Instead of trolling just to see who you can rile-up, how about offering some of the things that can help folks, or at least get them thinking about archery versus tomfoolery. It doesn't have to be groundbreaking, or earth-shattering, just things you may do, or things you put in your pack for whatever reason.

One of the things I carry in my fanny pack is a toothbrush. No, not to brush my teeth, but to quickly clean dirt out of an errant broadhead or mud from you folding knife, or myriad other tasks that it may come in handy for. Normally I cut half of the handle off for space saving and then slightly melt the edges of the cut area to make it better to grip. Only takes a tiny bit of space and is nice to have on occasion.

I carry a toothbrush as well George, in both field point and broad head quivers. Also carry dental floss or plumbers tape to help tighten down heads and a bastard file in my broad head quiver for last minute sharpening. Another thing I’ve been doing for a while is using the lead tape that tennis players and golfers use to weight their rackets and clubs to increase head weight on my shafts- works like a charm and you can buy rolls of lead tape online or at pretty much any golf store.

Sounds like a great idea George. Who carries a back up pocket knife in their Fanny pack? I need a tip. I took this old Barlow apart. Pretty easy to do. Now who knows an easy way to put it back together. ;)

My best advice is don't fry bacon naked, don't pee in the wind or on a flat rock. It doesn't weigh much to carry some toilet paper with you, can mark a blood trail and clean up a mess. : )

If you hunt from a tree stand, always carry an extra arrow with a field point on it. If you shoot a game animal and do not see it drop, shoot the field tipped arrow into the ground where the animal was standing when you shot. If you lose the blood trail, you can always come back to the beginning and start over at the exact shot location. Be safe...Des

If I take a thermos or water bottle into the woods with me I tuck it into a wool sock. This helps quiet it, covers up highly reflective surfaces on my clearcoated containers, and provides a bit of extra insulation to keep the liquid warm or cold as the season dictates.

Arrow making tip. For inexpensive wraps, buy Oracal 651 or 751 vinyl sheets. One 12x12 sheet will make a dozen wraps for 5/16” shafts. Cost maybe $2. Cheaper on Amazon if you buy in quantities.

I second Craig's "wear a fixed blade on your belt", I do that with my late father-in-laws old fixed-blade knife, mainly for me to add a layer of protection, albeit the more hand to hand type.

Ben Ahrens, I like the wool sock thing too. I knew a feller who once would use oversized wool socks to put over his hunting shoes to make them quieter in the fall leaves.

I used to use peroxide for blood trailing but had a problem when the blood ran out. Got

me a inferred adapter adapter for my iPhone and nothing like seeing a big orange cigar

lying in the dark woods giving off 70 degree heat when all around is 45 degrees.

I carried multiple folding knives in my fanny pack. Easier to grab a fresh, sharp one the trying to sharpen one when your all bloody. Those 10 gallon size plastic zip lock bags have many uses as well along with a good size length of para cord.

Some of these are if I'm bowhunting near home and some are for if I'm bowhunting way in the game lands a couple miles from my vehicle and far from home.

Carry a little bottle of hydrogen peroxide specially when the leaves change color. If you hit a deer and if you're not sure if a tiny spot is blood or not the hydrogen peroxide will confirm if it's blood.

Carry a compass. Not only for land navigation but also if you hit a deer you can shoot an azimuth with it in the direction the deer ran. So when you get out of the tree you can follow that same azimuth reading to the first sign of blood.

Carry two small LED flashights.

Carry two knives. One fixed blade and one folder.

Small pair of binoculars.

Carry at least two fire starters. I carry a bic lighter and a magnesium fire starter, or a ferro rod. Or even a road flare in case you have to make a fire real quick.

Field dressing kit.

Fletching waterproof covering. In case you get caught in the rain.

Emergency poncho. In case you get caught in the rain.

Small first aid kit. I learned this one the hard way after I sliced my hand with a broadhead one year.

Chemical handwarmers in the late archery season after Christmas.

Something to drink and a couple pieces of fruit.

A tiny bottle of bleach (unsented bleach) to purify water (3 to 4 drops per quart). No it won't hurt you.

Toliet paper, not only for wiping your behind but also to mark the blood trail if a deer is hit. Always clean it up after tracking is done.

A pistol when I'm bowhunting in bear country like the game lands I bow hunt in. Taking on a mature black bear with a knife you will lose that fight.

This seems like a lot but it fits nicely into my daypack.

These are good! Hope that there will be lots more? GOOD HUNTING & BLESSED BE!

Zip lock with Toilet paper. 2 lighters and matches in a waterproof container, One compass around my neck , one in my pocket and 2 in my pack. 2 flashlights, Bear spray, 2 sets of gloves. Folding knife and 2 beltknives. All in a small back pack.

Desperado, what a great Idea with the arrow after shot. Things always look different when you get on the ground. The dryer lint is a good one also. I have to add, an extra tin of Grizzly longcut hid in your pack so when you get into the tree you don't go crazy because the one that was in your pocket is no longer there? Been there, done that.

I don't have anything too groundbreaking. I like the posts about carrying something too start a fire. Pre-covid I hardly ever started fires, and lost the skill. We started cooking grilling on wood fire when restaurants were closed. Man for a guy who grew up heating with wood I was rusty on fire starting!!! Something that's been real convenient for me is Delorme inreach. I can satelitte text my wife from anywhere. I prefer hunting where I don't have service but I get to hunt alot more because I'm able to check in daily and give both of us piece of mind. If nothing else it saves a ton of time and frustration if I'm out past the deadline.

I made the mistake just yesterday scouting, but bring snacks. Is it necessary? Of course not. But for me, if I’m hungry my focus isn’t where it needs to be.

Many good ideas, some of mine are specific to me. Fire starter for sure lint and sassafras sticks, lighters/Ferro rod. Compass. Couple fixed blade knives. Extra tab. Extra wool top layer and cap. Sawyer filter and 1 liter water bottle, full. Mixed nuts. 550 cordage. First aid. Communication device. Whistle. Knee brace. If I'm going to be miles from vehicle my Dyneema hammock tarp.

Before all of the fancy pouches you can buy these days I had a small denim zipper pouch on my belt that contained a Bear Sharpener, dental floss, an extra glove, and three 2" long cup hooks. I screwed the cup hook in the tree and hung my bow on it. I never found myself without a bow hanger.

Staying hydrated is eating before you're hungry and drinking before you're thirsty. I learned that while riding bicycle long distances back in the 80's. If you wait till you feel thirsty, you are waiting too long.

Never loose another tab. Simply replace the chord with a longer piece. Then just place the chord over the tip of the bow and run the tab between the limb and string.

I attach a knife and sheath to the shoulder strap of my back quiver. Placed low on the strap it's easily accessed near my waist. Frank

Extra pair of glasses.

I carry several cotton balls soaked in Vaseline in an old film cannister. They make an excellent emergency fire starter. You can easily light them with match, lighter sparks, etc. and they burn hot and long enough to build a nice fire.

A lightweight vest with big and many pockets. (I like Magellan brand because it's so light) Inside go all the essentials already listed. For me I would add, small ultralight binocs, headlamp, multi purpose repair kit. Most stuff has already been mentioned.

For arrow wraps... Head to your local sign shop. When they load their vinyl cutter they end up throwing out 6" to 12" by roll width. (normally 18"+) See if they'll give you some of that "garbage". My shop knows me and hooks me up, reflective vinyl too. All you need to do then is cut your own wraps at whatever size you need. A cheap paper cutter from Amazon works perfect for this.

Thank you for starting this George, lots of good ideas. One thing I always carry when I’m hunting, scouting, etc is a roll of orange flagging tape. It makes it easier when tracking game and you never know what you might see and want to mark while in the woods.

I carry a bare shaft to periodically check my shooting. Kind of like having a coach with me . Good advice from Ken Beck.

I carry a bare shaft to periodically check my shooting. Kind of like having a coach with me . Good advice from Ken Beck.

I mark my arrows where the brace height is when nocked. This way any arrow can be used to check brace height. Frank

A 9' by 12' thin plastic painters drop cloth. About the size of a tube of tooth paste and cost about a buck. Those giant orange trash bags you see the guys filling along the highway take up very little room and can make an emergency shelter or poncho and are very visible when you want to be found.

Some really great tips here and thanks for sharing them.

What I carry into the woods varies depending on where I'm hunting and for how long.

One thing I learned is ALWAYS make sure you give your gear etc a good going over before you take it afield. I check my goodies over before the season and a couple times during the season at least. Running out of toilet paper in your pack is no fun but getting hurt or worse because a piece of gear like a portable stand or safety harness failed would be terrible and avoidable 99% of the time IMO.

Also if it's a new item or piece of gear to you, make sure you try it before you head out in the field and know how to use it.

My pack has a contact lens case with a bit of string wax and fuzzy velcro. The string wax has a zillion uses and the velcro can replace a rest or side plate.

If you mostly hunt square hay bales like I do, you'll notice the middle part gets worn out and soon your arrows will go right through. Put a stick in the baling strings on each end and twist it around to tighten the string down, compressing the hay so it stops the arrows again.

BONUS: When spring comes, replace the bales and use the old ones for gardening...Now you can say your archery hobby puts food on the table.

For a wind check. Use old film bottle with small hole in one end. Fill full of milk week. Then wrap velcro on bow and other side on container. Always right where you need it.

Here’s something I’ve been doing while setting up my Huntmore 360 chair in the morning and I kneel down on the ground but carry a plastic garden bag with me in my chair duffle bag so my knees don’t get wet.Then if I leave my chair in my home made ground bling I slip the bag over my chair and leave it overnight. It will keep the chair from getting damp overnight and I don’t have to put the chair together.

Nathan , I was going to post the exact same thing lol Here’s one I made recently

Zip ties come in very handy

BS “ I carry a bare shaft to periodically check my shooting. Kind of like having a coach with me”

Really??

I guess you think negative attention is better than no attention at all by dumping on a positive thread.

It isn’t…at all. Ever.

A small tube of super glue can come in handy for so many things.

Fluorescent orange trail tape roll is another useful item.

An extra pair of socks a some good plastic grocery bags can make a pair of wet boots more comfortable.

OK, I’m on a roll….

A dozen 12” zip ties, a roll of brass snare wire, a leaf litter bag or 2…makes a great rain coat, heck,..I know a fellow that caries a rat trap with a piece of wire attached to secure it…makes a really good squirrel trap.

Oh ya, don’t forget the survival blanket….

Great thread….

Sorry I might have duplicated some of the tips…

Lloyd

Bracket I made to hold a game tracker when I bear hunt. I put some mole skin on the back so it doesn't scratch my bow. Little eletrical tape holds the bracket on the bow very well.

A lot of folks these days rely on their cell phone for everything from navigation to contacting friends. A back up power supply is a great thing to have along. There are several LED flashlights on the market that have the ability to charge a phone with a small 6 inch cord. Not a bad thing to have if the phone dies on you.

Really good thread. I cant add much but do some of the stuff that has been mentioned and am going to start some of the others.

One tip I’d give is to never let buck fever cause you to do something that’s unsafe. I have, got lucky but it was still foolish.

Whatever you enjoy doing weather it’s hunting , stump shooting or 3d. Use wisdom and be safe so you can continue for years to come.

Duct tape has innumerable uses, such as hole patches, blister covers, fire starter. Also, I always have 20' of light nylon rope with me.

A Leatherman type multi tool has come in handy more than once for me.

Frank - Nemophilist - has a good comprehensive list but I'd put "carry a day pack!" at the top of it.

I'd add 'pack a light fleece vest'. And in addition to TP I carry those wet 'baby wipes'. A small folding saw is also goodness.

I have never regretted spending more money on *good* socks and boots. Take care of your feet, they'll carry you to the end.

I make my own home brew string wax which I put some good Georgia pine rosin in the mix and it makes the wax extra tacky so you can really grasp the string when making a Flemish twist. What I really like to do also is use it on my shoe laces and what I do is take my laces and pull it across the wax cakes several times then burnish it into the entire string with a piece of scrap leather . Those laces will have a heart time coming undone and it will make them water resistant . Try it if you have some wax and you may like it. Great thread George and what a way to share with one another.

I see lots of posts that mention fire starting but, unless I missed it, none with advice regarding use of a fire...I hope this is useful.

I too carry multiple ways to start a fire. A fire can be fun, useful or even life saving. But it can also be a giant pain in the rear if you have to breath much smoke. Granted a rally good fire isn't very smoky but sometimes our fuel choices are limited and where there's fire there's smoke.

The answer is a correctly built "reflector". A reflector that reflects heat is nice if you're cold but there's a more important function. It creates a draft and acts like a chimney to suck the smoke away from you. When you sit by a fire for warmth and have to keep moving because the smoke seems to follow you...it really is following you.

I hope this isn't so basic that you find it insulting but when you sit by a fire, the air between you and the fire warms and rises...which draws more smoke filled air toward you. A chimney.

The idea is to put something else near the fire that's close enough and big enough to create more of a draft than you do. Then you don't breath smoke. It's really important if you try to sleep by a fire using something like a lean-to. They can really suck in the smoke!

The "reflector" could be almost anything...a big log, a stack of logs, a rock or whatever.

Putting one together can be time consuming and labor intensive depending on available materials.

These days most of my camping is out of the truck or the canoe. We got tired of gathering rocks and building a reflector only to have some know-nothing come along and tear down our good reflector to make a fire ring...I guess they enjoy breathing smoke.

I finally made one to take with me. I can carry it in the truck or canoe but it isn't a back pack thing. It's a couple pieces of sheet metal with some pieces of steel pipe welded on. I run a piece of steel rod down through the pieces of pipe (a hinge) and into the ground.

Without the truck or canoe you won't be carrying anything like that so you have to wing it. The best way is to pick a spot for your fire that has features or materials that make it easy.

The only other tip I have here is that you need to start "early". If you need a fire for warmth through the night you'll nee a bunch of fire wood. That'll require some time and labor.

Be realistic on what you NEED to carry. I'm going to also advocate against over packing. If you scouted the place you are planning to use, and its not too far from where you parked. You DONT need enough gears to survive a 3 days stalk deep into the mountain. My favorite spot last year was 300 yards from where I parked, and I had decent reception on my phone. I also pinned the location to my family. I realized I can leave my whole pack back in the car and only carry 2 knives, small first aid, snacks, water, tree hunting method and weapon. Everything else I can just go back to car to get including a sled if I'm bless with a kill. I used to carry around a 15lbs pack that had everything I could possibly needed. and 95% of the time they never get use.

Well sure as with all things, it depends. When I hunt the small woodlot behind the house, I only need my bow and what I'm wearing. I don't even need to carry a knife. If and when I need one I can just go back to the house for one. I don't need to carry much more when I'm hunting within walking distance of the truck.

I've never done any big time pack trips into the mountains or other large area. At this stage of my life I guess I never will.

What I do is overnighters on a local river in the winter. Not exactly way out in the wilderness but help isn't going to get to you very fast so your kind of on your own.

The other thing I do...though I don't know when I'll get to do it again...my wife and I will camp in the national forest. We can carry lots of stuff in the truck so camp is comfortable. But if my initially planned hunting spots don't pan out I have to start wandering. I used to pack some stuff and tell my wife not to worry until afternoon of the following day.

So here's the thinking. If I pick a spot to hunt the afternoon I'm going to want to hunt until near dark. That's some rough country. I have found high spots where a cell phone will work but it isn't the norm. Do I want to walk out in the dark? What if I shoot something? What if I think I need to wait for morning to track it?

I carry what I need to make a night out bearable and minor mishaps manageable. Everything I carry fits in a small day pack sort of thing.

not really a tip, but something i picked up from a friend years ago. if you hunt from semi permanent stand locations, hang a suet cage on a nearby branch. the show makes those longs sits pretty entertaining.

Most of my hunts anymore are just day trips and not torture testing ventures but I still carry my tracfone (boss' orders), water and snacks to hold me over in a pinch. I do love me a ziploc bag with wet paper towels inside too. :)

Ricky, that is a great idea. I hang suet cages at the house but never thought of hanging one for viewing pleasure at my hunting spot.

When going out in far back country; take a topo map of the area

I always carry a New Testament Bible with me if I am sitting for a while.

Those contact lenses cases work great for small items(pain pills, lip balm, etc)

Ricky The Cabel Guy:

Not only is it entertaining, but the game animals get distracted by the birds when they are hanging around, and that helps you out a lot when trying to get a shot.

I mix small grains into my feeder just for such purpose, and it works.

Rick

Most of my hunting is from a tree stand. I tie a knot in the end of my safety lanyard ( the one around the tree) if I need to put my bow down for whatever reason I just put that knot between the string and limb and the bow will hang from that. May not work with a longbow but works well with a recurve. Also on my pull up rope I tie a loop in the end. Put this loop between the string and limb and then place the loop over the limb tip. Keeps from having any hardware on the rope to make noise or scratch your bow.

Ditto carpenter.

Cable Guy-

That is brilliant! I'm a bird feeding nerd around the house, but never thought of taking the show on the trail so to speak.

It may sound silly but I always carry a spare pair of boot laces, the long heavy duty type. I always seem to have one break at the worst time and have used them for other things a lot such as tying limbs out of a shooting lane I did not trim to well or tying anything for that matter.

I tie a 6-8-inch length of dental floss into our very close to the upper loop of my bow string to act as a wind inceptor. When I'm still hunting, I usually carry the bow under my left arm, and the upper limb tip is in front of me. The string enables me to keep a constant watch on the wind.

I also tie a similar length piece behind the broadhead on my no. 1 arrow. Then, when I stop for a while and nock an arrow or when I nock an arrow and hang my bow in a tree while on stand, I can watch that string to keep track of the wind.

The latter has often helped me decide when to take a shot as a critter was moving in position to wind me.

Wind indicator, not inceptor. I could do without autocorrect.

Small piece of rough side Velcro on the hood of your quiver to hold milk weed. Or soak some cotton in bright koolade to test wind. Easier to see. Small wrap of reflective tape between nock and feathers. Paper towel not toliet paper.

If right handed cut of left side chest pocket and sew on pant leg to rest bow tip in. On hunting stool put the big rubber stoppers from crutches on the legs. Zip ties on your pants zipper. Big wide rubber bands for upper arms when wearing bulky clothes. A piece of trot line with an S hook in case you drop your bow out of your stand.

If you have a noisy bow, raise your brace height. You might be pleasantly surprised!

Learn to use a butcher's steel instead of a stone to sharpen your knives.

Joe

Darryl/Deni, boot laces is fine, but I've used paracord as a substitute boot lace and that works too. Either way, useful items for the pack.

If you have a GPS, get a bearing to your destination, set that on your compass, and use that to make your way. Then you're not waiting for the GPS to find satellites. Proceed a ways, then re-set the compass, in case you've veered of course a bit. Saves batteries too.

Make your own owl hooter. 1/4 " copper and a small juice can.

Keep your file in this pvc. Makes it easy to find in your archery tool box.

For blood trailing or trail markers I use clothes pins painted fluorescent orange with reflective tacks or tape. Works day or night and easily removed.

To add a little to Roger's above tip about markers, if you use them to find your way to your stand prior to daylight, put them as close to the ground as is possible, so the flashlight beam isn't spreading so far in the woods.

You can never be to thin,or have to much money. Burt Reynolds quote.

I use a Smith and Wesson Galaxy flashlight for getting to and from my stand. It has red, green, and blue filters. I use the red filter when going into my stand site and the blue filter for blood tracking. I rarely use the white led mode.

Here's a cheap judo with an old rifle casing and weed whacker string. Glue the casing on the shaft, drill 2 holes and insert the string. The holes should be about the same diameter or slightly smaller than the string.

find a working fridge( lots of remodeling) take out the trays and racks..fasten hooks inside to hang deer quarters from. Never have to worry about " too warm" again. Simple but a game changer for those of us who process our own..Bye for Now

Another Firestarter item is a Ziploc bag of wood arrow taper shavings.

I like the snap on quiver style I used back during my wheelie bow days but don’t want to drill holes in my riser. Double sided Gorilla tape has filled the bill nicely. You can removed the mount without damage, put them on other bows, and treestands. Also I converted this small three arrow quiver into a five arrow with minor work.

A small roll of birch bark stuffed with dryer lint makes a fool proof fire starter.

If you carry a small flask of Everclear (grain alcohol) it is an excellent antiseptic and a small splash on your dryer lint guarantees the fire starting. I don't drink it, usually, but you can put a dash in your soda if you want to.

I carry zip ties, if not for ground blind material.Then i use it when buttons break off, or snaps or zippers break.I use a striker like one for welding for sparks for fire starter.I carry heavy duty plastic bags they have a lot of uses. I use them mostly for quick instant hip boots. Or a make shift poncho, when caught in a rain storm.Great posted thread George.

Speaking of fire starters...try a potato chip or a corn chip. Those greasy things burn great and burning them might be healthier than eating them.

Put flea and tick collars for dogs on you pant's leg. No more ticks.

Wear your compass around your neck with a soft shoelace, you'll never lose it and it's always at your fingertips.

Have tried or used alot that's being posted, others will be interesting to try or use. Interesting thread George!

No matter how cold it is, on way to my stand. I never put my coat on until I'm settled in my stand and start to feel chilled. That way I stay much warmer.

Try coffee mate for starting fires. Best use I have found fot it.

Hugh

Pdidly . Huh? I swear I read that. It’s a good idea. Go have another drink buddy

Lance gave me a few tips on how to get this Barlow knife back together. Thanks Lance!

Crookedstix gave me a few tips on wine cap mushrooms. Thanks Kerry!

A scarf or a neck gaiter will buy you a fair amount of warmth. Try folding a hand warmer in it and setting against the back of your neck.

Flushable hand wipes are better than TP.

In the hills and Mountains trim your toe nails often. And when buying boots make sure your toes are at least 1/2” from the end of the toe box. When laced correctly, the boot should hold your foot from sliding to the front on steep declines.

Do you have antler burr limb bolts that keep coming loose? Give the bolts about 4-5 wraps of Megatape. The grey plumbers tape to the bolts. That'll help to keep them tight. And I carry a bundle of 100 marker flags in my pack when hunting. They work great when tracking a blood trail, especially in the dark and the trail starts to petter out.

I use a heated vest for cold weather up in my climber. I don't use a hunting knife for

deer just my swiss army pocket knife with a wood cutting blade for limbs that get in the

way.

For wind indicators , use the fluffy string floss, has puffy middle with string handles on each end. Fasten in string with one end, cut the string handle end off on the other end. Also, the arrow holders that self adhese to riser of your bow always tend to come off, use velcrow patches between it and riser, it gives enough that it never comes loose, plus you can easily transfer from on bow to another.

Here is a good tip to remember. When asking or taking advice listen to the people who can prove they are successful at what they do no matter what it is, and not to people who just say they are.

Also 0000 steel wool makes a great fire starter.

Cut the sleeves off an old thermal shirt, makes a light vest that takes up almost no room in your daypack but buys you 'core warmth' for an evening sit when the sun is dropping.

Nemo x2. And carry a small camera or cell phone for pics

When Elk hunting we leave camp wearing head lamps. When it’s time to put it into your pack for the day take one battery out and put it back in backwards. This way there is no way it can accidentally get turn on. When you need it, turn the battery around and you good to go.

Very good post idea Mr. Stout: Many very good tips here, I've read thru the entire string. I do agree with and use many of them. A few additional that work for me: I went to a Cat Quiver set up around 15 years ago. I've killed deer with it on, no problem. I have three broadheads and one Judo in it. I have a single arrow "quiver" on the bow, with black fletching for a quick backup arrow. Black fletching to be not seen, especially by turkeys. I have a rain jacket in the top pocket of the Cat Quiver for the obvious and in the case of warmth if stuck overnight, accident etc. I use a headlamp and carry a quality small flashlight as back up as well as four spare batteries. I learned the need for two lights on a mountain trail when my companions' headlamp went out and he couldn't see to replace them without me there. Real compasses are handy when GPS not working due to dead batteries too. Also learned that on top of a mountain with TWO companions with dead batteries. Ha! Two compasses even on a small property, in case of a drag out in the dark, no moon. Compact first aid kit, bandaids, antibiotic ointment and tweezers for thorns etc. Roll of black electrical tape, for a repair and possible bandaging. Spare set-up backup string, stringer and spare tabs. I like white sewing thread tied onto my broadheads. Dental floss is too heavy. That way I can watch the breeze by just moving my eyes to the arrow point. I also carry, as mentioned above, a fixed blade knife to dress game. Folders are a big job to clean up. Pocket knife in pocket. Wear a rescue whistle around your neck as well as the compass. And one more thing, keep your cell phone in your shirt pocket. Last year a young friend did, fortunately, rather than as his usual in his pack, hung on tree. When he fell he was able to call for help, otherwise he may have laid there for many more hours with very serious injures. Be careful, have fun, John

Tip 1: If you carry all the things recommended in this thread out to your blind, you can operate a small dry-goods store and deli out of your pack while waiting on game to come. Tip 2: Do deliberate research to learn about thermals and other factors that influence wind and learn how to study weather maps and forecasts, then use that knowledge gained to think through where and when to hunt , whether to still hunt or sit and/or to locate your blind or stand.

One for you folk who make your own arrows.I make my own arrows shafts ,and knocks too I mostly just glue In a horn reinforcement just like others do.On occasions I will make hardwood knocks .Mostly Australian hard woods.I am currently using Ebony.This is expensive and can be hard to find for sale.I came appon an old piano and removed all the black Keys along with the ivory.I just made some knock plugs from the Ebony keys.The ivory I will use for standard reinforcements.Here is a picture of my first Ebony knock plugs and an old Red box wood knock I previously made.I get 2 knock plugs per black key.I have a centre drill jig and these will glue in nicely to my arrows.Then all thats required is to shape my knock. Osr

Carry an Emory board or two. It is amazing how quickly you can touch up a knife or broad head edge using the fine grit side.

People can pick and choose what they carry, and most I know really don't burden themselves with a lot of "stuff" they won't really neeed. My fanny pack is loaded all the time with the same stuff, and weighs well less than 4# so I won't be opening any dry goods stores :), but then I already did that in the 80's and some of the 90's.

I love to hear other folk's ideas for what and why they carry something. It's easy to dismiss it if it's not for you as well. I like to have what I need, and a few things I probably won't, but may wish I had taken at some point had I not packed them. I can still carry plenty for a 76-year-old, and still have an extra turkey feather on my quiver for good measure. Your mileage of course may, and probably will vary.

Keep 'em coming.

I buy a cheap water proof battery Analog Wrist Watch that uses a buckle strap. Cut off all but about 1/2"-3/4" of the strap per side, then use the cut straps to tape it to my bow. Water proof Analog Watches are not affected by cold and wet as much as Digital Watches. Always know what time it is without digging up under my sleeve. If you carry stuff to start a fire, carry some Fat Wood it will help extend the initial fire if every thing is wet out side. Where I hunt there is hardly any pine. Carry a exlarge handkerchief, you can use it to tie off wounds, wipe sweat, wet it to cool you off, or use as a head cover. If you get stuck out over night and you have to start a fire and there is water near by, a empty pop can, can be used to boil water in. You can use the handkerchief to take the can out of the fire. DANNY

I agree George. This a great thread with a lot of great ideas. Everyone can pick up something from it. Thanks George

I have left my elk bugle many times where I was sitting and had to walk back and look for it...so now I put one wrap of orange duck tape around it...stands out and I usually see it saving me alot of walking. Most seat cushions are bulky for long treks, so I carry a camo poncho and fold it up for a seat to keep my butt dry when elk hunting since we walk so far from the truck.

My most important tips are: 1. Always put your usual hunting items that go into your pants pockets and onto your belt in the same place. I can always run down my check list and quickly know if I misplaced, forgot to replace, or lost my basic items that I “need “ for ever hunt: shooting glove, arm guard, face mask, hat(s), gloves, kerchief, pocket knife, belt knife, flashlight. 2. Car key holder. If I drive to a hunt, I have to decide whether I feel comfortable sticking my keys on a tire, or I want to keep them in my pocket. I have fortunately never dropped my keys but other stuff has certainly dropped or fallen out of a pocket and been lost. I now just use a piece of string and put loops on both ends. I loop one end through my key ring and the other through a belt loop. Usable over and over all season and cut to the length desired. 3. Fogging glasses: for all of us that need glasses, this is always a winter PIA. The liquids always seem leave a film. I have been using dry wipes for years with fairly good results, and although not perfect they are the best solution that I have found. The last few years I have been able to get them from REI at about $2 a package

Let's add to this some more from last year. Lots of good stuff here.

A 20 gauge hull slipped into a 12 gauge hull makes a great way to carry 'strike anywhere' matches. Add a strip of wet-or-dry sandpaper, seal with a strip of duct tape.

I keep a pack of reflective thumbtacks (bright eyes) in my fanny pack and hunting stool at all times. If you’re concerned with other hunters finding your spot just put them on the light spots on hardwood bark and they are almost unnoticeable during daylight hours. They will last for years. Put a piece of TP inside the pack to keep them from rattling.

A package of blood stopper or blood stopper bandage added to first aid kit.

Excellent thread with great tips. I have used most over the years but always good to hear new ones. >>>>-------> Ken

Don't get riled up over anything you read here. Not worth it. I have often recommended using UHMPE string material on all bows. Seems to really rile up some folks who like to perpetuate myths.

Good thread! I will add to let someone know where you’re going to be. Leave a sketch of a rough map or a note. Let someone know when you are coming home. It doesn’t hurt to take a few items of “what if?” survival gear with you besides that cell phone which may fail when you need it most. You take a bad fall and get injured you will need someone to be able to find you. GPS and high tech gear is great, but back it up with map, compass and common sense.

Cable guy... That's brilliant !!! I forget who posted about taking a compass bearing on the last place you spotted you animal heading. I also have one and while on the trail you can keep track of direction if it becomes harder to see blood, sometimes just a few more steps in a direction it was going reveals sign again. Birdfeeder= brilliant Compass = priceless Excellent subject Mr Stout??

Usually before the end of October I have to shut down the pump and water from our shallow well at the cabin. We do use a shower bag hung on a hook in the ceiling of the shower stall but having to haul in all our water between showers we use unscented baby wipes with rubbing alcohol poured into the container as body wipes to freshen up. It's amazing how refreshed it feels after and the alcohol seems to reduce bacteria on the skin for a while after. We even rub our heads with them.

I like a piece of dental floss with a very light wide turkey feather attached then taped to a bow tip or gun barrel for a wing indicator.

Lot of great info Here Spare string never know when broadhead dings yours Ice packs kind you fold breaknthe water inside never know when joint gets twisted . Ken's idea of blood stop is greatcan of skoal apple even set on a stump powerful attractant

For those that use a RADA to sharpen broadheads or knives a piece of leather glued into the bottom recess makes a handy strop for the finishing touch. A section of old belt works perfectly.

Good thread.

Good thread.

Cut the foot part off a worn wool sock, and pull the remainder up your bow arm to compress your jackets your bow string won't hit it while shooting

sky hook.

Don't bother with matches, lighters of ferrous rods for making fires in the woods .... just add a couple of ml of Glycerine to a few gramms of Potassium Permanganate and stand well back.

Best tip I’ve ever heard - Don’t fry bacon naked!

Here’s a couple:

1. Give your knife a few licks top of your truck window for a fantastic edge touch up.

2. A compact umbrella on my belt beats a poncho in my pack 99% of the time. Instant rain, wind, shade, cover. Seemed silly at first, now it’s permanent.

Not so much a tip...but rather advice.

Do not be afraid to be different, and try things out for yourself..

What is popular or trendy, is not always true or accurate.

My go to fire starter- fill an empty toilet paper roll with dryer lint and a couple of Bounce dryer sheets and duck tape the ends. Every piece of material is very flammable.

I make up a bunch and fill a 1 gallon ziplock bag and keep in my truck. Light weight and doesn't take up much room.

And a pewter flask of your favorite "internal anti-freeze" for those really cold days!

Some good high energy granola bars and water so you are hydrated.As long as your hydrated and not hungry you can function much better.Very seldom I go anywhere without taking water .

tradmt X 2

I mainly carry traditional archery related items with me. But like to see other ideas too.

I have been shooting a bow for 70 years and hunting deer for 67, how could I possible pass on all the tips I have learned in a thread like this. Fortunately I have been blessed with a son that has shadowed me and always seems to provide venison for his family. He is even a better shot than I am. I hope many here can say the same.

Backpacker tip: Carry a small diamond file you borrow from your wife's fingernail kit. Weigh nothing, cost little, work well enough for touch ups on edges. Note- this is not needed if you have decent stone laying around on the ground.

A "life tip" - Wear clothes when ironing.

Let your wife or someone else know where you'll be hunting. A screen shot of the area on a map will do. Just in case something happens to you. Where I hunt cell service is iffy.

Cool thread...

Take an old sock and put in as many pieces of oak and maple dowel rod cut to 6-7 inch length as will fit comfortably. close the top off with a zip tie. Makes a pretty good rattle bag and its compact.

I'm a meticulous person by nature, so the following advice is a lifestyle for me, but it's very effective.

The old adage, "To everything a place and to every place a thing."

I have all my hunting equipment, clothes, fishing equipment and tackle stored in a very specific manner. After every outing I immediately place everything exactly back where it goes. As a result my ability to grab and go and always know is quite high.

My hunting packs are pre-packaged with everything I have learned is essential, in duplicate, in the same pouch or pocket in every pack or tackle bag. When I come home from a day out, it's all checked for accuracy, sharpened or resupplied if need be, and the toilet paper is replenished!

It really saves time on packing and planning and saves you from the ...Where's my such and such, I thought I packed it!?!?!

To check my draw length I slide a thicker o-ring on an arrow my draw lenght and shoot a couple times, can tell when the o ring touches the shelf.

The older I get, the more I agree with Redquebec. Too many times I have perched in a tree or recovered a deer looking for something. I might even have brought it, but it isn't any good back in camp. When I pack my backpack, I follow a list of items needed in the field. All those items go in the backpack, not the car, gymbag, broadhead case etc.

My tip for life: “Do the next right thing”. That next thing could be anything. But if it’s literally the next step, then it’s worth it to make it “right”. Examples: (pick up the phone and make the call, put the bottle down, walk away, go through the doors, say I’m sorry, etc) Simple, yet effective!

Binocular tip:

Ever been irritated trying to find or nail a sharp focus in dim morning light? Simple trick is to mark a line on you focus knob. Pick a distance you use the most and put the mark so it lines up with the center gap.

Awesome thread . I practice acouple shots on occasion bare fingers incase I was too lose my tab in the field I shoot my recurve with . If your a ground staker , also learn n practice shooting from one knee as long as your bows not too long . I also knew a guy that hunted whitetails that when he would pass gas out in the woods he could make it sound like a premium grunt call.

Speaking of tips if your bow has no over lays on them install them on that bow. In the long run you will be better off for it.

Some good tips here that I intend to use! Small phone charger and cord in your pack. A flat dollar pack of wet wipes are nice after deer blood and after other things! A small compass pined on my climber helps me avoid having the sun in my face when climbing before daylight. ** Wear a safety harness when climbing!!! **

If you have a bag target and blow the middle of the cover off, get some pieces of carpet without pad and cut bigger than the hole. Tuck this between the cover and the fill through the hole. Works pretty slick. Oh, your bag target will last longer doing this and not shooting out both sides.

Practice dropping your bow and pulling big iron out quick in case you get charged by a Grizz .

Help old fingers and hands get a grip on your Allen key. A cartridge case and hot melt in the neck will do it. This one is a 30-06.

I've found half a dozen great tips that I will use in my outings!! And Don the Barlow looks great!

Never shoot a shaft without the tip

A tip I can’t take credit for but, Rick Blasé me mentions it in Bowhunting Oct whitetails, it’s so logical and common sense.. Hunt what’s least. Think about that. What’s in short supply is bound to be the most utilized. In areas of lots of bedding. Search the food and Vice versa but I don’t recommend hunting bedding areas myself but it gives you a location they’re going back to so you can cut them off. Think about food sources, I typically use acorns since I ridge run most. What’s the preferred acorn, say it’s a banner year, might not be as productive as when just 1-2 trees are dropping that preferred acorn and understand that’ll change as food depletes. Think about droughts? What’s the water source? Don’t forget plants like jewelweed. I’ve seen deer during droughts almost run through me to get to jewelweed at my old house. Stalks are full of fluid. Idk why I never hear anyone else mention this other than a few friends after I advised them to watch for it.

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