Gear list: Bowhunting in November

Name: Brady Miller
Species: Mule Deer
Season: Mid November
Year: 2013
Average Temperature: 10-30°
Expected Weather: 5-30° and snow
Weapon: Archery
Location: Montana
Duration: Seven Days

Hunting in November can be brutal. With that being said, I lean towards the side of caution when hunting this time of year. Temperatures were colder than average during 2013, so I had to add a few more layers to stay warm. This is not my ultralight gear list that I would take on a hunt in August.

Category	Item Description	Total Weight (oz)
Packing
Backpack	KUIU Icon 7000 w/2013 Frame and Suspension	101
Pack Cover	KUIU Sil-Nylon XL	4.9
Dry Back (clothing)	KUIU Roll Top XL	2.2
Stuff Sack (sleeping bag)	Sea to Summit Compression	2.3
Stuff Sack (Food)	KUIU Roll Top XL	2.2
Stuff Sack (Shelter)	Sea to Summit eVent Compression	2.6
Shelter
Tent	MSR Hubba HP 1 Person	30.4
Stakes	Titanium Stakes w/bag (6)	1.5
Tent Poles	MSR Aluminum	12.9
Sleeping
Sleeping Bag	Feathered Friends Kestrel 30	29.4
Sleeping Pad	Therm-a-rest NeoAir XLite	13
Clothing Packed
Boxers	First Lite merino wool Red Desert	3.8
Base Layer Top	KUIU 185 merino wool Zip-T	9.6
Base Layer Bottom	Icebreaker merino wool leggings	6
Mid Layer Top	KUIU merino wool 230 zip	12.2
Fleece Layer Top	KUIU Polartec Stretch	10.3
Insulation Layer Top	KUIU Superdown Vest	6.4
Insulation Layer Top 2	KUIU Superdown Hooded Jacket	11.6
Insulation Layer Bottom	KUIU Superdown Pant	10
Leg Gaiter	KUIU Yukon Gaiter	12
Rain Jacket	KUIU Chugach Jacket	18.4
Rain Pant	KUIU Chugach Pant	15
Merino Beanie	KUIU Merino wool 185	0.9
Cold Weather Beanie	KUIU Guide Beanie	1.3
Gloves	KUIU Guide Gloves	2.6
Merino Gloves	KUIU Merino wool 185 glove	1.5
Down Mittens	Outdoor Research Alti Mitts	13.5
Neck Gaiter	KUIU merino wool 185 gaiter	1
Liner Socks	Darn Tough ATC Micro Crew Merino Wool Cushion (2)	5.6
Weapon
Bow	Bear Motive 7 w/arrows and accessories	144
Gear
Spotting Scope	Swarovski w/sleeve and tripod adaptor	51.7
Tripod	Slik Carbon w/Vanguard Head	41.6
Bino Tripod Adapter	Outdoorsmans	2.8
Foam Pad	Z rest cut into small section	3.7
Satellite Messenger	SPOT Messenger	7.1
Camera	Canon 60D w/lens	65
Extra Lens	Sigma Lens	17.8
Cell Phone	iPhone 4s w/Lifeproof case	6.1
Knife	Kestrel Ultralighter w/sheath	1
Multi-tool	Leatherman Wave	8.4
Rope	50' P-cord with beiner	4.5
Notepad	Rite in the rain	2.1
Pen	Bic ballpoint	0.2
Garbage Bag	black trash bag	1.4
Arm Guard (for bow arm)	Underarmour	0.6
Electrical Tape	small roll	0.5
Extra Batteries	4 AA lithium	2
Extra Batteries	3 AAA lithium	0.8
Cooking & Drinking
Cook Stove	Snow Peak LiteMax	2.3
Fuel Bottle/Canister	Snow Peak Giga Power	7.4
Cook Pot	MSR Titan Titanium	4.8
Utensils	Sea to Summit Titanium Spork	0.3
Ignition	Small Bic Lighter	0.4
Water Treatment	Aquamira	2.7
Extra Water Treatment	Iodine tablets in bag	0.3
Electrolytes	Hammer Nutrition FIZZ	1.5
Water	Platypus Big Zip 2L w/water	84.5
Food
Breakfast	PROBAR Meal Replacement Peanut Butter Flavor (8)	24
Energy Bar	Premier Protein Bar Chocolate Peanut Butter (12)	30.4
Lunch	Flour Tortillas (10)	24.7
Lunch continued	Justin's Classic Peanut butter squeeze (10)	11.5
Energy Gel	Hammer Nutrition Espresso Gel (8)	9.3
Trail Mix	Assorted unsalted nuts	21
Dinner	Mountain House Pro-Paks (6)	24.3
Jerky	Homemade Venison Jerky	32
Coffee	Starbucks VIA	1
Survival
Headlamp	Petzl TIkka xp2	3.1
Flashlight	Techlite Lumen Master	4.5
First Aid Kit	Small Adventure Med Kit-custom	1.8
Fire Starter	Waterproof Matches	0.5
Hygiene
Toilet Paper	in ziploc bag	0.5
Face wipes	Wet ones unscented	0.5
Toothbrush	Custom cut toothbrush	0.1
Toothpaste	Contact lense case w/toothpaste	0.3
Clothing Worn
Underwear	First Lite merino wool Red Desert	3.8
Base Layer	KUIU Merino wool 145 LS Crew	5
Vest	KUIU Guide Vest	11.2
Soft Shell Jacket	KUIU Guide Jacket	28.7
Socks	Darn Tough Micro Crew Cushion	3.4
Pant	KUIU Attack Pant	18.5
Ball Cap	KUIU Icon Cap	2
Belt	KUIU Climbing Belt	4.4
Gear Worn or Carried
Shoes	Lowa Ticam GTX	64
Sunglasses	XX2i	1
Bow Release	Hot Shot Eclipse 4 Finger	3.4
Binoculars	Cabelas Euro 10x42	31.8
Bino Harness	KUIU Bino System Size L	7
Lens Cloth	Spudz	0.3
Rangefinder	Leupold RX-1000i TBR	7.9
Bow Sleeve	Bad Medicine Archery Bow Sleeve	6
GPS	Garmin 64s	7.2
Watch	Suunto Core	2.2
Wind Check	Smoke in a Bottle	0.7
Other
Camo Facepaint	Camo Compac	1.6
Hand Warmers	Grabber Hand Warmers (4)	5.6
Hunting License	License Holder and tape	1.1
Game Bags	Caribou Gear SoloHunter Carnivore II	11.2
Archery backups	D-loop cord, nock, sight tape	0.1
Summary	Total in pounds	Total in ounces
Packing	7.2	115.2
Shelter	2.8	44.8
Sleeping	2.65	42.4
Clothing Packed	8.86	141.7
Weapon	9	144
Gear	13.58	217.3
Cooking & Drinking	6.51	104.2
Food	11.14	178.2
Survival	0.62	9.9
Hygiene	0.09	1.4
Clothing Worn	4.81	77
Gear Worn/Carried	8.22	131.5
Other	1.22	19.6
Total:	76.7	1227.2
Total Packed:	54.66	874.7

What I would have done differently:
My gear performed flawlessly, but I feel like I could have packed a few more handwarmers and a thicker face mask for this hunt. A few mornings the temperatures dropped into the single digits. Hand warmers are a great addition in a sleeping bag when the temperatures drop. You might notice that I was still only using a 30 degree bag, but I sleep in my clothes and use my down layers as added insulation at night. It would be nice to lighten the load for this hunt, but late season survival comes first. My September gear list is a lot lighter and makes for a easier pack weight to manage.

Three pieces of gear I couldn’t live without:
1. Canon DSLR camera. You can’t have lasting memories without a quality camera.

2. SPOT Satellite Messenger. Safety is a huge importance on any backcountry hunt.

3. Aquamira purification drops. I’ve had giardia that was caused from a friend clogging my water filter. I always treat and don’t like borrowing my filter anymore.