I read it as they had gear but left it behind to track, thinking that they'd come back to the gear once they found the animal. I'm not a hunter but many of my friends who are seem to do the same thing. They sacrifice preparedness for lightness and mobility, thinking of the tracking as a minor detour where nothing could possibly go wrong. Not being a hunter, maybe I just don't get it, but the post-shoot period seems to be the most dangerous part of the hunt to me - wounded animal, other predators, and an adreniline rush.