3 Tips for Loading Your Daypack on a Guided Hunt

Hunting a destination as wild and remote as northern BC is exciting. But knowing what to pack can be a challenge. Specifically, many of our hunters have questions about what they are responsible to carry in their daypack.

We send a checklist to each of our hunters before their trip. You can bet that a mountain goat hunt from a spike camp is different than a moose hunt from a boat. Your needs will vary depending on the type of hunt.

While packing lists can change from one hunt to another, there are some general things to consider on any guided hunt in remote, mountain country.

Here are a few simple tips:

1. Keep Your Daypack Light

It’s common on guided hunts for hunters to over pack their daypack on the first day of the hunt. It’s understandable. You’ll be excited and often not sure what you’ll need. But after a full day of carrying a heavy daypack through steep and rugged country, you may quickly want to reconsider your choices. Even on horseback, a heavy daypack is cumbersome.

By the time we’re a few days into a hunt, most hunters are only carrying the essentials. It doesn’t take long for heavy backpack to take its toll. Carefully consider each item in your daypack and stick to the list that your outfitter provides.

2. Take the Guide’s Advice 

No two guided hunts are the same. But you can count on the fact that your guide will carry a daypack too. In many cases, there’s no reason to duplicate everything. If your outfitter doesn’t recommend bringing it, it’s probably for good reason.

When you arrive in camp, show your guide what’s in your daypack. And whatever he or she recommends, be sure and listen. If the guide says you don’t need it, don’t put it in your pack. On that first big vertical climb, you might be regretting it.

3. Pack Quality Hunting Gear

High quality hunting gear provides a balance between lightweight design and durability. If your gear is heavy and bulky, your daypack will follow suit. Rain gear is a perfect example. Today’s lightweight hunting rain gear packs small and performs extremely well. Great hunting gear like this is expensive, but it’s worth the investment.

Consider each item in your daypack and ask yourself whether it’s worth an upgrade. Every ounce counts. There’s a reason that highly functional and lightweight gear comes at a higher price point. But on a challenging, multi-day hunt, you’ll be glad you made the right choice.

Questions About Our British Columbia Hunts?

If you have questions about our guided hunts in northern British Columbia, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d love to help you plan the ultimate BC hunting adventure. In the meantime, please explore the rest of our website for information.