Must Have Tools????

[DonBo]

.  Just never occurred to me to use a pruner instead of a saw...

Try it, you'll like it. This easily cuts limbs bigger than your thumb, without having to touch it which will just add more unwanted scent in your hunting area.

[Scoot]

Cool- I'll do just that!  Thanks for the great tip!

[Powerstroke]

As far as a ratchet pruner, there are two types of pruner, one is the ratcheting pruner like Donbo posted that has one sharp side cutting against a dull face and they butt end to eachother, the other style is a bypass pruner, which is the style you will see used by landscapers and those who do a lot of trimming. The bypass pruner is smoother and works more like a scissors allowing the two blades to pass by eachother. Also, the bypass pruner is easier to sharpen. Felco makes a high quality pruner and its what I carry year yound. Like Don said, I use it to trim branches in the way, use it to cut branches for brushing in my stand or blind and I use it a ton during turkey season when I'm trying to touch up my turkey hunting spot on the ground. 

 

In regards to gutless method in MN, you have to leave the head attached until the deer is registered when hunting deer in MN. From the MN deer regs, 

"Deer may be quartered before being registered, but the animal’s head must remain attached to one of the quarters."

So, use caution when using the gutless method in MN . 

 

I always have a spare bow release in one pocket of my climbing harness and a survival whistle in the other pocket of my harness. 

Pruner/folding saw

Havalon knife with extra blades

 

I carry a Goal Zero battery pack to keep my phone charged and a small Goal Zero solar panel if I'm gonna be out all day. I read books on my phone, play games take pictures, all sorts of things. I used to carry a book and a pocket poker game and all sorts of things and now my phone does it all for a fraction of the weight. 

[deerminator]

i also use the heat wraps for back pain. They work pretty dang good. 

I've often thought about the hand warmer that takes lighter fluid, but have been concerned about scent. Do they smell at all?

Pruner for sure, saw if I'm not real concerned about weight. I like the hooyman. TP for sure, depending on where I'm going I carry a lighter, always have spare batteries and a back up small flashlight. And ya always have to have a snickers. 

they smell some by hardly noticeable when in open air and they areciched into a little velvet pouch once going and I keep mine in my hand muff. And I think a therms cell smells stronger. Any woo, deer and big bucks walk right by stinky garbage cans where I hunt in the country. So a matter of perspective and where you hunt

[Mike #1]

Thermotrek Hand Warmer - rechargeable and no lighter fluid.  $22.00