Hunting Loadout

[kthomas]

Gearing up for my first hunting season, and would like to hear from the experienced hunters on what you consider essential, and tips to organize your gear on a hunt. For context, I'm in SW AZ and hunting mule deer this fall, and will hunt Coues next year. Hunting very close to home, so starting off just doing day hunts (not overnighting it).

So far, this is my list for gear. I'm sure I'm missing stuff, please feel free to fill in the gaps:

- Kifaru .22 mag pack with duplex lite frame
- rifle with ammo and mags
- tripod
- range finder & kestrel
- 10.5x44 Kowa Genesis binos + bino harness
- pistol and mag
- skinning knife
- boning knife/saw?
- rain jacket, gloves
- game bags
- surgical gloves
- Paracord
- first aid kit
- water & food/snacks

I know I'll figure it out as I go and get more experienced, but would like to start off with a good foundation.

 

[Totoro]

I see no flies in your kit set up but then again I am not familiar with your AO.

That said, where do you see the pistol and mag fitting into your day hunt?

Understood, if there are two legged vermin that inhabit the area loosely, I can understand. If not, just seems like extra weight to lug around.

Mountain lion in the area?

I would leave the bone saw out of the kit and go with a single knife that's capable of doing both skinning and deboning.

If there is going to be some uneven terrain around I would suggest trekking poles.

First and foremost, have a safe and great time!

 

[Matches Malone]

Depends on how and where you hunt.

Southern AZ can be low and desert like to high 10k + elevation.

“How” can involve day hunts from a camp or truck camping. If you’re in shape, I’ve gone 16 miles in a day.
Another way is bivy hunting or expedition hunting, or simply packing hunting. Something I personally tend to do more. To simplify, this is where you are going deep in away from civilization and staying there.

Your gear list and how you organize for it is different. I’m not here to tell you which way is better. Deer can be killed either way.

 

[kthomas]

I see no flies in your kit set up but then again I am not familiar with your AO.

That said, where do you see the pistol and mag fitting into your day hunt?

Understood, if there are two legged vermin that inhabit the area loosely, I can understand. If not, just seems like extra weight to lug around.

Mountain lion in the area?

I would leave the bone saw out of the kit and go with a single knife that's capable of doing both skinning and deboning.

If there is going to be some uneven terrain around I would suggest trekking poles.

First and foremost, have a safe and great time!

Lots of lions in the area. I'm also within 100 miles of the Mexican border, so lots of "illegal" activity in this general area.

Trekking poles are a good idea! Already have those too.

Thanks!

 

[kthomas]

Depends on how and where you hunt.

Southern AZ can be low and desert like to high 10k + elevation.

“How” can involve day hunts from a camp or truck camping. If you’re in shape, I’ve gone 16 miles in a day.
Another way is bivy hunting or expedition hunting, or simply packing hunting. Something I personally tend to do more. To simplify, this is where you are going deep in away from civilization and staying there.

Your gear list and how you organize for it is different. I’m not here to tell you which way is better. Deer can be killed either way.View attachment 7966679

That's beautiful!

Expedition hunting sounds really interesting - I love the idea of it.

This fall I'm hunting in Unit 33 for mule deer - essentially my backyard in the Catalina's. Though I anticipate my hunting adventures to expand rapidly beyond what is essentially my backyard.

 

[Matches Malone]

That's beautiful!

Expedition hunting sounds really interesting - I love the idea of it.

This fall I'm hunting in Unit 33 for mule deer - essentially my backyard in the Catalina's. Though I anticipate my hunting adventures to expand rapidly beyond what is essentially my backyard.

Day pack it is then. I’m familiar with the area, but never hunted that unit myself.

I use a bino harness. It’s money. I’d recommend getting on those hill sides and glassing the flats. Most of the day should be finding spots to glass. Including during the day.

I’ve been western hunting my whole life, and outside of griz county, I’ve never had a problem with black bears or mountain lions. I’ve had more issues with people.

It looks like you’re on the right path from the OP as far as gear. IMO.

What I might put in my pack from the truck would be:

-Kill kit:
Game bags
Knife (I use the benchmade altitude)
Zipties
Tags
Pen
Nitrile Gloves
That’s it. That’s all you need. No saw needed. Research and make notes on the gutless method.

I put it all in its own stuff sack, and it goes to the bottom of the pack.

Pack:
- method of water for the day (I fill nalgenes) and I bring a water filter (sawyer squeeze+smart water) for multi days.
-beanie
-head lamp and backup flashlight. Nothing crazy.
-warming layers. Dependent on common sense and environment.
-map/s…marking where deer are, and finding glassing points. For expedition, it’s the way to navigate. ONX or something like it too.
-food. For backyard day trips is easier to bring premade things but for pack hunts you’ll need to bring a stove and something like dry freeze foods.
-Kestrel, and gun stuff, ammo etc.
-freeze bags for water proofing.
-something to wipe your ass. TP, dude wipes whatever.

Shouldn’t be much.


Nothing wrong with a spotting scope and tripod too. But it gets old quick once you start walking up steep inclines, and I rarely use it enough in practice to justify the extra weight. That’s just me.

In my bino harness:
-I have my binos
- my rangefinder
-windicator
-loose ammo, or during archery my release
-Leatherman. Great for getting cactus out of your leg.
-License

In my pockets is usually just a folding knife for utility purposes. Usually for cutting paracord when hanging meat or counter balancing food bags in bear country.

 

[powdahound76]

Looks like you have a good list and Matches gave some good ideas on top of it.

I deal with glassing at 20F and a stiff breeze, so a warmer layer is key.

I also carry an “Oh Shit Kit” that includes an emergency bivy sack from SOL, fire starters for emergency (magnesium shavings from machining, vaseline soaked gauze), 2 lighters, and waterproof matches. My Leatherman use is low, so it goes in there.
All fits in a Kifaru small UL pullout bag.

I carry TP and about 6 wet wipes.
Clean butt is nice, even nicer when ya got 10 more miles of walk-in that day.
And of course your woods poop is gonna be messy.

 

[supercorndogs]

I like to get the field dressing kits that come with gloves that go up to the elbow. I usually put about a table spoon of dawn in a zip lock, and three or four gallons of wash water in the bed of the pickup. My gutting bad goes, it has field dressing kit, game bags, foldable gambrel and tackle, a sharpener and fixed blade knife. I leave it in the car.

I gutted my first big buck with a swiss army tinker because I followed him miles into the sand hills and it was all i had. I put a fixed blade Mora on my belt now, still carry a swiss army knife in my pocket. Some field dressing gloves will easily fit in your pocket on the long walks. Some orange marker tape is nice for marking a trail back to your kill if needed. A game cart makes moving it a million times easier in some places and is useless in others.

Above mentioned TP, thats where the legend of missing socks comes from. Hunters hit the woods all kitted out with no wad of TP, then wont admit where their sock went.

 

[DetroitRearView]

I have used one of these for the last several seasons and really like it for debris/rain/rifle shine

SOLO HNTR - MTN LITE Rifle Cover (STONE)

MTN LITE RIFLE COVERS – Weighs ONLY 6.2 oz. SELF-ADJUST Fit for Rifles from 36″ to 56″ in total length. Newly designed for a better fit and to accommodate most moderators. Same durability with less weight and less bulk. Available in Stone or Max-1 Camo Made from a Rugged Micro Rip Stop...

solohntr.com

 

[powdahound76]

Where I hunt in the mtns, we quarter and carry the critters.
I just do it on the ground.
Slow n easy.
Bone them out if a long walk. Lotta bone weight in an elk quarter.

1 blade, a Knives of Alaska (made in TX) Elk Hunter in D2 steel does the task dandy for me.
Do bring a tiny ceramic to tune the edge, but holds up and can clean 3 easy before needing a stone.

 

[supercorndogs]

That is impressive. I was impressed by the Mora because it could get through one without needing sharpened.

 

[powdahound76]

It is.
That D2 is hard stuff.
Then when you sit down with a stone, count on at least 1 beer worth of time.
Usually 2.
Like my S35VN daily carry. Holds an edge great. Takes a bit longer to get it there.

Not like my old Buck I could get shave sharp in 3-4 min, but lose that edge in 20 cuts.

 

[kthomas]

I ended up purchasing this as a knife:

Model 1

whiteriverknives.com

And bought a cheap Gerber boning saw on the recommendation of a friend I'll be hunting with.

 

[gopherslayer]

I have 3 of these. Never struggle with the pelvis on deer. I see guys using the point of their knives to split a pelvis and that’s a big nope for me.

 

[Matches Malone]

Granted I use a s90v knife, I don’t go digging the blade in the animals bones. I mean it happens, I get it, and I have pretty good experience packing out the deer on my back using the gutless method, a few times almost 20 miles away. These accidents happen less for me personally but…

You just need a good 3 inch knife. The head behind the ears there is a soft spot that you can use to detach the head. The back straps you run the flat of the blade along the spine.

The lower legs, you cut the tendons and break them off with your hands.

The tenderloins you can sometimes reach in there and pull them out, if not because we leave the guts in, you have to be careful putting a blade in there.

The hip joint, you expose the joint and slip a blade in there, pops right off.

I get done and pack out. Get home, clean my shit and wash the knife off. Touch it up and pack it away for the next hunt.

 

[diggler1833]

I saw no T.P. in the OP's post.

$5K in name brand "kit", and homie is going to be wiping with oak leaves (be sure it isn't poison ivy).

I'm sure the provision is in there somewhere.

 

[kthomas]

I saw no T.P. in the OP's post.

$5K in name brand "kit", and homie is going to be wiping with oak leaves (be sure it isn't poison ivy).

I'm sure the provision is in there somewhere.

I added it on my list shortly after posting this thread. Also bought some "dude wipes" for good measure

 

[Totoro]

Swamp ass ain't no fun no matter where you're at!

Especially when you humping heavy pack and you got the itches cuz you didn't maintain your ass!

Leave the TP at home and carry a pack of the flushable baby wipes; I get the bulk box from Costco/Kirkland brand.

That said, since the OP is near the boarder then I understand the side piece.

 

[rookie7]

@kthomas

3 things I would add to the pack:

1. A whistle on a lanyard to be worn inside your shirt. I hope all your hunts are safe and enjoyable, but if something ever happened to you and you loose all electronics the whistle could save your life. A person can only call for help for so long and the voice fails. If you can breathe, you can blow the whistle.

2. Compass

3. One pair of thin merino wool socks in a zip-lok bag - just in case. Wet feet suck regardless of temp.

JMO

 

[Dot3]

Granted I use a s90v knife, I don’t go digging the blade in the animals bones. I mean it happens, I get it, and I have pretty good experience packing out the deer on my back using the gutless method, a few times almost 20 miles away. These accidents happen less for me personally but…

You just need a good 3 inch knife. The head behind the ears there is a soft spot that you can use to detach the head. The back straps you run the flat of the blade along the spine.

The lower legs, you cut the tendons and break them off with your hands.

The tenderloins you can sometimes reach in there and pull them out, if not because we leave the guts in, you have to be careful putting a blade in there.

The hip joint, you expose the joint and slip a blade in there, pops right off.

I get done and pack out. Get home, clean my shit and wash the knife off. Touch it up and pack it away for the next hunt.

OP you may be tempted to practice this method of butchering on Karen’s little yappy dog down the street, but don’t! Though it may be the perfect size for getting the feel of how this method works, it’s generally frowned upon and may cause rifts in the neighborhood.

 

[Ronws]

Last few seasons I was wearing an Alps Commander Z full frame backpack with fold down meat shelf. Gambrel and pulley. Outdoor Edge Wildpak processing kit with three knives, saw, rib spreader. Opening weekend and Thanksgiving weekend carrying a Deersleigh'r because of the the requirement on those weekends of bringing a dressed but intact carcass to the deer check station.

This time, changing things up. My loaded rifle is 12 lbs. So I now have a Just One J34 pack with built in rifle scabbard. Water bladder and tube. Leave the processing kit and the drag sled in the truck. Changed to carrying a Spyderco 3 inch fixed blade in a sheath. I usually carry at least one roll of tp but the wet wipes is a better idea. Leave the gambrel in the truck. It is public hunting land it depends on how I am going to get it out of there.

Rangefinder. But for dense sight lines where a leaf reads 30 yards, I range with the reticle. I also carry Diamondback 12X50 binoculars. I have no idea how I hunted without them before.

Normally, I wear my M &P 9 mm (full size with 17rd magazine and 4.25 inch barrel) in a OWB holster under a large shirt or jacket. But. For wearing a pack, I carry it in a drop holster.

Couple of trash bags, some rope and paracord. A Trigger Stik tripod.

In the truck bed is a 120 qt cooler.

Basically, for walking, I have slimmed down to the rifle. Water. Hunting aids. Big stuff can stay in the truck and I can get it later.

 

[SonoranPrecision]

Gearing up for my first hunting season, and would like to hear from the experienced hunters on what you consider essential, and tips to organize your gear on a hunt. For context, I'm in SW AZ and hunting mule deer this fall, and will hunt Coues next year. Hunting very close to home, so starting off just doing day hunts (not overnighting it).

So far, this is my list for gear. I'm sure I'm missing stuff, please feel free to fill in the gaps:

- Kifaru .22 mag pack with duplex lite frame
- rifle with ammo and mags
- tripod
- range finder & kestrel
- 10.5x44 Kowa Genesis binos + bino harness
- pistol and mag
- skinning knife
- boning knife/saw?
- rain jacket, gloves
- game bags
- surgical gloves
- Paracord
- first aid kit
- water & food/snacks

I know I'll figure it out as I go and get more experienced, but would like to start off with a good foundation.

Looks pretty well rounded to me. I’d ditch the saw, and learn/use the gutless method.

I know it was said above that carrying a tripod gets old, but I find it to be an invaluable tool, both for glassing, as well as for shooting. Unit 33, as with a lot of AZ units, can be simultaneously steep and have very long sight lines. I carry a tripod for the same reason I use a 13lbs rifle. It makes those long shots from steep terrain just a little easier.

ETA: I also like to carry a physical map and compass in addition to gps based navigation like OnX or Gaia.

 

[Ndbowhunter]

Looks pretty well rounded to me. I’d ditch the saw, and learn/use the gutless method.

I know it was said above that carrying a tripod gets old, but I find it to be an invaluable tool, both for glassing, as well as for shooting. Unit 33, as with a lot of AZ units, can be simultaneously steep and have very long sight lines. I carry a tripod for the same reason I use a 13lbs rifle. It makes those long shots from steep terrain just a little easier.

ETA: I also like to carry a physical map and compass in addition to gps based navigation like OnX or Gaia.

spent a lot of time finding coues on the NM/Az border

tripod.

full stop for coues.

gators.. keeps crap out of ur foot wear.

ditch the pistol.

 

[XTREM HTR16]

Seems like I always throw a fully charged Anker power bank and phone cord in the backpack. Just to charge up the phone in case it ever runs out of juice.

 

[Totoro]

Seems like I always throw a fully charged Anker power bank and phone cord in the backpack. Just to charge up the phone in case it ever runs out of juice.

+1 on that, I carry an Anker 10K slim just in case my phone schits the bed on charge.

 

[Billdoe708]

Headlamp, spare batteries, compass, paper map, Bic lighter, tp, wet wipes, little electrical tape, trek poles, first aid and small tarp.

 

[kthomas]

Definitely going to be bringing the tripod!

Interesting that others also have around ~12 lb rifles for this work. That's what my Mausingfield ended up at in it's hunting configuration. Glad I'm not alone there, I know many that think that's too heavy.

Bought some dude wipes to go in the pack. Ended up purchasing a bone saw, but I'll definitely research the gutless method.

Good tips on navigating backups, that's probably pretty prudent.

 

[Billdoe708]

I believe Randy Newberg has a good gutless video out there.

 

[Ronws]

There are several gutless vids I have watched. If you do not care about the hide, zipper cut down the back and work each side. Most times, no one is saving cape for a trophy mount with does and spike bucks. For that matter, you could also debone out there and bring out just meat. Whitetail buck could be over 40 pounds of edible meat, including heart and liver.

I hunt on public land. On opening weekend and Thanksgiving weekend, if you get a deer, you need to field dress it and leave the gut pile for the other critters and bring the intact carcass, hide and all to the deer check station. They will weigh it and take tissue and bone samples to check herd health and for CWD.

But they also have a frame and you can hang the deer and finish skinning and quartering.

 

[Matches Malone]

We don’t use the gutless method because of mounts or trophies.

The gutless method is used to get the meat out of an area when you would not be able to get the animal out of otherwise. I’ve pulled +/-1 lb, 102 lbs of deboned meat off a mule deer.

Generally, in western hunting, most people who have success don’t hunt by the roads. They don’t hunt by the trails. Mule deer, cues, and even Arizona mountain whitetail don’t pattern like midwestern/eastern whitetail. Spot and stalk, is the common successful practice, and the most successful hunters will be MILES away from road or trail. I’m in very good shape, but i ain’t dragging no 250 lb deer through the bushes for MILES.

Edit: in regards to mounts…
If you want a mount, it’s practice to talk with your taxidermist and figure out how they want you to make cuts and what mount you are looking for. All caping will be done in the field and you will pack it out in or on your pack.

 

[Ronws]

We don’t use the gutless method because of mounts or trophies.

The gutless method is used to get the meat out of an area that would otherwise not be able to get the animal out of otherwise. I’ve pulled +/-1 lb, 102 lbs of deboned meat off a mule deer.

Generally, in western hunting, most people who have success don’t hunt by the roads. They don’t hunt by the trails. Mule deer, cues, and even Arizona mountain whitetail don’t pattern like midwestern/eastern whitetail. Spot and stalk, is the common successful practice, and the most successful hunters will be MILES away from road or trail. I’m in very good shape, but i ain’t dragging no 250 lb deer through the bushes for MILES.

Edit: in regards to mounts…
If you want a mount, it’s practice to talk with your taxidermist and figure out how they want you to make cuts and what mount you are looking for. All caping will be done in the field and you will pack it out in or on your pack.

In some public hunting land in Arkansas, they are CWD zones and you have to debone and leave the bones there. The disease is carried in the bones.

 

[kthomas]

We don’t use the gutless method because of mounts or trophies.

The gutless method is used to get the meat out of an area that would otherwise not be able to get the animal out of otherwise. I’ve pulled +/-1 lb, 102 lbs of deboned meat off a mule deer.

Generally, in western hunting, most people who have success don’t hunt by the roads. They don’t hunt by the trails. Mule deer, cues, and even Arizona mountain whitetail don’t pattern like midwestern/eastern whitetail. Spot and stalk, is the common successful practice, and the most successful hunters will be MILES away from road or trail. I’m in very good shape, but i ain’t dragging no 250 lb deer through the bushes for MILES.

Edit: in regards to mounts…
If you want a mount, it’s practice to talk with your taxidermist and figure out how they want you to make cuts and what mount you are looking for. All caping will be done in the field and you will pack it out in or on your pack.

Good points.

I won't be truck hunting, no interest in doing so.

I'm also not planning on any mounts. Maybe that changes in the future. I'm more interested in the meat and the process in obtaining that meat, more than anything else.

 

[Matches Malone]

In some public hunting land in Arkansas, they are CWD zones and you have to debone and leave the bones there. The disease is carried in the bones.

I get it. My point is it’s not Arkansas though.

I hunt almost all western western states, so I have to be familiar with each states hunting requirement's. There are no verified cases of CWD in arizona and they require the head in Arizona. It can be brought in to any fish and game station between 0800-1700 for tissue sampling.

Ain’t no one getting 200+ lb of animal out of any of terrain like this if you hike in, and these deer don’t get big from being stupid and hanging around roads either. I mean, it happens but, not often enough.

 

[Matches Malone]

Good points.

I won't be truck hunting, no interest in doing so.

I'm also not planning on any mounts. Maybe that changes in the future. I'm more interested in the meat and the process in obtaining that meat, more than anything else.

Mounts and trophies aren’t my thing either.

Meat goes well with a traeger. I will say, bring a cooler big enough to put the meat in. If it’s going to be anything more than a 45 minute drive home. It’s 92 in Tucson…

 

[kthomas]

Mounts and trophies aren’t my thing either.

Meat goes well with a traeger. I will say, bring a cooler big to put the meat in. If it’s going to be anything more than a 45 minute drive home. It’s 92 in Tucson…

Will do - it's still stupid hot here, hard to believe it's October...

 

[Secant]

Haven’t read all the responses. Your list seems pretty good. From memory, here’s my list:

Tags
Electrical tape
Survey ribbon
Nitrile gloves
Knife
Game bags

Rifle with 1 mag
1 spare mag in backpack
Gun bearer
Tripod

RF Binos
Bino harness
RRS bino cinch
Kestrel in pouch on bino harness

Headlamp
Extra batteries
Small jump pack for phone with phone cord

Toilet paper in ziplock baggie

Clothing in pack varies, but generally:
insulation piece(s)
raingear
Gloves
1 pair of spare socks

Backpack
Kuiu blaze orange glassing pad lashed to rear of pack.
A couple spare buckles/straps
Paracord
First aid
Food/water

 

[shields shtr]

Pyro Putty. That shit is the best thing ever. Fire steel as a backup to matches or lighters
Gorilla Tape
Moleskin or other blister mitigation
Ass chafing prevention/protection


I have been in a couple of jams in the woods and I can't tell you how much a fire helps. Even when it is warm outside there is just something about a fire that can get you squared away. Dude wipes or the like for sure. Many a hike or hunt has been ruined with an unfortunate bowel movement that quickly transpires into a chafed butthole.

 

[Totoro]

Pyro Putty. That shit is the best thing ever. Fire steel as a backup to matches or lighters
Gorilla Tape
Moleskin or other blister mitigation
Ass chafing prevention/protection


I have been in a couple of jams in the woods and I can't tell you how much a fire helps. Even when it is warm outside there is just something about a fire that can get you squared away. Dude wipes or the like for sure. Many a hike or hunt has been ruined with an unfortunate bowel movement that quickly transpires into a chafed butthole.

Schit tickets are a must!

+1 on the survey ribbon too!

 

[Ronws]

I get it. My point is it’s not Arkansas though.

I hunt almost western western states, so I have to be familiar with each states hunting requirement's. There are no verified cases of CWD in arizona and they require the head in Arizona. It can be brought in to any fish and game station between 0800-1700 for tissue sampling.

Ain’t no one getting 200+ lb of animal out of any of terrain like this if you hike in, and these deer don’t get big from being stupid and hanging around roads either. I mean, it happens but, not often enough.

I was not disagreeing with you. I think it is better to drag out just the meat and if I was hunting mule deer, I would bring out just the meat. Even though Texas public hunting land parcels are not big, they are overgrown and gone fallow and wild. It is not easy to drag out a whole deer through brambles and fallen logs and steep, really steep stream beds.

About the only people I have seen take a whole deer to a processor hunt on specific land where you can and do drive an ATV and take it back with that, I am more hands on than that.