5 Mistakes Backpack Hunters Make Backpacking (video included!)
Backpack hunting is without a doubt an ultimate adventure. You’re in the wilderness chasing elk, deer, or whatever your flavor might be and you’re living out of a backpack for days on end. Backpack hunting can also be the perfect storm when things go wrong and mistakes are made so for those looking to maximize their time and effectiveness in the field during the hunting season, here is a quick list of the 5 common mistakes backpack hunters make.
CONTENTS
Backpack Hunting Mistake #1: Failure To Plan And Prepare For Backpacking
Backpack Hunting Mistake #2: Failure To Eat And Drink
Backpack Hunting Mistake #3: Hiking Too Fast, Too Soon
Backpack Hunting Mistake #4: Failing At Blister Prevention
Backpack Hunting Mistake #5: Packing Too Much Gear
Parting Thoughts
Backpack Hunting Mistake #1: Failing To Plan And Prepare For Backpacking
5 Mistakes Backpack Hunters Make Backpacking
If you’re an avid hunter but new to backpacking, you have another thing coming if you’re not ready for it and haven’t put in the time to study how to be an effective backpacker. I know you may have camped in your truck a lot, but it’s not even a close second to being the same thing when the sun goes down on your miles into the backcountry, away from your rig, and facing whatever the next 9 or so hours has waiting for you. Let’s hope for your sake that you’ve put just as much thought into your BACKPACKING efforts as you have your hunting because they are two completely different skill sets. They both require your undivided attention if you intend on having a successful and satisfying trip.
I know planning and preparation aren’t sexy, but neither is freezing your ass off in the middle of the night because you bought the wrong gear or burning an entire day of hunting because you failed to weatherproof your pack from that rain you weren’t prepared for and now you have to find a way to dry everything out. You know as well as I do the backcountry does what it wants with you. We’re merely along for the ride so it’s up to us to do our very best to PREPARE AND PLAN for what MIGHT be coming our way out there.
A successful trip BEGINS WITH PLANNING; both in a hunting sense AND in a backpacking sense. The two must fall in line with one another because if they don’t then you risk wasting days in the field having to sort everything out while you’re on the mountain. Put in the work upfront on where you’re going to get water from, what trail systems you’re going to use to access those hard-to-reach spots, and identify not only your plan A but your plan B and C if something goes wrong out there.
Know where you’re going and how FAR you’re going because you might feel good on the way in, but after a few days of hunting, those legs of yours are going to feel worn down. If you’re lucky, you’ll be coming out of the mountains heavier than you were going in so plan accordingly.
Be smart about EVERY aspect of the BACKPACKING portion of your hunt and make sure that your hunting plans align accordingly. If you’ve identified a possible honey hole, but it’s 15 miles in, 5,000 vertical feet of elevation gain, and doesn’t have any water nearby, you might consider putting that honey hole on the back burner and finding somewhere else to hunt.
Think, think, think! Ask yourself the “what if” question of where you’re going to be hunting. If you get a bull or buck down, what happens then? What’s your plan? Where is your food? Where is your shelter? Your extra water? Are you hunting out of a basecamp or are you hunting with camp on your back each day?
Do the planning and preparation upfront for the backpacking portion of your hunt and you can focus on the hunting portion of your hunt when you’re finally out there.
Backpack Hunting Mistake #2: Failure To Eat and Drink
If you’ve never felt the terrible feeling of being dehydrated and malnourished while being overworked then you’re a very lucky person. For those who have felt what this is like, it’s pretty terrible and difficult to fight through. Food will taste like chalk, water like gasoline, and your entire body will shake with the chills as it tries to recover from what you’ve just done to it. In short, you WILL hate life and question every decision you’ve ever made that brought you to that one single moment.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to stay hydrated and fed throughout your backpack hunt. It’s often hard enough remembering to eat when you’re backpacking, but toss a hunt on top of it where your mind is everywhere BUT in your food bag and it’s a whole new challenge. You NEED to eat and drink throughout your day. If you have to put a reminder of your phone to eat and drink something every hour, then so be it. Food is fuel out there and you never know when you’re going to need to make a big push after an animal.
Eating BEFORE you make a big push rather than catching up after is what you need to be doing. Keep the tank full and you won’t burn out and bonk in the middle of a stalk. Remember, you’re going to be burning far more calories than you think you are, especially during those colder late-season hunts, so keep food in your belly and life will be far more enjoyable.
P.S. Don’t be that hunter who things he or she “doesn’t need to eat much.” We all need fuel to perform so just do what’s good for your body and feed it!
Backpack Hunting Mistake #3: Hiking Too Fast, Too Soon
Stop hiking so damn fast! I get it, you’re excited to get back into your spot, excited to get to the hunting, and excited to be excited, but that doesn’t mean you should be running down the trail taking gigantic stride after gigantic stride for the next 4 hours without stopping. Hold your horses back a bit and give your body time to warm up.
I’m sorry to break it to you, but hiking fast won’t get you there any faster. It might seem like it will, but whatever time you’re saving by hiking so fast is immediately negated the moment you have to stop for a breather or pop a blister. Unless you’re going to be covering 30 miles a day on a trail, there is very little ACTUAL difference between 2.5 mph and 4 mph (trust me, I’ve tested it). Remember the tortoise and the hair story from when you were a kid? Slow and steady will be better on your body in the long run.
Hunting is a marathon, not a sprint. Hiking hard and fast sounds cool and all, but it’s only doing damage to your body and increasing your risk of blisters. Hunting packs are already heavy as is so it’s even MORE important to make sure that each step you take down the trail or into the woods is a thoughtful one. The quickest way to grow that crop of blisters on your feet is to take abnormally long strides while pounding your feet into the ground with 40-60 extra pounds of gear…which just so happens to be the result of hiking fast.
So, slow your roll out there. Save the hiking fast for when you NEED to hike fast after that bull or trophy buck. Be smart with your body and your body will serve you well.
Backpack Hunting Mistake #4: Failing At Blister Prevention
Speaking of blisters, do NOT wait to take care of that hot spot the MOMENT you feel it coming on. Blisters are the quickest way to hate life in the backcountry so get yourself some Leukotape, keep it close by, and slap a few layers of it on your delicate little feet when you feel something funny going on.
5 Mistakes Backpack Hunters Make Backpacking
Do NOT wait for your next break to address a growing blister. I’ve done that in the past and paid dearly for it in the form of a nice juicy blister. Yes, it sucks to have to take a break a mile into your hike, but trust me when I say that it’s worth your time. You must stay in tune with your body when you’re backpacking. Listen to it when it speaks and do what it says. If you’re hungry, eat. If you’re thirsty, drink. And if you feel a blister starting to form….TAPE IT UP!
Or don’t and suffer through the next few days of hunting while hating life. It’s your call, I’m just here to help you make the right decisions out there.
P.S. Air your feet out when you’re taking a break. Wet socks and boots make for a nasty blister recipe so plan accordingly. If your feet sweat a lot, bring an extra pair and swap them out throughout the day so you’re always in a dry pair. Put the wet pair on the outside of your pack or in your pockets to dry out. It’s not perfect, but it helps.
Backpack Hunting Mistake #5: Packing Too Much Gear
Want to have a better time out there? Bring less stuff. It’s really that simple.
Not so simple to implement though, is it? I know, because I struggle too so don’t worry. It’s a work in progress, but the main idea here is to minimize what you’re bringing with you to the field.
Everything you put into your pack should have at LEAST one purpose if not two or three. If you ever find yourself NOT using an item, consider leaving it at the truck next time unless it’s something VERY important. Backpacking is about being efficient and effective with what we have on us. Remember, you're hunting so it’s even MORE important that you’re not distracted with your gear by fumbling through your pack looking for something you can’t find seem to find.
The less you bring, the less you lose, and the less you have to sort through each day. Being a backpack hunter means your pack is naturally going to be heavier than non-backpack hunters so it’s even MORE important that you save as many ounces and pounds as possible. We can joke all day about who’s pack is heavier, but I personally don’t find it funny at all if my pack is heavy. The more my pack weighs, the less fun I have on the trail and the more energy I waste.
Be smart, thoughtful, and VERY intentional about each and every item you put into your backpack for your upcoming hunt. Your feet and knees will thank you for it.
Parting Thoughts
Backpacking and hunting make an incredible pairing when done right. When done wrong, they’ll make anyone want to quit right there and then. They’re separate skillsets and should be treated as such so if you’re thinking about getting into backpack hunting or you’re looking to get better at backpack hunting, then study them independently. Learn the foundations of backpacking and adapt them to your hunting style.
Let me know if there is anything I can help you with. Comment below or email me directly at emory@byland.co
If you are headed out on an adventure, be safe, and make great decisions!
