What is your hunting pack load out? Assuming we aren't hunting by the truck. What is worth carrying into the game lands? Here's what I carry save two items are missing. Bottle of water and small stainless mug.

Jed could you please give us a run down of your gear my friend?

I can make a few things out in your pic. but a few I can't.

Compass, first aid kit with ace bandage and zip ties. 6'x6' tarp two lighter's, pocket knife,hand saw , emergency blanket, headlamp, flashlight, hand warmers, granola bar and two tea bags. Water bottle and stainless cup missing from picture. This is 4#s of gear .Sorry for the picture quality I'm still getting the hang of the picture resizer

Jed, what are you packing meat with when it all comes together and you have a deer or elk down 3 miles from the truck?

I'm a Michigan deer hunter....... with a game cart in the truck. When last I looked it isn't lawful in Michigan to debone or quarter a animal in the field. That said I hear your point loud and clear.

Great gear list Jed! It looks like you got your bases covered for a great hunt.

Thanks for the run down. It's always interesting and useful to hear what others carry or don't in my opinion.

You might need parachute cord for a drag rope. I also have plastic bags for the liver and heart. And nitrile gloves for field dressing. I even use vet gloves that go up to armpits with nitrile gloves over them nowadays.

Skeeter had my comment, too. Cordage (paracord, small rope, bankline) comes in handy in many ways. But you know that and I would bet you have some in your pants or coat pocket. I find a large silk bandana good for a neck wrap, rough water debris filter, sling and many other uses.

Knowledge is good; and so is experience. A stub of a candle was in my “archery” belt bag for a few early decades. It was used a couple of times to get a stubborn broadhead out of tree, and once to get a fire going in heavy snow. I got away from carrying one over years but have gone back to it.

On old Australian who has tramped and hiked in a lot of the world said if he could have only two items on his person always, they would be a Bic lighter and one of those Mylar survival poncho/vests with a hood. He felt wet and cold killed you the quickest. If he could have a third item, it would be a knife.

Thanks for sharing what is in your kit. It makes for great thought and discussion.

Thanks Jed, I carry a similar pack load. I use a breakaway backpack so I can pack meat on my back. I'd like to use a cart but the terrain I hunt doesn't allow it. I'm in the mountains of central Idaho and hunt elk and deer in steep rocky country with lots of blow down. Fish and Game allows quartering and/or deboning in the field because that's the only way to get it out, even with pack animals.

wyoming saw game bags paper towels/tp first aid kit rope/cord, extra batteries, and fire starter packable rain gear knife (i carry a leatherman on my belt) head lamp compass ribbon license & tag water, food, snacks

depending on the time of year and where i am hunting, i will also include a hat, neck gaiter, gloves, a packable puffy jacket, and extra ammo when gun hunting.

Good job JEB that’s pretty much what I carry

How about you guys what do you carry in the woods?

Bow hook, 10' of small cord, two head lights, a spare tab, latex gloves, TP, extra baggies for used gloves and a water bottle.

No pic but here is what is normally in my pack for a bow hunt. I will add that I bow hunt within a mile walk of my truck or my house 99.9% of the time. I usually strap my pack to my portable tree stand and carry everything that way. If I'm hunting on the ground I might switch out for a fanny pack depending on weather and how long I plan on being out.

Headlamp Hand held flashlight toilet paper water protein bar small first aid kit knife zip loc baggie (for heart) zip ties skeeter spray when it's warm

I always have my cell phone and a pocket knife on me as well.

Things can come or go out of the pack depending on temperature and time of season. Sometimes a vest or hoodie gets thrown in along with a grunt call.

And a folding Gerber saw

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.

Also a broadhead sharpening file.

Food for A Day. 4,000 calories or so. 3 liters of water.

Can’t Hunt when you’re gassed.

Losing a few pounds anyway…

Sorry but my first time in Wyoming second trip came across fresh mt.lion track in snow that was not there before. I could smell the blood on pants all at once. So after that a handgun are rifle.it was a nervous trip back out almost dark.

Whenever hunting from the truck, say a mile or less, likely I’m just gonna grab my bow, quiver, and go light-n-fast for a morning or evening hunt in moderate weather. That said, for all day sits or excursions covering distance and elevation as they generally do out west, then I’ll have my lumbar pack… which is still fast and pretty light, but more better when appropriate.

Basic contents are: 2 liters (Nalgene bottles) water, purifier, 2 gamebags, knife, sharpener, pen, tag, zip tie, nitrile gloves, compass, map, pliers, 1st aid kit, umbrella, sunblock, 25’ paracorrd, food ration, lighter & tinder, headlamp, extra batteries, compact magnifying/reading glasses, binoculars, extra socks.

I carry a small pack with an extra string shot in.Water rope small first aid kit,some kind of breakfast bars.Two knives and gloves and always have a phone,i like to go light.

I carry most of the same , I don’t carry a first aid kit but I need to get one , your post got me to thinking about it. Always getting cuts and scrapes , once cut my finger on a broadhead while putt an arrow back in my quiver.

Another item I’ve been thinking about is a whistle , just finished reading the book Lost In The Wild , one guy singled his rescuers with a whistle, he was too weak to yell loudly.

Good post.

I must be old lol. No waterproof maps, compass, flare gun. I know a phone but when I need it it needs charged lol.

Nemo mentioned toilet paper. I keep a small partial roll in a small ziplock bag. Can double as fire starter as well. I have a match holder with whistle at the ends as well tucked in the middle of the roll too if ever needed.

Last Load Out... As You all know...every hunt is different and things can change in an instant for Good or Bad haha...I usually carry WAYYYYYY more than I ever would need for 99% of the time...But...its that 1% that I worry about lol...It must be that "Boy Scout Motto" drilled into my head as a youngster :)... Jed your Pack items appear to be plenty for what you describe as your Load Out... Thanks for the reminder to know our areas and limitations and Our readiness for situations that may or not arise... Best of Hunting to All...Keep Safe...4finger

Awesome pic 4finger! Nice bull! Mac

Two tabs, drag rope, 25' paracord, compass, lighter, spare knife, extra pair of gloves, burnt cork, plastic bag for heart and liver, a couple small bungee cords(handy for straping gear to a climber or a tree) and a little toilet paper(handy for marking blood trails and...well you know what).I never carry food or water ever. Northeast whitetail hunting isn't that dehydrating and hungry dogs hunt harder;)

- Small trauma kit (including splint and tourniquet) - Snuff can survival kit (fishing line, weight, hook, fire starting materials) - 4x9 camo net - 6x8 rain tarp - Small air mattress - Hammock with mosquito net - 20ft of paracord - 30ft of braided rope with a carabiner - 1.5" pulley - Cheap machete - Bone/limb saw - Diamond sharpener - Skinning knife - Finnish fishing knife - Shemagh - Parka - Hand warmers - Stick on body warmers - Large-fitting overalls - Fleece balaclava - Stainless steel thermos - Folding camp skillet - Multiple calls - String wax - Spare string - Extra broadhead - Blunt points - Nitrile gloves - Two headlamps w/ extra batteries - 6000 lumin flashlight with extra battery - Extra pistol magazine

I hunt "near" my vehicle, but I'll often camp if I'm planning to be out for a couple days. I also go much deeper in than most people. I know a lot of folks will argue that this is too much gear, but I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Besides, I enjoy doing physically demanding things. "Rucking" included.

LOL,"You might need parachute cord for a drag rope."

If you can drag it with paracord, you might as well pick it up and carry it.

A 15' to 20' piece of 5/8" rope will serve you better. You would do well to practice some loop knots before get out there and then wonder how.

Here's a tip I learned from my brother in law. Cheetos are extremely flammable and a great way to get a fire going quick.

That’s to funny Jed

All good stuff recommended. I would encourage folks to consider and learn how to use a tourniquet; not much time to improvise when really really need it NOW.

Good thread.

Ttt thinking about next season

Since I hunt, hike in the Rocky Mtns, I carry a survival kit to be able to survive days in the mtns if lost or injured until rescue arrives. I've had to use it on one occasion.

depends on how and where i'm hunting, if i'm hunting on the ground or stillhunting. If i'm less than a mile from the truck i usually just stuff a drag rope in my pocket.

If i'm farther, or up and down over steep terrain back in someplace, then i take a Eberlestock frame pack, game bags, knife, knife sharpener, bag for heart and liver.

Treestand hunting is the worst, because then you gotta pack treestand,pull rope, pack etc...

as far as food, i might take an apple or two or a bottle of water if there is no mt springs in the area i'm hunting.

but all in all....less is better for me.

something else to mention is weather. When its cold i almost always have a pack to put extra clothes in. Long strenuous hikes i wear the least amount going in so i don't sweat, then suit up once on stand.

rainy weather is another situation....

point is my pack contents change depending on when, where, how, terrain etc...

I cary much of what has been mentioned but also a very loud emergency whistle. The cattle ranch i hunt has a lot of very steep and heavily wooded ravines. Easy to break an ankle.

“I carry a survival kit to be able to survive days in the mtns if lost or injured until rescue arrives”

So what’s in there?

With the amount of food and water that I carry, about all I really need to worry about is hypothermia and bleeding out; and of course if you have a partner, there aren’t many places left in the lower 48 where help is really more than 24 hours away. Unless nobody knows where you are.

So I’ll just say it…. If you’re out solo where there’s not enough cell coverage to get out an SOS and you don’t have one of those couple-hundred-dollar satellite rescue gadgets…. What the HELL are you thinking?

I’m ALL for doing it Old School. Paper maps and a coupla compases (because I AM ornery enough to question ONE, but I’m not dumb enough to argue with TWO), but if you have responsibilities and people who would suffer for your demise…. not carrying a tap-out button is even dumber than arguing with two compasses. Maybe even 3 or 4 or 5. You don’t have to use it until you are Officially Tapping Out, of course… but if you know it’s to the point where people are going to be searching for you, it’s really irresponsible to put your family through the trauma and to put all of the rescue resources at risk of accident or injury when they could just come straight into your camp, or wherever it is that you piled up. For that matter, it’s Unethical to consume or even temporarily tie up those resources when there could be someone else in trouble. And if you’re going to be picking up the tab anyway, you’ll probably want to keep that bill to a minimum.

Got to go with Corax_latrans on the his post.

In my NJ early season pack.. my license, small pad, pen, maybe binos, thermacell , compass, flashlight with extra batteries, knife, small stone, Bow hanger, pack hanger and pull line. If I so happen to get lucky and harvest a deer my climbing belt becomes my drag rope. Late fall and winter load out changes based on weather. Normally just adding extra layers and loads of hand warmers

Great topic

Three leaders of water in a hydration bladder. First aid kit. Headlamp with extra batteries and spare bulb. Backup flashlight. Knives and bone saw. Protein bars. Bear spray. Sidearm.

There is yet one more item…..for Corax is spot on. I intend to add a “Emergency transmission locator.”

I’m a whitetail hunter and enjoy all day sits when the time is right. My pack is simple I carry a folding saw, a set of clippers, an extra glove tab or release depends what Im hunting with, a small screw in hook, compass, sharpening stone, basic first aid kit (couple regular bandaids, couple blister bandaids cut glue Tylenol and alcohol wipes), ferro rod, lighter, small camp stove, couple packsof oatmeal, a couple cliff bars, paracord, large water (bottle hard plastic), toilet paper, zip ties, a piece of regular printer paper, ink pen, binos, range finder, bright eye tacks, head lamp, hand held flash light, small phone charging battery pack with really short cord, whistle, knife, extra pair of gloves, extra pair of socks, and a couple carabiner clips in my pack. I keep jet sled, ziplocks, and game bags in the truck in case I get lucky. I will also have what I carry on me every day hunting or not which includes my leatherman, glasses wipe, simple tourniquet, altoids tin with a needle and thread, cut glue, a few different bandaids, Tylenol, heart burn relief, allergy meds, alcohol wipes, flash light and that days choice of side arm when hunting it’s usually a 22mag pmr30.

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