Overthinking about pack or just prepared?

[tntrker]

I'm taking my life long dream Elk hunt in Montana the last of Oct and into Nov. It's a guided hunt with horses. I have hunted Whitetail my entire life (I'm 50) in TN and SC. While getting prepared, since Jan, I have purchased extra things to be over prepared due to a few things. One, I wanted to verify that Sitka clothes was gonna keep me warm wearing less than I'm accustomed to while it was still cold here, Second, I wanted to be ready for whatever weather condition was going to be present at the time of the hunt. Normally I had just a small pack to sit in the stand here for before daylight until dark. For this trip I have the Flash 20. I know a guided hunt is totally different then packing in, or I'd had a bigger pack, but is the guide going to laugh and say I should have just brought my smaller pack? My thinking the Flash 20 for: Cloud Burst set, extra pair socks, First aid, Snacks, Down Hoody for glassing if needed, room to take off layers, Water bladder, etc.. Am I "overboard" or just "prepared"?

 

[dtrkyman]

Bring it, you could always leave it at camp for day trips, call your guide and ask him!


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[Tower]

I hunt elk in WY in the same manner, guided and on horseback and have used various daypacks in the 1200-1500ci range. We hunt end of Sept to early October. Typically will put raingear in the saddlebags to save pack space. In the pack I'll have: 1.5L water bladder & 16oz nalgene, steri-pen, first aid pull out, fire starting pull out, spare rifle & pistol ammo, GPS, shooting sticks, headlamp (2), possibles pullout(TP/spare batteries/repair tape, knife sharpener etc), lunch & snacks. There's usually room to stuff gloves, neck gaiter, beanie, etc. if I shed those things throughout the day. I don't carry spare clothing as we are back in camp every night.

Any bulky outer layers that get taken off during the day I will typically roll up and tie up behind the saddle . I also laced shock cord on my new pack (MR Front) to hold any outer layers that I want to quickly stow, as an option.

I too am trying a new clothing system (First Lite) this season. Been a Filson wearer for the past 20 years so looking forward to trying out this lighter weight wool!

One thing to keep in mind if hunting on horseback is how are you going to carry the pack while on the horse? I do not wear mine while riding, but hook it over the saddle horn on the off-side. Because of this I look for a pack with a decent sized grab handle on the top that will fit over a saddle horn and one that is somewhat narrow in profile. Personally I don't want/need a hip belt or waist strap and it just adds bulk if not really used. When we stop I'll pull the pack off and put it on. I've seen a few guys wearing their packs (typically way over sized/packed) and it just adds a whole other dimension when mounting and dismounting, not to mention riding through any thick timber. Plus you have to support all that weight when riding. IMO hunting via horseback out of a base camp every day, a huge pack just isn't needed.

I don't know how you're traveling but if you're worried about the Flash 20, you might think about throwing in a smaller day pack. I use mine as a carry-on when flying up.

Have you discussed it with your outfitter?

 

[Doc Holliday]

I would not worry about taking a pack too big as long as it collapses down into a bivy mode. If you have an elk that dies in a gnarly spot, a little ways from where the horses can get to, you and your guide will both be glad you have a bigger pack. I would go bigger than 2000 personally. Something in the 3000-5000 range.

 

[larryschwartz]

Some observations based on experience...

1. You can't add space to a small pack if you need it, but you can compress down a larger pack if you don't need it. You don't know what you will face on any given day and some extra space might prove useful in an unexpected situation/scenario.

2. The weather can change quickly and drastically in the mountains. I have seen it go from sunny to rain to sleet to snow in a matter of an hour. Always keep your whole layering system with you wherever you go; baselayers, shirt/pants, insulation/puffy layer, outer layer/rain layer. Don't leave it on the horse or in camp because it looks like good weather.

3. You can't count on getting back to the horses or camp every night; you might get lost, get an animal down just at last light, go too far away to walk back in time, or get stuck out due to a change in the weather. So, you must be prepared to spend the night away from camp, even if your outfitter/guide isn't. A lightweight tarp (I prefer a 10' by 10' with paracord), a small stove and soup mix, and something to keep you warm like a Kifaru Woobie or HPG Mountain Serape, will let you spend a relatively comfortable night in the backcountry without too much weight and bulk in your pack.