Essential Gear

[deltecs]

I hunt in the temperate rain forest of Alaska most of the time or central interior.  Both have their climatic challenges with clothing.  I've found GoreTex, thinsulate or the like hunting clothing and boots to be ideal for both.  I use a military style web belt with the attached battle pack for longer trips and just the belt for shorter hunts.  Attached to the belt is a small first aid kit, metal canteen with canteen cup and stove, firestarter, buollon cubes, 4" fixed blade Russel type knife, Leatherman, zip locks bags, one with paper towels neatly folded, compass, small survival kit with sewing needles and fishing line, watch, red flagging tape, red handkerchief, and ammo, license, tags, pencil, rite n rain notebook, small sharpening stone or steel, zippo lighter full at hunting start, couple pieces of short rope, survival blanket, and common sense.  It is surprising how light one can make the kit.  The canteen, cup, stove, buollon cubes, fingenail coated matches can be in one holder.  The first aid and survival kit in another, a small pouch for the rest of the possibles on the belt completes the outfit.  The backpack then can be used for additional items needed for the longer hunts.

[Terry1]

I hunt in the temperate rain forest of Alaska most of the time or central interior.  Both have their climatic challenges with clothing.  I've found GoreTex, thinsulate or the like hunting clothing and boots to be ideal for both.  I use a military style web belt with the attached battle pack for longer trips and just the belt for shorter hunts.  Attached to the belt is a small first aid kit, metal canteen with canteen cup and stove, firestarter, buollon cubes, 4" fixed blade Russel type knife, Leatherman, zip locks bags, one with paper towels neatly folded, compass, small survival kit with sewing needles and fishing line, watch, red flagging tape, red handkerchief, and ammo, license, tags, pencil, rite n rain notebook, small sharpening stone or steel, zippo lighter full at hunting start, couple pieces of short rope, survival blanket, and common sense.  It is surprising how light one can make the kit.  The canteen, cup, stove, buollon cubes, fingenail coated matches can be in one holder.  The first aid and survival kit in another, a small pouch for the rest of the possibles on the belt completes the outfit.  The backpack then can be used for additional items needed for the longer hunts.

Common sense? Its surprising how may people forget to pack that!

[mogwai]

Hi folks,
I want to get ready for the upcoming season and really wanted to ask what others here have found to be both Essential and Non-essential gear and gadgets.  With the wealth of experience here, we could all probably save a bundle by only buying what others have found to be 'must haves', and NOT buying what others have found to be useless gadgets.  Before I start spending my little (very little) hobby slush fund, I'd really like to hear some opinions on gear. 

For example, things I'm considering buying are:

Pop-up ground blind: (good investment, or waste of money, just build your own natural ground blind like people have done for ages?)
Knife: (I only have some small locking folding pocket knives; should I invest in a nice knife and what makes a GOOD hunting knife good. Size, brand, fixed or folder?)
Fanny or backpack:  (what do you use, like and why)
Flashlight or headlamp: (what do you use, like and why)
Miscellaneous: Seats, Camo head masks, doe bleat, scents, etc.

What's your 2 cents on these, and what might you spend your dollars on in preparation for this fall.

Thanks!

The basics for me are:
A gun I am proficient with,
A sharp knife,
A few bullets,
Decent outdoors clothing.
License, blaze orange to meet state regs.
Period.

If you have a  limited budget, you can enjoy many days afield with the above stuff.  Stuff a sandwich in your coat pocket, a bottle of water in another, and go have fun.  Buy a sturdy, large handbag at Goodwill & you have more than enough cargo capacity for the extra "basics."  Improvise a longer handle from a good dog leash.

[Terry1]

I wanted to add that depending on the size of woods you hunt, for bare minimum survival stuff I would say a quality space blanket, dependable firestarter, and a water bottle is good(assuming you already carry a good compass and knife).

[kevthebassman]

I wanted to add that depending on the size of woods you hunt, for bare minimum survival stuff I would say a quality space blanket, dependable firestarter, and a water bottle is good.

That's truth right there.  No telling what would happen if you fell and broke your leg.  Even if you hunt 10 minutes from home, it could be a full day before someone actually found you if you were in trouble.  At minimum you ought to carry something to start a fire.  Fire can not only keep you warm and help you dry out if wet, but it is also awesome for your morale.  Lots of survival courses will teach you to make fire even if it is not cold.  Fire will keep you from wandering about, spending energy.  It will give you time to sit and collect your thoughts and plan how to best remove yourself from your situation.