After Reading ZS, and scouring YouTube for months...

by **870 Shell Shucker** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 1:32 am

I think I have "my" list ready. I want a lightweight bag, that I will actually take with me when I hunt. I've taken along a few of these things in my pockets for several years now, but have also recognized the need to take more stuff with me. I prefer a Hatchet to a Folding Saw, but the saw weighs less. I already have 100% of this stuff packed together, but I still need to transition to a backpack.

1. Compass
2. Fire Kit
3. Flash Light
4. Extra Batteries
5. Small Knife (Multi Tool might negate the need for this one, but not much weight added.)
6. Large Knife (Oh, but which one? I have several.)
7. Folding Saw (In case I break/lose my large knife, tire of batoning, want a precise cut, etc.)
8. Multi Tool (Leatherman. Doesn't everybody pack one?)
9. Small Mallet (For driving stakes, and for consistent batoning.)
10. Tarp
11. Stakes
12. Rope
13. Metal Container
14. Water Purification
15. Whistle
16. Insect Repellant
17. Sand Paper
18. First Aid Kit
19. Zip Lock Bag with Medication
20. Extra Bag of Tinder
21. Toilet Paper
22. Zip Ties
23. Gorilla Tape

by **Fletch** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 1:56 am

cliff bars or some other energy rich size efficient 'rations'?

water!

good stuff so far, show me some pics

by **Hanuman110** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 1:57 am

Looks like a good list to me. Making and tweaking gear lists may lead to obsessive/compulsive disorder though.

If you're going to carry a mallet, why not just go ahead and carry a tomahawk with a hammer poll on it? There shouldn't be much of a weight difference and the added utility should offset any weight concern in my opinion.

As far as folding saws go, I really like this one and have been using it for a few months now. http://amzn.com/B0001IX7OW

Good luck assembling your kit!

by **MacAttack** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 2:04 am

Drop the small knife since you have one in the multi-tool.
Drop the mallet. Use a stick or rock.
Drop the folding saw you are not building a house.
Drop the extra tinder. You have TP use that.
Make the flash light a head light to keep your hands free.

Throw in a SMALL hatchet or small machete type tool and that should take the place of the mallet, saw and possibly the large fixed bladed knife. And if you really want to drop some weight drop the large fixed blade knife if you have a machete or the other way around. No real need for both in most situations.

I hope that you meant 550 cord instead of rope.
Sand paper? its small and light I guess.

Add in something to carry water in.
throw in an emergency blanket and cheap pocket poncho.
Add in some food. The hunt might not go well.
Wool cap and some fresh socks.

by **870 Shell Shucker** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 3:41 am

Drop the small knife since you have one in the multi-tool.

It's a Leatherman Wingman. It's knife blade has a Combo edge.

Drop the mallet. Use a stick or rock.

The mallet is much easier on knives, and in some places I never see any large rocks. The mallet can also help me baton the first good stick, which I could then use for batoning others. The tarp stakes love the mallet. Perhaps a Mallet is a luxury item, but it's a good one.

Drop the extra tinder. You have TP use that.

I plan to use my TP as TP.

Make the flash light a head light to keep your hands free.

I have an LED flashlight with an adjustable head. It also has a D Ring on the end of the handle, which I could use to suspend it as a drop light.

by **DeadPool-AK** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 3:51 am

I Like your list, i forgot about meds in my bag, will be taking care of that tomorrow but that does remind me of something i have that you may want to throw in there:

With your compass, a decent size map of the area/state, might be good, just detailed enough you can get your barring and what not. swing by officemax or wallmart and grab some self lamination stuff (its pretty much a large clear sticker) do that to both sizes in case of weather. Wright also on the back good info like magnetic north and what not for your area just in case it slips your mind in the field. after its laminated if you throw a grease pen in your bag you now have a way to keep notes and grid coordinates on the back of the map for your records, hunting or survival.

Water purification, if you have one of the fancy hand held carbon filter ones awesome, but with that cause they can fail I would throw in say a flask or water bottle of bleach in there too incase the fancy one fails you have old fateful.

Extra item if you want, I always have my native plants book for my area thrown in my bag, the name of the book escapes me now but it has a drawling, characteristics, medical purposes, edible or not, bug deterrent, animal attracting, general information, about each plant in my state. Its a book and they are slightly heavy but i have it in a Ziploc bag and haven’t had to use it.

by **the_alias** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 3:57 am

What are your large knife options?

by **870 Shell Shucker** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 4:20 am

What are your large knife options?

They range from a 4" Buck Vanguard, up to an 8" Ka-Bar Camp Knife. One option is the 4.6" Bark River Manitou in my avatar.

by **the_alias** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 4:57 am

I'd classify 4-5inch blades as small personally with 7 being the starting point for a large knife. Hence why I asked.

That bark in your avatar looks nice !

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

by **870 Shell Shucker** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 11:53 am

Then, the next level of prepping is.....how can I have that much stuff for a few pounds less? :lol:

It's like a never ending saga once you start down the rabbit hole!!!

by **kaligaran** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 1:15 pm

Extra clothes in case you get wet. At the bare minimum a fleece pullover and wool socks.
sun screen
sleeping bag or blanket. I see tarp listed but if you are actually sleeping out, you'll be cold. At least a bivy to keep you dry from the ground.
I agree with dropping the mallet, folding saw. I'd also drop sand paper. Can't imagine what you need it for.

That's all I got at first glance without more caffeine in me.

by **870 Shell Shucker** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 10:51 am

I'd also drop sand paper. Can't imagine what you need it for.

Sharpening Knives, etc.

by **Caenus** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 10:54 am

Is this for hunting or general day hikes, bob?

by **ghost792** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 11:43 am

870 Shell Shucker wrote:
Drop the mallet. Use a stick or rock.

The mallet is much easier on knives, and in some places I never see any large rocks. The mallet can also help me baton the first good stick, which I could then use for batoning others. The tarp stakes love the mallet. Perhaps a Mallet is a luxury item, but it's a good one.

I'd replace the mallet and the saw both with a hatchet that has a head that can be used as a mallet/hammer. The Estwing Fireside Friend is an extreme example of a mallet/axe combination, but most of their camping axes and hatchets have a flat rear that can be used as a hammer.

by **870 Shell Shucker** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 10:54 am

Is this for hunting or general day hikes, bob?

Hunting.

by **Caenus** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 11:43 am

870 Shell Shucker wrote:
Is this for hunting or general day hikes, bob?

Hunting.

Ok, I hunt deer and quarter it where it falls, so going off that:

Then I'd suggest two contractor garbage bags to wrap up the meat and keep it clean/flies off of it, etc.
I keep a folding saw to saw through knees when skinning.
Rope/550 to hang it (unless you dress on the ground, but I think I saw that listed).
Small pelican type waterproof case for tag, ID, cell phone (I have the $5 one from Walmart).
Knife sharpener? May not need it, but might be a good idea to keep your razors edge.

I also keep a small pack of baby wipes or those moist toillettes from the restaurant to clean up my hands afterwards in case water is at a premium.

When rifle hunting, I also keep at a minimum a cleaning rod kit and rem oil wipes and a toothbrush. The cleaning rod can be used to punch out a stuck case or clean the barrel in case I accidentally poke the muzzle in the dirt/mud while climbing over rough terrain and also to swab the barrel with the rem oil wipes.

by **Guy Fawkes** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 8:01 pm

- flashlight
- mallet
- extra batteries
- sand paper
+ headlamp
+ hatchet