I am just interested. After working in the woods for 23 years I just wanna go have some simple fun.

Dan

quote:

Originally posted by 333_OKH:
I am just interested. After working in the woods for 23 years I just wanna go have some simple fun.

Dan

Toilet paper! Always!

quote:

Originally posted by rdharma:

quote:

Originally posted by 333_OKH:
I am just interested. After working in the woods for 23 years I just wanna go have some simple fun.

Dan

Toilet paper! Always!

I find that paper towels or even wet wipes do a superior "job" to toilet paper.

This is typical of what I carry.



Backpack,
Rifle
Binocs
Rangefinder
GPS
Headlight
Extra batteries
Electrical tape
Flagging tape
Zip ties
rubber bands
Hunting license
Heavy duty garbage bag
Fruit bars/trail mix
Water
Lighter/firestarter
Super glue
Lens wipes
Shooting stix
Knife
and paper towels!

I operate under the premise that if I need it and don’t have it, whose fault is that.

Best

GWB

I have just come back from a backpack hunt and have to admit my list took up three columns of A4. It was mostly boring stuff like tent, sleeping bag, mat, white-gas stove, raincoat etc but somehow I forgot the shooting sticks, super glue and flagging tape (whatever that is). Repair kit really is a good idea, though, as you never know when your tent will tear in a strong wind.

I try to get most water from springs when I get in there, reasoning that if you can find where the water first comes out of the hill, it should be close to the quality others buy in bottles at massive cost.

My list also includes stuff to be left in the car in case things go wrong and you have to change plans.

quote:

Originally posted by Geedubya:


This is typical of what I carry.


GWB

Which Eberleestock pack is that, J34 or J107?

I have a J107 and I love it!

It is the Gunrunner.
http://eberlestock.com/H2%20Gunrunner.htm

A minimalist pack works for most of what I do, being in and out the same day. We go in and come out on four wheelers. So I keep water and other gear there or carry a ditty bag. Evenings can get hairy as its usually after dark when I come out. As thick as it is, one can get turned around. I make sure I have what I need so I don't have to spend the night with the "skeeters".

Best

GWB

quote:

Originally posted by 333_OKH:
I am just interested. After working in the woods for 23 years I just wanna go have some simple fun.

Dan

A few things I've grown fond of:

Silva ranger, USGS Topos, Gransfors Bruks small forest, Bahco laplander, Helle temagami, Swiss Army hunter pocket, fire steel, Exped scout tarp, UCO, Snow Peak solo combo, USGI cordage, duct tape, Fox 40, wet wipes, Emergen-C, tactical tourniquet, buff, wax. My bushcraft pack is built around an old Swiss engineer ruck which carries well through brush.

Best

Wow, GaryVA,
your reference to brands without explanation has led me on a long trail of browsing, sometimes without conclusion, but I kinda get the idea. Though I would normally find carrying an axe way too heavy, I might look out for one of those Bahco saws. Would they be OK for cutting the caps off skulls?

What is a UCO and how thick and long is your USGI cordage (and what has it got that other cord doesn't)? Also, what do you mean by "buff, wax"?

Cheers
- Paul

When talking in terms of "BUSHCRAFT", it's hard to ignore the value of the Gransfors Bruks small forest axe. You can build far more with one in your pack gear than without, and having one will actually allow you to carry less stuff being you can use the axe to bushcraft shelters and such afield.

- The laplander can be used to cut skull plates.

- A buff is used as multi-functional headgear.

- Wax is just that, wax. Multi-use to include being the best moisture barrier finish on steel or wood bar none.

- UCO is a multi-function candle lantern. Not only does it provide light, but used overnight in a small shelter, it will markedly raise the interior temps, will remove moisture from within the tent, and will dry socks and such hung in the ceiling. Makes a huge difference to comfort in a small shelter.

- USGI spec paracord has 100s of uses in bushcraft.

There are a bunch of multi-task handy items to have in your pack for bushcraft, but the ones I listed above are just a few items I've grown fond of having and using.

Best

Thanks Gary,
I am a master of emergency equipment/unnecessary junk and deride my hunting mate because he begrudges the weight of recovery gear in the 4x4. For a long time I wouldn't carry an axe in the car because bow saws are more weight-and-energy efficient but, with the increasing chaos of the equinoxial gales over the past few years, I now take a chain saw in case of big trees falling across our track on the way home.

It's when I've got to carry the stuff on my back I get serious about saving weight - but still finish up with a bag full, I'm afraid.

I've finally worked out that Buff is an elasticised muffler - could be good in a cold climate.

Now you mention it, I must get another candle lantern.

I take it your para-cord is the 1/8" 550 lb stuff. How much do you take with you?

My recent efforts to find cord for getting off NZ mountains went through two or three stages but, since I've come nowhere near needing any and left an elaborate kit in Picton, my light-weight emergency version has come down to 25m of 2.5mm Spectra with another 3m friction knotted over both sides of a 'loop' (actually open-ended) as a cordelette to connect to my belt and two Dyneema leg slings. That's still too sexy for hunting in Australia, of course, as our hills are the most worn-down in the world. Here I just take 3m of 3mm cord for general use.

Cheers

I have no experience in this area and I appreciate all the info that has been posted so far. A couple of thoughts:

Take Duct tape and wrap it around your water bottle. Takes virtually no additional space and Duct tape can be a lifesaver.

Instead of trash bags use two plastic contractor bags. They are very heavy duty, larger than regular trash bags and splitting two then taping them together (with duct tape) would give you a very tough, wind and water proof shelter.

Surprised no one mentioned a First Aid kit. Seems like a good idea.

Please keep the ideas coming.

I generally carry a multi pouch fanny pack. This greatly limits my carrying capacity but lends to my mobility.
I always carry in the main compartment: Nalgene water bottle
1500lb, 50ft cord
folding saw
wire ties
food items
Heavy trash can liner
Survival kit(UCO?): contains saw, fire striker, signal mirror, whistle, tinder & I added water purifying tabs, SERE compass
Flagging tape

In one side pouch is a map compass, lighter, TP

Depending on pursuit I may be carrying a camera, range finder, calls. ?

I carry a fixed blade knife on my belt (as of late a Blind Horse Knives Woodsman Pro) and in my pockets of my pants are another folding knife, small brass compass, ferro rod, chapstick, Fenix AA flashlight.

quote:

Originally posted by Doublegun:

Surprised no one mentioned a First Aid kit. Seems like a good idea.

Sorry, Doublegun, I took stuff like that as read. As I said originally, my kit takes three columns of A4. I'd add it as an attachment but don't know how.

Check out Mystery Ranch packs made in Bozeman, MT. Greta gear and made in the states!

Gotta have a good bug net if it's Spring or Summer and part of the fall. Also started to carry a Go-Lite poncho-tarp for rain gear and shelter, a light down coat and a light elephant bag. 4 pounds of gear to spend an overnight if need be is good assurance.

As North61 indicates, a lot depends on where and when you're going. A day kit core list must have knife, ammo, water, food, fire lighting, navigation, first-aid and protection from the elements. Apart from stuff like radios and cameras, most contents relate to that list.

What's a well made, reliable compass to keep handy and/or in a daypack?

Silva-type clear plastic ones have done me for many years.

quote:

Originally posted by sambarman338:
Silva-type clear plastic ones have done me for many years.

I liked the Silvas and the issue old GI lensatics.

I use compact GPS units now ....but I also wear a scuba wrist dive compass for fast navigation and back-up.

Yes. I get a lot of raised eye brows...... but it works! And works damn well!

quote:

Originally posted by Doublegun:
What's a well made, reliable compass to keep handy and/or in a daypack?

Whatever brand or style of compass you settle on, I'd recommend that it have a "set-and-forget" declination adjustment.

I've taught map, compass, GPS and land navigation for several years to our county's search and rescue team and I recommend that my students buy a Brunton 15TDCL. This unit works well for beginners and experts alike, and is reasonably priced (~ $35).

There are equally good compasses, but IMO this is a great place to begin.

Having said that, if you're going to be using it in Michigan, declination won't be a big problem. You'll be close to or on the agonic line (a line where magnetic and true north are in alignment.)

MInimally, I like to carry-

Container( stainless glacier cup}
Ferro rod
Emergency Space blanket(heavy duty)
Compass
Victorinox Farmer knife.
A spool of bankline or 25 ft of Paracord

About 1 pound of stuff that fits in a fanny pack

I hear now that thermal bivvy bags are better than space blankets, though bulkier than the small film type blanket.

I've bought two types of SOL-brand bags. One weighs three ounces and is rolled to about the diameter of a beer can but half as long, though I have folded it to fit in an emergency belt. The bigger one is about nine ounces, two-ply and can be opened down one side to give ventilation; it is still smaller and cheaper than the vapour barrier I used to carry for emergencies.

quote:

Originally posted by Doublegun:
What's a well made, reliable compass to keep handy and/or in a daypack?

The one compass that can be ordered with declination set that is completely reliable is a TruNord. They cost a few dollars more than the little cheap plastic ones but are by far better quality. Tru Nord 100C