By no means am I being paid for these recommendations, strictly my own opinion on what gear to have and use after years of trial and error.
Car camping is great, you don’t have to worry about weight. That said, you should still review weights, and purchase as light of equipment as you can comfortably afford. It will pay dividends later as you see what works best for your experience and what doesn’t. Get an idea of what you want / need, and shop around for best price. This is a short list of recommendations.
Tent – depending on number of people or size of space available.
https://www.kelty.com/tents-shelters/
http://www.kuiu.com/hunting-tents/
Sleeping bag –
Sleeping mat –
LOTS to choose from – http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/Sleeping-Pads/category/cat100852
Stove –
I like to have one of these at camp, and one of these in the pack.
Cookware –
These are great for at camp, I also like to have one of these available.
Camp chairs –
I prefer something similar to this over the cloth chairs, works better on uneven ground and holds up to wear and tear better.
Coolers –
If hunting you will need at least 1 if not 2 100+ qt coolers
https://www.yeti.com/hard-coolers/tundra-105-cooler/YT105.html
Food – if going for 4 days, take enough food for 7 and so on
I prefer a mix of MRE’s and mountain house meals
Clothing –
Layer upon layer for all conditions
Cold weather
Wet weather
Base layers / insulation
Scent protective
Camouflage
Hunter orange
Water – depending on time of year, take at least 1-2 gallons of water per person per day
Rope –
I prefer military 550 cord. It is lightweight, and plenty of tensile strength for almost any need.
Tools –
Hatchet
Axe – though not as much need, as you can no longer cut up firewood for camp fires, but good for emergency situations
Knife – everyday carry knife works, or have several others
Vehicles tools – enough to complete minor repairs or fixes while out in the field.
Extra fuel for stoves
Recovery strap
Tarp
Tree saw –
Extra fuel for vehicle – I prefer these for gas / other cans
Self Defense weapon
Comforts –
Lights –
Headlamp – pic up an additional headlamp – have spares of spares
Camp –
Goal Zero Solar panel
Nalgene bottes –
At least 3, 1 used for drinking, 1 used to store hot water (rotated between 2 remaining) in sleeping bag overnight
Keeps bag warmer, provides unfrozen drinking water in the morning
Ear plugs or ear muffs –
For sleeping, you are probably used to heater, fan, or white noise overnight while you sleep, if you go high enough, you get no sound but wind and animals, and will make you stir crazy.
Melatonin tablets – see previous bullet point item
Hunting pack –
http://www.badlandspacks.com/gear/packs
http://www.kuiu.com/hunting-backpacks-packs/
http://www.alpsoutdoorz.com/products/packs
I use this one
Hunting pack inventory
Knife – Also need some kind of fixed blade knife.
Knife sharpener – or similar small handheld sharpener
Headlamp – or something similar
Water bladder – I use a 3L camelback
Food –
Survival gear –
Survival blanket
Mirror
Matches / firesteel / quick light tinder
Water purification – Iodine tablets / lifestraw / SteriPen
Spares –
Batteries for headlamp
Calls –
Bull bugle
Cow call
Clothing –
Beanie hat
Gloves – lightweight or heavyweight depending on weather
Layering clothes
Spare socks
Other –
Rangefinder –
Another resource when shopping for gear would be Dvor
This is my normal list when I head up the mountain. Not saying you should take everything but the list should help you get an idea of what you should take up with you.
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