Backpack hunts-what you wished you brought/what you should have left
- Thread starter robak
- Start date
hoshour
Veteran member
If you don't mind reading an e-reader, they weigh about as much as a light paperback, have extremely long battery life, can be read in the dark and will hold lots of of books. I like to read the Bible each day when I'm hunting and that let's me do it and I can load as many CJ Box books as I like. You can often download old hunting books from people like Theodore Roosevelt for free.
BTW, instead of buying kindle books on Amazon (CJ Box books run around $9) you can borrow e-books for free from the library system. You can only borrow them for three weeks but you can find the CJ Box books for instance at no cost. See https://www.overdrive.com/explore
BTW, instead of buying kindle books on Amazon (CJ Box books run around $9) you can borrow e-books for free from the library system. You can only borrow them for three weeks but you can find the CJ Box books for instance at no cost. See https://www.overdrive.com/explore
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hoshour
Veteran member
The other thing is water. It is so heavy and I go through an awful lot of it so I tend not to have as much as I need, especially if it's a dry area and I can't easily find some to purify. Some people will carry water and snacks in and cache them during a scouting trip.
I ended up taking more food than I needed, so I plan on organizing that better next time. I really appreciated having a down coat and rain gear on the windy days. A book is great item , like hoshour mentioned. I also took notes on my phone but could have used a notepad(weather,what deer were doing during certain times, how much I ate each day), just general notes to refer back too later on.
sneakypete
Veteran member
Last backpack trip after taking a couple of deer we went to town to drop the deer off at a processor and ended up staying in a motel for two days! Lol
JimP
Administrator
Backpacks hunts tend to do that to you, when you have to pack meat out along with all of your gear that took two trips to get it all in. Now it is 3+ trips to get everything back out.
Figure on bringing extra water unless you have been into the area before and know of a stream that is flowing in the fall. All the maps out there will show stream beds but they usually dry up in the summer and don't flow again until the following spring. That along with what water there is is going to be down in the bottom of the canyons that you really don't want to have to hike down into and then bring water back out.
The best thing to bring would be a horse to do all the packing for you.
Figure on bringing extra water unless you have been into the area before and know of a stream that is flowing in the fall. All the maps out there will show stream beds but they usually dry up in the summer and don't flow again until the following spring. That along with what water there is is going to be down in the bottom of the canyons that you really don't want to have to hike down into and then bring water back out.
The best thing to bring would be a horse to do all the packing for you.
CoHiCntry
Veteran member
I was thinking the same thing! I've never understood the appeal to backpack hunting. I love to backpack, and I love to hunt, but I don't willingly mix the two. Only if a hunt dictates it will I ever do it. I think a lot of guys under estimate how difficult it is... especially for more than a couple days. Like sneakypete mentioned, they probably end up back in town at a hotel after a few days to finish up the hunt. I don't sleep well when I'm backpacking so several days of that would be more of a nightmare than it's worth.
Getting back to the point of the thread... one thing I would strongly consider taking if it's for more than a night or two is a light weight camping chair. Like a Helinox or an Amazon knock off. Not having a place to sit when you get back to camp except on a log, the ground or your pad on the ground gets really old. Especially if you have an achy back. I'd want a chair with a back rest to at least get semi comfortable while your eating your mountain house in the dark by headlamp.
hoshour
Veteran member
I don't know any backpack hunters that take a Helinox with them and the ones I've proposed it to have waved it off because they are always looking to cut ounces and the Helinox Zero, their lightest chair, weighs 16 oz. Their other models are around 40 oz.
When you're under 40 years old it's a lot easier to endure discomfort. But when you're in your 50s or 60s a very comfortable seat with a back rest sounds really good when you're sitting over a spot, when you're glassing a long time, or when you're in camp. But then again, not too many guys much over 40 are doing several day backpack hunts anyway.
The Zero packs down to the size of a water bottle. I'm thinking about putting one in my backpack when I'm doing day hunts out of camp since there's not too much weight in the pack until I get something down.
When you're under 40 years old it's a lot easier to endure discomfort. But when you're in your 50s or 60s a very comfortable seat with a back rest sounds really good when you're sitting over a spot, when you're glassing a long time, or when you're in camp. But then again, not too many guys much over 40 are doing several day backpack hunts anyway.
The Zero packs down to the size of a water bottle. I'm thinking about putting one in my backpack when I'm doing day hunts out of camp since there's not too much weight in the pack until I get something down.
Micah S
Active Member
It depends on the time of year. During archery season last year I wish I had a lighter tent with more room so I got a seekoutside BT2 for this year. I also carry to much water it sucks packing 25lb of water 3 miles up a hill when I should have just purified some 2 1/2 miles up the hill. If I had the money in my hunting budget I'd also buy a quilt and a lighter sleeping pad. I need a extra long spoon for mountain house meals.
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Fink
Veteran member
If you drink coffee, some sort of insulated mug is absolutely worth the weight penalty.. I've got a snowpeak titanium double walled mug that fits inside my pot that I use to boil water. It makes it nice when you actually want to take a little break, and have some coffee.. My pot/mug that I just boil water with is not double walled, obviously.. First drink burns your face off, all subsequent sips are ice cold.
Do NOT forget chapstick. You'll really want it.
Do NOT forget chapstick. You'll really want it.
RICMIC
Veteran member
I am a couple weeks away from 65, and am going on a solo backpack deer hunt in CO this Sept. So, if your body holds up you can still do it. I just completed a couple months of wilderness canoe guiding, and did make the move to bring a Helinox camp chair. I got the slightly heavier one as it was substantially sturdier and more comfortable than the 1# one. Mine is 1#9oz. It was an absolute plus for me on a canoe trip, but will have to see where my pack weight ends up at before considering bringing it on a backpack hunt.
I try to always camp near water, but do have a good supply stashed back at the truck. In past hunts, I have never gone back for water, but on a dry year it could be necessary. I don't care much for most of the freeze-dry products, so make up my own meals from common dry goods, but you have to ensure you cover the calorie, carb, protein,fat requirements. It's heavy, but peanut butter is well rounded and calorie dense, and a plastic jar will supplement your meals. Bring enough line to hang your food up an night and in your absence...no point in packing it all in just to feed the bears.
I try to always camp near water, but do have a good supply stashed back at the truck. In past hunts, I have never gone back for water, but on a dry year it could be necessary. I don't care much for most of the freeze-dry products, so make up my own meals from common dry goods, but you have to ensure you cover the calorie, carb, protein,fat requirements. It's heavy, but peanut butter is well rounded and calorie dense, and a plastic jar will supplement your meals. Bring enough line to hang your food up an night and in your absence...no point in packing it all in just to feed the bears.
Never in Doubt
Active Member
- Jul 9, 2012
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fackelberry
Active Member
Me and a buddy always stay in the same 2 man tent. I'm a light sleeper and on top of that i toss and turn alot. We have been taking Tylenol P.M. pills with the medicine for aches and pains from hiking and it has the sleep aid added in it. I usually sleep like a rock now. In the backcountry getting good rest helps when you are walking and hiking all day. Just one little tip we use to get some sleep!
tdcour
Veteran member
RICMIC
Veteran member
Woah there robak. If you use a CPAP now you better check with your DR before doing a backpack hunt. Many fit people have issues with the altitude, and then get in even worse trouble when the breathing slows down while sleeping. My fit sister was planning to accompany me on my hunt, but does use a CPAP. She investigated using a lightweight portable, battery run, solar charged CPAP (about $1K total), but on her DR's advice she decided not to go.
hoshour
Veteran member
I know the CPAP you're talking about - it's about the only way to go when you don't have electricity.
I use a CPAP and altitude doesn't bother me that much if get to the high country with a couple days to adapt and I drink lots of water. My doctor was not against me going.
Or, I can sleep without one, but I snore, not usually an issue since I normally hunt solo. If not, I bring ear plugs for other people and if it's early, have my own tent..