Day Pack Weight

AzTagSoup

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So trying to dial in my day pack weight for elk hunt next month. Its looking to be warm so might ditch the Puffy combo. What am I missing? What weight do you shoot for?
Red denotes I will split weight with my hunting buddy.
So net weight 22ish.

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What, no flashlight? Dude wipes? Pyro putty? Wyo saw? Beer?

I wanted to take excel off of all our computers for this very reason.

Just razzin you. It’s been a long time since I was excited enough about a hunt to go into that level of detail. Enjoy.
 
I'm not understanding the jet boil for a day pack. Or the tripod and spotter.

Are you day hunting from the truck trailhead, or going multiple miles deep?

My day pack is survival oriented.

First add supplies, fire starter, a little stove and fuel in a tin cup, flashlight, some extra batteries for my flashlight and dog gps, extra gloves and hat, and some water.
 
I'm not understanding the jet boil for a day pack. Or the tripod and spotter.

Are you day hunting from the truck trailhead, or going multiple miles deep?

My day pack is survival oriented.

First add supplies, fire starter, a little stove and fuel in a tin cup, flashlight, some extra batteries for my flashlight and dog gps, extra gloves and hat, and some water.
We plan in hiking1-1.5k in altitude 2-5 miles in. So the plan is it to get up there and glass all day. Thus the jetboil for hot meals as it could be cold. . Not planning on coming back to the truck.
 
I would dump the chair
I prefer leaning my back against something. I was going to go with a thermarest but just want the comfort of being able to lean back. That said at 1 pound the chair is not prohibitive. We will be on hill tops where we can glass for mile and plan on glassing a ton versus hiking.
 
I will not comment because I know I pack too much. But if I am in 4 to 5 miles and glassing till dark, I want to be able to spend an uncomfortable night on the mountain if need be.

Given that, I am amazed at the people I run into who carry nothing but what fits into their pockets. No pack and some with no jacket. Guess they think they can call 911 if they need help.
 
I will not comment because I know I pack too much. But if I am in 4 to 5 miles and glassing till dark, I want to be able to spend an uncomfortable night on the mountain if need be.

Given that, I am amazed at the people I run into who carry nothing but what fits into their pockets. No pack and some with no jacket. Guess they think they can call 911 if they need help.
How much is your shelter/sleep combo weigh? I am to the point where I need to cut weight.
 
Agree with Ditch the chair, stove, spotting scope.
I would add an extra knife and sharpener in case something goes wrong with the havalon. I always take at least two knife sources and two light sources. Those are two things you do not want to go without.

I throw in a couple trash bags for when the full game bags go in the pack. Keeps blood from draining into the pack
Don’t forget your elk calls
 
Agree with Ditch the chair, stove, spotting scope.
I would add an extra knife and sharpener in case something goes wrong with the havalon. I always take at least two knife sources and two light sources. Those are two things you do not want to go without.

I throw in a couple trash bags for when the full game bags go in the pack. Keeps blood from draining into the pack
Don’t forget your elk calls
Yeah have 2 extra blades for Havalon but good call. Headlamp extra batteries check. Garbage bags good idea. I got a Mystery Ranch with the meat shelf but will still get dirty. Elk cow call in Bino harness.
 
I view a day pack as emergency stuff (lots included in that )water, light and cutting stuff. Agree with ditching spotter/tripod unless looking at vast clear country at a distance, Good rain protection is a must as getting wet is a dangerous thing. If you use OnX a battery pack is smart
 
Agree with Ditch the chair, stove, spotting scope.
I would add an extra knife and sharpener in case something goes wrong with the havalon. I always take at least two knife sources and two light sources. Those are two things you do not want to go without.

I throw in a couple trash bags for when the full game bags go in the pack. Keeps blood from draining into the pack
Don’t forget your elk calls
I always take two knives and two lights along with extra batteries. Those are a must have
 
One thing I love packing now is this ultra lite tarp, 10'x10'. Size is just like a water bottle. I make wind shelter for glassing, rain fly, emergency tent, or cover meat from rain and snow overnight. Makes a great little tent, or lean too for overnight. Weighs only 2#, and costs just $60. If I'm more than 2 miles, I bring 2 more game bags and 4 plastic trash bags.

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Will add TP, wipes and headlamp.
I always have two light sources with me and both take the same battery type. Also enough extra batteries to have lights on for an entire night just in case I need to keep walking through the night. The extra weight associated with a 2nd light and a few extra batteries is minimal! I have a Petzel headlamp that is rechargeable and can take AAA batteries too.
 
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Or, you can just pack like my buddy did.....lol

View attachment 160603
It's not the bulk or even the probable weight of this "day" pack that hurts my back (and my eyes a little bit) to look at. It's the old school frame that is sitting way to far away from his body and the way the pack is loaded even further back. If I wore that and fell down I'd never be able to get up.

I'll say one thing for sure. That man is a lot tougher than me.
 
get an old foam pad and cut it to butt size, make a couple and give them your friends. If you truly need the puffy pants than a stove isn’t a bad idea, I like it to melt snow and make warm drinks on those mid November hunts.
 
My day pack list for elk:

knife with 4 blades
headlamp with extra batteries
puffy coat
2L of water plus my steripen
tripod
spotter if it's open country
toilet paper
4 game bags
1 trash bag
small first aid kit
candy bars/jerky/bagel with PB & bacon
bullets (10 plus what's in my magazine and bino harness)

for deer add spotter, BTX, 1.7x doubler and reduce game bags to 2.
 
I pack 4 quarts even on a half day pack. If a water source is around. Top em off. You never know. I few power bars can keep you going. Run out of water and you’re gunna pay. Speaking from experience
 
I pack 4 quarts even on a half day pack. If a water source is around. Top em off. You never know. I few power bars can keep you going. Run out of water and you’re gunna pay. Speaking from experience
I am hunting area’s that I know, so I know where there’s water. I bring 1 quart of water and a water filter.
 
In addition to your list I am always carrying a collapsible saw, two headlamps, a mini pocket torch and toilet paper. Also, I try not to leave the truck without 4-6 quarts of water. My pack is always about 36-40 lbs
 
I think mine comes in closer to 12 total. I only pack two liters of water and a filter. I don't take a spotter, I use 12x56 binos on a smaller tripod sometimes. It's the ounces that kill you.
 
My pack Is like Marley’s , minus spotter tripod & garbage bag.

Add Wyoming saw and wet wipes.

My ass still hurts from sitting in rocks waiting on elk.

Future add: butt pad!
 
This thread is awesome! Lots of good ideas. I’m posting so I get notifications.
Same here. I think my backpack for a 1/2 day tree stand sit weighs more than 27#. Heck, I think my turkey vest weighs more than that!

But to add to the topic, I didn't see gun, ammo, gloves, hat, or toboggan on the list. Those things add up also.
 
My daypack for carrying around in a SxS all day is probably 40 pounds. But I don’t actually pack it all day. Most of the time it’s just carrying 500 yds up a hill to glass.
Same here. I think my backpack for a 1/2 day tree stand sit weighs more than 27#. Heck, I think my turkey vest weighs more than that!

But to add to the topic, I didn't see gun, ammo, gloves, hat, or toboggan on the list. Those things add up also.
 
I see that several people carry a saw. What do you use a saw for?
I don’t use one anymore. I haven’t carried bone more than a couple hunnert yards in a LONG time.

I used my wyo saw around camp lots of times making hot dog sticks and such. :)
 

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