The fact of the matter is that anyone hunting in the backcountry could be faced w/ an unexpected night out and it behooves all of us to be at least somewhat prepared if that were to happen.
I've had to spend two unplanned nights- one working, one hunting- they both really sucked! I was able to get a fire going on both occasions, but I had very little in the way of extra clothing, let alone sleep/shelter bits.
Adequate clothing for the conditions and a little bit extra is probably the first line of defense. The ability to start a fire easily (even in adverse conditions) is the second.
Beyond that, what options are viable; certainly carrying what you would carry on a multi-day backpack hunt would be ideal from a comfort standpoint, but probably a bit of overkill (in both weight and volume) for a day hunt.
Here's what I've been carrying on day hunts in the backcountry.
I carry a 20x20" z-pad for a sitpad (4 oz), strapped to my pack for easy access when taking a break or glassing. Between the bag and frame I carry a 20x40" 3/8" closed cell foam pad (4 oz)- I scored this pad in 10" sections, much like the z pad, so it folds nicely. This gives me pretty good torso length insulation for underneath. I have an Apex quilt (made by MLD) that is rated to 48 degrees (12 oz), it also has a "poncho" hole in it so it can be worn standing or sitting (I'll use it in very cold weather draped over me when glassing). I have a SOL Escape bivy (8 oz) that provides some weather resistance and also helps maintain heat within.
Extra clothing includes a heavy fleece balaclava (2 oz), insulated mitts (Apex (2 oz)), insulated booties (Apex) (2oz). I have an Apexi insulated jacket (10 oz) and pants (9 oz) that are routinely worn in cold weather on breaks/glassing.
Everything except the additional length ccf pad, the bivy and the booties are used at least some of the time hunting, some items frequently.
If I happened to be caught out in mild weather (say 40's) I'd be downright cozy, 30's not too bad, 20's chilly, 10's very chilly, 0 freezing my ass off!!! But as miserable as I would be, I'd still be able to tell folks about it later
These extra bits don't add a lot of extra weight- a couple of pounds and don't take a lot of room either; I was able to carry this setup in an 18 liter pack (MR Pop Up 18).
Obviously compromises are made on such a setup, as nice as it would be if caught out unexpectedly, not many of us are going to carry a full on shelter, 0 degree bag and a high R rated pad for a day hunt.
I know some guys carry nothing but a matchbook and optimism, but getting caught out is one of those things that can happen to anyone and I like to stack the odds a little bit in my favor.
I've had to spend two unplanned nights- one working, one hunting- they both really sucked! I was able to get a fire going on both occasions, but I had very little in the way of extra clothing, let alone sleep/shelter bits.
Adequate clothing for the conditions and a little bit extra is probably the first line of defense. The ability to start a fire easily (even in adverse conditions) is the second.
Beyond that, what options are viable; certainly carrying what you would carry on a multi-day backpack hunt would be ideal from a comfort standpoint, but probably a bit of overkill (in both weight and volume) for a day hunt.
Here's what I've been carrying on day hunts in the backcountry.
I carry a 20x20" z-pad for a sitpad (4 oz), strapped to my pack for easy access when taking a break or glassing. Between the bag and frame I carry a 20x40" 3/8" closed cell foam pad (4 oz)- I scored this pad in 10" sections, much like the z pad, so it folds nicely. This gives me pretty good torso length insulation for underneath. I have an Apex quilt (made by MLD) that is rated to 48 degrees (12 oz), it also has a "poncho" hole in it so it can be worn standing or sitting (I'll use it in very cold weather draped over me when glassing). I have a SOL Escape bivy (8 oz) that provides some weather resistance and also helps maintain heat within.
Extra clothing includes a heavy fleece balaclava (2 oz), insulated mitts (Apex (2 oz)), insulated booties (Apex) (2oz). I have an Apexi insulated jacket (10 oz) and pants (9 oz) that are routinely worn in cold weather on breaks/glassing.
Everything except the additional length ccf pad, the bivy and the booties are used at least some of the time hunting, some items frequently.
If I happened to be caught out in mild weather (say 40's) I'd be downright cozy, 30's not too bad, 20's chilly, 10's very chilly, 0 freezing my ass off!!! But as miserable as I would be, I'd still be able to tell folks about it later
These extra bits don't add a lot of extra weight- a couple of pounds and don't take a lot of room either; I was able to carry this setup in an 18 liter pack (MR Pop Up 18).
Obviously compromises are made on such a setup, as nice as it would be if caught out unexpectedly, not many of us are going to carry a full on shelter, 0 degree bag and a high R rated pad for a day hunt.
I know some guys carry nothing but a matchbook and optimism, but getting caught out is one of those things that can happen to anyone and I like to stack the odds a little bit in my favor.
