My Own Hunting & Trekking Kit

This is what I use to make provision for unplanned overnight stops while hunting or trekking.
Please feel free to use the content or ask for any clarification if needed.

Since I mostly trek in desert and savannah type of environment the one I presented is the standard kit composition; when it comes to tropical forest the heavy duty Mylar blanket can be substituted by a light single place hammock. A hammock is the best option for sleeping above the ground which in a jungle environment is the "rule of thumb". Everything else remain the same.
Here is a pic of a light duty single place hammock. This is the lighter type available on the market however it takes a bit of skills to make oneself comfortable. There are larger single place hammocks on the market still with weight within the pound. I personally don't like the models with the rain cap and mosquito net incorporated, three pieces arrangements are a lot more flexible.
The model here under is really light and compact; make sure that any arrangement/modification in order to able to effectively and quickly install the hammock is done and tested before the outing. Leave plenty of length on the tie cords at the extremities of the hammock.
Since it will stretch; install the hammock at chest level to have once leaded enough clearance from the ground; makes sure there are no stones or rocks under, just in case...............

The strip of bicycle tire tube, used as fire tinder is a new one for me and I appreciate it.
Paolo Mauritania,

On Saturday (two days ago) I fell through the ice while hiking on snow shoes to my cabin (I live in Alaska).
I was only about a hundred yards short of said cabin and so was able to carry on in short time and change into dry socks/spare boots there, also get a fire going and all was well.
However, if I had been out several miles from nowhere, hunting hare and such, I would have needed to get a fire going fast.
I have used the cotton ball saturated with petroleum jelly for many years now but I am also now going to try the bike tire tube strip as a supplement to my winter hunting kit.

Thank You again,
Velo Dog.

I agree the use of inner tube is a good idea and a new one to me also. I suppose the draw back might be the smell of burning rubber and black smoke but in a survival situation who cares. For fire starter I have used cotton balls and dryer lint in the past, but and finally given in and started just using Trioxane. All of my fire kits, pack / vehicles / camper/ boat have a Trioxane bar, a few waterproof matches and a bic lighter. With no shortage of kids bicycle inter tubes, I am thinking that I could place a Trioxane bar, and a lighter in a inner tube, fold the ends of the tube over and tie it closed with twine would make a good fire starter kit. But If a guy wanted to get fancy, could even place the items in the tube and then seal the ends of the tube with aqua seal and it would be absolute water proof and probebly float too.

Glad to hear things turned out OK Velo Dog Sounds like it could have have been a real bad deal. Been through the ice before myself, it puckers you up in a hurry!
Great info and ideas above Thanks all!

IdaRam said:

Glad to hear things turned out OK Velo Dog Sounds like it could have have been a real bad deal. Been through the ice before myself, it puckers you up in a hurry!
Great info and ideas above Thanks all!

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Thanks IdaRam,

And yes it gets one's attention right quick.

Several people croak each year in Alaska, Canada and other cold places within N. America, from breaking through the ice.

I have broken through 3 times in a bit over 20 years of owning the parcel but, this was the coldest (minus 4 degrees fnht).

Hesitate to build a proper bridge because I do not want to encourage wandering pilgrims during the summer months.

I do not live there full time to keep pilgrims and zombies away but, the unimproved wilderness does a good job of it.

Even though this particular creek is no more that about knee deep in winter, it still makes my heart fly out of my ears in several pieces, every time.

You can see a photo of my big fat semi-frozen clownass in "Member Photos", taken by one of my fellow armed and dangerous geezer friends, just moments after I made my big splash.

Cheers,
Victor Delta.

There are many sure fire tinder out there Trioxane or Hexamine are all good to go for wet conditions and sure ignition, one of the problem I had with these is that airlines sometimes put these in the no go list; I try always to make it with things that nowadays are not at risk of being pulled out of the sack due to "security" concerns, the candles help too. Another very good product is from Sweden called HAMMARO lighting paper (www.lightingpaper.com). Fluffy it a bit and it lights with a fire steel too.

Velo Dog said:

The strip of bicycle tire tube, used as fire tinder is a new one for me and I appreciate it.
Paolo Mauritania,

On Saturday (two days ago) I fell through the ice while hiking on snow shoes to my cabin (I live in Alaska).
I was only about a hundred yards short of said cabin and so was able to carry on in short time and change into dry socks/spare boots there, also get a fire going and all was well.
However, if I had been out several miles from nowhere, hunting hare and such, I would have needed to get a fire going fast.
I have used the cotton ball saturated with petroleum jelly for many years now but I am also now going to try the bike tire tube strip as a supplement to my winter hunting kit.

Thank You again,
Velo Dog.

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Welcome, Paolo

Velo Dog said:

The strip of bicycle tire tube, used as fire tinder is a new one for me and I appreciate it.
Paolo Mauritania,

On Saturday (two days ago) I fell through the ice while hiking on snow shoes to my cabin (I live in Alaska).
I was only about a hundred yards short of said cabin and so was able to carry on in short time and change into dry socks/spare boots there, also get a fire going and all was well.
However, if I had been out several miles from nowhere, hunting hare and such, I would have needed to get a fire going fast.
I have used the cotton ball saturated with petroleum jelly for many years now but I am also now going to try the bike tire tube strip as a supplement to my winter hunting kit.

Thank You again,
Velo Dog.

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This is one of the typical situation where two pair of good tightly knit wool socks will go a long way to prevent frostbites at the feet even when damp and in very cold weather. So far I have not found another material which can come close to the properties of wool of maintaining a very high percentage of its insulating properties (80% or more) even when wet.
If there is no chance of swapping boots and socks with a dry pair and lighting a fire right away, it is much better to remove the boots and leave the damp socks on in contact with the snow. The snow will freeze on the outside of the sock creating a layer of icy snow that acts like a small igloo, the inner part of the damp sock, in contact with the feet will eventually warm up helped by the body heat the and keep the heat of the feet inside, this creates a sort of "wet suit" type of insulation. This will not work with other fabrics.

I agree with the tight knit wool socks and have 4 pairs, but the product known as "Polar Fleece" (synthetic wool spun from plastic fibers) is also very good for this - dries out extremely fast.

I have 3 pairs of "Long John" underwear made of Polar Fleece, plus a vest and a light jacket with hood made of this material and they are all worth every penny.

Also, I have heard of the wet sock/igloo affect but am very happy to have never needed to try it.

When out in the bush here during winter, I always carry an extra pair of socks sealed into a plastic bag, unless just hiking to my cabin which, is only about 1.5 mile from the road.

Also, the US Military (perhaps other countries as well?) issued "bunny boots" have been the very best Arctic gear I have ever purchased.

These are what I keep at my cabin and changed into them on this last blunder.

Even wet, cold feet will soon become re-warmed in them swiftly and socks are only necessary if you need to walk very far in them.

They have a pressure valve to open when taking them on an airplane.

Their only flaw is that they are difficult to find snow shoe bindings that will fit over them.

Back in 1979 in Italy we used to have the black version, the American GI's used to call them Mickey Mouse boots and were rated at -20F, I understand the white model are rated for temperatures down to -60F but never seen them issued to us.

A clarification note concerning the article: in the First Aid Kit I do not carry antihistamine medications as first treatment against potential allergic reactions (bees or ants stings), the reason is that I have proved tolerant to these occurrences. However if you are unsure or have known allergic conditions (not only to stings), these medications should be part of the kit. I'm positive any doctor could give ample advice on these issue.

Paolo Mauritania said:

Back in 1979 in Italy we used to have the black version, the American GI's used to call them Mickey Mouse boots and were rated at -20F, I understand the white model are rated for temperatures down to -60F but never seen them issued to us.

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Yes, both varieties are excellent - the white ones are the best of the best boots for severe Arctic Conditions that I have ever tried (Oil Field work / Prudhoe Bay Alaska)- and the black version are about perfect for about all other "normal" snow conditions that sometimes cold-hearted Mother Nature will throw at a hunter.
I have both and my wife has a black pair for hiking to our cabin in winter.
Also, I have worn out one pair of the white ones hunting caribou in winter here, but in fairness to the manufacturer, I had bought them 2nd hand so, they had some miles on them to begin with.
For a time, someone was importing a cheap copy of both types - made in China or Indonesia or someplace like that.
They were garbage.
The US made ones are quite good but hard to find sometimes.

Best fire start kit is cotton balls rubbed in petroleum jelly stuffed in a plastic medicine bottle . You can get four in there and one will start a fire! Give it a try folks.

CAustin said:

Best fire start kit is cotton balls rubbed in petroleum jelly stuffed in a plastic medicine bottle . You can get four in there and one will start a fire! Give it a try folks.

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+1 with CAustin on this one, it is the standard in Alaska and I vouch for it.