See every item he carries in his refined list for late-season hunts
Photo credit: Brady Miller
Another fall is here, and as always, that means another one of my gear lists. This article is all about my upcoming late-season backcountry-style mule deer hunts. There are just a few small tweaks here and there that I made for 2022, but nothing major has changed.
I want to start off by saying that the gear I use is just what works well for me. I will never say you "need to use the gear I use to be successful." I get a lot of comments each year about my list that people enjoy them. And my entire goal for sharing my gear lists for each hunt is to help people. I've made a lot of mistakes backpacking in the mountains early on in my life, and so I don't want people to experience those. My struggles in the past, are a way to help people going forward. And so these gear lists are a way to show what has worked for me. Because if I don't trust something, I will not use it. Yes, you don't need a super heavy weapon, you don't need a ton of weight in optics, but for me, it's just something that works well. This gear list is based around a full backpack-style hunt, so this is everything I'm carrying in my pack. And my late season, I hope to experience snow and lots of cold temperatures. Which is why there is a need for some extra gear.
The reason I personally do gear lists for every hunt is simple... I want to know that I don't leave anything behind and to see if there is anything I need to add or even subtract from my gear. As most know, when I'm getting ready for a hunt, I create a personalized gear list well in advance. I why always tell people to take all their gear and place it on the floor and look through it several times to ensure you have everything and to see what you could live without. I always keep my gear lists in both a Google Sheet that I can access from my phone and I also have a custom Excel spreadsheet I built several years ago that I linked in some previous articles for people to download and work off of that I also create for every hunt.
NOTE: If you want to access my downloadable Excel file, you can jump over to the Insider only gear list article linked below:
A few notable items that have always been in my gear list have been removed for this year. I decided to leave my Aquamira water purification drops at home, and I elected not to take a pillow this year. The pillow... it just seems to never stay put in my sleeping back since I'm already at the max height of the bag. So the pillow usually ends up not under my head at night, and thus, it is a wasted item.
As always, I'm an open book. If anyone has any questions about the gear I'm using on my upcoming late-season mule deer hunts, I'd be more than willing to dive in and explain a few things. If you have an upcoming mule deer hunt planned or are looking at one down the road in the future, have fun and enjoy the time on the mountain.
Item | Tarp |
|---|---|
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 11.50 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
|---|---|---|
Tarp | 11.50 |
Item | Boots |
|---|---|
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 88.4 |
Item | Insoles |
Model | SheepFeet Full-Length Custom Orthotic Insole(Heel Stabilizer & Double Cushioning) |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
|---|---|---|
Boots | 88.4 | |
Insoles | SheepFeet Full-Length Custom Orthotic Insole(Heel Stabilizer & Double Cushioning) |
Item | Stove |
|---|---|
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 6.60 |
Item | Fuel |
Model | Jetboil Jetpower 100g Fuel Canister |
Weight (oz) | 7.00 |
Item | Spork |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 0.30 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
|---|---|---|
Stove | 6.60 | |
Fuel | Jetboil Jetpower 100g Fuel Canister | 7.00 |
Spork | 0.30 |
Item | Water |
|---|---|
Model | |
Weight (oz) | (filled with 2 liters of water) |
78.00 | |
Item | Water Bottle |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 6.20 |
Item | Water Purification |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 4.20 |
Item | Water Purification |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 2.52 |
Item | Water Container |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 4.80 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) | |
|---|---|---|---|
Water | (filled with 2 liters of water) | 78.00 | |
Water Bottle | 6.20 | ||
Water Purification | 4.20 | ||
Water Purification | 2.52 | ||
Water Container | 4.80 |
Item | Gear Bag |
|---|---|
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 1.80 |
Item | Knife |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 1.01 |
Item | Replaceable Blades |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 0.50 |
Item | Knife |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 2.80 |
Item | Hunting License |
Model | All Required Licenses |
Weight (oz) | 0.28 |
Item | Lighter |
Model | Large Bic Lighter W/Lukotape |
Weight (oz) | 0.70 |
Item | Lighter |
Model | Small Bic Lighter (Backup) |
Weight (oz) | 0.40 |
Item | Tape |
Model | Small Roll Of Electrical Tape |
Weight (oz) | 0.80 |
Item | Pills |
Model | Salt Pills, Advil |
Weight (oz) | 1.50 |
Item | Game Bags |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 9.50 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
|---|---|---|
Gear Bag | 1.80 | |
Knife | 1.01 | |
Replaceable Blades | 0.50 | |
Knife | 2.80 | |
Hunting License | All Required Licenses | 0.28 |
Lighter | Large Bic Lighter W/Lukotape | 0.70 |
Lighter | Small Bic Lighter (Backup) | 0.40 |
Tape | Small Roll Of Electrical Tape | 0.80 |
Pills | Salt Pills, Advil | 1.50 |
Game Bags | 9.50 |
Item | Gear Bag |
|---|---|
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 1.00 |
Item | Dust Blower |
Model | Optics Dust Blower |
Weight (oz) | 1.60 |
Item | Lens Wipes |
Model | Zeiss Lens Wipes x 4 |
Weight (oz) | 0.32 |
Item | Lens Pen |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 0.554 |
Item | Charge Cord |
Model | iPhone Charge Cord |
Weight (oz) | 0.65 |
Item | Charge Cord |
Model | Micro USB Cord For Headlamp & Sat Messenger |
Weight (oz) | 0.20 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
|---|---|---|
Gear Bag | 1.00 | |
Dust Blower | Optics Dust Blower | 1.60 |
Lens Wipes | Zeiss Lens Wipes x 4 | 0.32 |
Lens Pen | 0.554 | |
Charge Cord | iPhone Charge Cord | 0.65 |
Charge Cord | Micro USB Cord For Headlamp & Sat Messenger | 0.20 |
Item | Satellite Messenger |
|---|---|
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 3.90 |
Item | Headlamp |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 4.20 |
Item | Headlamp (Spare) |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 3.97 |
Item | Tooth Brush & Paste |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 0.70 |
Item | First Aid |
Model | Assorted First Aid Kit in aLOKSAK bag |
Weight (oz) | 1.40 |
Item | Fire Starter |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 2.563 |
Item | Fire Starter (Spare) |
Model | Esbit 1300-Degree Smokeless Solid 14g Fuel Tablets |
Weight (oz) | -- |
Item | Toilet Paper |
Model | Toilet Paper in ZipLoc Bag |
Weight (oz) | 0.99 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
|---|---|---|
Satellite Messenger | 3.90 | |
Headlamp | 4.20 | |
Headlamp (Spare) | 3.97 | |
Tooth Brush & Paste | 0.70 | |
First Aid | Assorted First Aid Kit in aLOKSAK bag | 1.40 |
Fire Starter | 2.563 | |
Fire Starter (Spare) | Esbit 1300-Degree Smokeless Solid 14g Fuel Tablets | -- |
Toilet Paper | Toilet Paper in ZipLoc Bag | 0.99 |
Item | Backpack |
|---|---|
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 96.0 |
Item | Pack Rain Cover |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 3.50 |
Item | Weapon Holder |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 2.10 |
Item | Camera Holder |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 3.80 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
|---|---|---|
Backpack | 96.0 | |
Pack Rain Cover | 3.50 | |
Weapon Holder | 2.10 | |
Camera Holder | 3.80 |
Item | Rain Jacket |
|---|---|
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 12.10 |
Item | Rain Pant |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 11.10 |
Item | Mid Layer |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 15.40 |
Item | Softshell Jacket |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 13.80 |
Item | Insulation Top |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 18.60 |
Item | Insulation Bottom |
Model | SITKA Kelvin Lite Pant - Open Country - (L) |
Weight (oz) | 20.30 |
Item | Beanie |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 3.00 |
Item | Gloves |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 6.50 |
Item | Mittens |
Model | SITKA Blizzard GTX Mittens (Just The Liner) - Open Country (XL) |
Weight (oz) | 4.20 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
|---|---|---|
Rain Jacket | 12.10 | |
Rain Pant | 11.10 | |
Mid Layer | 15.40 | |
Softshell Jacket | 13.80 | |
Insulation Top | 18.60 | |
Insulation Bottom | SITKA Kelvin Lite Pant - Open Country - (L) | 20.30 |
Beanie | 3.00 | |
Gloves | 6.50 | |
Mittens | SITKA Blizzard GTX Mittens (Just The Liner) - Open Country (XL) | 4.20 |
Item | Rifle |
|---|---|
Model | Browning X-Bolt Long Range 300 RUM W/McMillan A3-5 ADJ Stock |
Weight (oz) | 229.20 |
Item | Muzzle Brake |
Model | Snowy Mountain Rifles 30 Cal Snowflake Self Timing Titanium 3 Port Brake (5/8-24) |
Item | Riflescope |
Model | |
Item | Riflescope Rings |
Model | |
Item | Picatinny Rail |
Model | Talley 20 MOA Picatinny Rail For Browning X-Bolt |
Item | Scope Level |
Model | Flatline Ops Patriot Plus Level (34mm) |
Item | Two round holder |
Model | |
Item | Bipod |
Model | MDT Ckye-Pod Gen2 Single Pull Standard |
Item | Bipod Rail |
Model | Unknown Munitions The Hunters Rail - Short |
Item | Ammo |
Model | Personal Handloads = Barnes 208 LRX BT Bullet, ADG Brass,Federal Match 215 Primers, H1000 powder = 10 rounds |
Weight (oz) | -- |
Item | Rear Support |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 4.37 |
Item | Rifle Cover |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 4.83 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
|---|---|---|
Rifle | Browning X-Bolt Long Range 300 RUM W/McMillan A3-5 ADJ Stock | 229.20 |
Muzzle Brake | Snowy Mountain Rifles 30 Cal Snowflake Self Timing Titanium 3 Port Brake (5/8-24) | |
Riflescope | ||
Riflescope Rings | ||
Picatinny Rail | Talley 20 MOA Picatinny Rail For Browning X-Bolt | |
Scope Level | Flatline Ops Patriot Plus Level (34mm) | |
Two round holder | ||
Bipod | MDT Ckye-Pod Gen2 Single Pull Standard | |
Bipod Rail | Unknown Munitions The Hunters Rail - Short | |
Ammo | Personal Handloads = Barnes 208 LRX BT Bullet, ADG Brass,Federal Match 215 Primers, H1000 powder = 10 rounds | -- |
Rear Support | 4.37 | |
Rifle Cover | 4.83 |
Item | Shelter |
|---|---|
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 24.90 |
Item | Shelter Pole |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 8.10 |
Item | Guyline Cordage |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | -- |
Item | Guyline Accessories |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | -- |
Item | Shelter Compression Sack |
Model | Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Compression Sack (XXS) |
Weight (oz) | 1.30 |
Item | Shelter Pole |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 10.30 |
Item | Stove |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 17.60 |
Item | Stove Pipe |
Model | Seek Outside 7.5' Stove Pipe |
Weight (oz) | 16.40 |
Item | Shelter Stakes |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 6.20 |
Item | Ground Sheet |
Model | Tyvek Sheet |
Weight (oz) | 5.10 |
Item | Sleeping Bag |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 34.70 |
Item | Compression Sack |
Model | Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Compression Sack - Size: S |
Weight (oz) | 2.20 |
Item | Sleeping Pad |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 11.40 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
|---|---|---|
Shelter | 24.90 | |
Shelter Pole | 8.10 | |
Guyline Cordage | -- | |
Guyline Accessories | -- | |
Shelter Compression Sack | Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Compression Sack (XXS) | 1.30 |
Shelter Pole | 10.30 | |
Stove | 17.60 | |
Stove Pipe | Seek Outside 7.5' Stove Pipe | 16.40 |
Shelter Stakes | 6.20 | |
Ground Sheet | Tyvek Sheet | 5.10 |
Sleeping Bag | 34.70 | |
Compression Sack | Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Compression Sack - Size: S | 2.20 |
Sleeping Pad | 11.40 |
Item | Top (Wicking) |
|---|---|
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 7.70 |
Item | Bottoms (Outer) |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 28.10 |
Item | Belt |
Model | SITKA Stealth Belt |
Weight (oz) | 2.50 |
Item | Gloves |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 4.40 |
Item | Hat (Hiking) |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 3.20 |
Item | Underwear |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 3.10 |
Item | Watch |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 3.00 |
Item | Socks (Hiking) |
Model | Darn Tough Merino Hunter Boot Full Cushion 2012 - (XL) |
Weight (oz) | 3.10 |
Item | Leg Gaiter |
Model | PEAX Storm Castle Gaiters - (L/XL) |
Weight (oz) | 11.00 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
|---|---|---|
Top (Wicking) | 7.70 | |
Bottoms (Outer) | 28.10 | |
Belt | SITKA Stealth Belt | 2.50 |
Gloves | 4.40 | |
Hat (Hiking) | 3.20 | |
Underwear | 3.10 | |
Watch | 3.00 | |
Socks (Hiking) | Darn Tough Merino Hunter Boot Full Cushion 2012 - (XL) | 3.10 |
Leg Gaiter | PEAX Storm Castle Gaiters - (L/XL) | 11.00 |
Item | Spotting Scope Eyepiece |
|---|---|
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 49.60 |
Item | Spotting Scope Objective |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 78.20 |
Item | Tripod Plate |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 1.60 |
Item | Digiscope Setup |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | -- |
Item | Digiscope Setup |
Model | Magview Phone Plate W/Phone Case |
Weight (oz) | 1.50 |
Item | Binoculars |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 36.10 |
Item | Harness |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 15.10 |
Item | Rangefinder |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 8.50 |
Item | Rangefinder Battery(Extra) |
Model | Energizer Lithium CR2 |
Weight (oz) | -- |
Item | Rangefinder Case |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 2.50 |
Item | Bino Adapter |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 0.387 |
Item | Tripod |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 37.00 |
Item | Pan Head |
Model | Sirui VA-5 Ultra-Compact Fluid Head (Stock Handle Removed) |
Weight (oz) | 17.75 |
Item | Pan Head Handle |
Model | |
Weight (oz) | 0.562 |
Item | Digiscope Setup |
Model | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
Weight (oz) | 8.30 |
Item | Model | Weight (oz) |
|---|---|---|
Spotting Scope Eyepiece | 49.60 | |
Spotting Scope Objective | 78.20 | |
Tripod Plate | 1.60 | |
Digiscope Setup | -- | |
Digiscope Setup | Magview Phone Plate W/Phone Case | 1.50 |
Binoculars | 36.10 | |
Harness | 15.10 | |
Rangefinder | 8.50 | |
Rangefinder Battery(Extra) | Energizer Lithium CR2 | -- |
Rangefinder Case | 2.50 | |
Bino Adapter | 0.387 | |
Tripod | 37.00 | |
Pan Head | Sirui VA-5 Ultra-Compact Fluid Head (Stock Handle Removed) | 17.75 |
Pan Head Handle | 0.562 | |
Digiscope Setup | iPhone 12 Pro Max | 8.30 |
