pack weight

[Gmag]

New to pack hunting, just got a Kuiu 7200 cuin pack and was figuring 80 or less for gear and food my first year out. Packing in tent and wood stove which combined is 55lbs. That will be divided out between 3 of us for a week long stay.

 

[AKDoc]

I'm always well under a hundred (around 80 and change) for a 14-day remote drop moose hunt.

I'm assuming that the OP is referring to total "packed weight" as opposed to 140lbs of weight in a single back-pack or any single bag for that matter, which is unimaginable as noted by so many in previous responses.

In the spirit of being helpful, one of the single best weight and volume saving actions on a moose hunt is switching all your game bags over to T.A.G. BAGS...it makes a very noticeable difference, especially on a moose hunt.

Another significant general factor for saving weight is going simple for cooking and food....a single-burner stove with cannister fuel (e.g., MSR Wind-burner) to simply boil water for coffee, freeze-dried meals, etc. I always also take a pocket-rocket as a back-up stove, just in case.

I also agree with others that it would be most helpful for the OP to post a list for feedback...and then get specific and helpful suggestions to reduce weight...it definitely can be done given his stated starting weight of 140.

Edit: BTW, I should have mentioned that my total weight estimate above includes a 10-pound Backcountry LB roll-up sled for hauling meat loads back to camp and a 15-pound PR-49HD inflatable raft for lake drops...at my age (70 this fall) those have become very nice to have along for the past couple of years on a moose hunt...no more moose quarters on my back over tundra...been there, done that for many years LOL!

 

[Freeride]

I totally nerded out and made an excell sheet with all my gear weights. I can put in a quantity for each one and it gives me a running total plus subtotals. This really helped me figure out how to cut weight for each type of hunt.

My Subtotal categories are:
- Clothing
- Pack itself
- Sleeping (tent etc..)
- Eating/cooking
- Hunting
- Rifle (can switch rifles for a different hunt or archery)
- Extra
- first aid/emergency
- camping gear
- hiking gear
- rafting gear
- food

As mentioned it's a lot of subcategories and some work in the beginning weighing all my gear. Now it's really easy to just add a quantity beside each thing and have the total. Plus it helped see where I can loose weight without a lot of money.

Currently for my next trip planned I am at 80.82 lbs for 10 days, but that includes everything I would carry plus a packraft, paddle, lifejacket, and it's SOLO.
I still feel like I can cut weight.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I totally nerded out and made an excell sheet with all my gear weights. I can put in a quantity for each one and it gives me a running total plus subtotals. This really helped me figure out how to cut weight for each type of hunt.

My Subtotal categories are:
- Clothing
- Pack itself
- Sleeping (tent etc..)
- Eating/cooking
- Hunting
- Rifle (can switch rifles for a different hunt or archery)
- Extra
- first aid/emergency
- camping gear
- hiking gear
- rafting gear
- food

As mentioned it's a lot of subcategories and some work in the beginning weighing all my gear. Now it's really easy to just add a quantity beside each thing and have the total. Plus it helped see where I can loose weight without a lot of money.

Currently for my next trip planned I am at 80.82 lbs for 10 days, but that includes everything I would carry plus a packraft, paddle, lifejacket, and it's SOLO.
I still feel like I can cut weight.

A very wise moose hunter that happens to post here once said that his first aid kit was (and I’m going by memory here) a roll of tape, a bandana, and a bag of weed.

Just saved you a few lbs.

 

[Wyobohunter]

My total weight, all included for 7 days is 59 lbs. this is for mid to late October elk. Add 1.75# x 3 days food and it would be 64 lbs 4 ounces. That includes weapon, extra ammo, Bear spray, pistol, all clothes… everything. Your weight is very high. You should put up a list so we can suggest cutting out the bowling ball

Also, there are free gear weight apps. I use PackLight.

 

[Wyobohunter]

Here is my list

 

[Kevin Dill]

A 10-14 day drop hunt (moose) in Alaska will usually drive most guys' gear weights up a fair amount. Just musing that most hunters are thinking about a somewhat bigger and stouter shelter with perhaps a few extra creature comforts. Maybe an ultralight wood stove is in there. Full rain gear is typical and a lot of guys aren't willing to spend $500 to buy tech stuff and save a pound. There are plenty of 7+ pound sleeping bags going along. Coleman Fuel ('white gas') stoves are still popular along with the obligatory gallon can of fuel. Some people actually cook food vs just heat water. 'Alaska' means automatic spotting scope and tripod to many, but I have never brought one in all the years I've hunted moose there. Poke me, but I stopped filtering water many years ago. Moose hunters will be bringing more and larger meat bags versus caribou, deer or elk. A decent saw is usually part of the kit...I believe Vern favors a Stanley short crosscut carpenter saw. I remember when I considered taking salt but eliminated it. I've never recovered a moose cape or wanted to shoulder mount any moose. If I did, I would care for the cape without using salt and I'd do what I could to get the pilot in there quickly to haul meat and cape out.

By the way, many pilots don't count the weight of your weapon as part of the gear weight limit. Rifles are often in scabbards on a wing strut; at least in a Super Cub or other tight bird.

 

[cnelk]

This is what we took last Sept - approx 70lbs each after it was divided up and clothes added

 

[Voyageur]

50 # or 65# (excluding weapon) for 14 days. Weight varies depending on type of aircraft (Cub or Maule). @AKDoc made a good point about keeping food simple. I also use wood for heat and cooking so don't have to bring fuel bottles.
Hope this helps.

 

[VernAK]

I have a hell of a struggle on my hands to get gear weight down to a reasonable level for Geezer Ridge. We'll each have our 40 pounds and if I try hard I might get by with two cub gear loads [2x200#]. There will be five of us this year but no video folks so no Honda generator and fuel.

I think we can get by with only two gear loads because our Lay Z Boys are still at the viewing station and the outhouse-with-a-view has been in place for 15 years but may need a new seat if the porcupines have eaten it.

Old guys for 12 days are not going to eat re-hydrated sawdust and Crown doesn't come freeze dried.

 

[Chirogrow]

So i came back to my office today excited to read these replies and have put off replying due to feeling like an idiot for be a hoarder apparently. haha I'll get my gear list up quick. I believe I did not do a great job wording the question. I am talking about all weight for the 10 day hunt not what is just in my pack in response to AKDoc's post. I have been on 2 alaska drop hunts and both times we had a bigger plane and the pilot said we had to be under 800 pounds total weight including myself and buddy. I have used previous pack lists from this site for help and I thought I was doing pretty average with packing 140 pounds for all things needed for the hunt! haha I'll scrap together my list from last year in the next little bit and post it up.

 

[Freeride]

Your not an idiot for packing a lot. You should have seen the useless stuff I packed my first time. Might as well brought a cast iron stove and pots with me I had everything else.

For me cutting weight is a fine line between money, comfort, and necessity.

Somethings you can cut out or replace cost very little for huge weight loss. Other things cost a lot for very very little weight savings.

And somethings I just say screw it, I want it for comfort and I will pack it!

 

[bmrfish]

So i came back to my office today excited to read these replies and have put off replying due to feeling like an idiot for be a hoarder apparently. haha I'll get my gear list up quick. I believe I did not do a great job wording the question. I am talking about all weight for the 10 day hunt not what is just in my pack in response to AKDoc's post. I have been on 2 alaska drop hunts and both times we had a bigger plane and the pilot said we had to be under 800 pounds total weight including myself and buddy. I have used previous pack lists from this site for help and I thought I was doing pretty average with packing 140 pounds for all things needed for the hunt! haha I'll scrap together my list from last year in the next little bit and post it up.

I can actually see how you can get to 140 if you are counting all the clothes on your back, rifle and ammo, food, and taking some basic comfort items (super light cot, chair, folding wood stove, etc.) As others have said, probably some room to thin things down a bit though. Starting out people (me included) tend to take too much stuff because we “might” need it. Over time we learn what we really need. For instance, I used to take too much extra clothes. Now except for under where and socks, I don’t take extra just in case. If it is cold and raining, I am wearing all of it. With the new gear these days we have also saved a lot of weight by going with newer, lighter stuff.


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[*zap*]

Nothing wrong with comfort when you do not have to carry it far....

 

[bmrfish]

Nothing wrong with comfort when you do not have to carry it far....

I am down with that. We are loading right up to our 125 lb limit this year. Only 2 of us so plenty under capacity,


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[Arcticmanak]

If packing camp in on my back I stay under 60 lbs. If getting there by boat or ATV where camp will likely be set upon arrival I'd have more luxuries such as camp chairs, cots, kitchen, etc.

 

[LightManSA]

This is a timely thread, and appreciate finding it here today. I’ve been working on my own gear list and weights, finding my Old School Gear a challenge. I suppose this will motivate me to buy some new and lighter stuff...

This place is truly a high value resource. I’m grateful to read and learn from those that have been there…

 

[Dgk30]

Your not an idiot for packing a lot. You should have seen the useless stuff I packed my first time. Might as well brought a cast iron stove and pots with me I had everything else.

For me cutting weight is a fine line between money, comfort, and necessity.

Somethings you can cut out or replace cost very little for huge weight loss. Other things cost a lot for very very little weight savings.

And somethings I just say screw it, I want it for comfort and I will pack it!

If you had to guess, How Much did your pack weight change between your first trip and next? I’m about to go on my first elk hunt, 5-7 days and am trying to be very weight conscious, but also don’t know what a good starting weight is yet, not sure what to shoot for.

 

[stu#71]

I don’t think I could lift 140 pounds
There’s a really useful site here which allows you to list everything. Takes a bit of time to setup initially but helped me learn where I could shave unnecessary weight...
https://lighterpack.com/welcome

 

[Freeride]

If you had to guess, How Much did your pack weight change between your first trip and next? I’m about to go on my first elk hunt, 5-7 days and am trying to be very weight conscious, but also don’t know what a good starting weight is yet, not sure what to shoot for.

First trip with partner was 80 for my pack, 50 for my partner, 5 day trip.

My gear list is at 75 for a solo 10 day trip, and I have some room to drop a few lbs still.