Chest rig contents.

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May 26, 2025
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What does everybody keep in their chest rig/bino harness? I like to have mine setup with the basic gear I need when hunting. That way if I am separated from my pack on a stalk, or just need access to something quick, it’s right there. Here’s mine.


Binoculars
Rangefinder
Headlamp
Windchecker
License and tags
Predator call (season specific)
Main knife
Lighter
Firestarers
Chapstick
Whistle
Earplugs
Lens cloth

I will also normally keep 4 or 5 extra shells of whatever gun I’m shooting in there.
IMG_0999.jpeg
 
What does everybody keep in their chest rig/bino harness? I like to have mine setup with the basic gear I need when hunting. That way if I am separated from my pack on a stalk, or just need access to something quick, it’s right there. Here’s mine.


Binoculars
Rangefinder
Headlamp
Windchecker
License and tags
Predator call (season specific)
Main knife
Lighter
Firestarers
Chapstick
Whistle
Earplugs
Lens cloth

I will also normally keep 4 or 5 extra shells of whatever gun I’m shooting in there.
View attachment 927998
Mine is so similar. The only other thing is I have a tiny brick of fire starter, zip ties, pen, and most of it is in a sandwich bag for moisture protection.
 
Binos
Rangefinder
Diaphragm calls
Smoke in a bottle
Tags
Pen
Bino tripod mount

Everything else that I like to have on hand goes in my cargo pockets (inReach, basic survival kit, EDC knife, head lamp, gloves, hats, lighter)
 
Mine is so similar. The only other thing is I have a tiny brick of fire starter, zip ties, pen, and most of it is in a sandwich bag for moisture protection.
Zip ties are a good one. I keep those same things including a pen and paper in my possibles pouch.
 
Every hunter needs a way to make a sound that will stop an animal out of curiosity, either with the mouth God gave you or a call of some kind. It doesn’t need to call anything in, or sound like anything specific, just a sound that will stop a walking elk, deer, antelope, coyote, etc., for a look to see what it is, then Kapow!
It has to be small, easy to get to, waterproof, durable, and quick to use. The Cow Talk has been all that for a few decades. The reeds are just little black rubber bands. It’s always on the binocular strap and is second nature to put in my teeth when an animal is walking and I’m getting behind the gun. I’ve had a mulie running full bore right at the saddle we were on, blew it at about 75 yards and he put on the brakes long enough for a shot. Antelope just about to walk over a ridge that usually don’t stop, stopped to look over their shoulders and Kablamo!

I’ve even had a lonely spike think it was an invitation to watch Netflix and chill and ran right at me. It works on sheep, goats, moose, caribou, bears, etc.

IMG_0917.jpeg
 
Binos
Rangefinder
Diaphragm calls
Smoke in a bottle
Tags
Pen
Bino tripod mount

Everything else that I like to have on hand goes in my cargo pockets (inReach, basic survival kit, EDC knife, head lamp, gloves, hats, lighter)
Same here except the tripod mount and the pen if I forget one.
 
I used to carry a lot but lately I hardly carry anything. I realized that there were certain things I was hardly every reaching for (tags), things I just absolutely did not need "instant access" to (firestarter and headlamp), and things that I just admitted I wasn't using enough to lug around all the time (binos - just kidding, knife, lens cloth).

These days I just roll with binos, rangefinder, and (if hunting not scouting) wind checker. I have a few other items like chapstick but those go in a belt pouch on my pack.
 
I used to carry a lot but lately I hardly carry anything. I realized that there were certain things I was hardly every reaching for (tags), things I just absolutely did not need "instant access" to (firestarter and headlamp), and things that I just admitted I wasn't using enough to lug around all the time (binos - just kidding, knife, lens cloth).

These days I just roll with binos, rangefinder, and (if hunting not scouting) wind checker. I have a few other items like chapstick but those go in a belt pouch on my pack.
The reason I keep, “necessities”, like a headlamp, firestarters, and tags in my chest rig is because I am frequently away from my backpack, and if I put miles between me and my pack or camp while tracking a wounded animal or going on a long stalk, I want to have the basic stuff I need to break down an animal, stay warm, and hike in the dark.
 
The reason I keep, “necessities”, like a headlamp, firestarters, and tags in my chest rig is because I am frequently away from my backpack, and if I put miles between me and my pack or camp while tracking a wounded animal or going on a long stalk, I want to have the basic stuff I need to break down an animal, stay warm, and hike in the dark.
Oh, totally not judging here. Everyone's priorities are different. What I didn't say is my chest rig includes a Razco holster for my 44-mag because I have now TWICE lost an elk to not being armed in the field. Once I was helping a friend trace a blood trail, but I had an unfilled tag of my own, and once I was on my second trip packing out a small calf but had an unfilled bull tag. I 100% get adjusting the load-out based on priorities.

I do think 90% of us can leave half our firestarter stuff at home though, LOL. Heck, these days I rarely even make fires while hunting. With the fire bans most Western states have had for so long, why bother?
 
I run a marsupial down under pouch and have a basic 1st aid kit in there for bad cuts. Figured my chest pack would probably be closest to me if I had a broadhead accident or something like that.
 
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