Three Pieces Of Hunting Equipment

[Swede]

In the old days I had only the essentials listed below and none of the three optional pieces. Actually I drank water where I could find a source that looked clean. Times and hunting styles have changed, but still we can get-er-done with the basics.

Ok, you and I are going out to hunt to today. Besides bow, arrows, quiver, release (this was a leather tab back in the 70s), cheap pack sack, warm enough street clothes, hiking boots, knife and food & water for the day: what (limit) 3 pieces of equipment are you taking?
90% of the time for me it would be my tree stand, steps, and G.P.S. If my tree stand is set up; I would add my range finder and a bite and blow cow call, but they are not necessary. If I am hunting on the ground I would take a good double reed diaphragm or Thunder bugle, range finder and my G.P.S. Are calls necessary? Is camo an essential for you or just a luxury? What else is critical to you?

Note: a grunt tube and diaphragm count as two pieces.

[Trumkin the Dwarf]

Oh man! A chance to hunt with Swede? I think I'm bringing binoculars. A fire source is coming along for the ride. The smoke doubles as cover scent, and I want to be able to eat all the critters I kill. And... (you suuure a grunt tube/diaphram combo is two pieces?) a .22 pistol for mountain grouse/bear protection. (I'll take out Swede's kneecap then out run him! )

[Swede]

Trumpkin: OH NO! If I knew you were showing up, I would have had my spike camp much farther back in the forest. Blown knee cap and all. Anyway don't worry about the grunt tube. I will call, or we can share one grunt tube.

[stringunner]

Aside from the pieces Swede has already mentioned (bow, arrows, release, etc.) the only other things that are always on me are a gps, rangefinder, and mouth reed. If I'm allowed one more, my phone.

[redtop]

binocular, wind checker , rope and game bags. That's four I guess but they are always with me. Always be prepared to kill.

[Fridaythe13th]

#1 windacator


#2 cow call


#3 G P S

[WapitiTalk1]

Tough one. I'm struggling with only 3 items in addition the base gear you mentioned Swede. Calls, tube, GPS, game bags, flagging ribbon, headlamp, pack upgrade to an all in one. Kripes! OK, I'll go with calls/tube (Berry reeds/Elknut tube), GPS (my 12 year old Lowance), and VIAM Outdoors game bags. I can mark a blood trail with TP in a pinch but it may be a dark/challenging hike in/especially out without a light source. I hope you have a light in your pack to get us out

[ewade73]

First things first would have to have a diaphram or it wouldnt be elk hunting to me since i only get to archery hunt. Second would be a headlamp because this year while packing out meat in the dark i turned off my headlamp while taking a break and without it i dont think i could have moved even without a pack on and since im hunting with swede im sure we will be coming out heavy Third would be my GPS since we are hunting swedes spot i would not be familiar with the area. SAFETY should always be part of any trip into the woods. I just hope swede has a sharp knife to cut up our elk.
If i was in familiar country I would have my own knife instead of a GPS

[Elkhunttoo]

I always check 3 things when I leave hunting, tags, weapon, and knife.

If those are already taken care of and I only get three more here is my list

1. Headlight
2. Lighter/fire starter
3. TOILET PAPER

[Swede]

When we look at our equipment, it is hard to imagine doing without much of it. My original thought was to reflect on what is essential and what hunters had to work with years ago. Success has not significantly changed with all of our modern equipment, but we have kept up with ever increasing hunting pressure on the elk.
I did not mention things like toilet paper and flagging, etc., but they were available of coarse. Calls were very primitive by today's standard, and most of us could not afford them. I still remember seeing them in the Herter's catalog and just wishing. Herters really hyped up those calls.

[T.B.]

Headlamp,calls(reeds-elknut tube),gps.

[JKaboom]

TP, compass , headlamp - The TP serves two purposes of course which is nice. I will however stash my rangefinder as I doubt there will be a strip search here LOL

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Bugle tube/diaphragm, flagging, and compass

[Elkhunttoo]

Just had to add the TP ... If I was to say that was already in my pack, I go no where without my water filter

[Lefty]

Binos
range finder
diaphragm call

The TP was already in the day pack

[Dr. Rx]

wind checker
call
GPS
headlamp
kill kit
bugle
love the toilet paper
Why limit it to 3...that's why we have backpacks

Kris

[Tigger]

the safety stuff has been around for awhile and I think that is a given for a mountainous elk hunt (as well as knife, food and water). that being said my 3 things: reed/bugle, GPS, and a tossup between a range finder and a wind indicator. I know, you can do without the wind indictator, but I use mine all time and more than once I have been surprised!

[Osprey]

3 items is tough I either have to find a really large aspen leaf to whipe with because pincones hurt to much or hope I don't need another item! This could pose tough if aspens are not abundant! I think most mornings I'm usually dropping a loaf somewhere along the way its almost a way to christen the morning my dad always gets a good laugh most days we waterfowl hunt after we set decoys and I storm off through the marsh looking or a dry spot.

GPS
TP or windicator
Rangfinder

Just realized I need 5 items forgot bugle tube too which I did last year and didn't realize until after a 2000 ft climb doh!

[Swede]

I forgot the T.P. probably because I forgot it so many times back in the 60s and 70s. Besides if you use pine needles, juniper boughs or leaves long enough, your most sensitive spot will toughen up.
Still it is hard to leave off modern equipment out isn't it? I did not list a map, and compass because I usually went out without one. Does anyone use these any more?

[Tigger]

A map does you no good when it is 0'dark thirty in the black timber!

[ewade73]

As long as I'm not hunting with swede I carry a map of the area I'm hunting. They are extremely light weight and I like to find the little benches and pockets and go explore them. I will spend time when back at camp looking for new areas to check out the next day. They can be very useful and also carry very small compass. I always know where I am on the map so if it gets foggy the compass helps

[one_elk]

diaphragm call, binoculars and gps