ULTIMATE BACKCOUNTRY THREAD

[kylem]

You can get by with less than you think and keeping your pack light will make you more effective. Don’t add things to your pack you might want. My general rule is outside of safety or first aid if I take it twice and don’t use it, it comes out of my pack.

More than anything just stay out there and don’t give up early. This doesn’t mean stick it out for 10 days straight if nothings happening, but don’t go home and quit hunting. I’d say your likely better off going in for 3-5 days then coming, reload with food, and go back in or into a different spot.

 

[Blacktail_]

Awesome intel so far everyone, appreciate it a ton! Keep it going!

 

[Bridgerland]

Confidence in the backcountry improved for me the more I simply practiced it. I used to obsess over gear lists, tips, etc… that I’d read online. But, the more I simply packed in and camped far away from the truck, the more comfortable I became with it.

Woodsmanship is 100% a skill that must be trained, in my opinion. I like to use that word, because I think it nicely sums up the complete package of skills that we all strive to hone in as backcountry hunters. I remember the nerves leading up to my first backpacking trip 20 years ago. Stressing every detail, trying to be comfortable out there. Now, it’s almost second nature to spend several nights in a row out there. I knew I’d made it once I started sleeping a full night in the backcountry. That was a turning point in being able to stay out in the wilderness indefinitely. Bad sleep will kill any trip.

This is my long way of saying go do it as much as you as possible. You’ll immediately learn where your skills might be lacking and what to improve. Scouting trips are an excellent way to spend a night or two out there and practice woodsmanship while scouting at the same time. This way, when your “Super Bowl” AKA the hunt arrives, it’s not the first game you’ve played all year. You’ll feel prepared.

 

[GotDraw?]

Level 7 or Level 9 Cut Resistant gloves to wear when skinning, dressing an animal. So easy to get badly cut when exhausted and you're in a rush. Lightweight, cheap insurance for your kill kit:

Level 7 Gloves

Level 9 Gloves

 

[jakeyjohn1]

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.

Related to this: It may be possible to go down something you can't get back up. If you're above treeline or in an area with cliffs its always safer to backtrack when you veer off route.

Sounds obvious, but sometimes the last thing you want to do is turn around and that is how you end up 'cliffed out'.

 

[The_Yetti]

Lots of good advice, I'll add that i always pack an extra pair of drawers because sometimes, crap happens!

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