There are certain hunting tools that just about every hunter carries in their pack. Things like a knife, game bags, some sort of direction device whether it be a GPS or a compass, and so forth. But, over the years, I’ve noticed that I carry a few hunting tools in my pack that I don’t find in many other hunter’s packs – perhaps for good reason. Yet, I find these items invaluable and wouldn’t go on the mountain without them.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Perhaps my favorite of all hunting tools to use, hydrogen peroxide makes blood bubble and therefore it is an incredibly useful tool when following a blood trail through fall foliage Perhaps being somewhat color blind makes following a blood trail harder for me than most, but I can’t count how many times this little bottle has saved me. Sometimes leaves have spots on them that I swear could be blood, but one squirt with the hydrogen peroxide removes all doubt.
Unscented Flushable Baby Wipes
Baby wipes serve many purposes. They are a great stain remover if you are worried about that spot of blood on your hunting shirt. But, if you’re worried about that spot, hunting is probably the wrong activity for you. However, for those times when you have just cleaned a deer and then you want to stop at a restaurant on the way home – baby wipes will take care of the bloodiest hands and leave you nearly presentable. They will take face paint right off as well when nothing else seems to work and if allowed to dry, they also double as soft and compact toilet paper. Sometimes even hunting tools have to serve more practical purposes.
Duct Tape
I love tools that have multiple uses. Duct tape might be the Swiss army knife of hunting tools.
It’s been said that anything can be fixed with duct tape and WD40. If it moves and it isn’t supposed to, use duct tape. If it doesn’t move and is supposed to, use WD40. Duct tape is one of the best emergency kit tools on the planet. Use it as a band-aide if you slice yourself, patch up clothes, fix a pack, or keep a hunting partner from blabbing about your honey-hole*.
*That’s a joke. Please don’t say I advocate this behavior.
A newly discovered hunting tool for me. I love my JetBoil for quick, warm meals.
JetBoil
JetBoils are not unknown. At least among hikers their usefulness is well revered. And even among backcountry hunters, JetBoils have become a popular item. But, what I discovered while planning a backcountry hunt that turned into day hunting from a base camp is that JetBoils are just plain handy. No more peanut butter and honey sandwiches for lunch or nasty protein bars for breakfast. Now, I eat real food** whether I’m on a three day pack-in hunt or I’m doing day hunts from camp.
**haha!
Tripod
I forgot a tripod on this hunt – and my pack made an appearance in every photo I snapped because of it.
Many hunters of western states carry a tripod for their spotting scope. But some of us have never been able to afford a spotting scope – but I try and make sure to have a tripod. When an animal hits the ground, we want to make sure our pictures are as nice as they can possibly be. Tripods can come in pretty small packages, and they make the photo ops so much easier – and the end result looks much nicer.
So, what did I miss? Do you have a favorite item you take with you that you don’t think many other hunters pack? Let’s hear ‘em…
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