FNG hunting Info/Equipment

So I am starting to hunt this year, big game, coyote, etc. No I dont expect to be a raging success, but want to get in some more outdoor activity now that the kids are grown alittle and can get some free time. So I have some first time questions on gear, practice, etc. and would like some input from some of you.
Seems everyone is wrapped from head to toe in camo, is it necessary, or just a prefernce? No offense to those that do, but to camo out and then put on a huge blaze orange vest and hat doesn't make sense to me, I understand the orange is required for safety. So explain it to me please.
What kind of equipment do you take if your going to hike around for the day and (presumably) return to a camp site? Dont get me wrong on this idea but a backpack can be cumbersome, why dont more hunters use a vest (like flyfishing, even a tac vest set up properly), or belt? I dont want to be rambo in the woods kicking in doors and shootin elk, but they seem to make sense, and seems only turkey hunters use them?
Yes I am new to this, and would like some info please, even things I have not asked about, so fire away with comments. I do have a small group of people I will be going with in Oct. and I will be mostly watching, learning, scouting, not so worried about shooting this time around.

Thanks in advance.[Beer]

I am not qualified to answer since I don't typically "hunt", but...

I've always wondered about folks being wrapped in camo and stuff. I'm not a hunter but I've been on a couple of trips where we were all in jeans and a coat. They stalked for about 9 hours or so following a herd and finally picked a spot and mark to make the clean kill. There was no blaze orange (Indian reservation so they were not breaking any laws), no camo, no blinds, nor deer feeders, nor tree stands, etc.

If I was just going to hike for a day, I would just take a small backpack of the basics. Those being water, map, firestarter, knife, wire/string, bandages, etc.

Most everything could be left at your base camp (if you're doing backwoods stuff) except for the small backpack and your weapon.

Now, the blaze orange is for safety to humans. So a human doesn't shoot another human. A deer and other animals that we often hunt are color blind so I suspect the ornage is strictly for human on human safety. As far as the camo, it does break up the outline and make it harder for the animals to spot you, especially if they've caught your scent. But I would think that a soid grey 2 foot sqaure would stick out to them in teh midst of all the camo... I don't know! lol.

I don't know why more hunters don't use a vest. I think it's a good idea.

Some seasons you need a vest, some you don't. But I've always thought it was a little funny waring all the camo accented in safety orange. Turkey season is my favorite.
Don't forget the basic non hunting stuff like compass.... A whistle is good when you need help. Remember the 3 signal rule. 3 whistles or gun shots... means I need help...

They should just make bright orange in camo pattern. Do you have to wear the orange if you are hunting on private property with zero chance of someone else hunting on the same property?

Funny, the wearing of orange during hunting was a topic of conversation at work today; including orange camo.

You all need to read this (straight out of the horse mouth, even addresses orange camo):
http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/PlanYourHunt/ResourcesTips/Unlawful.htm

As far as wearing lots of camo clothes and then throwing orange over it, I'd say that's for three reasons:
(1) When most people think of hunting clothes, they think of camo so that's what they buy but they wear the orange over it to be in compliance with the law.
(2) The availability of "hunting clothes" at most stores is limited, with a large selection in camo. Folks buy what is available.
(3) Those who bow or turkey hunt use the camo hunting clothes because it's what they need but they don't have the $$ to spend or just don't want to spend the $$ on another wardrobe for muzzleloader or rifle season, so they use the same clothes with the orange draped over it.

Now, during muzzleloader or rifle season, if someone was wearing the orange with their skin painted in camo paint's, that would just be weird!

thanks guys still looking for more info!

Big game:
A good pack for knives, saw, bags etc if you get one down. Compass, survival gear. I carry a rope, first aid, etc. Enough water, snacks for the day (or 2 in case). Camo is not necesary especially when rifle hunting, but I prefer to wear it. The weather changes quick so I take extra socks etc in my day pack, and wear lighter boots but keep the heavy ones handy (in the truck, not at camp). Even during archery season like now it can go from hot to not real quick. A few years ago we got a very bad storm and came back to camp to find our tents full of water. You can never be to prepared for the woods. That is why the "pack" is a favorite, plus some of the new ones have a rifle holder built in.

Coyote:
A small pack with a couple mtn dews and some jerky from whatever I got during big game hunting. Rifle and shooting sticks.

For a good pack, I like to travel as light as possible, but that still means I have a LOT of stuff to carry with me. Through the years I've concluded that I don't like a full across the back back - opting more for a butt pack - albeit one with enough space to carry everything I need. I bought one of these (the model from 2 years ago, not this years: http://www.blacks-creek.com/www/New%20Site%20pages/Sub%20Pages/Packs%20Pages/AllAmericanPage.html
I like the full padded shoulder straps to take some of the weight off of my waist/hips, and the full padded belt to secure it well. The MSRP is $139.00 but (again, two years ago) I got mine for $80 @ Sportsmans Warehouse. Mine came with a water bladder and hose, but I removed it as I prefer to just throw in a couple of bottles of water. I keep lots more water at the ATV.

For a coat, I wanted something in Blaze orange so I didn't always have to rely on a vest (I still carry an extra lightweight vest anyway). Something WARM and waterproof was also needed as well as something "modular" (inner "warmth" jacket" with an outer goretex waterproof shell). I got one of these: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...box.jsp.form23
I originally opted for the "tall" version, because it provides coverage over my butt and upper thighs, but I've found that this makes it more burdensome to walk so now I'm looking to get the shorter one. In the morning it's freezing and this keeps me warm, but as the day warms up, I shed the outer shell and go with the inner jacket only.

GOOD BOOTS. I won't offer any solutions to this as everyone has their own preference. I wear an 800gram thinsulate boot which does keep my feet toasty - most of the time, but they are heavy and if you're going to be hiking much (I expect you will), you may want to consider a 400gram boot. If you can offord it, buy both (as trlcavscout indicated). I actually have about 4 different sets of boots that I take with me to camp. Your boots WILL get wet, even if you've treated them and you'll need to let them dry out (naturally, don't rush it or you can destroy the boot), so having multiple sets is practically essential.

I also like to apply a small piece of electrical tape to the end of my barrel and trim off the edges. This won't harm the gun or throw off my shots, but it will keep dirt, snow, rain and other debris out of the barrel. Buy a fresh roll of tape as older rolls tend to gum up a bit.

My hunting item checklist is on another computer, if I can remember, I'll post it tomorrow.

My son just told me last night that he wants to come with me this year. That means that I have to get him EVERYTHING and I have to get his mom's ATV fixed (brakes need replacing) so he can use it. I expect I'll be another $1000 poorer by the end of the preparations and even more so if either one of us harvest an animal. Looks like it's time to pull out the plastic!

I second the buttpack idea. I have a milsurp one I use for varmit calling and fishing. Good boots are a must. I have 400g Thinsulate and an old pair as backup.

Camo or a good blind is essential for varmit calling, the blaze orange is as much a legal thing for me as it is a safety issue when big game hunting.

If you can find someone more experienced than you to go hunting with whenever possible. This will significantly shorten the learning curve. You can get on youtube and see how to clean an animal but it's way easier to have someone show you how.

On the subject of camo with a blaze orange vest over it I wear camo for calling coyotes and I am used to where my gear is stowed on those clothes. extra mag in this pocket, calls in this one, etc...and those clothes are broke in so to speak so for me it makes sense to wear them when going big game hunting. I throw the pack on over my vest (my pack has a pullout blaze orange cloth so I'm legal with the pack on over my vest) and head out.

I used to use a waist pack but kept wanting more space to carry stuff but it's personal preference.

I have one friend who goes out on public land with his 6 pocket non camo pants, a jacket and blaze orange and does well.

<shrug> to each their own.

Wolfhound

OK after hunting west for over 25 years, and trying everything. This is just a work for us Old Guys.
Backpack/fanny. Lighter, space blanket, Water, knives alot of knives samich U ain't gonna starve, U can't walk from camp more than a few miles so what the Fuk is with a gps, and not getting back.
Water did I mention Water. however we hunt above tree line mostly so water is not a factor drink outa creeks NO PROBLEM EVER...
If you wnat you can come with us never a dull moment never not got something and never not had fun.
Life is short there is NO book written on a "standard" hunt enjoy what you are given and have a chance to recieve.
GO FOR IT.

Well said Mtn Man.

The team I hunt with also uses FRS radios too so that when one of us gets something the others can come to help haul it out (ugh!).

Let's not forget a small 2 AA cell flashlight and an extra set of batteries.

I like the buttpack idea, I have a maxpedition pack that would work great especially if I could rig up some kinda harness for it. I like carrying weight on the lower part of my body. Mtn. Man, dont threaten me with a good time cause I might take you up on it! I am going with some seasoned hunters, but that dont mean shit in my line of friends, so I'm gonna take up some gear I already have take some walks, try some stuff out, switch it up if I feel like it, and hopefully at least see some wildlife. Appreciate everyones input, and if there is more please feel free to keep posting and I'll keep reading and taking in the info. Thanks.

I'm one of those guys in camo with an orange vest over it (during big game season anyway). My rationale is that I use the same outerwear to hunt elk, deer, turkey, goose, coyote etc.

My camo is lightweight for packing in and out of remote areas, quiet for stalking, BREATHABLE, water resistant and lots of pockets. My vest is my day pack. It holds a camelback and has a game pouch that I use to hold lunch etc.

The only backpack I use, is to carry in my camp, and to hopefully carry out meat.

All the tips so far are good ones. My only other addition is to have something dry to SIT on. I carry one of those cheap, circular bags filled with loose styrofoam from Sportsmans. There's nothing worse than a cold, wet keester.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TiGuy

All the tips so far are good ones. My only other addition is to have something dry to SIT on. I carry one of those cheap, circular bags filled with loose styrofoam from Sportsmans. There's nothing worse than a cold, wet keester.

---

WINNER! Sitting on cold, wet ground just makes you colder and you'll carry that cold feeling with you all day. I used to use the styro bags like you mentioned (they seem to heat as well), but I kept popping seams and spilling the contents so I went with a solid foam pad.

I like my camel back. Nice day size backpack and has the separate compartment for the water bladder. It's nice to just grab the hose and get a drink without having to pull off your pack and dig around. Also the bladders don't make a shit ton of noise like a water bottle will do. Before the camel pack when I used bottles. I'd drink half the bottle then while hiking all I could hear was water sloshing around. Probably only loud enough for me to hear it but drove me nuts.

Oh and as far as having dry boots. One year we stopped by a guy who had his elk rack already in camp so we talked to him for a while. Drove up the road till it ended. We hiked back in a couple miles and didn't drive by his camp again till way after dark. On the way down we could see he had a fire going and wanted to stop by and shoot the shit again. We pull up into his camp and the first words out of his mouth are...is there a sporting goods store around. Ummm...yea about 35 miles that way in Gunnison, why? This guy put the only pair of shoes he brought on the trip next to the fire to dry them out. Sure enough they were a smoldering pile of goo. He had his rack out and one quarter...and no shoes LOL.
Moral of the story is bring more than one pair of shoes.

I've melted the only good pair of hiking shoes I've ever owned.

I like the idea of a pack vest. Something to put on over clothes, jacket or coat.

These cover the orange requirement. The stocking cap might be the bare minimum.

Cabela's Ultimate Pack Vest
http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/c...yU8Gh1AgTq_znX
Mule Hunting Clothes Front Load Game Vest
http://www.mulehuntingclothes.com/v/...GVests01-3.jpg
Cabela's Blaze Orange Horizon Stocking Cap
http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/c...eqhOGuI6uU18BY

Keep in mind that those orange vests covered in camo, like the one above, do not meet the orage requirement in Colorado. It has to be solid orange

As far as equipment, I'll try to add my two cents:

One hell of a set of boots, don't ask me which ones as I have not found them yet (Blisters suck)
Duct Tape (too many uses to count)
A backpack or Fanny pack depending on your situation (If you choose a backpack, walk with it or hike with it before your hunt to condition your body to its added weight)
A good light weight set of optics
A water proof jacket lined in fleece
Water, water, water Camelbacks kick ass
a nice set of light but warm gloves
your orange depending on season

Hotties (not the girls but I wish) put em in your pocket when you get up by the time you leave camp they will be cooking, and for those that get cold feet toe warmers.

Costco has 40 pair for 13.00 with few toe warmers thrown in free.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CowboyTuff

Keep in mind that those orange vests covered in camo, like the one above, do not meet the orage requirement in Colorado. It has to be solid orange

As far as equipment, I'll try to add my two cents:

One hell of a set of boots, don't ask me which ones as I have not found them yet (Blisters suck)
Duct Tape (too many uses to count)
A backpack or Fanny pack depending on your situation (If you choose a backpack, walk with it or hike with it before your hunt to condition your body to its added weight)
A good light weight set of optics
A water proof jacket lined in fleece
Water, water, water Camelbacks kick ass
a nice set of light but warm gloves
your orange depending on season

---

And a nice Smith and Wesson comp. .44 mag? That thing is nice! Ive been through so many boots I cant even remember them all from redwings to La Sportiva and am still looking. I think I might be covered for now and if I'm not I'll have it next time.