seaon opener is getting closer.....

Ok, it's not that close yet, but I am starting to go through everything (again) and clean, sharpen, re-arrrange, make lists, etc... (Ever notice how often a hunter will go through his gear?).

Muzzle loader deer, buck tag for Unit 75 here in Colorado. My wife and I both got buck tags and my boys got doe tags....so we should be able to at least get something to cook on the grill, crockpot, dehydrater, smoker.. LOL (Then again, I did just buy 1/2 a cow today too)

How often do you go through your gear boxes?

I'm averaging right around 10-15 times a year, with most of those being in the 3-4 months before season opener.

Do you have any rituals/habits that you notice you do before the season opens?

I seem to sharpen my knives a lot. It may not even be my hunting knife, but just a pocket knife or one of my junkers I keep around.

Do you have anything one of a kind or special in your gear baxes?

I have 2 sets of elk ivories in a buffalo bull nut sack bag (dried of course). They were from a pair of elk my dad and I got in 2003. I just keep them as a reminder of that hunt we had together and hope my sons remember these times later in life.
I also have this really old plastic pink coffee cup and a set of 4 OLD JUNK tupperware coffee cups. I have been given sets of nice ceramic and some steel ones, I just can't seem to get rid of those other ones. They are easy to clean (some sand...LOL) and they never break, and the handles never get hot from the coffee.

What do you cook for camp meals? Easy stuff, full on meals, etc?

Breakfast for me is usually just some instant oatmeal. The boys will eat it with me or they have a bagel or something. I do bring eggs, bacon, potatos, etc as well....but we usually do that up on a special day or something.

Lunches are usually just something quick and easy in our packs. If we do make it back to camp, then its probably a little more. For myself, a couple of apples, some hunks of cheese, maybe a hunk of sourdough bread or something. Lots of little filling things, but nothing too heavy.

Dinner usually is a little more grand with the family along. Brats, burgers, steaks, chops.. something along those lines. For late winter hunts, lots of stews, pastas, soups it seems like. When it was just me hunting... I think I lived off ramen noodles and quick dehydrated stuff. LOL

What's in your day pack?
Standard stuff here. knife, bone saw, rope, emergency kit, water tabs, etc. I don't think there is anything off the wall in there....unless its the bull nut sack or one of my little wierd things I keep around.

Anyway.. long post... but I'm bored.
Good hunting everyone.

Mike

Mike:
 
Best of luck to you!  You sound like you have everything ready to go and then some!
 
Have a safe and successful season and be sure to share your experiences with us.
 
Take care and Good Hunting!
 
Best Afield,
 
Steve

Bow season in Ky is on 6 Sept so that is not too long a wait.
Early 2 day BP is on 18/19 Oct (or something close to that)
So our wait is not too long.
Do not carry as much as you do on a hunt as I am hunting at home most of the time.
Calls, radio, water, knife, Bknocks, range finder, smickers, scent stuff, mask, extra set of gloves.

Pack a bit more when hunting elsewhere, except bird hunting in SD, pack shells, water, and pocket knife.
 
Had to edit,  hunting white tail at home not mule deer  (I wish) (next year I think)

T.H. WERTH
US Army (Ret)
NRA
LM-NAHC
Viet Nam Vet