Spare gear in the truck?

[gethuntin]

I have two sleeping bags and two tents. I don't like to really have two of each for only getting out 10 or twelve days out of the year but i can't decide which of them I should sell or keep ( if I had more days in the field I probably would have an easier time deciding). Then I think of having a spare would be handy just in case but each item isn't exactly cheap either.

For tents I have fly creek ul2 and a mountainsmith mountain shelter lt

Sleeping bags I have a slick bag 0 and a big Agnes zirkel 20 (down).

So who has spares of these items do you feel they are necessary? Part of the dilemma I think I am going to go floorless then comes the decision of the down vs synthetic bag. I do like how smal the big ages packs down and the pad sleeve but like the peace of mind of the slick bag.

 

[Kotaman]

I've got both of those bags and don't plan on getting rid of either. Basically, I use the BA early season and when staying in a cabin with heat. The Slick Bad gets used in Alaska and late season. For my uses, I absolutely have a use for each bag. Can't help you on the tent situation.

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

I don't carry spares of either items in the truck. Have never needed a spare yet. Although I do have a few shelters/bags for different types of hunts.

 

[mt100gr.]

I keep backups for nearly all my gear in the truck when I am hunting far from home. If I end up back at the truck for a night, it is nice to have a more spacious tent and a big comfy bag. This also leaves my pack gear intact, clean and dry. As for other backup gear, I have just about an extra of everything and everything I would need to do any repair on either of my bows...extra string/cables, extra rest, sight, bow press, draw weight scale, arrows broadsheets, etc. Usually keep an extra (though inferior) pack ready too (stocked with inferior gear) I am the first to admit I am more than a little OCD about not having a hunt-ending breakdown. Boots, clothes, binos, knives, bow...it's all there. I do worry at times when I leave it all behind, though...locks only keep out honest people.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

Back up gear here as well. Particularly a bedroll, shelter and a box of power bars.
Comes in handy when you do a long range meat haul and want to hole up at the truck for the night.
Or if you have a wilderness spike camp in deep and never make it 1/4mile in before sticking a big bull.
That happened last year and we were glad we had duplicate gear in the truck.
Hunt'nFish

 

[fillthefreezer]

similar to ^
pad, bag, grub at truck.

 

[Rizzy]

I carry a spare sleep system and other things as well, it adds flexibility to the hunt. It's mostly my older heavier backpack gear mixed with car camping gear.

I can spend the night at the trailhead without having to unpack and pack my Backpack.

When I harvest an animal, I like to hike out to the truck with the first load right away and make that my new base camp for packing the rest of the meat out if possible. I have done this as far as 5 miles in. Half the time the animal is between camp and the truck anyways.

If something fails, I can replace it and salvage the hunt.

 

[Rucker61]

similar to ^
pad, bag, grub at truck.

This, plus a spare stove, water and Starbucks Vias.

 

[charvey9]

Its always nice to have some spares, but I don't like clutter so sell stuff off before I become a hoarder. However, you never want to have to scramble to Wal-mart for a cheapo replacement in a pinch, so have some extra options.

I have a tent, tarp, and hammock sleep systems. 2 sleeping bags, 3 different size sleeping pads, a spare pack, a back-up bow, a couple pair of binoculars, an old back-up GPS. Most of the back-up stuff will never get used, but if I ever lose/break a critical item it won't keep me from hunting.

I don't keep that stuff in the truck though, for the most part its just emergency supplies in my vehicle. On a long trip I might put my extra bag and extra bow in the truck.