What do you carry hunting?

[warriorsociologist]

Well, it can be anywhere between -20 F degrees and 45 F degrees when I hunt in N. Wisconsin, so I generally carry (I'm never more than an hour's walk or so away from the house/camp):

(1) rifle (5 rds. in mag) + 5 or so more rounds.
(1) handgun in a legal length & hunting caliber (between my 6" 686 or one of my 10mms) + spare mag or speadloader
(1) sighting compass
(1) 1 spare "type 7" or similar compass
(1) stout fixed blade knife
(1) "backup" folding knife
(1) lighter
(1) flattened 1/2 roll of TP in ziplock bag
(1) whistle (Fox 40) on neck cord
(1-3) packs of handi-wipes
(1) handkerchief
(1) 'drag out' rope/harness
(1) LED headlamp (w/ lithium AAs) - and both clear & red lens covers
(1) stripped-down sectional rifle cleaning kit (in case I take a tumble & get snow or something in my bore)
- and sometimes a camelback "stealth" under my jacket plus a few pieces of jerky or sunflower seeds if I'm going to be out all day.
- Also, on most of my land, I can get cell phone reception, so I have taken to bringing one along (ringer OFF).
- I am thinking of taking a no-sh&% trauma/first aid kit just in case (I have a fanny-pack sized one I made for backpacking)...probably will bring it this year.
- Finally, usually when I am field dressing my deer, I get a little warm and take off my jacket. Long ago I took to wearing a blaze orange shirt & ballcap underneath so that my top half stayed "hunter" (not hunted) colors. Even though I hunt on my land, I was mistaken for game once before...and that one time was enough.

 

[Bill2k1]

Thanks for the outstanding replies. I got a good idea on what I need to put into my day pack. Thanks again.

 

[BeLikeTrey]

Probably gonna get picked on...

but here goes
hip pack:
First aid kit w/snakebite kit
also few scraps of tshirt sleeves
rope/cord
Camo netting blanket sized folded up tight (fine)
"striking paper"
S.A. knife
lighter
miniflask denatured alcohol
emergency pancho (about the equivalent of a trashbag LOL)
mini flashlight
Jerky (I always end up eating it too )

belt:
radio and cellphone spotty reception where I hunt
main sidearm 9 or a 45
BU Gun .380 (this has had to be used once, so now it is as religeous as those that have lucky underwear or hat etc)-long story
30-06 rifle
extra mags
big knife

go on with the Rambo jokes... I like to be prepared though

 

[elkhunter]

Keep in mind that I hunt away from the truck/camp, all day and unless I think there is a really good reason, I ain't goin' back if I'm into game. (A missing limb would be one of those good reasons)

In the pack:
1. Lunch (usually a few PB&J sandwiches)
2. Jerky
3. A few candybars for snacks on the go.
4. Water- I carry at least a half gallon jug, and sometimes add two small
waterbottles in the side pockets that they were made for.
5. Extra Socks
6. Extra Gloves
7. Either a baseball or stocking cap depending which one is on my head
when I leave in the morning.
8. A first-aid Kit for minor injuries.
9. Space Blanket
10. Lighter/Matches. Usually both.
11. Compass
12. Map or photocopy of the area I'm Hunting
13. 50' of nylon cord
14. Gerber pack-axe
15. Extra cow call
16. A couple of predator calls in case hunting is really slow.
17. Speedloader for .44
18. Extra 5 rifle shells
19. Fixed Blade Knife
20. Sharpening Stone
21. My truck keys
22. My dad's truck key
23. Leatherman
24. Flagging tape
25. Flashlight
26. Extra batteries
27. Latex Gloves for field dressing
28. Garbage bag or two. (heart and liver mmmm....)

On Me:
1. Binoculars
2. S&W 629 (6 in the gun and 1 Speedloader)
3. Extra 5 rifle shells in pocket
4. Folding knife for general use
5. Couple of different cow calls.
6. Lots of clothing layers which get removed and stowed in pack as it
warms up.


I'm probably missing a couple of things, but that's pretty much everything.

A note on the amount of water I carry. Yes, It's a lot of weight, but I'm moving almost all day and usually drink everything I carry. My dad was making fun of me when I first started doing it, but I noticed last year he had the same amount in his pack now. Besides It's just as important to stay hydrated while hunting as it is when you do any other activity.

 

[Byron Quick]

I take along pretty much what has been mentioned. However, I really, really don't like to hunt alone. All of my CPR classes neglected to teach me how to do it to myself.

The number one emergency aid is a buddy.

 

[warriorsociologist]

The number one emergency aid is a buddy.

Hey Bryon... Who's his? (your buddy's)?
Actually, it IS perhaps something to think about. This isn't intended as a flame or negatively, but if he (she?) goes down with an injury of some type, it would be mighty handy if you had made it a priority to know basic first aid, etc. before hand - for boh of your sakes. Years back, I hunted with my younger brother to teach him the ropes. The year I told him it was finally "his turn" to field dress his own deer (instead of watching me do it), he inadvetently sliced his own wrist/hand open while guesturing to me about what he was about to do while dropping to his knees beside the animal. It was very fortunate that he didn't sever any tendons or that he wasn't alone. He was bleeding badly and went into mild shock (more from the sight of his own blood and the exersion from hicking to the animal I think). Anyway, had he been the only one who knew how to take care of that wound, I'm not sure he would have been effective in telling me what to do. Hmmm... This post is already longer and more "preachy" that I would have liked, but I think you get my drift.
Respectfully,
- Chris

 

[Byron Quick]

My dad had a fractured femur in a car accident. The surgeon put a pin down. A year later the pin started causing problems and was removed. Dad walked around fine for months. Then he went deer hunting one day. No fall. Nothing dramatic. He just sat under a persimmon tree for a couple of hours and then decide to get up and move around some. When he tried to stand up; his thigh bent in the middle. The femur had fractured again. While he was sitting on the ground. Tough old bird only had to crawl a quarter mile to his truck and then drive fifteen miles to a hospital with one useable leg. With a clutch.

I have no desire to find out if I'm that tough.

Hey Bryon... Who's his? (your buddy's)?

Hopefully, we won't both need assistance of that degree simultaneously.

 

[warriorsociologist]

Hopefully none of us will. - Glad he was so tough.
Take care & stay safe.
- C

 

[Vern Humphrey]

My hunting varies from a stroll out the back door for squirrels, deer or turkey, to a trip to Colorado for elk.

For elk hunting, I carry:

Rifle -- mine is Bigfoot Wallace, a custom '03 Springfield in .35 Brown-Whelen
Extra ammo -- at least 5 rounds (why not?)
Belt knife.
Compass (on watch)
GPS (in shirt pocket)
FRS radio (in shirt pocket)
Small flashlight (in pack)
Spare batteries (in pack)
Maps (in leg pocket)
Water -- soda bottle in pocket or pack
Saw -- Gerber (jacknife-type with two blades -- wood and bone)
Roll of surveyor's marking tape (to mark kill and trail to kill)
Plastic trashbags (to hold meat -- you bone an elk out and carry out the meat)
Knife sharpener
Throw-away raingear
Space blanket
Lighter
Fire starter
Whistle
Down vest
Lunch
Toilet paper

I wear:
Thick socks -- Wal Mart "hunting socks" are the best I've ever found -- and I'm an Infantryman who has tried them all.)
Insulated boots -- you have to stop and sit a lot while hunting
Wool shirt
Light jacket or battle dress shirt over wool
Battle dress pants
Waffle-weave long underwear
Blaze orange watch cap
Blaze orange vest
Wool gloves (add shell for wet or snow)

For very cold weather, I will add a Cabelas unlined gore-tex waterfowler's parka.

For wet weather, I will add Sportsman's Guide gore-tex socks (from Sportsman's guide.)