Have you ever reached for something in your hunting pack, only to find that you’d forgotten one of the essentials? This is a cardinal sin of hunting trips- you don’t want to be that guy who forgot the water supply on a scorching hot day. By taking the time to create a checklist and plan out your inventory, you reduce the risk of forgetting the gear you need. Whether you choose a backpack or a vest, here’s what you need for your hunting day pack!
Portable Stove & Food
Imagine hunting all day and hiking up to a rest point to indulge in a hot meal you’ve been dreaming about for hours. Then you reach into your bag to find the camp stove, and it’s nowhere to be found. We all know moments like this. In everyday life, they’re disappointing. But on the trails, they can be devastating. Avoid going hungry on your hunting trip, and remember to pack a reliable, high-quality camp stove. It’s also a good idea to bring backup snacks and emergency food supplies in case your other food is lost, goes bad, or gets eaten by a bear. (Or if your hunting buddies eat your food and claim it was eaten by a bear.)
Drinking Water
This one’s a given, but it cannot be overstated. The average male needs roughly 130 fluid ounces of water per day, and 91 ounces for the average woman. That number is higher if you’re expending lots of energy. Humans can only go roughly three days without water at most, so it’s imperative to plan out the right amount and pack more than expected. You don’t want to end up like me on one hunting trip: licking the condensation off the water jugs to conserve my last ration. Your hunting buddies don’t want to see that, so for the sake of everyone involved, check for the water in your hunting day pack. Then, check again.
First Aid Kit
According to the research, hunters are at high risk for injuries and accidents, likely because of how strenuous the sport is. Or maybe we’re just an extremely clumsy group of outdoor enthusiasts. Either way- we need first aid kits for this sport. You could be using your hunting knife with butter fingers. You might do the tango with a thornbush or get kissed by a rattlesnake. Or even worse, you could get kissed by a rattlesnake in a thornbush. There are a hundred different ways you can get injured on a hunting trip, and a first aid kit can help with many of them.
Hunting Knife
We just discussed the dangers of using a knife on your first day with your new hands, but you still need one. It’s just a fact. Knives are highly versatile and useful on outdoor trips. Their uses include trail clearing and rope cutting, not to mention skinning, cutting, gutting, deboning, and butchering. Make sure it’s a well-crafted, freshly sharpened knife before you venture into the wild, and double-check that you’ve added it to your hunting day pack!
Headlamp
When you’re using items like your knife or your first aid kit, odds are you won’t have many hands to spare. The activities in hunting require full attention, and at least two hands. So, unless you have a secret third hand, you’ll want to pack a headlamp for hands-free visibility and safety. Find one with a strong battery for a longer runtime, and strobe or S.O.S. signals for emergency situations.
Rain Gear
Rain can be the element that ends your hunting trip early if you don’t have the proper gear. It can be tempting to say, “It’s just water,” but wet clothes can turn into hypothermia very fast in the right conditions. Even if you have a hunting blind that shields you from the elements, you still run the risk of getting caught in the rain while out trekking the trails. It’s best to stay prepared with water-resistant boots and clothing or a poncho.
Fire Starter
Fire has been a symbol of life for centuries, and for good reason. It provides heat in the cold, light in the dark, and sanitation where there are germs. It allows you to set up camp overnight, cook meat, create signal flares during emergencies, and burn rope to fortify a knot. Fire is highly useful and versatile, and it just takes a fire starter and lighter to get it going. These are lightweight and don’t take up a lot of space in the pack, yet they provide a wide range of applications for hunting.
Game Bags
You’ll need something to contain your game in after butchering it. Game bags are the best option. For any prizes larger than a whitetail, it’s especially worth investing in a durable game bag that can support heavy-duty weight. A trash bag might tear when trying to support the weight of the prize, whereas game bags are built to last. They’re more convenient, reusable, and sustainable than trash bags. Be sure to include a few game bags in your hunting day pack!
Hunting License
This is one you definitely don’t want to forget. Depending on the state you’re hunting in, the penalties for an absent license could include fines, jail, loss of hunting privileges, or equipment confiscation. Keep it safe and dry in a waterproof dry box inside your hunting day pack, along with other valuables like a driver’s license and money.
Range Finder
Range fingers measure the distance of far-away objects by projecting a laser beam onto them. The range finder measures the time it takes for the beam to bounce off the target back to the device. Knowing the distance of your target eliminates doubt when aiming, bolstering a hunter’s confidence to take the shot. This not only levels up your game but reduces the risk of wounding animals and prolonging their suffering. Rangefinders lead to more accurate and more ethical hunting. To shoot your prey in the foot would be to shoot yourself in the foot. Take the feet out of the equation, and use a quality rangefinder!
Survival Blanket
These ultra-lightweight metallic blankets barely take up real estate in your hunting day pack, yet they pack a big punch in fights against the cold. They’re made from reflective plastic Mylar sheeting, helping you retain up to 95% of your body heat in the cold. Survival blankets are a godsend for impromptu overnight camping when tracking that golden prize, and they can be lifesavers when mitigating hypothermia. So, get cozy in your reflective sheet!
Ready, Set, Hunt
These essentials are a good starting point for you to assemble your inventory. As you become more seasoned, you’ll learn exactly what else you and your group need to maximize your output and elevate the experience. For now, include these essentials, and you’re guaranteed to have one heck of a hunting day pack.
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