Any Minimalists?

[WayBeau]

Went out yesterday with what I considered minimal and it turned out to be only slightly more than what I needed. I could have left the grunt tubes, heavy skinning knife, and liner gloves in the truck since it's a little late for grunting and I ended up wearing my thicker gloves anyway. However, when the doe I shot piled up on the side of a steep hill, I was glad I hadn't taken out the two sections of 550-cord I put in there a while back. I actually thought about just putting my heavy gloves in my cargo pocket and hitting the woods. Kinda glad I didn't.

 

[T.R.]

I only carry what I need:

- compass
- toilet paper
- lighter
- small 10X binoculars by Bushnell
- 3 blade stockman knife
- BUCK model 105 hunting knife
- grunt tube
- rifle & 10 cartridges
- steel whistle
- small flashlight
- canteen ( 1 quart )
- License, tag, and short wire

TR

 

[Daveboone]

Where I am and how long I am going to be out will make a difference. For most of my deer hunting from my camp, I travel pretty light. Rifle, 5 rounds, knife, cord, flashlight, water. Add a light for pm hunts.All my hunting coats already have a firestarting kit (waxed cardboard, matchsafe,and firestick, compass and a small coil of paracord.
If I am bear hunting or going to be out for a good portion of the day, I have all the above in my pockets still ,but a thermocell in warm buggy weather, pee bottle, sandwich/ etc, and a fleece or vest, in a daypack.

 

[Elkins45]

I only hunt on my own property these days, so I don't need to carry very much. My pack holds my heavy jacket, flashlight, knife, binoculars, field dressing gloves, butt out tool, water. If I'm stand hunting I also include a tree stand safety harness. I might carry a grunt tube if I happen to remember it.

 

[ZeroJunk]

The only thing I take hunting that I don't always have on me is something to drink and a flashlight. If I am in the Rocky Mountain wilderness you can add a sandwich to that.

 

[Bobson]

The only thing I take hunting that I don't always have on me is something to drink and a flashlight. If I am in the Rocky Mountain wilderness you can add a sandwich to that.

You typically walk around with a rifle/bow, but not a flashlight or bottle of water?

=P

 

[Bobson]

Bow, 4 broadheaded arrows, 2 field pointed arrows. . .

I'd love to hear the thought-process behind this, BigBore44. Why take field point arrows hunting? Never been bowhunting, but been interested in it and am working on my gear.

 

[Pete D.]

Choices depend on what and how one is hunting. Sitting in a tree blind all day...sitting on a paint bucket in your backyard....walking a lot....different needs. Terrain?
Most of the posts above reference some sort of big game hunt.
I hunt upland game exclusively....i have the setter, Belle, with me all the time.
I carry what I consider a minimalist gun....a 16 gauge flintlock fowler and maybe a half dozen reloads.
I have a whistle, a compass, a bird knife, a small hatchet, about 3ft of baling wire for repairing things - from rips in fabric or shoes/use as a snare, etc.. Matches or a lighter. a roll of medical stretch tape. A refillable water filtered bottle. A snack of some sort for both myself and the dog.
I can walk all day with this.

 

[Elkins45]

I'd love to hear the thought-process behind this, BigBore44. Why take field point arrows hunting? Never been bowhunting, but been interested in it and am working on my gear.

I used to carry an arrow with a bludgeon point in case I wanted to whack a squirrel who made the mistake of climbing up a nearby tree. That was back when I used to eat squirrels (and bowhunt).

 

[Barry the Bear]

I normally take a rifle(winchester mod 70 in .243 win.),smith and wesson model 29(for back up),condor hudson bay knife,i dont use binoculars as I just use scope,a small pocket flashlight, and 2 speedloaders for the 29.

 

[ZeroJunk]

You typically walk around with a rifle/bow, but not a flashlight or bottle of water?

=P

I was hoping that most would be sharp enough to grant that.

 

[Armored farmer]

I used to carry an arrow with a bludgeon point in case I wanted to whack a squirrel

I know a guy who carries a bludgeon point for those times when you get 'made' by a doe and all she wants to do is blow and flag you. Rather than have her hang around a ruin your stand, you can encourage her to move along. (Recurves only)

 

[torqem]

A lot depends upon climate and terrain. I aint going into the mountains, late in the year, without quite a bit of "survival" type gear. I hunt alone, tho, and I'm getting older. My actual hunting tools don't change.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Rifle, knives, binos, fire fixins, warm&drystuff, 550 cord, whistle, water and some calories.

 

[cammogunner]

I carry a rifle a knife and a little cammo belt bag that has in it...spare ammo 3-4 rounds..latex gloves 2 pair....small shapening stone....sometimes a cig lighter... and I also carry my grunr call and
Ratling bag that's it don't know if that's minamalist or not

 

[Armored farmer]

......reminds me of an old Steve Martin bit:
Gun, knives, fire, warm clothes, ammo, binos, tp, food, drink, axe, rope, tent, light, that's all I need. And this lamp. And this phonebook that's it. That's all I need. And this spotting scope. And a torch that's it. And my cell phone, and that's all.....cause I travel light. And my permits.

 

[LRShooting]

Well, I guess you could consider me a minimalist with what your asking. I never feel like spending money on gear, so I hunt with my farm work overalls and a pocket knife and gun. The obvious permits, hunter orange, and cellphone come along too.

 

[torqem]

A lot depends upon where you are. In the mountains, I aint going without 15lbs of pack, camping gear, medical, sleep gear, extra clothing, etc, 1/2 gallon of water and a lb or so of food. If I was carrying nothing more than a shotgun or a bolt action, I'd for sure have my EDC pocket 9 along, too. No matter if it's july, it can get down to 50+ F in the daytime, and snow at night, at 10,000 ft or so, Add some wind and rain, and you can be all messed up in a less than an hour, if you lack the gear to handle it. Water can be a long walk off, too. As in 1/2 a day's hike, and then you have to walk back to your hunting area.

 

[heathkiks]

I normally take a rifle(winchester mod 70 in .243 win.),smith and wesson model 29(for back up),condor hudson bay knife,i dont use binoculars as I just use scope,a small pocket flashlight, and 2 speedloaders for the 29.

This is a big pet peeve of mine (not to mention gun safety 101) and have been "looked" at by a someone using a scope to scout, I hope that he learned his lesson after I caught up with him and broke his nose.

Anyway, I only carry what is necessary. That could mean anything from 35-80lb on a 5 day hunt.

 

[m1k3dasa1nt]

Yes camera!!! Disposable. Negligible weight with incalculable memories. Filing a "flight plan" is ALWAYS the first step regardless where and why you go. Communication is vital to ALL animals. Warm and dry. Exposure will show you the bright light a lot quicker than thirst or hunger. Fire making. First aid. Water treatment. Chocolate or whatever makes you smile. A happy smile does wonders for one's attitude (and those around them). A Kukri is indispensable. A 4" folding knife. Jerky and 2 cans of "Chef" and you're well under 12 pounds. 8 pound rifle and ammo. Rope. Let's say 20 pounds on the outside. If it is an overnight in cold climes I would consider a second pair of boots. That pack would never be beyond arms reach. Start there. Then if you find yourself yearning for something you can always add.

 

[m1k3dasa1nt]

Side note...Bumper sticker I was behind
VEGETARIAN
old Indian word for bad hunter
hahahahahahah

 

[mbt2001]

Minimalism is a romantic ideal. I bring what is convenient, what I Might need, and what will keep me from suffering. I have spent too much time freezing to not want to have proper layers somewhere nearby.

 

[KC45]

Here in FL you don't need much but you need water.
It doesn't matter if you are just going to the tree stand 500 yards from your farm house or going 5 miles in public land, you need water. We had a guy here who almost died of heatstroke when he went hunting less than half mile from his house one morning couple summers ago. He broke his leg while coming down from the tree stand and had to crawl home and got over heated after he finished his soda. He was lucky his wife went looking for him when he didn't come home for lunch.
I've been known to go out wearing shorts and tee shirt with Krocs on my foot. I carry my rifle in one hand and Camelbak in the other hand. I can always walk 500 yards back to the house if I need anything else. Oh yeah, I always carry my cellular phone.