My Cherry is ready...

MichaelJ · Aug 2, 2006

Well guys, in 29 days my Archery Cherry will be popped! I've been shooting a couple of times a week for the last month or 2, and am stepping it up to once/twice a day now. I'm planning 2-3 scouting trips starting this weekend and plan on getting some new gear.

I'm wordering if my hunting gear which I usually use on the General Oct. Rifle hunt will change? This will be my first year archery hunting, and I'm planning to be camping 4-5 miles from the truck, and hunting right out of camp. Any tips for a first time archery hunter? Any recommended reading? I'm getting PSYCHED for this hunt and can't wait to get out there and chase some bucks!

After reading the lightweight backpacking thread I've come up with a game plan for camp...
As the season nears I'll slowly bring in food/accessories and accessories and cache' them close to my intended camp.
My questions are as follows.

What do you recommend for a good sleeping arrangement? You've stated before something about the hammocks? Seems like a good idea for a september archery hunt at 4K feet?

Whats a good water purifyer? I'm gonna have to find a water source on one of my scouting trips...

As far as clothing, I'm thinking Under Armor Heat Gear for my upper, followed by a nice long sleeve QUIET camo (Suggestions???). I already have a nice water proof/windproof lightweight fleece jacket that will go on as the outside layer.
Any suggestions for a nice set of pants (again quiet and breathable).

I'm also looking to get a new set of Danner Pronghorns. These sound like a good idea? Not looking to spend a whole lot of money for the new gear, but I want a quality set of boots.

I know it's a long list, and not real organized, but any suggestions or tips would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

Michael

"What I could do, I was doing, and that was simply putting my butt on the line for my country, the country that I loved, so that all the protestors and the academics and the liberal intelligentsia back home could enjoy the right to protest against people like me, the hated middleclass." --Gary R. Smith, US Special Forces

ridgerunner · Aug 2, 2006

Read backcountry bowhunting by Cameron Hanes, it'll put you over the top. Best of luck on the trip sounds like it will be fun. If you are in the wilderness you aren't supposed to cache gear, although I'm sure guys do it all the time. I sent you a pm too.

RACKMASTER · Aug 2, 2006

I am hunting bow and rifle in 29 days! deer and antelope!
I am starting to lose sleep!
rm

MichaelJ · Aug 2, 2006

Ridge, thanks for the tip, I'll see if I can't grab that book. PM returned though I'm not sure if it went through. Resending it now just in case...

"What I could do, I was doing, and that was simply putting my butt on the line for my country, the country that I loved, so that all the protestors and the academics and the liberal intelligentsia back home could enjoy the right to protest against people like me, the hated middleclass." --Gary R. Smith, US Special Forces

Gator · Aug 2, 2006

If you don't find water But you find deer next scouting trip carry in some water and stash it where you are camping, works out well.

polarbear · Aug 2, 2006

I;m headed to your town tomorrow M-J. I'll try to steer clear of your "ready to pop" cherry! Haahaaaaa... If you see a red and grey F-350 crew cab pulling a red, black and silver Skeeter, please dont run me off the road! Haahaa.......
Eric

MichaelJ · Aug 2, 2006

Eric, don't worry, I don't think my car would hold up too good against an F350... haha What you doin in town? Want to take me fishing don't ya? lol If you haven't heard, that's the "trespassing fee" into my town...

Best of luck.

Gator, thanks for the tip, and if I do, I'll deffinately be packing in some water, may even make a special trip with the horses to get all the gear in...

"What I could do, I was doing, and that was simply putting my butt on the line for my country, the country that I loved, so that all the protestors and the academics and the liberal intelligentsia back home could enjoy the right to protest against people like me, the hated middleclass." --Gary R. Smith, US Special Forces

adamsoa · Aug 3, 2006

LAST EDITED ON Aug-03-06 AT 12:10PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Aug-03-06 AT 12:09?PM (MST)

The Hammock is the only way to go for me. The one that I use is a Clarks Jungle Hammock. Hennesy is ok but I think the clarks is a lot better. You can do a search and find them.

As for a water purifyer the Katylin (SP?) has a great purifyer. Most will do a pretty good job though.

As for camo I use the ASAT leafy 3d suit. It is an awesome system. It is a mesh/net that you wear over anything. You can wear it over your heat gear, or with a jacket. It is also very light and doesnt take up much space.

As for pants I just got some good REI hiking pants with a zip off legs. They are quiet, light and seem pretty durable.

Good Luck

MichaelJ · Aug 3, 2006

adamsoa,
thanks for the help, that's exactly what I'm looking for. As for the leafy suit, will it get in the way of my bow? NO worries on it getting hung up?

I'll do a search for the hammock as well as the camo. Thanks.

"What I could do, I was doing, and that was simply putting my butt on the line for my country, the country that I loved, so that all the protestors and the academics and the liberal intelligentsia back home could enjoy the right to protest against people like me, the hated middleclass." --Gary R. Smith, US Special Forces

cheeseheadinOHIO · Aug 5, 2006

What are your plans to stay dry, when both hunting and sleeping?

MichaelJ · Aug 5, 2006

I already have a river's west fleece jacket so that'll keep my upper dry, while I'm going to pick up some cheap zip up overpants to keep my lowers dry. As for sleeping, I'm ordering the Clark Jungle Hammock "UltraLite" as I'll only be using it in September and it "shouldn't" get very cold at night.

What would you guys suggest for a lightweight sleeping bag? That's a possibility, while I already have a good one, it is a little heavy. Remember I'm on a budget here so please keep that in mind.

"What I could do, I was doing, and that was simply putting my butt on the line for my country, the country that I loved, so that all the protestors and the academics and the liberal intelligentsia back home could enjoy the right to protest against people like me, the hated middleclass." --Gary R. Smith, US Special Forces

MichaelJ · Aug 6, 2006

Hey Ridge, did you ever get that PM? Haven't heard back from you. LMK...

"What I could do, I was doing, and that was simply putting my butt on the line for my country, the country that I loved, so that all the protestors and the academics and the liberal intelligentsia back home could enjoy the right to protest against people like me, the hated middleclass." --Gary R. Smith, US Special Forces

adamsoa · Aug 8, 2006

LAST EDITED ON Aug-08-06 AT 07:29AM (MST)[p]Any light weight sleeping bag should be ok. I would get something light and make sure that its rated to at least 20 degrees. It can still get cold in september up high. As for the asat camo. It hasent gotten in the way at all for me so far.