What Gear For a Long Outing?

[MarcSpaz]

I am getting close to the point where I will be able to start doing some hunting in VA. My goals are to call-in predator animals (coyote, fox, bobcat, etc.), especially coyote, since they are year-round open season. I also plan to go out of state, like Florida or Georgia, to do some boar hunting.

I have been camping all my life, so spending a few days out in the woods is a pretty easy thing for me to prep for. However, I haven't hunted in 20 years and I never went out for days at a time. I am trying to make sure once I leave camp and I'm out and about, I have everything I need for the day. I don't want to have to go back to camp for things like meds or because I found a lose screw on my quad-rail.

So... I have a couple of questions about long outings.

What are some of the things you guys hike with?
If you are using comms with your hunting partners, what radios work well for a hands-free VOX with minimal noise (in-ear buds, etc)?
What would be recommended for a med kit as far as commonly overlooked or left out? Are snake bite kits something of value?
For those who hunt predator's, what are some electronic calls to look at for coyote?

I have an LBE vest. I have map pouches, compass, very small tool kit for minor cleaning and screw tightening (light weight minimalist type kit), pistol mag pouch, rifle mag pouch, flashlight pouch and a hard-mounted knife sheath. I am going to buy a small Camelbak backpack for snacks and water. I also plan on buying a med kit.

Anything major I may be missing?

Thanks in advance.
Spaz

[SHMIV]

My father is an avid camper and hiker. Well, he used to be, anyway.

He used to always tell my sisters and me to ask ourselves what we DON'T need.

I would imagine that some things, such as a snake bite kit, are seasonal and/or territorial. This time of year, for example, you probably won't get bitten by snakes.

I haven't been hiking or camping since high school, so my memory is fuzzy. I just remember that camping with my father was quite a minimalist experience.

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[MarcSpaz]

It should be too, right? I mean, when I go camping, its to get away from the complications of life and enjoy simple things in nature. Cooking fresh caught fish on an open fire. Sleeping in a shelter that may or may not keep you dry. Spending time with the ones you are with, enjoying the sights, smells and company. That's what its all about for me.

I don't mean to offend anyone, but if you have an RV camper that rivals the Taj Mahal, you aren't camping. On the flip-side, If you want to see the country and enjoy the comforts of home... there is nothing wrong with RV'ing... just don't call it camping. hahaha

[SHMIV]

Yes, I am of the firm opinion that camping should be a minimalist experience. That said, minimalism isn't exactly my thing, lol.

I remember when I moved to Florida, a few years back. I went down without much of a plan, and spent a few nights at a camp ground. (I don't consider that camping, either.) The folks on the neighboring site were there on vacation. These people had run a window unit to their massive tent, and had hooked up a TV and gaming console, inside. I really wonder why they bothered. They could have stayed home and done that, without spending the extra money or effort. That, also, was not camping.

I recall reading about a woman that hiked the Appalachian Trail multiple times; all she carried with her was a stick, and the clothes that she was wearing.

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[OakRidgeStars]

Some of the things in my backpack (In no particular order):

6' x 8' tarp (or larger) for shelter or ground cover
Para cord, for just about everything
Bivy sack, if you don't want to pack a sleeping bag
Sturdy knife
Gerber collapsible tree saw
Gerber BackPax, or any small axe
LIFESTRAW - Gotta have one of these for each person. http://www.buylifestraw.com
Small first aid kit, or just make your own in a ziplock bag
Trash bags
Hand sanitizer - For obvious reasons, but also as a fire starter
Matches or fire striker in a ziplock bag or water-tight container
Compass
Leatherman multi-tool. Can replace knife or tree saw if traveling light
Pak-Lite - Love these things. http://9voltlight.com/

This is just a quick list off the top of my head. I'm sure I missed something.

[MarcSpaz]

Nice! Thanks!

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[Machias]

Lots of nice coyotes here in VA.

[0ne5hot]

I would recomend building a First Aid Kit because you can build it to your needs, But since you said you were going to buy a medkit. I would recomend any of the Civ/LE kits by Dark Angel Medical for a personal kit they are mostly a high speed/low drag trauma kit but they are a good starting point.

http://www.shop.darkangelmedical.com/Kits_c11.htm

[SHMIV]

Just curious; what does one do with a coyote, once harvested?

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[MarcSpaz]

Collect the bounty from the county (if applicable), skin it and sell the fur, burn or bury the rest.

I want to do this for two reasons. Farm raised cows, pigs chicken, etc are all hunted and killed by coyotes. I want to help local (VA) farmers protect their investment and my food.

Also, coyotes are very smart nocturnal predators. Learning to successfully stalk and kill a cunning predator will help sharpen my survival skills.

I don't like deer, though I will eat deer meat to live, but hunting deer is easy and rifle season is too short. I want to be able to do this year round. Since its continuous open season on coyotes and there is no limit to ammo count or rifle type when hunting them, I figure that is my best bet.

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[Reverenddel]

Had to wait till I got to work to find my Camping Checklist:

Gear-
• Backpack
• Sleeping Bag
• Air pad
• Tent/Ground stakes (both)
• Ground tarp/entry mat (both)
• Naglene water bottle (2)- With water filter.
• First Aid Kit/Meds
• Flash light
• Lighter
• Fire Striker
• Light sticks
• Cooking pot or Jet Boil
• Paracord
• Plastic Utensils
• Poncho Liner and Poncho
• Hearing Protection
• Journal
• Bug Spray/Sun Block- Warm Camp
• Spare clothes/layers for cold
• Food
• Camp Knife/Axe (both)

Prep-
• Check First Aid kit for expired meds
• Check Bug Spray for expiration
• Make sure you have three drink mixes for each day.
• Pack filters/coffee/hot chocolate for breakfast
• Check batteries in Flashlight
• Check Jet Boil fuel to make sure full.
• Put blue bag to hold all your house keys, and such in pack.
• Clean Hydropak/Naglene.

Extra-
• Fuel up the car
• Put Jackets in Trunk just in case
• Check weather, see if Poncho necessary.
• Polish boots
• Clean Weapons.
• Procure Ammo
• Leave contact info with approximate locations.

[Machias]

Skin them, flesh them, dry them and send them to the tannery. Cost about $28 to get one tanned. Once you get the hide back have a nice hat made or a pair of mittens or nice slippers. Really make great gifts or gear for yourself.