Carry only what can treat something that can immobilize a person. Either from injury or pain. No more
I have found that the most times when I've used my first aid kit..., it's been on somebody else. I've never had to treat a gunshot wound while hunting, though I've treated a bunch at work.
So I carry stuff to fix me, and others, and my list is based on stuff that I've used over the years. While some injuries wouldn't "immobilize me" it might really mess with my hunt, especially on days 2 and 3.
A pair of folding scissors, and a pair of tweezers
tourniquet
Telfa pads (coupled with the tape below I can make any size bandaid.)
First aid tape
pack of butterfly closures (work like sutures, use with rubber bands below on fingers)
two small rubber bands to stop blood flow to finger (easier to use the butterfly closures when the cut finger isn't bleeding like a hog
)
two rolls of gauze (can be used to help hold a long cut closed along with the butterfly closures. One roll each, still rolled, at an entry and exit wound, taped in place and wrapped with an ace bandage will help a gunshot wound.... plastic from the telfa pad package and tape for a sucking chest wound.
)
Antibiotic gel tube
A tiny bottle of Ibuprofen
an ace bandage (as mentioned in another post, works for a sling, binds a bad ankle or wrist or elbow or knee, can be used to bind a limb to a splint)
Small bottle of hand sanitizer
four tiny tubes of artificial tears (if the eyes get crud in them, I might as well be immobilized)
1 ounce bottle of campho phenique (good for burns, bug bights, scratches, minor cuts, as it's a topical antiseptic, topical pain killer.)
1/2 ounce bottle of New Skin (great for minor cuts or covering blisters that aren't open)
So after 30 years in the woods, coupled with 4 in the Marine Corps infantry and almost three decades as a cop, the above works pretty well.
OH IF I'm going on a long hunting trip, like for a week, and planning to be on foot a good distance from vehicles, I add:
pepto bismol tablets (can't hunt well when you're spending all your time with the green-apple-quick-step
)
Baby aspirin (good for the dog if he's sore on day two; good for older guys who might have a heart problem)
Antihistamine , and I try for types that work for folks with high blood pressure (helps buy you time for shock from a bee sting if the person stung doesn't have an epi-pen..., helps relieve your stuffy nose so you can sleep or reduces sneezing in the field if you develop a cold on the trip)
A styptic pencil (you can let the dog with the nick on his ear bleed all over the place, or you can treat him with this)
LD