What comfort/non essential items do you pack?

[Nitsua]

On a more serious note... a small towel to clean myself up in creeks, Benadryl, Tylenol, a triamcinolone inhaler and an extra water filter.

 

[TheGDog]

Comfort? Z-Lite sit pad, REI FlexLite Macro chair for the long ambush sit! RX for Tylenol #3's w/ Codeine, as needed for my back/hip injury thing. But typically get by w/ taking 12-18 200mg Ibu's in a day (6 at a whack is like 1 Rx strength pill). Naphcon A Eye Drops. Breathe Right Strips for my noise when out there, and when sleepin'. And Zantac (now Pepcid AC, which isn't as good). Also?... having eclipse sugar-free spearmint chiclet style gums helps a lot both in keeping my mouth from drying out, and not feeling hungry or as thirsty, and helping with acid reflux from all the wrappered convenience food items when out there.

Flavored Applesauce convenience pouches! (a lil weight penalty, but very worth it!)
Honey Stinger Waffles.
And I gotta give it up to Mountain House Biscuits and Gravy!

Sometimes a pair of thick Motocross Boot Socks for while I'm sleeping at night.
And my old MotoX Jersey for sleeping in, and the hike back out.

One thing I've never understood? People who take booze out there with 'em, or weed while hunting or hiking. And trust me, I LOVE both of those things... but you ain't never gonna catch my ass gettin' a buzz on when I'm all out their solo. That's just begging for some gnarly painful stupid shit to happen! Never mix alcohol or weed with guns or dirtbikes. Ever. Just don't do it. It WILL bite you in the ass, it's just a question of WHEN.

 

[Zappaman]

All in moderation of course

Seriously... no need to smoke the whole bag, drink the whole (5 shot) bottle, or stay up late. Sip or two with a 1/2 small (Acid) cigar and a hit after dinner and I’m in the bag ready for the next day. But some people can’t limit consumption sadly.

 

[TheGDog]

All in moderation of course

Seriously... no need to smoke the whole bag, drink the whole (5 shot) bottle, or stay up late. Sip or two with a 1/2 small (Acid) cigar and a hit after dinner and I’m in the bag ready for the next day. But some people can’t limit consumption sadly.

No doubt, and I feel where you're comin' from. But here's the dealio with that though... what's the very first thing ANY of the party-favors affects? Bueller? Bueller....? Judgement. That's the problem. Just the slightest mis-judgement under the wrong circumstances can have very bad consequences. Compund those with being far from help and it can hit the fan real fast.

I won't even take a half an Ambien or any Xanax when I'm out there. And I'm certainly someone that could use the help getting to sleep. Never been able to sleep well in a new surrounding, ever. But what happens if something comes outta the wood work wanting to mess with you in the wee hours of the night, right? That's when MtnLions and Bears tool around the most.

RE: Alcohol out there, that's kind of a double whammy for me too because any drinking whatsoever will invoke acid reflux, so have to have Acid Blockers. Also... I'm the opposite, if I've had a drink? It's hard for me to fall asleep. I won't sleep until like 2am or 3am if that's the case. No bueno when I'm in Predator-mode.

Now... I can certainly see like if you're in a hunting party... and it's reserved for after you've had your success and you'll wait until the next morning before the hike back out anyway, then you do you Boo. Just that when you're goin' solo? There's just too much bad isht than can happen, even when you're 100% straight and legit. Had a slip-and-fall and shattered my wrist crossing a creek before. Boot slipped off one of those rocks. 13 screws and a piece of titanium that looks like a Gilette Shaver in my wrist now. Ain't no use in tempting fate man. That bitch will maniacally laugh out loud as she bitch-slaps you around a few, just for her amusement!

 

[Scooter90254]

Haha. This thread made me laugh.
Imagine if the 30 bomb guy ran into the guy with weed cigars and scotch. Lol

For me it’s camp shoes. I have one of those hybrid air memory foam pillows too.

I always carry too much water. One bout of bad dehydration and not being able to find water will change a man for life.

 

[rclouse79]

All in moderation of course

Seriously... no need to smoke the whole bag, drink the whole (5 shot) bottle, or stay up late. Sip or two with a 1/2 small (Acid) cigar and a hit after dinner and I’m in the bag ready for the next day. But some people can’t limit consumption sadly.

I ended up in a teepee most of the day with three guys and Coors original during a white out. I wasn’t hammering them, but I ended up feeling like crap the next day. I think altitude was part of it. I had been looking forward to that hunt for months and was so mad at myself for ruining a day that I stopped bringing any alcohol when I hunt.
My comfort item is butt wipes, although I consider that a necessity. I would bring it over my rifle or bow if I had to choose.

 

[TheGDog]

I always carry too much water. One bout of bad dehydration and not being able to find water will change a man for life.

^^^^THIS!!!^^^^ This is NO JOKE!!!

 

[Laramie]

Kill bottle - always have a toast after the harvest.
Non scented wipes. Can be used as TP or as a dry shower. It really can make a guy feel surprisingly good.
BT speaker is a must and a spare battery pack for the phone/speaker. Love having tunes to nod off to.

 

[Mosby]

A kindle. I like to read before bed and it gives me something to do when I'm stuck in my tent in a rainstorm.

 

[Wapack]

I ended up in a teepee most of the day with three guys and Coors original during a white out. I wasn’t hammering them, but I ended up feeling like crap the next day. I think altitude was part of it. I had been looking forward to that hunt for months and was so mad at myself for ruining a day that I stopped bringing any alcohol when I hunt.
My comfort item is butt wipes, although I consider that a necessity. I would bring it over my rifle or bow if I had to choose.

Coors heavy’s aren’t for the faint of heart haha

 

[AK Troutbum]

A fifth of good bourbon or scotch in a platypus bag, and a paperback book, are my two splurges. My usual routine every night is to read a chapter or two, while sipping on a nice cocktail. If I’m sleeping amongst the goats or sheep while doing it, than I know I’m living my dream.


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[billoo349]

Slippers!

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[slatty]

Z seat, pillow, kindle / book, pamphlet on knots, pamphlet on edible plants.
Thinking lots about bringing a better chair but the z seat with a log behind you works pretty good.

 

[Carrot Farmer]

Butt wipes.. I carry butt wipes.

Can't stand swamp ass.

#TeamCombatWipes


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[Moserkr]

Lets see... hot tent is definitely a comfort item. I could live without it, but why?! That and a tipi I can stand up in. Helinox chair is great, call it my back country lazy boy. If we share camp n I have that n you dont, you will want to kick the legs on it out from under me cause i will kick my feet up in it and relax. Rarely bring whiskey anymore, but i keep motivational beers ice cold in my truck to celebrate the end of the hunt. Ive forgotten TP more times than I can count so its definitely a comfort item. Ive learned that nature can provide certain items, but charmin ultra is nice.

 

[Z71&Gun]

What items will you carry for strictly comfort on a backpack hunt? I carry a Zseat, an extra air pillow and my beard comb. Sometimes the little things seem huge after a week or so in the bush.

side note: did meet a guy 7 miles in last year with a 30 pack of beer... that’s dedication. I’m a pint guy myself.

I bring my BOG PCR ball head with trigger handle. It weighs a shitload but it’s really nice to glass with. I’m also experimenting with an airplane neck pillow as a seat/pillow/gun rest option. I heard Joseph Von Benedict say he used a gun rest as a pillow and immediately thought about my beloved neck pillow. Haven’t tried overnight in the field yet but I’m excited about it’s potential. Works great under the chin for glassing. A pair of Dawgs for camp is also a must for me. I actually sleep in my Dawgs because I’m paranoid about having to run from my tent for some reason and ending up shoeless in the dark timber all night. Battery pack for phone. Sometimes I bring extra socks instead of gloves, then put the socks on my hands if they get cold in the morning.

 

[camping1601]

Chair Zero, and a large flask of WT 101.

These things have actually graduated from the non essentials to essentials.

 

[Southforkguy]

Wet wipes do freeze! Then you'll be wiping with a branch, don't ask... no comfort for me in the field. I truck camp and everything I need or want is back there. Nothing but business between darkness

 

[GG9]

Body glide (prevents chafing.)

There is a special place in heaven for the person that created body glide.... just sayin’

 

[Zappaman]

Besides the aforementioned "comfort" items (scotch, weed, cigars- which all weigh in at a total of approx 8-10 oz.) I will add that it has taken me a lifetime of hunting and packing to figure out what to take. And I feel I should clarify that MANY of the above items listed by everyone IS important... BUT you don't need to take in a month's worth for a few days in!

I always have a 20 ft piece of tank cord (excellent rope that can hang an elk if needed). I use to for everything (including dragging out animals tied around my waist). If in bear country I use to to hang my food. But it takes up about as much room in my pack as my booze, cigars, and weed (and weights 3 oz). Just an example of taking JUST what I need and USING just what I need.

I agree... need to stay in predator mode when out there. No time for heaving consumption of ANYTHING. Whole idea is to stay sharp and take what you need and no more. My pill bag has three major pain pills for a worse case injury where I MUST be able to make it out alive. It also has a few naproxen, the weed, a few small cigars, a small lighter, and wood matches- water tight- 2 oz. I pack a LOT of jerky (1 lb) and a water (or filter in some places). I use 18650 lights that will run on low for 50 hours and weight 5oz. Etc...

The key is to pack light and PLANNING is THE KEY to success. The other key is not being an idiot- food anywhere near where I'm sleeping means I'm bear food. A small, light tarp is ALSO one of my necessary items as I've rolled up in one (burrito style) during a 5" (rare) deluge in the Gila (SW NM) and my gear and I stayed dry when I awoke in a "lake". Tents, pillows (I use my back-pack for a pillow), chairs, and other things weighing a lot aren't options for a true 10 mile pack-in hunt.

And I have to say that on the "luxury items" it's about the luxury of a FEW puffs and a FEW sips that make that cigar and the scotch taste better than IT EVER WOULD at home... then getting up the next day and making it all happen!

I remember packing a 115 lb backpack of elk meat for 3 REAL miles (with over 2000 ft. up and down in between) with only a liter of water. It was 25 degrees with a wind of about 30 MPH and I was wearing my tee shirt under my pack the whole way- sweating the entire time. I WILL NEVER forget the taste of THAT beer in the truck when I got back to the access point after losing 10 lbs. that afternoon on that hike with a 500 ft final accent to the truck (which alone took about an hour). AND the amazing appreciation for the motor in that truck when 4 oz. of pressure on that gas peddle made 2 tons move down the road with my wasted ass in it- it was a truly "appreciative" moment I will never forget.

I have several times been on the side of a mountain, slicing up an elk or deer and reminded myself- "if I F***-up here: slice an artery, fall and break a leg, get stuck on a cold night-- that I AM DEAD. I honestly never think about it until I find myself there, BUT I have gotten a LOT better preparing for the worst case scenario and ironically I got real good at it about when it was time to finally tell myself it's time to stop taking THOSE risks.

But hunting is risk and I can only thank luck and the forethought I DID have in my planning over the years when I think back. Oh ya, I did stupid stuff and lived to (not) tell about it. And I count myself lucky to be alive today after all the risks and close calls-- AND... I wouldn't change a thing because IF I died out there-- I'd die where I was happiest and that my friends is what it's all about