Backpack Hunters Checklist - by Jim Cuda

• Rifle or bow
• Ammo or arrows
• Cleaning Rod
• Oil
• Hunting license and tags
• Small folding saw (for butchering game, not sawing trees)
• Backpack
• Light weight tent (less than 5 lbs)
• Stove and Fuel
• Matches and lighter
• Compass
• Maps
• Altimeter (could be at least as important as a compass in mountainous country)
• Headlamp (not a flashlight. Allows both hands to be free)
• Sun glasses
• Sun screen
• Knife
• Survey Tape (do not use to mark a navigation trail. Use to mark blood trail and then pick it all up afterward)
• Binoculars
• First aid kit
• Down Jacket
• Polar fleece sweater
• light weight raingear
• hat
• Pants and Shirt (synthetic blend that will dry fast)
• Extra Socks
• Polypropylene underwear, tops and bottoms
• Lightweight day pack
• Foam sleeping pad
• Down sleeping bag
• toilet paper
• Soap
• Insect repellent
• Tooth Brush
• Boots
• Gaiters (if snow is likely)
• Gloves
• Large Garbage Bags (usefull for everything from keeping things dry, to packing meat, to building an emergency shelter)
• Cookware and spoon (Lightweight aluminum. With freeze dried food you won't need a fork)
• Insulated coffee cup
• Coffee

Optional Items

• Book
• Small lantern (Gaz of France makes one that will work with same cartridges as their stove. It is nice for warming up the tent at pre-dawn!)
• .22 pistol or Judo/Blunt tip arrows (Adding a grouse or two to the pot makes meals more enjoyable)