5 day gear list in latest EBJ

[Work2hunt]

I haven't done much back pack style hunting myself but I found the article in the latest EBJ about Guy's 5 day pack list to be helpful.n I did notice that the article got specific into brands/models on some items and didn't on others and that it was missing what I would consider a few essential items such as a water filter unless Guy is packing all his water in but I liked it none-the-less.

Anyway the article me wondering what everyone else's pack list looks like. Anyone care to share the secrets of there pack and what goes into it?

 

[ssliger]

This will be my first ever backpack hunt so I know some of my stuff is heavy, but if I enjoy it I will upgrade for next year:
Badlands 4500 pack
3 liter camelback
Big Agnes Hogpark 20 bag
Big Agnes air pad
Montbell Crescent 2 tent
Sleeping pad patch kit
Jetboil
Katadyn base camp water filter
Food for 4 days
Starbucks via coffee
Emergency kit
2 headlamps
Mini flashlight
Tripod
Meopta HD spotting scope
Extra pair of socks and underwear
Down coat
Rain gear
Lighter
I'm probably missing some stuff.

 

[NVBird'n'Big]

First pack in trip for me as well this year. I am curious about how much clothing to bring. I will be bow hunting in August so it will be hot as hell and stuff gets pitted out fast. Aside from socks and underwear, how much extra should I bring? I am thinking a couple of base layer underarmor shirts and two lightweight breathable shirts on top, I can wash out in the creek and rotate each day. Weight will be an issue but I don't want to be 4 days in and smelling so bad the deer can smell me coming a mile away. Thanks

 

[Rob P]

For me I only bring one set of merino base layers. one extra set of socks and underwear that I swap every morning. And then another set of merino ankle socks I sleep in.

 

[25contender]

Ill tell I just cant get down to their pack weight for a five to seven day pack!! I have tried but I pack all my cleaning and meat bags with me along with a few other things. Its a long way back after I shoot a Elk and I really like to pack a load of meat out with me on the way back out. I guess going in by myself might have a lot to do with that. No one else to split up some of the essentials. I would be curious to see what most hunters pack weights are on solo trips. Mine with everything including 2 starter quarts of water,food for seven days, and my bow on the pack is 65lbs this year. That is 8lbs lighter than my last pack in. I guess I need to lose a few things but I use them all. Maybe new lighter gear.
Here is my list for a seven day pack in.

Pack & Stuff Sacks
Pack =93
Extra straps =5.96
Stove Stuff Sack =0.71
Small Dry Stuff Sack =1.45
Large Dry Stuff Sack =2.1
Day pack=36.13

Sleeping
Marmot Sleeping Bag =45.54
Term-a-rest =23.48
Tent =56.45

Clothing
Sitka Mountain Pants =24.19
Sitka 90% Jacket =19.61
Sitka Kelvin Insulated Vest =15.18
First Lite Marino Crew Tx2 =11.19
First Lite Marino Zip Tx1 =10.74
First Lite Marino HCrew Tx1 =7.64
First Lite Allegheny Tx2 =19.1
MarinoWool Socks Linersx2 = 2.07
MarinoWool Socks Med x2 =2.24
MarinoWoolSocks Heavy x2 =5.43
Marino Wool Boxers x2 =7.9
Ball Cap =2.04
Marino Wool Beanie Light =0.93
Marino Wool Beanie Heavy = 2.57
Suspenders =3.12
Wool Mitten Gloves =4.06
Light Gloves =2.1
Pancho =11.38
Gaiters =9.84

Meals
Mess Kit =8.35
Stove =21.83
Lighter =0.8
Fork & Spoon =1.38
Paper Towels and Rag =1.2
Stove Fuel =32
Toilet Paper =3
7 Day Food Pack =240
2 qt Water =64
All Purpose Soap = 5
Waterproof Matches =0.61

Accessories
Water Pump =12.75
Water Tablets =1.06
Binoculars = 32.16
Range Finder/Case = 8.03
Bugle =6.3
Cow Calls x2 =2.5
GPS Garmin 62s =6.2
10 AA lithium Batteries =8.8
Streamlight 14512 =5.6
Duct Tape =4.16
550 Cord =6.9
Bow Sling =8.94
Small Maglight =3.9
Extra Bugle Reeds =1.19
Buck Knife =7.41
All Purpose Tool =9.35
Wyoming Saw =19.64
Gurber Ax =18.65
Water Bladder =5.45
Gurber Knife =7.61
Plastic Bags =6.45
Game Bags =21.15
Wind dust=0.87
Map=2.84

Emergency Kit =14.7
Marking Tape =0.39
Knee Brace =6.52
Chap Stick =0.32

Bow & release=85.16


Total weight =1034.16oz = 64.62lbs

 

[MacDonald]

An Eberlestock J-107 that I can use for both rifle and bow hunting. I shoot a Toelke Whip, but am seriously looking at one of Dan's two-piece models. I can put the arrows, bow, guard and tabs in the rifle scabbard, leaving my hands free for trekking poles, and the pack gives plenty of room for a Marmot Helium, Neo-Air sleeping pad, Sierra Designs one-person tent with ground sheet, 3 liter bladder (Eberlestock sells the best bladder/bite valve combo on the market), jetboil, ti cup and spork, some merino base layers including a pair for sleeping in, my insulation layers, my outer layer, and raingear i stuff in the bottom of the pack. Headlight with extra bulb and batteries, small flashlight, and a Havalon piranta with extra blades. There's other things i stuff in the pack as well, but one thing is a pair of crocs for camp wear. This gives my boots and insoles time to dry out after a hard hunt, and on the way in, i grab some sage or cedar and throw it in a garbage bag with my hunting clothes. i'll hike in with zip-off pants and not wear my hunting clothes. I also make sure I have a little Platypus bladder with some good cognac in it, and some tylenol. I've also been known to take in a couple of good cigars if we're not hunting right out of our camp. It's a vacation, right?

 

[Musket Man]

I will just say that I really tended to over pack at first. After a few trips you figure out what you need/use and what you dont. I havent actually weighed my pack but its gotten alot lighter over the years! Things like a lighter sleeping bag and a good quality thermal top and bottom that you can wear while sleeping and hunting can save some weight and keep you comfortable if the weather turns cold durring a hunt.

 

[MtnBoy]

25contender,

I'd consider cutting either the saw or axe (maybe both but then your committed to packing out a whole head).

You also have 3 knives (just assuming the multi tool has a knife).

15lbs is also quite a bit for food, you might be able to tweak it a little and drop a pound or 2 there.

10 batteries also seems like a lot to me.

Just a few things that stuck out to me that might help you shave a little off.

 

[Work2hunt]

25contender, Ssliger,

Thanks for the good info. It's always interesting to see what others carry.

 

[25contender]

25contender,

I'd consider cutting either the saw or axe (maybe both but then your committed to packing out a whole head).

You also have 3 knives (just assuming the multi tool has a knife).

15lbs is also quite a bit for food, you might be able to tweak it a little and drop a pound or 2 there.

10 batteries also seems like a lot to me.

Just a few things that stuck out to me that might help you shave a little off.

Thanks for the look, It is good for someone else to take a look. The pancho is being replace with lighter raingear. You are right I will be leaving the Saw,Multitool,and Gurber knife at the truck. The food I have been working on but find it hard to get below that number for seven days. I have knocked off 5lbs from the food pack from what I normally bring. Tough getting the weight down!!

 

[Musket Man]

On an early hunt I think you could cut some clothing too. I always have trouble not overpacking in that department. I would also cut the seprate day pack and just use 1 pack and leave what I dont need for the day in camp. I would take the multi tool and I never leave home without my Leatherman! on later hunts I will take a small hatchet in case I need to build a fire to dry out. on early hunts I dont take it or a saw. I also dont take stuff sacks for most things. It also depends on how tough the pack in is. If its pretty good going I dont mind a little extra weight but if its a tough long pack in I will strip it down to the bare bones and hope for the best!

 

[Montana]

Ill tell I just cant get down to their pack weight for a five to seven day pack!! I have tried but I pack all my cleaning and meat bags with me along with a few other things. Its a long way back after I shoot a Elk and I really like to pack a load of meat out with me on the way back out. I guess going in by myself might have a lot to do with that. No one else to split up some of the essentials. I would be curious to see what most hunters pack weights are on solo trips. Mine with everything including 2 starter quarts of water,food for seven days, and my bow on the pack is 65lbs this year. That is 8lbs lighter than my last pack in. I guess I need to lose a few things but I use them all. Maybe new lighter gear.
Here is my list for a seven day pack in.

Pack & Stuff Sacks
Pack =93
Extra straps =5.96
Stove Stuff Sack =0.71
Small Dry Stuff Sack =1.45
Large Dry Stuff Sack =2.1
Day pack=36.13

Sleeping
Marmot Sleeping Bag =45.54
Term-a-rest =23.48
Tent =56.45

Clothing
Sitka Mountain Pants =24.19
Sitka 90% Jacket =19.61
Sitka Kelvin Insulated Vest =15.18
First Lite Marino Crew Tx2 =11.19
First Lite Marino Zip Tx1 =10.74
First Lite Marino HCrew Tx1 =7.64
First Lite Allegheny Tx2 =19.1
MarinoWool Socks Linersx2 = 2.07
MarinoWool Socks Med x2 =2.24
MarinoWoolSocks Heavy x2 =5.43
Marino Wool Boxers x2 =7.9
Ball Cap =2.04
Marino Wool Beanie Light =0.93
Marino Wool Beanie Heavy = 2.57
Suspenders =3.12
Wool Mitten Gloves =4.06
Light Gloves =2.1
Pancho =11.38
Gaiters =9.84

Meals
Mess Kit =8.35
Stove =21.83
Lighter =0.8
Fork & Spoon =1.38
Paper Towels and Rag =1.2
Stove Fuel =32
Toilet Paper =3
7 Day Food Pack =240
2 qt Water =64
All Purpose Soap = 5
Waterproof Matches =0.61

Accessories
Water Pump =12.75
Water Tablets =1.06
Binoculars = 32.16
Range Finder/Case = 8.03
Bugle =6.3
Cow Calls x2 =2.5
GPS Garmin 62s =6.2
10 AA lithium Batteries =8.8
Streamlight 14512 =5.6
Duct Tape =4.16
550 Cord =6.9
Bow Sling =8.94
Small Maglight =3.9
Extra Bugle Reeds =1.19
Buck Knife =7.41
All Purpose Tool =9.35
Wyoming Saw =19.64
Gurber Ax =18.65
Water Bladder =5.45
Gurber Knife =7.61
Plastic Bags =6.45
Game Bags =21.15
Wind dust=0.87
Map=2.84

Emergency Kit =14.7
Marking Tape =0.39
Knee Brace =6.52
Chap Stick =0.32

Bow & release=85.16


Total weight =1034.16oz = 64.62lbs

That's one organized list

 

[Montana]

I think everyone starts a little high. I know I did. It will take a few years to get it nailed down. My rule was if I took it twice without using it, then it was removed from the list. This year tested a dangerously light spring bear hunt and yet again it was totally fine, I think I even had an extra cliff bar and mac'n'chz coming out.

I would imagine your phone has texting capabilities. Or note taking. Just keep track of what you don't use.

 

[25contender]

I think everyone starts a little high. I know I did. It will take a few years to get it nailed down. My rule was if I took it twice without using it, then it was removed from the list. This year tested a dangerously light spring bear hunt and yet again it was totally fine, I think I even had an extra cliff bar and mac'n'chz coming out.

I would imagine your phone has texting capabilities. Or note taking. Just keep track of what you don't use.

The big problem is this is the lightest pack I have had in 20 years. I have always used what is in the pack. Even though it is a tough trek into where I hunt I figured that most of the weight is at camp after I set up so I take my time going in and don't rush it. I only carry a two day pack from there so the weight drops to like 20 lbs at the most. I have been caught in the high country a few to many times without enough cloths so I hate to skimp there. I even use my Kelty pack because it is the lightest pack I have. I really need to upgrade to some lighter gear like the stove & mess kit but the ones I have work great so why buy new. Since I carry them on my pack in the pack weight includes my Bow, Arrows & Quiver, and release with backup release. That right there is 5.32 lbs but it is easier to pack it in that way.
Pack ready to go.

 

[eblondheim]

Thanks for the look, It is good for someone else to take a look. The pancho is being replace with lighter raingear. You are right I will be leaving the Saw,Multitool,and Gurber knife at the truck. The food I have been working on but find it hard to get below that number for seven days. I have knocked off 5lbs from the food pack from what I normally bring. Tough getting the weight down!!

I like your packing list, I hump around about the same amount of gear I usually go in heavy with water. It's been really hard of the years to get below 60#s unless I'm only going in for a few days.

 

[25contender]

That's one organized list

Ha !! You know where the spread sheet came from!! I want to thank you for the e-mail. I cant get down to your weight but your spreadsheet was a big help.

 

[llp]

Remember that Guys list did not include water, and I don't think it included the bow, either. You guys aren't too far off, but there are areas in which to improve.
You can't stay scent free on a 7 day backpack hunt, so don't even really try. One change of clothes is max. No axe or even saw. Cut back on paper towels, and even just a small piece of soap, if any. No mess kit, just a titanium cup and pot to cook in. Seems like a lot of fuel. Just heat water and shut off. One can should last a week if used sparingly. A lighter tent / sleeping bag combo is also possible.
It is all about shaving ounces in every area, to eventually save pounds overall.
llp

 

[llp]

I carry one game bag, large enough to take a hind quarter and backstrap on the first trip out. I can bring more bags in on the return trip, along with saw if needed. When elk hunting, you won't be getting it all out in one trip no matter what you do, so leave most the tools you need for dealing with success for the return trip in.
llp

 

[clacklin009]

25contender, I have that pack, how do you have the bow attached?

 

[Montana]

Ha !! You know where the spread sheet came from!! I want to thank you for the e-mail. I cant get down to your weight but your spreadsheet was a big help.

If you want just for fun. Email me your list and I'll break it down and send it back. Then this early fall give it a test. See if you like it.

But you did touch base on something... if you are comfortable and don't mind that load. Then by all means keep roll'n. I can sure tell you one thing, if you pack 15 pds of food, you can go with me anytime.