Is backpack hunting as great as it's craked up to be?

[Drhorsepower]

Packing in isn't for everybody. I think the important thing is to keep in mind our common goal and not subclassify ourselves because that is when we get weaker as a community and our rights and way of life may be infringed upon. I gurantee big bucks/bulls are killed in every style of hunting every year so it's hard to say one style is better than the other.

 

[Alabama]

Something else to consider is... living in the west I can backpack all summer long, so when it comes hunting season whether or not I'm backpacking isn't really a big deal. I spend my summers backpacking and climbing 14ers so I'm in the mountains all the time. I can see where if your from Alabama ^^^ or somewhere else your kinda getting a double whammy! You get to big game hunt out west AND get to backpack into the backcountry! I can see where that would be way more appealing than other hunts... especially hotel hunts.

Hey I'm from Alabama. You singling me out??? lol There isn't a lot of "backcountry" here. More like the "back 40" with a road all the way to it.

 

[dihardhunter]

Montbell UL SS3 30 degree bag, Montbell UL pillow, Hyalite 2/3 sleeping pad, GoLite Shangri-la 2, and Tyvek ground cloth. Tent pitches with trekking poles which is standard equipment for me anyways. All told, total sleep/shelter system comes in between 4.5 and 5 pounds. Drops even more if I split the Tyvek and tent flysheet with a hunting partner, but light enough to serve 1 guy well too.

This has been a neat thread to track, lots of different viewpoints - none right, none wrong - just shows how many different places a Western hunter can be coming from.

 

[Drhorsepower]

This has been a neat thread to track, lots of different viewpoints - none right, none wrong - just shows how many different places a Western hunter can be coming from.

Dude my opinion is totally right. Yours is wrong.

 

[Musket Man]

Dude my opinion is totally right. Yours is wrong.

SHHHHH!!! dont tell them or everyone will start backpacking

 

[swmoelk]

I'm a flatlander that chose the backpack route just to save time. I can camp at the truck and hike in 2 miles from two separate trailheads or I can backpack in and sleep between them. So with only 7 days to spend I try to maximize my time in elk country. With that said a heavy pack sucks and good gear is crazy expensive. It's definitely a love/hate relationship.

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[ScottR]

Expensive backpacking gear is usually cheaper than a camper.......

 

[libidilatimmy]

Expensive backpacking gear is usually cheaper than a camper.......

Hahaha......well said Scott

 

[tttoadman]

Expensive backpacking gear is usually cheaper than a camper.......

I can't seem to fit the queen bed in my tent.

 

[vince]

I can't seem to fit the queen bed in my tent.

Me neither.

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[Timberstalker]

Expensive backpacking gear is usually cheaper than a camper.......

Usually...

I have a camper, I like bringing the family now and then. I'm pretty sure I could find a nice camper for what it would cost to buy all top shelf gear. $700 sleeping bags, really?? Spending a bunch of money on hunting gear just for myself is hard for me to do. I will likely freeze my but off and be packing 3 times more weight than I could or I will be doing a lot of hicking back and forth to camp like I usually do. I just can't spent $700 on a sleeping bag.

 

[ScottR]

Usually...

I have a camper, I like bringing the family now and then. I'm pretty sure I could find a nice camper for what it would cost to buy all top shelf gear. $700 sleeping bags, really?? Spending a bunch of money on hunting gear just for myself is hard for me to do. I will likely freeze my but off and be packing 3 times more weight than I could or I will be doing a lot of hicking back and forth to camp like I usually do. I just can't spent $700 on a sleeping bag.

I can't justify $700 on a sleeping bag personally either, however a guide who spends 200 days a year in the field will and does. I could see Guy and possibly Ike doing the same thing because of how much time they spend in the field for TV production reasons as well. Quality gear is essential for people who's livlihoods are dependent on on the gear they use.

I would also add, that most people who buy that expensive of a sleeping bag will likely only buy one bag ever. You do pay for quality and i would rather cry once than many times paying for a mediocre piece of kit. The math is pretty simple too, over time you spend less if you buy quality gear.

I am a big proponent of used gear, and before I was in a position where I could test gear I bought used all of the time! My first Kifaru pack bag was an early G2 Longhunter that I bought on their forum. My SO Tipi is a seconds model, that I can only find one seem that is cosmetically flawed. You get the point though, I am constantly searching for deals and am ok using a one year old model if I find it used or on the clearance rack.

 

[libidilatimmy]

I agree, there's a delicate balance between comfort, functionality, and affordability. A person can find decent deals on gear that will be functional if you're diligent and patient. I've been wanting a new backpacking stove since last summer and held out until just recently when I found REI had a sale on the Primus ETA Lite for around $60, where they're normally around $100. If I was going to spend $700 on a sleeping bag, It'd better be able to keep me toasty in minus 50 temps regardless of weight.

 

[Timberstalker]

I can't justify $700 on a sleeping bag personally either, however a guide who spends 200 days a year in the field will and does. I could see Guy and possibly Ike doing the same thing because of how much time they spend in the field for TV production reasons as well. Quality gear is essential for people who's livlihoods are dependent on on the gear they use.

I would also add, that most people who buy that expensive of a sleeping bag will likely only buy one bag ever. You do pay for quality and i would rather cry once than many times paying for a mediocre piece of kit. The math is pretty simple too, over time you spend less if you buy quality gear.

I am a big proponent of used gear, and before I was in a position where I could test gear I bought used all of the time! My first Kifaru pack bag was an early G2 Longhunter that I bought on their forum. My SO Tipi is a seconds model, that I can only find one seem that is cosmetically flawed. You get the point though, I am constantly searching for deals and am ok using a one year old model if I find it used or on the clearance rack.

I agree 100%, I haven't found a good deal on a sleeping bag yet, I'm still searching...

 

[ScottR]

I agree, there's a delicate balance between comfort, functionality, and affordability. A person can find decent deals on gear that will be functional if you're diligent and patient. I've been wanting a new backpacking stove since last summer and held out until just recently when I found REI had a sale on the Primus ETA Lite for around $60, where they're normally around $100. If I was going to spend $700 on a sleeping bag, It'd better be able to keep me toasty in minus 50 temps regardless of weight.

Most bags that push the $700 figure are for below zero temps.

 

[libidilatimmy]

Most bags that push the $700 figure are for below zero temps.

4-5 years ago, I bought a Woods Amundson bag for late season wilderness hunts on horseback for around $400. Now this bag is hardly a piece of backpacking equipment at over 20 lbs., but what I do is take out the fleece liner to use in combination with a 10 deg lightweight bag if temps will be frigid and have a 3-4 lbs setup good down to -15 or -20, in real temps not ratings, for a little over $500 in addition to having the Woods guide bag that's good to -40 temps.

 

[flatlandfreddy]

if you ever woke up with a hang over on Paris island and figured out later that your job was 03 something backpack hunting is awesome - atleast you get the option to have a whole tent and not half of one - you can get any sleeping bag that doesnt weigh 20lbs - and you dont have to take everything you own in some girl named alice - by the way - for those of you who havent used the military spec equipment - you can get the newer stuff pretty cheap and I can promise that it works as well as the GOOD stuff. You might not win picture of the month on the outdoor channel or sporsmans channel but you will be more than adequatley protected. I actually saw an episode of Colorado Buck on a Tur hunt - those guys were walking mountains in rubber boots and sleeping under wore out blue tarps----just depends on what comfort level you are looking for - - Semper Fi

 

[Alabama]

if you ever woke up with a hang over on Paris island and figured out later that your job was 03 something backpack hunting is awesome - atleast you get the option to have a whole tent and not half of one - you can get any sleeping bag that doesnt weigh 20lbs - and you dont have to take everything you own in some girl named alice - by the way - for those of you who havent used the military spec equipment - you can get the newer stuff pretty cheap and I can promise that it works as well as the GOOD stuff. You might not win picture of the month on the outdoor channel or sporsmans channel but you will be more than adequatley protected. I actually saw an episode of Colorado Buck on a Tur hunt - those guys were walking mountains in rubber boots and sleeping under wore out blue tarps----just depends on what comfort level you are looking for - - Semper Fi

I saw that same episode. That one guy was in his sixties and running around like a billy goat on those mountains, in rubber boots like you said. Those guys are the definition of tough!

 

[Elkgetr2]

I went in my first backpacking hunt last year for my buddies elk tag. It was quite the experience to say the least. Very unprepared and the four of us all had packs that tipped the scales in the 60# range. We were 5 miles in and although successful we had to make multiple trips for the meat and than the camp (lots of miles on our feet). I since have bought some more decent gear and just went on a backpack bear hunt. Our packs were in the 20lb range and although we weren't successful we did get into some awesome country and seen a lot of animals. I personally think it is worth it and can't wait for future back pack hunts to get away from the people.

 

[Againstthewind]

Usually...

I have a camper, I like bringing the family now and then. I'm pretty sure I could find a nice camper for what it would cost to buy all top shelf gear. $700 sleeping bags, really?? Spending a bunch of money on hunting gear just for myself is hard for me to do. I will likely freeze my but off and be packing 3 times more weight than I could or I will be doing a lot of hicking back and forth to camp like I usually do. I just can't spent $700 on a sleeping bag.

I lived in a $700 camper for a while, down by the river. Its not too bad, but I don't think I want to do it again. Its hard to find one in that price range that is habitable. Some are good for hunting trailers, but not much else. I will agree there is balance that is required between the affordability and functionality and how much use it will see. The balance is probably different for everybody. I will also agree that backpacking is one way of hunting, but not the only way, and not for everybody. I mostly need an excuse to get out and about, so however I get out and the more I get out is the best way. I am way too spoiled for the old blue tarps, though.