Should I curb my enthusiasm? Here is my typical hunting checklist

Hi All

I know there must be 1000000s of threads regarding hunting check lists, but here is my typical one (tell me to go away if I am too enthusiastic and chatting too much about things that may have been covered a million times over)
Much of it comes from the old Hunters Handbook by Tim Ivins, and a few things I've added. Happy to hear from you if there is anything else. Please note this is for the actual hunt and not accomodation and food etc. So it tends to work for day hunters too.

1. Rifle/Bow
2. Ammo/Arrows
3. Gun Licences
4. Targets
5. 1st Aid kit
6. Some basic meds (Burnshield, Immodium, painkillers, anti inflammatory, ointments, allergy meds, rehydrate
7. Binos
8. Rangefinder
9. Slaughtering knife
10. Skinning knife
11. Leatherman
12. Water bottle
13. Quality hiking boots
14. Extra hiking socks
15. Gators
16. Sweets, biltong, light snacks
17. Gun oil and Trisol
18. Cloths
19. Ammo holder
20. Insect repellant / Tick repellant
21. Rain poncho
22. Sun hat
23. Sun block
24. Knife sharperner
25. Carcass Bag
26. Chronic medicine
27. Lighter (dont know why always need one)
28. Torch
29. Duct Tape

Would love to know what you would add to this list to make your hunt better!

Mole Skin, Power Bank, Day Pack, Travel Documents in Folder (copy of passport, insurance, hotel reservations, airline tickets, Itinerary, etc.), Travel Plugs/Converters, Work Gloves, Noise Cancelling Headphones, Eye Mask, Sunglasses, Headlamp & Torch, Money Belt

These are just a few items on my list. See Philip's video posted last week.

If I was flying to Africa, I would include a small day pack to take along during the hunts. I would also leave behind the slaughtering and skinning knife. The carcass bag would stay behind as well. I would include a set of quad sticks too, since that is what I practice with.

Forage&Hunt said:

Hi All

I know there must be 1000000s of threads regarding hunting check lists, but here is my typical one (tell me to go away if I am too enthusiastic and chatting too much about things that may have been covered a million times over)
Much of it comes from the old Hunters Handbook by Tim Ivins, and a few things I've added. Happy to hear from you if there is anything else. Please note this is for the actual hunt and not accomodation and food etc. So it tends to work for day hunters too.

1. Rifle/Bow
2. Ammo/Arrows
3. Gun Licences
4. Targets
5. 1st Aid kit
6. Some basic meds (Burnshield, Immodium, painkillers, anti inflammatory, ointments, allergy meds, rehydrate
7. Binos
8. Rangefinder
9. Slaughtering knife
10. Skinning knife
11. Leatherman
12. Water bottle
13. Quality hiking boots
14. Extra hiking socks
15. Gators
16. Sweets, biltong, light snacks
17. Gun oil and Trisol
18. Cloths
19. Ammo holder
20. Insect repellant / Tick repellant
21. Rain poncho
22. Sun hat
23. Sun block
24. Knife sharperner
25. Carcass Bag
26. Chronic medicine
27. Lighter (dont know why always need one)
28. Torch
29. Duct Tape

Would love to know what you would add to this list to make your hunt better!

Click to expand...

For Africa forget

4
5
8
9
10
12
24
24
25

for insect repellent get a spray that is heavy in Deet, spray your clothing down with Permithin
Knifes really are not needed since your trackers and sinners will take care of the animals. I do carry a pocket knife and a Leatherman
Likewise with a carcuss bag, it will be skinned in a shed and they take care of the meat.
If by torch you mean a flashlight, a small one will work, a headlamp will work a lot better.
Sweets, jerky, bitlong, and snacks will be handled by the kitchen staff. Or you can pick up some at a store.
I've been twice and neither time needed a rain poncho, we did have light drizzles that just a light jacket took care of.
Rangefinder isn't needed, most PH's will have one and will give you ranges instead of you fiddling with one. If it is in your binoculars all the better but your intent will be on the animal not playing around with things.

If hunting somewhere else then different things may apply.

You are correct in that there are a million hunting lists. They are all correct, and at the same time, incorrect. Phillip did a great job with the video above, and it’s a good resource.

I add only that there is a difference between a "need," and a "want." You may want to take a lot, but you need very little. It’s all up to the hunter/person - there are very few right/wrong answers. With a few exceptions: Passport, pocket full of cash, and critical medicines.

On my first foray into Africa (coming from the States), was to South Africa. My wife and I each had a full safari-style suitcase of clothes and gear, plus a carry-on each and a gun case with a 2-gun battery. We had everything. When we got there, we quickly found out that a PH that hunts almost everyday day for 6+ months straight every year, is also pretty well prepared. He had most everything.

On my last hunts, I now travel with a carry-on. That’s it. If it doesn’t fit, or the airplanes won’t allow it in the passenger cabin (think knives), it doesn’t go with me. Couple of pairs of underwear, tee shirts, socks, extra pants, a jacket, shirts, hat, toothbrush, deodorant, converters for the phone, glasses and sunglasses, the phone, and off we go.

I leave guns home now, but that’s my choice. I like to be flexible. I have done multiple countries over a few weeks with a carry-on and had a great time.

But – it’s your hunt. If you are a “planner,” and that’s how you enjoy the hunt, do it. If you are a gear guy, take it all, if not, leave it behind. Most people I know hunt for the experience and enjoy the stories. How you do that is up to you.

Some are universal. Some are area and time of year dependent. I wouldn't need a goose down in the tropics but in the 30Fs in early morning Great Karoo, I'm wearing one.

I pack pretty light and prefer to check my ammo and rifle only.

I carry on a hard sided roller and a backpack with my Binos, which happen to be range finders Binos. That along with my medicine, and shave kit, and important documents.

With daily laundry and a well sorted outfitter, you will be able to narrow your list considerably.

My rifles and ammo are collectively insured, so if they didn’t make, which has never happened to me in many trips, I will have everything I need and would need to rent or burrow a rifle.

Forage&Hunt said:

Hi All

I know there must be 1000000s of threads regarding hunting check lists, but here is my typical one (tell me to go away if I am too enthusiastic and chatting too much about things that may have been covered a million times over)
Much of it comes from the old Hunters Handbook by Tim Ivins, and a few things I've added. Happy to hear from you if there is anything else. Please note this is for the actual hunt and not accomodation and food etc. So it tends to work for day hunters too.

1. Rifle/Bow
2. Ammo/Arrows
3. Gun Licences
4. Targets
5. 1st Aid kit
6. Some basic meds (Burnshield, Immodium, painkillers, anti inflammatory, ointments, allergy meds, rehydrate
7. Binos
8. Rangefinder
9. Slaughtering knife
10. Skinning knife
11. Leatherman
12. Water bottle
13. Quality hiking boots
14. Extra hiking socks
15. Gators
16. Sweets, biltong, light snacks
17. Gun oil and Trisol
18. Cloths
19. Ammo holder
20. Insect repellant / Tick repellant
21. Rain poncho
22. Sun hat
23. Sun block
24. Knife sharperner
25. Carcass Bag
26. Chronic medicine
27. Lighter (dont know why always need one)
28. Torch
29. Duct Tape

Would love to know what you would add to this list to make your hunt better!

Click to expand...

I’d add:
Razor
Hand Sanitizer
Compass

PARA45 said:

I would also leave behind the slaughtering and skinning knife.

Click to expand...

Yeah, but a big hunting knife just goes so well with the Safari costume…

In all seriousness though, I completely agree. A Leatherman multi-tool, Swiss army knife or a small folding knife (a Buck Model 110 in my case) is infinitely more useful these days for a visiting client hunter.

Uh, guys, he’s from SA and is a subsistence hunter. I actually think his list is a little light.

Take some flea and tick shampoo you would use on your dog but use it on yourself and you won't need the bug spray. Probably wouldn't need to pre-treat your clothes either.

Betterinthebush said:

Uh, guys, he’s from SA and is a subsistence hunter. I actually think his list is a little light.

Click to expand...

In that case, double everything!

Or change your profile. Say you are from Arkansas…

NIGHTHAWK said:

In that case, double everything!

Or change your profile. Say you are from Arkansas…

Click to expand...

Yea. What’d I say…

I'd change numbers:
17 to small rifle cleaning kit or archery kit.
27 add: waterproof matches, and firestarter.

In the field, away from the truck, further away from a repair shop, ....hey, what can one say, sh't happens. You my need to clear the bore and/or chamber.

Firearms kit:
3 or 4 piece cleaning rod long enough to reach from back of bolt to past the muzzle.

Bore jag, brush, swab

A few pre cut patches

Small Phillips head flat tip screwdrivers,

Hex keys/Allen wrenches, and/or star/torque wrenches in case you need to tighten a loose screw.

Archery Kit:
Hex keys/Allen wrenches, and/or star/torque wrenches

Small Phillips head and flat head screwdrivers

A fast setting glue: ie super glue

About 6 to 8 inch piece of knocking loop

A small container of dental floss or About 24 to 36 inches of serving string.

Extra peep sight (and if used and extra verifier or magnifier and scope.)

Knocking pliers

Tube of string and cable wax.

Firestarter: ie Char cloth. In a tin: sawdust soaked in lighter fluid, pine heart,

I carry 2 large construction grade trash bags, and several quart size ziplock freezer baggies, 50 feet of para cord, and 6 to 12 - 10 inch plastic zip ties/wire ties, several packets of lens wipes, extra flashlight (torch) batteries or auxiliary ocket size power charger.

Depending on situation, hunting or fishing season, time of year; A small garden hand trowel or folding shovel. A 20 ounce metal cup with folding handles for cooking: Ramon noodles, coffee, tea, hot chocolate.

I also didn't see on your list mobile phone and pocket size phone auxiliary battery charger, or other form of emergency communication.

Now I don't know about the rest of the forum members, BUT you left off the 2 of the most important of all items: TP and Wet Wipes/ Baby Wipes. Leaves: are a bit rough and I don’t remember seeing a whole lot of broad leave trees in Africa. And using wet towelettes conserves drinking water.

NIGHTHAWK said:

In that case, double everything!

Or change your profile. Say you are from Arkansas…

Click to expand...

crap how did i miss this

We had a very extensive packing list for our first trip that covered every possible aspect of the trip. The next trip found us severely paired down. You don’t need as much as you think. Rifle, ammo, clothes and toothbrush will have you covered. And they do laundry daily, so two sets of clothes is more than enough.

I will say that treating clothing with permethrin beforehand is still one of the best things we do.

Forage&Hunt said:

Hi All

I know there must be 1000000s of threads regarding hunting check lists, but here is my typical one (tell me to go away if I am too enthusiastic and chatting too much about things that may have been covered a million times over)
Much of it comes from the old Hunters Handbook by Tim Ivins, and a few things I've added. Happy to hear from you if there is anything else. Please note this is for the actual hunt and not accomodation and food etc. So it tends to work for day hunters too.

1. Rifle/Bow
2. Ammo/Arrows
3. Gun Licences
4. Targets
5. 1st Aid kit
6. Some basic meds (Burnshield, Immodium, painkillers, anti inflammatory, ointments, allergy meds, rehydrate
7. Binos
8. Rangefinder
9. Slaughtering knife
10. Skinning knife
11. Leatherman
12. Water bottle
13. Quality hiking boots
14. Extra hiking socks
15. Gators
16. Sweets, biltong, light snacks
17. Gun oil and Trisol
18. Cloths
19. Ammo holder
20. Insect repellant / Tick repellant
21. Rain poncho
22. Sun hat
23. Sun block
24. Knife sharperner
25. Carcass Bag
26. Chronic medicine
27. Lighter (dont know why always need one)
28. Torch
29. Duct Tape

Would love to know what you would add to this list to make your hunt better!

Click to expand...

Plastic Bags (ziplock or other) to pack meat into
If you're slaughtering yourself, get a bone saw unless you plan on deboning everything.
Rope to hang/hoist animals.
spreader bar - just makes it easier to hang and work meat.
small bottle of dishwashing soap. good for cleaning everything and anything...
TP!!!


unless its wet weather, leave the gun oil and poncho at home

Hunter-Habib said:

I’d add:
Razor
Hand Sanitizer
Compass

Click to expand...

Forget the razor. I embrace looking like Ted Kaczynsky on the trek home. I even wear a hoodie for good measure at times.

RR 314 said:

Forget the razor. I embrace looking like Ted Kaczynsky on the trek home. I even wear a hoodie for good measure at times.

Click to expand...

Sorry, @RR 314

That’s too rough for sissy little me. I have to do a straight razor shave every morning no matter where I am !

But your approach reminds me of my dad. He lets his beard grow during hunting trips and clean shaves again the minute he returns home.