ULTIMATE BACKCOUNTRY THREAD

[Blacktail_]

Hey all, I think I am in a similar spot to a lot of other hunters out there, have been hunting for a long time but usually is from the comfort of a base camp with the occasional spike camp for a day or two. I have an upcoming backcountry hunt and have been doing “homework” every day preparing myself as I know going into the backcountry is no joke, and things can get serious very fast. Hoping we can create a thread where people share their own lessons and mistakes, and some victories from the backcountry. Anyone with wisdom please contribute! Knowledge in this thread very well could save someone’s life someday.

 

[AM_Hunter]

Few lessons I learned the hard way:

Keep your magazine secure on your rifle, lost my magazine in the snow on the hike in and never found it.

Make sure you have the right boots, hiking in snow my boots are the one thing I didnt update and they had lost their waterproofing. Ended up with soaked feet that started to go numb and also got frost bite.

 

[Blacktail_]

Great point about both the magazine and boots, a dropped magazine would SUCK.

 

[Decker9]

Been doing backpack trips since a wee boy.

Up here, being grizzly bear aware is a big one.

Tent location, the flattest spots are usually in a hollow, but that’s where water likes to run too. Pick tent location wisely!!

First aid kit, I never use to pack much. One day I stuck my havalon through my shin while breaking down a goat, coulda easily been my thigh. Now a good kit is a must and knowing how to use it.

Hiking poles, when the body gets tired, they become pretty handy. Even just 1 pole is better than no pole.

Spare socks, when the feet get sweaty, don’t wait, switch them socks out and let the sweaty ones dry.

Extra water if you’re unsure of water sources. Dehydration is no joke, it hits hard and fast.

A few that come to mind.

 

[Customweld]

If you are in a burn scar, pick your camp spot wisely. Those burnt toothpicks are a ticking timebomb just waiting to crash down. I was in a burn that was about 10 years old this last weekend, with squalls blowing through. The amount of trees coming down was crazy, but not surprising.

 

[grfox92]

Hang your food, cook and eat your food near your water source. We like to camp 100+ yards from our water source.

Go there to eat your dinner, wash your stuff out, refuel / filter water. Do not set up your tent hundreds of yards from your dedicated water source.

 

[BasicUtahrd95]

If it is sketchy to climb up, it will be worse to come down. Think ahead and don't put yourself in a bad situation, especially if you are by yourself.

 

[Jimmy]

Been doing backpack trips since a wee boy.

Up here, being grizzly bear aware is a big one.

Tent location, the flattest spots are usually in a hollow, but that’s where water likes to run too. Pick tent location wisely!!

First aid kit, I never use to pack much. One day I stuck my havalon through my shin while breaking down a goat, coulda easily been my thigh. Now a good kit is a must and knowing how to use it.

Hiking poles, when the body gets tired, they become pretty handy. Even just 1 pole is better than no pole.

Spare socks, when the feet get sweaty, don’t wait, switch them socks out and let the sweaty ones dry.

Extra water if you’re unsure of water sources. Dehydration is no joke, it hits hard and fast.

A few that come to mind.

This pretty much covers it.

Where I usually hunt(no grizz) I ranked my dangers by how likely they are to happen to me. I came up with,
1-break an ankle
2-cut myself badly
3-fall down a mountain
4- rattlesnakes
5-everything else

So when I'm moving I try to pay attention to where I'm stepping, and when my knife is out I try to be safe with that. So far, so good.

 

[okie archer]

Inreach

 

[KHNC]

Dont take a hammock! Make sure you have some damn good rain gear.

 

[Acorn]

Go backpacking.

The best way to prepare for a backcountry hunt is to spend time in the backcountry. There’s no substitute. Everyone has unique personal backgrounds, skillsets, body types, diets, risk tolerances, destinations, etc. (the list could go on and on!) Someone else’s suggestions and gear recommendations are just that—you need to figure out what works for you. The masses might rave about the latest “hack” or piece of gear, but for it to work for you, you gotta test it.

To figure out what works for you, especially what will work on a highly anticipated hunt where you want everything to go right, backpacking trips are the way to go. Nothing is better than firsthand experience, testing your gear and yourself in the wilderness.

 

[Burnsie]

Are you packing in on your back, horses.....?
If backpacking, the old adage - Onces = pounds, and pounds = pain, is no joke. I used to scoff at the guys cutting down their toothbrush handles and obsessing over every once of gear - not anymore!

 

[Blacktail_]

Inreach

Yeah I currently have a Zoleo but contemplating getting an inreach so I am not reliant on my phone to use it.

 

[JustaHaaby]

Yeah I currently have a Zoleo but contemplating getting an inreach so I am not reliant on my phone to use it.

alot of newer phones are coming out with included satellite communicatino option right? i've been wondering if those capabilities will become good enough to not need a supplemental option or if they are still worth it for a backup

 

[Blacktail_]

My phone barely works in the city, I’m not trusting it in the backcountry any time soon haha.

 

[type2bowhunter]

Safety third.

 

[rob86jeep]

1. I always mark a waypoint at my vehicle on my phone, my watch, my inReach (if I have one), and any other device I may have before I start hiking in. That way I always have a direction/distance back to the vehicle no matter where I am. I feel like no matter how bad the weather turns, I can always hike a few miles back to my vehicle in an emergency (short of being injured).

2. Basic lifesaving equipment should always remain on your person. I keep a knife and fire kit (and probably a few other things) in my bino harness which I never take off when away from camp.

3. Not a hard rule, but I like to camp lower and hike up to hunt. That way if I get exhausted/injured, it's easier to get back to camp.

I'm sure I have a lot more, but those are just what came to mind right now. I'm sure every time you go out you'll learn more of what you want/need, so experience backpacking should also be up there.

 

[eyeguy]

This pretty much covers it.

Where I usually hunt(no grizz) I ranked my dangers by how likely they are to happen to me. I came up with,
1-break an ankle
2-cut myself badly
3-fall down a mountain
4- rattlesnakes
5-everything else

So when I'm moving I try to pay attention to where I'm stepping, and when my knife is out I try to be safe with that. So far, so good.

This is a good and valuable list. I like 1, 2, and 3, probably hypothermia bc lost and you set your pack down thinking you would be right back to it is also something not to do. Dehydration may or may not kill you but is a real threat. As someone else said go backpacking with your gear, you will learn a lot in a hurry.

 

[Robster]

If you are taking any electronics with you that you are depending on.....phone for OnX or inreach/Zoleo, a power bank is handy to have to recharge if necessary.
And toilet paper is worth it's weight in gold. Surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet. Beyond the obvious use, It can be used as decomposable flagging, folded over multiple times and taped on with some duct tape you wrapped around a ski pole it can be used as gauze for a wound. Firestarter.......

 

[Matt5266]

Be realistic with yourself and your expectations of what you are capable of. Take your time and dont rush. Leads to stupid mistakes, losing gear, and injuries.

Leave your spouse/family a map of where you plan to park and hunt. Also zoleo or some other device.

Take Trekking poles, this is a must for me

I wrap multiple types of tape on the poles so you have it. I take tape for injuries/sores, and repairs for tent and equipment.

Take enough water and find a source. Grab some electrolytes to go along. Atleast where I hunt its not joke and quite a task to do these hunts.

Camp shoes , I use crocs are awesome. Nothing feels better than getting back at night and slipping those on.