your hunting trip checklist

[moodyamber]

Ok, so I'm new to hunting and my hubby and I will be fitting me out with my own hunting gear.All I have right now is a blaze orange hat that I got free from taking the safety course.I figured I'd ask here so as not to forget anything that we may have overlooked.Also, I'll be needing a new pair of boots (along with alot of other clothing,camo,first aid,tolietries and whatnot) so I'm open to suggestions on a good boot for camping and hunting.I have a pair of Ariat work boots that are tan and fit very comfortably but maybe I need something else?Like I said, I'd love some suggestions if anyone has them.

So what is on your hunting checklist?

Thanks in advance!

[Greybeard]

What type of hunting?

[stevie_d_64]

Ok, so I'm new to hunting and my hubby and I will be fitting me out with my own hunting gear.

Thats like ringing the dinner bell!

Christmas is coming early!

You are soooooo lucky...

[moodyamber]

What type of hunting?

I'm just looking for your general carry all bag of goodies that you'd use for any hunting trip although right now I'm centered on deer season,but will be going hog and squirrel hunting too in the future.So far I have this list just off the top of my head and I know I'm forgetting alot probably.

gun and ammo (duh!)
layered/insulated clothing
camouflage outer clothing
first aid kit
ground line
web belt
canteen/thermos
blaze orange hat/vest
water purifier tablets
hunting knife w/gut hook
dressing kit
gloves
backpack
sidearm (my 1911) and holster
blanket
MREs/food stuff
poncho
fire sticks
flashlight w/colored lenses
cell phone (for emergencies)
2way radios when buddy hunting
camera
toiletries

[moodyamber]

Ok, so I'm new to hunting and my hubby and I will be fitting me out with my own hunting gear.

Thats like ringing the dinner bell!

Christmas is coming early!

You are soooooo lucky...

yeah I know.

My xmas list is almost all hunting stuff.

[sbb]

Dogs, shotguns, ammo and money. Everything else is just trivial.

[SkipB]

One bullet unless it's a two Buck county, then two bullets Just kiddin with ya bud.

[moodyamber]

"I am a trader. I earn what I get in trade for what I produce. I ask for nothing more or nothing less than what I earn. That is justice." John Galt

I love your sig line! thats one of my favorite books and a great author.

[Jeremae]

Well..... most of the Hunting Gear sold nowadays is perfect for ..... making money for the seller.

If my grandfather who taught me how to hunt in the 60s saw the gear I wear and carry into the woods, he would bust a gut laughing.

Boots... depends on terrain, water and if you're gonna climb up to a stand... I hunt in tennis shoes unless it is really wet.

Camo clothing... might help a little but only if you wash it without UV brightners (found in ALL detergents) no need to spend big bucks.

Knife... it is a tool not a weapon so stay away from the RAMBO survival knives. I carry an Uncle Henry folder, a cheap 4 inch leaf shaped blade fixed knife for skinning and a 5 inch fixed blade knife for busting through joints. Pick for blade thickness not length or width. Some people swear by gut hooks, I'm not one of them. I get same affect using leaf shaped blade by making small hole in skin and inserting tip of blade with my finger along back towards body and running up line I want to cut.

As a Eagle scout, I carry LOTS of stuff I don't need to be in the woods for a day just to Be Prepared so I won't disagree with most of your list.

Food I would limit to actual meal intended (lunch sandwich) and some chocolate and jerky.

Instead of firesticks maybe a couple cheap bic lighters (1 in pocket, 1 in coat, 1 in pack). Carry more than 1 flashlight.

Where's the Duct tape? a Compass sometimes comes in handy. I use the $2 ball ones you buy at walmart that pin to your clothes.

[HankB]

The most important thing about footwear is that it be comfortable and well broken-in . . . and you MUST walk over and across hills and slopes to determine that the fit is proper; walking around the block in the city or in flat country just won't do it. Take along some moleskin in your first aid kit just in case you do start to develop a blister.

Take along some toilet paper . . . or be very, very sure you know how to recognize poison ivy.

Sunscreen, chap stick, sunglasses . . .

[Greybeard]

Quote: "Carry more than 1 flashlight."

And at least one of 'em the kind that fits on your forehead or the bill of that gimme cap.

[anygunanywhere]

You will find as you hunt more that you will need to pack less. The advice on the footwear is excellent. If my feet are warm, then as a rule I am warm. Go for comfort. It is much easier to stay alert if you are comfortable. Discomfort leads to fidgeting which is noisy.

Anti-scent soap for your body and clothes. The anti-scent soap for your clothes has no brightener. Brighteners in Tide and other detergents are bad. I use a blacklight on my hunting clothes to ensure thay do not flouresce.

Leave the human smell stuff alone. Makeup, perfumes.

Non-scented deodorant.
Good gloves.
The clothes you wear should be quiet clothes.

Once the clothes are washed in the anti-scent soap, store them in plastic bags separate from your other clothes so they do not pick up scent.

The thing that scares deer the most are scent, sound, and the sight of a white human face and hands.

Do not take anything to the stand that smells human. Convenience foods, mint gum, soft drinks. Nuts and slightly seasoned jerky are good. Dried fruit is good. Water.

With regards to the toilet paper, there are commercial products used to handle waste. There is nothing that will alert a deer faster. I used to carry heavy duty lab grade plastic bottles with me.

Depends on how serious a hunter you want to be. The more stuff you take in the woods the more noise you will make.

We need more hunters. Welcome to the fold. Hardly anything beats a wild game dinner.

Anygun

[stevie_d_64]

Don't forget a deck of cards...

And since it's your significant other, "Skip-Bo" is another good card game to wile away the hours away from the stand...

[moodyamber]

The most important thing about footwear is that it be comfortable and well broken-in . . . and you MUST walk over and across hills and slopes to determine that the fit is proper; walking around the block in the city or in flat country just won't do it. Take along some moleskin in your first aid kit just in case you do start to develop a blister.

Take along some toilet paper . . . or be very, very sure you know how to recognize poison ivy.

Sunscreen, chap stick, sunglasses . . .

I've had these Ariat workboots for 7 yrs and they're well broken in and theyre still the best footwear I own.I have a pair of riding boots that are also Ariat(a very good brand of footwear.I used to sell it).But the soles on the workboot would prob be better for being on my feet in rough country.I've walked many a mile in them and done alot of horse work with them,not nessairly alot of hiking,but real close to it.I dont want to go out and buy new boots b/c it takes so long to break them in that I know I'll be miserable come hunting time.But, I will if I have to.

[moodyamber]

anti-scent soap for your body and clothes. The anti-scent soap for your clothes has no brightener. Brighteners in Tide and other detergents are bad. I use a blacklight on my hunting clothes to ensure thay do not flouresce.

Leave the human smell stuff alone. Makeup, perfumes.

Non-scented deodorant.
Good gloves.
The clothes you wear should be quiet clothes.

Once the clothes are washed in the anti-scent soap, store them in plastic bags separate from your other clothes so they do not pick up scent.

The thing that scares deer the most are scent, sound, and the sight of a white human face and hands.

Do not take anything to the stand that smells human. Convenience foods, mint gum, soft drinks. Nuts and slightly seasoned jerky are good. Dried fruit is good. Water.

With regards to the toilet paper, there are commercial products used to handle waste. There is nothing that will alert a deer faster. I used to carry heavy duty lab grade plastic bottles with me.

Depends on how serious a hunter you want to be. The more stuff you take in the woods the more noise you will make.

We need more hunters. Welcome to the fold. Hardly anything beats a wild game dinner.

Anygun

Thanks for all the really great tips! As for clothing soap,what is the best brand or what do you use?

We already have antiscent body soap and deodorant.

I'm not much of a girly girl anyway so its VERY rare that I wear perfume or makeup...although one time I put on some perfume and then went to build some hog traps with my dad and we used HogWild berry scented stuff. I kept smelling this stuff going "is that me that smells so sickly sweet?...god thats strong perfume!" before I finally realized it was the hog bait.I definitely know better now.