Daypack Essentials for a Successful Hunt

The must-haves every hunter should pack, all organized in the perfect daypack.

As a hunter, few things are more exciting than acquiring new gear and filling your daypack with all the essentials you’ve deemed necessary. It also comes with bouts of anxiety, especially the night before a hunt. Did I pack everything I need? Do I have enough food and water? What if I see a bear? All the possible scenarios run through my head, and whether I will be prepared to handle what is thrown at me.

I’ll start by saying that’s it’s of utmost importance to take care of No. 1 first. That’s you! If you cannot take care of yourself, it will be highly unlikely that your hunt will be successful. The top gear to take care of yourself is water, first-aid, food, and predator protection. For these, we recommend two 32-ounce water bottles, a hearty, nutritious lunch, including two to three freeze-dried meals (for long days and just in case), a first-aid kit, and bear spray or firearm. Also, when you’re equipped with a Jetboil stove, you got yourself a hot backcountry meal or drink.

For predator protection, there are many options, and everyone in the field has an opinion. Bear spray? 10mm pistol? High-powered magnum? My theory is that something is better than nothing. It also comes down to personal preference and comfort. Remember to practice your draw technique with whatever option you choose.

After you’ve taken care of yourself, it’s time to take care of the harvested game. For western backcountry hunting, if there is a decent hike between game harvest and ice-filled coolers, the meat will need to be protected from bacteria and flies, the most inconvenient predators in the backcountry. Game bags are essential for taking something to the freezer safely and clean.

Next in importance are the tools needed to get your harvest into the game bag: a sharp knife and pelvic bone saw. Knives with replaceable blades, such as Outdoor Edge or Havalon, will do the trick. Another popular option is higher-quality steels and materials that eliminate the need for sharpening in the field. Benchmade and Buck knives are good options and known for their lifetime durability. Knives are scalpels for hunters, so extreme caution must be used. Follow proper cutting techniques so you don’t have to dig into the first-aid kit. If you slip up and need to dress a cut, a QuikClot patch is handy, as it promotes blood clotting.

Finally, where are you going to put all this gear? For this amount of gear, we recommend a hunting daypack in the range of 34 liters. The Badlands 2200 is the best pack for this scenario. It won’t handle enough for an overnight, but it’s just the right size for an all-day hunt. The pack features a variety of useful small things, including two water bottle holders, an interior water bladder pocket, a meat shelf in case you are lucky enough to harvest, and a rifle or bow sling for the slow periods. The hip belts with pockets help to keep the weight distributed. The pack has a pocket for a spotting scope or bugle and a pistol holster built right into the belt. The meat shelf is flashy, and hugs down to your pack with a blaze orange securing system to show everyone your accomplishment.

Hunting Daypack Essentials