Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting What is always in the pockets of your hunting cost?

One of the great things about a pack is that I can put layers in it. I could put most of the "stuff" I carry in pockets but at some point I need to add/shed layers. Usually heading in before light I'm only wearing a base layer on my upper body to avoid sweating heading up the mountain.

Like 10ga mentioned, a pack makes it easy to have all the "stuff" together with no need to switch if different outerwear is worn.

A pack works well for me. Whatever works for you is all that matters.

Very interesting to see how and what others carry. I have a pack but generally don’t carry it.What I did is set up a vest that works for me. As a forester, a vest is natural already. I’ve worn a vest carrying my gear for miles through extremely rough and challenging terrain.

For the last 20 years, I e used a Filson timber cruiser vest setup for what works for me. I added zippers on the rear pack for an extra clothing layer, bottle of water, lunch, or other larger item. Always have TP in ziplock bag, compass, light (small stream light hand held and head light), grunt tube, gloves, neck gaiter/facemask, and match lock. Cartridges go in belt carrier on waist along with knife. Binos are usually around my neck but can fit in side pocket also.

This works well for me as it doesn’t effect adding or removing layers, is ready the next day no matter weather conditions. Incidentally, it can be 75 degrees here one day and 25 degrees the next. Welcome to Mississippi! If you don’t like the wether today, just give it a day or two (except summertime, it’s always hot!)

My hands, and lint.

I can take off a sweater and stuff it in my rear game bag if I need to. Normally I don't remain stationary for long when rifle hunting so I don't dress the same as a stand hunter would.

LOL. If you got more than a half mile from the road and a "drag rope" would only be useful to hang some quarters in a tree while you packed out the others on your back, you might think differently.

You should read some Benoit books. They'll show you how far deer can be dragged by actual men. I dragged one about a quarter mile last season. Took me all of maybe 20 minutes. The other two I could get close with the 4 wheeler so little dragging was needed. In the past I have dragged them over a mile. I avoid shooting them in such places today.

Extra loaded magazine, spare flashlight, bic lighter

LOL, did the Benoits ever drag any a few miles out west, without any snow or a blanket of leaves on the ground?

I’m in the pack a buck camp myself these days in the Adirondacks if it’s going to be a complete butt kicker. We drug as a kid and young man but I can just about pack a whole buck on my Mystery Ranch and walk out fairly easy.

Short drag, I’m down for that.

20 years old or so, drug a small deer a mile or so across a cut bean field with a sling or belt as a drag tool.

Told myself never again.....I have been fortunate so far.

This is where I would be if I hunted a ways from the house or truck.

On my dad's place it would be a quarter mile drag at most to the truck or if lucky I can get a tractor close.

On my place depending how things work I can get a tractor close or just have a short 100 yard or less drag.

I'm in this camp.
Only thing in my pockets are phone, lip balm, a couple extra rounds (or mag) and a can of Skoal.

Trapper pocket knife, Bic lighter, gloves, peanut butter crackers, 32 oz.bottle of water, jerky, srk knife, cartridges, gloves, rangefinder. Normally have a daypack with me.
If I'm on a quickie, buck trapper, that's it.

Hand sanitizer, toilet paper, bandana, small flashlight. Lighter. Small emergency poncho (plastic) and a Knife. Headlamp. cell phone.

WGAF you dumb sunofabitch ? Last I checked this ain't the West.

I've dragged full grown bucks over a mile. I've also hoisted them over my shoulder and carried them through thigh deep water when crossing a creek. Much depends on what the terrain is like. They aren't terribly hard to drag down a valley over mostly level ground, particularly with snow on the ground. Of course they go down hill easily. If it's a bad drag I've boned the front quarters, cut the loins out, put the,meat in my game bag, tied the hind quarters together and carried them out over my shoulder.

LOL, "this" ain’t the subject of the OP, numb nuts.

You're the one that took it off subject ya little bitch. I'd prefer you just STFU and not address me again in the future.

He has more experience with less pictures than ANYONE here

Y’all might not want to joke around with a man who doesn’t mind dragging a buck over mile or toss it over his shoulder while he walks through thigh deep creeks. He might be capable of more than using a bunch of curse words on the internet. Grin