What's in your pack for a 5-7 day hunt?

my pack will consist of the following for this year:
1) 1 pk top ramen per day
2) 2 pks of instant oatmeal per day
3) 1.5 hi-energy bars per day
4) tea & powdered vitamin C drink
5) 2 bags jerky
6) coleman exponent stove w/ 2 gas cannisters
7) titanium cup
8) titanuim spork
9) snowpeak titanium cookset(small) or small tea pot or both
10) cord
11) extra batteries
12) flashlights(2)
13) headlamp
14) waterbag w/ filtration system
15) 2 water bottles w/ filtration system
16) small radio
17) satellite phone
18) lighter, matches and fire starter
19) chain saw(small hand style)
18) extra ammo
19) long johns
20) 2 pr socks(smart wool) and 2 pr liners
21) rain gear(helly hansen I think)
22) sleeping pad(thermarest very light)
23) Wiggys sleeping bag(Ultima Thule)
24) tent(2 man)
25) tent floor saver
26) tent stakes
27) spotting scope(leupold 12x40x50)
28) tripod
29) camp/tent booties(light weight)
30) extra boot liners--I think I should use these for tent booties now that I think of it
31) first aid kit
32) tooth brush, toothpaste, deodorant, ibuprofen
33) extra knife
34) small army shovel
35) backpackers toilet paper
36) backpackers towel
37) pillowcase
38) duct-tape
39) stocking cap
40) mittens
41) camera
42) 2 garbage bags
43) 2 game bags

on me I will have a knife, leatherman, ammo, axe, gps, camera, game calls, orange tape, binos, electrians tape, 2 pair leather gloves, one pair seal skin gloves, polypro balaclava, cowboy hat, jacket, insulated waterproof pants(well somewhat waterproof), schnee boots, long johns, wind shear sweater, watch---I think that's it--getting tired of typing too---chris

Good topic. Do you know what your gear weighs? I have a couple observations about you list.

Speaking of weight, how much weight do you lose in a 7 day hunt with the food you're carrying? I eat a lot more than that myself, but I pack Mountain House food. Even with it there aren't enough calories.

I'm wondering why you take two flashlights and extra batteries. I carry a headlamp with fresh batteries and no extras.

Somewhere in my stacks of cd's I have a list I made a few years ago when I was guiding sheep hunts a lot. It's complete with weights for all the items in my pack and on my person. I'll see if I can find it and put in on here.

Ken

I'm kind of a knucklehead and for back up I'll take a couple of extra things--like flashlights--I'm talking small ones--another thing is since I can't get out to scope out areas I take what I think I may need to be prepared--I continually pare down every year--this year will be less clothes and using a two man tent or maybe a one man tent---I'd figure that everything in the pack weighs up to 60lbs--I keep reminding myself to buy a scale, but I never get around to finding one I like that can hang around in the garage and take a beating--so I just load up and see how it feels---I may forego the spotting scope as I use 15x60 binos--but when you need to reach out there the spotting scope is nice---

I'd be interested in your list if you get to it--chris

A 5-7 day solo backpack hunt in very rugged mountain country is actually quite a long one and can be very hard, mentally as well as physically. I tend to go for 3-4 days, but, have done longer treks.

My pack for a 7 day slog will go just about 50 lbs, including the pack itself and 40 lbs is much nicer on my elderly bod. I will make up a list, as well, and post it for anyone interested.

I have been at this for a long time and have finetuned my pack to the nth degree. The big problem here is that the best, lightest stuff usually costs big bucks, not always doable for younger hunters with family responsibilities.

oh yea I do take a rifle with me also, just in case you guys were wondering---

Kutenay--would be good to see your list also---chris

csutton, I think your'e carrying too much shit , especially if your sheep hunting.For sheep/goat I would get rid of the extra flashlights and possibly batteries if you can, 1 of the gas cannisters?,I actually take a few more liner socks, lose the booties, tooth brush+deodorant(your hunting partner may not like it but he can pack it if he likes ), extra knife, shovel, duct/electrical+orange tape, axe and take one of the pairs of gloves. I usually end up at 50-55lbs including gun(9lbs)+pack. That's about the same amount of food I take as well, with another vote for the Mountain House meals- they actually taste good!

Alasken--I'd say probably 20 lbs is what I lose--but I can afford to and could probably afford to lose more--sure feels good when I come out of the hills--problem is it comes back all to soon--this year I will work out more or I want to so that the first couple of days aren't so brutal--it's the elevation that really is the kicker--living at sea level and then hunting from 7500' to 9500' and more is a lung twister---chris

trapntrav--well I like to be somewhat clean--never know when I might run into a female(sheep)he,he---really though I'd rathter be a little over prepared than underprepared--I do put some of the smaller stuff in my pants--or as much as possible--I know last yr was brutal as I took to many clothes, but we did hunt out of my Empire Canvas tent so the clothes and food stayed at camp while we hunted--oh well someday I'll get it all squared away--chris

Now there are some great lists here...can't wait for K's, too...one cannot ever know too much...again, less is more, unless you really NEED what you don't have...I carry too much unnecessary items...the lists will help me cut back, and enjoy the trip more....Arthur

I'd like to see Alasken's and Kutenay's lists as well.

Mine depends on what type of backcountry hunt I do and HOW I'm going to get there. I'll try to work something up as well.

I usually forgo the stove, fuel, and freeze dried foods, relying on parts of MRE's, jerky and energy bars...

I would happily carry any body elses pack just to set foot in your part of the world.

So, come and visit, it is NOT expensive to backpack around B.C./AB and I am always happy to help anyone from Europe to do this...and have done this for years. Or, why not immigrate, right now is a damned good time to come to Canada as we have a labour shortage, especially skilled trades, nurses, teachers and M.D.s.

If, you want to work and are willing to go into remote areas to start with, you can make a damned good life here, far better than typical Canuck bitching would indicate. Check into immigration, it might be a good thing for you.

Kutenay,
What a tempting thought, been to B.C once before, hired an RV and drove from vancouver up through part of the rockies, not exactly wildeness style but loved it all the same. I've got my other half now otherwise id be over in a shot, one day maybe and then i can learn the hard way what not to pack, get right into the middle of nowhere and eat whatever you can catch, sounds bliss.

Here is my current packlist for trips from 5-7 days, for anyone interested. I have a list for shorter trips as well, which I will post later.

Kifaru Longhunter Rendevous Pack-7lbs

Integral Designs North Twin S.Bag-3lbs..12oz.

Kifaru Paratipi-3.lbs

Big Agnes Insulated Aircore Mat-2lbs..3oz.

Ridgerest Large-1lb..3oz.

Brunton Crux stove, Snowpeak Ti pots & cutlery, lexan cup plus fuel containers(2)-1lb..8oz

First Aid kit plus xtra Tri-bands & Tensors-12 oz.

Two Nalgene water bottles-6oz

MSR Waterworks filter-1 lb.

Personal hygiene kit inc.TP-10 oz.

Hunting gear and rifle, ammo, game bags-11 lbs.

Leica 10x42 or Zeiss 8x30 binos-1 lb.14 oz.

Extra clothing, rainwear-2lbs.

Emergency kit, 8oz.

Total= 37lbs. 12oz.

This is a maximum weight and I also carry about 1.5 lbs. of food per day and 5 lbs of water. So, a fully loaded pack for a 7 day trip would go around 49 lbs. WITH my rifle and ammo. I prefer the 5 day jaunts and so this would be about 46 lbs, IF, I carry everything I have listed which I do not always do. I usually go for 4 days and don't carry some of my gear, unless in very remote wilderness, my packs average just over 40 lbs for 4-4.5 day trips....and that is heavy enough!

For 3-4 day trips, I will carry even less as I will use my Integral Designs Event South Col Bivy and Sylwing Tarp which are lighter than the Paratipi, not bother with the water filter and so on. I will also use my Kifaru Siwash which is a considerably lighter pack.

But, for 5 days +, I consider this a good average and, btw, I do not use a flyweight rifle, I carry a Dakota 76 or one of my P-64 Mod. 70s, all in .338 Win. on backpacks by choice, so, for those inclined, weight can be saved here as well.

K...this is a post!!! What a wonderful thing the internet is...it would take several lifetimes to equal this list...and then it would be too late!!! Thanks to all who have added to "what I need / don't need." Arthur Olds

quote:

Originally posted by csutton77(formerly csutton7):
What's in your pack for a 5-7 day hunt?

my pack will consist of the following for this year:
1) 1 pk top ramen per day
2) 2 pks of instant oatmeal per day
3) 1.5 hi-energy bars per day
4) tea & powdered vitamin C drink
5) 2 bags jerky
6) coleman exponent stove w/ 2 gas cannisters
7) titanium cup
8) titanuim spork
9) snowpeak titanium cookset(small) or small tea pot or both
10) cord
11) extra batteries
12) flashlights(2)
13) headlamp
14) waterbag w/ filtration system
15) 2 water bottles w/ filtration system
16) small radio
17) satellite phone
18) lighter, matches and fire starter
19) chain saw(small hand style)
18) extra ammo
19) long johns
20) 2 pr socks(smart wool) and 2 pr liners
21) rain gear(helly hansen I think)
22) sleeping pad(thermarest very light)
23) Wiggys sleeping bag(Ultima Thule)
24) tent(2 man)
25) tent floor saver
26) tent stakes
27) spotting scope(leupold 12x40x50)
28) tripod
29) camp/tent booties(light weight)
30) extra boot liners--I think I should use these for tent booties now that I think of it
31) first aid kit
32) tooth brush, toothpaste, deodorant, ibuprofen
33) extra knife
34) small army shovel
35) backpackers toilet paper
36) backpackers towel
37) pillowcase
38) duct-tape
39) stocking cap
40) mittens
41) camera
42) 2 garbage bags
43) 2 game bags

on me I will have a knife, leatherman, ammo, axe, gps, camera, game calls, orange tape, binos, electrians tape, 2 pair leather gloves, one pair seal skin gloves, polypro balaclava, cowboy hat, jacket, insulated waterproof pants(well somewhat waterproof), schnee boots, long johns, wind shear sweater, watch---I think that's it--getting tired of typing too---chris

80 pounds

OK, a quick stab at this...

Clothing...
what's on my body, plus a set of raingear, one set of spare liner socks and thick socks. Wool hat, in case a baseball cap is not enough. Gloves. Bandana. A jogging suit as PJ's.
Extra sweater maybe if cold, long polyprop underwear if cold... depends on the time of the year.

Food...
A freeze dried meal a day (one TWO-PERSON meal a day). A bag of pitah bread (or two), a chocolate bar a day, two hard salamis, some coffee or tea or instant hot chocolate. Instant oats for breakfast. Two one liter water bottles, three if it is really hot. Sometimes one of those bottles with built in purifier (heavy!!) Sometimes a few granola bars.

Cooking...
A tiny little burner, gas containers (2 or three), a little aluminum pan set, a mug.

Emergency kit...
some gauze, bandaids, pain killers, matches, firestarter, BIC lighter, needle, tape, road flare.

Cutlery...
folding skinning knife, Backpax (soon to be folding saw), sharpener, fork

Hygiene...
Toothbrush, paste, vaseline creme. Sometimes bug spray, sun burn lotion... sunglasses if sun and snow are expected. Toilet paper.

Overnight...
A big tarp and a few bundles of cord, sleeping bag (Wiggy's... rather bulky and heavy).

Hunting...
Scoped rifle, 10 rounds of ammo, binoculars, spotting scope (depending on hunt), LED head light

Pictures...
Compact digital camera, spare batteries, tripod (not always), note pad and pencil/pen,

That's about it... or am I forgetting anything....?

Legal...
Tags, hunting license, WIN card, drivers license.

Orientation...
Map, compass, sometimes GPS. In the mountains in Western Alberta I have found that I have little need for either of the latter two... until one time I barely managed to stay ahead of some very thick fast apporaching fo, and I was on a large high level gravel field... so compass is on the list. My GPS is old and slow, and finicky and often stays at home.

Earplugs...
I find that I've become very sensitive to the sound of the gun, my left ear hurts for days if I fire unprotected. So I carry some sort of plugs, used a roled up piece of toilet paper in one ear when during the final approach I had lost a plug; at least there was plenty of time...

Total weight...? Too much.

Frans

what may be too much for one may not be for another--you have to decide what you can handle--but that being said most would opt for lighter than heavier--how about them wise words

500grains--I don't think it would weigh that much--a lot of that stuff is light--but you may be right I will have a scale next year(if we decide to head back out) and will weigh it and post accordingly---chris