Total gear weight

[theycallmemud]

Hi. I'm doing my first backpack hunt this year in wyoming, archery elk. 5 day hunt. Been using pack wizard app slowing adding gear I expect to take on this hunt. I've hunted for years, all day hunts, so there are some aspects I feel like I have pretty dialed in. But totally new to staying out there all day every day and not hiking back and fourth every day. Sick of doing that.

I hear alot of guys talking about pack weight being around 30, to 70lbs or whatever.

I took the time to add up every gear item, weapons, optics, sleep system clothing and I'm coming up with 44 lbs total. Minus food and water. I feel like this is pretty good.

Is that too much? I hear most guys talk about pack weight but not sure if that is just the pack weight or ALL the weight??

 

[TaperPin]

That’s in the normal range. Food will be 1-1/2 to 2 lbs per day depending on personal preferences and calories needed. Going in I bring 3 qts of water, so that’s another 6 lbs, but it adds up quickly if it’s a dry area and all water has to be packed in.

A lot of guys leave out weights not attached to the pack, or have unusually light food bag estimates. I’ve spent way too much time in the mountains with guys who under prepare, so now I won’t hunt with anyone packing less than a pound of food per day, because they will always be trying to bum my food. Same with guys who carry one qt of water. Lol

 

[S.Clancy]

My 5 day weight is ~36-37lbs for archery elk, this includes bow, binos, tripod, and 37.5 oz of food per day. Does not include water carried. I run pretty minimal.

 

[Drenalin]

I’ve spent way too much time in the mountains with guys who under prepare, so now I won’t hunt with anyone packing less than a pound of food per day, because they will always be trying to bum my food. Same with guys who carry one qt of water. Lol

You actually weigh other people's food before you leave?

 

[TaperPin]

You actually weigh other people's food before you leave?

I don’t hesitate to ask to look at other guys’ food bags, or packing list. In my 20s a couple of forest service coworkers were chronic under packers and a few summers of that have removed any respect for other peoples’ poor judgement. I’ve been nice about it since planning for a trip has already been locked in, but I’m clear up front and all along if someone is coming along they need to be self supporting. Young kids that don’t know any better, or guys that enjoy “roughing it” are the worst. I just won’t hunt with minimalists, nothing personal, I’m just good about separating other peoples’ problems from my own. lol

 

[taskswap]

I've steadily whittled down my weights by investing in lighter gear when I had the spare cash. I'm down to 20lbs for my day load, add 6lbs for my sleep and cook systems, then 2lbs/day for food/etc. That required dropping some cash - the Zpacks Duplex is a fantastic tent with plenty of room for me + gear at 20oz, but cost $700 to get.

Personally I think the day load is more important than the total pack-in weight. I don't really notice an extra 5lbs on the way in/out but I really feel it if I'm carrying too much all day for 5 days straight. Small choices make big differences there and you can get clever if you think things through. I used to carry a 10000mAh charger which is pretty common. But now I'll carry a 10k that I leave at camp and a 5k for my day hunts. I'll work a little harder to get water to prevent having to carry more than I really need. That kind of thing.

 

[CMF]

Is that too much? I hear most guys talk about pack weight but not sure if that is just the pack weight or ALL the weight??

You just have to look at what they're saying, some talk just backpack weight, some say "skin out weight" meaning every single thing you bring, clothes you're wearing, food, water etc.

Lighter pack breaks it down pretty good by separating food/water as consumable and clothes, bino as "worn". Then you have to determine if you want to consider your weapon as "worn" or pack weight. Mine is usually worn because I'm usually carrying my bow.

44lbs seems ok for 5 days. I'd be around 47 skin out for 5 days, that's including food/some water

https://lighterpack.com/r/tc8zg5

Post your list up and you'll get plenty opinions on ways to reduce weight...

 

[Jake Larsen]

You’re right in there for weight. Post up your gear list! Always fun to see


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[theycallmemud]

Ok here's my gear list going to try and send a link. https://www.packwizard.com/s/FHNh2ul

 

[Jake Larsen]

I’m not seeing many flies in the ointment. There’s ways you could reduce weight with different selections, but you’ve got a lot of good gear. IMO looks like a decent balance of comfort to weight

Are you familiar with the gutless method? You could leave out the bone saw in your kill kit. Saves you 8 oz. Id add a contractor trash bag. Useful for several things. And a couple pairs of nitrile gloves, like the 8mm gloveworx HD. Also a method of securing your tag. Vinyl tape or zip ties. I’ll usually just wrap a couple feet of tape around the handle of my knife.

Depending on how long you’re planning on being out, Id take a look at solar panels. Make sure you get appropriate cords for headlamp, phone, SAT messenger, ect.

You might want to add a small med kit to your possibles pouch. At least some items for foot care (Alcohol wipes, fabric band aids, and Leuko tape).
Fire starter - Trioxane and a BIC, plus ferro rod for backup. Tenacious tape for fixing gear. Patch kit for your sleeping pad.

Poop Kit
-TP
-Adventure Wipes (or other brand of wet wipes)
- gold bond body powder(travel size)
- hand sanitizer

Monkey butt can be a real problem. I promise you, bad chafing can end a hunt, just like foot problems. Wet wipes and anti-chafing body powder will keep this from happening.

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[CMF]

Ok here's my gear list going to try and send a link. https://www.packwizard.com/s/FHNh2ul

There's a few areas you could cut weight,
I'd drop the saw, or if you need it there is another thread with a link to buy a 3d printed handle($35) for a silky blade that comes in like 2oz. saves 6oz
I do bone out game bags that weigh less than 2 oz each and bring 5, saves 8oz
I've never regretted not having a pack rain cover and I've never packed my rain pants unless it was certain rain the forecast. 4oz/
you could substitute a smartwater bottle for the nalgene or do away with since you have the bladder. saves 5oz. I started out with a smartwater bottle but if I bring elecrolyte now I just pour it in my mouth.
leave the extra ebs knife, assuming you also have an everyday pocket knife as a worse case backup. 4oz
ditch the 3.5oz lantern, you already have two headlights
don't need a tripod 48oz

 

[theycallmemud]

Didn't think about the poop kit lol.

I have a first aid kit I put together. Just didn't add it.
First aid kit- mini skin stapler, quick clot gauze, duct tape, few band aids, leko tape, alcohol wipes. Was thinking about looking into a tourniquet, I've cut myself so many times breaking down a elk by myself. I try to be careful as possible but with the flies and bees swarming me it's tough. I'm adding a cut resistant glove for my left hand with a spandex glove over the top of it. I cut my wrist pretty good last September breaking down a cow. Wasn't to deep but man that was close.

I pack the saw around to skull cap whatever I shoot I like the euro look but just don't want to mess with it when I get home and it saves on packing the skull out.

 

[theycallmemud]

There's a few areas you could cut weight,
I'd drop the saw, or if you need it there is another thread with a link to buy a 3d printed handle($35) for a silky blade that comes in like 2oz. saves 6oz
I do bone out game bags that weigh less than 2 oz each and bring 5, saves 8oz
I've never regretted not having a pack rain cover and I've never packed my rain pants unless it was certain rain the forecast. 4oz/
you could substitute a smartwater bottle for the nalgene or do away with since you have the bladder. saves 5oz. I started out with a smartwater bottle but if I bring elecrolyte now I just pour it in my mouth.
leave the extra ebs knife, assuming you also have an everyday pocket knife as a worse case backup. 4oz
ditch the 3.5oz lantern, you already have two headlights
don't need a tripod 48oz

You and Jake bring up some good points thanks.
Any recommendations on some good lightweight game bags?

 

[Jake Larsen]

Argali game bags are great


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[C Bow]

Leave Glock at home

 

[Jake Larsen]

Leave Glock at home

Depends on where in WY he’s hunting. Some of that state has a ridiculous concentration of Griz, in which case I would absolutely not leave the Glock at home


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[theycallmemud]

Leave Glock at home

I never leave without the glock.

 

[Jake Larsen]

Tripod is worth thinking about. Depending on terrain and style, it may not be needed for archery elk. However, if you’re relying on glass to locate animals, a tripod is a game changer. There’s certainly much lighter options on the market though


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[C Bow]

I knew I should not have said that

 

[Jake Larsen]

I knew I should not have said that

I personally know three people who have had to shoot griz now.


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