Thanks for the replys (for the most part any way)

Yeah, I do kinda get the feeling some think all hunters are Redneck morons that shoot each other. Whatever. It's the people that think that way, that I would fear with a gun.

Anyway, someone asked for a little more info so here goes:
I mainly hunt whitetail deer, in VA, WVA, NC. I hunt alone 75% of the time. I know it is breaking the #1 rule, but If I die doing it, so be it.
In most cases though I am only .5 to 2.0 miles from the truck, but getting lost comming out in the Dark is an issue. I have been "turned around" a few times but managed to get out. Luckly compasses work in the dark <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />.
I weighed my PSK this morning and it tips the scale at just under 2 lbs, My First Aid kit was 5 or 6 oz.

My PSK includes:
A plastic 1 liter container -that everything fits in.
combo whisle, signal mirror, compass, with container filled with fishing line, hooks, splitshot.
Match container filled with dryer lint, and wrapped with Ducttape (about 5-6')
magnesium fire starter
1 box water/wind resistant matches
1 small lock blade knife
rain poncho
space blanket, (the thin cheapy kind)
chapstick
flashlight
2 AA batteries
second signal mirror
trash bag

My First aid kit
has assorted bandages
med. tape
band aids
antibiotic ointment
anti itch ointment
tylenol, nexium, immodium, benedryl, vicoden
sissors
gloves
needle & thread
and some other stuff I cant think of.

Now my hunting bag weighs about a pound, so with PSK and first aid kit, and a small metal bowel (for boiling water), and 50' nylon cord, its still less than 3.5 lbs.

Now my 6x8' tarp weighs 1.1 pounds. I am thinking about ditching it. I have a space blanket, poncho, and 1 HD trash bag already.
I could add a couple more HD trash bags that weigh 2 oz a peice and probably be ok. What do you think?

Weight is really important to me as a hunter. Keep in mind I still have to add food, water, ammo, deer calls, optics/range finder (during bow season) etc.

Mark G

It looks like you have a good start. The two items that I would add in are a Strobe light and a GPS.

20

Mark,

You might give the Coghlan Emergency Bag a try. They are only about $4.00. Put only one loop of duct tape on the closed end. That way your feet can stick up without poking the bag. Then put three more loops on the open end to hold it open. Sliding in there is a very secure feeling. It is like getting in your tent. Use the trash bags filled with pine needles for blankets. Add gloves, a stocking cap, and something for your neck and you will be warmer.

One of the LED headlamps with a flash mode is a wonderful thing. Still have to get my twins Petzal headlamps.

I hope you are using a good signal mirror that has the sighting hole that creates the bright spot for aiming. Also the Fox 40 and Storm whistles are worth looking for. The Storm is the loudest, it is the boating section of WalMart for $4.88.

There is nothing more real than hunting! Enjoy!

A couple of quick comments...

First, double-check that combo whistle/compass/whatever else. It might add a little weight, but a Fox or ACR whistle would be MUCH better. I also cannot stand a cheap compass. If you have no compass, you know that you are lost. If you have an unreliable compass, you have a false sense of security. I was recently in an army surplus store, and some of their compasses absolutely did not work. I would much rather have a decent Brunton, Silva or Suunto compass. You can get a decent baseplate compass for $10. Then, you can pop the capsule out of the plate to make it smaller. It is bigger than your combo device, but MUCH more reliable.

Second, you might want to consider dumping the tarp for something smaller/lighter. I picked up from the local dollar store a small, rolled-up piece of plastic sheeting for $1.00 plus tax. This item is much smaller than the traditional blue tarp. It measures 8' x 12' when unfolded. I am sure that it has nowhere the durability of a real tarp, but hopefully you are rescued within a week. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> If you cannot find this particular plastic, then look for a plastic drop cloth in the paint section of your local department store.

Finally, have fun hunting. And don't pull a Dick Cheney: remember to get a permit before trying to take lawyers. And it takes more than birdshot to bag a lawyer. Even though they are lawyers, you should still try to be humane. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I rarely hunt alone, but I don't see anything wrong with doing so unless you don't tell anybody where you will be and for how long. Here's what I typically carry. Items in caps are always with me:

BIC LIGHTER
8 X 10 silnylon tarp (1.1 oz)
Surefire G2Z
RIFLE OR BOW
AMMO OR ARROWS
Handgun and ammo
BINOCULARS
FIELD DRESSING GLOVES
32 OZ NALGENE BOTTLE
NESTED CAMPMOR METAL CUP
BUCK S30V PBS CROSSLOCK
TRIOX
PHOTON 3
TRU-NORD COMPASS
MAPS
GAME CALLS
Mountainsmith lumbar pack with shoulder straps
ZIPPO
GARMIN RINO GPS/RADIO W EARBUD
large Sterno
CMG INFINITY ULTRA
CELL PHONE
MAGFIRE PRO
MOSQUITO HEADNET
LEATHERMAN KF4 JUICE
Vacuum bottle
Game shears
SUNSCREEN
SUNGLASSES

BECKER BK10 CONTAINING THE FOLLOWING:
SNARE WIRE
FISH HOOKS- 5
6 # TEST LINE- 25’
CUT DOWN SPARKLITE
SPARKLITE TINDER- 3
SPACE BLANKET
MINI-BIC LIGHTER
WETFIRE TINDER
ORANGE GARBAGE BAG
ALLAN WRENCH

COUNTYCOMM WALLET CONTAINING THE FOLLOWING:
HUNTING PERMIT(S)
CCL
DRIVERS LICENSE
INSURANCE CARD
CREDIT CARD
P-38 CAN OPENER
CASH
12’ PARACORD
BAND-AIDS (3)
PEPCID AC (2)
BURN OINTMENT
ANTISEPTIC WIPES (2)
CARMEX
SUNSCREEN
COTTON BALL TINDER
RANGER BAND
HACKSAW BLADE (3”)
CC SIZED DIAMOND SHARPENER

BCB TIN CONTAINING THE FOLLOWING:
FOX 40 WHISTLE
STARFLASH MIRROR
PEN CORE
WATERPROOF PAPER
BUTTON COMPASS
PHOTON FREEDOM
DUCT TAPE (3’)
PONCHO (OUTSIDE OF TIN)
PARACORD-20’ (OUTSIDE OF TIN)
KNIFE BLADE FROM RAGNAR (2”)
MINI-BIC LIGHTER
TRICK CANDLES
SPARKLITE TINDER
ASPIRIN (4)
IBUPROPHIN (4)
IMMODIUM (2)
BENADRYL (2)
PEPCID AC (1)
POTABLE AQUA (20)
BOULLION (4)
COFFEE BAGS (2)
HEAVY DUTY TINFOIL
8 OZ BREAST MILK BAGS (3)
SNARE CABLE
SNARE LOCK
MP1 TABLETS (6)
RANGER BANDS (4)
QUARTERS (2)
LARGE NEEDLE
SAFETY PINS (3)
RAZOR BLADE
WIRE SAW
SPARE CR2016 BATTS
SNARE DIAGRAMS
SURVIVAL NOTES
LIST OF CONTENTS

NORAD45,

Thanks for that very complete list. I have a question though. I assume all this goes into a bag, or backpack (framed or otherwise), my question is how much does your gear weigh.
I weighed my bag the other day, with all my survival gear, first aid kit, extra food and .5 liter bottle of H20, it comes in at about 6.5 lbs. Is this too heavy?

Thanks,

Mark G

I have not weighed my gear. If I had to guess I would say my PSK, including $0.99 poncho and paracord, weighs about 3 lbs. My Becker probably 1-1/2 lbs. Rifle, scope, & ammo: 9 lbs. Add another 3 lbs for water and snacks. Good grief, I'm surprised I can stagger up the mountain! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Seriously, I do step up my conditioning about 3 months before my hunt. I figure whatever weight I lose is more stuff I can carry. Don't get too hung up on weight. Carry what you need to stay safe and to hunt effectively, and then build an exercise regimen around that.

hello Norad45 - I enjoyed your list, but had a question on the sidearm/handgun being optional, leaving rifle as your only firearm, and also the lack of a hat. I ask this as someone who is considering taking up hunting, mainly wild boar in this neck of the woods.

Sorry, I did not bother to mention any clothing. I wear gore-tex boonie hats myself. I do not bother with a handgun if I am carrying a rifle. I figure the rifle is much better suited to the game I am hunting (elk and mule deer) than any of my handguns. I will carry a handgun while hiking or bowhunting, which I believe to be legal as long as you have a valid CCL (obviously check your state regs.)

I'm not as knowledgeable in this area as I would like, but is it considered concealed carry if you have your handgun in a holster at your side or on your thigh. This would be fully visible and not an in-belt, shoulder or ankle type rig meant for hiding. I mean, if I go hunting with my shotgun, in Illinois, can I legally carry my handgun at my side? Seems to me, that this should be okay, but I'm not clear. I know I've taken my guns out in the field for target practice, and they get holstered out there. I suppose someone could come by, but it's highly unlikely - still I would like to know if this is considered concealed carry even though it's readily visible (not under a coat or anything).