Basic basic basic kit.

[Vick]

When you break it down, all you need is a decent firearm, non-florecent clothes, boots, and a knife. Take all these suggestions under advisement, but it comes down to you and what kind of hunting you want to do. If you really want to go hard after it then some calls, special camo, scents, and some other really neat whiz bang gadgets are in order. If you want to go traditional then how traditional? You can get handmade bamboo bows and learn to make your own shafts. If you're just in the mood to get out and enjoy God's creation, then a good pipe and a good Hemingway novel are in order. I do each at one point or another. Each time what's in my pack or pockets is different, and I've killed game every way. I've been hunting for 21 years. I still remember my first hunt like it was yesterday. I can tell you I remember more about the ones that I just sat and watched than the ones I took home. After all this time what goes with me each and every time no matter what? A rifle, knife, old surplus clothes, rope, knife, and SNUFF ( sometimes a pipe ). The rest depends on the day and the mood I'm in. My grandfather, who taught me to hunt and I hold in highest regard, will probably have a little something different in his pockets. Get the basics, go a few times, try something new each time. It won't take long to figure out what works for you. It will take a lot longer to figure out what to bring to help enjoy the hunt than it will the stuff to help take the animal.

I will add one item. A journal. I wish I had started one the first day I thought about hunting, and recorded each hunt. I am going back now and scribbling down what I can, but a lot is lost.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Here's a little something I do that I learned from my grandpa: Get an old trunk, suitcase or wooden box (I use a lockable wooden box with handles, I think it's some kind of toolbox). Every time you think of something you may need on a hunting trip, put it in the box. When you are ready to leave for hunting, check the contents and put the box into the truck.

My box has TP, paper towels, rubber gloves, matches, spare ammo, .22 lr ammo, extra socks, first aid kit, plastic bags, extra knives, hatchet, bar of soap, you name it. If somebody forgot something, I usually have it in the box.

 

[Spinner]

Like I said before, my basic kit is knife, belt, ammo, survival kit, firearm, licence and usually warm and/or waterproof jacket.

But I also need to point out that I'm mucking about in different sort of habitat to most of you guys.

Spinner

 

[MeekandMild]

Rifle

Three bullets (or if black powder one in the gun and only one spare load in a little plastic bottle plus 2 primers)

army surplus pouch with:

pen knife
fire starter
camera
water bottle
yellow shooting glasses
paperback novel
LED flashlight
doe scent

License is always in the wallet anyway and car keys are in the pocket.

In pig country a good pistol is a good idea.

 

[Art Eatman]

In my truck or at camp, I'll have a lot of "stuff" that might or might not be needed. "Stuff" accumulates through the years on a "Hmmm. This might be useful..." basis; it usually isn't.

On my person, if I'm gonna do a long walkabout, I'll carry a length of rope, spare cartridges and more knife than is usually in my pocket. The little fanny pack might--or might not--also have a bandanna and maybe some sort of munchie-bar. The main use for TP is to mark the location of Pore Ruint Bambi so I can come back to him with the truck or with helpers.

In the old deer-lease days, I never got over two or three miles from camp, so I didn't need much of anything. In Terlingua, I'm 20 miles off the pavement, but rarely over five or at most ten miles from camp. Closer, now, as my legs get a bit older.

Art