Have you ever ventured hours away from home for your hunting trip, when suddenly you realize that you’ve forgotten one of your essential items? When preparing for a hunting trip, you need to ensure that your hunting pack is full of the essentials in order to maximize your experience. Given Utah and Wyoming’s volatile ranges and climate, you’ll need to be prepared for any scenario. Pack all survival items, but also be careful to not overpack. You don’t want to wear out your body within the first few hours of your trip. Here are some items that every hunting pack needs.
Water
The most important and easily attainable hunting necessity is water. Save the most space in your backpack for large amounts of water. Store your water in a hydration pack to carry large amounts of water. Hydration packs will also leave your backpack with ample storage room. Keeping hydrated is a must during your hunting trip, so keep track of your water intake. Drink water in small intervals, even if you are not thirsty. Avoid gulping water all at once. Not only will dehydration decrease your energy and hunting capabilities, but it is also a safety hazard. You lose fluids while hiking, so replenishment should be your main priority.
First Aid Kit
During your hunting trip, you might fall victim to a severe bug bite. Perhaps you ran into an invasive plant that is poisonous. You can never be too prepared for your hunting trip. You’ll need to take a full first aid kit that you can keep in your car and a small first aid kit that can go inside your backpack. The first aid kits should include band-aids of all sizes, antibacterial cream, anti-itch cream, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, and any medications you’re taking.
Food
The average deer and elk hunter burns anywhere between 6,000 to 9,000 calories on an active hunting day. Eat foods high in caloric value during your hunt. Burning a high number of calories is inevitable, as you will be walking, climbing, and hauling animals; this exerts copious amounts of energy. To avoid becoming fatigued, do not let your energy levels drop. Beef jerky is one of the best foods you can pack into your backpack. Jerky can be packed in large amounts, as it is slim. Every piece of jerky is high in both protein and calories, which will supply you with energy throughout the day. Another snack essential for your backpack is trail mix. A hearty trail mix should consist of different types of nuts and fruits, as these are high in nutrients and caloric value. This is also an easy way of getting your Omega-3 intake. If you have a sweet tooth, a fun way to make sure you’re getting a dose of sugar is by eating chocolate that has peanuts in it. Granola bars are also an excellent option because they are high in fats and complex carbohydrates.
Firestarter and Lighter
Every hunting pack should have a lighter in case of an emergency, but this may not be enough. Dry leaves and dead grass serve as effective fire starters, but you can never go wrong with packing a household item that’s flammable. Some small household items that you can throw into your backpack that are fire starters are duct tape, chapstick, egg cartons, and paper.
Hunting License
You need to carry your hunting license during every hunt because a game warden can interrogate you at any time. Having your license at hand can prevent you from losing your hunting privileges. Carry your hunting license in a plastic bag to protect it from nature’s elements. The last thing you want is a soggy license that got wet from the rain.
If you’re a resident of Utah or Wyoming, contact R&K Hunting today to get started on planning your next hunting adventure.