stuff you wont hunt without

[wrenchman]

in most hunting camps here in the states tradition and things that could be considered good luck charms go hand in hand like using the same knife that was gifted or swearing by the same rifle even if you might have a newer model or one perceived better my two things are I take the same model 700 in 270 and a buck 100 both 40 years old and they are with me when the sun comes up opening day.
I was wondering if you guys had the same thing in hunting camps some guys will hunt the same spot opening of the hunting season like that's just the way it has to happen.
one of the things I did think was a real tear jerker was the guys that would bring the friends boots to camp that passed away years ago and his son would show up for hunting camp.

[Wapiti]

No sentimental stuff for me mate, although
I will pick a rifle that is either suitable for what I'm going after and whatever I feel is keeping me interested. Something that separates the distastefulness of pest control from the pleasures of a nice hunting rifle in a beautiful place and time.

Other than that, I ALWAYS carry a satellite-system based emergency beacon, and a simple first aid kit that can handle holes poked in people or bones sticking out of skin.
That is, (and I've revised this),
1. 2 rolls of stretchy Elastoplast tape (not footy players strapping tape or duct tape, it doesn't stretch and you could lose a limb) However duct tape is a very useful survival item
2. One soft splint capable of supporting a limb
3. A few torniquets, the type with the tightening/loosening one-handed design
4. Large folded strong commercial linen sling, folded.
5. A few 4" and 6" wound dressings in sterile packets - can be cut to any size or plug a hole. A dirty shirt or rag can (and often does) introduce infection organisms that result in "colonisation" and super-infections that can result in amputations. Or worse. Old rags are for unprepared emergencies only, when nobody has thought ahead.
My wife has told me about so many people who lost limbs or lives from dirty dressings later.
6. Morphine based pain killers - without them pain will stop you communicating properly for help
I don't think people realise how the pain of a broken leg can render a person completely unable to talk properly, and that's tough guys.
7. A few long finger bandaids, takes up no space
8. Multi-tool with scissors, knife that you keep razor sharp and a needle-nosed set of pliers in it for use as powerful tweezers
8. AND a phone, if you are in a place that the Telstra shareholders consider it a money-making enterprise enough to have a phone tower there.

All of that will fit into a small Ridgeline bumbag's centre compartment and weighs SFA, so there is no excuse, except for a lack of the survival gene.
And, my list if from my own unfortunate incidences, not from a SSAA magazine column.

Yes, boring... ho hum. But the day you need this you will be glad you don't just carry around the latest go-fast show-off gear, this stuff doesn't impress anyone who hasn't ever needed it and unfortunately means it's always never thought about. Because incidents happen to people on the news, not real people right.

[bladeracer]

6. Morphine based pain killers - without them pain will stop you communicating properly for help
I don't think people realise how the pain of a broken leg can render a person completely unable to talk properly, and that's tough guys.

Yep, severe pain can wipe you out completely.
Talk to your doctor about getting a couple of Endone for your FAK. I reckon I could crawl out of the bush with two broken femurs with an Endone in me.
I don't like how I come out of opiate anesthetics, and tell the hospital staff every time, but for years they kept giving them to me, despite the red wrist band. But they gave me an Endone a few years ago and it removed all my pain, without knocking me out. The only minor side effect, according to Rose, is that I couldn't stop bloody talking until it wore off