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.

Heh. I like to learn from my mistakes. Picked up this format in the military.


Okie John

I just throw my stuff in a few totes.

I always bring way more than I need, so list not necessary.

I have been using, building and modifying my lists for decades. I have several different basic master lists for different hunting formats. The master lists have everything I might conceivably need for that type of hunt. Then, as I plan for each hunt that year, I take the master list of that type and pare it down to what's appropriate for that particular hunt. So for example, the hunt types:
- Driving to the hunt in my truck, hunting out of a hotel or friend's home.
- Driving to the hunt in my truck, camping.
- Driving to the hunt in my truck, then backpacking.
- Flying airline to the hunt. (Hotel, friend's home, backpacking or camping are essentially interchangeable when you fly there on a plane - I can carry about as much as they'll let me check, LOL)
For each of the above there is the centerfire rifle, muzzleloader, or archery option. All that gear is on the master lists and I delete as required for each hunt.
I reckon if I had horses there'd be other subcategories if they were coming along, but I don't.
I'm not smart enough to work excel, so my lists are all in word.
I don't know what I'd do without these lists.

Cheers,
Rex

EDIT: Well there is one more option - just hunting from the house, but sadly not many of my hunts are like that, though I did drive all of 4 minutes to the trailhead I climbed to kill my Coues Deer last year. For these it's just grab the rifle and backpack, throw in water and sandwich, and go! I envy those who can just hunt from home. I live in AZ, but several years ago, when my late Dad was 73 years old, he climbed up in a tree 100 yards from his house in NC and killed two bucks with his bow in the same evening. I thought that was about the coolest thing ever. Pretty sure he didn't even take a sandwich!

90% of my job has been receiving for 42 years. When I get home a packing list is the last thing I want to see.

Yes, I have check list's for each mode of my hunting. I can't remember stuff without them.

Any list to share?

Equipment/Pack List

Packing List

Gear list needed.

sheep list

Too early to Pack?

List guy now - too many trips into the mountains, and an "OH Sh*T, where's the fill-in-the-blank.

They are also not just for me - when a buddy wants to start hunting with us - we can give him an idea of what is expected.

For an Archery hunt, and I'll mod this one for rifle:

Duffle
 Raingear - top and bottom
 Hunting jacket
 Hunting vest
 Shirts – ¼ zip (3)
 Pants – Hvy/Light (3)
 Underwear (5)
 Socks (5)
 Boots – 2nd pair
 Boot Gators
 Hats
 Gloves
 Beanie hat
 Neck Gator
 Shaving Kit
 Towel
 Slippers / camp shoes
 Sleep Shirt/Pants
 Laundry Bag
 Batteries
 Alarm Clock
 Phone Charger – Wall
 Phone Changer - car
 Meat Bags
 Paracord
 Lock
 Water Bottle or Bladder
 Head Lamp
Travel Clothes
 Pants - 2
 Hunting boots
 Socks - 2
 Glasses
 Shirts - 3
 Coat - midweight
Daypack/Carryon
 Rangefinders
 GPS
 Binoculars
 Computer
 Cow Call
 Idaho License
Bow Case
 Broadheads
 Small Game Heads
 Arrows/Case
 Bow Sling
 Bow Medic Kit
 Quiver
 Bow Sight
 Knives
 Insulated tops
 Insulated bottoms
 Wind Check
Buy
 Archery Permit
 Snacks
 Scent Soap

Another buddy’s packing list:

Bow - with hard travel case
Bow sling
Bow medic kit - small, with wrenches, field repair "stuff"
Detachable quiver
18 arrows, dozen for hunting, 6 for practice and grouse.
9-12 broadheads (packed separate from bow)
6 judo points (grouse)
6 practice points
Extra bow string & cables
Extra release

Boots - two pair broke-in, water treated, and water-proof
Day-sized Backpack
Elk/Cow call - the guides call for you
Water bottle /bladder (60-100 oz)
Energy / Hydration supplements for water
GOOD headlamp, or flashlight

Light & medium hunting gloves
Leather gloves (riding)
3 pair lightweight long Johns (under armor heat gear)
1 pair medium long johns
4-6 pairs hunting socks
2-3 sets of light weight hunting camo
1 set light rain gear
1 medium weight camo pull over or coat
Face paint
Hat

Camp shoes
Camp relaxing sweats or pj's
2-3 pair jeans, tshirts, long sleeve shirt
Light / medium sleeping bag & pillow
Tip $$

We stop & buy no-scent spray, no scent clothes wash, no scent body soap, beer, batteries & any other incidentals we need.

List in Excel with the weight of each individual item and a running total of things checked.

Maybe a little OCD...