My 2022 spring black bear hunting gear list for a backpack-style hunt
I recently returned from my 2022 spring bear hunt and thought it would be a great time to drop this gear article out there. What I take on my spring hunts, mirrors very closely to what I use in the fall on my mule deer hunts. There are just a few small tweaks here and there, but overall a spring bear hunt is a great way to test new gear or try some different foods.
What's truly great about bear hunting, is that you can use whatever gear you have available. You don't need a super heavy weapon, you don't need a ton of weight in optics, but for me, it's just something that works well. This gear list is based around a full backpack style hunt so this is everything I'm carrying in my pack.
If you're a visual person, we actually released my spring bear gear list video back on April 26. You can watch that video below.
There is a few differences between that gear list video I recorded back in April and what I took on the hunt. Since I was hunting with some friends (Ryan Lampers, Brian Call and Pedro Ampuero) we split up some of our gear to make things eaiser on all of us. I didn't end up taking my shelter, but I'm leaving it in the gear list for a reference if you wanted to prepare for a solo spring hunt.
The reason I personally do gear lists for every hunt is simple... I want to know that I don't leave anything behind and to see if there is anything I need add or even subtract from my gear. When I'm getting ready for a hunt, I create a gear list well in advance. I why always tell people to take all their gear and place it on the floor and run through it several times to ensure you have everything and to see what you could live without. I always keep my gear lists in both a Google Sheet that I can access from my phone and I also have a custom Excel spreadsheet I built several years ago that I linked in some previous articles for people to download and work off of that I also create for every hunt.
I actually removed a few items from this gear list that was in the gear video I recorded. I didn't take my pepper spray and I elected to leave my Aquamira water purification drops at home.
If anyone has any questions about the gear I brought on this hunt, I'd be more than willing to dive in and explain a few things. If you have an upcoming bear hunt planned or are looking at one down the road in the future, have fun and enjoy the time on the mountain.
Item | Boots |
---|---|
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 64.0 |
Item | Insoles |
Model | SheepFeet Full-Length Custom Orthotic Insole(Heel Stabilizer & Double Cushioning) |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
---|---|---|
Boots | 64.0 | |
Insoles | SheepFeet Full-Length Custom Orthotic Insole(Heel Stabilizer & Double Cushioning) |
Item | Stove |
---|---|
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 6.60 |
Item | Fuel |
Model | Jetboil Jetpower 100g Fuel Canister |
Weight (oz) | 7.00 |
Item | Spork |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 0.30 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
---|---|---|
Stove | 6.60 | |
Fuel | Jetboil Jetpower 100g Fuel Canister | 7.00 |
Spork | 0.30 |
Item | Gear Bag |
---|---|
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 1.00 |
Item | Dust Blower |
Model | Optics Dust Blower |
Weight (oz) | 1.60 |
Item | Lens Wipes |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 1.20 |
Item | Lens Pen |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 0.50 |
Item | Charge Cord |
Model | iPhone Charge Cord |
Weight (oz) | 0.65 |
Item | Charge Cord |
Model | Micro USB Cord For Headlamp & Sat Messenger |
Weight (oz) | 0.20 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
---|---|---|
Gear Bag | 1.00 | |
Dust Blower | Optics Dust Blower | 1.60 |
Lens Wipes | 1.20 | |
Lens Pen | 0.50 | |
Charge Cord | iPhone Charge Cord | 0.65 |
Charge Cord | Micro USB Cord For Headlamp & Sat Messenger | 0.20 |
Item | Water |
---|---|
Model | |
Weight (oz) | (filled with 2 liters of water) |
78.0 | |
Item | Water Bottle |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 6.20 |
Item | Water Purification |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 4.20 |
Item | Water Container |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 4.80 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) | |
---|---|---|---|
Water | (filled with 2 liters of water) | 78.0 | |
Water Bottle | 6.20 | ||
Water Purification | 4.20 | ||
Water Container | 4.80 |
Item | Wind Check |
---|---|
Model | Smoke In A Bottle |
Weight (oz) | 0.70 |
Item | Trekking Poles |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 16.05 |
Item | Glassing Pad |
Model | Z Rest Cut Into Small Section |
Weight (oz) | 4.60 |
Item | Wind Check |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 6.00 |
Item | Ear Protection |
Model | Orange Wrap Around Head Ear Protection |
Weight (oz) | 0.60 |
Item | Battery Pack |
Model | GOHUNT Dark Energy Poseidon (Old Version) |
Weight (oz) | 8.87 |
Item | Food Hanging Cord |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 2.00 |
Item | Ammo Holder |
Model | 10 Round Ammo Holder Kept In Top Lid Of Pack (empty) |
Weight (oz) | 1.80 |
Item | Food Hanging Bag |
Model | Outdoor Research Dry Sack 15L |
Weight (oz) | 2.00 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
---|---|---|
Wind Check | Smoke In A Bottle | 0.70 |
Trekking Poles | 16.05 | |
Glassing Pad | Z Rest Cut Into Small Section | 4.60 |
Wind Check | 6.00 | |
Ear Protection | Orange Wrap Around Head Ear Protection | 0.60 |
Battery Pack | GOHUNT Dark Energy Poseidon (Old Version) | 8.87 |
Food Hanging Cord | 2.00 | |
Ammo Holder | 10 Round Ammo Holder Kept In Top Lid Of Pack (empty) | 1.80 |
Food Hanging Bag | Outdoor Research Dry Sack 15L | 2.00 |
Item | Satellite Messenger |
---|---|
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 3.90 |
Item | Headlamp |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 3.97 |
Item | Headlamp (Spare) |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 2.80 |
Item | Tooth Brush & Paste |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 0.70 |
Item | First Aid |
Model | Assorted First Aid Kit in aLOKSAK bag |
Weight (oz) | 1.40 |
Item | Toilet Paper |
Model | Toilet Paper in ZipLoc Bag |
Weight (oz) | 0.99 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
---|---|---|
Satellite Messenger | 3.90 | |
Headlamp | 3.97 | |
Headlamp (Spare) | 2.80 | |
Tooth Brush & Paste | 0.70 | |
First Aid | Assorted First Aid Kit in aLOKSAK bag | 1.40 |
Toilet Paper | Toilet Paper in ZipLoc Bag | 0.99 |
Item | Shelter |
---|---|
Model | Seek Outside Lil Bugout and 3 piece vestibule |
Weight (oz) | 27.0 |
Item | Shelter Pole |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 8.10 |
Item | Compression Sack |
Model | Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Compression Sack - Size: XXS |
Weight (oz) | 1.30 |
Item | Shelter Stakes |
Model | 13 stakes |
Weight (oz) | 6.20 |
Item | Ground Sheet |
Model | Tyvek Sheet |
Weight (oz) | 5.10 |
Item | Sleeping Bag |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 34.70 |
Item | Compression Sack |
Model | Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Compression Sack - Size: S |
Weight (oz) | 2.20 |
Item | Pillow |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 1.80 |
Item | Sleeping Pad |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 11.40 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
---|---|---|
Shelter | Seek Outside Lil Bugout and 3 piece vestibule | 27.0 |
Shelter Pole | 8.10 | |
Compression Sack | Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Compression Sack - Size: XXS | 1.30 |
Shelter Stakes | 13 stakes | 6.20 |
Ground Sheet | Tyvek Sheet | 5.10 |
Sleeping Bag | 34.70 | |
Compression Sack | Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Compression Sack - Size: S | 2.20 |
Pillow | 1.80 | |
Sleeping Pad | 11.40 |
Item | Gear Bag |
---|---|
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 1.80 |
Item | Knife |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 1.30 |
Item | Replaceable Blades |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 0.50 |
Item | Hunting License |
Model | License |
Weight (oz) | 0.28 |
Item | Lighter |
Model | Large Bic Lighter W/Lukotape |
Weight (oz) | 0.70 |
Item | Lighter |
Model | Small Bic Lighter (Backup) |
Weight (oz) | 0.40 |
Item | Tape |
Model | Small Roll Of Electrical Tape |
Weight (oz) | 0.80 |
Item | Pills |
Model | Electrolyte, Advil |
Weight (oz) | 1.50 |
Item | Game Bags |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 9.50 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
---|---|---|
Gear Bag | 1.80 | |
Knife | 1.30 | |
Replaceable Blades | 0.50 | |
Hunting License | License | 0.28 |
Lighter | Large Bic Lighter W/Lukotape | 0.70 |
Lighter | Small Bic Lighter (Backup) | 0.40 |
Tape | Small Roll Of Electrical Tape | 0.80 |
Pills | Electrolyte, Advil | 1.50 |
Game Bags | 9.50 |
Item | Backpack |
---|---|
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 96.0 |
Item | Pack Rain Cover |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 3.50 |
Item | Weapon Holder |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 1.40 |
Item | Camera Holder |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 3.80 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
---|---|---|
Backpack | 96.0 | |
Pack Rain Cover | 3.50 | |
Weapon Holder | 1.40 | |
Camera Holder | 3.80 |
Item | Rain Jacket |
---|---|
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 12.10 |
Item | Rain Pant |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 11.10 |
Item | Mid Layer |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 15.40 |
Item | Softshell Jacket |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 27.00 |
Item | Insulation Top |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 18.60 |
Item | Insulation Bottom |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 13.60 |
Item | Beanie |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 3.00 |
Item | Gloves |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 6.60 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
---|---|---|
Rain Jacket | 12.10 | |
Rain Pant | 11.10 | |
Mid Layer | 15.40 | |
Softshell Jacket | 27.00 | |
Insulation Top | 18.60 | |
Insulation Bottom | 13.60 | |
Beanie | 3.00 | |
Gloves | 6.60 |
Item | Rifle |
---|---|
Model | Browning X-Bolt Long Range 300 RUM W/McMillan A3-5 ADJ Stock |
Weight (oz) | 227.4 |
Item | Muzzle Brake |
Model | Snowy Mountain Rifles 30 Cal Snowflake Self Timing Titanium 3 Port Brake (5/8-24) |
Item | Riflescope |
Model | |
Item | Riflescope Rings |
Model | |
Item | Scope Level |
Model | Flatline Ops Patriot Plus Level (34mm) |
Item | Two round holder |
Model | |
Item | Bipod |
Model | MDT Ckye-Pod Gen2 Single Pull Standard |
Item | Bipod Rail |
Model | Area 419 Improved Bipod Picatinny Rail (4.8") |
Item | Sling |
Model | |
Item | Ammo |
Model | Personal Handloads = 200.20x Berger Target Hybrids, ADG Brass,Federal 215 Match Magnum Primers, H1000 Powder = 10 total rounds |
Weight (oz) | -- |
Item | Rear Support |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 4.37 |
Item | Rifle Cover |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 4.83 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
---|---|---|
Rifle | Browning X-Bolt Long Range 300 RUM W/McMillan A3-5 ADJ Stock | 227.4 |
Muzzle Brake | Snowy Mountain Rifles 30 Cal Snowflake Self Timing Titanium 3 Port Brake (5/8-24) | |
Riflescope | ||
Riflescope Rings | ||
Scope Level | Flatline Ops Patriot Plus Level (34mm) | |
Two round holder | ||
Bipod | MDT Ckye-Pod Gen2 Single Pull Standard | |
Bipod Rail | Area 419 Improved Bipod Picatinny Rail (4.8") | |
Sling | ||
Ammo | Personal Handloads = 200.20x Berger Target Hybrids, ADG Brass,Federal 215 Match Magnum Primers, H1000 Powder = 10 total rounds | -- |
Rear Support | 4.37 | |
Rifle Cover | 4.83 |
Item | Top (Wicking) |
---|---|
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 7.70 |
Item | Bottoms (Outer) |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 24.30 |
Item | Belt |
Model | Sitka Stealth Belt |
Weight (oz) | 2.50 |
Item | Gloves |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 4.40 |
Item | Hat (Hiking) |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 3.20 |
Item | Underwear |
Model | Sitka Core Silk Boxer - (L) |
Weight (oz) | 2.80 |
Item | Watch |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 3.00 |
Item | Socks (Hiking) |
Model | Darn Tough Merino Hunter Boot Full Cushion 2012 - (XL) |
Weight (oz) | 3.10 |
Item | Leg Gaiter |
Model | PEAX Storm Castle Gaiters - (L/XL) |
Weight (oz) | 11.00 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
---|---|---|
Top (Wicking) | 7.70 | |
Bottoms (Outer) | 24.30 | |
Belt | Sitka Stealth Belt | 2.50 |
Gloves | 4.40 | |
Hat (Hiking) | 3.20 | |
Underwear | Sitka Core Silk Boxer - (L) | 2.80 |
Watch | 3.00 | |
Socks (Hiking) | Darn Tough Merino Hunter Boot Full Cushion 2012 - (XL) | 3.10 |
Leg Gaiter | PEAX Storm Castle Gaiters - (L/XL) | 11.00 |
Item | Spotting Scope Eyepiece |
---|---|
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 28.80 |
Item | Spotting Scope Objective |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 78.20 |
Item | Tripod Plate |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 1.60 |
Item | Digiscope Setup |
Model | Phone Skope Eyepiece Adapter |
Weight (oz) | 0.30 |
Item | Eyepiece Cover |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 0.50 |
Item | Binoculars |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 36.10 |
Item | Harness |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 15.10 |
Item | Rangefinder |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 8.50 |
Item | Rangefinder Case |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 2.50 |
Item | Bino Adapter |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 3.70 |
Item | Tripod |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 37.00 |
Item | Pan Head |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 20.00 |
Item | Digiscope Setup |
Model | iPhone 12 Pro Max with Phone Skope Case |
Weight (oz) | 11.00 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
---|---|---|
Spotting Scope Eyepiece | 28.80 | |
Spotting Scope Objective | 78.20 | |
Tripod Plate | 1.60 | |
Digiscope Setup | Phone Skope Eyepiece Adapter | 0.30 |
Eyepiece Cover | 0.50 | |
Binoculars | 36.10 | |
Harness | 15.10 | |
Rangefinder | 8.50 | |
Rangefinder Case | 2.50 | |
Bino Adapter | 3.70 | |
Tripod | 37.00 | |
Pan Head | 20.00 | |
Digiscope Setup | iPhone 12 Pro Max with Phone Skope Case | 11.00 |