The Quintessential Backpack Prep

[Where's Bruce?]

Has anyone come dangerously close to achieving complete satisfaction with your basic camping pack organization? As a bowhunter who infrequently spends 1-10 days in the field living out of a pack, I would be very interested in posts listing the items you carry for any overnight stay with an addendum for items added (besides food) based on the number of nights spent in the field. You might even segregate hot, mild and cold weather conditions for certain items. This is something I and many others (based on what I see in various hunting forums) struggle with all the time.

Nobody I know has suggested they have developed the quintessential pack item list and while individual selections will always vary (for example, I always camp in a hammock) I know there are items I could lose and/or might consider adding…especially in the First Aid dept. I recently stepped up to a Kifaru DT1 with alot extras (pockets, Longhunter lid, Woobie, meat & stuff sacks, Grab-it, etc) but now it’s time to get more serious with the list of pack items that are optional and mandatory so I can utilize the numerous pullouts effectively and cut unnecessary weight. For us with less experience, your assistance in this area could be invaluable. Care to share your expertise and lessons learned the hard way?


I carry the basics:

Sleep system (shelter & bag)
Jetboil & Mountain House/coffee
Foil, plastic bags, titanium spork and seasonings
Katadyne water filter & a straw
First Aid
Kill kit (knives/game bags)
Headlamps and flashlights
Electronics, compass & map
Cordage, firestarters, etc
PLB (in case of rattlesnake bite or some other imminent death scenario)
Camp shoes (Crocs)
Extra clothes & hand towel
TP & toiletries
Sidearm and/or bear spray
Bow & arrow case
Fishing pole (to augment the MH when possible)
Predator handcall
phone/pen/pad & licenses
Spade or entrenching tool (sometimes)
Saw (sometimes)
Wiggy's UL waders (sometimes)
Camera (sometimes)
Snivel gear (sometimes...items like cigars, flask, cookies, whatever)
A positive attitude and sense of humor (don't leave home without it)

With water I'm at 55lbs give or take 6lbs.

 

[gil_wy]

Personally (and this is all personal preference) except for the TP, phone, and positive attitude, everything below "firestarter" would be staying home. The only extra clothes I take are 1 pair of extra socks and packable raingear.

Above that on your list, I would only take a headlamp ( no flashlight needed) but everything else looks good... I'll track down my list but this year I was running about 36# for 5 days with 3L of water.

 

[Jager]

Nobody I know has suggested they have developed the quintessential pack item list

Don't take anything that does not absolutely help you hunt, eat, drink and sleep.

Crocs for example.

Seasoning.

Fishing pole, will you really use it when on the hill to hunt?

Et tool or spade.

The list can go on mate, but basically you can live up there like a smelly old billy goat if you have the bare basics.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I also take fishing trips and scouting trips and sometimes am more of a spotter than a hunter so my load changes depending on the trip. Extra clothes are restricted to shell raingear, socks, beanie, insulated vest, maybe a jacket and gloves. I have a 2lb Helix chair I haven't taken yet but might for predator calling or extended fishing trips. My plastic spade doesn't weigh more than a couple of ounces but for Dakota fires and cat holes it's fine. Crocs are ideal for bathing & relaxing in camp, won't give em up. Same for the PLB, rattlesnake phobia aside, if I were to come across an injured or ill person in a life threatening scenario...pushing the button could save a life. Many lives could have been spared by carrying a ResQ beacon. Cheap insurance IMHO. One other thing I should mention is this, I may pack all this crap in but I am not wearing it on the hunt. I hang my pack in a tree, strap on a light fanny pack for hunting and return to the big pack when I'm done. This is my standard M.O. The Sitka Ascent 8 carries all my daily needs.

 

[Rick Leathley]

For general backpacking my rule has been if I do not use something everyday it does not make it in the pack. I am sure I have exceptions to this rule, the only one that comes to mind would be the kill kit when hunting. but for the most part following that simple rule can help you decide on what and does not make it in the pack.

 

[mattfish]

Hats off for starting this WB. I am brand new to backpack hunting. I have tried to heed the advice of all the experienced guys here. I am in the course of buying gear for my first ever backcountry elk hunt next fall. This information is invaluable. I know there are lots of threads regarding what folks take but I never tire of listening/reviewing/ reading all of the opinions. Thanks to all that post and for sharing!

 

[Mad Mountain Mike]

Looks like a good list seems like you have the bases covered. I don't see salt for trophy care on your list, are you strictly a meat hunter?

 

[justinspicher]

Take a small notebook with you. Before you leave write the date and your packing lid in it. While you are out note the conditions and the environment you are in down in this book. Cross off the times you don't use. After a couple of trips you'll see the patterns you're developing. That's how I started and still do most of the time. I will also use this book to take notes about gear or far flung ideas the good idea fairy brings me from time to time.

I am like most of these guys and don't carry an extra set of anything except fire starter. Everything has at least two maybe three purposes or it's left at home.

 

[fillthefreezer]

have you tried making a list of EVERYTHING in your pack. when on a trip, and you use it, put a check next to it. by the time hunting season rolls around, items that have no checks (emergency gear and hunting specific items aside) its not coming along.
often times it seems, the only way to cut back on the oh shit gear is spending more time in the mountains...

 

[Colo4x4XJ]

Anytime I would come back from a backpacking, hunting or scouting trip the first thing I would do would be to empty out everything in my pack onto a tarp. Then I look at what items got use, what didnt and what can be modified. Im down to a list that I am 99% satisfied with
WM Sequoia Bag in Bibler Winter Bivy (makes it a 0degree, waterproof and mostly windproof sleeping bag and protects the inflatable sleeping pad)
Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Wide/Long
MSR Twin Sisters tent
WM Pillow (I prefer this over the old "stuff sack full of clothes"
Platypus Gravityworks 4L filtration
MSR microrocket with Ti kettle and cup
First Aid kit
Wool Next to Skin layers
Down vest and puffy
Goretex Jacket
Rain Pants
Leatherman
SOLO Torch
Magnesium firestarter
Kill kit
Petzl Zipka headlamp with CORE battery
Goal Zero Nomad 10 panel with Switch 8 battery- keeps the headlamp and iPhone charged (iphone doubles as point and shoot camera as well as GPS)
Chit Kit- Toilet Paper, plastic GSI shovel with the handle cut off and a small bottle of denatured alcohol for sterilization and firestarting
I created a master list on Word and emboldened the above listed items as my core essentials. Then come the fluff items or the items that arent necessary or trip specific
Helinox chair
Spotting scope/tripod
Tent floor
kegs
boombox
helicopter
film crew

Food is always a write in on my master because of certain caloric needs depending on time of year and objectives needed to achieve. A menu of 1500 calories a day is great for July and August but wont help when you are burning 3-4000 calories a day during the winter time

 

[gil_wy]

Three Season List

PACK
Stone Glacier Krux frame w/ Hill People Gear Highlander

SLEEP SYSTEM
Tarptent Rainbow
Marmot Never Winter
Pacific Outdoor Inflatable Sleeping Pad
*All in a Stone Glacier Dry Sack

ESSENTIALS (Always in the pack)
Diamond Headlamp
Piranta Bolt + 10 Blades
3 game bags
3 L Platypus Hoser
Katydyn Pro-Hiker Filter
50 ft. paracord
Garmin GPS
1 Extra set of AA and AAA batteries
Lighter, Matches
Baby Wipes (Used for TP as well)
Garmin Pack Saw
GoLite Tarp/Poncho
Iphone

FOOD
No stove- vaccum sealed food only
Snickers, GORP, Jerky

FIRST AID
Super Glue
Duct tape
Suture Kit
Meds

EXTRA CLOTHES
1 pair wool socks
Packable Raingear
UnderArmour Cold Gear (If expected temps in the 40s)

WEAR IN (Goes in on my body)
Sitka Ascend Jacket and Pants
First-Lite Merino base
Sitka 90% Jacket
Merino Wool Socks and underwear

 

[Yellowknife]

I'm not really a super ultra light guy, but I don't tend to carry many camp niceties either. My base pack list doesn't change much from an overnight hiking trip to a 7 day sheep trip. With food and water on board, my pack weight ranges from about 30 lbs for a shortish summer trip to about 50 lbs with 8-9 days of food and the full complement of hunting gear. I'm also in Alaska, so I might be a bit heavier on clothes, shelter and emergency gear for a short trip than somebody further south.

Anyway, this is my standard list I work off of for almost every kind of trip. I just change out the specific items to match the seasonal or regional requirements.

Pack
Tent
Sleeping Bag/Pad

Binos
Camera
GPS

Stove+Fuel
Mug
Pot
Spoon
Bladder/Water Bottle

Rifle or Handgun
12-13 rds ammo
Knife

Headlamp
mini 1st Aid kit
mini trauma kit
Sat Phone w/ Extra Battery
Maps/Compass

Ditty Bag
Extra AA Batteries
Firestarter/matches/lighter
20 ft cord
Toothbrush
Iodine tablets
1 oz soap
Sunglasses and eyeglass cloth
TP
Repair tape and/or glue

Clothing (Carried)
Fleece shirt
Puffy Jacket
Wool Socks
Long underwear
Rain Jacket/Pants
Fleece Hat
Gloves


As-Required for specific trips
Spotter + Tripod
Rangefinder
Game Bags
Wiggys Waders
Small Tarp
Neck Gaiter
Gaiters
Puffy Pants
Saw
Wood stove

Working from that list, I don't recall the last time I thought I "needed" something left at home.

Yk

 

[desertcj]

I'm just going to say that getting a reasonable starting point is all you need. After one season, you will have the motivation and a pretty good idea on what you can live without. I was at 60lbs last season and after humping that load over hill and dale from 7,000ft up to 11,000ft...I'm ready and willing to start making some sacrifices to trim down the weight.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Looks like a good list seems like you have the bases covered. I don't see salt for trophy care on your list, are you strictly a meat hunter?

I carry citric acid for meat care. I am primarily a meat hunter but will hold out for a trophy if conditions suggest it's doable. But ya can't eat the horns so for the most part, I'm looking for freezer satisfaction. I forgot to add my newest addition and something I used for the first time on my bison hunt...trekking poles! Oh my...what a difference on slick, steep slopes!!!

 

[Ray]

For trophy care look into stop rot liquid rather than salt. 3-4 oz will treat a whitetail shoulder hide. Vandykes supply is the only source I know of.

I spent last winter listing out all kinds of stuff for my sheep hunt. I used others posted spreadsheets. We had a plane transport weight limit of 50 lbs so weighing everything and adding it up before packing was the primary need for doing this.

The OCD never really set in for me like it does for others.

After the hunt, the only thing I did not use were the camp shoes. The rocks and tundra just didn't feel comfortable in them after a day in good boots.

 

[leftyokie]

All this is great info, but what about Allens or other misc tools for your bow? Do you guys carry these things?

 

[unm1136]

All this is great info, but what about Allens or other misc tools for your bow? Do you guys carry these things?

I would suggest that if you really need tools for your bow/gun on a trip, you either neglected it between trips or need a higher quality bow/gun.

I am quickly learning not to overpack. The first things that went out were the mini cleaning kit/tool kit. Yes, my scope has had water droplets on it that I couldn't clean off quickly without damage, but nothing that couldn't be dealt with. Do you tweak your bow for entertainment when you are bored? Has your bow ever broken in a manner that a set of tools would make a difference? When I started bow hunting years ago we car camped and truck hunted, so being lightweight was never that important. That said, my dad, uncle, brother, and I during those years hunted seven or eight seasons together and NEVER had a bow damaged in a field repairable manner. The only one we did have was a cracked limb, and no matter how many tools we had, we didn't carry a spare limb.

One of my co-workers wanted to try hunting a wilderness area, but had never backpacked. I hadn't either at that point. The morning before opening we laid out a tarp at the vehicle and unpacked all our bags and sorted through them. I had an REI scale with me that time and my pack weight was 75 pounds for five days. The only time that I have been that heavy since is when packing in 11 liters of water for my turkey hunt where I was had to hike in 2 miles, and I already knew there was a water issue. Now I would just as soon hike in with four liters, and when I run low, hike out to refill at the vehicle. Since I prefer to hammock, my pack weight runs 50-55 pounds for 5 days, and I am saving my pennies to get that down to 40 pounds over the next 10 years or so. If I don't hammock I drop 3 pounds right there. This year I will going HPG harness on my Kifaru, and composite stays (or the 1/8 inch stays mentioned on the HPG forums) for a drop of a pound from my pack.

Sorry if I come out snide or sarcastic, it has been a long day, and in re-reading my post it could come off that way.

pat

 

[unm1136]

Of course, my bow is 30 years old, and weighs a ton, and I miss my MA3 broadheads, 125gr, thank you.

pat

 

[Colo4x4XJ]

I used to carry a whole repair kit that consisted of a full allen set, string wax, serving thread, xtra string loop, etc but came to the realization that its best left in the truck. In the incredibly rare event that something does happen to my bow or rifle I am never more than a day to a day and a half hike back to the truck to repair it.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I used to carry a whole repair kit that consisted of a full allen set, string wax, serving thread, xtra string loop, etc but came to the realization that its best left in the truck. In the incredibly rare event that something does happen to my bow or rifle I am never more than a day to a day and a half hike back to the truck to repair it.

Yeah, me too. But in the future I will be getting dropped into the middle of nowhere via bush pilot and won't have the luxury of a short hike to the truck.