Must Have Gear?

[Chainsaw]

I carry a compass, knife, three bullets, small water, a ground cloth, a cushion to sit on,and to hide movement while I sit-a camo blanket to cover most of me and a small length of pink surveyors tape. If I fully intend to shoot does, I'll bring the deer cut-up backpack in with me. It has three knives, paper towels, plastic bags to put meat in, neck rope, orange vest and winch.

A wilderness all day still hunt would be similar but add a sandwich, coffee cup, matches, toilet paper, three more bullets, two extra compasses and a flashlight.

 

[LodgeWI]

I think every situation is a little different. For those of us who hunt on our own land, the list of must-haves is necessarily shorter than those of us who hunt public land or do deep wilderness all day/overnight hunts.

Most of what I bring is already covered. WI winters are pretty cold, so a must have for me is Boot Blankets (https://www.amazon.com/IceBreaker-B...&qid=1472560050&sr=8-1&keywords=boot+blankets) They are bulky, but they keep my feet toasty warm no matter how cold it gets. If my feet get cold, I'm miserable and more likely to cut a hunt short. I also have a "quarterback pouch" (https://www.amazon.com/IceBreaker-H...qid=1472560209&sr=8-2&keywords=camo+hand+muff). Put a hand warmer inside of it and your hands are warm all day.

 

[E_308]

Early bow season - thermacell
Rifle season - collapsible shooting sticks

 

[boot]

I think one item thats super easy to overlook but is vital to any kind of hunting is a good pair of socks. Nothing is more miserable than not feeling your toes for hours on end

 

[W33kender]

Until it gets cold I'd have to rate my thermacell as a never leave home without it item. .

Agreed.

 

[Baker]

Thermacell!!!!! Life saving

 

[Btaylor]

Thermacell!!!!! Life saving

When you have skeeters that can stand flat footed and butt pump a turkey, life saving is an understatement.

 

[LodgeWI]

Ok, I'm sold. Ordered the Thermacell last night - arrives today from Amazon (I love PRIME).

Also, found a few videos on youtube on people refilling the butane cartridges themselves and making their own repellent mats (1 part Permethrin 10% and 2 parts distilled water). This is an excellent way to keep costs way down.

 

[Jeff H]

When you have skeeters that can stand flat footed and butt pump a turkey, life saving is an understatement.

I lived in Memphis for a while.. I thought they were bad down there till I went to Alaska. I think they are Alaska's state bird!

 

[Btaylor]

I lived in Memphis for a while.. I thought they were bad down there till I went to Alaska. I think they are Alaska's state bird!

Grew up just across the ditch from Memphis and at times they are as bad as anywhere I have been. Haven't been to Alaska but have heard the stories from folks I know who have.

 

[swat1018]

Ok, I'm sold. Ordered the Thermacell last night - arrives today from Amazon (I love PRIME).

Also, found a few videos on youtube on people refilling the butane cartridges themselves and making their own repellent mats (1 part Permethrin 10% and 2 parts distilled water). This is an excellent way to keep costs way down.

I always end up with way more of the pads than I do the butane. I usually flip the pads over, it kinda revitalizes them. I've considered refilling the butane, though.

 

[Charleston Treeman]

Another vote for thermacell. Also some TP. For traditional usage and for marking blood trails.

 

[Jeff H]

Grew up just across the ditch from Memphis and at times they are as bad as anywhere I have been. Haven't been to Alaska but have heard the stories from folks I know who have.

I was fishing an oxbow lake just off that ditch you speak of one summer evening and once the sun set the skeeter buzz moving over the water from shore sounded like a small chainsaw. One would lick the Deep Woods Off off your leg and 3 others were there to take a bite. No Therma Cells back then. The crappie fishing was good though!

 

[Baker]

I contend that if the guy that invented the thermocell walked out at halftime at an LSU football game he would be given the longest standing ovation in history then people would start throwing money at him. Amazing product [ no I don't have any affiliation except having purchased a truckload ] .

Seems deer aren't spooked by the smell either. Though that doesn't matter as you can't sit still in the south cause of the mosquitos if you don't have a thermocell.

 

[Btaylor]

I was fishing an oxbow lake just off that ditch you speak of one summer evening and once the sun set the skeeter buzz moving over the water from shore sounded like a small chainsaw. One would lick the Deep Woods Off off your leg and 3 others were there to take a bite. No Therma Cells back then. The crappie fishing was good though!

I've been there and heard that many times. That's why children under 10 have to go inside 20 minutes before sundown. Parents are scared the little uns might get toted off.

 

[Btaylor]

I contend that if the guy that invented the thermocell walked out at halftime at an LSU football game he would be given the longest standing ovation in history then people would start throwing money at him. Amazing product [ no I don't have any affiliation except having purchased a truckload ] .

Seems deer aren't spooked by the smell either. Though that doesn't matter as you can't sit still in the south cause of the mosquitos if you don't have a thermocell.

Amazing to me that deer and hogs don't seem to pay much attention to the smell. Not that it is overpowering or anything but you can smell it.

 

[W33kender]

I contend that if the guy that invented the thermocell walked out at halftime at an LSU football game he would be given the longest standing ovation in history then people would start throwing money at him. Amazing product [ no I don't have any affiliation except having purchased a truckload ] .

Seems deer aren't spooked by the smell either. Though that doesn't matter as you can't sit still in the south cause of the mosquitos if you don't have a thermocell.

Your last sentence is spot on.

 

[aecrowell]

Good folding saw.

 

[Gator]

About thermocell, I agree that the deer don't seem to care about it but will that still be the case after a couple more generations of deer? Do they just not relate that smell to danger yet?

 

[W33kender]

About thermocell, I agree that the deer don't seem to care about it but will that still be the case after a couple more generations of deer? Do they just not relate that smell to danger yet?

I think it does spook them. It's one more foreign thing in the air. When the wind shifted last month while I was in the stand, I heard a deer blowing at me (and a boar blowing, as well). I cannot say for certain it was my breath, etc. Could've just as easily been my thermocell. Others may have anecdotal evidence that contradicts mine. I accept that.

What worries me more is that a couple more generations of mosquitoes might become immune to it. LOL.