I split my gear into three bags, first bag has the stuff I use every time I go out, compass, flashlight, arm guard, brush clippers and hand warmers. The second bag has the stuff I need if I get a deer, knife, cordage, gloves, trail markers and head lamp. The third bag is emergency gear, Band-Aids with a trauma pack, space blanket, whistle, two lighters, strip of birch bark, large warmer and energy bars. It all weighs about three pounds.

Fisherman's Friend cough drops, bottle with corn starch, paper towels, freezer bag for heart, license and tags, ratchet pruners, knife, grunt calls, small saw, nylon strap, camo face mask, broad head sharpener, flashlight, lighter. I carry this in an Asbell Haversack.

Snacks, water, warm hat and gloves, some first aid/survival gear and my tags, plastic bag and string for heart and liver, gutting gloves, face paint compact.

This is totally dependent on how I will be hunting. On the ground from my Pac-Seat tucked in the brush I have a small back pack with my leafy suit, and then the typical items others would carry--Small flashlight, gutting gloves, knife, toilet paper, drag rope, three small hooks for screwing into trees to hang stuff, and of course my hunting license, bottle of water. If I'm going to use my climbing stand I take that same small pack--it's actually made for turkey hunting-It could fit right on your hip--I add my pruners, small saw, pull up rope, and a device called the "booger" it is a claw that can be cocked, and is attached to a rope--if you drop anything from the stand you simply drop it down, and it uncocks, and the claws grab what ever item you dropped. I mostly just leave all that stuff in that pack that will fit nicely to my treestand, and I can easily access any of it while climbing, or once in the tree simply hang it on a branch, or small screw in hook. There is one thing that through the years I have totally forced myself to do---that is go lite weight. I don't carry a bunch of stuff that I know I will not use, or really need. I see folks who go to the woods with so much stuff I wonder of they are moving their living quarters to a blind, or treestand. I will take some basic food bars for longer sits. I'm a run, and gun kind of hunter who will not over hunt, or hunt places during wrong wind directions. My goal is to keep it lite-weight. When I actually do take game my procedure is simple--I sit in the stand, or seat for at least one half hour, or longer. I form a plan of where the animal went if I didn't see it fall. I then gather my stuff, and get out of there. I take my stuff to my vehicle, and if I have a cell signal I call a friend, or my Son- In-Law. We go back in, and slowly, and methodically begin to track, and recover the animal. Then we work together with items we brought back in after the hunt to get the animal out. I see no good reason for myself to be hauling days worth of food, clothing etc. for basic morning, or evening hunts in which I mainly do. NOW--if you are going on a elk hunt, or something like that your pack--your hunt--the whole deal needs totally rethought because obviously your going to need more stuff--I get that. However for most folks who are trekking into a wood lot, or game lands you should try to lay all the stuff out you think you need. Ask yourself--Just how bad do I really need to have this item in my pack? Will I truly need this item? How much weight, and room will it make up, and take up in my pack. If you hunting out west on big trips I have had guides help me with this, and allow them to tell me what essential items I must have, and what size pack I will need. Again--most of my hunting is on my own hunting property (thankful for God who has allowed me to have it) where I get in--set up--hunt for a few hours--pack it up, and get out, and go home unless I get lucky, and arrow a deer. I have learned through the years to actually lay out all my stuff that was in my pack. Then with each item I asked myself--just how valuable is this item for my hunt? Do I truly absolutely have to have it? Can I do with out it? I've managed to really lighten up my pack, and not be a giant blob in the bushes, or tree with all kinds of stuff hanging off of hooks in a treestand, or stuff all piled up around my ground seat sticking out like a sore thumb tucked in the brush. I would tell anyone to truly evaluate all items in your pack, and learn to go as light as you can with a day hunt to the not so distant wood lot, or game lands. You can always come back out to your vehicle, and dump your stuff in the car/truck-- call your buddies, and then go back in to retrieve the animal without taking half of everything you own to the woods. Give it some thought, and lighten up your load. I think you'll be happier without all the weight.

Glad to see y’all carrying first aid and survival stuff. I’m the only person I know who does. Seems crazy to me.

I sincerely aplogize for laughing as I read some of those posts. Our hunting circumstances can differ quite a bit. I get that, but I'm not hunting back in the Rockies.

Day bag? No. Got away from all that stuff when I did my minimization thing years ago and have never missed the stuff I lugged around for years and never used. Now it's a bow, quiver of arrows, knife, and a plastic bag in case I find wild edibles I want to keep. I generally do the bulk of my hunting in less than 6-8 hour stints within a mile or so of the truck. No water. No snacks. No toilet paper. No first aid items. No flashlight. If I have to spend the night, no biggie. I think I'll live.

I totally understand taking a basic first aid kit--small, or items to help locate you if you need help, and yes on big hunts a compass is a good thing to have. One thing I neglected to say--those loud plastic survival whistles weigh almost nothing--A great thing to have if you're laying on the ground hurt, and can still blow it after calling for help to allow searchers to find you. Even in more populated areas after using a cell phone to call for help emergency responders can hear, and locate you. I've actually witnessed this in real life--a simple whistle allow EMS personnel to walk through a small wooded area with flashlights, and hearing the whistle while communicating with a guy who fell--they went right to him. You don't have to be far off the beaten path to get hurt, and have a need to found. There are many things to think about that are of great value to be in a hunting pack.

Binos first aid kit. Whistle knife granola bars light lighter paroafin emergency poncho. Para rope water toilet paper. And few extra what ever items

I won't mention stuff that's already listed here and most of what's in my day-pack has been. But on cold mornings I like to pack a Snicker bar for about 9:00 AM, just as motivation to stick it out another hour. Well, we had no "cold" (i.e. 20 deg.F)) mornings the last 5 weekends I went in Nov/Dec. and the candy remained uneaten. I kept tellin myself "you need to go ahead and eat that or a mouse is going to get in it". And every time I'd forget. Well my wife got sick and I didn't get to hunt over the two weeks of Christmas. When I went to bring my stuff home after Jan. 1 what did I find...do you know how much sh*t a mouse can leave after consuming an entire Snicker bar?

I’m with you with the Snickers bar. They seem to really jumpstart me also.

That's funny, Olddogrib.

Knife, zip tie, sharpie, headlamp, Cliff Bar, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, gallon zip lock bag for the heart. Those are the minimum. Those items are in a man purse or small backpack. I bring water and more food if I'm covering a lot of ground. On my person I carry a compass, wallet and cell phone. Turkey calls or elk calls depending on the hunt.

The places I hunt, I'm never more than a 15min walk. I carry grunt call, extra srew in hooks for whatever, tree saw, knife, water, extra clothes, headlamp, license, tp, sometimes a snack, some paracord ,binos, milk weed fluff, saftey harness, that's about it. That's plenty though. I hunt with a pack.

Instead of space blanket I would use small tarp or piece of clear plastic. You need something to keep you dry to avoid hypothermia.

I live and hunt in the Rockies and carry what all you guys do and a little more. I start out with a lot and by the end of the season that “a lot” gets whittled down to next to nothing.

Although I carry more, like a Bic and compass, etc., here is what actually gets used regularly: eye drops, wipes, bag balm for chapped crouch in hot weather in the crotch or feet, bandaids, water, Cliff bars, large trash bag to sit on wet ground and emergency poncho and lay/carry out boned meat or grouse, wool gloves, silk bandana for neck warmth, Leatherman to touch up broadheads or use the screw driver to dig out arrows stumping and pliers to pull them out with, paracord for quick brush blind construction or to drag out that buck or carry grouse, and Gorilla tape for the repairs and ripped pants, blister, cuts and generally fixing stuff.

Sounds like a lot, but it’s really nothing in a haversack or small shell bag. Yeah, I carry some of the other stuff, to, just in case, but never use it.

I just got a new tent, packing up my gear for a 3 day trip to test it out. I is hunt'n wabbits, season ends soon.

In my day pack I've got; map, compass, monocular, knife, game bag, super glue, first aid ointment, alcohol wipes, lighter, flashlight, spare batteries, spare socks, wool Pancho, spare ponts, spare tab, jerky, 2L of water, and my license.

Pack isn't much more for the rest of the trip. Tent, pad, more wool, stove, more water.

Thanks for the laff olddogrib!

Depends on the hunt I’m on. I Pack different gear for different species I’m hunting or climate I will be dealing with. I’m surprised by the number of people that don’t replenish calories and stay hydrated on their hunts. I do differ there from a lot of people. I think it’s very important keeping my mind and body up to full strength on a hunt especially now that my hair is starting to turn gray. Food and water is the one consistent thing I have with me on every hunt.

Who d my bow and binos, I got this grab-and-go mentality that works out like so:

If I grab my back quiver I got plenty of arrows, tab/arm guard, knife, spare string, and a spare lighter/tinder under the bottom.

If I grab my lumbar pack I then got straps to stash an extra layer of cloths plus couple liters of water, snack, small first aid, gloves, compass, pliers, sun block, a game bag, led headlamp, and a little red pouch I call my “kill kit”. Just some surgical gloves, knife sharpener, zip ties, survey tape. I keep a small umbrella on the belt too… instant shade in the open, rain/ wind shelter, even use it for cover now and then.

It’s not rocket surgery, but it is fun figuring out what is needed and what works.

If ground hunting I don’t take a pack. Everything I need goes in my pockets such as paper towels, cell phone, bright eyes and bow glove. I wear my knife on my belt. If hunting from tree I take the same things plus limb saw, extra batteries for headlamp, 2 pull up ropes, safety strap(doubles as deer drag) and extra knife all in a fanny pack. Forgot grunt call. I wear my safety harness also.

First aid kit x gloves x socks x knifes zip ties drag rope water snacks matches candles X string for bow cell phone surgical gloves small binos X flashlite hand warmers alcohol wipes paper towels

This thread reminds me of the George Carlin skit regarding what he leaves the house with.

Me, I swap out stuff in my little back pack or fanny pack depending on the weather and how long I plan on hunting.

No day bag. I hunt family property and am never far from a boat or an atv. Add my cell phone to the stuff in the photo and you will see what I carry hunting. Water jug and snacks are in the boat or the buggy. I travel light most of the time. If I were out west I would do it differently.

knife, rope, compass, spare gloves and socks, plastic bag, light vest, 'hot seat'. Chemical hand and toe warmers if it's colder. Water and snacks.

Snickers, because you're just not yourself when you're hungry!

Hunting can be anything from stepping out your back door into the woods to driving to an outfitters camp and riding a horse into the mountains. You have to plan ahead and pack accordingly.

Probably just posted above, just sayin'.

The one thing I haven't seen mentioned here is a tool with a small rake on one end, along with a small hoe. I hunt mostly from the ground, and it's amazing how quickly one of these can level a small area for a seat/stool.

No matter what else is in my pack, I always have one because of my need for water. I have a heart condition that isn't much of an issue except for almost always being thirsty. My packs are set up with water bladders. This is the best method to be able to have a sip of water while walking or hiding, with the least amount of movement. Plus cardiologists recommend staying hydrated to reduce the heart attack risk.

Water - you do everything better when you are properly hydrated.

Snack - Id rather not be hungry

small light - if you have ever tried to walk even 200 yards through thick brush in the dark youll realize the value

cell phone - the best emergency tool

-knife

I usually hunt in place I know and not far from my truck or house.

One thing I do carry or did until I lost it was a pair of tweezers with a magnifying glass attached. Simple enough and don't take up hardly any space, not do or die but they sure come in handy for annoying thorns and splinters. I need to get another pair.

Just flashlight. I get em down then go get the Rokon and then hangem up and gut them in camp. Easy peazy

Very few appear to be gear freaks or grossly overpacked, although some comfort zones are bigger or smaller than others. What repeatedly appears as a variable is the individual’s decisions based on KNOWLEDGE of his location, climate, or personal health. The #1 piece of equipment is knowledge/education and a calm response to any “situation “ that might occur. In defense of carrying a longer list of items, it is vital to recognize that this may benefit on two levels. The item may have useful intrinsic value, but even if does not get used it may still be a talisman, and provide comfort/peace of mind / calming influence just by its possession. A sidearm comes to mind as blatant example of my point although not typically part of this type of list.

Without question safety items like a whistle, and bandages should be an obligatory starting point

I hunt a mile and a half down the road from my house, so I don't carry much. My phone and a bottle of water, that's about it when close to home.

I will give my elk hunting pack set up. It just seem like guys are really talking about quick behind the house hunts. For a day hunt which starts about 4:30 am and end 8:00pm. Beanie, gloves, for wind and rain Sitka Flash pull over, Sitka Puffy. Clothing can change depending on weather conditions but that stuff goes for safety every time. Game processing, boning knife, gut and skin knife, saw, 6 bone out game bags, pack out bag, emergency space blanket that is great for boning meat out on and safety. 1 liter of water and purifier. Big lunch with protein bars for snacks. Small first aid kit with super glue, lighter, compass, extra bow string, extra cow call and mouth reeds , TP, inreach, Field glasses, tags. I’m sure I’m forgetting something but there’s a lot of gear pack set up for you guys.

Everything I need to kill, gut out, pack up and pack or drag the animal back tobthe truck or house depending on the animal. for Elk, of course it gets more involved tan a day pack. It requires a frame pack and provisions to,spend a night somewhere if necessary. And a sidearm if legal, in cat or bear country. Lots of flashlights and batteries. You can NEVER have too many flashlights...and a compass. And Be In Shape for elk hunting, or any hunting for that matter. Best thing to pack along with you is the ability to pack it along.

After a good night’s sleep and rereading my first comments, I need to clarify. The major difference in pack contents is job specific. What we each feel that we need to do each job then varies depending upon knowledge, skill, and confidence. Therefore it also goes to reason that as we mature that our needs would change/evolve.

Frankly, I like to review these lists, as I usually learn at least one new thing or see a new idea

I've been taking the same things since I started wearing fanny packs forty couple years ago. Only thing that has changed is by the boss' orders...a small Tracfone...the $19.96 every three month variety. Other than that, it's mostly same old-same old; snacks, water, knife, fire starter (not flint and steel), TP (not target panic), and usually my Leatherman tool. It can vary more or less as well depending on my mood and whether I plan to stay out all day.

I hunt with an Asbell Haversack; Cell phone, License, TP also used to mark a long blood trail, Nessmuk knife as back-up, fire starter material, lighter and steel, 1/4" nylon drag rope, wool scarf, para cord, water bottle, maybe snack if planning a long day.

I hunt mostly near my house. Farthest is about 1/2 mile in a straight line. I carry a small leather haversack with a folding saw, pruners, wipes, headlamp for morning walk in, small powerful flashlight for trailing after dark, pod of milkweed fibers, turkey call. That’s about it and the ever present cell phone my wife insists on.

Forgot the trimming clippers.

Any good dog recipes?

Any good dog recipes?

Compas,Para cord, electric tape, Bic lighter, waxed dental floss, folding saw, reflective twist ties, nylon deer drag strap,

Basics, knife, extra compass, two small flashlights, paracord, toilet paper, Binos that I tend to leave in the truck when I had them around my neck (damn), camo paint, butt out tool, extra chew for when I forget to put it in my pocket. One thing that has come in very handy is a small hook that I can tie to a paracord. Many times I have dropped something from a tree that I was able to retrieve by hooking it and pulling back up, grunt tube, pack, tab, glove, etc.

2 compasses and one round my neck.Matches, Lighter, Ziplock, Knives,Toilet paper. Spare gloves,Scent block and licenses., dont need much as I dont hunt far away anymore.

Oh, and my small 3 leg chair if I am roving/scouting/on the move hunting.

More than I need. :)

Ttt

My daypack contains:

Drag rope, two flashlights, bow pull up line, binoculars, waterproof fletching cover, extra shooting glove, hunting license, fixed blade mora knife with built in ferro rod, field dressing kit, bow hanger, camo gloves, two small plastic bags, gatorade or orange juice, a couple pieces of fruit, toilet paper, emergency poncho, compass, small first aid kit, two bic lighters. And a small bottle of unscented bleach for purifying water. And a broadhead sharpening file.

In a small ziploc license, note pad and pen. Im my pack, knife, flashlight, extra batteries, small headlamp, pruning shears, compass and TP. TP in a Ziploc probably should be first on the list with license. Also great for marking blood trails. Great topic

My day pack contains pull rope, extra bow string,bow stringer, spare glove or tab,extra batteries, welders stricker, fire starting material,& if it's colder outside. I add extra cold weather items to my pack,one i will mention is the Muddy hand warmer,it's a hand warmer, flash light & cell phone charger all in one.

At 70 now with plenty of body issues I carry one of these no matter where I go outdoors to include fishing. Just have to find open view to the sky. Too many times I've found myself without cell signal even though I'm mainly in central Florida but no towers along St. Johns. Fly fishing in NC creeks usually was zero signal. Offshore a few miles...nada.

If it's not in my pack it's in on ME somewhere.

Like I do on a 3 D shoot, a small archery supply store !

Mines about a duplicate of foxbo, in one of two shoulder bags.

here is the bag i usally carry. with a small flashlight, first aid kit, bone saw , license,at least 3 snickers for emergency! and thats about it, except hunting knife on a sheath attached to my shoulder strap.

Knife, extra cell phone battery, head lamp, Toilet paper(Trail Markers, water of pack of crackers depending on how long I will be staying out.

Tooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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