Gear to bring for overnight camping while partridge hunting

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Jul 6, 2009
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I will be partridge hunting (first time since 1998) the week before Colombus day. Circumstances have decreased my time in the woods from ten days to three. The suggestion was made, that, to maximize our time in the woods, we camp overnight between day one and two, to maximize our outdoor time. I've never done this, and would like to try it. We will be hunting in New Brunswick, Canada. The temperartures will be from a low of 35-40 to a high of 55-60.

I would like to list gear that I would carry. Just for one overnight in the woods, with bird/rabbit hunting being the main focus. I would appreciate comments and suggestions, especially if anyone has done something similar.

Harrington&Richardson single shot .410. and shells. Appropriate paperwork to transport firearm across border (and back!)

Polyester socks (worn)
Polyester longjohns
Filson wool pants.
Polyester long sleeve t-shirt
Thin layer wool sweater
Polyester sweatshirtwith hoodie (garish blaze orange)

Upland hunting vest, carrying whistle, first aid kit, compass, cell phone. In the game pouch will be poncho and poncho liner, There should still be room for a couple of birds and rabbits.
Case stockman knife, lighter and tinder in pocket. Survival kit in other pocket (tarp/duct tape/fish kit/button compass/mirror/whistle/tinder/firestarter/gallon size plastic bag) Mora knife with attached magnesium bar on belt
Marmot excursion lumbar pack. Stanley adventure cooker with a 'pepsi can' stove and Heet fuel stowed inside it strapped to one side, Quart water bottle on the other.

Inside lumbar pack - grand trunk ultralight hammock and straps. wool hat. SOL bivvy sack, four meals (haven't decided what yet, many suggestions on ultralite sites) water purification (bleach in small bottle). Small mickey of scotch.

I think I will be 'quite warm' during the day, but I'm hoping my clothes will save me from carrying a sleeping bag. If there is a chance of rain at night, we will not sleep outdoors but head back. There is a 1.5 hr drive to our hunting locale, so we just want to maximize time outdoors. My lifestyle now is quite indoors, so this is appealing to me for that reason.

Any advice, including the notion that we're out of our minds is appreciated. We just don't want to carry much gear, and survive the night without being worn out for the next day. I didn't want a backpack because I thought it would interfere with shooting. I'm carrying a .410 because it's my first time crossing a border with a firearm and don't want to lose my 12 gauge if my paperwork is not in order (although a felony conviction for an unregistered firearm would be a more serious concern).

Thank you for your suggestions

Healthvet
 
Since you will be in Canada I would suggest swapping out the scotch for one of our fine whiskeys!:p Maybe White Owl (or the spiced White Owl:thumbup:).

I grew up in NB. Have a great hunt. Your list looks pretty good to me. I would add a thin pair of gloves - wool, polypro, or polar fleece. I like the "liner" style gloves as they allow me to run my compass, GPS, spotting scope, rifle, ect. Note: I get cold hands easily - YMMV. Maybe a spare pair of socks for day 2.

Please post pics when you return!
 
Agree with Bruce socks will make or break a trip. I prefer wool but that is me. You may want to consider a waterproof tarp as a ground cover. They can be found for around $20 ands a e you from ground moisture. Others would be chap stick and lotion. The weather can dry you out and a rub down of worn spots on the body with lotuin just seems to make you feel better the next day. Not as nice as a hot shower but you do fell a little "fresher" and since scent is not an issue. Why not.
 
I'd throw in a couple of large garbage bags to stuff with leaves/grass for an improvised sleeping pad. Fill them full as they pack down. I'd also pack 8' or so of duct tape wrapped around an old credit card. The tape can used any number of ways.--KV----Disregard the sleeping pad thing. Just saw your'e packing a hammock. Though a g.b. is a handy thing to have anyway
 
I like the hammock and I only suggested the tarp as it will serve mutile purposes. First if you want to lay on the ground. Second as a rain cover for the hammock and it provides a decent place to sit and eat.
 
Your list is inclusive and thoughtful. Especially the scotch. My friend's dad called it "ground softener." My only suggestions would be ammendments to clothing and shelter. Take one pair of wool socks and keep all of your extra clothes in a something waterproof. For shelter, I'd ditch the bivy and hammock for a tarp/groundsheet; even something as simple as a small blue tarp and yard waste bag. Hammocks require serious insulation in colder weather, and without a pad you may have a warmer night on the ground after putting a few inches of branches, leaves, etc.; under you. Additionally, the tarp and some cordage will keep you dry, so you may not have to leave if there is a shower or two. Regardless, the trip sounds fun! Good luck with the game and weather, and enjoy your night out!
 
I very much appreciated the responses. Thank you.

I have been getting up early in the AM (3ish) and noticed two things - it's cold outside (45) and damp! How would I fare with my gear? I don't think its wise to intentionally put myself into a hypothermic situation, and don't want to be getting up every hour to feed the fire. My main focus is to be ready to hunt the next day. But I don't want to carry a backpack through the woods. So, I think (we are thinking) that we'll bring 'proper' sleeping gear and shelter, and use the vehicle as a base camp/backup. I believe the hammock will be colder, so a tarp/groundsheet/ sleeping bag is more appropriate. I just don't have the recent experience or skills to try something too lightweight, and just want to use the gear that I have on hand. Thank you

Healthvet
 
You will be much comfier camping from the car. You can have an axe for processing firewood, spare dry clothes, real food. ect Also consider the Wisers Small Batch double barreled - goes down pretty smooth:thumbup:
 
So, I think (we are thinking) that we'll bring 'proper' sleeping gear and shelter, and use the vehicle as a base camp/backup. I believe the hammock will be colder, so a tarp/groundsheet/ sleeping bag is more appropriate.

Good call on both counts. Focus on being well rested for the hunt. We do this on many of our backcountry bird hunts - set up a nice basecamp that you can come back to at the end of a long day and get a good night's sleep. It's worth it. (and Bruce's rec about the Wisers will make it even better :D).

Hammocks are fine for hot weather, but I don't know why anyone would choose one for cold weather camping (despite a few hammock freaks making videos of winter camping in them for YouTube). You'll sleep warmer, with a lot less hassle, if you sleep on the ground with a good sleeping pad and groundsheet beneath you. And definitely take a sleeping bag...

Have fun and let's see some pics when you get back!
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You will freeze with a hammock in those temps without a good under quilt. Bring a bag, pad and tarp and sleep in the ground with a long fire in front of you and a reflector wall behind the fire facing you.
 
Yeah, use the car as a staging point. At around those temperatures things can get pretty miserable if you make a mistake or are not practiced.

In the car:
Full change of clothes (and I mean FULL in case you get soaked)
More warm food than you need and the means to heat it. Warm food is the difference between happy and not happy.
More water than you need
Proper shelter, even better if you have a van or camper you can actually sleep in if things are miserable outside.
Insulation mats/pads
Sleeping bags

On your person:
Temperature appropriate clothes (wearing)
Spare layers (in the pack)
Food
Drink
Phone
Compass
Map
Headlamp
Medkit
Fire starters
Mess kit

See that you have an outer layer that stops the wind (and preferably the rain as well) and that you are comfortable spending all day in. If that poncho does it for you great, if not then rethink you options. You shouldn't be "quite warm" during the day... You should be comfortable with spares in the pack.

I'd probably save the whiskey for back at camp. By the looks of it you have combined several kits for this trip, you might look through them so you are not carrying too many multiples. A bivvy + a tarp for example might be excessive. You could take an extra layer of clothes for the weight of one or the other and have shelter you can take with you. Dunno.

Quality synthetics wick sweat better and dry faster than wool, but they smell very bad after the first day. Wool stuff is reasonably odor free even after a week of use. Poor quality synthetics are horrible for both smell and moisture management.
 
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