Sounds of September: Backcountry Archery Gear

We are stepping into the final week of August, which means we are days away from the sounds of September. To me, those sounds evolve around the whistle of stag sika on the eastern shore of Maryland and the bugle of bull elk out west. If you have ever planned for an elk hunt out west, you understand the time and commitment it requires to be one of the crowned harvesters.

Personally, I share the mentality of Remi Warren, Corey Jacobsen and Brian Call who frequently vocalize, “We will not preserve our hunting heritage if we are selfish, rather than share our knowledge and ensure the success of others.” With that in mind, this blog will provide a detailed list of the gear I use for a backcountry hunt. I will start with my archery set-up as that always seems to draw everyone’s interest.

A LIMB-itless Outdoors kind of "tailgate party"

The Rig…

• Bow: Prime Inline 3 with 28” draw @72lbs

• Gas Bowstrings: Ghost XV Camo

• Sight: HHA Tetra Max single pin

• Rest: Hamskea Epsilon

• Stabilizer: Crossover 1233 RIS system

• Hi-Tek Archery: Sandtrap string stop and Dead Shot limb dampener

• Quiver: Tight Spot Rise

• Release: Scott Archery Echo

Arrows: Total arrow weight and FOC is 460g @15%

• Shafts: Victory VAP SS: 27.5” carbon to carbon

• Victory Insert and sleeve

• Broadhead: VIP Combat Veteran 100g (yes, I am a mechanical fan)

• Zinger Fletches: Z4, 3* right helical

• One Stringer arrow wraps

Now let’s discuss packs and pack-load. Understand, I started backcountry hunting in the 90’s, either on foot or by mountain bike. Once or twice, a combination of both. The gear I used then compared to now is very different. Technology, willingness to carry and/or sacrifice weight and the influence of others have impacted what I choose for backcountry adventures.

• Pack: Badlands MRK 6 providing 6100 cubic inches with a lifetime, unconditional warranty

• Badlands Pack Cover

• Tent: Big Agnes HV UL2 Copper Spur with the hotel vestibule

• RakAdx killn’ pad: (see my 12/27/2021 gear review)

• Sleeping pad: Big Agnes Insulated Q-Core Deluxe

• Sleeping bag: REI Helio (a quilt will be in my future)

• Sleeping bag insert: Cocoon merino wool

• Seat pad: Thermarest Z-Pad

• Stove: JetBoil Flash

• Water filter: Sawyer Squeeze with a total of 4.5 liters carry capacity (if needed)

• Headlamp, primary: Outdoor Pro Gear

• Headlamp, spare: Petzl zipka

• Power pack: Anker Power Core Select 20000

• MPOWERD solar light & USB charger

• Fixed blade: Montana Knife Company Speed Goat

• Spare release

• Game bags: Badlands x 5, Individually vacuum sealed (using one for a bear bag) 

• Garmin inReach

• PEAX Sissy Sticks: gorilla tap on one, electrical tape on the other

• 50’ of cording

• Butane lighter

• Calls: Phelps bugle tube and diaphragms (I played football and ran track against the town Jason is from. How can I “not” use his product?)

• Champagne cork: burn the end and use for face camo. It works great and washes off easy

• Toilet paper

• Dude wipes (removed from the original package and carried in a ziplock)

• Tooth brush

• Tooth Paste

Some items in stuff sacks for the photo, only. I prefer to stuff things loose to maximize space.

The tag bag. I keep my license and tags in a ziplock bag with a few other items. This ensures I always have the proper legal documentation for the specific hunt and everything needed to fill out and secure the tag to the animal.

• License

• Tag

• Pen

• Zip ties: 4 x 8” (4” zips work for most deer, but not for elk)

• Note from my father circa 1989

• Skinning knife: Outdoor Edge 3.5” RazorLite EDC

• Spare blades for the Outdoor Edge

• 5” of D Loop material

• 2’ of serving thread

My chest rig revolves around the Badlands Bino XR. Although Badlands has the Bino-Connect system which allows the user to connect their optics pouch directly to their pack, I choose to utilize the harness. I know there will be times I will drop my pack and I prefer to have my optics with me at all times; even more so when a sidearm is attached to it. This decision is of personal choice, but one I would highly recommend.

• Optics Harness/Chest rig: Badlands Bino XR

• Binoculars: Vortex Viper HD 10 x 50

• Range finder: Vortex Ranger 1800

• Extra batteries: range finder, hearing aids, headlamp (I only use Energizer Lithium)

• Smoke in a bottle

If/when I choose to carry a sidearm (also known as a secondary):

• Holster: Venandi chest holster

• Wheel gun: Taurus Poly Protector .357mag (everybody has their favorite handgun and caliber)

Food and nutrition has become a hot topic. In the 90’s, I used MRE’s for the first few years. I did not carry a stove and ate them cold. The entire MRE itself was bulky and heavy, so I would field strip them, carrying only the main meal. I would add to my daily rations with items such as jerky, trail mix and Power Bars. I never counted calories and I did not separate my food into daily rations. I have changed this thought process significantly. I now focus on tasty, high calorie/protein type food sources. Each day’s ration is separated into a ziplock bag and I strive for no more than 1.5lbs total food weight for each day.

• Entrees: Peak Refuel (my current favorite is the Coconut Chicken Curry)

• Entrees: Wilderness Athlete Heather's Choice

• Breakfast: I make my own instant oats with walnuts, cranberries and chia seeds (Kodiak Oats for increased protein)

• Coffee: BRCC steep bags

• Snack stick: Mission Meats Jalapeno beef stick

• Pro Bar: Whole Berry Blast

• Trail mix

• Keto Nut Butter pack

• Heather's Choice Packaroons

• Top Ramen: Creamy Chicken and Chili are my two favorite

• Tuna pack:

• Hydration: Wilderness Athlete HERO pack

• Sour gummy worms 

• Instant mashed potatoes: I carry a pouch or two for days when my tapeworm is overactive.

• Chicken bouillon: This is an extra source of sodium and a rewarming agent

This year will be the lightest I pack clothing wise. Part of this is due to the predicted weather conditions, part is due to space and weight considerations. All of my clothing, other than boots, are Badlands. I am a HUGE Badlands fan (so much, my F150 is wrapped in Badlands FX) due to the quality of their gear, customer service and warranty, and their support of our military and veterans.

• Base Layer: Percora merino wool and cordua blend

• Boxer briefs: merino and cordura blend x two pair

• Socks: Incedo mid-weight x two pair

• Pants: Honir stone

• Top: Variant merino hoodie

• Outer: Detour hoodie

• Neck: Algus Gaiter

• Head: Algus beanie

• Hat: LIMB-itless Outdoors Approach FX ball cap

• Jacket: Uitnas Puffy (I keep this stuffed in my sleeping kit dry bag until needed)

• Exo rain set

• Master Gaiters

• Boots: Crispi Thor II

• Prosthetic foot: Fillauer All-Pro

Lastly, but by no means the least, I carry a basic medical kit and some “possibles” that I have trimmed down over the past couple years. I used to carry a full IFAK (individual first aid kit) that was pre-packed and vacuum sealed. I have since moved to a ziplock bag and a streamlined kit. I will stress the necessity of a tourniquet. This topic has always been controversial, due to proper application and use. Yes, there is a chance of complications when using a tourniquet, however, situations dictating the use of a tourniquet are focused on “stopping the bleed”. If you are not able to stop the bleeding, the complications of a tourniquet no longer matter as you will succumb to hemorrhagic shock prior to those complications becoming an issue. I highly recommend you obtain, educate yourself and be prepared when it comes to the use of a tourniquet. If it was not for the use of a tourniquet in 2012, I would not be writing this blog.

• Bandaids: small and large

• Gauze pads: 4x4

• Ace wrap

• Combat Gauze: 1 pack (again, educate yourself on proper use)

• Tourniquet

• Skin Stapler: disposable

• Super Glue

• Surgical gloves

• A&D ointment: primarily used on my stump

• Motrin

• Retainer Bands

My last bit of input is to know WHY you are carrying a piece of gear, and how it works. If you have ever tried to set up a new tent in the dark when you are cold, wet and tired, you will understand exactly what I am alluding to. Ensure each tool has a purpose, or multiple uses, and be proficient with it. This will make your adventure that much more enjoyable.

Gear is only a fraction of the hunt, but will certainly contribute to your success. For me, it is all a part of the process, similar to marathon training. The months training for a big run are far more impactful than the finish itself. The same thought process applies to a well planned hunt. I enjoy combing through all my gear, conducting maintenance and performing readiness checks. Inventorying, packing and establishing the muscle memory of knowing where everything is stored or staged. Not only does this increase your chances of success, it helps pass the time between obtaining tags and departing for the hunt.

Speaking of time, thank you for visiting my website and blog and I hope you have a safe and successful big game season!

Be LIMBITLESS. Get OUTDOORS