Brian,
Good thought re separation from the truck.
Soon as the wallet recovers, I'm going to order some Mainstay rations and packaged water for the apartment. Re first aid, lighting, tools, etc, already doin' pretty good in that regard in the apartment, I think. I've always been a believer in quality tools, meds, etc. I'm kind of anal about quality and organization. I think it's because I realize my mind is not organized or of great quality, so my stuff better be!
Re pheasant hunting: I already carry a self-made kit that fits into an Atwater Carey pouch you can grab with one hand. I'd say it's about a pound or a little more, It's largely medical, but also has some duct tape, a Gerber "Ridge" Knife, small forceps, space blanket, mirror, eye wash, little lighter, spare whistle, Solitaire 1-aaa cell light, etc. Main intent is to administer basic first aid to a person or dog in case of an injury and keep 'em warm 'til we can get 'em some more help.
Kit fits into my vest nicely, as do two liters of water (1 for me, 1 for the pups, with two more bottles back at the truck to switch out at the lunch break).
Also while bird hunting I religiously carry: a Leatherman Wave on belt (will add my Mini Ritter to back right pocket when it comes). Pealess whistle and now a Photon LED light are on a neck lanyard. Spare keys (one truck, one apartment) are clipped to a belt loop and dropped via cord into front right pocket. Two lighters: One a hot "flameless" mother from Gander Mountain, another a Zippo, one in vest, one in pants. I check the fill levels before each outing and inspect the Zippos flint and wick regularly. A pen, a bandana, a pack of smokes (wrapped in a Ziplock along with some "strike anywhere" matches) round out my kit. I usually carry 14 shells. Two to start the day and six more on each side of the vest that are in shell loops that are inside the vest pockets.
(And, yes, i do pick up my spent shells and field strip my cigarett butts.)
Hunting wear no problem: Pheasant hunting is very walking oriented, so it's largely about light-weight, sweat-wicking and wind-blocking. After many years, have found good clothes, hats, gloves and boots that work and that don't get in the way. (As of last season, I now always carry a spare pair of polypro glove liners in the vest..great extra warmth if needed and almost no bulk).
Edit: Oops, forgot to mention the little Brunton compass, which is pinned to the vest. Started carrying the Garmin eTrex last season. Like it much. One long, unplanned walk back to the truck convinced me that $100 bucks was worth spending, muy pronto.
Waiting for my little Ritter pocket survival kit to get here. If I like it as much as I think I will, I'll probably order some more and keep one in the hunting vest, one at home, one at the office, one in the truck and one for carrying wherever/whenever. I figure 'll add an Adventure Medical Kit .5 ultralight first-aid kit anywhere I don't already have a medi kit.
Sound reasonable?
Edited by MGF (06/18/05 08:05 AM)
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