Backbone Unlimited Day Hunting Pack List
A simple day-hunt pack list for elk and mule deer hunters.
This is not a multi-day backpacking gear list. This is not a product dump. This is the gear I want in my pack for a serious day of elk or mule deer hunting when I may leave the truck before daylight, hunt all day, break down an animal, and come out after dark.
Every item should solve a real problem.
Every ounce should earn its place.
Pack & Organization
Day pack: EXO MOUNTAIN K4
Holster: VENANDI
Pack rain cover: ZPACKS DYNEEMA
Small gear pouches: ZPACKS OR VIAM
Trash bag
Water & Hydration
Hard water bottle: 16OZ PER HOUR
Water filter: STERIPEN
Backup purification tablets: AQUATABS
Electrolytes: SALT STICK CAPSULES
Food
Freeze Dry: BIGHORN MOUNTAIN FOOD
High-calorie snacks: SEE LIST BELOW
Electrolytes / drink mix: SPORTS RESEARCH
Emergency calories: SKRATCH LABS CHEWS, RONE HONEY PACKETS
Meal Bars: OFF THE FARM
Clothing Layers In Pack
Puffy jacket: SPIKA TERRA PUFFER
Rain jacket: SPIKA EDGE
Rain pants: SPIKA EDGE
Extra socks: DARN TOUGH
Beanie: BACKBONE UNLIMITED
Light gloves: SPIKA RANGER
Warm gloves: SPIKA ARCTIC
Kill Kit / Game Care
Game bags: SPIKA DROVER
Primary knife: ARGALI + OUTDOOR EDGE
Backup knife or replaceable blades: OUTDOOR EDGE
Nitrile Gloves
Paracord
Flagging Tape
Electrical Tape
Contractor bag
2 Gallon Zip Lock
Licenses in Waterproof Bag
Sharpie
Navigation & Communication
Trekking Poles: LEKI
Mapping app: ONX
Satellite messenger: INREACH MINI 2
Compass: SUUNTO
Power bank: FLEXTAIL ZERO
Charging cable: FLEXTAIL ZERO
Lighting
Headlamp: LAST LIGHT
Backup headlamp: FLEXTAIL ZERO
Extra Batteries
Medical & Foot Care
Basic first aid kit: ADVENTURE MEDICAL
Pain reliever
Booboo Kit
Blister Kit
Leukotape
KT Tape
Fire & Emergency Gear
Lighter
Ferro Rod: BACKBONE UNLIMITED
Fire Starter: BLACK BEARD
Emergency Bivy: BACKBONE UNLIMITED
Shelter/tarp: ONETIGRIS
Hunting Tools
Wind checker: BACKBONE UNLIMITED
Elk calls: BACKBONE UNLIMITED
Spare Rangefinder Battery
Spare Release
Optics Support
Tripod: TRICER BC
Tripod Head: TRICER
Bino adapter: TRICER
Spotting Scope, if needed: MAVEN
Phone Digiscoping Adapter: KAPTURE
Personal Items
Toilet paper: KLEENEX TRAVEL PACKS
Compressed Disposable Towels: BIG OTTERS
Snacks at 100+ Calories Per Ounce
Macadamia nuts — 200+ calories per ounce
Pecans — 190–200 calories per ounce
Walnuts — 180–190 calories per ounce
Mixed nuts — 160–180 calories per ounce
Almonds — 160–170 calories per ounce
Cashews — 155–165 calories per ounce
Shelled pistachios — 155–165 calories per ounce
Sunflower kernels — 160–170 calories per ounce
Pumpkin seeds — 150–170 calories per ounce
Peanut butter packets — 160–190 calories per ounce
Almond butter packets — 170–190 calories per ounce
Nut butter and honey packets — 140–170 calories per ounce
Dark chocolate — 150–170 calories per ounce
Peanut M&Ms — 140–160 calories per ounce
Chocolate-covered almonds — 150–170 calories per ounce
Coconut chips or flakes — 140–190 calories per ounce
Nut-heavy granola — 120–150 calories per ounce
High-calorie meal bars — 110–140 calories per ounce
Nut-butter-based protein bars — 100–130 calories per ounce
Hard cheddar cheese — 110–120 calories per ounce
Parmesan crisps or cheese crisps — 140–160 calories per ounce
Pepperoni — 130–150 calories per ounce
Salami — 110–130 calories per ounce
Summer sausage — 100–125 calories per ounce
Meat sticks — 100–130 calories per ounce
Pemmican-style bars — 150–200 calories per ounce
Flour tortilla with peanut butter — 115–140 calories per ounce
Flour tortilla with salami and cheese — 110–130 calories per ounce
Nut-heavy trail mix — 140–170 calories per ounce
Cashews with dark chocolate — 145–165 calories per ounce
Almonds with dried cranberries and chocolate — 130–155 calories per ounce
Macadamias with coconut chips — 180–200 calories per ounce
Peanut butter, honey, and tortilla wrap — 115–135 calories per ounce
Pepperoni, cheddar, and almonds — 125–145 calories per ounce
The Rule
Don’t pack gear because it looks good on a list.
Pack it because it solves one of these problems:
Can I stay warm?
Can I stay hydrated?
Can I navigate out?
Can I handle an injury?
Can I make fire?
Can I take care of meat?
Can I hunt all day without the pack becoming the reason I quit?
That’s the goal of a day hunting pack.
Pack with purpose. Every ounce should earn its place.