Must Have

S

Swede

New member
Mar 4, 2014
1,722
Other than your gun, with scope, bullets etc., or bow, arrows, quiver and release; what are some modern essential pieces you take with you on every hunt? How would you cope if you had to go back in time 50 years?

For me it is simple. I carry my range finder some food, and enough warm clothes in my day pack to stay comfortable. If I had to go back, I would practice instinctive shooting a whole lot more. Warm clothes are not new, but I would have those available 50 years ago. It would be a significant change, but an enjoyable one.
 
I would actually fit in with the mountain men of the 1820-1840 era. My boots wouldn\'t fit in, but if the weather is nice i\'ll be wearing moccasins. I use no modern gadgets. The sidelock shoots black powder, and round balls. Sometimes a pure lead conical if i\'m hunting for a bull. Iron sights. My backup weapon is a bowie knife.

My snacks are pemmican. (dried meat and berries)

Yes, i\'m a wannbe mountain man.
 
Chap stick and a GPS. I would be fine without the GPS, but I love that thing.
 
\"Still Hunter\" said:
if the weather is nice i\'ll be wearing moccasins.
Click to expand...

I\'ve been thinking on this a bit ... what kind do you wear? My thoughts are that all boots get wet, so you might as well get some that can dry, and a single-layer would be best for that.

\"AndyJ\" said:
I would be fine without the GPS, but I love that thing.
Click to expand...

Me, too. (So many uses, it deserves its own thread.)

I am lightening my pack all the time ... I am now using just a fanny pack, and as of yesterday (for a cc-ski) I took the shoulder straps off. I carry game bags, range-finder, and snacks. Sometimes an extra layer of insulation. A small first-aid kit (just some duct tape) and a small survival kit (para-cord and a lighter, plus some iodine tablets.) Oh, and a water bottle, usually 16 oz.

If I shoot an elk, I won\'t be able to carry much back with me, which will mean that I\'ll be making at least one extra trip. Small price to pay for the lightweight waist-belt pack I have now.
 
\"AndyJ\" said:
Chap stick and a GPS. I would be fine without the GPS, but I love that thing.
Click to expand...

Ditto for me. I wouldn\'t mind taking a camera, but would be fine without it.
 
For me, the biggest difference from 50 years ago to now is the clothing. I remember when I first starting chasing elk at 12 years old and I looked like an orange version of the Michelin man! I do not miss those heavy down jackets and pants. I love being able to layer now and still not feel like a blimp when I have all of my layers on. My layers can vary from day to day based on the weather, but it is the exact same foundation every day. Take my GPS, range finder, and any other modern items and give me today\'s clothing with my rifle, ammo, and a knife and I\'ll be just fine ;)
 
Depends... No not the underpants... Depends on what kind of hunting I am doing. If I am on the ground, I have HAVE to have binos. I feel naked without them. Funny how I used to think binos where there to help me pick out animals a long ways off. One of my best friends that I grew up with is the absolute most ruthless still hunter I have ever been around. Guys worse than the plague on deer and elk. He taught me to use them the right way. He will use them in dark timber....even looking for stuff well under 100 yards. He has killed record book blackies and rosie elk still hunting his way in and on numerous occasions killed them in their bed. To me that\'s crazy.
I like my gadgets too....love my GPS (someone just said a thread could be dedicated to that and I totally agree) and my rangefinder. +1 on the chapstick! Oh...and I like my water purifier too. I am a kitchen sink kinda guy...maybe someday I will learn.
 
I carry way to much crap...the only two things that are never out of my pocket when leaving the truck is my gps and my SPOT.

The Spot offers a \"false\" sense of security for me as I believe I having something far more \"powerful\" as a savior, than my Spot.... but false or not, it does provide my wife a sense of security.

My GPS has become a convenience that I can\'t leave the truck without. I don\'t hunt in areas where I need it to \"get back\" to the truck but rather as a gadget that allows me to always be scouting.
 
Flashlight. One year I headed off to scout the night before season. I went too far and stayed too late. I dropped off the side of a mountain so I didn\'t have to decend the rocks I scaled to get to the peak at just under 12,000ft. I managed to get out of the rough stuff but had 1.5 miles and down 1500ft to the truck with a GPS and Cell Phone for a flashlight. Never again. Lesson learned.
 
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