by-Chad Baart
In today’s world of hunting, I have found that getting deep in to the back country increases my chances at a quality harvest. Unfortunately I have found that with trekking far from civilization comes a whole new world. This is a world lacking in creature comforts or convenience, one that can push your body and mind to its limits. With advanced planning and preparation, you too can be hunting in the backcountry.
Let’s start by talking about shelters. You now are without your sturdy roof, shingled walls, and worse yet, your pillow top bed. A comfortable place to sleep is achievable if you have the proper gear. For late season hunts I have found it beneficial to carry a 1 man 3 season bivy tent. Look for the lightest that you can find while taking into consideration its dimensions. I am a bigger guy and I looked for one that I could sit up in to get dressed. I went with the Eureka Zuess. If the season is early and warm, get yourself a tarp. The tarps that I would recommend are the Noah’s tarp or the XPG if you are not looking to break the bank
Now that we have figured out what type of shelter that we are going to use lets look closely at what type of bed that we would like to sleep on. I have read many articles and forum posts, all dealing with the ultimate mattress. I have used everything from twin size blowup mattresses to egg crates, all having their own strong points. Whatever you should choose, make sure that it is not only comfortable, but will also insulate you from the cold ground. I have had great success now for 3 seasons with my XPG ¾ pad from Cabelas. I could not find any reason to carry the extra weight of a full pad when I can put clothing under my feet.
Our shelter is set up and our pad is in place. Its time to roll out the sleeping bag! I have 2 different bags depending on the season that I plan on hunting. For warmer weather I carry a Eureka 20 degree bag and cover its shell with an XPG bivy sack. For colder weather I carry a minus 20 degree Sherpa Designs Bag and cover that with my bivy bag as well. Both of my bags are synthetic for one main reason, if my bag gets wet it will maintain its loft. I don’t want to get stranded in the back country and turn into a Popsicle. When looking for a quality bag that is pack worthy you had better brace yourself when you go through the checkout line. This is one item that you don’t want to skimp on.
The sleeping arrangements have been made for your hunt and you are feeling a little hungry. What are we going to eat? After spending much of the day climbing the mountains after your trophy of a lifetime, a guy can get pretty hungry. I like to balance my meals and have found the following to fit quite nicely with my metabolism. At the beginning of each day I will pull out 1 food bag, In this bag ( single ziplock) I will have all of my meals packaged together.
I start out each day with 2 packages of instant oatmeal. Your water can be heated on a small burner such as a Pocket Rocket or Snow Peak. These small stoves are fueled by isobutane and can heat water to boiling within 3 minutes or so. If you purchase either of these, make sure that you test them out to find out how many cups you can boil. This will help you calculate the amount of fuel that is needed. Along with my oatmeal I will eat a high quality energy bar too. For lunch I will have a large package of tuna and another energy bar. For supper I will eat a freeze dried meal ( Mountain House) and one more energy bar. In my meal pack I will also have 5-6 energy drink mix packets to help me fuel up throughout the day. You can custom tailor your meal bags, just make sure that you will be getting a balanced meal that is high in protein and carbohydrates.
I am sure by now you are wondering what you will be carrying all of this stuff in. I have used many different packs and have made some very important discoveries. Though the expandable type internal frame packs will get the job done with your gear, you want to be sure that it is ample enough to get your mature bull off the mountain, one that holds the weight close to your body. Instead of pointing out the discrepancies of a few packs I will share with you what I use and why. If you chose different then let your back be the judge.
I have recently settled in on one pack in particular as it really fits my style of hunting. I use the Cabela’s Alaskan Outfitter. The reason that I like this pack is the fact that I have a sturdy external frame. I took off the top bar and the shelf to lighten the load a bit. The straps are very comfortable and can be easily adjusted. The pack also boasts an internal rain fly that can be deployed when the weather turns nasty. When it all pays off and an elk is on the ground, this pack allows me to quickly remove the pack from the frame to stow my gear, protected from the elements and all of the blood from the meat bags.
It is easy to get chilled when in the wilds. Clothing choice is of high importance. I look for material that is rugged and will dry fast. In choosing clothing I also look for something that will not stink up too bad. For a base layer I like to use Medalist that has the silvermax lining and is antimicrobial. I will pack 2 tops and 2 bottoms. I will wear one while the other is drying on a line after being washed. As a primary layer I like to wear a high performance fleece. If my fleece gets wet it will dry out quickly. Not to mention the fact that fleece is extremely light. For inclement weather I will also carry a packable rain jacket and pant. Not only will this keep my primary layer dry, but it can also be used as an extra layer when it gets cold and windy.
Loose clothes in your backpack can take up a lot of room. I pack all of my clothes in ziplock bags. By doing so I can squeeze the air out, thus compacting the bag. Also by packaging my clothes, I can be assured that my clothes are dry if the weather turns ugly.
Hopefully this information will get you started in the right direction. Even with this advice, make sure that you are prepared for YOUR situation. Keep checking back for the most up to date information on the web!
