Spring is in the air and the panic pack has begun—you know what I’m talking about.
Pacing throughout the house, talking to yourself, stuffing anything and everything into your tote or pack that you think you may even remotely need during a hunt away from home.
To help remedy this, I take a few minutes and write everything down. Below is my go-to backpack list for day trips or bivy hunting when I’ve got my pack on my back all day.
Calls
Here are my go-to calls for spring bears:
Predator Calls:
https://phelpsgamecalls.com/collections/predator-calls
Phelps PCR3 – Bear Cub in Distress
Bears are on the prowl, and a bear cub in distress call can be deadly.
Male bears are attracted to this sound for a couple of reasons. Oftentimes, they will kill cubs to trigger the female’s reproductive cycle so they can gain breeding rights. This distress sound signals opportunity—either for breeding or an easy meal.
Phelps PCR1 – Fawn/Jack
Bears are always hungry, and the sound of a fawn or jackrabbit will get them moving your way.
EZ1, E-Z-Estrus, & Diaphragms – Calf Elk in Distress
Around Memorial Day weekend, calf elk start hitting the ground—and hungry bears will be close by.
I like using a variety of elk calls to create that frantic, high-pitched distress sound. Open reed cow elk calls like the E-Z-Estrus do a great job, along with a diaphragm or the Phelps EZ1 cow call. All three create authentic calf sounds.
I’ll carry all three throughout the spring while prospecting for bears.
Optics
- Leupold BX-6
Rifle Setup
- Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT 7PRC
- Leupold VX-6 3-18x44
IA3K Pack – Day Trips
My day trip pack is lighter than what I run for backpack hunts since I’m not carrying a sleep system, stove, or freeze-dried meals.
Kill Kit
- Buck 663 Alpha Guide Elite Knife
- Worksharp pocket knife sharpener
- 50’ paracord
- Synthetic meat bags
- 2 large (elk quarter) bags
- Plastic drop cloth
- 2 pairs nitrile gloves
- Roll of orange ribbon
Gear
- Anker battery pack
- 2x Peax LED headlamps
- Small LED handheld flashlight
- Matches
- Fire starter
First Aid Kit
- Gauze
- Tourniquet
- Bandages
- Super Glue (for cuts)
- Benadryl
- Ibuprofen
- Band-Aids
- Allergy meds
- Leukotape (blisters & bandaging)
Clothing & Tools
- Peax trekking poles
- First Lite Stormlight Ultralight rain jacket
- First Lite North Range puffy jacket
Navigation & Essentials
- Garmin InReach Mini
Food
- Breakfast & dinner at camp
- Lunch:
- 2x bagel/meat sandwiches (one for lunch, one for evening)
- Jerky & pepperoni sticks
- Wasabi almonds
- Dried mixed fruit (mango, blueberries, strawberries)
Hydration
- Sawyer Squeeze water filter
- Drifter Hydration system
Protection
- Pistol & bear spray (grizzly country)
- Springfield Armory .40 S&W (subcompact)
IA5K Bivy Pack – 4 Days / 3 Nights
Sleep System
- Big Agnes Copper Spur tent
- Peax Solace 15° Chilkoot sleeping bag
- Big Agnes Q-Core SLX insulated pad
- Sea to Summit Aeros inflatable pillow
Kill Kit
(Same as Day Pack)
Clothing
- 1 extra pair First Lite merino socks
- 1 extra pair First Lite merino underwear
Gear
- Anker battery pack
- 2x Peax LED headlamps
- Small LED flashlight
- Matches
- Fire starter
First Aid & Hygiene
- Gauze
- Tourniquet
- Bandages
- Super Glue
- Benadryl
- Ibuprofen
- Band-Aids
- Allergy meds
- Leukotape
- Antiperspirant
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
Clothing & Tools
- Peax trekking poles
- First Lite Stormlight rain jacket
- First Lite Brooks Down Puffy Sweater
Navigation
- Garmin InReach Mini
Food (4 Days)
Breakfast (x4)
- Oatmeal
- Bagel
- Redmond Re-Lyte
- 1 “Hydration” packet
- 1 “Energy” packet
Lunch (x4)
- Jerky & pepperoni sticks
- Almonds
- Dried mixed fruit
Dinner (x4)
- Peak Refuel meals
Hydration
- Sawyer Squeeze water filter
- Drifter Hydration system
- Nalgene bottle (for electrolytes)
Protection
- Pistol & bear spray (grizzly country)
- Springfield Armory .40 S&W (subcompact)
Final Thoughts
If you’re like me, you’ll quickly figure out what gear you actually use—and what just adds weight.
I’m constantly purging items from my pack that don’t get used. But there are two things I won’t ever cut:
- First aid kit
- Rain gear
If there’s even a chance of rain or something going wrong, those stay.
The key is simple: only carry what you’ll actually use to stay safe and comfortable.
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