Do you tend to over pack for a hunt?

[Bowwild]

I always overpack. I can't recall ever regretting leaving something at home though.

Overpacking to me is bringing home stuff (especially clothing) that was unused during the trip. I don't consider it a waste of space to have taken peace of mind stuff like rain gear, extra arrows, broadheads, and even a back-up bow.

[Billy]

Short bed, regular cab, aluminum tool box on the Ford, AND ....she may look small, but..
there is a FULLY stocked kitchen behind them doors !!

 http://s57.beta.photobucket.com/user/redwinghunter/media/DSCN1625.jpg.html?sort=3&o=3  

There was even a cork screw in the drawer !!
         


p.s. I don't like this new photobucket system, anybody figured out how to get the pic instead of the link??

[Scarne]

And now we know how Bass Pro and Cabela's became national franchises.  LOL..I know this thread is a lot of fun but seriously...how much wasted money on unecessary "stuff".  Those are hunting trips in my world!

I used to schlep a lot of cra...er.."stuff".  Two trips to Alaska cured me of that.  The pilot could not believe how little I had on my first trip.  On my second I had shed an additional 23 pounds.  I didn't buy lighter gear, I simply took less.  I was NEVER in a position where I said "I wish I had."  Even during a 40 hour torrential downpour with winds in the 50-60 MPH catagory out on the tundra.  

Now...I keep it simple, I use each tool to it's maximum capacity (at least I try to).  Almost everything is dual purpose.  Rain gear is an outter layer, Coolers act as storage, clothes vacuum sealed, food pre-packaged, sealed and dosen't require ice. If there is an overindulgence it's clothes especially base layers and socks...I love fresh, clean, dry socks.  8^) Makes my feet very happy.  I could wash them daily in nice weather but I don't.

If i thought I could use my bow as a deer drag and not have to find a solid stick (how many here actually bought their stick?).  Seriously, my fall restraint is my drag.

And the concept of a "back-up" bow?  Really? That's why they make take downs...two sets of limbs.  And the second set only goes on serious road trips, not weekend excursions.  

Who here has ever field dressed a deer with a broadhead?  It can be done provided it has a real edge on it.  I forgot my knife in camp and  I was to lazy to cover the 1/2 mile round trip so I used a BH.

My hip quiver acts as a sheath for my little Asbell neck knife, and it also holds a clip on flashlight.  I field dressed my last deer with that knife.

The industry and their marketing geniuses have sold us all on more is better, "just in case" in that rare moment you need the "butt-out" tool you have one.  

Have a great News Years gents!  See you all on the flip side!

[Scarne]

[Scarne]

Right side of the screen....IMG code.  One "click" and it copys to your clip board.  Paste it to the text box and....viola!

[gringol]

Good points, scarne.  I read an article a while back about a special device for hauling your bow or gun up into your treestand.  These devices have been known for centuries as "rope", but someone is actually manufacturing a little hand-powered winch for cranking your bow up from the ground into your treestand.  If I remember correctly it retails for something like $40.  I'd like to meet the fellow that owns one of those.  He must be a curious chap...

[Scarne]

Gringol,

LMBO...that is way to funny.  I think I know that guy...seriously.  I saw him in the mirror this morning!  I'll bet it is a gear reduction model with a 3:1 retrieve so the 25 pound pack only feels like 8 pounds.  

I think it's human nature to take something that is inheritanlty simple and complicate to the point where it becomes an industry requiring a Masters Degree and 3 years experience to qualify for an interview.

I'm just not interested in playing in that game outside of work.  That's why I went trad to begin with.  As you know you can do a LOT with a piece of rope other than tying an overhand knot in it.  But that requires reading, practicing, and using the rope.  That to me is the fun of "traditonal" hunting & fishing.  Perfecting the craft, not because I have to, but because it is part of the challenge.  

Now tell me all about that hand crank dealio....8^)

[mncarphntr]

We're always trying to pare down the load on our road trip hunts. Bear camp gets pretty ridiculous, but there we have an actual hunting shack and usually drive up separately.
Doing a backpack hunt would be the real test for "gear-stretching".

[Billy]

Thanks Scarne..Was rushin out the door and ....as usual... and could not figure it out this morning..Do appreciate it!

Wouldn't a Zebco 202 do the same as that 'whatchamathingie'..??

[Scarne]

Pretty close...but I think the "whatchamathingie" is probably the higher quality and more reliable of the two...good luck!

[frankwright]

Every year I scale back my fanny pack to save room and weight. I put everything I remove into a bag that stays in the truck. By the end of the season it is all back in the fanny pack!

Now my hunting partner invented "over packing". He showed up in a full sized Dodge 2500 with a camper shell. He was picking two more of us up and we were driving to Canada.

You could not see in the windows of the camper shell he had so much stuff.
We had to unpack the truck and leave some of it in my garage so me and the other guy would have room for our gear.

[7 Lakes]

Things you never hear on a hunt trip.
Dang I wish I didn't bring this:
Rain gear.
Extra batteries
This extra lantern
This big ole warm sleeping bag
This extra bow string
All these extra steaks.
All this salt and pepper.
All this single malt.
All this clean ice.
This extra razor sharp knife.
This extra compass and maps I have a GPS.
Shoestrings.
Extra wool socks.
This big, giant, heavy warm coat.
Extra long johns.
Extra toilet paper.
Extra matches & lighter.
Extra insect repellent.
Extra drinking water.
This fishing rod & small tackle box.
Jumper Cables
Tool box
Ax
Duct Tape
Extra paddle

And the list just keeps on growing.  On the other hand Every trip I've been on I wish I had brought something I decided to leave behind.

[twitchstick]

Yes! I went ultra light a few times and learned it's much better to have to much than to little.

[Bowwild]

Most of my hunting is a few hundred yards from the back door. I still wear a day pack with a few doodads.

Every year I think dump the pack and use all these cool pockets. Once the pockets are stuffed and bulging I change my mind and reload the pack.

Could I get by with just the bow, arrows, knife, and clothes I wear....yep. However, I was a Boy Scout and the scoutmasters beat "be prepared" in my head.

[EcoRover]

I used to think I had to carry everything... Now, when day hunting within an hour of home and within a mile or two of the truck, I carry just what fits in my fanny pack and a few GI blouse pockets. Of course, the truck has basis stuff like come-along, extra clothing, food, saw, ax, etc.