Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Packing List

Do you use one? How long is it? I know, it depends. What gear won’t you leave home without, intentionally?

I am not a list kind of person. I have left things at home before, but nothing major and have always picked a new one up or just did without.

I presume this is an early or mid season hunt and not Montana in Nov right? For this time of year there really isn't much I'd not need besides the normal knife, binos, game bags, etc.

A pair of waders is one non-mainstream thing I always try to have with me, or at least in the vehicle.
A road flare makes instant fire in the middle of a downpour, though somewhat dry wood would still be needed to get a fire going for long. I don't mess with those girly matches.
I've also been throwing a light hatchet in my pack lately if the weather looks sporty.

I have several lists, using Excel. I have different ones for RV camping, car camping, llama packing, hunting, etc. Each type of camping has it's own needs. Each item on the list is followed by 2 check boxes. The 1st is if I want that item for this trip and the 2d for when it's loaded.

That's a real businesslike system Rock Chuck. Be Well, RZ.

I do the same as rock Chuck with different categories.

Some items, like my favorite knife, are on every list. Some items are list specific.

Keeps me organized and helps me not forget stuff that matters.
-Jake

Have an Excel list as well. Mine's all inclusive for various types of hunting. I highlight anything for the current season in yellow that doesn't apply, e.g. I highlight my bow yellow, when it's gun season. As items are loaded, they are highlighted to green. I keep notes from every year for amount of gas used in the generator, amount of propane used to heat, amount of food left over. My initial approach 25 years ago was better to have it and not need it, than not have it, but after years of packing extras for the extras, I've trimmed the list down substantially. I prefer more light and fast approach now.

lighterpack.com is excellent for making a list.

Backpacking many years ago, I learned the value of lists. Never leave home without one and checking it twice. It prevents packing too much stuff or leaving behind something necessary.

Gun(s), ammo, licenses, cash, clean underwear.

Everything else is more or less optional.

I also keep a specific, by hunt, list of items I will not leave home without. I have three check box's. The first box shows I have the item and have checked it to make sure it is in good shape and functioning properly. (all batteries replaced etc). The second box it checked off when the item is placed in either the backpack or duffel. The third and final box is for when it is placed in the truck just before leaving. I use this box because there items that will not fit in my backpack or duffel. ie: Tent, heater, propane bottles, cot, sleeping bag, etc.

By using this list I have never left anything at home. When you're 1,200 miles away from home, you don't want to find out you left your tent or sleeping bag, or even worse, your rifles, sitting in the garage or gun safe.

Lists work. Good luck with your hunt.

Exactly what I do and using Excel.

When I was in my prime I kept both my old A and B bag from the service with my hunting gear fully packed. Only thing I usually had to add was chow and my headlamps and boots .....made things simpler, as I can be an airhead at times and forgetful!

My packing list has been honed over the years. It has everything I need and nothing I don't. Most of it stays packed in 2-3 clear plastic bins. I like clear ones so I can see what's inside. If a piece of gear craps out on a hunt, it gets repaired or replaced immediately so I have plenty of time to test and evaluate the repair or replacement before the next season starts.

The packing list comes from the notes that I make after a hunt so I don't forget anything that I learned. Topics for notes include:

• Hunt name, location, and dates
• Packing list
• Narrative: Describe what happened in chronological order.
• What new non-firearms gear did you use on this trip? How well did it work? Would you use it again?
• What gear might help on future hunts in this area?
• Describe the performance of the guns/loads your party used and speculate on improvements.
• Describe the performance of the sights your party used and speculate on improvements.
• Describe likely shots in the area where you hunted. Note terrain, vegetation, likely response of game, and any other conditions that might affect shooting.
• Describe gun handling skills that hunters need for this specific hunt. What drills might help improve them?
• What do hunters new to this area need to know? What drills could help them develop the skills they need?
• Describe and justify any firearms modifications you think necessary.
• Describe your physical preparation for this hunt and suggest improvements.
• Describe your hunting strategy and speculate on improvements.
• Describe your tactics and speculate on improvements.
• Describe your maps, aerial imagery, and related equipment. Suggest improvements.
• Describe the food you took and suggest improvements.
• Describe any other planning or research that might improve future hunts in this area.
• Why did this hunt succeed/fail? How could you improve your chances?
• Other lessons learned
• To Do List for next year

Every day and especially around the fire at night, I take a few minutes to make notes. I also make notes as I drive home and as I clean up gear, process meat, etc. I write the report within a couple of days so I don’t forget anything.

I often hunt with guys who have varying levels of experience so this helps me learn from their successes and failures as well as my own.


Okie John

Damn, some of you all get serious with these lists. I usually just throw my cloths tote, rifle/ammo, pack and boots in the pickup and go. Most everything else I need never leaves the pickup anyhow, and if I do forget something, I'll pick another up on the way.

Was thinking the same thing. Don’t think I’ve ever made a list. You guys are way more organized than I.

Every time out is pretty much the same stuff with weather dictating a few items.

I have lists but also keep all my hunting gear in Plano rain proof boxes. I clean up everything after a hunt and put it back most of the time. I still use my checklist before a final pack. Lots of extra stuff I don’t always use goes in 3rd box. Happy Trails

I build lists. I was 21 miles in on my last trip. If I forget anything it's do without.

Checklists for me. I modify it depending on where I’m going or what I’m hunting, hunting from a tent or a cabin, etc

Ditto

Except I only have one check box; checked once item is loaded.

I just updated my car camp elk hunt list for 2020. Thanks for the reminder.

I make lists. But this is over the top.