Back country pack in hunt, gear and pack weights..

[Unkept]

Greetings,

New to the pack in style hunt. I have camped off the atv's on a Colorado elk hunt however after a catastrophic vehicle failure was only left with 3 days of a ten day hunt to spend in the woods. (blew the motor going up into the mountains and after attempting repairs for two days in an auto zone parking lot, a new to us truck had to be bought in order to continue) This will essentially be my first full trip. I will be heading to Idaho to hunt the middle fork in mid-late October and was wondering what items people found to be invaluable and most importantly what items that might seem important to a novice but could be left home or at the truck.. I am considering a hot tent and stove set up like the seek out doors or something like that but im not sure its worth the extra weight.. all thoughts, ideas and opinions are welcome as im not really a big game hunter, mostly waterfowl.
gear I have now is limited

lowa gtx boots
MR breartooth pack (brand new)
platypus bag with sawyer minni filter
cheap cascade trekking (poles fell apart on day one on my last elk hunt) glued them together
gold ring hd 65mm spotter and tripod
maven 12x42 binos
leatherman wave
good fixed blade skinner my dad forged
browning puff coat
USMC issued sleep system with the gortex bivy bag m(heavy and bulky)
wool tee shirt
wool socks
wool boxers
Issued wool gloves
wool hat (stormy krommer)

have simms rain gear for fishing but im not sure I want to beat it up in the mountains and the bibs are heavy
don't own any camo usually hunt in Carhart bibs and a vest with muck boots

that's all the gear I have on my trip list so far what do I need and what can I leave behind?

 

[mt100gr.]

How many days are you imagining packing in for? How far are you anticipating hiking? Do you have prior backpacking experience?

 

[mt100gr.]

....and I'm not familiar with ID seasons so I am assuming mid-late October is a rifle hunt?

 

[Unkept]

im going to try and spend maybe 2-3 nights in and im not sure how far in I will go its completely new country and all the research I have done is its insanely steep so I have looked staying closer to access points but I was planning on getting a feel for the area the first couple days I have two weeks of vacation to spend on the trip im very open for ideas on how far to go in and how long to say in one area. as of now my plan is to glass and camp neer the glassing spot and not go get to carried away with going in deep. I should also say I have tags for wolf mule deer and bear as well and I would consider myself lucky to bring home anything from everything I read about the middle fork zone.. my friends will be hunting in the adjacent salmon zone (I was not fast enough to scoop up a tag before they sold out)

its any weapon but I have a rifle 338 win mag browning bar and a Christensen arms 6.5 Creedmoor

 

[BeaverHunter]

I don’t want to be too negative sounding but I’ll give you my opinion. The middle fork units in central Idaho are not where I would be a first time backpacker trying out gear. It’s known as one of the steepest nastiest places in the lower 48. I wouldn’t consider going there without having used most of if not all of my gear and being fairly experienced in backpacking. Not trying to discourage you but if you go in trying out gear for the first time and not having any experience backpacking, you might not have an enjoyable time. The middle fork unit humbles even pretty experienced guys. My advice would be pick a less remote, steep area for your first time or if you’re stuck on seeing and hunting the middle fork, hire an outfitter/guide the first time. Feel free to pm me as I’ve hunted the middle fork and surrounding units a lot and would be happy to offer any advice I could. Hopefully I’m not coming across too negative as that’s not my intention.

 

[ArrowForester]

Wherever you end up, don’t forget food and food preparation needs. Whether it is MREs that heat up or meals and a stove, mess kit and fire skills, or three days of PBJ.....

 

[rclouse79]

I did the army surplus bivy thing a while back. Like you said, it is heavy and not much fun if you get any significant rain. I would trade in the bivy and look into a floorless shelter. It will be lighter and much more comfortable in bad weather. I have run a flat tarp the last two seasons and have been happy. I am looking at the seek eolus this year. Just over a pound with much better storm protection than a flat tarp.

 

[Unkept]

BeaverHunter

im am very aware of the nasty steep terrain I have done the research and im defiantly concerned about it, however my buddy's are all hunting the salmon zone (I missed out on the tag). id like to be not to far from them as they have a camper and also in case I need help packing out or hurt myself or some situation when ya just need a hand.

financially a guide is just not in the cards

 

[Unkept]

floorless tent really seems like it would be the bees knees!

I will buy a case of mre,s I don't mind them and its best to stick with what ya know!!

plus they have jalapino cheese!

 

[WV Mountaineer]

Send me your address. I'll send you a very nice floor less shelter that is a mansion for one, with a water proof ground cloth, a single mantle lantern, and a insulated inflatable pad you can use. Total weight of the shelter and cloth is less then 2.5 pounds The pad weighs 17 ounces. If you are under 6 feet tall, I'll send you a quilt that I've slept into the teens under, on that pad I'm sending you. Use them like they are yours. Just send 'em back, or whats left of'em, after the hunt. You pay the shipping both ways. And, I'll send them now so you can fool with them while it is still cold outside. Tweak and change things as you need to to work best for you.

All This stuff is clean but, has been put through the ringers by me in use. It's good, lightweight but, functional gear. Bought or made for the situation you are heading into. I'm kinda of a minimalist but, I have to sleep well. And, I like heat if its cold. Which is why I'd advise to take the lantern. It'll have that tent comfy hot in just a minute. Let me know

 

[Unkept]

wv
sounds like a wonderful setup and something I would enjoy and appreciate. I think western hunting is something im going to try and do every year so I would like to dial in a set up like that of my own. I have some money to spend on equipment I just am not sure where best to spend it. I have boots and just bought a MR bear tooth pack

looking at the seek outside 2 man tent and maybe the stove
or good rain gear set
I have a thermarest insulated sleep pad I use in my late season layout blind that I might bring but its bulky so idk if its worth upgrading to save weight or not

 

[Unkept]

What kind of lantern are you using and how much fuel do you pack in?

 

[WV Mountaineer]

The lantern is a primos. I carry the middle size butane canisters. For three days I would take two bottles. One for the stove and one for the lantern

 

[Unkept]

that lantern idea seems like the perfect solution for short trips probably lighter than the hot tent stoves and not as expensive

 

[Jimbob]

Go on some training hikes beforehand to get your gear sorted. You want to be comfortable living out of your backpack before you throw hunting into the mix.

 

[Unkept]

You bet jimbob! im spending some weekends hiking the Mississippi river valley bluffs and have boundary waters area trip planned and I can test out some gear, im no stranger to the out doors but I am new to ultralight stuff im a lot more used to bush craft style camping trips the area that's going to be new to me is the hiking miles and steep grades

 

[tttoadman]

I have a number of years experience in the middle fork. The access can be tough and slow going. Take multiple spares for the truck. Make certain you have a lot of fuel and bring the tire chains. Bring an Inreach or sat phone. I have been there with 60deg and 2 days later I was hunting in the snow. Be ready to bug out if you need to get out over a high pass. I have done the ultralight thing, and now have backed up to a little more comfort gear. I have the SO Silvertip without a stove and love it. Get yourself a spike tarp to jump under during the day.

Enjoy. I have had a blast over there.

 

[EastHumboldt]

I just noticed you live in MN. Take all the gear you listed out in the woods on a cold weekend and see how it fares in shitty weather. Also see how heavy your pack is. 65 lbs doesn't feel that bad in a well designed pack when you’re taking short hikes on level ground. Wear it all day and climb the steepes hills you can find and it will feel pretty bad unless you’re a monster.

 

[Mtnboy]

that lantern idea seems like the perfect solution for short trips probably lighter than the hot tent stoves and not as expensive

Just be aware that running a gas lantern in your tent will create condensation.

 

[Gatorgrizz27]

I guess you’ve already bought your tags but IMO with limited experience it might be worth just tagging along on your friends trip without a rifle. You’ll still have a great learning experience, and killing an elk several miles into steep backcountry solo isn’t going to be a ton of fun. Not to mention actually killing something on your first few trips is a rarity also.