I try and bring the least gear that I can. 99% of my hunts are park the truck and walk in less than a mile...usually MUCH less than a mile.
I laugh at myself every year. On day one, I have a pretty good assortment of things I absolutely need. By mid season that list is cut by 3/4.
Here is what I absolutely leave the truck with:
Headlamp
hand held light
Pocket or belt knife
Leatherman (mainly for the small excellent saw)
Means of sharpening knife and broadheads (usually a small file with on smooth edge)
10 feet of parachute cord
A Bic style lighter
Quick Clot
CAT T Tourniquet (bleeding to death 500 yards from the truck seems like a stupid way to die)
Cell Phone (cell phones are now emergency security, navigation assist....I love ONX Hunt...and camera)
Most of this stuff fits into my pockets.
That's it. I also do carry a pistol everywhere, but instead of my daily carry 1911 I usually switch to a small J Frame .357 while hunting. I have zero fear of 4 legged critters, I carry in the woods for the same reason I carry in town.
I keep a tracking bag back in the truck. I keep it there for a reason. I have a bad habit of getting on a blood trail too soon. If my tracking kit is in the truck, I force myself a walk back, slow down, etc.
In my tracking bag:
A really nice flashlight a buddy built for me, with extra batteries and bulb.
Another headlamp
Flagging tape
Drag rope
A small pulley with rope (I might hoist a deer into a tree and leave it over night)
That's pretty much it. Obviously, sometimes a more complex trip requires more gear, but I try hard NOT to haul everything I own into the woods :archer:
:saywhat:
Great list. I would add some deet and my canteen where I hunt.
Do you run both headlamp and handheld light just incase(Thinking if I should just throw my normal light in the backpack, been mostly running only headlamp+ spare battery for it).
TTT. I would love to bring this back up to the top again to see possibly what others also decide to carry into the woods hunting with them.
For close hunts like that, I leave the crap at the truck that won't fit in a pocket. I'm going in with:
- headlamp if needed
- water
- snack
- cell phone turned off
- bow/quiver
- pocket knife
- revolver
- binoculars
After I shoot something, I'll just take the bow back to the truck and come back with a small pack to track and pack out.