I dont do extended hunts, 2-5 hours upland and just carry essentials, 6 premeasured loads, 4 for right barrel 2 for left, caps,wipes,jag,co2 unloader,nipple pick,cell phone,small bottle water,goodies for me and my dog, some go in pockets other(water) in game pouch on vest. I never though I ever would carry a cell phone,but as I get older there is probably some wisdom to it, however,when deer or turkey hunting I shut it off.If you travel light on equipment you can load up on goodies.BTW I have yet to meet a pheasant that flushed within reasonable distance, that needed the services of my left barrel.
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Do we carry too much stuff?
- Thread starter bigbore442001
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paulvallandigham
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YOu can turn them off, and still carry them for your own convenience, when you want to call out. They all have answering or message services, and you can take your messages at lunch or in the car when you are on the way home. I think cell phones are nice safety accessories, and as more and more areas are being covered by towers so you can call out, it just makes sense. If you are in wilderness areas, you probably would be better served with GPS system device, and good maps. You are not likely to be able to use your cell phone in most such areas, unless you get near a large town. But if you have left your coordinates for where you intend to hunt with someone, and you don't return when you planned, searchers can come out, taking a cell phone with them, and call you on your cell phone to get your current location. Might save your life if you have a fall and break a leg, or worse.
I know I carry too much stuff. My dad would stuff a box of shells in his pocket and go out for however long it took to bring back meat.
I'm of the "it's better to have a tool and not need it, than need a tool and not have it" school, and so I carry a lot of things that I "might" need someday. Sometimes I have needed them, but most often it was just extra weight.
If you can carry it without burden and it serves a purpose, why not? I think we all learn after a few trips, what we really need and what we don't.
I remember a hike back in the '80's when I brought a snake bite kit and one friend wouldn't leave me alone about it. Several hikes later, he was bitten and was glad I had the kit.
The same friend used to scoff at us at the lake for having life vests. "I can swim!" he'd proudly exclaim. He was in a small aluminum boat when it got swamped by a wave. His other 2 boatmates had vests and he didn't. He almost drowned trying to "swim" back to shore with his heavy, waterlogged jacket on. Some people never learn.
If you feel you need it, bring it. If it's a burden and you later realize you have no use for it, leave it at camp. Me, I'll continue to be McGyver on the trail.
I'm of the "it's better to have a tool and not need it, than need a tool and not have it" school, and so I carry a lot of things that I "might" need someday. Sometimes I have needed them, but most often it was just extra weight.
If you can carry it without burden and it serves a purpose, why not? I think we all learn after a few trips, what we really need and what we don't.
I remember a hike back in the '80's when I brought a snake bite kit and one friend wouldn't leave me alone about it. Several hikes later, he was bitten and was glad I had the kit.
The same friend used to scoff at us at the lake for having life vests. "I can swim!" he'd proudly exclaim. He was in a small aluminum boat when it got swamped by a wave. His other 2 boatmates had vests and he didn't. He almost drowned trying to "swim" back to shore with his heavy, waterlogged jacket on. Some people never learn.
If you feel you need it, bring it. If it's a burden and you later realize you have no use for it, leave it at camp. Me, I'll continue to be McGyver on the trail.
With me I start out carrying too much,couple times out I cut back.We can kill all the Does we want,so I have pleny of Powder and Ball.
I do carry Cell Phone to either get help getting Deer out,or Calling them in before they are deboned.
I know I'm a Gadget Guy,got a New GPS,I'm just thinking of all the uses it has.Beats looking for where I want to be in the Dark,trying to find my way back to the Pickup,plus marking last spot on hit Game,or finding way back to Game in the dark.
oneshot
I do carry Cell Phone to either get help getting Deer out,or Calling them in before they are deboned.
I know I'm a Gadget Guy,got a New GPS,I'm just thinking of all the uses it has.Beats looking for where I want to be in the Dark,trying to find my way back to the Pickup,plus marking last spot on hit Game,or finding way back to Game in the dark.
oneshot
Vern
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In my possibles bag (3 magazine M-16 pouch) I carry 4 speedloaders, starter, 3 film canisters with bore butter, spare nipple and wrench, spare caps and patch cloth. To limit the stuff I carry, I use a fanny pack with H-harness, containing a survival/1st aid pouch, poncho, water bottles, gloves, (too large) knife, flashlight, cord, etc. Hunting in CO, you start off cold in the morning, and end up with just a t-shirt in the afternoon, so any cold gear is strapped to the pack. Plus the fanny pack is cooler on the back than a backpack. Small binoculars, GPS, compass, radio (FRS or ham), small camera,etc., go in/around clothing. Too much stuff, but I found that I've used it all when a few mountain ranges away from camp.
Vern,
Here in Pa., it is pretty hard to hunt more than a mile from the truck. There are a few spots and there are some hardy types who get back in a bit further, and they are looked upon with questions about their mental astuteness. I try to get no further back than my candy bars sustain me, and then head back to the truck around noon for coffee and a nap. Coat pockets pretty much handle all necessities. :thumbsup:
Here in Pa., it is pretty hard to hunt more than a mile from the truck. There are a few spots and there are some hardy types who get back in a bit further, and they are looked upon with questions about their mental astuteness. I try to get no further back than my candy bars sustain me, and then head back to the truck around noon for coffee and a nap. Coat pockets pretty much handle all necessities. :thumbsup:
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Mr. Vern,
I understand the need for a wrench and most of the other items you carry.
But if you would not mind my asking, how did you happen to need the spare nipple? Sounds like it might be an interesting story.
Best Wishes
I understand the need for a wrench and most of the other items you carry.
But if you would not mind my asking, how did you happen to need the spare nipple? Sounds like it might be an interesting story.
Best Wishes
Guest
Im addin to my pack some pills for my nerves,cause after the first shot my nerves are shot and I cant do nothin but shake:rotf:
How about this for a reason: you are out a-hunting and have a misfire. You pull the nipple to check for powder underneath and to pick it clean. During this process, the nipple pick gets hung up in it, flexes under the pressure and launches that sucker right out of your fingers and into the next county. Without a spare, your day in the field is done...
Exactly...I also carry a spare nipple in the little bag of odds & ends...it takes up no room, weighs nothing, and sure as I ever removed one in the woods to trickle some powder under it or something, I'd drop/lose it in the leaves for sure...rather have it and never use it then need it and not have it.Pork Chop said:
Vern
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Very good reasons. I think my buddy mentioned breaking a nipple. Anyone have one break on them?
On "better to have it and not need it, than ..." that's how I usually end up carrying waaay too much junk along on trips (just ask my wife). But all that "junk" has come in handy at times, so she doesn't complain too loudly. I HATE being unprepared.
On "better to have it and not need it, than ..." that's how I usually end up carrying waaay too much junk along on trips (just ask my wife). But all that "junk" has come in handy at times, so she doesn't complain too loudly. I HATE being unprepared.
I carry a spare nipple inside my nipple wrench.
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Mr. Pork Chop,
Makes perfect sense to me. Thank you.
Best Wishes
Makes perfect sense to me. Thank you.
Best Wishes
When I lived in the west, my first trip to the Mohave Desert, with a friend, he lost his camoflauge painted car. After that I carried a fanny pack with stay out overnight possibles in it. But I have trimmed my shootin' supplies to some cane segments holdin' powder, a bullet board, with prbs, a primer dispenser, short starter and ramrod with jag. I've discarded the stay out overnight, my place here is only 31.4 acres and I stay on it. I replaced the pack with an FRS radio, cell phones don't work in these hollars, and some fruit. :shake: I still carry my knife, a few wet wipes, and a length of rope. :winking:
