Daypack weight

[BigNate]

For me 1 to 3 miles is pretty close so I would probably drop most of the just-in-case type stuff from my pack. It's close enough that I would probably not carry extra clothes, food, shelter, etc.

I used to just use a fanny pack, with water, folding saw, fire kit, some cord, and snack stuff. Didn't have a bino harness, range finders weren't a thing yet. I was young.

I am no longer young, live where it's quite steep, 6 to 8 miles is common, weather changes quickly, and grizzly encounters are becoming increasingly common. I carry a pack, and a few things to stay comfortable if I get hung up and spend the night. I carry a tiny pot and stove or jetboil a lot, usually have an extra meal along, and carry less water. Started using a Grayl filter instead. Early season may be different if it's a dry year.

Each person has to decide what's appropriate for the area they're in, their ability to make do when things don't go as planned, and their tolerance for discomfort.

 

[Zackmesser]

I started packing a sandwich and chips lunch this year to save weight on cooking and just not having to deal with for day hunts, besides that I just cut down on layering gear depending on the weather.

 

[ZAK13]

I usually just use a medium sized fanny pack for a day hunt. Small first aid kit, a sandwich and some snacks for the day, extra water, a few extra rounds, some paracord, a knife, fire starter kit, and weather dependent either a rain jacket or a puffy. On the cold days a 16oz. thermos with hot coffee comes with me as well.

 

[butcherboy]

I bet you are closer than you think!

say my day pack weight is exactly 30lbs.

Extra stuff I would take to spike out - 1lbs for a pad, 2lbs bag, 3lbs tent, 1.5lbs stove + fuel, 1lbs for batteries. That is only 38.5lbs. That means I can carry 3lbs/day (5k calories) food for 7 days and be right around 60lbs total pack weight.

There is a huge difference between a day hunt and taking stuff for a spike out. I’m not taking a pad, tent, stove, fuel, batteries, food, sleeping bag for a simple day hunt away from my truck or camp.