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I keep 7 items in my hunting vest that I consider mandatory.
1. A cleaning rod made up of 6, 6" connecting pieces (total 36") in a canvas case. Over the years I have had base wads, mud and snow in my barrels as have my hunting buddies and the cleaning rod has come in handy many times.
2. Strike anywhere matches in a water tight tube with a small piece of sandpaper attached to the inside cap. I have used them several times to build warming fires.
3. Fire starter (war surplus) When wood is wet, a little fire starter is magic .
4. A Water Purifying Straw allows for a drink from most any water source.
5. 10' of parachute cord. Countless uses. My wife and I were in our drift boat going through a rapid called the "Rock Garden" when the right oar lock keeper pin failed. We continued through the garden using the oars as if they were canoe paddles. When we got to quiet water, I lashed the oar in place with part of the parachute cord.
6. A 1' square of soft cotton cloth in a plastic Zip Lock bag. The cloth is for guns or hands.
7. An 8" square oily cloth in a Zip Loc bag for my guns.
All of the above fit easily into an off side, inside pocket of my vest.
I also have the same stuff in my fly fishing vest. Anyone else have a permanent emergency kit in their vest?

Joined: 09 Dec 2012 Posts: 691

I carry different things, but thanks for posting this up, I am going to acquire what you said you carry as it is good practice. That is a very astute list.

Whenever I go alone, I always carry a compass. 2 GPS's. a knife or 2, my cell phone fully charged and a 9mm. Also a set of safety glasses as I caught a stick in the eye last year and it took a while to heal.

Also an extra set of gloves. You might laugh, but my hunting dogs are also my house dog pets, so sometimes I will carry a sweater for them in case they get wet and cold.

After the first time or 2 out, you get used to the extra weight.

*Last edited by bigboyd4466 on Thu Jan 30, 2014 6:34 am; edited 1 time in total*

Member Joined: 24 Jan 2007 Posts: 467 Location: SC PA

Jim,
I carry the following in a pouch that measures 5"x5"x2":

-Emergency blanket
-Petzel Zipka headlamp w/ spare batteries
-Waterproof matches in a watertight container
-Gerber multi-tool
-Gerber Gator lockback knife
-20ft of paracord
-6 zip ties
-Whistle w/ a built-in backup compass

I typically carry a Sig Sauer 229 .40cal handgun as well as a small first aid kit.

When I'm close to home small game hunting, I don't usually carry the above. When I'm in northern PA grouse hunting, everything goes with me as I'm usually 4-5 miles (and sometimes as much as 10) from my truck.

Thanks for the cleaning rod idea. I think I'll have to add that to the mix.

Marc

*Last edited by skeettx on Tue Jan 28, 2014 5:54 pm; edited 1 time in total*

And when I go to the back country I add a large safety pin, fishing line,
hooks, small split shot, signal mirror, and last of all a P38 can opener.

Mike

p.s. my fire starter is a metal 35mm film can of napalm

We tend to focus on dog accidents. It seems about every other trip to the dakotas,porcupines occupy attention and require a short anesthetic and a good pair of forceps. It helps being licensed to possess mind-altering,injectable drugs:)

Mike, I would be willing to bet that 90% of the kids today wouldn't have a clue what a P-38 is. I used to carry one on my dog tag chain.

A wonderful invention used by millions of GI's, never had one fail me.

Now the 35mm film can of napalm? Not so much. Wink

Dale

Member Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 601 Location: Virginia

I carry a snack pack of Fritos corn chips as a fire starter.

Dan

Joined: 10 Feb 2011 Posts: 217 Location: Pacific Northwest

Joined: 25 Jan 2014 Posts: 229 Location: MN

I carry a selection of the above items. I haven't carried a cleaning rod, instead relying on finding and whittling a stick. I will look into a multi-piece rod.

I also carry a one hand bolt cutter about 10" long in case I have to cut a snare. Most pocket tools won't cut a snare cable.

I also have a five foot section of nylon rope with a loop on the end for my foot. This may help to remove a body gripping (conibear) trap from a dog. I hope that I carry these last items for the rest of my life and never have to use them.

Joined: 07 Aug 2013 Posts: 163 Location: Utah

Pretty good list. The wife and I also keep a couple of space blankets, light wool socks and some high calorie energy bars in our kits.

Joined: 17 Jan 2014 Posts: 1377 Location: Denver, Colorado

Different situations require different materials, but in my birdvest, I always have a rain slicker, matches, water, bumwad, ibuprofen, and my cell phone (which is a flashlight even when there is no signal). Fourtown? Isn't that in Beltrammie?

Seems as if most you you are prepared. P38. I wonder if they are still being made?
In addition to the items listed in the OP and when bird hunting, I have on my person a dog whistle, multi-tool and an LED flashlight on my keychain.

Member Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 1863 Location: Wisconsin

This is a good post. I think about this stuff but have never discussed it with anyone. Everyone's suggestions are great. Reno