[Fosbery]

I'm considering going and doing a bit of deer stalking. So far on my list is:

Rifle + ammunition + scope (I don't believe anything I have personally would be very suitable so I'll probably rent one)
Knives - Wilkinson Sword Woodlore and Fallkniven H1 hunter
Swedish firesteel
Shooting gloves
Camouflage clothing
Boots
Socks, lots of socks
Torch - Surefire 6P
Kendel mint cake or a couple of Mars Bars
Canteen + water
Small first aid kit
Binoculars
Mobile phone
Map + map cover
Camera

I should be able to carry all that on my belt (a canteen pouch and utility pouch on a PLCE belt should do it, plus sheaths for the knives and firesteel) and the rest will be being worn or in my hands.

I dunno if maybe that's too much, or if I need anything else. Thoughts?

[Warren]

One of these? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deerstalker)

[Roadkill]

Depends. Are you going to pack out deer yourself or have help? If you are alone then you'll need a drag rope/harness or a backpack to haul meat. A trashbag will work if you line the pack with it. Cover scent is a must. Not sure what a "firesteel" is but matches are easy to use. Terrain is also a factor. So is weather and time of year regarding clothing and boots. You will need a face mask. Where and when are you going?

rk

[shermacman]

Here in Massachusetts, we sit on the back porch, couple of beers, couple of .22 rifles, put the dog in the house and wait. Takes about 10 ~ 15 minutes. Longer if the dog is out. They are like bugs, they are everywhere.

Oh, the .22's just help to keep the noise down, some of the neighbors are skittish.

[knoxx45]

a map is not much use without a compass. I also usualy pack my north face gortex shell incase it rains, but a poncho would do. Maybe some beef jerky, a small first aid kit of some kind, and some 550 cord.

Just a few things that i pack.

[Fosbery]

Heh, I have a compass on my watch and I said I'd take a first aid kit ;)

I'm going with a guide so he'll help me with the carcass.

Firesteel is a small stick of special metal. When you scratch it with metal (back of your knife) it makes a brillian firey spark that will catch in all weather. More reliable than matches and dosn't run our.

It will be in fairly open country, hills and grass and scrub and bushes. We won't be going into the forest as far as I know.

Poncho sounds like a good idea. Cover scent, hadn't thought of that. Any specific kind?

[Kingcreek]

cover scent is not as important as using the wind in your favor.
Your list is probably at the point where a small backpack makes sense. I use a small, quiet backpack that I will slip out of and leave by a landmark when starting a stalk.
I do not recomend ever putting meat in a garbage bag unless you are disposing it. The chemical compounds used in the mfg of plastic trash bags are not something I want contacting my food. (releasing agents, pthalenes, and sometimes pesticides.)
I also wouldn't carry candy bars. dried fruit and some raw nuts are better.
you forgot toilet paper- a small amount in a resealable plastic sandwich bag along with a few handwipes.
and a bandana- multiple uses and a bandage or sling in an emergancy.

[Art Eatman]

I've always travelled as light as possible, in cross-country hunting. Or jungly deep woods, for that matter. I eat and drink before leaving camp. A canteen of water is handy to wash off blood...

4" hunting knife; a handy rock to tap on the blade takes care of splitting a pelvis.

Maybe some rope, to partially hang a downed deer while making the round trip to transportation for hauling, be it other people or a vehicle.
Some toilet paper to mark the spot where Bambi is waiting.

So: Rifle, a few spare shells, binocs, rope, toilet paper, canteen...Sometimes, a paperback book to help me sit still if I decide to play the sit-and-wait game.

Always been plenty.

:), Art

[GooseGestapo]

My GAWD!!!!!

Where are you going hunting? Outer Mongolia for 6 weeks ???

If you are backpack-hunting into a wilderness area where vehicles aren't allowed, yeah, maybe all that gear. But you are going to leave 95% of it at base camp.

When I go across state and use my boat to access an area for hunting pigs. I don't take half that stuff. Most of what I do stays at camp site in tent, Ice chests, or locked in vehicle...... Such as gambrel for hanging/processing game.

My first aid kit fits in a old metal "bandaid" box. My "possible's bag" is a $4.96 Walmart camo "fanny bag". I carry water in a 1/2gal milk jug.(stays in boat, with thermos with either hot coffee or choclate). My knife is some form of lock blade folder with 3-3.5" blade, and SHARP.


For deer "stalking"; you need:
1. Light handy rifle. The Winchester m94 in .30wcf is the definitive stalking rifle. Actually a 12lb rifle might not be a bad idea- to slow you down, see #4.
2. Light,comfortable clothing, minimum for weather you expect.
3. An 8-10' piece of 1" nylon webbing or 1/2" rope doubled. to drag deer, if you get one.
4. Lots of TIME and an abundance of Patience.

If you are walking, you are going WAY, WAY, WAY, TOO FAST.

Ever watch a cat stalk a bird?

Thats too fast !!!!

[22-rimfire]

When you say "stalk" I assume you mean still hunt (walk quietly for a bit, stand, watch & listen, repeat). I always like the guys who stalk or walk around in the woods, as they keep the deer moving.

For day hunts where you are relatively close to your vehicle, I carry: cell phone, compass, printed copy of topo for area of hunt, basic first aid kit, spare shells, multiple layers of clothes, twist ties for tag, small day pack, hard candy, granola bars, trail mix in ziplock bag (dried fruit, nuts, etc), matches in several locations (some in zip lock), drag rope, spare car key, a few paper towels, binoculars, gloves, PB book, monopod (shooting stick) if going with handgun, oiled cloth in ziplock, scent, a few pairs of disposal surgical gloves, sandwiches (if out all day), and water bottle or two. Everything fits in my coat except for the pack. If it is real cold, I take sweater in day pack or use the day pack for removed layers of clothing. Day pack does not always come with me; depends on the weather.

I rarely use the compass, but use the topo map. You just never know.

You really only NEED one knife, a folder with about a 3" blade. I carry a fixed blade too, just because. If it is raining or the weather folks predict rain, I take along a parka. Otherwise, I take an inexpensive disposable poncho which works for ocasional rain and a wind shield if you get cold or it is windy. The premoistened wipes come in handy too if there isn't much water around.

[Fosbery]

I don't think deer hunting in the US and deer stalking in the UK are quite the same thing...

This is the sort of enviroment I'm going to be in:

http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/5590/stagva3.jpg

[22-rimfire]

Where in the UK are there mountains like that? I thought it was mostly like the Eastern US. Educate me.

From the photo, it would be equivalent to hunting in Alaska, Canada, or perhaps some areas of the western US. And yes, in those areas, hunters truly stalk their game sometimes... spot game, try to get closer for a shot, etc.

[Fosbery]

Wales, Scotland, the Lake District etc.

In the UK, we take the deer from a pretty great distance, almost always when prone. You won't see any leverguns or .357/.44/.30-30 etc, it's all .240, .308 etc boltguns with powerful scopes and often bipods.

[pat86323]

beautiful country there.....but it gives me a question, how on earth do you stalk in clear open country like that. That would be the sort of area where id park and not move.

[Fosbery]

I think you're taking the word 'stalking' too literally. When you put 'deer' before the word 'stalking' in the UK, it just meant 'hunting'. Equally, unless you put the word 'target' before the word 'shooting', then 'shooting' usually means hunting birds.

[pat86323]

ahhh i get it, PROPER english.

[Fosbery]

It's not that those words themselves have a different meaning. Ask the average person what 'deer stalking' is and they'd probably say 'er..following a deer around and taking dirty pictures?' but if you ask an actual deer stalker, he'll know that in that context it means something else. Kinda like if you say 'I'm gonna go surfing' on a beach, everyone knows you're gonna go ride some waves, but say it in an internet cafe and everyone knows you are talking about the internet.

[BIGJACK]

Man, if you gotta carry all that stuff you might be better off staying at home and rent you one of those videos of some clown stalking some tame deer.
:neener:

[redneck2]

Don't see why you guys are getting torqued up over the amount of stuff. This is pretty much what I take every time I hunt. Your clothes, knife, gun & ammo, a flashlight, a few munchies and water. I hunt on our land so I don't use the first aid kit, fire starter, or map, but otherwise it looks good.

If you don't have your camo yet, I'd strongly suggest lighter Gore-Tex and layer up. Since it's wide open country, I'd take my rangefinder. Make sure your boots are well broken in ahead of time. If it get's colder than maybe 30 degrees or so, I take some disposable foot warmers. They weigh a few ounces and can be used for hands or feet.

I use a camo belt pack rather than a backpack. It holds everything I carry and doesn't get the way like a backpack.

I always use Butler Creek flip covers on my scopes. Keeps them clean and dry and flip open instantly.

There's another thread running here now that talks about camo and clothing. Might want to review that. HTH

[Art Eatman]

Fosbery, that's very much like the mule deer country in which I hunt. Mule deer lay up on the downwind crest of a ridge, generally, and near a saddle where they can take off and run upwind if spooked.

So, you just walk crosswind along ridges until you kick Bambi out of bed; if he looks like something you want, shoot him. A good buck's horns are wider than his ears, which tip to tip run some 20".

Sparse, low-density population, so twelve to fifteen milles in a day is common.

The trouble is that our ridges are often cut by canyons. Up to the ridge; "Oops, a canyon," and down and cross and then back up and so on. A day or three of this won't kill you; it just makes you wish you were dead. :)

It's easier to work the lower country, but Bambi will spot you sooner. Most of your shots will be offhand on a running deer at 300 or so...

IOW, there's a reason I travel as light as possible.

:D, Art

[Fosbery]

Cheers redneck2, I was going to use gore-tex British army trousers and an SAS windproof smock (yes, it's real name is an SAS smock :p smock is British army speak for 'jacket' btw ) and keep a waterproof poncho for if it rains. I was going to use my British army 'Pro Boots' or maybe an old pair of Magnum classics. Anything wrong with this? (there's no need for orange or other hi-vis clothing in the UK)

I was going to carry my knife and firestick in a seath on my belt, camera and binos around my neck, rifle on my back until I need it and the rest would go in my belt pouches. I was going to use a British army PLCE belt with a canteen pouch on one side for my water and a utility pouch on the other side for my first aid kit, food, torch and now some paper towels. Rope can go on the belt too. I'll keep my map and mobile phone in the pockets of my smock.

Also, who needs scope covers when you have a pair of condoms??? :p

[Vern Humphrey]

I was going to carry my knife and firestick in a seath on my belt, camera and binos around my neck,

Before you go hunting, try walking around all day with binoculars and camera around your neck.

In Colorado, where most hunting is at 11,000 feet, I carry just about what you carry, plus a GPS.

[Skoghund]

Looks like you are stalking in Scotland. Carry as little as possible. Rifle, Bino's, knife. You need something to eat for lunch. Don't worry about rainwear if it rains you just get wet. Don't worry about waterproof boot because no matter how waterproof they are they will still be full of water at the end of the day.
spoke to my mate in the highland of scotland the other day and he says the midges are still pure hell. I,m over in October for Sika Stalking. Can hardly wait

[Vern Humphrey]

One trick I sometimes pull is to put a large size trash bag in my pocket -- although nowadays I take one of those disposable rain jackets WalMart sells. They weigh a couple of ounces and are good rain protection.

Gore-tex lined boots are worth it, too. I've been in some awfully wet places, and with Gore-tex, your feet will dry as your walk.

[1911 guy]

I'd take a rifle, pocketful of extra cartridges, binoculars, topo map, GPS, compass, materproof matches or the magnesium starter you mentioned, water, snacks (no full meal), two good knives (over three inches is overkill for deer-sized game), some 550 cord, small medical kit (bumps and scrapes. Major stuff is where the cell phone or radio comes in) and a drag rope or harness if applicable.

Take the essentials. Planning for every contingency will get you 500 pounds of gear. Take care of your basic needs and have a bail-out plan for serious stuff. FRS radios, cell phones or handheld SWR's work good.

Take extra stuff to base camp, but lugging all your kit (see, I know the King's English!) around will seriously cut into the amount of terrain you can cover in a day and make you the camp grouch at night because you're exhausted.

[redneck2]

Don't worry about waterproof boot because no matter how waterproof they are they will still be full of water at the end of the day.I'd suggest Gore-Tex and be sure the pant legs are on the outside of the boots. If they're inside, the water will follow them in.

I've hunted in hard rain and not gotten wet with Gore Tex. If you like being wet, have fun. Here it gets into the 30's and rains during deer season. Wet and 30's limits the fun of the hunt IMO. Mine are Gander Mountain Guide Gear. Light jacket/bibs that I can layer up with whatever I want underneath.
Also, who needs scope covers when you have a pair of condoms???Butler Creek caps have a push button on the rear one and a finger tab on the objective one. If you see a deer about the time he sees you, you'll cuss yourself for having something that takes longer than the flick of the finger to use. BTDT

[Skoghund]

No waterproof boot,trousers are any good when you wade a burn and the water runs over the top of your boot. I'v stalked in Scotland many times never have i come home dry. Apart from the rain there is crawling through waterlogged peat on your belly to get within shooting range. That after walking between 10.-15 miles and have climed up more mountains than you care to think about. so travel light. don't worry about getting wet.The wet only go's as far as your skin. The good thing is you can go back in the evening have a good soak in the bath and a couple of whisky's.

[Vern Humphrey]

No waterproof boot,trousers are any good when you wade a burn and the water runs over the top of your boot.

An old Infantryman's trick is to wade in boots only. Dump the water out and dry your feet on the other side, then put your socks and boots back on. It may take another change of socks in a couple of miles, but you'll wind up with dry feet. Gore Tex makes this a very effective strategy, since your feet dry much faster with Gore Tex.

[uk roe hunter]

Hello fos,
I would take the goretex, it is the way ahead as we know. don't take the magnums, but the proboots will be good especially if you wear gaitors (not large reptiles for the benefit of our colonial cousins...). I always take some of them rubber gloves and some short bits of string to tie off the gralloch near the arse hole and the asophogus. take a hat and midge repellant.

steve

[Mauserguy]

"Don't worry about rainwear if it rains you just get wet."

Well, that's spoken like a future hypothermia victim. I live in a warm sunny climate, but every year some local Sierra Clubber will freeze himself on an Angeles trail because he didn't take a simple rain poncho and got wet. Have respect for mother nature and her cold, for she is a b*tch.
Mauserguy

[Vern Humphrey]

Hypothermia is a sneaky killer. One of the symptoms is mental confusion -- you get soaked, body temperature falls, you get confused, get lost -- and they find your body in a day or two.

[Skoghund]

Hill Stalking is what Fosbery wants to do looking at the picture of the terrain.
Hillstalking for stags is over by the 21st october so the weather in Scotland is not that cold although there can be a bit of snow near the end of the season. You will allways go out with an experienced Esate stalker who knows the ground like the back of his hand. so there is no need for compass, maps etc. You can drink from a burn if you get thirsty so you don't need to take water. But in Scotland it do's rain and rain. many stalkers wear tweed stalking suits as when the get wet they are still warm and tweed drys quickly.
although many estates now use transport to go out on the hill there is still a lot of walking to be done. Walking through heather and wet peat trashes boots in no time and if you do a fair bit in a year boots look like the dog has chewed them in no time.
For lowland stalking i like all the water proof clothing and boots. I use my Lundhags all the time. i did wear them to scotland once but after the umteenth time of walking through burns i bought a pair of hill boots in plain heavy leather. they really are the dogs bollocks for hill stalking.
If your only going once or twice then ex army clothing is just fine.
Every one should try Scotish hill stalking it really shows you how out of condition you are.
If you can read any of the books by a man called Lee Macnally he tells just how it is Stalking in Scotland.
Now I'm of out to see if i can get a roe buck as the season started yesterday and its a nice late summer afternoon.

[LAK]

Fosbery,

I would read this thread concerning clothing:

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=172853

While you may not experience extreme low temperatures, the moorland, forests and mountains in Scotland and Wales can be extremely unpleasant. And dangerous to those with inadequate clothing because of abruptly changing weather and temps.

I would not be too wrapped up in the idea of camouflage patterned clothing - the right material and tone is more important IMO. Here is a related thread:

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=182294

-----------------------------------------------------

http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org

[Elkobsessed]

Sounds like u got all u need and more. Nice country I would love to hunt there sometime. Looks alot like the northern parts of canada. you say that most of your shots are from a considerable distance and I'm a firm believer in getting whatever edge you can. With that said if you have access or know someone who reloads this could considerably improve accuracy and even if it's half an inch to an inch @ 100yrds that translates into a great improvement over a distance. example: I shoot a 7mm mag 160gr. nosler partition. with factory loads @ 100yrds I shoot an average 2.5 inch group with tweaked handloads witht he same bullet my grouping is closer to an honest 1.25 inch. Good luck.

[bclark1]

looking at the picture in the thread makes me think of longer range hunting.

+1 on the string, i've only seen it mentioned once here. when dressing, core out the **** and tie it off. particularly if it'll be a while 'til you can wash anything, you don't want any doo doo on your meat.

it's "cheating," but a GPS is good. mine saved my butt at least once, wasn't even hunting at the time. it's good to know how to navigate on your own, but they're very handy toys, even cheap ones.

pack for the weather, and that's more than clothes. you might need to make your gear water resistent quickly, and if you get chilly a lot of times another layer won't cut it.

i dunno, i'm not a lifer, only a few seasons in on a few different animals, but in the beginning you'll certainly bring stuff you don't need and forget things you do, typically in a 3:1 or higher ratio.

[gila_dog]

Great looking country! If I hadn't been told it was GB I would have thought it was southern New Mexico or Arizona. I know that when I am hunting such country my own physical condition is the most important thing. What kind of knife or snacks to carry may or may not ever become important, but the condition of my legs, and how well my boots fit are on my mind every step of the way. I don't like having a bunch of stuff dangling from my neck or hanging on my shoulders. I like a big butt pack with shoulder straps. My waist takes all the weight, and the shoulder straps just keep it from jiggling down off my skinny butt. The only thing around my neck are my binoculars. The only thing on my shoulders is my rifle. Another advantage of the butt pack is that it lowers my center of gravity, making falls less likely. It is also easier to duck under tree branches with the butt pack than with a backpack. One thing I would add to the 1st aid kit is an ACE bandage. This is a long, soft, elastic band that you can wrap around a sprained ankle and keep on going. In my part of the world a cell phone may be useless. If I break a leg or something I may have to spend the night on a mountainside. I throw a little emergergency survival bag (made of space blanket material ) in my butt pack. It weighs, and costs, practically nothing.