What's in YOUR bag?

[ts_hunter]

Besides all of the obvious stuff, extra shells, license, knife, etc... What do you bring with you to the stand? Back in the 80's when we did primarily deer drives, I learned to travel very light. Then when I started to hunt out of permanent box blinds up north, I started to bring alot with and even left some of the stuff in the stand all season long.

Now I am hunting out of box blinds, but depending on the weather and deer activity, I will venture out on to other parts of the farm for 4-5 hour periods to mix things up. I am trying to be smart about the the stuff I drag around with me so I don't need a back pack and duffel bag to move from place to place.

What kind of stuff do you have with you at all times, and what kind of stuff do you leave in the truck and go get if you 'need' it? Any multi-use items that are a smart thing to have with that you want to share?

[Scott K]

Odly, I pack as light as possible, shells, light, knife, cell phone, maybe bottled water, and a couple candy bars if I am staying out all day. I dont carry a pack with me. I can live without all the fancy stuff, while hunting.

[Bear55]

I need to get away from packs altogether, all I do is bring stuff that I don't really need but is nice to have.

[bigbucks]

My pack has a ratcher pruner, a small cushion, a folding saw, two water bottles, handwarmers, zip ties, extra gloves, usually a couple sandwiches, an old hand towel, zip lock bag for tenderloins, some candy or granola bars, maybe an apple & a thermos of coffee. This is only when I got to my morning stand opening day & possibly a couple other most of the day hunts. It also will have some additional shirts that are too warm to wear walking in. There will also likely be some scent in there, a rattle bag, grunt calls & can calls. It varies, many days & evenings after that it will have much less than that & may even get left in the truck, depending on the duration of the sit.

Several stands you can drive a truck right up to, so you don't really have to be all that prepared. In fact sometimes superstition says go as unprepared as possible, you'll probably shoot something... Leaving your knife in the truck is a GREAT way to shoot a deer...

[MNice]

Most of whats been said, but include binoculars in mine, all the time.

[TruthWalleyes]

I think i'll pack a 2nd knife this year for when my hunting partner tells me he forgot his again.

All day sits, i bring a back pack with anything i may need.

Walking/Pushing or short sits: Tag, Gun, Knife, Water, Dragging harness.

[Phunnyfarm]

I carry a pack and use about 10-20% of what's in there. I go prepared for just about anything, but I really like bigbuck's rationale of bringing nothing and tempting fate to bring you a deer!

My pack always includes:

tag, strings, ziplock for the heart, candy bars, sandwich, bottled water, knife, folding saw, binocs, warmer hat, warmer gloves, strap, toilet paper, hand warmers, snuff, flashlight...and why do I think I'm forgetting stuff too! Oh yeah, grunt call and rattling bag!

[pikerliker]

I "pack" very light. I hunt public land (state and national forest). I usually stay out all day and hunt from a portable stand of one type or another. I eat a good breakfast before heading out. I dress for the weather and just bring what I need that will fit in my pockets (don't bring a pack or bag). I have my knife, dragging rope, extra ammo, a couple snacks, compass, and something to drink back in the vehicle for after the hunt or when I drag the deer out. I kind of like not having all the luxeries. To me it makes the experience all the better.