Just remembered, one more item I carry in my backpack is moleskin, for the occasional blister.

I would also like to add that I agree with PS350XLT, in that this is an excellent forum. I have learned quite a bit, and look forward to future useful information on this site!

[ This Message was edited by: Bowhunter1 on 2003-07-01 12:53 ]

bitmasher, we can use two way radios or cell phones in OR while hunting. You just can't use them to locate and direct other hunters to that game. We personally don't use them for that.

I hunt with just one other person, so using them to try and corral animals wouldn't work with just the two of us. We use the radio's for letting the other guy know when we've got something down and are trying to explain to him how to get to you to help. For the most part we use them to find one another when it's getting dark and we're walking the roads back to camp. That's why I would like to try the Garmin Rhino 120. I think they would reduce the "come-n-find" game that you do when your trying to get an animal out in a limited amount time.

[ This Message was edited by: PS350XLT on 2003-07-02 09:49 ]

[ This Message was edited by: PS350XLT on 2003-07-02 09:50 ]

Just a few things to add. Flares, the heavy-duty railroad type that will burn fifteen to twenty minutes and at 2 to 3 thousand degrees. They will start a fire in any conditions, even soaking wet. Makes all other fire starting methods obsolete. Mainly for emergencies. Small packets of baby wipes the fifty cent to a dollar type. Makes great light weight toilet paper and general clean-up. Space blanket the thicker variety, you would be surprised how warm they will keep you in an emergency. A strobe, they take either one c-cell or d-cell batterry and will flash for hours. A plane sees this and will radio your location to the proper authorities. A spool of heavy duty woven nylon, pretty thin, but very strong. Great for making shelters like lean-to's and tying things down. Aspirin and throat lozenges. MRE's for survival food. Folding stove, a little bigger than a pack of cigaretts, and some fuel bars. With a metal cup you can make coffee, soup, tea, etc.,etc. And four tent stakes, combined with your rope you can tie an elk spread eagled for easier gutting if no trees are around. Small brass pullies for hanging quarters when your are packing out one at a time.

[ This Message was edited by: HuntorDieHunting on 2003-07-02 12:24 ]

Oh ok PS350XLT, was just giving you a heads up, in case you hadn't checked the regs.

Yeah if you both had a gps unit then it would be easier to track each other down. Just send the coordinates to the other guy. I can think of several outings where that would have been handy.

In reading HuntorDieHuntings post, I think probably a day pack for a late season hunter in the high country is different than an early season hunter at lower elevation. What season do most people hunt around here?

Just throwing this out there, but when people think about survival, they pack a lot of stuff necessary to last several days in the elements. I have nothing against this.

However here is something to consider. With a satellite (which is different than a cell phone) phone you are never out of contact anywhere on the face of the planet. If you are concerned about getting lost and not found, a satellite phone will assure you are never a phone call away anywhere. Granted these things are not cheap. I don't own one, the DOD owns a bunch.

http://www.iridium.com/

I'm sure you didn't mean it to come across this way, bitmasher, but I just want to be sure that no one gets the wrong idea. A satellite phone is NOT a substitute for adequate preparation and prudent behavior. Especially in the kind of country that elk inhabit!

All too many people end up in trouble each year because they wander out into the mountains with little or nothing in the way of emergency supplies--no map, no compass, no food, no extra clothing, little water, nothing. Then, when they get into trouble, they try to call someone for help. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I have, in fact, read that a satellite phone is no guarantee, either, as it may have trouble getting reception in a deep canyon that runs the wrong direction.

Of course, the whole point of this thread is being prepared. I just don't want anyone to think that carrying a satellite phone is all it takes to "be prepared."

Having said that, I'm keeping an eye on the newly available Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs). They seem like an excellent choice for a last ditch attempt to summon help.

A solution of 10% bleach and water is an industry standard for cleanup of blood and other bodily fluids, in order to prevent against Bloodborne Pathogens (Hepatitis, HIV, etc.) I'm in charge of safety, environmental, security, etc., at my company. I do the First Aid and BBP training. Can't speak for its effectiveness against CWD though

rather_be_huntin, your list is very good with the addition of a flashlight.

donmillion you are correct that there is no excuse for not being prepared. I just about got stranded one night with little more than a flashlight and a bic lighter and since have carried everything I need to spend a night out of camp if I have to.

Beter to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Hey guys, something about gps. They don't work well if at all when under a canopy of trees as you'll find hunting the coast range of Oregon. even if your walking down a logging road with trees along the sides, Only time for a good bearing is on landing. Take along a compass.

Hey guys, something about gps. They don't work well if at all when under a canopy of trees as you'll find hunting the coast range of Oregon. even if your walking down a logging road with trees along the sides, Only time for a good bearing is on landing. Take along a compass.

I take these also:
Chem Sticks are small and make great backup light, also they are nice to hang above game shot just before dark when you have to return to the game in the darkness.
A few pieces of inner tube burn well even in rainy weather to help start emergency fires.

[ This Message was edited by: RibEye on 2003-08-07 06:44 ]