Looking for a list of things to bring on a back pack rifle hunt, I plan to walk in 5-6 miles set up camp and hunt from there. What do I need to bring, I want to be light and stay in as long as possible, without going back for food. Going with a friend to light'n the load, how much weight should we expect to be on our back, also how many miles can I plan on getting back in a days walk?
Back pack list
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Jon Boy
Active member
It all depends on how deep your pockets are. The best and lightest equipment cost $$. For me, im a broke college kid, so I have mediocre equipment thats on the heavy side, all that means is I have to train harder.
How long do you plan to stay? 3 day trip pack weight will be less than a 10 day.
As far as how far you can travel in a days walk depends on the terrain and how good of shape you are.
How long do you plan to stay? 3 day trip pack weight will be less than a 10 day.
As far as how far you can travel in a days walk depends on the terrain and how good of shape you are.
Take a look at the link below there is a good discussion here. Page 12 there is a pretty good list. If you are serious about it order Cameron Haynes Backcountry Bowhuning and Public Land Mulies by David Long. They are great books which discuss tactics as well as backpacking gear in detail. There are some good articles out there as well. Also backpacker magazine or their site is good. Look into some backpacking books as well then translate that into hunting requirements. Oh and get in the gym yesterday.
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f61/advice-backpack-hunt-gear-list-68631/index12.html
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f61/advice-backpack-hunt-gear-list-68631/index12.html
npaden
Well-known member
Getting 5 or 6 miles back in with a heavy pack will be the easy part. Packing everything out if you are successful is the hard part.
You are going to have to filter your water and plan on dehydrated food. As mentioned you could spend a few thousand bucks on the best gear around and save 10 pounds, or you can just lose the 10 pounds before you go and get into shape while you are doing it. Or both.
You are going to have to filter your water and plan on dehydrated food. As mentioned you could spend a few thousand bucks on the best gear around and save 10 pounds, or you can just lose the 10 pounds before you go and get into shape while you are doing it. Or both.
dustinf
Active member
Walking in the woods with someone else's list of equipment is not a good idea. You have to take a bunch of lists, and average them into your own.
The key is getting comfortable with your equipment. Living in the backcountry for any length of time(1 night or 3 months) is 100% mental. Equipment is just an excuse for a poor state of mind.
The key is getting comfortable with your equipment. Living in the backcountry for any length of time(1 night or 3 months) is 100% mental. Equipment is just an excuse for a poor state of mind.
StrutNut
New member
First thing on my list would be to bring a horse
If its anywhere on public land you need certified hay.
recoil junky
New member
First thing on my list would be to bring a horse
My thoughts eggzacktly.
Depending on the time of year, you might not need hay, just a long picket rope.
RJ
JohnDeereGreen
Member
That Cameron Hanes book is a really good starting place for you, I think. I really learned a lot.
However long you go in for, I can't imagine that you will get your pack weight under 40 lbs, so expect to carry at LEAST that much. If you cut it to under 40 you will be spending serious dough. I would shoot for around 50 lbs, assuming that you will be packing in for at least 4 full days of hunting. If you are around 50lbs pack wt and in decent shape, you should be able to cover all 5-6 miles your first day.
Make sure your pack is properly fitted to you, so you carry weight on your hips, not all on the shoulders. It doesn't matter too much for dayhiking, but when you load it up with all that weight, you're really gonna want it to fit right.
Don't skimp on your sleeping bag. If you don't have a good bag, go get one. It will save you weight and a ton of space in your pack. Make sure it fits you properly, too tight and the bag will compress against your body in places you don't want it to, and it will not hold as much heat, too big and your body will have a tough time keeping it warm. When you crawl in your bag at night, you should be reasonably comfortable and warm so that the next day you will be in better condition to hunt.
Buy a foam Therma rest pad. Cheap and weighs next to nothing and you can sit on it around the campfire. You'll sleep well and be in better condition to hunt.
Buy some trekking poles. You'll save energy and reduce the load on your back and knees on the way in and be in better condition to hunt.
Buy a good water filter. Katadyn makes good pack filters that screw onto a nalgene bottle. Take two nalgenes and a small hydration pack so you never feel like you have to save your water. Drink a lot of water and you will feel better and be in better condition to hunt.
Good boots. A heavy pack and the wrong boot = short trip. Make sure your boots take good care of your feet when you have that heavy pack on, going up a hill. 2 pair of socks is not enough socks. 1 pair for every 2 days, + 1 extra pair. Buy good socks, like Smartwool. Keep your feet happy.
Good thermal layer. Smartwool again here, even though they are expensive.
A jacket that is 100% no BS waterproof. If the seams aren't taped, it is not not not waterproof.
A beanie. Sleep with your beanie on.
Gloves. If you don't bring good warm gloves you will be the dude wearing his extra pair of socks for mittens. Hard to pull a trigger with socks on your hands.
A good medkit. It should have QuikClot, large guaze pads, and rolls of gauze.
Gorilla tape. Cause it's awesome.
Everything on my list is there because it will keep your body in the best shape possible throughout your hunt. If you are hurt or fatigued, you will lessen your chances of success and of enjoying your hunt. All the other cool hiking and hunting gear out there will not matter a lick if you do not sleep well at night, stay warm and dry, drink plenty of safe water, and prevent injuries and blisters.
However long you go in for, I can't imagine that you will get your pack weight under 40 lbs, so expect to carry at LEAST that much. If you cut it to under 40 you will be spending serious dough. I would shoot for around 50 lbs, assuming that you will be packing in for at least 4 full days of hunting. If you are around 50lbs pack wt and in decent shape, you should be able to cover all 5-6 miles your first day.
Make sure your pack is properly fitted to you, so you carry weight on your hips, not all on the shoulders. It doesn't matter too much for dayhiking, but when you load it up with all that weight, you're really gonna want it to fit right.
Don't skimp on your sleeping bag. If you don't have a good bag, go get one. It will save you weight and a ton of space in your pack. Make sure it fits you properly, too tight and the bag will compress against your body in places you don't want it to, and it will not hold as much heat, too big and your body will have a tough time keeping it warm. When you crawl in your bag at night, you should be reasonably comfortable and warm so that the next day you will be in better condition to hunt.
Buy a foam Therma rest pad. Cheap and weighs next to nothing and you can sit on it around the campfire. You'll sleep well and be in better condition to hunt.
Buy some trekking poles. You'll save energy and reduce the load on your back and knees on the way in and be in better condition to hunt.
Buy a good water filter. Katadyn makes good pack filters that screw onto a nalgene bottle. Take two nalgenes and a small hydration pack so you never feel like you have to save your water. Drink a lot of water and you will feel better and be in better condition to hunt.
Good boots. A heavy pack and the wrong boot = short trip. Make sure your boots take good care of your feet when you have that heavy pack on, going up a hill. 2 pair of socks is not enough socks. 1 pair for every 2 days, + 1 extra pair. Buy good socks, like Smartwool. Keep your feet happy.
Good thermal layer. Smartwool again here, even though they are expensive.
A jacket that is 100% no BS waterproof. If the seams aren't taped, it is not not not waterproof.
A beanie. Sleep with your beanie on.
Gloves. If you don't bring good warm gloves you will be the dude wearing his extra pair of socks for mittens. Hard to pull a trigger with socks on your hands.
A good medkit. It should have QuikClot, large guaze pads, and rolls of gauze.
Gorilla tape. Cause it's awesome.
Everything on my list is there because it will keep your body in the best shape possible throughout your hunt. If you are hurt or fatigued, you will lessen your chances of success and of enjoying your hunt. All the other cool hiking and hunting gear out there will not matter a lick if you do not sleep well at night, stay warm and dry, drink plenty of safe water, and prevent injuries and blisters.
Bambistew
Well-known member
My basic kit is the same for an over-night trip or a 12 day trip. The only differnce is the amount of food, fuel, and socks and underwear. My loaded pack including rifle and spotting scope/tripod is around 37-40lb depending on clothing/temps, I add food as required at 1.0-1.5lbs per day depending on how far and how long. I take heavier food if its a shorter trip. I dont' like packing much more than about 60lbs, especially off trail.
There are all kinds of quality gear thats reasonably priced, you don't need to spend a fortune by any means to have a good trip. Keep an eye on eBay, and classified adds on hunting/hiking boards and you can pick up some good deals on high quality used stuff too. GoLight is having a sale right now, some of their tents are 50-60% off. I just picked up a Shangri La 2 fly for $99... Looking at the Ti Goat bivy to pair up with it. Tent and bivy for just over 2.5lbs is a pretty sweet setup, for around $200.
I'm always looking to upgrade gear for lighter stuff. I think I spend as much time going through gear as I do planning hunts.
The heaviest items will no doubt be the pack, tent, bag, and pad. The total weight of this can range from 15-25lbs depending on what you get. So many options to chose from. My only advice is to chose a pack that you like and fits comfotably with heavy weight. Some packs carry weight well, others not so much.
There are all kinds of quality gear thats reasonably priced, you don't need to spend a fortune by any means to have a good trip. Keep an eye on eBay, and classified adds on hunting/hiking boards and you can pick up some good deals on high quality used stuff too. GoLight is having a sale right now, some of their tents are 50-60% off. I just picked up a Shangri La 2 fly for $99... Looking at the Ti Goat bivy to pair up with it. Tent and bivy for just over 2.5lbs is a pretty sweet setup, for around $200.
I'm always looking to upgrade gear for lighter stuff. I think I spend as much time going through gear as I do planning hunts.
The heaviest items will no doubt be the pack, tent, bag, and pad. The total weight of this can range from 15-25lbs depending on what you get. So many options to chose from. My only advice is to chose a pack that you like and fits comfotably with heavy weight. Some packs carry weight well, others not so much.
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devon deer
Well-known member
I am about to buy a ruck sack to use over here hiking (and training) and i have taken a look at the American purpose designed hunting packs but we have nothing over that matches them, so i was thinking about buying one of these http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/verden-65plus10-p177381
So it will be a walk in hunt over 5 or 6 days.
Any views?
Cheers
Richard
So it will be a walk in hunt over 5 or 6 days.
Any views?
Cheers
Richard
Not sure you'll need a horse in Wy. as a NR.You can't hunt the wilderness unguided or without a local.Non-wilderness areas have alot of roads.about 2 miles is as far as I can get from a road in Wy in on-wilderness areas.I'm sure there may be places you can get further
My pack for a week weighs 55lbs,and isn't really sacrificing anything so it could get lighter if I chose.I like the earlier idea of comparing a couple peoples pack lists and making your own from that
My pack for a week weighs 55lbs,and isn't really sacrificing anything so it could get lighter if I chose.I like the earlier idea of comparing a couple peoples pack lists and making your own from that
MinnesotaHunter
Well-known member
It looks like previous posts covered just about everything. A few things I have grown to love when I am packing are:
1. a packable down jacket (I have the cabela's version) for the weight/space I don't think you can beat it.
2. Charcoal handwarmers (a few for each night) They are light, and they will make a chilly night much more comfortable in your sleeping bag, and they last long enough to warm your fingers during your first light glassing session.
3. SPOT personal locator beacon (especially if you are walking in solo) uses satelites instead of cell towers. This is for my wife's piece of mind as much as anything else.
Good luck
1. a packable down jacket (I have the cabela's version) for the weight/space I don't think you can beat it.
2. Charcoal handwarmers (a few for each night) They are light, and they will make a chilly night much more comfortable in your sleeping bag, and they last long enough to warm your fingers during your first light glassing session.
3. SPOT personal locator beacon (especially if you are walking in solo) uses satelites instead of cell towers. This is for my wife's piece of mind as much as anything else.
Good luck
pseshooter300
Member
That SPOT gps does it cost monthly or a one time fee
MinnesotaHunter
Well-known member
It is a yearly fee of $100, so it is kind of spendy, but if you use it enough I think it is a decent insurance policy when you are in the backcountry. I think they used to charge by the month, but people would just turn them on and off for a month at a time. I use mine hunting, backpacking, canoeing, military, and the rest of the time I put it in my wife's car for roadside emergencies. My wife likes it when I can pull it out and hit the "OK" button once a day, and she gets an email with a link to google maps that pops up my location. It also does distress (notifies local emergency response center) and custom messages (I.E. "I just shot an elk, come help me pack it out" which would work great if I was a resident hunter and my buddies were near by). I pasted a link below.
http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=103
http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=103
Another option to the SPOT is the InReach offered by Delorme. It allows two way satellite texting as well as the abilities offered by SPOT. You can bluetooth it to your GPS or your phone to type/send the message.
FWIW, the satellite system used by Delorme is purportedly more reliable than that offered by SPOT...
FWIW, the satellite system used by Delorme is purportedly more reliable than that offered by SPOT...
MinnesotaHunter
Well-known member
That sounds pretty slick. It would be nice to be able to communicate with hunting partners when you split up during the day and cell phones don't work.
So far, I haven't had any issues with my SPOT not working, sometimes there is a delay in the message going out, but it has always gone out within 10-15 minutes.
Have you used the DeLorme service?
So far, I haven't had any issues with my SPOT not working, sometimes there is a delay in the message going out, but it has always gone out within 10-15 minutes.
Have you used the DeLorme service?
I have not, just reported what my research has turned up.
BTW, their GPS units look pretty slick. Do a search for posts by Whttail in MT (or something real similar to that). The screenshots from his Delorme make me want one.
BTW, their GPS units look pretty slick. Do a search for posts by Whttail in MT (or something real similar to that). The screenshots from his Delorme make me want one.
MinnesotaHunter
Well-known member
I searched the other threads on this site and found some interesting stuff on the SPOTs. I think I have maybe just been lucky in that mine seems to work fine. I might take a look at the DeLorme unit when my SPOT expires in July.
