Packing for Backpacking Hunt

[sumpnz]

With my plan to hike into the William O Douglas Wilderness to hunt elk this year, I was hoping for some pointers on what to bring, and just as importantly, what to leave behind.

I don't know yet if this will be a solo hunt of if I'll have other guys with me to help out, but for now assume I'll be solo. There will be plenty of other hunters around that if I get into trouble I should still be able to get help. Figure up to 5 miles from the truck, and then basically camp in the same place for up to 13 days (11 day season plus a day in and a day out). Plan is to find a good water source to camp close to. Hunting will be anywhere from the camp out perhaps a few miles). Terrain will be 3000-5500' elevation, western slope of the Cascades, close to the crest. Weather likely to be highs in the high 40's to low 50's, maybe freezing overnight but probably not. It is western WA, so rain is likely. Snow is certainly possible but not likely to accumulate much.

Items that I have already, or will buy/borrow before I head out:
Rifle - CZ550 9.3x62mm
Ammo - 15 rounds of handloads (286gr Partitions)
cleaning rod/patches/cleaner
electrical tape (to cover muzzle when raining)
Side Arm - Sig P245 with at least 13 rounds
Hunting License and Tag (elk and including a bear and cougar tag)
ID
Backpack (internal frame hiking pack - might be able to borrow BIL's external frame pack if necessary)
Topo map of the area
GPS (Garmin Rino 120)
Compass (need to buy, recommendations???)
Tent (lightweight backpacking type - will be borrowed from a friend)
Sleeping bag (compact down type rated to 25F IIRC)
pillow
Backpacking stove
small pot
steel mug (but not ceramic coated - about the size of a normal coffee mug)
Leatherman
2x Buck knife (one fixed blade with a gut hook, one folding)
compact binos
4x Alaskan cheese cloth game bags
para cord
string
orange surveyors tape
Camo coveralls
regular camo pants
several pairs of polypropylene thermal underwear
several pairs hiking socks
broken in boots
flannel shirts
wool/poly coat
blaze orange vest
blaze orange baseball cap
blaze orange stocking cap
camo Thinsulate gloves
TP
baby wipes
small shovel (need to buy/borrow)
water filter (to be borrowed from a friend)
lighter/matches
cotton balls with Vaseline
folding chair
headlamp (borrowed from BIL)
Ibuprofen and naproxen

Suggestions on improving the following appreciated:
Food (planning on some jerky/biltong, dried fruit/veggies, some "backpacking" meals that you just add hot water to, instant oatmeal, energy bars, candy bars, gorp)

I'm figuring on leaving some stuff at the truck (like some of the food, maybe some clothes) with the intention of going back to it once or twice during the hunting season to resupply.

 

[kdstrick]

Sounds like a lot of fun. One thing I've always found very convenient for wet weather is contractors trash bags. They can be used for tons of tasks and take up little space and weight. Zip locks bags are also great.

What will you hold your water with?

For food, good ol beef jerky is great! Also throw in some peanut butter, it is very calorie rich. The mountain house meals are great and lightweight too.

For clothing, look into some Ibex, Icebreaker, or Smartwool Merino wool. Backpackers wear it for days without it stinking. It is far superior than the synthetic stuff. Merino isn't cheap, but check online for deals. backcountry.com sometimes gets some deals.

 

[sumpnz]

What will you hold your water with?

I have a 5 gallon plastic water container that I could bring. Obviously that would be empty while hiking. For hydration while hiking I have a Camelbak bladder plus some narrow mouth lexan water bottles.

For clothing, look into some Ibex, Icebreaker, or Smartwool Merino wool. Backpackers wear it for days without it stinking. It is far superior than the synthetic stuff. Merino isn't cheap, but check online for deals. backcountry.com sometimes gets some deals.

That stuff would be great, but I'm not working right now, so spending $80 on a shirt ain't gonna happen. Once I get back to work I'll be able to make plenty of money to afford those, so I'll look into that for next year's hunting. It sounds like great gear.

 

[X-Rap]

I would lose the notion of a handgun and it's extra ammo.
For a cleaning kit I would take a basic Otis with brush in your caliber and a few patches.
An external frame that has a removable pack will be better for packing meat if its of good quality.
Get a decent liquid filled compass like a Silva ( your not building a railroad)
I like a 12'x12' light rainfly with many attachment points and a good bivi sack compared to a tent.
If you go with down keep dry, it is heavy and cold when wet.
If you are making permenent camp and maybe making overnight spikes get a folding solid fuel stove and use a fire most of the time.
A 1 qt. pot is good, don't forget a spork.
A multi tool is a must, I would bring a good skinner and a folding saw. A simple pocket sharpening steel will come in handy but if the knives are sharpened well they will hold an edge throughout the hunt and you can save on the weight and leave the steel home and use the saw on the multi tool.
For clothes I would have wool jacket and pants, fleece top and bottom in med. to heavy weight, poly pro top and bottom. You can layer them all up or wear 1 or 2 at a time and stay comfortable and dry.
3 pr good wool socks including the ones on your feet.
Fire starting sticks and bic lighters in good ziplock freezer bags, multiple pockets.
Don't forget a camera with a timer and some type of stand.
I'd also skip the shovel and folding chair.
It sounds as though you are packing in for this hunt, you must plan a spartan lifestyle unless you plan on paying a packer to haul in your camp or you take a couple weekends before and after to haul in your camp on your back.
Lighting at night and batteries for a couple weeks is no small item itself.
My list together with yours is not complete. some can do with less while others need more.
I always suggest a few trial runs with some note cards to refine your needs.

 

[sumpnz]

I always suggest a few trial runs with some note cards to refine your needs.

I was thinking of just doing a day trip to scout and hike around the area I'd be hunting/camping but maybe I should do that as a one nighter instead to see how it goes.

 

[jim in Anchorage]

I could go 6 pages on this one, but it's my bed time. Rent a satellite phone. $100 a week in my area, 30 min free. May save your life.

 

[X-Rap]

I was thinking of just doing a day trip to scout and hike around the area I'd be hunting/camping but maybe I should do that as a one nighter instead to see how it goes.
__________________

If you have an area picked out pack some extra gear or food and a duffle bag.
Pack the stuff in some trash bags and put in the duffle and hang in a tree for use during your season.

 

[usmc1371]

couple sugestions: Stash your sig in your truck and when you get back with the first load of meat leave the rifle and pack the sig back and forth while packing out the rest. Your rifle will kill anything and will never be far from you. Skip the flannel and wear wool you will get rained on pretty much every day so cotton is not a good idea. I ain't made of money so I look for wool shirts at the thrift store and have scored some really nice ones for a few bucks. Rain gear! maybe a light pair of nike's to wear around camp at night so you can dry your boots and they are easy to put on when you have to take a leak at night. LED head light and if it uses the same bats as your gps even better. Small first aid kit. Oat meal and rice way nothing and are easy to make and full of good carbs. you could leave out the folding knife since your multi tool will have a small blade but its up to you. Take a book, boredom sucks and you can burn it if you have to. Rent a sat phone or E-PERB it could be the best money you ever spent. Hope this helps. sounds like fun.

closed cell foam pad of some sort, the ground will suck the heat right out of you and it will help keep your sleeping bag dry. maybe a light weight gerber camp ax instead of the saw but its up to you, I just think they are more handy for gathering fire wood than a saw. some tea bags or instant coffe may be nice and some of those little gator aid or crystal light packs that you can dump in your watter bottle for flavor and electrolites.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

lots of good advice from xrap and usmc sounds as if they have been there done that.
since you are planning a day hike in to scout make a cache and hide your heavier stuff (canned food, any whisky and such) and make your fire ring when you find a suitable camp site. don't forget a warm cap w/visor, leather gloves, toothbrush and other toilet items. sunglasses may be handy too. take a small trenching tool w/you on the scouting trip for firepit and latrine you can kick the soil back over it when leaving out. the small folding saw idea is a must IMO. carry a Swiss army knife (officers model) and a 4" fixed blade or folder.
a larger pot than what you have planned on will be handy for boiling water too at least 2 qt size get an el-cheapo aluminum from the human society or thrift shop and leave it at your camp. you can wash socks and underwear in it too.
for gun cleaning just take a piece of rag to tear a strip off and tie to string to pull through the bore and do a wipe down with. one of the small 1 oz bottles of rem-oil will be sufficient (wally has them).
I second the 12' X fly and bivvy sack over a tent if you have companions get a larger piece of poly to make shelter instead of a tent.

 

[gondorian]

+ many on usmc sleeping pad advice. If it is cold you NEED a sleeping pad. Silva compasses are good too. I'm just wondering how you are getting the elk meat out with you if you are walking to where you shoot it.

 

[shaggy430]

Sounds like you've got it covered. Two things I'd add are:
Windproof face mask
Super glue for cuts

 

[kdstrick]

A cool website that i buy some individual sized backpacking food and toiletry items from is www.minimus.biz. Check it out.

My basic kit always includes a poncho. It is great for keeping the water off of you, and can also be used as a ground sheet of shelter. You can get one very cheap.

For food, here is a good site that details a lot of good ideas. Do a google search and you will find tons of info on this subject... http://www.adventurealan.com/food_general.htm

 

[sumpnz]

I'm just wondering how you are getting the elk meat out with you if you are walking to where you shoot it.

Quartered and probably deboned. Lots of trips.

For the rest of you that have responded, thanks! Good info. I'll be reluctant to cache too much stuff at the camp site as there is the risk of another hunter or camper coming along and deciding it looks good enough for them to use. The scouting trip will be 4 weeks before the elk season opens, and there's a deer season in between.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

I could go 6 pages on this one, but it's my bed time. Rent a satellite phone. $100 a week in my area, 30 min free. May save your life.

Same here. It's a steep learning curve to take off in the mountains with OK gear.

Get a sat phone or a SPOT locator.

 

[IllHunter]

Ramen

is lightweight and easy. Hormel makes some prepared indiv. meals that can be m/w or boiled over a pot of water. Packing out the plastic is my neg. Having pepper steak with rice in ten minutes is my +++++++.

If it uses batteries, think twice. GPS is nice but compass/map is more reliable.

I leave 5 gals drinking water in a solar shower near or on the truck. Heating frozen water or snow uses more fuel. The shower bag keeps it flowing and I fill up camel etc. when I return to truck.

I try to pack only items that can do 2 or more jobs. Waterproof matches are lmore reliable than lighters but 1 butane lighter is a must. +1 on the solid fuel stove. Make a small folding grill from a roasting pan insert. Two folds and it stands over the stove/fire as a steady base. Weighs 2.2 ozs. lets me grill backstraps!!

I use a closed cell foam pad to sit on and as pillow.
PS forget all that cleaning crud, get a Boresnake in the right size. It weighs nothing and does all! Made by Hoppes who know sumpin about the subject.

 

[bad_aim_billy]

Looks like you have a good idea of what you're up against, but I would also echo getting a SPOT locator. Not a huge monetary expense, and the "send help" and online tracking can come in handy if you get hurt or just need help packing out an animal.

 

[courtgreene]

I don't mean to sound like a female cleansing solution applicator, but if I were not employed and I told my wife that I was going to be going hunting for 13 days instead of finding work... I would soon find myself both unemployed and divorced. Couldn't you put the trip on hold until your job woes were behind you? I do not know your details, and I know every situation is different, but I am just suggesting that this time may need to be better spent.

 

[sumpnz]

You're operating under the assumption that a) my wife is objecting, b) that I don't have a LOT of hooks in the water, and c) that this trip would effect the job search in a meaningful way. All three of those assumptions are incorrect.

In the event that someone wanted to contact me about a job I'll be able to find out within a day or so, and/or my wife will be able to speak for me.

And, it's not like I can go hunting later in the year. It ain't like east coast deer seasons that run for 4 months. This is an 11 day season. I go or I don't. I've made the calculations, and I'm going. Should a job come along plans will be modified accordingly.

 

[courtgreene]

easy now... Like I said, "I don't know your details and every situation is different." I've been an unemployed hunter before so I know where you are coming from, and you are right, we do have really long seasons here. I was just offering some perspective that you may not have considered. I hope you have a great time with a successful hunt, and I also hope you find a job. It's tough right now. good luck.

 

[Bwana John]

Rifle - CZ550 9.3x62mm
Ammo - 15 rounds of handloads (286gr Partitions)
cleaning rod/patches/cleaner Boresnake
electrical tape (to cover muzzle when raining)
Sig P245 with at least 13 rounds
Hunting License and Side Arm - Tag (elk and including a bear and cougar tag)
ID Also wilderness and or campfire permit
Backpack (internal frame hiking pack- might be able to borrow BIL's external frame pack YES! if necessary)
Topo map of the area In a waterproof ziplock
GPS (Garmin Rino 120)
Compass (need to buy, recommendations???) Brunton pocket transit
Tent (lightweight backpacking type - will be borrowed from a friend)
Sleeping bag (compact down type rated to 25F IIRC)
pillow
Backpacking stove
small pot
steel mug (but not ceramic coated - about the size of a normal coffee mug)
Leatherman
2x Buck knife (one fixed blade with a gut hook, one folding)Only one is necessary
compact binos
4x Alaskan cheese cloth game bags 2 will be fine for a boned out elk
para cord
string
orange surveyors tape
Camo coveralls
regular camo pants
several pairs of polypropylene thermal underwear Only one is necessary
several pairs hiking socks
broken in boots
flannel shirts Only one is necessary, use wool or polypro not cotton
wool/poly coat
blaze orange vest
blaze orange baseball cap
blaze orange stocking cap
camo Thinsulate gloves
TP
baby wipes
small shovel (need to buy/borrow)
water filter (to be borrowed from a friend)
lighter/matches
cotton balls with Vaseline
folding chair
headlamp (borrowed from BIL)
Ibuprofen and naproxen

I used to backpack hunt in the Sierra Nevada every season for 15 years.

I would dump everything in red.

You do not need a pillow! (use your sleeping bag stuff sack with extra clothes inside)
You do not need a pistol, you have a rifle.
You do not need a tent Go light, high speed, low drag!
You do not need hot food. If you need it, build a fire.
Only take enough clothes to be warm enough first thing in the morning while wearing all of them

You will not be able to carry 13 days of food, and you dont want to shoot a elk too far away from the truck without horses to help, Id say spike out for 2-3 days at a time.

You DO NEED a sleeping pad, Id bring a ground cloth also.
You also need the best binos you can get, not some "compact" model
I would also bring a sharpening stone or steel.
I also bring a "sierra saw"
I would also bring a small daypack for hunting during the day with.
A good 7mm X 25m rope and rescue pulley is the only way you will be able to hang the elk meat if you cant pack it all out, para cord will NOT do it.

REMEMBER- You have to pack out a boned out elk AND everything else if successful. I used to leave my camp, get the all the meat(deer) out in one push. My wife would hike up with just a daypack, sleep at the camp, then carry it all back down a couple of days later.

 

[esq_stu]

I'm gonna watch this thread - I've been starting to plan a backpacking fishing trip with my son. Much of the advice would work for that.

There could be bear and big cats where I'm thinking of going. I was thinking about what firearm for personal defense (2- or 4-legged predators)? I suppose I could start another thread.

Two responses here say ditch the handgun. So if I'm fishing, ditch all firearms, since I won't be needing a rifle either? Considering that I'm always armed, I might feel naked. I'd like to hear the reasons. Concern about excess weight, or something else?

 

[joshk-k]

I think in a fishing trip like you're planning, most people would recommend you keep the pistol. When you've got a rifle, though, while hunting, another heavy-ish backup gun seems unnecessary. I think that this thread is good even for those of us who are not doing serious backpacking in to hunt, but are still camping/roughing it. There's no real reason to make things more logistically, financially, and practically complicated with stuff you don't need.

Best of luck in everyone's hunting this year.

 

[CoRoMo]

I just came back from a week-long backpack hunt into the backcountry for muzzleloader season.

Bwana John is right. Leave as much stuff behind as you can bare to do without. You'll thank us later.

I would make changes to his amended list of yours by adding some more of your items to the "leave behind" list, and taking one or two items, that he nixed, along for the trip. But his and my lists wouldn't be just right for you, you'll have to figure out what is excess baggage and what is necessary. A pillow is not at all necessary.

I have a list of things that I'll leave in my truck, at the trailhead, that I won't pack in with me. If they become necessary, I can always hike out to get whatever I need.

After your first trip out, you'll have a good idea of what you should not have brought and what you should have.

 

[X-Rap]

The reason for me to ditch the handgun is simple, If hunting I already have a rifle. When backpacking any extra weight is a burden. I try to take a lighter carbine with a but cuff full of extra ammo and a rag soaked in oil to wipe down if it gets wet. My preference for an Otis cleaning kit over a snake is only due to the cable being able to dislodge a stuck case. The suggestion of changing out a rifle for a pistol on your first packout of game is a good one if you feel your vehicle is fairly safe especially in bear country.
If I am fishing then I often carry a handgun. Sometimes it is a 357 revolver but more often it is a med. frame Glock in .40 or .357 sig the reason is not for hunting but protection.

 

[rcmodel]

and bic lighters

As a long-time smoker I can tell you this about that.

BIC lighters do not work when your hands are wet.

The cheap no-name brand lighters with the covered striker wheel & thumb lever and adjustable flame will get you lit in any weather.

rc