Packing Lite

[Never in Doubt]

You go 2-3 days without water? In the high country? And continue to hunt hard?

I'm not a big guy, but if I don't drink at least 2 liters a day when I'm exerting myself like I do when I'm hunting hard, I get sick. I'm not sure I could sit on my couch for 3 days without water..

^^ This. Intentional dehydration just to keep pack weight down is foolish.

 

[arrowslinger21]

Instead of going without water and not eating enough food, wouldn't it be better to build up your legs and carry in enough food and water?

Granted, people CAN live for a week with no food, but is that any way to hunt?

Mule deer hunting above the tree line is often 2-3 days of glassing followed by one attempt at a stalk when everything lines up. Im not advocating that anyone needs to hunt how I do, nor should they. Everyone needs to make their own call. If you do recall the whole reason this thread started was because someone asked me what was in my pack and so I laid it out in writing. Everyone can choose to carry what they want. Im not going to carry anything more because you dont think I eat enough, and you shouldnt carry any less because I think its overkill.

This was simply to state how much my pack weighs and what I take. If you don't like it tough... I am carrying it at the end of the day not you.

 

[arrowslinger21]

^^ This. Intentional dehydration just to keep pack weight down is foolish.

I didn't say i took no water, but most spots we hunt deer in there is no water source. At 8lbs per gallon I will carry a max of 1 gallon and I can make that last for a good 3 days if it is predominately ruled by glassing. My body is also going to be hydrated to my ears before I head in. This only occurs in very specific spots where there is no other option. If there is any way to get water I will do it.

 

[Grantbvfd]

I think most of us are just pointing out that this can be extremely dangerous. There are a lot of people new to backcountry hunting and this would be a horrible way for them to cut pack weight. If it works for you and you feel comfortable doing it good for you. I would highly recommend other people NOT to do this. There are others places you can cut weight. Most backcountry hunters should eat 2500-3000 calories a day and atleast 2 litres of water. I try to drink 3-4 litres a day.

 

[arrowslinger21]

I didn't say i took no water, but most spots we hunt deer in there is no water source. At 8lbs per gallon I will carry a max of 1 gallon and I can make that last for a good 3 days if it is predominately ruled by glassing. My body is also going to be hydrated to my ears before I head in. This only occurs in very specific spots where there is no other option. If there is any way to get water I will do it.

One more thing on this note before i go to sleep. Notice how I said that the water is inaccessible because that's where the deer are. A quick 1 hr hike and your at water. It's not like I have no opportunity to get water if things go south, but it can be a game of attrition at times. I'm not trying to hurt myself, and I don't feel like I sacrifice anything. This is just the way I enjoy hunting and where I feel from restraints of everyday life. If something goes wrong someday then so be it.

 

[Fink]

I didn't say i took no water, but most spots we hunt deer in there is no water source. At 8lbs per gallon I will carry a max of 1 gallon and I can make that last for a good 3 days if it is predominately ruled by glassing. My body is also going to be hydrated to my ears before I head in. This only occurs in very specific spots where there is no other option. If there is any way to get water I will do it.

A gallon for 2 days, maybe 3, would be doable for me, provided I wasn't doing much of anything for the vast majority of the time.. And, if it wasn't hot as hail. I originally thought you were indicating you had no water for 2-3 days.

 

[arrowslinger21]

I do understand the severity of dehydration as I have had heat stroke once. It wasn't because of a backcountry hunt or lack of water but due to different circumstances all together. None the less I almost died and so I know the reality of it. I know what that feels like now and I know where to draw the line. On an average day I will drink close to a gallon or sometimes slightly more. Trying to skimp on water is not something I want to do, but it is something I have done and will do in certain situations. I would encourage guys to hydrate adequately as I believe it's a big thing. I wrote a several page article on hydration last year and what it does to help your body. My point was that food is the last thing I am worried about. I'm on a 10 day fast right now for no reason pertaining to hunting but rather just for health benefits. Food isn't always as necessary as we may think. You need some but all too I often I see guys headed out on the last day of their hunt with stockpiles of food because they overpacked. I'd rather be slightly hungry than to be lugging that bulk around all the time. Last year in Oregons archery season I added up that I covered 140 miles of ground on my legs in 15 days of hunting. 10 extra lbs for 150 miles is a lot of wasted energy expended carrying a heavy pack in my opinion.

 

[Fink]

all too I often I see guys headed out on the last day of their hunt with stockpiles of food because they overpacked.

Guilty.. I think last year I ate about 2/3rds of what I packed in, if that..

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

I am glad you posted some more info, Kevin. There is a big difference between making a gallon last a couple days and going without a couple days.

It seems like you have what your body needs figured out. I try to take in at least 2500 calories a day in the woods, and still drop weight out there.

I think planning for 2500 a day is a good start for a new backcountry hunter.

 

[Never in Doubt]

Mule deer hunting above the tree line is often 2-3 days of glassing followed by one attempt at a stalk when everything lines up. Im not advocating that anyone needs to hunt how I do, nor should they. Everyone needs to make their own call. If you do recall the whole reason this thread started was because someone asked me what was in my pack and so I laid it out in writing. Everyone can choose to carry what they want. Im not going to carry anything more because you dont think I eat enough, and you shouldnt carry any less because I think its overkill.

This was simply to state how much my pack weighs and what I take. If you don't like it tough... I am carrying it at the end of the day not you.

You did state you sometimes go 2-3 days without water. I'm glad you clarified. The way I understood it the first time, it sounded very unsafe. Good luck on your hunting this year!

 

[Never in Doubt]

I think that we all can agree on the fact that we all have different preferences for what we are going to pack in, and there's no need for everyone to be the same on particular item. I like to have plenty to eat when I hunt, so I bring plenty of food. It's hard to beat being perched up on top of a mountain, glassing for muleys, working your way through a bag of delicious deer jerky!

 

[JMSZ]

Speaking of food...

Just curious on what everybody who plans for a regular caloric intake packs. I ask because my pack is at 60lbs for 4 days right now, that includes 1 gallon of water and about 5lbs of food.

However, that 5lbs only gets me to 2100 calories a day, so I want to add about another 500 calories per day, but I'm wondering if the weight for the amount of food I'm going to be carrying sounds about right or whether there might be lighter options.

The other thing is that when I get active (maybe other people notice this too), I can't stand being stuffed full of food, so I have to be careful about how "bulky" the food is, or I just won't be able to get it down, no matter how hungry I am.

Besides a reserve, I don't want to end up like Arrowslinger talked about, carrying a bunch of stuff I won't end up eating.

Here's what I have planned for each day:

Instant ramyun (Korean spicy kind) and 2 packs of tuna in olive oil - this is my 1 hot meal per day, calorie, weight, price, etc, wise, it's equivalent to or better than Mountain House

2 Bridgford sandwiches and/or MRE components - my other main meals, shelf stable, don't require heating to eat

3 Cliff Mojo Bars, I may add some Honey Stinger waffles just for variety, they're similar in weight and number of calories

Instant coffee, gatorade, etc, don't add a significant amount of calories.

 

[arrowslinger21]

I am glad you posted some more info, Kevin. There is a big difference between making a gallon last a couple days and going without a couple days.

It seems like you have what your body needs figured out. I try to take in at least 2500 calories a day in the woods, and still drop weight out there.

I think planning for 2500 a day is a good start for a new backcountry hunter.

Agreed. 2500 is a good start for anyone to start figuring out what they need. Sorry for the confusion between 3 days without water and 3 days without new water or a water source. That was a bad description on my part. Water, electrolyte tablets and GU keep me going.

 

[arrowslinger21]

Speaking of food...

Just curious on what everybody who plans for a regular caloric intake packs. I ask because my pack is at 60lbs for 4 days right now, that includes 1 gallon of water and about 5lbs of food.

However, that 5lbs only gets me to 2100 calories a day, so I want to add about another 500 calories per day, but I'm wondering if the weight for the amount of food I'm going to be carrying sounds about right or whether there might be lighter options.

The other thing is that when I get active (maybe other people notice this too), I can't stand being stuffed full of food, so I have to be careful about how "bulky" the food is, or I just won't be able to get it down, no matter how hungry I am.

Besides a reserve, I don't want to end up like Arrowslinger talked about, carrying a bunch of stuff I won't end up eating.

Here's what I have planned for each day:

Instant ramyun (Korean spicy kind) and 2 packs of tuna in olive oil - this is my 1 hot meal per day, calorie, weight, price, etc, wise, it's equivalent to or better than Mountain House

2 Bridgford sandwiches and/or MRE components - my other main meals, shelf stable, don't require heating to eat

3 Cliff Mojo Bars, I may add some Honey Stinger waffles just for variety, they're similar in weight and number of calories

Instant coffee, gatorade, etc, don't add a significant amount of calories.

I would personally suggest adding either olive oil or some type of nuts for the extra calories. An ounce of each will give you over 400 calories. Put tre oil in a flask or plastic travel bottle and drink it. Neither one of these will add the bulky full feeling to your stomach and Both are high in fat for long lasting fuel.

 

[Darktimber]

This seems a little harsh. I am in shape when the season comes around but I would never starve and go without water for 2 or 3 days. Day 1 headach, Day2 migrane, Day 3 flight for life is how my body handles no water at 11,000'

^^^^^^^^This. Not keeping hydrated is a very dangerous game to play. You'd be surprised how much motivation you will lose to chase those bucks up and down if you are not properly fed and hydrated to. The extra weight is well worth the extra energy gained.

 

[JMSZ]

I would personally suggest adding either olive oil or some type of nuts for the extra calories. An ounce of each will give you over 400 calories. Put tre oil in a flask or plastic travel bottle and drink it. Neither one of these will add the bulky full feeling to your stomach and Both are high in fat for long lasting fuel.

Edit - I read your post wrong, now I see that you meant that an ounce of oil plus an ounce of nuts will put you over 400 calories...I thought you meant the nuts alone were over 400.

The Mojo bars are 190 calories each, about what an ounce of nuts are.

I just found what could be the coolest thing - powdered peanut butter (they have peanut butter with chocolate, too).

Directions are 2 ounces of water with one packet of powdered peanut butter, but I'm sure you could substitute an ounce of olive oil for an ounce of water.

I'll have to see if it can fit in a Honey Stinger waffle packet - take the waffle out, mix the peanut butter (with one ounce of olive oil) in the packet and then put it on the waffle and you have a 500 calorie snack...

I saw you mentioned the olive oil earlier, I'm going to have to think on that one some more. I have taken it plain for heartburn (works good), but that's just a tablespoon or so at a time. Thinking about it just now, a flask full of oil probably isn't a bad idea, I can eat it plain or if I catch some fish, I can use it on that, too.

Thanks.

 

[arrowslinger21]

Edit - I read your post wrong, now I see that you meant that an ounce of oil plus an ounce of nuts will put you over 400 calories...I thought you meant the nuts alone were over 400.

The Mojo bars are 190 calories each, about what an ounce of nuts are.

I just found what could be the coolest thing - powdered peanut butter (they have peanut butter with chocolate, too).

Directions are 2 ounces of water with one packet of powdered peanut butter, but I'm sure you could substitute an ounce of olive oil for an ounce of water.

I'll have to see if it can fit in a Honey Stinger waffle packet - take the waffle out, mix the peanut butter (with one ounce of olive oil) in the packet and then put it on the waffle and you have a 500 calorie snack...

I saw you mentioned the olive oil earlier, I'm going to have to think on that one some more. I have taken it plain for heartburn (works good), but that's just a tablespoon or so at a time. Thinking about it just now, a flask full of oil probably isn't a bad idea, I can eat it plain or if I catch some fish, I can use it on that, too.

Thanks.

The nuts are about the same as the mojo bar, but adding some nuts instead of more bars gives you more variety and a greater variety of nutrients. Powdered peanut butter is something that isn't easy on the taste buds. It however could be a great way to get your olive oil in but I haven't tried that yet.

 

[JMSZ]

The nuts are about the same as the mojo bar, but adding some nuts instead of more bars gives you more variety and a greater variety of nutrients. Powdered peanut butter is something that isn't easy on the taste buds. It however could be a great way to get your olive oil in but I haven't tried that yet.

I dropped 1 Mojo bar and added 4 Honey Stinger waffles and 2 packs of Carnation instant breakfast (mix it with coffee and water for breakfast and lunch) and that got me to 2800+ calories a day without much extra weight.

I totally forgot about the Carnation.

Those waffles are pretty good, not too sweet like a lot of energy food. I take it you've had the powdered peanut butter before...

 

[Eric Bailey]

This seems like a great list. And no, I don't work for gannet ridge or sitka. I'll probably never buy this stuff because I already have slightly heavier and much cheaper versions of these things already, but this is a great list. It doesn't include food (which is a very personal choice anyway). It also doesn't include game bags or knives. But, a great starting point for a person of means.
https://www.gannettridge.com/Articles.asp?ID=264