What do you carry dayhunting for unplanned overnight stays

[mcseal2]

I was curious what others carried, if anything, to stay an unplanned night out while hunting far from civilization. In addition to my regular hunting gear and clothing layers I've been packing a compression sack with these items in my daypack when I hunt and there is a chance of not making it back out that night. It makes me a little more willing to hunt late or stay on a trophy for the morning. The night might not be comfortable, but should be survivable in most conditions. The sack & kit weighs 3lbs 7oz all together.

It contains:
-an Adventure medical heatsheets emergency bivy
-GI issue poncho/tarp with pegs and cordage to rig a shelter
-esbit stove & fuel
-snow peak mug with tea, oatmeal, and a dried rice meal
-survival kit (lighter, firesteel, wetfire cubes, 50ft paracord, frontier water filter straw, water purifying tablets, nylon -catfishing cord, blank CD for signalling)
-first aid kit (vetwrap, athletic tape, quick clot, gauze pads, neosporin, chapstick, sunscreen, immodium, aleve)
-heavy socks in ziplock bag

I usually never open this sack on hunts unless I'm getting cordage out for something or have a headache, but I keep carrying it anyway. I am especially curious what others pack for shelter. I'd like to upgrade mine to something like the Kifaru paratarp, or a contrail tarptent. I've also looked at the better tarps with multiple grommets or tie loops. The poncho I've been packing only has grommets on the corners so it's tough to pitch real tight. It's cheap and weighs under 10oz, but I think I could find something better.

 

[Elkman]

I carry nothing more than my standard kit. I find if I have extra food in my pack I eat it. I always have rain gear and an extra sweater, three or 4 different kinds of fire starter so I am alwyas prepared for a night out. Only concern I have is water sometimes my bladder is empty at the end of the day. I usually carry 1 extra water bottle that sometimes surivives through the day. I have spent more nights out in the summer months (while working) with less gear because of warmer temps, but water is my most concern.

 

[Guy Miner]

Like Elkman, I don't carry a lot for an unexpected night away from camp. I've done it a few times, but it's not my favorite way to spend the night.

Typically I've got an extra layer of warm clothing & gore-tex in my hunting pack. That, a small fire, a few snacks and some water has, and will, get me through. But if I can get back to camp - I'll do that if at all possible.

 

[onesonek]

A lot depends on where I'm hunting, but the basics pretty much are the same.
Primary,,,GPS, Katadyne Vario, 3 methods of fire starter, fuel tabs, Med kit, GI canteen, cup, & stove, 1-3 survival blankets, paracord, 2 knives, (Swiss Army Camper and a folding Gerber Gator, TP, fishing and snare gear, 3-4 wraps of heavy weight aluminum foil on a 6x6" peice of cardboard. Extra pair of socks, Poncho or lightweight Gore jacket and pants. Optional,,, small folding bush saw, folding shovel.
Food,,, snack/energy bars, individual packs/ instant potatoes, lipton soup mix, jerky, tea and or coffee, powder gatorade mix.
Shelter,,,,I think the Sierra Designs Origami 2, is one of the most versatile shelters made, and wouldn't mind having one. Although I primarily just use a 6X8' reinforced poly tarp along with my 1.5# patrol bag and gore bivy sack (total weight for the 3 = just under 3lbs.). However, I'm designing a modified Whelen/Baker style shelter, combining both designs, for 1 person initially with 2 designs, one for moderate temps, one for extreme cold temps. Most of the Whelen's and Baker's on the market are canvas and too heavy. I believe I can get a 1 person down to 16 oz. on moderate temp., and 2lbs on the extreme cold temp..
Without the saw, shovel, and shelter/sleeping gear, I'm about 5 lbs, otherwise just abit over 11 lbs. Personally, I like a bit more comfort on an overniter, and don't mind the extra weight.

 

[Too Tall]

The best fire starter I have found, is Vaseline saturated cotton balls, in a film canisters. You can cram a lot of them in there, enough to get 12-16 fires going.

 

[Powerstroke]

There is the one small bag that never leaves my pack -
Theromo-Lite 2.0 Bivy
Extremely small first aide - standard stuff, but Aspirin a MUST!
Lighter/Soaked Cotton/Mag fire starter/Batteries/Glow stick/Compass/Rope

The rest is dependent upon time of year / weather etc. I always carry enough food
to eat very well for one day - I usually never get through it, so I know I can make
it to the next if necessary. Rain gear is pretty typical for Sept - just like the drenching
I took earlier today. At 11K feet it gets cold and windy in a hurry. The rain gear works
excellent as a wind-breaker as well.

I'll generally attempt to bring my thinking cap along with me as well :grin:

 

[BeeTee]

I carry a fanny pack with my day lunch, an extra knife, a couple of energy bars, small first aid kit, over-the-counter pain meds, fire starter kit, space blanket, flagging tape, roll of nylon cord, compass, and extra ammo. If I'm hunting where water isn't available, I'll carry a water bottle. Knowing what to do in an emergency is important. Take some first aid classes and read about survival training. Most importantly, you're more likely to be in a situation to help someone else than you are to need what you're carrying.

I once found a hunter who'd been lost for 36 hours without food, fire or cold weather clothing suitable for spending a late October night in the Montana high country. He was as lost as a person can get, had shot the few rounds of ammo he left camp with, and it was near sundown on the second day when I ran across him - purely by accident. He showed me a quad map with an X marked where their camp was located. He was quite a ways off the edge of the map by this point. The food, water and pain meds I had with me gave him the strength to ride double with me the six or seven miles back to his camp. He said he was the mayor of a small town in Texas on his first elk hunt. Just glad I was there. Jim

 

[Guy Miner]

Seems like you saved his life...

Good on ya!

 

[Elkman]

Good for you. After that long its a wonder someone was not out looking for hime. I will bet he thanks you to this day. !!

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Two emergeny blankets. One to go under me, one over.
Two plastic ponches. One to go over me, one for the base of the shelter roof.
Small bottle Jelled ether, several kinds of firestartes, farmer matches, magnesium stick, wind/water proof matches. Small bit of dry pitch pine for tender.
If I don't know the country really well, I throw in an MRE. Otherwise I just take my lunch and a few candy/energy bars.

Plus all the obvious stuff...

 

[BeeTee]

Good for you. After that long its a wonder someone was not out looking for hime. I will bet he thanks you to this day. !!

Guy & Elkman,

Due to downfall lodgepole I couldn't get my motorcycle all the way back to his camp, but close. The last bit of trail was all downhill from where we parted. I gave him the option of riding out with us to the trailhead we used, and then calling the outfitter from the highway, but by this time, his attitude had cheered considerably and he was willing to make it the last 1/4 mile alone to their camp. I was certain where their camp was.

He told me how absolutely miserable it was the night before. He couldn't sleep because of the cold, and there was no way to get warm. He had had a light breakfast the previous morning, and intended to just make a short scouting loop out of their camp and be back for lunch. He dressed light, packed no gear and took only a few rounds of ammo. He got turned around, and covered nearly 20 miles in the two days, crossing two drainages in the process.

It's doubtful anyone would have looked where we found him. I fully expected to run into Search & Rescue at the trailhead, but I never heard another word. The lost hunter was one of three from TX who had hired an outfitter to take them to their unguided drop camp. Without the outfitter there, they had no horses, and it was some 7-8 miles down the trail to the trailhead (different trailhead from the one we used), so the other two guys probably didn't know what to do either. I bet they plan better next time.... :wink: Jim

 

[mcseal2]

Sounds like everyone packs pretty similar.

I always want to be prepared so I don't end up like that Texan, or worse like he'd have been if you hadn't found him. I figure if I can get a fire & dry shelter plus get a warm drink & meal inside me I should be in decent shape. My gear list could be improved on, but to do so would add weight for something I may never use. If I get lost or even just find an animal I'm willing to stay our for to be on him at daylight I'll at least have the basics. I carry a little 2oz tin with a neck knife, firesteel, and a baggie with a couple vaseline soaked cotton balls in my pocket also in case I ever drop my pack. The guy I hunt with and I bought Garmin Rhino GPS/radio units also. They will show us where the other hunter is on the map and let us communicate if necessary. Most of the time we won't use the radio, I hate to have one squacking when hunting, but they are there when needed.

 

[Polaris]

Fire kit (trioxane, lighter, pack saw and wax coated strike anywhere matches), jerky, dehydrated pineapple (6000 calories total), tin cup, 8X8 clear poly, light sleeping bag, spare wool socks, fleece blanket. All fits easily into German surplus waxed canvas Rücksacke.

In addition, my gear always contains worst-case clothing, compass, hunting knife and 18' of rope, basic hemorrage first aid kit. If I were in an arid area, I would carry 1 gallon of water also.

When spending several days in the wilderness I include a .22 pistol and 50 rounds ammo double ziplocked, camp axe and a much more extensive first aid kit in addition to standard back country camping gear, extra knife and sharpening stone.

With this stuff, might not be comfortable but I can spend 1 or more nights in the woods and survive.

 

[YoteSmoker]

I hunt with 3 or 4 friends typically when big game hunting and we spend the night in camp. I always carry a compass and extra batteries for my rhino GPS/radio. My friends also have these which work great but even if it fails, my compass never will. That is the best defense I have to prevent unplanned overnight stays in the mountains.

 

[onesonek]

I hunt with 3 or 4 friends typically when big game hunting and we spend the night in camp. I always carry a compass and extra batteries for my rhino GPS/radio. My friends also have these which work great but even if it fails, my compass never will. That is the best defense I have to prevent unplanned overnight stays in the mountains.

I agree, as I forgot to mention a compass for backup.

 

[Polaris]

I hunt with 3 or 4 friends typically when big game hunting and we spend the night in camp. I always carry a compass and extra batteries for my rhino GPS/radio. My friends also have these which work great but even if it fails, my compass never will. That is the best defense I have to prevent unplanned overnight stays in the mountains.

I agree, as I forgot to mention a compass for backup.

I live by the Mantra, never trust anything electric or that burns gas or diesel. Have a backup plan.

 

[baltz526]

I carry dried fruit mix, then inside two water proof backpackers bags. I carry fire starter gear, cord, survival blanket, firstaid kit. My main survival gear is good led lights with extra batterys, GPS, compass. Hypothermia is your biggest threat when out in the wilderness. No cotton