WHAT TO CARRY ONCE YOU LEAVE THE VEHICLE

M

MHYOUNG 375

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Folks,

The thread on carrying a knife on safari reminded me that I hadn't seen a post on what you personally need to carry once you leave the Cruiser to make a stalk or follow tracks.

After hunting 9 different African countries over 30 years, I've come to the conclusion that less is more.

All you need is:

Rifle
Ammo in a buttstock carrier. You can't forget your extra ammo that way.
Binos. Small
Toilet paper (can be very important just ask me)
Pocket camera but these days your phone will suffice
Pocket knife and multi tool
Sunglasses

The only caveat might be if you are using a double an ammo belt worn in the front is a good idea. it's completely unnecessary with a bolt rifle.

Make sure the crew is carrying water for you, but you don't need to.

And good God you don't need to carry a backpack.

Also "Safari Clothes" are not necessary. Anything cotton in gray/green will be fine. Long sleeves and long pants are my recommendation.

Remember you are there to hunt not do a fashion shoot for Cabela's.

Cheers,

Mark
 
Excellent post and list.

The only thing I add is a headlamp or pocket light of some kind.
I learned this the hard way…. Now it’s always in my bino harness
 
I agree that less is more & comfort over everything else.

I switched out my bino harness with a pouch to a braided harness a few years ago. Super comfortable and no more of the square patch of sweat in the middle of my chest. Anything extra is in the backpack in the truck.

And if I have a good pair of socks and a great pair of boots… I am good all day long.
 
Good thread.

Aside from gun and ammo: phone (many purposes) TP, water, multi tool with knife blade and a small length of paracord. I’ll keep a bandaid or two in my wallet.
 
I also put a bug net in my pocket in case the mopane flies get too bad. This is more for sitting around in the bush during the lunch break or if you get an animal and have to stand around a little while.
 
It’s been awhile but it has been discussed in other threads. I only carry a small pocket knife, an ammo wallet on my belt (I wouldn’t carry open rounds on buttstock that could fall out), and my iPhone for photos plus 1 loose round in my front pocket. I don’t usually carry binoculars. They can stay at the truck. Just one more thing to hang up on a tracking hunt.
 
I personally never did care for buttstock ammo carriers so it's ammo belt with appropriate pouches for caliber I'm using. I have everything from my 7 mag to my 505 Gibbs. I put it on when I get dressed in the morning so forgetting it isn't an issue. If I have a two rifle arsenal then it's large caliber in front and plains game caliber to the rear. I prefer having pouches on my right side instead of the front. Works more smoothly for me on quick reloading.

Pretty much agree with the rest.
 
I found that a quick release belt was helpful for in and out of the vehicle.

This is a tacticool Amazon special something or other reinforced belt that I like for the speed of the buckle.

Ammo, flashlight, knife and multi tool (with tweezers !!!!) and I was all set.
Left the binos in the LC.


1000003748.jpg
 
It depends on what concession I'm hunting. No one has mentioned cap yet. I have a small bug net that goes inside my cap
A smaller(ish) concession - gun and shells. A bigger open concession , headlamp, water, knife or multi-tool, gloves, all depending on the time of day and the temperature. Ive been up to 8k from the truck at dusk before taking a shot.
 
MHYOUNG 375 said:
Folks,

The thread on carrying a knife on safari reminded me that I hadn't seen a post on what you personally need to carry once you leave the Cruiser to make a stalk or follow tracks.

After hunting 9 different African countries over 30 years, I've come to the conclusion that less is more.

All you need is:

Rifle
Ammo in a buttstock carrier. You can't forget your extra ammo that way.
Binos. Small
Toilet paper (can be very important just ask me)
Pocket camera but these days your phone will suffice
Pocket knife and multi tool
Sunglasses

The only caveat might be if you are using a double an ammo belt worn in the front is a good idea. it's completely unnecessary with a bolt rifle.

Make sure the crew is carrying water for you, but you don't need to.

And good God you don't need to carry a backpack.

Also "Safari Clothes" are not necessary. Anything cotton in gray/green will be fine. Long sleeves and long pants are my recommendation.

Remember you are there to hunt not do a fashion shoot for Cabela's.

Cheers,

Mark
Click to expand...
sunscreen and carry your own water
 
Good point. If cold in the morning I wear a beanie type hat and carry a light weight boonie hat for when it warms up. I wear olive green cargo pants and fold up whichever I'm not using in cargo pocket. Jacket as well if it's cold.
 
Probably don't need it as the trackers are all over it, but it's already on my belt - My African Sporting Creations Wind Check.
 
It really does matter where you are hunting.

I add a GPS with local topo maps to the list.
 
Always a compass. A gps, if reasonable. My gps also has iridium text, so it’s a must in truly rough areas.
 
If you are really going to hoof it, say elephant or elk here at home, then I don't mind carrying a baseball sized ceramic pump water filter. Then you can purify whatever water you come across. First Need is one I carry.
 
steve white said:
If you are really going to hoof it, say elephant or elk here at home, then I don't mind carrying a baseball sized ceramic pump water filter. Then you can purify whatever water you come across. First Need is one I carry.
Click to expand...

I haven't considered a filter in Africa, but it's a must here in Alaska. Another vote for First Need. (y)
 
I’m very much a less is more, especially in Africa.

I carry my rifle (no sling), Swaro Binos (slung under arm). I wear a culling belt with spare ammo + fixed blade + Gerber (photo below). In my pockets I have my cell phone (sometimes leave in the truck), a small folding knife and small surefire flashlight clipped in my pocket, a tourniquet, a water bottle in each back pocket, a lighter, and small mint/match tin with a couple ibuprofen and 2 water purification tablets.

Backcountry hunting is vastly different.

IMG_3682.jpeg
IMG_3683.jpeg
 
I like to have a light and I carry extra contacts. Also carry a single muscle relaxer and a single pain pill just in case I tweak my back a ways from the vehicle.

And I won’t wear cotton shirts. Merino wool for me. Dries quicker. Not as tough as cotton. But far more comfortable for me as a person who perspires freely
 
It all depends on the specific situation, but working off of your list:

Rifle - YES
Ammo in a buttstock carrier. You can't forget your extra ammo that way. - YES
Binos. Small - maybe, depends on the situation and your PH
Toilet paper - No, I can "make do"
Pocket camera but these days your phone will suffice - Yes
Pocket knife and multi tool - Swiss Army Knife at the minimum - I've had to use mine on an impala that was impervious to bullets
Sunglasses - I don't need them, usually



Water - Absolutely, better too much than not enough.

First Aid Kit - for me, it's survival (blood loss) (but, possibly other things for other people) and overcoming the pain necessary to get back to the Land Cruiser. (band-aids, anti-biotic cream, bee-sting ointment, snake bite kit, etc. is just a waste of weight - IMO)
 
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