What should be in your day pack?

[larryb34]

Hi I am planning an early morning hunting trip in the one of the National Forest. For about 1/2 a day. maybe pig or even deer. I try to pack for everything situation . ammo for the rifle and sidearm. some ropes, Knife ,gloves. water. My question to your guys and gals is. What do you carry , I loaded up to about 13 pounds and I would appreciate to hear ,what you guys and gals carry with you on your hunts. I know I need to cut down on the ammo for the rifle, and the pistol. What is important to you. I have a GPS unit and maps. But what could be done to streamlined my pack? Any advice is appreciated.

Larry B.

 

[EvBouret]

Food and Water (iodine)
Butchering stuff: pillow case, knife, sharpener, rope, trash bag
Rifle Stuff: 2 magazines worth of Ammo, 100lb monofilament bore cleaner
Binoculars, machete, rain jacket, FIRST AID KIT

That's my minimum pack for hunting in Hawaii. Depending on where I hunt other things get thrown in, extra jackets, gloves, extra socks, shooting sticks, tarp etc...

 

[Speckmisser]

Larry, if you try to plan for every eventuality, you'll be carrying a 90lb pack and a troop of sherpas. That's a lesson I learned over time.

For a short little outing like you describe, I'd make sure my pack has:

At least a liter of water (two liters if it's hot)
About eight rounds of rifle ammo (four in the rifle, four in a pouch)
A knife or two and a diamond-steel sharpener
50' of parachute cord - strong as heck and versatile for all kinds of stuff
License and tags
Couple of granola bars (I like the crunchy ones... the soft ones get mooshed)
Striking paper (good for calls of nature, but also handy for marking a blood trail in a pinch)
Gallon ziploc bag for heart and tenderloins
Head lamp

Most of this stuff stays packed in my thigh pack all the time, by the way. I just strap 'em on and go. The heaviest thing in the pack is the water, and that lightens up as the day goes on. I used to carry firestarters, but not for short hunts any more. The places I hunt are generally tinderboxes, and a fire is likely to get me into a lot more trouble than it's worth.

I like to use my pack frame for recovering game, but a lot of times, on a short hunt, I leave the pack frame and recovery stuff (extra parachute cord, game bags, etc.) at the truck. In a half-day hunt, I'd never be so far from the truck that I couldn't hike back to get my pack frame if I actually killed something. That's bitten me in the backside a time or two, though... so weigh your choices.

 

[sancho]

everyone will say the same things. they wont be wrong.

some stuff to ADD to the list; a pen (to fill out the happy tag), and small zipties. nothing ties a tag onto a carcass better than a ziptie. i also take my shadetree mechanics blue nitrile gloves. after butchering an animal, it is nice to take off the gloves and have relatively clean hands. i never go out without a flashlight and a headlamp. i pack the bare minimum to stay out all night. i also put in a few ziplock baggies. people in my life like me to bring back deer livers.

 

[MJB]

No rope...cord is good for hanging stuff and 3/4" nylon web about 20' rolls up real small and much nicer than rope or cord for pulling or dragging.

Nitrile gloves....save cutting your fingers or hands while butchering

Gamebag with heavy duty plastic bag if you put the meat in the pack.

Knife with replacement blades no sharpener needed. http://www.havalon.com/xt60-edge.html

Water as much as you can carry 2 litters if overnight or alot of hiking.

Pen, zipties, tags, snacks, other energy supplements.

10 rounds of ammo

First aid kit

Lighter/matches, tp & baby wipes

Good Luck!!!


Space blanket, good for so many things

GPS, (maps if I don't know the area well) cell phone, walkie-talkie, camera, 2 lights (one for back up)

 

[larryb34]

Thanks to all for their input. This will help me cut down on stuff. and save my back! Thanks again for the advice.
Larry B.

 

[jls456]

And don't forget the camera to show us the pictures..............

 

[bpnclark]

I wouldn’t carry a pistol unless it weighs less than a pound (loaded).

 

[myfriendis410]

Loose the handgun. Ten rounds for the rifle. Two flashlights, or one and a headlamp. Gloves. Compass or GPS. Water. Knife and diamond hone. Zip ties. Parachute cord. (This stuff is so handy it's hard to describe all of it's uses). Water. Lens pen or wipes. Usually I don't even take a pack. I just fill my thigh pockets with the junk I need and hang my gear, like range finder and binos, from myself.