We know how this starts, you're prepping for a hunting trip by trying to stuff a mountain of gear into a pack, that will only hold a fraction of the items you convince yourself are needed, until you realize your back and knees will be lugging all that extra weight of unnecessary gear. Take a load off and pack only the necessities!
Here is a list of accessories for your “actually needed” pile to help you make the decision of what to bring easier
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Hunting Knife- Unless otherwise requested your guide will be have all the right tools to get your game caped, quartered and packed in game bags but we always recommend bringing a knife everywhere you go as they are an essential tool in the wilderness. We use Havalon and Outdoor Edge for cape cuts and any pocket knife will do.
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Headlamp- Arguably the most important item in your pack. You do not want to make a great shot on an elk only to hike to it and realize you have to quarter it up by moonlight. The brands we use Black Diamond, Fenix, and Petzl
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Batteries- To the same point as the headlamp, they only work with batteries always good to bring extra just in case the pack out last longer than the batteries do
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Glassing Pad- An item that I am not sure how I did without in prior years. They are light weight and take up very little space in your pack. Makes sitting and glassing a mountain side a bit more comfortable and waterproof. We use thermarest and exped
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Trekking Poles- your knees with thank you for bringing these. It’s best to use “the lighter the better” approach when picking a good set of trekking poles. The brands we use are Leki, REI, and Black Diamond
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Pistol/Bear Spray- We want you to feel comfortable on your hunt. We do not oppose either as a way to protect yourself. If you are bringing a pistol we recommend a 44mag or 10mm. If you want to carry bear spray but are flying in we can stop at any local store to pick up a bottle.
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Nalgene Bottle- Water bottles inside a pack are noisy, and camelbacks during rifle season can easily freeze and bust. We recommend purchasing any size Nalgene bottle for a quiet a tough way to carry water.
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Orange Vest (Rifle)- any orange hunting vest will do. We have them listed on our gear list to make it easy to purchase online.
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Binoculars- We recommend bringing 10x42 binoculars. As a go-to bino the 10x42 Vortex Optics are light weight and built to last
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Bino Harness- A bino harness is an essential item for a hunt in our terrain. The harness will keep you binos strapped to you close and will prevent them from swaying on your neck. It is also a useful tool for a bear spray/pistol holster. We recommend Alaskan Guide Series, Sitka, and Stone Glacier Bino Harnesses
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Nalgene Bottle- A nalgene bottle is tough, quiet and easy to fill up at some of the mountain streams with safe drinking water. Bottled water will be available at the lodge but we ask that you bring your own water bottle as well to fill at the lodge for a more quiet option while out hunting.