Gear questions and shaving an ounce here and there

[Chris in TN]

Couple more thoughts, you mentioned pulleys, paper towels, duct tape. I don’t bring any of that stuff, you don’t need pulleys for elk, bear or any other animals when packing in.
I have two daughters and a son (all grown now) that hunted with me since they were very young and still do. I made sure to pack enough warm clothes for them that they did not get cold/uncomfortable. That was key while they were young. You mentioned bringing one gun, I did that as well when my kids were with me. Even today, when my youngest daughter (18 now) goes I only bring her gun. I have so much fun spotting for them and talking them through the shot.

One piece of great advice I have heard over the years is to not pack your fears. Over the years I have cut so much out that I used to pack. And with that, I haven’t ever been in dire need of anything.

I bought the smallest roll of duct tape I could find. I might skip the pulleys - I can see the chances of needing them are miniscule - and I agree that being comfortable is key. That's why we're bringing rainsuits. But TBH, if I see definite significant rain in the forecast we are likely to be at the car or sleeping in a cabin. I hate hunting in the rain, even here at home. My daughter certainly isn't a fan of it. I hear you on the one-gun thing. Having kids has made me rethink a lot of things.

If we could have drawn a quality deer tag (by quality, I mean almost any unit with decent odds at a 3 year old buck and fairly low hunting pressure) I think that would have been overall a much better first-western-hunt option, but here we are. Most of the logistic problems with elk happen after the shot, anyway.

ETA: as for dyneema cord vs paracord, the biggest advantage of paracord is that a roll of it is already at my house, paid for. Shaving that ounce of weight isn't worth it to me this year. We are spending a TON of money getting geared up and I can't justify every expense. Most of our stuff is entry level and I'm OK living with the extra weight involved in cheaper gear, for now. We can adjust and upgrade as time goes on.

A buddy of mine just got back from a similar hunt with his (older) son during bow season. I think his pack was close to 70 pounds but they packed a lot of stuff they didn't need - camp comfort stuff. He's stronger than me and probably handled 70 as well as I'll handle 40, but, still, hearing his reports has made me look hard at everything where I can afford to shave it. I don't particularly mind the idea of hiking in once with a lot of gear then figuring out how to get it back to the car with a dead elk. My real fear is hiking in, seeing a need to regroup and move, and *THEN* letting the dread of the weight stop me from making a needed move. That's what scares me.

 

[Chris in TN]

Also - where do you guys stuff your reading glasses while wearing a pack? I always hang them on my shirt collar but the front/top pack cross-strap makes that risky. I need them to be always available but don't want to smush them with the pack strap.

 

[hereinaz]

Also - where do you guys stuff your reading glasses while wearing a pack? I always hang them on my shirt collar but the front/top pack cross-strap makes that risky. I need them to be always available but don't want to smush them with the pack strap.

I am going to sew a little pouch that will clip on my pack strap so I can take it off and put it in my pockets. Super annoying getting old and fat…

I finally got contacts for far vision and binoculars. Makes readers necessary.

 

[Ecampbell25]

There is no way I would not bring the rain fly to your tent period…. Unless I had some form of good rain protection.

 

[Chris in TN]

There is no way I would not bring the rain fly to your tent period…. Unless I had some form of good rain protection.

We have had torrential rains here at home in the last 24 hours and yesterday I had to go outside and do some stuff in the rain and it kinda drove the point home. Being wet sucks.

 

[Chris in TN]

I am going to sew a little pouch that will clip on my pack strap so I can take it off and put it in my pockets. Super annoying getting old and fat…

I finally got contacts for far vision and binoculars. Makes readers necessary.

I think some of my readers came in pouches. I might see what I can rig up there. I'll bring an extra pair, even hiking/camping. I can't read a map without them and certainly can't look at aerial imagery without them.

 

[fmyth]

I think some of my readers came in pouches. I might see what I can rig up there. I'll bring an extra pair, even hiking/camping. I can't read a map without them and certainly can't look at aerial imagery without them.

I keep these readers in the side pouch of my bino harness. I've sat on them, washed them in the washing machine and haven't broken them. They weigh less than an ounce.

 

[Macintosh]

Also - where do you guys stuff your reading glasses while wearing a pack? I always hang them on my shirt collar but the front/top pack cross-strap makes that risky. I need them to be always available but don't want to smush them with the pack strap.

Thank me after your trip.

Barat Reader

The Barat style features rectangular lenses with a soft and foldable headband that adjusts at the temples providing you with a perfect fit.

cliceyewear.com