In the pack: Sheep 2026

[Sheep_Fever_AK]

I’m really focusing on cutting some pack weight and bulk this year where the budget will allow. For me Specifically: Tent, optics, and simplifying clothing system… But I’m curious what everyone else will be changing or still taking this fall. Gear specifics. New items, tried and true items, packing food…

What are some sheep gear items you won’t go without this year?
Where are you cutting weight? Or adding weight?
What does your typical pack weigh for a 7+ day hunt?

Always curious to learn from the best of you!

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Here you go,

https://lighterpack.com/r/70gsbt

 

[survivalistd]

Here you go,

https://lighterpack.com/r/70gsbt

Excellent

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

packing food

You can save some weight, and a lot of space by re packaging your freeze dried meals in quart freezer bags. Take the opportunity to add spices or additional freeze dried ingredients and throw in a single packet of Olive Oil (sealed) into the quart bag. Squeeze the air out and you have a better meal that is half the size.

 

[dallen]

You can save some weight, and a lot of space by re packaging your freeze dried meals in quart freezer bags. Take the opportunity to add spices or additional freeze dried ingredients and throw in a single packet of Olive Oil (sealed) into the quart bag. Squeeze the air out and you have a better meal that is half the size.

You’re using your jetboil cup to “cook” your repackaged meals then? My list is pretty similar to your, your definitely carrying a lighter rifle than I do but otherwise, close. I’ve always thought about repackaged meals because they add so much bulk.

 

[Sheep_Fever_AK]

I started packing my food similar last year. Helped quite a bit.

I mentioned it before but how do you feel about taking a smaller spotter? Packability vs more magnification. Is the weight savings worth giving up the extra 10x-15x power and less light gathering?

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

You’re using your jetboil cup to “cook” your repackaged meals then? My list is pretty similar to your, your definitely carrying a lighter rifle than I do but otherwise, close. I’ve always thought about repackaged meals because they add so much bulk.

Ah no. I put boiling water directly in the freezer bag and then place that inside the Hyperlite Mountain Gear cozy, designed for rehydrating repackaged meals.

I started packing my food similar last year. Helped quite a bit.

I mentioned it before but how do you feel about taking a smaller spotter? Packability vs more magnification. Is the weight savings worth giving up the extra 10x-15x power and less light gathering?

Definitely worth it at times to go with a mini spotter, especially if you already know where the sheep are that you’re going to be hunting, as opposed to a new area where you might be glassing many hours a day and at far distances.

 

[carsonkeys]

One of my main-stay items is my enigma 30* quilt. Ben actually turned me onto it and I’ve now taken it on late season sheep hunts and have been totally comfortable when supplemented with clothing, despite normal shitty Alaska conditions. Beats the hell out of the Kifaru slick bag it replaced.

I’ll also be saving ~5-8oz (IIRC) by using a naked alpha hoodie and wind shirt this year.

I could also save weight by going to a breathable rain top as opposed to rubber. That’s a mental hurdle I need to jump over

This is the opposite of saving weight, but I’ve stopped repackaging my food. Several years ago I killed early and had 6+ days of food that I never got around to vacuum sealing and it went bad. It was a stupid error on my part, but I was dealing with meat, horns, work, house and husband stuff, etc. and just spaced for a few months.

Edit: clarity

 

[diamond10x]

Here's my current list. A little nit picky with weights of every single item but I did it because I wanted to be below 40lbs base weight. Several items I'll upgrade within the next couple seasons to shave off a couple more pounds but this has served me well the last couple years.

https://lighterpack.com/r/9n95no

 

[Sheep_Fever_AK]

Here's my current list. A little nit picky with weights of every single item but I did it because I wanted to be below 40lbs base weight. Several items I'll upgrade within the next couple seasons to shave off a couple more pounds but this has served me well the last couple years.

https://lighterpack.com/r/9n95no

Awesome. How do you like that tripod?

 

[diamond10x]

Awesome. How do you like that tripod?

I like it a lot. Has held up well on annual extended sheep and goat hunts along with bringing it on several float hunts for other species. When it craps out I'll more than likely get another one.

For the price and weight, I don't think you'll find better unless you spend 4x what it costs.

 

[Antares]

Take the opportunity to add spices or additional freeze dried ingredients and throw in a single packet of Olive Oil (sealed) into the quart bag.

My latest addition is a pack of instant grits in every dehy meal. Adds some extra bulk to the meal (which I like) and adds 100 cals. Between grits, olive oil, and MCT it's pretty easy for me to squeeze an extra 200-300 cal into a meal. You ever mess with grits, Ben?

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

My latest addition is a pack of instant grits in every dehy meal. Adds some extra bulk to the meal (which I like) and adds 100 cals. Between grits, olive oil, and MCT it's pretty easy for me to squeeze an extra 200-300 cal into a meal. You ever mess with grits, Ben?

No, but sounds like it’s worth trying out

 

[Sheep_Fever_AK]

I’m looking to cut some weight as I need a new tripod. My friend has an Aziak Backcountry Lite he really likes, what do you think about the Backcountry Lite ball head for a 65mm spotter? Probably not gonna be shooting off of it. It seems like a nice light weight setup but I’m unfamiliar with the ball head world when it comes to using with a spotter for sheep…

 

[wapitispokes]

Here's my current list. A little nit picky with weights of every single item but I did it because I wanted to be below 40lbs base weight. Several items I'll upgrade within the next couple seasons to shave off a couple more pounds but this has served me well the last couple years.

https://lighterpack.com/r/9n95no

Impressive calorie to weight ratio on that food list. I must be doing something wrong. LOL. I do the "re-pack thing"into zip lock bags and use a "cozy" during re-hydration, and that helps a lot. Appreciate the reminder to add olive oil as a weight efficient calorie boost! I guess I just eat too much!

 

[Stud Duck]

I hate to ask, but could one of you guys PM me a template to your spreadsheet? It will keep me from having to reinvent the wheel.

Please and thank you.

 

[wapitispokes]

I hate to ask, but could one of you guys PM me a template to your spreadsheet? It will keep me from having to reinvent the wheel.

Please and thank you.

Did you try a web search using "lighterpack"? Took me about 15 seconds to get there and another 15 seconds to register an account.

 

[Stud Duck]

Did you try a web search using "lighterpack"? Took me about 15 seconds to get there and another 15 seconds to register an account.

I did not, but thank you.

 

[wapitispokes]

I did not, but thank you.

What I should have said, to avoid coming across harsh is: "try googling the app because part of the secret to reducing pack weight is actually going through the process of thinking about each item and actually weighing it, then use it in the field and adjust". And by that I mean in part, start from a blank slate but use the super cool slick visually friendly lightpack app.

I have a half dozen excel spreadsheets going back a few decades covering almost every item I would or have taken in the field, coded for season, coded for primary or secondary, coded for type of hunt etc. Also broken out for my hunting buddies to make sure they know what I'm bringing and what they are expected to bring. And despite all my Excel lists, I like the lightpack app so much I'm going to try loading my gear for this year's scouting trips into it and see how I like it. It is just so "clean". Also because my "virtual garage of lists" (and real garage) is overflowing and cluttered (meaning, I have so many lists I need lists of my lists...so this would be a good chance for ME to start fresh).

Seriously, the process is part of the cure, that's why I said go to the app and start with a fresh naked sheet. Weigh each item. P.S. , then use a permanent marker to write the weight on each item. I often put it on the labels of clothing. I weigh every isobutane cartridge with a starting weight so I know how much fuel is left after a trip and can decide if I want to relegate that can to future car camping or bring it on another backpacking trip.

 

[shomi]

Seriously, the process is part of the cure,

True for many things in life. The work put into the process pays dividends.