Daypack Tarp

[taskswap]

I don't know if it counts but I carry an Anyoo poncho. They're pretty cheap on Amazon and can be used both as a ground tarp under a tent, rain fly, shelter, and rain poncho for hiking. They're big enough to cover you and your pack. And the material is really great for hunting, it washes REALLY easily even if you accidentally let it sit in your truck bed all wadded up after quartering an elk on it last season like you swore you wouldn't do again. Ahem...

Major downside is the plastic buttons, they're fussy to snap closed and I'd say "fine for Colorado" where you might use this a few times a year, but maybe not for regular "every trip" type use like Alaska or the Northeast...

 

[mcseal2]

I always carry one, which one depends on the trip

For times when it's least likely to be needed I carry a MyTrailCo poncho/tarp. The new Onewind version is $30 and works too. This can be set up as a shelter in what backpackers call the cave configuration, but you won't be stretching out in it. When a tarp or rain gear are not likely to be needed I carry just this.

A lot of times I now pack the Sheep Tarp. It is longer in the cave configuration and makes a better shelter. It's stouter than the ones listed above and the extra tie outs can create more room.

I have not used it much yet, but last year I got a Hyperlight 8.5' square tarp. It is nice and light, it will probably go a lot in the lower 48. I've seen mixed reviews on dcf tarps and have little experience with them yet myself. One reviewer I think knew what he was talking about said he uses one anytime a failure isn't a life or death situation. He still uses silnylon when durability is more important than weight. I'm going with that plan until I use my new one enough to make my own judgement.

Last the Seek DST is really hard to beat. It's heavier but for Alaska I've packed one and used it each trip. If we are hunting in pairs it's big enough for each pair of hunters to share. If I could only have one tarp this would be it. Sometimes I don't need this much tarp though, and so I go with something lighter.

I always have an Adventure Medical 2 person emergency blanket too. We've used this to put meat on more than once and rinsed it off in the river after.

Here are pics from our caribou hunt. The green tarp is the MyTrailCo poncho set up as a wind break while glassing. The other shows our packs under the DST and meat stacked on the emergency blanket. It quit raining/sleeting or we'd have put the meat under the tarp too.

 

[mcseal2]

Onewind poncho in the cave configuration, and their newer survival shelter set up in my yard. I like the survival shelter if there are trees for a ridgeline.

Dimensions as pictured
poncho 3’10” deep 5’6” wide 2’10” tall

Shelter 4’6” deep 8’10” wide 3’6” tall

 

[trophyhill]

Always a good idea to have a tarp of some kind in your pack. Not fun getting soaked to the core. Also works as shade for you or your downed prey as you field dress. What a great multi purpose tool of the trade

 

[Killshot824]

Here guys talking about using their sheep tarps for meat. How well do they clean up afterwards or are they forever blood stained?

 

[camelcluch]

I have an 8x8 tyvek tarp I added grommets to. I also have a 10x10 bpwd if I think Ill need more room or I know I’m staying all night.