Whats in your backpack?

[NYSureShot]

OK...I know...this topic has been over done "et nauseum" But I must make you sick again.

The boys say that "your humping too much gear troop" so I'd thought I'd post my list and let you all pull it apart.
Let's classify items as , necessary, convenience, or toss it.

Here goes and in no particular order.

2L full hydration bag
pack-able rainwater
spare set of socks (liners and over socks)
1st aid kit
waterproof matches
extra knife
four 1/4 game bags
a 4x6 clear poly ground cloth
50 feet of para cord
2 chem sticks
cook kit and stove with M H meal, tea bags and a lighter (dependent on what I'll be wanting for lunch and the weather)
3 trail bars
GPS
Map and compass
Emergency whistle
extra water bottle for cooking and NUUN hydration tabs
Pistol

I'll be hunting from a base camp so that gear has been figured out.

At this time, I am training with all this on my back while hiking the hills in the Southerntier of NY.
Nothing like the mountains of Co. but it's the best I have for now. 3-5 mile hikes and 1000 ft. elevation gain total.


Tim

[Wyo67]

I probably carry too much stuff, but I'd rather carry and have it, than not have it when needed... Some things I have on my packing list that are missing from yours include:
- Licenses/Stamps/Hunter safety (as necessary)
- Sharpie or other type of pen to fill your tag.
- Wyoming Saw
- Field dressing gloves. We use the gutless method, but I still like to wear to the gloves as a safety measure.
- TP. Never leave camp without it.
- Rangefinder
- Binoculars (depending on the location, I may not bring. If in doubt, I'll put them in my backpack)
- Calls/Bugle tube
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Wind Indicator
- Knife sharpener. Used the Havalon the last couple times and this can probably come off the list.
- Leatherman - gives a secure grip if I need to change a Havalon blade.
- Chapstick
- Camera

Also, I usually carry 5 of the quarter game bags. I prefer to throw the backstraps, neck meat, brisket etc. in a separate bag.

Mike

[CurlyTail]

It would be nice to know what season you are hunting. Rifle or Archey.

I could easily do without the spare socks, the extra knife, the chem sticks, the entire cook set, the extra bottle, and the pistol. Nobody needs bear protection in Colorado.

I would add chapstick, a small water filter, Wyoming saw, LED Headlamp, maybe gaiters

[elkhuntfever]

When I set up my spike camp I will add the usual sleeping bag, small tent. I also carry my water filtration kit, emergency blanket and walkie talkies as I hunt with 3-4 other guys. Elk call and ELknuts playbook also come in handy.

[WapitiTalk1]

NYSureShot,

A couple of observations on your list. I find that 2L of water is sometimes insufficient for a day hunt (may want to lean towards a 2.5L); raingear is always weather dependent; no need for an extra pair of socks for day hunt; you may want to just pack day food/snacks in a quart zip lock (or G3 bag from VIAM Outdoors) vs. taking in a cook stove/fuel/MH meal to save weight/space; pistol is really only needed in grizz country IMO.

I organize and carry my kill kit and emergency kit in two VIAM Outdoors G3 bags. I hate gear all over the place in my pack . Wyo67 touched on a few of these additional items but these are the items I'll carry in my daypack configuration (and/or on person) in addition to the kill kit and EMER kit bags in the pack. Headlamps w/xtra batteries (pack lid), map/compass (compass in on a para cord attached to my belt loop/carried I my pocket), map in folded in quart zip lock in a cargo pocket, RF, GPS w/xtra batteries, and tiny camera and Clipshot are zipped in gear pouches on Exo Pack belt, quart zip lock day snacks in side pouch of pack, calls/reeds in plastic container in pants pocket, xtra reeds in pack lid, Elknut Chuckler over shoulder, facemask in cargo pocket, multi-tool on belt, watch on wrist, two way radio in pack lid, TP in pack lid.

Kill kit contains tag(s), VIAM Outdoors lightweight game bags, knife, saw (for skull capping), chili powder (helps keep bugs off meat/game bags), spray peroxide bottle (blood detector spray), Para cord, small plastic sheet, large contractor garbage sack, field dressing gloves (surgical gloves), flagging ribbon, and a couple of the bright eye trail tacks.

EMER kit contains first aid items (quick clot, large/small bandages, white tape, ace bandage, antiseptic wipes, moleskin, suture kit, ibuprofen, fire starter kit (pitch sticks/lighter), chemlights X 1, Adventure Medical S.O.L. EMER blanket.

I'm sure you'll settle in with a pack/gear load for your hunts this fall that works best for you. It's always kinda fun to dump the whole thing out a few times in the offseason and re-configure . RJ

[Swede]

What I have in my day pack varies some based on when, where and how I am hunting. My pack is similar to Wyo67's. In Oregon we don't need to write anything to fill out our tag. We just cut out the date. I keep my game bags, and butchering equipment except for a knife in my freighter. If I am going to a tree stand, then I will often take my little Bible to read. I also like some trail mix to snack on. I always have a space blanket, and like my InReach just in case. Like Sureshot, I like some cord with me.

[Lefty]

could easily do without the spare socks, the extra knife, the chem sticks, the entire cook set, the extra bottle, and the pistol. Nobody needs bear protection in Colorado.s

No Extra knife or pistol for me, However bear deterrent is a must. And most often socks
I carry an overnight emergency kit, Bivey bag, 10 hr candle, fleese gloves, neck gatior and mittens And a phone; I receive cell reception about 60 % of the area I hunt because there is a cell tower across the drainage.
I also carry a heavy dose of Hydrocodone in my fist aid kit, either for walking out or waiting for help.
After meeting a fellow a couple weeks ago, and another conversation with a neighbor I might end up with a SPOT this summer

[NYSureShot]

BTW...I'm hunting the 2nd rifle season.

Lots of great input from you all. Thanks for putting up with a green horn, flat lander.

Tim