Backcountry DIY checklist

rockymtnhi

New Member
Apr 27, 2016
19
0
Pennsylvania
Does anyone have a checklist to share for a high country, DIY 2nd season rifle hunt that they can share? I will be in unit 521 Gunnison NF, I consider myself familiar enough with the area regarding the actual hunting,I had hunted there years ago with a group hunt, but this year going as a party of 2 and want all T's crossed regarding safety, camp needs etc.

thank you
 

ivorytip

Veteran member
Mar 24, 2012
3,768
50
44
SE Idaho
Your Favorite Hunting Gear List



What is your favorite gear that you use? Please share! Hopefully this is a good resource for new hunters or new western hunters.

This is by no means my comprehensive list, but it is the gear I like and use the most. As I change or upgrade, I’ll upgrade my personal list.

WEAPONS:

* Christiansen Arms 300 WSM, titanium Remington action, carbon fiber stock (lightweight, accurate and all Ive been using the past 10 years for all big game)
* Nightforce NXS 3.5-15X50 scope (Personally, I elected to go with this over the more popular 5.5x22 since it has lower magnification for close shots and has adequate magnification for any shot I would take in a hunting situation.)
* Muzzleloader: Knight DISC Extreme 50 caliber (This muzzleloader can be set-up for hunting any western state's regulations, with different ignition systems, with conical or saboted bullets. Very accurate Green Mountain barrels and one of the few barrels that shoots a pure lead conical extremely well)
* Muzzleloader Conical Bullets: No Excuses, 50 caliber, 460 grain (stabilizes well in todays fast twist muzzleloader barrels which are primarily designed for sabots)
* Crossbow: Excalibur Matrix 380 (recurve limbs for accuracy and reliabilty)
* Bow: About time to upgrade

OPTICS/ELECTRONICS:

* Swarovski EL 10X42 Ranging Binoculars
* FHF binocular pouch (keep licenses and tags in here)
* Swarovski 15x56 SLC binoculars (for tripod glassing)
* Vortex Razor HD 20-60X85 spotting scope (for most uses)
* Swarovski 20-60x65 spotting scope (when weight is an issue)
* GPS: Garmin 450 (not the “T” version which contains terrain data, save the money and buy an onXmaps chip)
* onXmaps chip in GPS for the state I am hunting (contains terrain data, land status, landowner information)
* Inreach Explorer (GPS tracking, communication and safety)
* Headlamp: Zebralight H52W (love these, uses a single AA battery)
* Eneloop rechargeable AA batteries (GPS, game cams, headlamp, etc. I try to build my electronics off of using AA batteries so I can swap batteries when in a jam.)
* Intellicharger I4 (For rechargeable batteries. You can monitor individual cells and charge several battery sizes. For use at camp, not in the field.)
* Energizer Lithium AA batteries (when weight savings is critical)


CLOTHING:

* Kuiu Chugach jacket (Love it. Wear it almost every day as a rain coat or wind breaker)
* Vest : Sitka with wind blocking shell. (Personally, my arms tend to stay warm if my core is warm. I like to avoid bulk on my arms if possible.)
* Arcteryx fleece pullover (open to alternatives)
* Shirts: Still experimenting
* Pants: Kuiu Attack Pants (One of my all time favorite hunting gear items. I rarely carry rain pants with these)
* Belt: Sitka Gear Bomber Belt (awesome belt)
* Boxers: Merino wool (quality brand with fine merino fibers)
* Kuiu ULTRA Merino 145 Zip-Off Bottom (can remove without taking off boots or pants)
* Glove Liners: Under Armour (Thin and typically all I need until the temperatures really drop)
* Boots (moderate terrain, early season): Merrell, mid height, Goretex (Merrells are light and extremely comfortable. I have good feet and tough ankles though. I do most of my hunting in these).
* Boots (tough terrain, late season): Lowa Tibet GTX
* Socks (not sold on a brand yet)
* Liner socks to prevent blisters

OTHER:

* Daypack: Kuiu Icon Pro 1850
* Backpack: Kuiu Icon Pro 7200 (swap frame with the Kuiu daypack)
* Trekking Poles: Black Diamond (flip locks, carbon fiber poles). My wife uses Leki twist locks.
* Knife: Havalon with extra blades
* Knife: Benchmade with Axis lock (favorite locking system) and S30V blade (favorite steel for edge retention).
* Platypus Big Zip hydration system (easy to clean with the wide mouth)
* Sawyer Mini Water Filter (effective, small lightweight)
* Game Bags: Pristine Ventures TAG 24” x 44” (love those things, size works well for elk). I also own their BOMB (Boned Out Meat Bag) bags but haven't used them yet.
* Smoke in a Bottle (wind direction checker, carry on my binocular pouch)
* Uncle Mike’s folding cartridge carrier on my belt or pack belt (I've had trouble loosing cartridges with stock mounted carriers)

EMERGENCY KIT:

* Spare Havalon with 4 blades
* Energizer Lithium AA batteries (2 to 4 of them)
* Spare Zebralight headlamp
* Sewing Needles
* Super Glue (fix stuff, and potentially to glue a wound closed)
* Water purification tables (weigh nothing, in case filter fails)
* Neosporin
* Pain killer (prescription strength leftovers)
* Tiny spool of fishing leader (6 pound test)
* A couple fishing hooks and Mepps spinners
* Ibuprofen
* Lighter
* Snake bite kit
* Wet Ones
* Hard candies


Last edited by Umpqua Hunter; 05-21-2016 at 02:08 PM.
heres a good list that was posted. one think I always have with me is a pair of gloves for hiking stick. I use bike gloves when its warm out, saves on hand blisters.