Hunting backpack trip

[seek100plus]

I have kicked this around for many years and this year is the year. I would like to go on a pack in , hunting trip. I just bought the pack frame and now need to load it up. I will need to purchase a tent 3 or 4 season, sleeping bag, cooking stuff, water filter, MRE (that taste good) and all the other small goodies. I could walk in to all the stores for product reviews, but I trust my fellow hunter's instead, on product's they have used and what works well. I'm open for all input and do's and don’ts to buy. I was also wondering since AZ ,doesn’t have many stream's that run all the time , will a water filter system work on water holes (YUCK ). I have read some hunting books by Cameron and other guys WOW; they like the good stuff and have a open check book.

[JMP]

there's a reason they like the good stuff, cos the good stuff is a huge improvement over the okay stuff. and is typically much lighter than the okay stuff, which means you can go more miles. i think the best tent you can get is the msr hubba, unless you want to bivy, which will save you a few pounds. i like the comfort and illusion of security in the tent though, so i'll carry the extra couple of pounds. for sleeping bags, try to keep it under 4 pounds, i'd say. and you can't go wrong with brands like the north face, rei, go lite, or marmot. i've never had a bag or needed a bag that was temperature rated less than 20 degrees, but this year i want to get the go lite adrenaline that is rated down to 0 for a january hunt in u27. i like the jet boil, or the msr stoves to boil water for the mountain house mre's. i use an msr water filter, but in december/january, if i have running water, i don't use it cos the water is too cold for most bugs (it's just a risk i take). i also like to use trekking poles, since they help distribute the load between your hips and your upper body, and help keep your balance when you are packing heavy.

[Couzer]

I need to the same on the backpacking trip. I did one up in utah for fly fishing, camped on one lake and hiked to others that were near buy. The water filter that I used was from REI, and worked great, in fact a life saver. If you use water from a water hole be prepared to bring some extra filters for it.

I bought some water tablets also which are small and lite, not the greatest taste, but used them alot on my hikes.

[Red Rabbit]

You might find some useful info here:

http://www.backcountryhunting.net/forum/index.php

http://kifaruforums.net/index.php

 

The latest Backpacker Magazine annual gear guide should give you some useful ideas.

You can read the ratings and reviews of most items on rei.com

[firstcoueswas80]

always carry and use Iodine along with the water filter.

[krp]

For those just starting out, buying the best means dropping thousands, usually what most guys can't do.

 

There's some things you need to buy at least good quality, others not so much.

 

The things that will make or break a trip are:

 

Good backpacking boots, not hiking boots, you need the arch support for heavy loads. Sierra Trading Post has great deals, sign up for their web deals and they will send you alot of 20% off ecoupons every week or so. I have some Lowas but they have other good brands also. About 80.00 to 100.00 for a good boot.

 

Good pack, needs to have a comfortable suspension that fits you well. Don't try and go light weight here. Carrying in a 40 lb camp with a pack rated for 40 is fine, trying to bring out 70 or 80 when you kill something is torture. I have the Eberlestock J104 and like it for rifle hunting, I'm lucky that my back isn't too picky with fit, some guys don't like this pack with more than 40 lbs, the new blue widow has good reviews. The last two years I've been using the Mystery Ranch Nice frame and using dry sacks and a homemade harness for my gear and meat, it can really haul the weight comfortably. Kifaru, Barneys, make good packs also. Think positive that you're going to kill something and you will need a pack that can get you out comforably.

 

Sleep system, good bag and pad. Even though I have more expensive bags, I keep using my Big Agnes bags and pad, roomy and comfortable. I'm a slim guy but can't stand a tight bag or slipping off the pad. Most bags ratings are for survival not comfort so you need to buy 10 to 15 deg lower than expected temps. I use a horsethief 35 (really a 45 deg bag) under 3 lbs total bag and pad, on my summer scouting and fall hunting trips. For colder temps to 30 deg I use a lost ranger 15, just over 4 lbs total and if it is going to be colder than that I take my 1 lb Western Mountaineering as an inner bag, I've been toasty in single digits. Shoulder girth is important, some of the expensive, super light bags are that way because they are small, If you are an average sized guy, 62" would be the min if you don't flop much. BA has 70"s and the Montbell SS bags expand to about that much. If money's no object, Western Mountaineering and the new Kifaru slick bag would be great.

 

Shelter, can do most anything but need to keep it light weight if possible. Just a tarp, a ponch tarp like the sixmoons gatewood cape (really nice setup), floored tent or floorless tipi. The Big Agnes seedhouse SL series are great floored backpacking tents, I use mine when the wife comes along. Mostly I use a Golite hex 3 tipi, just over 2 lbs and roomy, Golite renamed it to the Shangri-La 3.

 

If any of these four main equipment purchases does not keep you comfortable you will be miserable and quit mentally or feel it's not worth it. You don't have to buy the best but do need to at least buy middle of the road. No Walmart, No Cabelas brands, REI is ok but overpriced unless they have a sale. Alot of internet backpack equipment sites have clearances this time of year, good time to buy.

 

Some good midpriced equipment companies are, Eberlestock, Big Agnes, Montbell, Sierra Designs, Northface, Golite, Gregory packs, Osprey packs, Lowa boots, Asolo boots, there's more.

 

I have been making/evolving my equipment to be modular, I can add or subtract depending on the season, animal and weapon. It's still a work in progress but I'm getting there. Narrow down some of these specifics and it will be easier to find the right stuff and the best prices for you.

 

For the other things I use a MSR pump, Jetboil for boiling water and coffee, poncho tarp, para cord, homemade medical kit, cheap walmart trekking pole, gps, camera, tp, other odds and ends. These don't need to be the expensive stuff right away, you can replce them a few at a time later if you want. Spending 50 bucks extra to save 3 ozs sometimes doesn't make sense.

 

Here's my camp on my coues hunt in the Superstition Wilderness last oct. 55 lbs with gun, optics and 1 1/2 gallons of water, just in case something happened to my water source, it ended up being fine. 29 lbs without those items.

 

 

Everything packed

 

 

 

This really is a subject that takes time figuring out what will work best for you and your budget, there's no one size fits all. Keep asking questions one item at a time and the guys here will help.

 

Kent

 

Amanda, I'm trying photobucket now, If it still doesn't work I'll email them so you can help me out, thanks.

 

 

[CouesWhitetail]

Pics are showing now Kent. Thanks for fixing that.

 

Amanda

 

[CouesWhitetail]

I have the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL tent and love it. I have the Montbell Ultra Light Down Hugger rated to 0 degrees (weighs 2lbs 8 oz). I LOVE that bag. I get cold easy and this bag is the first one to keep me warm in most any condition in AZ. I also got their "warm-up" sheet which is an insert bag to add warmth to any sleeping bag. It does help a lot but I usually don't need it. I use a therma rest inflatable pad for sleeping on.

 

I use a really small primus stove and tiny propane canisters for it. They usually last me a few days.

 

My backpack is my dad's old external frame boyscout pack. I love it! It carries the weight easily for me and it's super lightweight. I have yet to find a backpack I like better. Don't know what I will do if something breaks on this one!

 

Amanda

 

 

Tent on left, sleeping bag and pad on right. Ruler in middle for scale.

 

closeup of stove:

 

[CouesWhitetail]

When I don't bother with a tent (as on most of my backpack hunting trips), I just use a bivy sack.

 

you can see my red bivy sack on the right in these photos. Not the best for bad weather, but it kept me dry. My poor hubby was wrapped in a crappy orange tube tent and it didn't work so well.

 

 

 

 

my little stove was able to make some warm drinks for us in the morning. Thank goodness!

I have been camped out in like 16 degrees and had issues with the stove. But seems like above 20 it's fine.

 

 

[azshtr]

X2 on the tarp. They work great and weigh next to nothing. Find sticks to use or use your hiking poles for suspension.

[cohofishing]

 

 

Here's my first backpack hunt, November 2008.

 

Carried in 56lbs, came out with 98lbs. Most of the weight going in was water. This probally could have be avoided by finding a water source before the hunt and using a filter but did all my scouting in August

 

The question is are you hunting alone or with a partner and what time of year. I'm a loner and wasn't able to send a lot. I bought most of my stuff at sportman's. I bought a slumberjack bivy, slumberjack 10 degree bag and thermarest pad. Total cost was less than a good sleeping bag and only weighed a pound or so more than the middle of the line stuff. Could have saved a few pounds but buying top of the line stuff but for one hunt a year or less, who can really afford it. Borrowed a rapter stove and pot. Used a badland's 4500 which I bought new and really liked.

 

I think a person should buy the best he can afford but unlike your glass most of the stuff you will buy will only be used on this type of hunt and spends alot of time in the garage.

 

Brent

[krp]

Brent, that's getting er done. There's alot to what you are saying and it's exactly how most of us started out. For those that want to try backpack hunting but aren't able to go out and buy top dollar equip all at once, which is most of us, my addvice is this.

 

Don't sit and wait, load up whatever you have in whatever pack you have and get out there. Start with overnight scouting trips, hike in in the afternoon, glass a few hours in the evening, glass a few hours in the morning and head back out. Check for water sources, animals, mark areas on your GPS and map, just enjoy some quite time.

 

A regular sleeping bag you already have will be heavier and bulky, but it will work if it is warm enough for the time of year. A 10.00 walmart closed cell foam pad will work, again very bulky. A 10.00 8X10 poly tarp will work to keep the wind,rain,sun off you. A small pot from home your wife won't kill you if you use, just put it over some coals or buy a pocket rocket stove and canister of fuel. Nylon twine, knife, a few medical supplies, tp, GPS/map, camera, a gallon of water, optics, food, fire starter, headlight. Use short trips to figure out what things you may want to change. You may have to tie your bulky items on the outside of your pack and look like a walking,"The Grapes of wrath" movie, but who cares. I've done all of this before, sometimes with just a sleeping bag if the weather was nice.

 

My family has really taken up just backpacking in general so I've upgraded equipment for their comfort and it's been worth it. If it was just me on a few trips a year I would probably still be doing it the old way.

 

For those wanting to spend the money, Amanda's setup is perfect, her husband's, wrap me up like a dead fish tube tent, not so much. Maybe a "pass the hat around" is in order.

 

Kent

[CouesWhitetail]

For those wanting to spend the money, Amanda's setup is perfect, her husband's, wrap me up like a dead fish tube tent, not so much. Maybe a "pass the hat around" is in order.

 

Kent

 

 

LOL!!!! Both my husband and I got a laugh out of that one! Thank God my husband is a gentleman and will always take the worst gear we have and leave me with the best stuff!! His feet and lower legs got soaked overnight in that tube tent since it doesn't close on the ends. But he was planning to just hike out in the morning while I went hunting with a friend. But what great memories!

 

We used to use a tarp tied to trees or rocks and use a large blue nylon boat cover that he found on the side of the highway as a floor to keep us clean and dry from ground moisture. That worked fine except when it was really windy and rainy because it would come in the sides. And it was much heavier than my big agnes tent which we upgraded to. But still it was great to be backpacking using stuff found on the side of the highway! My husband is a real scrounge (sp?) and most of our tools and such come from the side of the highway. Thanks for the "pass the hat idea" (he thought that was hilarious), but he would NEVER spend it on himself. But hey, since I manage our bank accounts, maybe I would get more gear!!

 

Amanda

 

 

 

[krp]

Amanda, I just loved the tube tent pic, reminded me of alot of trips with my dad and brother when I was young. I'm laughing because I can relate and misery loves company. Absolutely good memories and stories all.

Our hunting/fishing camp consisted of a big canvas tarp, thrown on the ground, folded over and three sleeping bags tacoed inside. We would hunt deer around Eagle Creek or Alma Mesa. Fish Black river, West Clear creek, Dolores river in Colo during Easter vacation. I remember a few times waking up in the morning covered in snow, we weren't always comfortable but didn't care, there was nothing else we would rather be doing. I still enjoy the smell of a good canvas tarp.

 

Kent

[Coues 'n' Sheep]

I've got the gear to do some back pack hunting, but just don't seem to get much opportunity to do it. I bought most of my stuff over the years preparing for hunts in Canada and Alaska....

 

I find that I do a lot more spike camping from my quad or ranger and light weight isn't that important... but if you plan to pack an elk out too, then compact is important.

 

Here are a few things that I like to have in my Ranger, just in case and it is also how I pack for an overnight trip....

 

Here are my two Cabela's dry-bags and my J-107..... with my hunting gear in the J-107 i can live for days on just what is in thes bags.... if I have water...

 

The contents of the blue bag..... My food stuff, coffee, stove, and utensils/etc.

 

The contents of the green bag..... this bag is not my "best bag"... I save that one for when I need to conserve weight and bulk. And a good Therma Rest pad.... I prefir the full length models.

 

I have a large "Bills" bag... it is a river rafter gear bag that has backpack straps on it.... No worries about keeping your gear dry and I can get every ounce of gear that I need for days in that one bag for "spike camp" hunting trips from the quad or ranger.... and we always use tarps vs. tents.... again for the bulk factor.... however I would like to find a good bivy or backpacker tent, one of these days.....