Which Items are Worth Upgrading

[AvidIndoorsman]

I think most are looking at this with blinders on. If your hunting area gives you the ability to run a big comfortable shelter why suffer with a tiny tent? If your hunting area is in an area where getting a wall tent in is not reasonable then yea don't bring it an run the small shelter, I do it plenty.

I think your missing the point, if I can run a wall tent then I'm going to run a wall tent. What is the point of a tent that is way to heavy to back pack with and not as comfortable as a wall tent?

 

[Pucky Freak]

That is a great idea. I know at some point my binoculars could be upgraded but I figured I have to get the other items first so I can actually go. I should have mentioned I do have a good scope and rings on the gun already. But as far as a tent for around $250, any recommendations? I never knew how little I knew until I looked into tents and sleeping bags.

Hennessy Hyperlite hammock retails $259. Not a tent…but the most comfortable night of sleep you’ll ever have. 28 oz.

 

[Irrelevant]

Also... Montana Dec 21 shortest day of the year
4:30 pm sunset
5:00pm last light
5:30pm get to camp
6:30pm deal with water for the next day, make food, pack bag for morning etc. That should have been taken care of while out hunting at like 2pm.
7:00pm

Done with dinner at 6. Spend the next 2.5 hrs trying to stay warm and being bored.

8:30pm go to sleep
6:30am wake up- get ready
6:50am hike to glassing spot
7:20am shooting light
7:50am sunrise

....

you likely are complaining about not seeing elk because you're a jabroni and looking for firewood at 7:30pm instead of glassing bulls as they are feeding between stands of dark timber and aspens.

Or your at home because who the f*ck would backpack for elk in dec without a heat source.

 

[KB_]

I think your missing the point, if I can run a wall tent then I'm going to run a wall tent. What is the point of a tent that is way to heavy to back pack with and not as comfortable as a wall tent?

I think we are agreeing with each other aggressively lol. I got you now.

 

[Irrelevant]

i would only add more nuance that backpacking hunting is typically backpacking with a gun and optics in typically much colder weather. if you're good with gear maybe expect 15 lbs extra, even 20. warmer clothes, boots not trail runners, binos, slightly heavier sleeping bag, maybe two pairs of gloves.

not to mention my summer backpack is like 6lbs lighter than my hunting pack. edit: okay not six, i just double checked, 4.5 or so.

I just did this (leave tonight, it's going to be around or below freezing the entire time with some rain/snow). I swapped puffies, boots, and beanies added another mid-layer and added mittens, closer to 6 pounds additional. Water management is the biggest difference, and despite experience I still screw it up

 

[kwyeewyk]

I think most are looking at this with blinders on.

I think you're failing to consider @wllm1313 has tendencies toward self sado-masochism

 

[andrew11]

 

[TOGIE]

I just did this (leave tonight, it's going to be around or below freezing the entire time with some rain/snow). I swapped puffies, boots, and beanies added another mid-layer and added mittens, closer to 6 pounds additional. Water management is the biggest difference, and despite experience I still screw it up

that sounds about right.

one of wllm's jabronis who is only used to july and august backpacking in co and now wants to backpack hunt should consider an additional 10-20 lbs in total gear weight over the typical summer gear and clothing weights if they wanna do an october elk hunt from a backpack for maybe 4 nights. that is if they're even strategic about packing for summer gear...

 

[Benjamins]

My problem is everyone is so dang convincing! I may be even more confused now than I was!

 

[KB_]

My problem is everyone is so dang convincing! I may be even more confused now than I was!

Common problem around here. Wing it

 

[Deleted member 16014]

My problem is everyone is so dang convincing! I may be even more confused now than I was!

Bottom line is your really gotta just try some stuff because other than total crap gear a lot of it comes down to personal preference, where and how you'll be hunting, and some budget thrown in. Some brands have better resale than others, and it's not dumb to take that into consideration in the event you want to swap some stuff around.

 

[AvidIndoorsman]

Done with dinner at 6. Spend the next 2.5 hrs trying to stay warm and being bored.

....

Or your at home because who the f*ck would backpack for elk in dec without a heat source.

Jan 3rd.

Dec 31

Generally speaking I don't do that much winter camping (comparatively)

My buddy from the the goat hunt probably averages 50+ days a winter in a tent in AK. Doesn't own nor has to my knowledge ever used a hot tent.

He did a little more than a month straight on Denali last 2 years, big fat sleeping bag, good down layers.



I'd definitely take a light weight hot tent on a fly in AK moose hunt... maybe a few other hunts in early spring/mid fall in really wet places.

My overall point is that all tools have a purpose and some are very niche and others are very versatile. If someone asks "I just moved into my first apartment what 4 things from home depot should I buy," duct tape, a screw driver, WD40 are probably on the list... a plumb bob probably isn't.

 

[noharleyyet]

We used to have a pretty sharp poster who would embed painfully meticulous tutorials how to MacGyver a sleeping bag and tent.

 

[Irrelevant]

Jan 3rd.

Dec 31

Generally speaking I don't do that much winter camping (comparatively)

My buddy from the the goat hunt probably averages 50+ days a winter in a tent in AK. Doesn't own nor has to my knowledge ever used a hot tent.

He did a little more than a month straight on Denali last 2 years, big fat sleeping bag, good down layers.
View attachment 196779
View attachment 196780

I'd definitely take a light weight hot tent on a fly in AK moose hunt... maybe a few other hunts in early spring/mid fall in really wet places.

My overall point is that all tools have a purpose and some are very niche and others are very versatile. If someone asks "I just moved into my first apartment what 4 things from home depot should I buy," duct tape, a screw driver, WD40 are probably on the list... a plumb bob probably isn't.

I've had to come to grips with, no matter how much I love mountains, the cold and I do not agree with each other. To the point where I've had hypothermia twice but only a mild case of frost bite once. I simply can't handle the cold well enough to even fane a trip in frostbite country.

 

[CowboyLeroy]

Drawers

 

[MTLabrador]

What are the good synthetic bags? Kifaru and Wiggy's?

Never used either one, but they have a good reputation.

 

[AvidIndoorsman]

I've had to come to grips with, no matter how much I love mountains, the cold and I do not agree with each other. To the point where I've had hypothermia twice but only a mild case of frost bite once. I simply can't handle the cold well enough to even fane a trip in frostbite country.

Yeah I try to either be moving or in a sleeping bag.

 

[Irrelevant]

Yeah I try to either be moving or in a sleeping bag.

That's when I see is the best time to ditch backpacking and start truck camping. Call me soft, but the glory of a warm wall tent at the end of a day freezing your tadertots off is where it's at once the snow flies. Also why i try to get it done in Sept...

 

[BlazerBeam]

Weapon system (ammo, scope, rangefinder, etc), binos, sleeping bag, pack, boots are where I feel the best of the best should be bought if you can swing it.

 

[AvidIndoorsman]

That's when I see is the best time to ditch backpacking and start truck camping. Call me soft, but the glory of a warm wall tent at the end of a day freezing your tadertots off is where it's at once the snow flies. Also why i try to get it done in Sept...

In which case I'd rather have an espar heater on a thermostat so I don't have to dick around with a fire at 2am.