lol Lazuras, that's about right

sorry I kind of missed the point to my story, which is if you don't have the privilege of living near where you're going to hunt (or even if you do), don't put all your eggs in one basket. Make sure you have alternatives and stay flexible. If you pull up to the TH and there's 5 horse trailers there (or in my case a couple times, an actual outfitter camp set up there, complete with wall tents and corrals), move on to option 2, 3 or 4.

Bird93 said:

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• Carry bear spray (it should be your first line of defense over sidearms)

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Only necessary in brown bear territory.

Is it possible to start camping or scouting and stake your campsite or territory few days prior to season begins? I imagine you may run the risk of being there during the previous season and be accused of hunting already?

Definitely the conventional wisdom, but I know of a few harry situations with black bears where cubs were involved.

To me it's just one of those things I'd rather have and not need than the opposite.

There's tons of options for boots. What are y'all wearing? Hunting boots? Hiking boots?

I see recommendations for Lowa, Crispi, Asolo, Salomon and several others. They all make several models, so what do you base your choice on?

Obviously Gore-Tex is a must. Some insulation, depending upon the weather. Stiff sole. Leather upper? Synthetic upper? 6"? 8"? 10"?

Depends on the terrain. I do a lot of hiking in steep, rocky country. I like the taller upper for ankle support and a thick, stiff sole to absorb the impacts of hiking over rocks. Saves my knees. I use Kenetrek Mountian boots. If it's flatter trail hiking you could probably go with a lower upper and lighter boot.

I am in Scarpa Kinesis. I really like them.... Boots are pretty hard to make recommendations as they are so specific to each individual. Some people like a hardcore stiff mountaineering boot and others like flexible lighter designs. I think mine are somethwere in the middle. There are very few stores that carry many brands. Unless you are hunting in snow and sitting in a stand, I would not get insulation.

Brands that I have been recommended include - Zamberlan, Scarpa, Kennetrek, Lowa, Hanwag, Meindl, La Sportiva and Crispi recently. I think you will be happy with any of the brands listed, if they fit your feet.

I got fitted by Lathrop and Sons and they put me in the Scarpas. I originally had a cheap pair of Danners, but the Scarpas blew them out of the water.

On the lighter side of the budget, I have a pair of Under Armour Bozeman 2.0's that I've been very impressed with. I actually like them better than my Lowa Tibets. I bought them on sale at Cabela's for $105.

I've been all over the map. I mostly archery hunt, so not dealing with real cold conditions. Very light Merrel Moab ventialors and dealt with wet feet, beefier Salomon Quest 4dx w/ goretex and eventually dealt with wet feet, and now on some beefy Meindl western guides from cabelas that did well during rifle season....you get what you pay for and anything other than treated leather seems to leak eventually.

But it's all preference and how they fit. Whatever you get, make sure they're broken in before you go out. And carry moleskin

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And carry moleskin

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One of the most sound pieces of advice in this whole thread. As the feet go, so goes the experience.

Agree with foot care and definitely break in your boots before hand. My Kenetreks needed almost a hundred miles before they were ready to hunt.

agingcowboy said:

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Agree with foot care and definitely break in your boots before hand. My Kenetreks needed almost a hundred miles before they were ready to hunt.

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I don't know if I'll get to hunt the backcountry this year or not (house building schedule will dictate), but it won't be because I don't have the gear or I'm not in shape.

I want to get some boots now and start putting miles on 'em as I train.

aggie1819 said:

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They work well. I keep one with me when I camp. It's basically a silk sock for your body.

I will eventually cut out the mummy bag entirely and get a backpacking quilt. The bottoms of a sleeping bag doesn't fluff or keep you warm any ways, the sleeping pad does. Cutting out the bottom weight saves a pound or 2 for something else in your pack.

https://enlightenedequipment.com/enigma/

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Someone school me on "quilts" please. ...what makes these different than a sleeping bag? What are the pro/con? You say "cutting out the bottom weight" which makes me think it has no bottom, but the photos on that website beg to differ? Is there no bottom? or is it just thinner than a sleeping bag would be? Assuming you have to incorporate with a sleeping pad or freeze to death from the bottom up?

No bottom...don't be cheap on your pad.

No full bottom/back, so lighter weight. That picture that was linked of Enlightened shows the fully sewn footbox and the open back that is pulled almost closed.

I like them. Can cool off easier if getting hot. Less constrictive.

Negative is that they are more fiddly during sleep if you move a bunch. (Some attach to the pad.) I tuck the edges of my quilt under my body. Can let in drafts if not careful.

The idea is that all the down or synthetic under you is compressed and therefore rendered mainly useless as far as insulation goes. So get rid of it to save weight. The insulation under you comes from the sleeping pad anyway.

Katabatic makes good ones. They are pricey but the temperature ratings are very conservative (a rarity in bags). Check out the link and you can get a good video.

I'm planning to use a quilt this year.

My old sleep system (88 oz):
Alps Outdoorz Comfort Pad w/ brass fittings (42 oz)
Mountain Hardwear Ultra-Lamina 15* (46 oz)

My new sleep system (49 oz):
Enlightened Equipment Revelation 850 0* (28 oz)
Thermarest Xtherm MAX (17 oz)
Thermarest Synergy Sheet (4 oz)

I plan to be warmer, lighter, and more comfortable. We shall see.

Seems like a very interesting concept. Not sure ultralight hunts are even a quality option for me anymore sadly given my CPAP and the general sh**ty way I feel if I don't use it for even a night or two (especially at altitude).

My -10 EE Convert is 850 duck down and can be used as a "quilt" or conventional bag. Weighs like 30oz. Sleep on a 19 oz klymit lite static v ipad with 4.4 R value.

Comfortable and as light as I care to afford. Only downside is I'm on my second pad after the first one started deflating overnite due to tiny holes. I've always used a sheet of tyvek as a ground cover. Klymit tried to fix it but finally just sent me a new one. The 2nd pad started doing the same thing last time I used it. Guess I'm in market for another brand now

Ever try a mandibular advancement device ?

Yes. No help at all.

Possibility? Battery Powered. Could carry an extra couple batteries to stay out. My dad uses a CPAP and I have been trying to convince him to get something like this.


http://www.thecpapshop.com/philips-respironics-dreamstation-go-auto-travel-cpap-machine

May be possible. I looked into them to years ago and reviews were a little mixed.

I did run my standard CPAP off deep cycle batteries, and recharged them with solar panels during the day. It worked very well but you're not caring those suckers up and down the mountain every day.

What pack are you guys using? I currently have an Eberlestock but probably upgrading this off season.

I am waiting on the Sitka Mountain Hauler to come out (discount), but also looking at Kifaru, Mystery Ranch, Stone Glacier, and EXO. So far the Stone Glacier has been the most comfortable for me and is super light.

I have an Eberlestock Team Elk pack that I've used for several years. I'm thinking of upgrading this year too. I'm still doing some research but the Mystery Ranch Marshall is my favorite so far.

I use an outdoorsman optics pack. No complaints, but it's the only one I have ever used so I can't compare. My brother liked his kifaru and my dad used an rei branded one.

I'm using the Slumberjack Bounty 2.0. It's feature-rich, especially for the money (caught mine on sale for $225). However, it's on the heavy side at 6lbs. I could probably shave 2 lbs in pack weight by switching; but I try to keep a hard and fast rule of one pound is only worth $50. It's the best pack I found for what I was willing to spend...couldn't find one equally as good that would allow me to drop a pound or two for no more than $100.

Anybody ever heard of Millet Boots?

Never mind. Scored a pair of Lowas on Camofire.

Camofire has quite a few Mystery Ranch packs in the past week or so. Might be worth checking out.

I've got a kifaru frame, but know folks happy with all the companies you listed.

I've got an Exo Mountain K2 frame with the 2000 and 5500 bags. I love it.

AgEng06 said:

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I've got an Exo Mountain K2 frame with the 2000 and 5500 bags. I love it.

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Same here. Works great.

aggie1819 said:

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What pack are you guys using? I currently have an Eberlestock but probably upgrading this off season.

I am waiting on the Sitka Mountain Hauler to come out (discount), but also looking at Kifaru, Mystery Ranch, Stone Glacier, and EXO. So far the Stone Glacier has been the most comfortable for me and is super light.

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I've run an older Eberlestock that I've probably had for 8 or ten years. The feature that sold me initially (internal rifle compartment for long hikes) is the same feature that will probably push me to upgrade. My rifle has been knocked off zero the past 2 years and taking the rifle in and out can't help. It is nice to be able to keep my rifle out of the elements.

I inherited a Badlands pack that I may try to break in this year.

I've got the Exo 5500 and love it... Might try to pick up a 2000 bag for antelope and other things.

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The feature that sold me initially (internal rifle compartment for long hikes) is the same feature that will probably push me to upgrade. My rifle has been knocked off zero the past 2 years and taking the rifle in and out can't help. It is nice to be able to keep my rifle out of the elements.

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I'm trying to find a pack for an upcoming antelope hunt and I like the idea of the internal rifle storage. What solution are you looking at if you think the internal storage is hard on the scope?