replacement I'd think about a Kelvin jacket.

I'm in the process of replacing my wool parka. It's heavy and bulky. I'm deciding between the Sitka Incinerator and their Blizzard parka. Both are waterproof. They say the Blizzard is their warmest insulated with a combination of Primaloft and waterproofed down sandwiched in between 3 layers of Gore Tex. But I hear it is noisier than the Incinerator. Elknut is about to take a drive down to Boise and he might stop in at the Cabela's there and check them out for me. That Cabela's stocks the entire Sitka line. The ones back here in the east don't stock any of it.

[GetOutside]

What temperature range are you prepared for? I read that Wyoming temps can be all over the place.

[WapitiTalk1]

and a locket with a picture of Phantom in it for good luck. Disclaimer: I suspect the locket sometimes backfires and brings bad luck!

I just saw this.. Whatever! Those picture lockets are worth their weight in gold, copper, fools gold, or something . I do like IS's list though although he didn't mention a couple of conractor grade, large, platic bags; priceless for wrapping around your legs when crossing icy streams to keep you dry, lining your pack to keep the bloody game bags from trashing them, and can be used as an emergency shelter if needed.

[Indian Summer]

Where I hunt the streams are small enough that I can always find a shallow spot to cross. Pull up the pant legs and GO.

You are correct... Wyoming temps really are all over the place. If you read my list of layers it's adaptable. No wool if it's not frigid. I won't take the down jacket either. 99% of the time I'm not packing rain gear either. Like any elk country it can definitely be chilly mornings and evenings. But day times temps in the mid to upper 60s and even 70 is common.

For the average day when on the move I wear either nothing but a merino base, or a polyester shirt if it's just too warm for that. Nothing else if I'm really hiking hard. If it's a little chilly I'll either throw on my Ascent jacket... or if even chillier the Jetstream. Those three things are all I need for the average day. The Jetstream has pit and chest zips for ventilation.

When I'm sitting the Jetstream goes on right away. Also I'll pull out the warmer hat & the neck gaiter. If it's early or late and a bit cold I'll add the Kelvin vest. Over top of the Jetstream if it's not too bad.... under if it's colder. If it's downright cold and I put that vest on under the jacket I'll be plenty warm if I'm on the move. Rarely will it be cold enough for that though. That is a damn warm combination right there. The warmer hat and neck gaiter make a HUGE different.

Also.. I forgot to mention this: I have a pair of Cabela's Guide gear mittens. They are non-insulated heavy polyster type material. Fairly waterproof. I wear them all the time. Great for if you happen to fall or if you're grabbing on to trees etc when going up or down steep stuff. They really help my hands from taking a beating. They are the kind where the front mitten part folds back so it's like I'm wearing fingerless gloves. When I'm siting I can pull the mitten part over my fingers if I need to. Easy to shoot with, even in archery.

When they say the Wyoming weather is all over the place they mean it. I've seen September throw snow storms, ice, and 0 degree tamps at us. I've sat on a hill glassing in late October with nothing on but a poly shirt baking in the sun.

[Tigger]

One thing I would add is something to sit on if you are gonna be sitting much. I have also kinda liked a wind indicator of some kind. If nothing else, it lets you know when the elk are gonna take off just before they take off!

I don't know if merino socks (Smartwool is my favorite) were mentioned. I sometimes even bring an extra pair along. Changing socks mid day can really put a bounce back in your step.

And although I love my Stormy Kromers, many times I would rather wear a stocking hat while hunting. Better ear protection, lighter, and easier to pack if you don't want to store it.

[njdoxie]

Never had a need for whistle. ......what's it used for? Can never get enough of Jeremiah Johnson, that and True Grit are my faves, and are on my ipad.

[Indian Summer]

I forgot the wind indicator. Never leave home without it. I prefer Smoke in a Bottle. Also a lense cleaning cloth like the Spuds. I forgot those two items because they are in my Alaska Guide Creations bino pouch. By the way Jarrett came out with as compact version of the bino pouch for those looing for something less bulky. See his banner link above.

The whistle: While I may not carry a first aid kit there's still a chance I may have to call for help. I bet you'll hear that stainless referee whistle a lot further away than a human voice AND... you can't yell "HELP!" for two days straight.... or even shoot your gun that long. Bows are useless for signaling for help. lol But you can blow that whistle until the coyotes eat you. Plus there's no mistaking a whistle for a howling wind or the moaning sound of trees rubbing together. I've searched for people before and wished they had a good loud whistle.

[Tigger]

Oh, one thing I forgot is nasal spray (depending on where you are coming from). I went from MN to CO and it was so dry in CO up high that my nose dried up terrible. Cement-like boogers and if you went after one of them, instant bloody nose. A couple times, I had a bloody nose for no reason at all just walking along. If you are from a drier climate, you can prolly leave this at home. But if not, bring something along to lube those nostrils! Oh and I don't consider MN in the fall to be a wet climate at all, but boy, did CO get me.