Western hunting essentials???

[Randy]

I'm planning on heading out west the fall of 2011 for probably Mulies and Antelope. Anyways, I'm starting to collect some camping and hunting gear and was wondering what some of the western hunters find essential to bring along? I bought a 12X20 Alaknak Outfitters tent and an outfitters stove. I have a smaller, external frame pack. (the plastic resin kind) I'm wanting to get a Nikon ED50 Spotting scope yet. This mountain hunting is all new to me and want to be prepared the best I can. Someone told me a Bic lighter won't work if you get too high in the mountains?? So, if you could help me out a little with a list of things to not leave home without, it would really come in handy and be MUCH appreciated.

[hunterbobb]

First thing is to get in shape. Start climbing stairs. A couple hundred a day to start. If you smoke, stop!!!!!. At the higher elevations it gets hard to breath. Add to that the exurtion and the decreased lung capacity from cigarrettes and you are a hurting puppy.

Finally a good pair of boots. You will not believe the stress going up and down a mountain puts on your feet.

Give me a call sometime we can talk more about it.

:gun2:

[whitetailtrax]

That's a very open ended question there Randy. It really can depend on what state and what season you are talking about. In Montana where I live, bow season for antelope and mule deer can mean enduring 90+ degree temps or cold into the teens. October and November can bring tons of snow or none at all - it really just depends on the year. Without getting into too many specifics, here are some universal items to have for a trip out west:

1. Good optics are a must both on your gun and in terms of spotting scope and binoculars. I use binoculars far more than the spotting scope. 8 to 10 power binos are fine and a 3x9 rifle scope will work well. Buy the best you can afford and try not to cut corners here. You will need to practice some long range shooting out to 300 yards for antelope so good optics are important.

2. Good footwear is of the utmost importance. You need rugged, durable, comfortable, and supportive boots for you trip. Just like with optics, you get what you pay for. You may walk 10 miles a day and you need your feet to be dry and comfortable. It may depend on what season you are hunting. I only buy Danner boots and have a couple different pairs depending on the snow/weather conditions. There are other good brands too - stay away from the cheap stuff.

3. A good/comfortable day pack is very important. You need one that will carry all the necessities and is comfortable to wear all day long. My daypack (by Nimrod) wieghs about 25 lbs loaded. I carry the following items: two knives, folding saw, flashlight & headlamp, extra batteries, rope, game bags, electrician tape, fire starter, first aid kit, extra socks/gloves/hat, water, food, extra jacket, and misc other things. I like a pack that you can strap on extra clothes if you get too warm and need to take off or get cold and need to add layers. Your frame pack should be fine that you mentioned for hauling meat.

This is just a short list, but some of the most important items in my mind. I'm sure others will have some advice as well. Good luck on your preparation and trip. Don't hesitate to continue asking questions as the time gets closer - lots of guys on here with good knowledge to pass along.

Mark

[texastrophies]

Take a look at this site.

http://elkhunter2.tripod.com/equipment.html

It is a camping list for an elk hunt. I know you said deer & 'lopes, but I would imagine a lot of items could be used in both types of hunts.

[silvertip_co]

Take a look at this site.

http://elkhunter2.tripod.com/equipment.html

It is a camping list for an elk hunt. I know you said deer & 'lopes, but I would imagine a lot of items could be used in both types of hunts.

I second the motion on the website above. I been giiving it to new elk hunters onlline for abt ten yrs with no complaints.

[HuntinGuy101]

All the above info is great advice! The weather can change from one extreme to the other so definately be prepared. I never go out in the woods without my GPS. I found a website that sells dowloadable GPS maps that go right on your GPS. They are awesome and they have a map for almost all the Western states. They give info like private and public land boundaries, list state and BLM lands and of course have all the topo info like roads, lakes, streams, etc. A GPS can save your butt sometimes and with these maps it will tell you if your on the right land or the wrong private land. MT map is great and even lists landowners names, a great way to gain more access to hunting land. Hope your hunt is great and here is the website for the maps www.huntinggpsmaps.com

HuntinGuy101

[Randy]

Some great advice guys. Thanks! Also I guess I'm looking for some of the "little things" that just make spending a week or more in a tent a little more comfortable. I've heard "baby wipes" can be invaluable. LOL What are some of the things that you bring that maybe you would just take for granted that this midwestern guy wouldn't even think of bringing? Maybe like some type of clothes rack to hang wet clothes on to dry or coffee teabags to make brewing that first cup of coffee in the morning a little easier. Two lanterns, one for the tent and one for outside. What about the shower enclosures that cabelas has? Do you lay a little piece of carpet down in side the tent by your cot? Food, what do you bring and how do you do most of your cooking? Think big time novice western camper and try and think of the little things that you wouldn't leave home with out. Thanks again!

[wtnhunt]

Good to see you getting back in here Randy, best of luck with your trip.

Never hunted out west, not yet anyway, but don't overlook remembering to take a good sharp knife or two with ya.

[texastrophies]

Trash bags.

Baby wipes work good not only in camp, but put some in your pack, they do wonders at wiping blood off your hands, among other things.

In the tent, what I did was get a poly tarp to put on the ground that covered about half the tent, and then I put a canvas painters tarp over it. That kept the area around the cots dry and comfortable to walk on bare footed. Broom for sweeping this area. The area around the stove was left natural ground.

I also took a small piece of plywood just the size of the legs of my stove for it to set on, thus keeping the legs from sinking in the ground.

You will want a table for cooking outside if the weather isn't to bad. Keep the cooking smells out of the tent.

Plan on something to hold your lanterns up. They don't do a lot of good on the ground.

There is a few, I will try to add more later.

[Randy]

Trash bags.

Baby wipes work good not only in camp, but put some in your pack, they do wonders at wiping blood off your hands, among other things.

In the tent, what I did was get a poly tarp to put on the ground that covered about half the tent, and then I put a canvas painters tarp over it. That kept the area around the cots dry and comfortable to walk on bare footed. Broom for sweeping this area. The area around the stove was left natural ground.

I also took a small piece of plywood just the size of the legs of my stove for it to set on, thus keeping the legs from sinking in the ground.

You will want a table for cooking outside if the weather isn't to bad. Keep the cooking smells out of the tent.

Plan on something to hold your lanterns up. They don't do a lot of good on the ground.

There is a few, I will try to add more later.

That's exactly what I'm looking for. The little piece of plywood (I would have never thought of that ) and the canvas painters tarp will be added to the arsenal. The tent I have has two interior poles and cabelas has lantern holders for them. I figured a few of them may be nice to hang things on to dry as well.

[m gardner]

We take lots of water Most of the water you'll find out here in the high desert isn't fit to drink, wash clothes or bathe in. Tide makes little single wash packets (www.minimus.com) that you can wash small loads of clothes in a plastic basin or bucket. We like them alot. I have some Exofficio boxer briefs I wear that are comfortable and easy to launder and won't chafe you or cause any jock itch. Take enough high performance socks for two pairs a day. They are easy to wash too. The tent you bought is very large and hard to heat from our experience. You'll need a big cylinder stove and may need to throw some tarps over the tent if it's cold. It will collect frost or dew inside from your breath too. Take a little sponge mop to wipe it off and get the corners of the tent dry. Setup the tent so the pipe is downwind. If you don't the prevailing wind will carry the smoke along the tent and during times of little draft the smoke will come into the tent through the vents. I actually duct tape some of the vents shut if it's really cold to keep heat in and smoke out. Take something to poison rats and mice. Some years they are at record numbers and will take your camp over if you don't kill them. I dig holes around the edge of the tent and put boards over them and the D-Con in the holes. They will come in through the stove zip out or if you aren't useing it they will chew through. Everything we take is in Rubbermaid containers and labeled too. There's probably more little things but I can't think of them right now. Enjoy your trip Randy. God bless.

Mark

[Randy]

We take lots of water Most of the water you'll find out here in the high desert isn't fit to drink, wash clothes or bathe in. Tide makes little single wash packets (www.minimus.com) that you can wash small loads of clothes in a plastic basin or bucket. We like them alot. I have some Exofficio boxer briefs I wear that are comfortable and easy to launder and won't chafe you or cause any jock itch. Take enough high performance socks for two pairs a day. They are easy to wash too. The tent you bought is very large and hard to heat from our experience. You'll need a big cylinder stove and may need to throw some tarps over the tent if it's cold. It will collect frost or dew inside from your breath too. Take a little sponge mop to wipe it off and get the corners of the tent dry. Setup the tent so the pipe is downwind. If you don't the prevailing wind will carry the smoke along the tent and during times of little draft the smoke will come into the tent through the vents. I actually duct tape some of the vents shut if it's really cold to keep heat in and smoke out. Take something to poison rats and mice. Some years they are at record numbers and will take your camp over if you don't kill them. I dig holes around the edge of the tent and put boards over them and the D-Con in the holes. They will come in through the stove zip out or if you aren't useing it they will chew through. Everything we take is in Rubbermaid containers and labeled too. There's probably more little things but I can't think of them right now. Enjoy your trip Randy. God bless.

Mark

Mice and rats huh? Good advice right there!

I have the cabelas Outfitter Stove and I'm planning on getting one of those heat activated fans to blow the air around. I bought the stove and the tent for a song out of the bargin cave at Cabelas. The stove was used but in great shape. It didn't have the water tank but it had everything else. The tent was brand spanking new but it somehow got a little grease mark on the pack that it comes in and they said they couldn't sell it as new. They had it marked down $389 from the original price! :jaw:I couldn't pass it up.

Where did you get the boxers? How much water do you bring for say maybe a week or so? Do you eat alot of "just add water" foods? Oatmeal, soups, Mountain house and such?

Thanks everyone, this is great. Keep them coming! :toot:

[m gardner]

Two people for 9 days is usually about 30 gallons of water. The clothes are on this link. I take a weather radio too. The tent is nearly indestructable by the way. Good choice.

http://www.exofficio.com/default.aspx

[HuntinGuy101]

Just keep in mind if your having to pack it all in cause the more ya pack the less fun it is bringing it out. Be sure to have plenty of socks and a couple pairs of boots. Dry comfortable feet are a must!

HuntinGuy101

[colorado bob]

Finger nail clippers, chapstick, Sounds crazy but make a port-a-pottie. I use some 2x4 & old plywood----1 holer & screw down a tiolet seat & lid on the top.

I'm assuming your a truck camping-----if so forget the mtn man food stuffs. They are hard on my system. I use can goods lots of soup, spaghetti, etc. Thing you can just heat & eat. Last thing I like to do is cook after chasing elk around the mtn all day.

I see your after antelope & deer-----that case you can prepare a good dinner & cook . Antelope are not a "hard" hunt-----so you won't be dog tired in the end of the day.

Rolaids for sure. Moleskin. Rubber latex gloves for cleaning the game.

A good cot & foam pad are a must.

[Randy]

Thanks all. Anything else?

[Dawg]

If you have anything that may be battery operated, bring an abundance of batteries. The cold weather will drain them quick. I went through several last year in Colorado using my camera.

Talcom powder is another must.

[m gardner]

One thing that's important is getting a good nights sleep and that is best done below 8500 feet. We take a trauma kit (PTK) too in case of bad cuts or wounds that won't stop bleeding.

www.cavalrymedical.com

[buckee]

If you are going to be hunting up high, be sure to pack some ADVIL liquid gel with you. Those high altitude headaches are not nice. Trust me.

Don't forget a cot to sleep on too, to get you off the ground. A better nights sleep for sure.

[AJ]

If you will be driving at all and not near a town, take some gas cans. Nothing worse than being remote and out of gas.

I take a tube of super glue in the first aid kit. It can be used to seal up large gashes and lacerations.

Don't forget extra batteries for the GPS, alarm clock, etc.