Gear List: Spring Bear Hunting

Gear List: Spring Bear Hunting

Spring has crept out from the frigid slumber of winter here in the West and hunts have started to fire off, specifically for bears. This gear list in particular was built for a 3-day backpacking spring bear hunt out in Montana and Wyoming. One thing to note is that once the snow melts off and water is plentiful, a stove-less food system would often be utilized which is reflected in this list.

By Kenneth Thrall | Kifaru

A backpack with a dog inside in a lake

PACK

  • Kifaru Bedlam  
  • Accessories - Medium Belt Pouch, Claymore Lid, Water Bottle Pocket 

WORN-IN CLOTHING

  • Underwear - Saxx Quest Long Boxer 
  • Pants - Born Primitive Frontier Heavyweights 
  • Base layer - Born Primitive Ridgeline  
  • Mid-Layer - Born Primitive Quiver Fleece 
  • Socks - Darn Tough 2012 
  • Belt - Marsupial belt 
  • Watch - Garmin Fenix 6 

FOOTWEAR

  • Crispi Boots - Lapponia ll/ insulated Nevada Legends 
  • Insoles - Sheepfeet 
  • Gaiters - Outdoor Research Crocodiles    

PACKED CLOTHING

  • Outdoor Research Ferrosi 
  • Kifaru Lost Park Parka Full Zip
  • Outdoor Research Coldfront Mittens 
  • Outdoor Research Backstop Sensor Gloves 
  • Beanie - Kifaru Minus 33 

OPTICS

  • Binoculars - Ziess Victory SF 10x42 
  • Bino Harness - Kifaru Medium Harness  
  • Rangefinder - Sig Sauer Kilo8K 
  • Spotting Scope - Swarovski 80mm ATS 20x60 
  • Spotting Scope Cover - Marsupial Angled Spotting scope cover 
  • Tripod - Sirui T-024 
  • Pan Head - Sirui VA-5 
  • Bino Adapter - Swarovski Universal Adapter 
  • Digiscope - Ollin Company 

SLEEP SYSTEM

  • Shelter - Hilleberg Akto 1 person tent 
  • Sleeping bag - Kifaru slick 20 Degree 
  • Sleeping Pad - Klymit Insulated Static V  
  • Pillow - Nemo Fillo 

OTHER GEAR

  • Tarp - Kifaru Sheep Tarp 
  • Cord - 20 Ft 5/50 Cord 
  • Trekking Pole - MTNGEAR Mtn Stick 
  • Wind Check - Milkweed 
  • Battery Pack - Energy Poseidon 
  • Waders - Wiggys Lightweight hip waders 

KILL KIT

  • Game Bags - Kifaru Hybrid kit 
  • Knife - Hammer and Spear Nomad  
  • Knife - Kifaru Tyto 
  • Replaceable Blades - x5 60A Replaceable blades 
  • Hunting License - Kifaru Backcountry Wallet 
  • X1 Contractor Garbage Bag 

SAFETY KIT

  • Headlamp - Husky Rechargeable 650 Lumen 
  • Headlamp (spare) - Black Diamond Astro 300 Lumen 
  • Fire Starter - Vaseline Cotton Balls 
  • Med Kit - Bandages, sew kit, Ibuprofen, etc 
  • Wet Wipes - Dude Wipes 

WEAPON

  • Rifle - Viking Armament 7 PRC 
  • Rifle Scope - Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x44 
  • Bipod - MTNGEAR Mountain Bipod 
  • Ammo - Hornady Precision Hunter 175 Gr ELDX 
  • Scope Cover - Marsupial Scope Cover 
Tent in a snowy land

COOK KIT / STOVE-LESS

  • Spoon - MSR Folding Spoon 

WATER

  • Bottle - Kifaru 32 oz Nalgene 
  • Water purification - SteriPen Classic 
  • Water Purification (back up) - Aquatabs 
  • Water Storage - MSR 6L Dromlite 

FOOD / HYDRATION

  • Backpack Logistics 
  • Alpine Ranch
  • Condition One Bars 
  • LMNT Hydration 
  • Wilderness Athlete - Hydrate and Recover/Energy and Focus 

If time allows, spring and summer are the best times to test out or change up your gear in preparation for more intensive fall hunts. The last thing you want, both in the physical and financial aspect, is to get into big game season and find out a piece of gear you have is lacking. Having faith in the gear on your back is something not to be overlooked when making gear list decisions. Always remember that gear lists necessary for backpack hunting will fluctuate based on variables like weather, state, and length of stay.

Continue reading

How To Hunt Spring Bears

How To Hunt Spring Bears

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How To Choose The Right Hunting Pack For You