Backcountry Pack Weights

[bmart2622]

I agree, I roll with around 1.5 lbs a day. No way I could cut a pound out.

 

[Miscue]

Some pretty amazing pack weights here. For someone just getting started in backcountry hunting (hunting in general), I'd love to see some of what those pack contents look like. More so to give me an idea what everyone is packing while still keeping the weight down.

Cheers!

 

[a3dhunter]

I'm usually around 35-36 lbs with spotting scope and tripod included for an early September hunt, I carry my bow so that is not included. If I take a few luxury items then it puts me up to 40 lbs.
I suspect that weight will go up a little next pack in, since I want to start eating a little better.

Best thing for anyone is to set up a spread sheet with everything you own and the weights, then add items and subtract to see what you really want to pack up the mountain.

 

[Kevin_t]

On my 27 lb pack in 10 lbs was rifle , scope , range finder etc. My normal backpacking weight is 17 to 22, adjusted for duration and weather. My gun , tripod spotter range finder is 9.5 to 10.5 depending on what I take

 

[Justin Crossley]

Best thing for anyone is to set up a spread sheet with everything you own and the weights, then add items and subtract to see what you really want to pack up the mountain.

I have a pretty good spreed sheet already made up for this and will email it to anyone who could use it. Just PM me your email and I'll send it.

 

[gil_wy]

How long can you maintain energy with that amount of food!

The 1/2 lb a day is a Mt. House for evening or similar ( been going stove less some, so this sometimes is a couple bagle sandwiches) plus a snickers to start my day... Comes in closer to 11 oz...

My daypack weight includes 3.5# of cashews, peanuts, and raisins regardless of the length of the trip... If I was going for more than 5 days, I'd add another 1/2# per day...

 

[Poser]

That is pretty impressive weight

Yes it is!

 

[todd kelly]

I think some of these sub 35 lb guys need to post their gear lists. I have no clue how you guys cam get it so low.

 

[JP100]

I think some of these sub 35 lb guys need to post their gear lists. I have no clue how you guys cam get it so low.

Yea for sure! wish my pack was like that

 

[Beastmode]

I think some of these sub 35 lb guys need to post their gear lists. I have no clue how you guys cam get it so low.

X2! My empty pack, rifle/bow, sleep system and optics= 20lbs+

 

[60x]

I think I average 50- 90...

 

[dotman]

Mine is at 9lbs, but when I have to get long wides in everything that doesn't help. But I've already got a new quilt to try as well, that saves me almost a pound and a half. I'm also taking a hard look at the Seek Outside LBO setups.......might not save me much weight but will greatly increase my room for the same weight of my tent now. I've discovered that the listed 90" length for the BA Copper Spur UL2 must be the "outside length" because the inside is only 84". That doesn't give me much room on either end.

I thought you were anti floor less?

 

[dotman]

The lightest I have been is 42lbs, usually come in just over 50-65lbs depending on situation. This is always a complicated thread, it really should be what is your backcountry gear weight because whether it is in your pack or not your carrying it all in some manner. I pretty much stopped weighing everything and take what I want any more but this is after years of changing things up and finding what works for me.

I haven't weighed my day hunt setup in awhile but I would guess it is under 30lbs.

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

I do several 3 day trips a year. I'm usually around 45-50lbs including water and food(I like to bring the spotter and tripod on most of my hunts). The only thing that changes for me is more food for longer trips and obviously in the late season more clothing. I have went in with 70+ before for long trips but that's rare. I also never count my weapon.

 

[charvey9]

7 day hunt last year I was at 58lbs with full water, food, and bow. My goal is 40lbs this year. cha ching.

 

[Dion]

I agree with you, dotman. I have even more questions now!!! haha. Thanks for the input everyone. And thanks for the spreadsheet idea Justin.

 

[Aron Snyder]

I think some of these sub 35 lb guys need to post their gear lists. I have no clue how you guys cam get it so low.

If it makes you feel better, on most hunts I've got 25lbs of optics/tripods/camera gear and batteries before anything else goes in

 

[Aron Snyder]

I just checked my PM box and had several questions about this thread. As you can imagine, the biggest question is "how the hell do people get there pack weight so low for a 5 day hunt"?

Well..... that's a good question and there's several thing to be taken into consideration before trying to go on a 5-7 day hunt with 27-35 lbs. I would personally say DON'T TRY IT, as the people posting these weights have either 1) never actually tried doing it and are guessing 2) are very experienced and have there kit dialed in 3) only do ONE backpack hunt a year and can get away with taking very little food 4) haven't had shit hit the fan yet and leave a lot of gear home that could help keep them on the mountain.

Now I'm not saying that you can't do a 5 day hunt with a sub 30lb pack, because you can. I am, however, saying that I would not suggest doing it in most conditions.

Every year I go on several hunts with multiple different people. All of these guys have various backgrounds in backpack hunting, as well as different skill levels. Some bring no spotting scope or tripod (not really needed when elk hunting for example), others don't mind suffering a bit more and then you get the ones the prep for the world to end.....kitchen sink/GIF guys.

At the sheep show we just got back from this subject came up and some of the biggest makes in the business were involved in the conversation. When I say biggest names in the business, I'm not talking about TV hosts, but guides and hunters that stay in the field for 90 days a year. It was amazing to see that we all had about the same packing list and views on backpack hunting. Keep in mind that these guys aren't hunting for elk in the low land, and the idea of coming out early becasue something went wrong is never an option.

Keep in ind that all of us (the guys in this discussion) pack a spotter, tripod and some form of camera at all times, and the majority of these hunts we do are above treeline in areas that have the potential for bad weather.
Having said all of that, 45-50lbs for a 5 day hunt is a decent guideline and the only real weight you would add for longer trips is the additional food needed (20 oz's per day). Some can get away with less food than that, but those guys probably are not doing back to back to back hunts. So the need to keep the energy level up for long periods of time are not as big of an issue.

I won't type out my entire packing list, but here's a few things I take on most hunts before my base gear even goes into the pack. Keep in mind we're videoing these hunts and doing live hunts as well.

SAT phone, GPS, spotting scope, camera, tripod, battery pack, video camera, extra batteries, cell phone, small repair kit and other stuff I'm not remembering
Those items alone will weigh between 12-16 lbs pretty easy, but not all are needed.

We also agree that we leave several items at the truck when the area we're hunting is easy to get in and out of. Colorado is a good example of "easy", as I can hike back to the truck, drive into town and take a shower/eat and be back in time for the evening hunt. I don't do that very often, but the wilderness areas are much different in Colorado and most of them can be walked across in a long day.

Here's a list of things to think about when taking the advice of others and deciding on what you'll actually take along from that advice:

1) there success rate; you don't need much if you never kill anything, as you're really just backpacking.

2) time of year they're hunting or you'll be hunting. Example; Colorado may not have much oxygen, but the weather in archery season is child's play compared to other areas.

3) distance from the truck. As I said before, if I can hike or run back to the truck quickly and easily, my packing list will be lighter than normal.

4) Experience level of the hunter; if the guy professing his ability from his moms basement, it may not be the best advice


I'll stop rambling now, but keep in mind that some of you will have ONE chance a year, and a little extra weight in the pack can help keep you on the mountain. On the other hand, a heavy freaking pack can drive you of the mountain too. So be smart, take what you need and try and have fun when you're hunting!

It's not a contest on who goes in with the lightest pack, but more of a contest on who will have fun, last the longest and come out with a HEAVIEST pack at the end of the trip.

 

[Jon Boy]

Well said Aaron. I dont even care any more about pack weight. After a cram a full sized tripod, two cameras, extra batteries, mics etc it really doesnt matter and I say screw it I train for the weight of my pack so I'm used it.

 

[gil_wy]

I just checked my PM box and had several questions about this thread. As you can imagine, the biggest question is "how the hell do people get there pack weight so low for a 5 day hunt"?

Well..... that's a good question and there's several thing to be taken into consideration before trying to go on a 5-7 day hunt with 27-35 lbs. I would personally say DON'T TRY IT, as the people posting these weights have either 1) never actually tried doing it and are guessing 2) are very experienced and have there kit dialed in 3) only do ONE backpack hunt a year and can get away with taking very little food 4) haven't had shit hit the fan yet and leave a lot of gear home that could help keep them on the mountain.

Now I'm not saying that you can't do a 5 day hunt with a sub 30lb pack, because you can. I am, however, saying that I would not suggest doing it in most conditions.

Every year I go on several hunts with multiple different people. All of these guys have various backgrounds in backpack hunting, as well as different skill levels. Some bring no spotting scope or tripod (not really needed when elk hunting for example), others don't mind suffering a bit more and then you get the ones the prep for the world to end.....kitchen sink/GIF guys.

At the sheep show we just got back from this subject came up and some of the biggest makes in the business were involved in the conversation. When I say biggest names in the business, I'm not talking about TV hosts, but guides and hunters that stay in the field for 90 days a year. It was amazing to see that we all had about the same packing list and views on backpack hunting. Keep in mind that these guys aren't hunting for elk in the low land, and the idea of coming out early becasue something went wrong is never an option.

Keep in ind that all of us (the guys in this discussion) pack a spotter, tripod and some form of camera at all times, and the majority of these hunts we do are above treeline in areas that have the potential for bad weather.
Having said all of that, 45-50lbs for a 5 day hunt is a decent guideline and the only real weight you would add for longer trips is the additional food needed (20 oz's per day). Some can get away with less food than that, but those guys probably are not doing back to back to back hunts. So the need to keep the energy level up for long periods of time are not as big of an issue.

I won't type out my entire packing list, but here's a few things I take on most hunts before my base gear even goes into the pack. Keep in mind we're videoing these hunts and doing live hunts as well.

SAT phone, GPS, spotting scope, camera, tripod, battery pack, video camera, extra batteries, cell phone, small repair kit and other stuff I'm not remembering
Those items alone will weigh between 12-16 lbs pretty easy, but not all are needed.

We also agree that we leave several items at the truck when the area we're hunting is easy to get in and out of. Colorado is a good example of "easy", as I can hike back to the truck, drive into town and take a shower/eat and be back in time for the evening hunt. I don't do that very often, but the wilderness areas are much different in Colorado and most of them can be walked across in a long day.

Here's a list of things to think about when taking the advice of others and deciding on what you'll actually take along from that advice:

1) there success rate; you don't need much if you never kill anything, as you're really just backpacking.

2) time of year they're hunting or you'll be hunting. Example; Colorado may not have much oxygen, but the weather in archery season is child's play compared to other areas.

3) distance from the truck. As I said before, if I can hike or run back to the truck quickly and easily, my packing list will be lighter than normal.

4) Experience level of the hunter; if the guy professing his ability from his moms basement, it may not be the best advice


I'll stop rambling now, but keep in mind that some of you will have ONE chance a year, and a little extra weight in the pack can help keep you on the mountain. On the other hand, a heavy freaking pack can drive you of the mountain too. So be smart, take what you need and try and have fun when you're hunting!

It's not a contest on who goes in with the lightest pack, but more of a contest on who will have fun, last the longest and come out with a HEAVIEST pack at the end of the trip.

I don't know which of the 4 above I come off as but my hunting is done mostly in Sept./Oct @ 7k-10k feet and it's taken me 20 years to get dialed in... I bring in absolutely nothing extra. I don't mean to imply that everyone should do it this way and it's definitely not for everyone because it's pretty spartan but it works for me...

Fwiw- I've dropped around 5# since just last season just with equipment upgrades.