Some items earn a permanent place in your pack not because they get used every time, but because the one time you need them and don’t have them, it can ruin your hunt—or at the very least, your day. Here’s a field-seasoned rundown of those easy-to-forget essentials. Most of these I’ve personally left behind at one point or another... and paid the price.
You’d think this is the first thing anyone packs, and it should be. But I’ve found myself more than once assuming I had one—only to realize too late that I didn’t. Double-check this. Every. Single. Time.
Not quite a knife, but a lifeline when something breaks. Started carrying one when I began hunting off mules and quickly realized how often I needed it for quick repairs. It’s now indispensable, even on simpler hunts.
Headlamp w/ extra batteries (or a backup headlamp)
A good headlamp is as essential as a sharp blade. I’ve had to navigate back using my phone light more times than I’m proud to admit. It’s not fun. Don’t just pack it—check the batteries.
Chapstick
Call it soft if you want, but cracked lips can be misery on a multi-day hunt. I keep one in my first aid kit as insurance. Forgotten once—never again.
Sit down to glass in wet snow or rocky terrain without one and you’ll be regretting it in about three minutes. This little pad can extend glassing time and save your backside—literally.
As the years tick on, these become less of a “maybe” and more of a “must.” Especially when packing out meat or slogging up steep country. Easy to forget at the house—impossible to ignore on the trail.
I stash these deep in my pack and never take them out, so they’re always there. But be careful—if you switch packs and forget to transfer them, it’s a major oversight that can get real serious, real fast.
Power bank
Crucial on backcountry hunts where electronics come into play. GPS, phone, inReach… they all need juice. Forget the power bank, and suddenly you’re on a strict electronic diet.
inReach (or similar communication device)
In remote country—especially Alaska—this isn't optional. It’s your lifeline for pickups, changes in weather plans, or emergencies. Also gives the folks back home some peace of mind.
I prefer Nalgenes over bladders—sturdier, easier to clean, and they slow down your water consumption. Forget it, and you’re stuck with flimsy plastic or sucking air from a crusty bladder hose.
Pack rain cover
Light and easy to forget. But it’s a lifesaver when the skies open up. If there's even a chance of rain—or you're heading to wet country like Alaska—throw it in.
Versatile and worth every ounce. Great for glassing in bad weather, laying out meat, or creating a quick shelter. I bring it more often than not.
Come September in the Northwest, these get a permanent slot. You might not always need 'em, but if you do and don’t have 'em, it gets uncomfortable quick.
Neck gaiter
Small, light, and high value. A little warmth and wind protection goes a long way—especially on brisk mornings or when the wind starts cutting.
This isn’t your full gear checklist. But it is the gut-check list I go through after packing everything else. The little things can make or break a hunt—not because they’re fancy or expensive, but because they matter when it counts. Everyone has their own list of must-haves, but these are a few of mine—and every item has earned its place the hard way.
Pack smart, check twice, and don’t be the guy cutting his shirt sleeves off because he forgot toilet paper.
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