Hunting season...are you prepared?!

[bmilla35]

Hunting season is right around the corner in many states (that is if it hasn't started already!). I was really curious as to what you guys bring with you in your bag. I carry very few items...mostly consisting of knive(s), gut gloves, a pen or pencil, and some extra shells. I know I should include a few more things considering how easy it is to get lost or injured.

Sooooo...what are you guys carrying?! A list and/or picture of what you have in your bag (and including your bag itself) would be great...

P.S. you can also include what you wear hunting...as that is part of survival, especially those that have harsh winters.

Base layer: Under Armor cold gear
Camo:4 in 1 parka-I am thinking about retiring this..I find I get too hot in it and thing I need to just layer more.
-bibs-I love them. Not having to constantly pull up my pants is such a good feeling.
Footwear:-800g Irish Setters and normally two pairs of Wigwam or other quality wool sock.

Eta: for the blades, I bring my KOA muskrat/cub bear combo and a Busse GW

 

[sambo.]

hmm, ok.....

Wearing: dull coloured (not camo) shirt and long pants, solid pair of boots, broad brimmed hat with flexi-brim.

Bag: Hydration pack with 3l of water. also contains lunch, nibbles, pack of latex gloves, pack of zip-seal plastic bags. cordage, tools and spares also go in here.

Utility Belt (threads through the pack): 5l Army water bottle, first aid kit (very, very comprehensive FAK) and PSK. whistle (for attracting foxes).

Shootin' Stuff: Fred Bear "Showdown" compound bow @ 70lb (m'kay, it's a "base" model bow, but it's easy to shoot straight and can make one hell of a mess out of a pig), 5x 29" heavy spine carbon arrows, 1 dozen single bevel "Outback Supreme" broadheads @ 125 grain, 1 dozen "Varmint Buster" blunts @ 125 grain. wrist-sling release aid, bow quiver.

bladeware: Fallkniven S1 (worn off my pants belt, not the utility belt), Fallkniven WM1-3G (currently in a pouch on the utility belt, will get a piggyback sheath one day), Leatherman Wave, Fallkniven DC-3 sharpening stone, old belt coated in brasso (to re-strop damn broadheads. gotta sharpen 'em after EVERY shot).

 

[bmilla35]

hmm, ok.....

Wearing: dull coloured (not camo) shirt and long pants, solid pair of boots, broad brimmed hat with flexi-brim.

Bag: Hydration pack with 3l of water. also contains lunch, nibbles, pack of latex gloves, pack of zip-seal plastic bags. cordage, tools and spares also go in here.

Utility Belt (threads through the pack): 5l Army water bottle, first aid kit (very, very comprehensive FAK) and PSK. whistle (for attracting foxes).

Shootin' Stuff: Fred Bear "Showdown" compound bow @ 70lb (m'kay, it's a "base" model bow, but it's easy to shoot straight and can make one hell of a mess out of a pig), 5x 29" heavy spine carbon arrows, 1 dozen single bevel "Outback Supreme" broadheads @ 125 grain, 1 dozen "Varmint Buster" blunts @ 125 grain. wrist-sling release aid, bow quiver.

bladeware: Fallkniven S1 (worn off my pants belt, not the utility belt), Fallkniven WM1-3G (currently in a pouch on the utility belt, will get a piggyback sheath one day), Leatherman Wave, Fallkniven DC-3 sharpening stone, old belt coated in brasso (to re-strop damn broadheads. gotta sharpen 'em after EVERY shot).

Ahh I didn't even think about out of country hunters! I would love to hunt those darn pigs in Australia. If they are have the nuissance they are here I am sure you could use the help!

Do you do anything to prevent an encounter with any number of your deadly neighbors?

 

[mtwarden]

for day hunts I use a old Dana Designs lumbar pack- clothing packed if not worn- wool gloves, wool hat, down jacket, light gortex shell

I also carry 2 liters of water (platy bottle so it doesn't slosh), a few water purification tabs, a AMK emergency bivy, ~ 50' cordage, small close celled pad, fak, headlamp/extra batteries, several fire starting bits- windmill lighter, sparklite/tinder tabs, firestraws, fire steel, folding saw, knife sharpener, 10 extra rounds of ammo, nitrile gloves, camera

on my person is my knife- a WM1 (custom orange G2 handle to prevent loss!), compass/map, whistle, K&M matchsafe, four rounds of ammo, licenses and my binos

 

[Planetcat]

Archery season just ended for us for the year. Next weekend rifle season starts. This year, I brought my usual bottle of water, one bottle of ensure (quick nourishment), Gerber multi tool, gps, pen, license/tags, zip ties, hand sanitizer, band aids, and a clean handkerchief. All in the butt pack. On my belt, Ontario Rat-7 in D2 with BM Griptillian in the accessory pouch. Can of bear spray and 2-way radio in my vest.

Fashion attire includes 6 pocket woodland camo ripstop BDU's, cotton undershirt, under armour compression fit shirt, gray thermal for the mornings, and woodland t shirt. I wear an OD green vest with lots of pockets. Really comes in handy during rifle season when I can put ammo and shooting sticks in the pockets. My boots are all leather Timberland 7" hiking boots or Merril light hikers. Camo ball cap or boonie hat depending on the weather.

I have to say, I've been bringing Ensure drinks on my hard hunts lately, and the quick shot of calories in liquid form really keeps me going. The original ones are about 250 cals but they have new ones that at something like 340 cals. Fattening under couch conditions, but great on long tough hunts, especially after dragging a big hog or deer a long distance. Way better than power bars.

 

[sambo.]

I would love to hunt those darn pigs in Australia. If they are have the nuissance they are here I am sure you could use the help!

if you wish to come and help us in our battle against feral animals, you'd be most welcome.

it's WAAAAAY out in the scrub that pigs have really taken over. up around Cape York and the Gulf and down into sugarcane country they really rip up the land and cause a lot of damage. Australia has no native ungulates, so the imports really scratch up our rather ancient landscape.

it's stupid that only pro hunters who go through the accreditation process for human consumption can sell pigs at the boxes. i'd open it up so that anyone could sell a clean pig for pet food, which is where most native 'roos wind up.

i rekon if the govt hosted a "great clear the cape pig hunt" over a couple of long weekends with a bounty on top of box rates, we could largely clear the cape of pigs in under 10 years.

the weapon of choice for such an enterprise is a whole crapload of well trained dogs and a battallion or so of fit young lads and lasses with knives. a ute is also handy.

Do you do anything to prevent an encounter with any number of your deadly neighbors?

as in snakes? i carry two snakebite bandages in my FAK

you leave them alone, they'll leave you alone. it's only if you step on one that you're in trouble.

so, keep your eyes open and watch your feet, you shouldn't ever get bit.

good boots are also a must. i'm looking into some calf high jobs.

stamping your feet a few times before entering long grass is another Top Tip (tm). (hint: there's a good reason so much Koori dance is stamping yah feet!).

on my person is my knife- a WM1 (custom orange G2 handle to prevent loss!)

nice!
one day i'll rehandle my S1/WM1. bright orange is definatly an option. i've sprayed my arrows with some orange paint because at $20 a throw, having them in camo is a little dumb.

(and no, i don't think it spooks any game. more likely I spook game from some other action. like stamping my feet to scare the snakes......)

 

[PayetteRucker]

I need to crank out some leather bird bags yet, but the Ithaca, Benelli and 87 are good to go Looks like I'll have to pass up big game hunting, don't have a freezer or tags, though a buddy is taking a buffalo this fall and there's a 90% chance I'll go along as a spotter and help process the beast. My Koyote leuku will earn its keep in one afternoon...

 

[Erasmus]

Typical stuff:
Water
Food
Spare ammo
My usual edc SAK
CS Master Hunter
Tarp
Compact binocs
charged cell phone
quart bag of dog biscuits
large can of dog food
700ml titanium cup
Trangia alcohol burner
tea
lighter and matches
my 40L pack
thin goretex jacket


Optional stuff:
hatchet
shortwave radio
goretex pants
frying pan
garlic
onion
bacon fat

 

[bmilla35]

Archery season just ended for us for the year. Next weekend rifle season starts. This year, I brought my usual bottle of water, one bottle of ensure (quick nourishment), Gerber multi tool, gps, pen, license/tags, zip ties, hand sanitizer, band aids, and a clean handkerchief. All in the butt pack. On my belt, Ontario Rat-7 in D2 with BM Griptillian in the accessory pouch. Can of bear spray and 2-way radio in my vest.

Fashion attire includes 6 pocket woodland camo ripstop BDU's, cotton undershirt, under armour compression fit shirt, gray thermal for the mornings, and woodland t shirt. I wear an OD green vest with lots of pockets. Really comes in handy during rifle season when I can put ammo and shooting sticks in the pockets. My boots are all leather Timberland 7" hiking boots or Merril light hikers. Camo ball cap or boonie hat depending on the weather.

I have to say, I've been bringing Ensure drinks on my hard hunts lately, and the quick shot of calories in liquid form really keeps me going. The original ones are about 250 cals but they have new ones that at something like 340 cals. Fattening under couch conditions, but great on long tough hunts, especially after dragging a big hog or deer a long distance. Way better than power bars.

I'll have to check those ensure drinks out..thanks! In the area I hunt it is pretty much giant revines everywhere (stupid glaciers!), and the buck I shot last year ran about four steps and tumbled about a hundred yards down, albeit we were already more than half way down, to the creek bottom. Luckily my mule of a friend was there (6'2 and every bit of 340) to help be drag it out, but I remember by the end of it I was getting the shakes.

 

[bmilla35]

if you wish to come and help us in our battle against feral animals, you'd be most welcome.

it's WAAAAAY out in the scrub that pigs have really taken over. up around Cape York and the Gulf and down into sugarcane country they really rip up the land and cause a lot of damage. Australia has no native ungulates, so the imports really scratch up our rather ancient landscape.

it's stupid that only pro hunters who go through the accreditation process for human consumption can sell pigs at the boxes. i'd open it up so that anyone could sell a clean pig for pet food, which is where most native 'roos wind up.

i rekon if the govt hosted a "great clear the cape pig hunt" over a couple of long weekends with a bounty on top of box rates, we could largely clear the cape of pigs in under 10 years.

the weapon of choice for such an enterprise is a whole crapload of well trained dogs and a battallion or so of fit young lads and lasses with knives. a ute is also handy.


as in snakes? i carry two snakebite bandages in my FAK

you leave them alone, they'll leave you alone. it's only if you step on one that you're in trouble.

so, keep your eyes open and watch your feet, you shouldn't ever get bit.

good boots are also a must. i'm looking into some calf high jobs.

stamping your feet a few times before entering long grass is another Top Tip (tm). (hint: there's a good reason so much Koori dance is stamping yah feet!).


nice!
one day i'll rehandle my S1/WM1. bright orange is definatly an option. i've sprayed my arrows with some orange paint because at $20 a throw, having them in camo is a little dumb.

(and no, i don't think it spooks any game. more likely I spook game from some other action. like stamping my feet to scare the snakes......)

I would love to go there...someday :thumbup: (if they will pay for me to come and kill all the rampant bunnies and pigs I will gladly take a semester off )

Thanks to all that have posted so far...keep em coming guys!

This thread is a real eye-opener as to how ill-prepared I am

 

[Mannlicher]

when general gun season opens here, it is still shirt sleeve weather.


I'll be packing some T/P in a baggy, a Cliff bar, some water, binoculars, a couple of knives and the Marlin 1894S in .44 Mag. The 11 rounds it holds are gonna be enough.

 

[hung-solo]

Milla, did you ever catch any fish when you went salt water fishing??


as for hunting, yes i am always prepared

 

[bmilla35]

Milla, did you ever catch any fish when you went salt water fishing??


as for hunting, yes i am always prepared

Sigh..that is a sad story. On the charter boat I caught a few little POS fish..but no one on the boat caught anything special. The day I went out to use my rod my friend wrecked got into a little accident. So I never got to use it there. I want to go out on the river soon though and catch some catfish

 

[TheGame]

To be honest, when I go hunting I don't take much. A light, a knife, small PSK and that is about it. (Besides the gun, or bow, of course) I am only about 200-300 yards from where the cabin is (It is over a hill in a valley, where I hunt). Would be easy to blow the whistle and get communication at lunch time or near dark when everyone is back at the cabin.

 

[hung-solo]

Sigh..that is a sad story. On the charter boat I caught a few little POS fish..but no one on the boat caught anything special. The day I went out to use my rod my friend wrecked got into a little accident. So I never got to use it there. I want to go out on the river soon though and catch some catfish

roger that.. i was wondering why you never went back to your salt water fishing thread.. oh well better luck next time bud..

good luck hunting

 

[Shotgun]

when general gun season opens here, it is still shirt sleeve weather.


I'll be packing some T/P in a baggy, a Cliff bar, some water, binoculars, a couple of knives and the Marlin 1894S in .44 Mag. The 11 rounds it holds are gonna be enough.

I've been thinking about getting a lever gun. Any reason you went with the .44 over say 30-30?

 

[Planetcat]

I've been thinking about getting a lever gun. Any reason you went with the .44 over say 30-30?

I've been thinking about getting a Marlin in .45-70. I have a .30-30 (open sights), and it's a slow bullet maybe good to 100 yards, maybe 150 for thin skinned game. The .45-70 has a wallop to it, but not like a .300 mag or anything. Plus, it's about the same muzzle velocity as a .30-30 but a much larger bullet.

 

[hung-solo]

I've been thinking about getting a lever gun. Any reason you went with the .44 over say 30-30?

I've been thinking about getting a Marlin in .45-70. I have a .30-30 (open sights), and it's a slow bullet maybe good to 100 yards, maybe 150 for thin skinned game. The .45-70 has a wallop to it, but not like a .300 mag or anything. Plus, it's about the same muzzle velocity as a .30-30 but a much larger bullet.

you boys need to check out a .35 remington as a great all around lever gun. it will take down all large game in NA without the punch the .444 and the 45-70 has.. cheaper to shoot too.. its one step up from the 30-30.. a 30-30 btw is a good brush/woods gun for deer. with the ammo now like the hornadays they are even better for longer ranged shots.

i owned a .444 mag lever gun before.. sold it after shooting a box of shells lol.. shot a few deer with it.. needless to say the only movement they had after being shot was rolling over. massive trauma.. too much if you ask me for deer hunting.. a .444 magnum is a .44 magnum plus 1 inch. yeah she kicks like a pissed off mule

 

[Mannlicher]

I've been thinking about getting a lever gun. Any reason you went with the .44 over say 30-30?

I have several of both flavors. I like the .44 Mag over the .30-30 though. For hunting in heavy brush, with ranges of less than 50 yards, I feel it kills deer a bit more certainly.
It most assuredly does kill better on hogs at close range. I also like to carry a Ruger SA revolver chambered in .44 Mag. There are times, when hunting in a swamp or in very heavy palmetto cover, I'll leave the rifle leaning against a tree, and go in with just the revolver.

 

[banana-clip]

I have several of both flavors. I like the .44 Mag over the .30-30 though. For hunting in heavy brush, with ranges of less than 50 yards, I feel it kills deer a bit more certainly.
It most assuredly does kill better on hogs at close range. I also like to carry a Ruger SA revolver chambered in .44 Mag. There are times, when hunting in a swamp or in very heavy palmetto cover, I'll leave the rifle leaning against a tree, and go in with just the revolver.

Nice rifle and pistol :thumbup: