What do you keep in a daypack for the woods????

[CVAC085]

I'm a brand new hunter and going out for the first time this year in January for firearms in Suffolk County for the time being until I decide to jump to bowhunting as well. Anyway I have a backpack with some stuff I've been getting the past few months for the few weeks I plan on going out to the woods. What do you guys (and girls) suggest? Or what do you carry?

Basics for me right now is some trail markers, field dressing kits, knight and hale pack rack, primos can, biodegradeable TP just to name a few...I'm sure I forgot some things.

I know a knife is going to be a necessity as well as a compass and maps of the area I plan to hunt.

[MattBuffaloNY]

If this is your first time ever hunting, you probably won't need any of that lol. But definitely bring some munchies, maybe a book or somethin to kill time.

[arrow nocker]

well you wont be in the ADK's so all the survival stuff and maps are a waste.Unless you are hunting alone and might get hurt in the woods and need to survive freezing temps till am when search party finds ya.Doubt that.soooo.

Bring a compass any way.its good for many things.First checking where you go in the your routes.You can check your wind directions with it.Then log it al in you memory bank for next time you go there.If checking the radar for wind and such before you go next time you clan plan better knowing your NESW's

Dress accordingly.Are you going to be on the move or sitting.On the moove you are going to sweat.Sitting you are going to freeze.Wear wool socks.(i love wool.it wicks away moisture when you sweat).

got a cusion or seat?

Ok the pack.Bring snacks.Apple and such.

hand/toe warmers.

knife,feild dressing kit.( i do it old school.Just knife and little peice of string for the anus.)

You can do trail tape.If you need to.But its a waste if you don't need it for tracking or marking a

future trail.

Bleat can kicks ass.Grunt tube.You can scare deer away with calls.be carefull.Especially during gun when they are sketchy.

Cell phone or walkie talkie.

Whistle is good too.(just in case)

Zip tie for your tag.

pen for tag.

drag for deer.

man i'm tired.its all i can think of right now.

i hate fanny packs.i put everything i need in my pockets for usual hunts that aint like the ADK's where i may be lost for a while.

[Elmo]

What arrow nocker said. I also pack a first aid kit. Never had to use it so far (knock on wood) but I guess it's worth having. Bring a good flash light. I've left the woods a bit late before. Woods get dark even before official sunset because the trees or a mountain can block out the sun on the horizon. Woods look completely different when it's dark because visual markers won't be visual anymore. Bring extra clothing. You're going to be sweating on the hike in but once you sit down, it'll get cold real fast.

[nyantler]

Compass, knife, fire starter (flint & steel), matches, binoculars, camera, drag rope, pen, plastic bags, whistle

[virgil]

Good advice so far. Bring layers- you will get sweaty. The quickest way to get cold is to sit in the cold after getting all sweaty on the way in. If you're hunting here in Suffolk, you're not ever gonna be too far from a road. Don't bother with all the survival gear.

[pointman]

I guess that I overkill my backpac. I bring a military poncho, tree umbrella,tee shirt and sweatshirt, dry socks,2 knives, wool skarf, 2 pair of gloves, drag rope,water, compass,whistle,hand brush cutter,4 pac of hot hands,string to tie tag on, matches. I know that this a lot but you never know what you are going to need when you spend the whole day on a post.

[virgil]

packable rain gear.

[Dad 6424]

The first thing your going to need is a really big gun I would at least have a 375 weatherby mag then I go with a pack of my favorite cigars a bottle of jack daniels just to stay warm dont forget the whole corn ,the c'mere deer and the truck so you have a steady rest out the window and just so you know your safe at least 2 bags of fresh made smoked jerky or maybe a fryed bacon sandwich just in case you need a snack LOL for real just be safe hunt hard and the main thing is the TP never know when a compass and a litte water is a must then the normal hunting things

[mac]

if you are out in LI gun season when its cold, i suggest carrying in your warmest outer layers and putting on once you settle in. You do NOT want to head out early and work up a sweat underneath all the layers cuz in an hour or 2 you will be miserable once your body adjusts. knife, TP, compass, tags, pen, dragging rope/zip ties, food, WATER..after a few times out you will realize what you do or dont need. Get a good tactical flashlight with a lot of lumens/power so you can walk out in the dark.

[CVAC085]

well you wont be in the ADK's so all the survival stuff and maps are a waste.Unless you are hunting alone and might get hurt in the woods and need to survive freezing temps till am when search party finds ya.Doubt that.soooo.

Bring a compass any way.its good for many things.First checking where you go in the your routes.You can check your wind directions with it.Then log it al in you memory bank for next time you go there.If checking the radar for wind and such before you go next time you clan plan better knowing your NESW's

Dress accordingly.Are you going to be on the move or sitting.On the moove you are going to sweat.Sitting you are going to freeze.Wear wool socks.(i love wool.it wicks away moisture when you sweat).

got a cusion or seat?

Ok the pack.Bring snacks.Apple and such.

hand/toe warmers.

knife,feild dressing kit.( i do it old school.Just knife and little peice of string for the anus.)

You can do trail tape.If you need to.But its a waste if you don't need it for tracking or marking a

future trail.

Bleat can kicks ass.Grunt tube.You can scare deer away with calls.be carefull.Especially during gun when they are sketchy.

Cell phone or walkie talkie.

Whistle is good too.(just in case)

Zip tie for your tag.

pen for tag.

drag for deer.

man i'm tired.its all i can think of right now.

i hate fanny packs.i put everything i need in my pockets for usual hunts that aint like the ADK's where i may be lost for a while.

Being I'm the "newbie" to hunting I did research online, spoke to other hunters in my travels to the local sporting goods stores as well as getting pointers from others in the safety classes I took.

I'm going to try and answer all the questions LOL. I know I'm going to be near a road no matter what way I turn, but I wouldn't mind using maps and compass. I have a pair of pants and a long sleeve shirt to match my camo pattern as well as my outer lay of camo jacket and bib. I also plan to use under armour as my base layer underneath it all. I have a pair of wool socks as well.

I just purchased one of those "heat-a-seats" from Dicks on sale. Hopefully it works. I plan to walk and find a good spot and then sit for a while.

Food I'll probably just bring munchies like you said apples and I was thinking protein bars as well.

I have hand warmers and toe warmers I got from dollar tree last night. Scored myself like 50 of them hahaha.

Purchased plenty of field dressing kits I got from wal-mart, I just need to find a decent knife.

I also got the primos bleat can as well as the new buck roar from Primos (I think the magnum roar it's called?) But I've also heard they are more cautious during gun season as well as they've smartened up and know were out to get them.

I'll have both a cell phone and walkie talkie with me.

Whistle I have yet to get...need to make that one a priority as I've been told thats something that should be in everyones bag.

Pen & drag I have. The zip tie is a good one to have too! Didn't think of that!

[CVAC085]

if you are out in LI gun season when its cold, i suggest carrying in your warmest outer layers and putting on once you settle in. You do NOT want to head out early and work up a sweat underneath all the layers cuz in an hour or 2 you will be miserable once your body adjusts. knife, TP, compass, tags, pen, dragging rope/zip ties, food, WATER..after a few times out you will realize what you do or dont need. Get a good tactical flashlight with a lot of lumens/power so you can walk out in the dark.

That's a good point. And I'm sure I'm going to pick up and learn things when I'm in the field too on what to bring/not to bring etc. I have a flashlight I think that is a multi-purpose which I can use in and out of the woods as well as tracking deer in the dark. I have to take out my backpack and do a whole inventory on what I have and need to get....

[CVAC085]

What arrow nocker said. I also pack a first aid kit. Never had to use it so far (knock on wood) but I guess it's worth having. Bring a good flash light. I've left the woods a bit late before. Woods get dark even before official sunset because the trees or a mountain can block out the sun on the horizon. Woods look completely different when it's dark because visual markers won't be visual anymore. Bring extra clothing. You're going to be sweating on the hike in but once you sit down, it'll get cold real fast.

Good thing you mentioned a first aid kit. Do you suggest getting a sportsmens one? I can probably make one and get a list of supplies I'd need myself and save a few bucks but at the same time it might just be worth getting a pre-made one and save me the aggrevation.

[mark3885]

water proof matches, bic lighter, band aids , guaze, suture kit ,antiseptic, tylenol, surgical tape , put it in a vacuum sealed bag. It will be good for years if its not opened. I made up 10 kits a few years ago and gave them to the guys I hunt with.They have thanked me many times for when they needed to use the kit.

[mark3885]

Tip on a flashlight. Turn the batteries around so it can't be accidently turned on.

[CVAC085]

water proof matches, bic lighter, band aids , guaze, suture kit ,antiseptic, tylenol, surgical tape , put it in a vacuum sealed bag. It will be good for years if its not opened. I made up 10 kits a few years ago and gave them to the guys I hunt with.They have thanked me many times for when they needed to use the kit.

That works! Thanks for the tip! I'll write it down and see what I can do once this storm passes and I can get some gas.

[arrow nocker]

energizer head lamp with the red LED'slike 20.00 or 25.00 from wally world.I have two.I always have my red beam on when walking in and out of the woods.I will seldom use the clear light function.This is one major thing i forgot on my list.

I take it back about the map.You don't necessarily need the map but it will be good for future references.If you find a rub or scrape or just a good spot you like you can mark in on your map.then you can map out your area for future hunts.Using your compass you can mark what trees are good for what winds.Travel routes with wind and all kinds of stuff.(Then you can put so much into it that when you don't see deer you get pi$$ed,like me.LOL)

Dont forget your ID/drivers liscense.I often forget to grab mine cause i leave my wallet in my truck.If you loose your wallet in the wood then kiss that thing good bye.]I put my ID card in my back tag and put tape on the flap.Trust me if you use a wally world back tag they will dump out your lisence when you lean back against the tree.i have had to go back for my tags more than once.So now i tape the flap on mine and my kids back tag.And i dont put the pin thru the metal holes they provide on usual hunting jackets for the tag.I put the pin through the fabric so it wont be so easy to come unhooked.

And don't forget the ORANGE.Deer or color blind.You can shoot them in a florescent orange pumpkin suit if you are down wind and still.

[CVAC085]

energizer head lamp with the red LED'slike 20.00 or 25.00 from wally world.I have two.I always have my red beam on when walking in and out of the woods.I will seldom use the clear light function.This is one major thing i forgot on my list.

I take it back about the map.You don't necessarily need the map but it will be good for future references.If you find a rub or scrape or just a good spot you like you can mark in on your map.then you can map out your area for future hunts.Using your compass you can mark what trees are good for what winds.Travel routes with wind and all kinds of stuff.(Then you can put so much into it that when you don't see deer you get pi$$ed,like me.LOL)

Dont forget your ID/drivers liscense.I often forget to grab mine cause i leave my wallet in my truck.If you loose your wallet in the wood then kiss that thing good bye.]I put my ID card in my back tag and put tape on the flap.Trust me if you use a wally world back tag they will dump out your lisence when you lean back against the tree.i have had to go back for my tags more than once.So now i tape the flap on mine and my kids back tag.And i dont put the pin thru the metal holes they provide on usual hunting jackets for the tag.I put the pin through the fabric so it wont be so easy to come unhooked.

And don't forget the ORANGE.Deer or color blind.You can shoot them in a florescent orange pumpkin suit if you are down wind and still.

All good points. I'd like to have everything before I finally get out to the woods. I'm really excited since I've been waiting 2 years.

I got my tags ready to go as well as an ID holder from Dicks. I have field & stream camo, hopefully they have a spot to put my backtag, but then again I plan on using an orange vest in the woods, and maybe an orange hat. I know here in Suffolk, 1 piece of orange does the trick and abides the laws as far as I know, but there's people out there who aren't the safest and will shoot at a noise. So it's a little pet peeve of mine.

Now does the backtag have to be on my daypack first then my back? Or keep it on my back trekking thorugh the woods?

[Elmo]

Now does the backtag have to be on my daypack first then my back? Or keep it on my back trekking thorugh the woods?

Just have to be visible. I keep on my backpack. When I'm sitting, my pack is right next to me. DEC has seen it on my backpack on several occasions (even checked my tags) and none of them said anything against having it on my packpack.

[Fatarrow]

_{As far as knives go, I use the following:}

_{The Buck Woodsman with its narrow blade is great for cutting around the anus and then later cleaning up the inside of the body cavity. It handles well, and I have a lot of controll of the blade with its smaller size. I find the larger "hunting" knives can be unwieldy, Besides, I'm not field dressing moose!}

_{http://www.buckknive...&productID=3037}

_{I also use the Buck to make a small slit just below the breast bone between the rib cage so I can fit the E-Z Zip in and open them up for gutting.}

_{http://www.gerbergea.../E-Z-Zip_459242}

_{This is by far one of the best items I have ever purchased for dressing game. It literally "unzips" the animal with ease, and I have never nicked any of the organs using it. The best part is, the blade is replaceable, and it uses standard utility knife blades.}

_{Hope you find this helpful.}

Edited November 7, 2012 by Fatarrow

[arrow nocker]

That eazy zip would be good to have handy if you had to cut your harness if you were hanging from it.

[CVAC085]

Just have to be visible. I keep on my backpack. When I'm sitting, my pack is right next to me. DEC has seen it on my backpack on several occasions (even checked my tags) and none of them said anything against having it on my packpack.

Alright that works too. I just want to do the right thing and only see the DEC on good terms should I bump into them.

[CVAC085]

_{As far as knives go, I use the following:}

_{The Buck Woodsman with its narrow blade is great for cutting around the anus and then later cleaning up the inside of the body cavity. It handles well, and I have a lot of controll of the blade with its smaller size. I find the larger "hunting" knives can be unwieldy, Besides, I'm not field dressing moose!}

_{http://www.buckknive...&productID=3037}

_{I also use the Buck to make a small slit just below the breast bone between the rib cage so I can fit the E-Z Zip in and open them up for gutting.}

_{http://www.gerbergea.../E-Z-Zip_459242}

_{This is by far one of the best items I have ever purchased for dressing game. It literally "unzips" the animal with ease, and I have never nicked any of the organs using it. The best part is, the blade is replaceable, and it uses standard utility knife blades.}

_{Hope you find this helpful.}

That 2nd knife is something to see!!! And I see where you can replace the blades too whihc is awesome. Might look into that one in the next few weeks once I get paid...

[Paula]

walkie talkie with me.

is someone else going to have a walkie talkie also?

[arrow nocker]

is someone else going to have a walkie talkie also?

hehe.i hope so.

"hello.............Hello...............any one out there?Hello...............breaker one nine.can any one read me"?