The Minimalist's Guide To Packing A Bag For A Deer Hunting Trip
There are a lot of products out there designed to make antelope hunting easier. In fact, there may be too many things out there. If you pick up very gadget and doodad that's made for deer hunters, you'll be trying to cart a pack that's as big as you are through the brush.
That's no way to hunt! If you prefer a minimalist approach, empty your pack out and start over. All you really need in your pack are the following things.
1. Spare Clothes
If you ever go hunting without some extra clothes, you'll probably only make that mistake once. It gets colder than most people realize out there when you're sitting in one spot for a while, so you need extra layers to keep warm. When you're picking your clothes, worry less about camo and more about color. Deer can see yellow and blue, so avoid those colors. Camo-colored clothing isn't really necessary if you pick earth-tones or shades of red and simply hold still.
2. Food and Water
How much food and water you need to carry depends a lot on where you are hunting. If you're on a hunting ranch or game preserve, you may not need to haul as much along as you would if you were hitting some deep trails in the mountains. Make sure that you have a good supply of trail mix, energy bars, and granola -- but take them out of their noisy packaging and put them in some nice, quiet zip-lock baggies instead. Carry a water bottle or two but also keep some water purification tablets or a water-purifying straw in your pack as well -- just in case of an emergency.
3. Binoculars
You're at a disadvantage in the wilds compared to deer and other animals when it comes to detecting movement and long-distance vision. You need a decent pair of binoculars in order to sight your deer properly. However, "decent" doesn't mean "incredibly expensive or complicated." You'll get great results and better longevity out of a pair of modestly-priced binoculars without a lot of fancy parts and additions. Simple is best when it comes to hunting gear.
4. A Knife and a Sharpener
You need a good knife in your pack at all times. Some people prefer folding knives because they're compact and don't require a sheath. However, others find them inconvenient to clean in the cold after they've been used. It's really a matter of preference, but consider the issues carefully when you choose. Buy a small knife-sharpener to pack with you because a dull edge can be an unpleasant surprise when you're out there with your kill.
5. Rope
This is an essential item that many people simply forget to pack. You'll need it to drag or hoist your game. You could need it for an emergency. Nylon parachute cord is one of the lightest-weight, most compact types of rope available, and it's well-suited for hunting.
If you still have a lot of room in your pack, you can always add a few extra items for ease and comfort, but as long as you have these, your Axis deer trophy hunting experience should be spectacular!