What's in Our Daypack

What's in Our Daypack

It's crucial to pack your daypack with the right gear. Much of what you carry will depend on the location and time of year you are hunting. However, one factor that significantly influences the contents of your daypack is the weather. Staying hydrated, warm, and dry are key considerations when deciding what to pack.

We always consider weight when packing our daypacks. Many modern camouflage brands have warmer, lighter synthetic solutions. Let’s not forget the advanced technology of Caribou Gear game bags and the tools required to process your kill, which will considerably lighten your daypack.

Let’s begin with our daypack and what you will always find, regardless of the season or location. Keep in mind that we generally leave camp before sun up and return around or after sundown.

Daypack - A 2000 to 2700 cubic inch daypack is just right for all the extra gear we carry for a day’s worth of hunting, including rain gear, jackets, and camera gear.

The Caribou Gear cell phone/GPS holster, range finder, and Inreach® are attached to the daypack shoulder straps, all connected with the Caribou Gear lanyard/tether. These are attached outside of the pack for easy access. And to ensure direct contact with the satellite for the best and most accurate navigation.

Starting from the bottom to the top of the daypack

Game bags for whatever tags were currently carrying. Wapiti is for elk, Muley for deer, and an even lighter game bag set, the Carnivore, with a set of five game bags, is made for deboned game meat. This small compact set will house a deboned bull elk.

Jacket & Rain Coat—Warmer days and colder nights during September require an added puffy down or synthetic vest or light jacket and a raincoat. These will make up much of the bulk in your daypack. As the weather transitions from the crisp cold days of October to much colder days of November, it’s essential to be prepared for the fluctuating temperatures. As the day warms, you can carry your warmer coat in your daypack or attach it to the outer straps of your daypack. For an added windbreak and wet snow, wear a raincoat.

Kill Kit - (small) Ditty Bag (our kill kit content can be found in a previous blog)

Toiletry Items - Ditty Bag (small) compact trowel, TP, and wipes.

Hunters Tarp Colorado and Montana Both are lightweight and have different uses in terms of overall space. The Colorado is small enough for a small shelter, rain poncho, all-weather wind blanket, putting game meat on to cool/clean, and packing out meat. The Montana Hunters Tarp® is larger for out-of-the-wind, sun, rain, and snow shelter.

Water: A water bladder with an over-the-shoulder hose is always convenient, except when temperatures consistently fall below 32 degrees. The bladder line freezes you no longer get water. Depending on the day's hunt distance, we carry extra water in a Nalgene-style Caribou Gear water bottle. During the colder months, I recommend carrying two bottles, leaving the water bladder behind.

Be sure to balance your water intake so you never deprive yourself. If you have access to a water source, such as a stream, river, lake, etc. A life-straw water filtration system or water purification tablets come in handy. A full water bladder and water bottle are usually good for a long day's hunt. But of course, the more you exert yourself, the more water you’ll need.

Food Items

Grub Bag - Ditty Bag (small) is always stocked with trail food for the day’s hunt. It contains jerky, dried fruit, two small packs of instant coffee, hydration and energy powder mix, two energy bars, and mixed nuts.

Smaller Pack Pocket Items

Small first aid kit (Our Alaska first aid kit is much larger): This kit includes antiseptic, splinter, tweezers, tape, bandage wrap, wound cleaner, a basic assortment of bandages, and emergency water treatment tablets.

Small pack saw, knife, sharpener, extra tarp stakes, and paracord.

Headlamp and extra batteries and a small micro handheld flashlight. This tiny flashlight is excellent for rummaging through your daypack, looking for your headlamp's extra batteries. Fire Starter: Coghlan’s Fire Stick and a Bic lighter. There are many types of fire starter sticks, cubes, doughs, and wafers. Some are overly waxed and messy. The putty/doughs type dries out and is much heavier than Coghlan’s fire stick. Coghlan’s fire sticks are lightweight and burn in the worst conditions. We carry two sticks and a Bic light in a small plastic bag. In dry conditions, we can make a fire with half a stick; damp conditions usually require a full stick.

Electronics

Your cell phone may be your most used item, so having an extra power block is a good idea for all-day use. I always have a backup GPS for navigation, especially when in Alaska. This also includes my Garmin Inreach® for texting, sending location coordinates, and tracking or collecting my breadcrumbs when hunting alone.

Batteries are always needed for your headlamp and for charging your phone. I never purchase a headlamp that requires charging; a headlamp that requires AA batteries always ensures you have light when needed. I try never to use the full light setting on my headlamp. This will extend the life of your batteries when hiking or field dressing. One set of extra batteries is usually sufficient for your Garmin GPS 64 or like GPS and your headlamp. A power block may be needed depending on how much you use your cell phone for texting and navigation.

SAT Phones are always an addition when hunting in Alaska or other extremely

remote locations. The SAT phone is never left on, but we always carry an extra battery for safety.

Cameras and Camera Gear

Many people do not carry cameras and accessories, but here's a basic list of what we carry for those interested.

The Sony Alpha 7R V mirrorless camera is for filming and taking high-quality pictures. It is the workhorse of all my cameras. However, it can be heavy and bulky, so it is sometimes left behind. In Alaska, this camera and monopod are always in the hands of the non-shooter.

Tripod; Compact carbon fiber tripod for use with the Sony Alpha 7R.

In place of the Sony Alpha 7R, a Sony compact pocket camera will be used for fast access and B-roll pictures and video.

GoPro Hero 12 Black: When both hands must be accessible for shooting or hiking, the GoPro Hero 12 Black is pretty handy. We also carry a GoPro headband, a small tripod, a 256 GB SD Card, and two extra batteries. It's just easy and convenient for hands-free filming.

Always be prepared

Always be prepared; A late kill, heavy rain, or whiteout conditions can change your plans in a heartbeat. I've seen grown men cry, stumbling out of thick timber after spending hours trying to find their way out. Personally, I have returned to camp extremely late from that distant meadow after field dressing game, but I have never been lost.

Never leave it to chance when heading out for a day’s hunt. If ever needed, we have everything to make a shelter and start a fire. It may be a sleepless, cold night tending to your fire, but you’ll live to see another day.

Remember, the contents of your daypack can make a significant difference in your hunting experience. By prioritizing hydration, warmth, and preparedness, you can ensure a safer and more enjoyable hunt. Be mindful of the weather conditions and pack accordingly to make the most of your hunt.