I am an avid hunter, and my kit shows a preference for a wilderness survival approach, but would do in a pinch anywhere for 0-72 hours.

It lives in my truck (daily driver).

I have two ways to walk home if needed. 10 miles total. Water all along the way.

My plan is to get the heck home and for me, lighter is better. It ain't no camping trip. I don't expect to be all that comfortable, just want to have what it takes to get home. Whether that is being rescued by the Natl Guard in CO on a elk hunt, or a half marathon to get home.

Please critique.


The list:

Signal
Fox 40 Whistle
2X3 Mirror
Water
Water bags (Gerber baby bags)-3
Coffee filters-3
Portable Aqua-one bottle
Fire
Aviation fire kit (Spark-Lite)with tender
NATO lifeboat matches
Doan’s Magnesium Bar and Striker
Freznel lens-not in picture,
Small candle (tea candle in aluminum tin, a second empty tin was used as a cover and electrical tape seal)
First Aid
Bandaids-5
Tube ophthalmic antibiotic ointment (better than reg ointment since you can use in eye/ear if needed)
#15 scalpel blades-2
Razor blades-2
1/2 oz iodine(first aid and water purification)
Meds- in aluminum foil strip
3ea-Imodium-diarrhea
4ea-Aspirin-pain
3ea-Zyrtec-allergic reaction
4 ea-800mg Motrin ie “Ranger Candy”-pain
Tools
Buck folding knife-going to replace with a locking SAK
Sharpening stone
Compass
Trangia mess tin( cooking and boil water)
Coleman Emergency poncho-orange (panel marker and shelter)
Nylon Cord 20m
Paracord- 10m
HD aluminum foil
Stainless steel snare wire-12 ft
Duct tape
Wire saw
P-38
Hack saw blade
Photon microlight-2-white and red
Needle assortment
Safety pins
Thread
Waxed Cord
Fishing line, 10# test
Waterproof paper
Pencil
Fishing kit
Hooks, splits shot, flies, powerbait, snap swivels, fishing line 10# test
Military TP
Survival instructions



Mountainsmith buttpack with shoulder straps
5X9 Silnylon poncho
Fixed blade knife-Ontario TAK
Adventure Medical Kit-Emergency Bivy Bag
Katadyn Personal Water Purifier
MSR Titanium Cup
Heavy clear trash bags-3
Mosquito head net
I have a second net that I am going to use to make mosquito/insect mittens


In truck and available as needed:
Makarov pistol + ammo
Water
MRE’s-2
First Aid Kit- more trauma oriented with lots bandages, oral airways, CPR mask, gloves
German mess kit with alcohol stove and bottle of denatured alcohol
Cheap green JanSport canvas backpack
Multi-tool
Tools, jack, tarps, lines, rope and lots of other “crap” that may have a use

I assume the makarov is for personal defense? Unless your packing a shotgun, I would assemble some squib loads in your rifle for possible small game use or buy one of the subcaliber ( ie .32 acp in various .30 cartridges) inserts.

Yep. the mak is a personal defense gun only. It stays in the truck. I don't carry it while hunting.

Col. Townsend Whelen was known for reduced power loads in his hunting rifles for small game.

You'd have to restock for each different trip - but, 1:24000 topo maps of the areas you'll be in when hunting. Not needed for around home unless you live DEEP in the wilderness!

Also, a waterproof (laminated) ID card telling about you, your family/friend contact info (phone #s), meds, allergies, etc.

I'd throw a BIC lighter in there with the firemaking stuff as well.

And one of those small retangular pencil sharpeners (about 1"x0.5"x0.5"). I just saw this suggestion on another board. You use an appropriately sized stick in the penciil sharpener to grind yourself some quick tinder. Wet sticks? Shave the wet part off with your knife and pencil-sharpen the dry inner core into tinder.

You're much better prepared than I. I'm just suggesting the few minor things that I have that aren't in your kit, FWIW.

Nice work. Maybe lanyards on the whistle, mirror and Photon light. That way they won't get dropped or lost and you won't have to fool around making lanyards when your'e cold, wet, tired and have zombies chasing you. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Maybe some kind of small folding saw, or a SAK that has one.

Dave

ID/info card
Small BIC lighter
lanyards
Pencil sharpener-ooooh that is good
lanyards

Those are great ideas.

I do want to replace the Buck folder with a locking SAK with a saw. Likely a Trailmaster. Locking reg blade with a saw, can/bottle opener, screwdrivers, etc

Nice kit. I've never considered carrying Powerbait before. I'll have to think about that. How did you repackage it?

That's a good idea about the opthalmic antibiotic ointment also. Is that a prescription or an OTC item?

Finally, will your Mountainsmith pack fit a 32 oz. nalgene water bottle (or preferably two) in a dedicated pocket? I'm looking for one that will but the ones I've seen are all too large.

Regards, Vince

Good thinking. Only additions I can think of are a fleece hat and maybe gloves. ( tho I might pack double the amounts of each med carried.)

The opthlalmic version is perscription only.

I had a small screw top pill vial that I used to repackage the PowerBait. That and the other fishing gear fit in a small tin I picked up off the ground at the gun range. It orginally held percussion caps.

I think it will fit the larger Nalgene bottle, but not sure. I got the pack from Sierra Trading Post a few months ago. I picked up the shoulder straps at a going out of business sale at a local outdoor shop. I really like how well made it is. I have a small MS pack that is about 4 years old and no problems at all.