Start Your DIY Hunts with the Right Gear

Backcountry bowhunting is a rite of passage in today’s bowhunting community. Truth be told, many feel it’s the only way to hunt, and with today’s outfitted hunts increasingly costing an arm, leg and your firstborn, a DIY adventure is the best and only option for many.

Obviously, a western bowhunt is the first destination we think of when planning a DIY hunt. The West is where I started carrying a bow more than 25 years ago, and it’s where I will continue to go when I want to tackle a true DIY adventure on a budget. The fact is, it’s hard to beat the anticipation and excitement a hunt like this offers. And when you walk off the mountain with one less arrow in your quiver and some hard-earned success on your back, it doesn’t get any better.

Needless to say, these adventures are hard on equipment. Rugged terrain coupled with long hours and long miles can put a hurting on your hunting arsenal. Fortunately, there is no shortage of gear options from which to choose, and perhaps one of the first items we need to check off the list is a quality pack.

Mystery Ranch needs no introduction in the hunting pack space, and the latest generation of the Metcalf ($519-$579) series is just one of the many reasons why. Available in 50-, 75- and 100-liter configurations, these packs are designed to meet the demands of multi-day excursions, as well as day trips when you’re not going far from camp. Constructed with rugged 330D LP Cordura, they are tough as nails, and with the updated Ultra Light MT Frame that’s now wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, weight is minimized while still maximizing its load-bearing capacity for hauling out the goods. Like previous models, the Metcalf has a removable lid and side zip for easy access, but it now also incorporates a new roll-top closure. The interior of the Metcalf sports multiple hanging loops for hanging Mystery Ranch’s Zoid Bags for organization, and with the multiple compression straps, load shift is minimized when packing in.

Another pack perfect for those excursions close to home is the 2,250-cubic-inch Hellbender ($485) from Kifaru. Like all of Kifaru’s packs, the Hellbender has a tough-as-nails design and features multiple internal and external pockets with the ability to accept additional pouches. And with the required external frame, hauling your hard-earned success is made a little easier and more comfortable with the Xpac load sling and fully adjustable harness system.

Browning is another company that needs no introduction, and the Monroe 3600 ($349.99) pack is certainly worth a look this season. Offering 3,600 cubic inches of pack space, with multiple pockets to organize gear, it has a dry weight of just over 5 pounds and is constructed with a durable 500D nylon shell and a 100-percent carbon fiber removable frame. As a bonus, the Monroe is equipped with a load shelf for hauling out game and a fully adjustable harness system for optimized fit and comfort. Other notable features are durable Duraflex buckles and YKK zippers, a built-in hydration pocket, an adjustable lumbar pad and an adjustable rifle/bow carrier.

Thinking outside the box in design and functionality, ALPS OutdoorZ has launched the new Adapt ($99.99) bino harness this season. Built with the bowhunter in mind, the Adapt is the latest addition to the DEADQUIET lineup and designed with ultra-quiet fabrics that are highly water-resistant and durable. Its ambidextrous, four-point, sling-style design allows it to be worn tight to your chest like traditional bino harnesses, or at your side or back. Molle webbing also allows you to add ALPS accessories such as the Ember handwarmer, new Vision rangefinder case or Talon holster.

Anything stamped with the LaCrosse brand is always a solid performer, and the Ursa ES GTX ($250) is just another example. Designed with the early-season hunter in mind, these 100-percent waterproof gems are built to handle the most punishing conditions with uppers combining suede with a lightweight, abrasion-resistant nylon capped with a polyurethane-coated leather mudguard for added durability. The molded PU footbed, coupled with a lightweight EVA midsole and Vibram outsole, delivers shock absorption and traction during those grueling backcountry hunts, while the Bi-Fit stability board evenly distributes weight to help fight foot fatigue and enhance comfort.

Although known for its Mountain Extreme hunting boots that are a can't-miss pick for anything out West, Kenetrek also offers a new lighter, more nimble option. The Bridger High Hiker ($355) is a blended hiker/hunting boot that offers a level of support like no other in its weight class. Its padded collar completely wraps your ankle for support and protection, while the supportive footbed with weight-bearing, full-length nylon midsoles provides the comfort needed on long days in the field. Highly breathable and waterproof with the Windtex flexible membrane, the Bridger also sports Kenetrek’s signature rubber rand for added durability and the KT-light outsole to ensure solid traction in both the backcountry and back 40.

Building on 70 years of boot-building success, Irish Setter raises the bar with the new VaprTrek ($189.99) this season. Designed for long-lasting durability and comfort, it’s constructed with a blend of full-grain leather and abrasion-resistant fabric uppers with a Rubber Hex Lite outsole with multi-direction lugs that extend up around the toe box for additional durability. Both lightweight and comfortable, its Armatec TPU heel also adds to the durability, and for enhanced support, Irish Setter added internal and external ankle pods and an energy-returning EVA footbed that minimizes foot fatigue. To ensure your feet stay dry and foot funk is kept at bay, Irish Setter also incorporated UltraDry waterproofing with ScentBan technology.

A bivy setup is always a good option when you want to keep it light and compact on DIY adventures, and the Helium Bivy ($225) from Outdoor Research fits the bill. Incredibly quick to set up and even quicker to pack when you need to hoof it, it comes in at just over 15 ounces, which is 14 percent lighter than the previous generation. It’s designed with a Pertex Shield Diamond Fuse 2.5L 30D Ripstop nylon shell with a 40D TPU-laminated floor, making it waterproof and durable.

If you want to cut the weight and still have plenty of room to stretch out, Stone Glacier has you covered with the SkyAir ULT ($170). Made for the minimalist, it has a trail weight of 8 ounces and a footprint of 27-32 square feet with a center height up to 47 inches. It can also be paired with additional comforts such as a mesh insert to keep the bugs at bay and a vestibule to store gear.

Another lightweight shelter option is the three-season Summit Star ($506) from KUIU. A brand proven to be synonymous with quality, this one-person shelter is constructed with durable, high-stretch 15D silicone/PU-Coated Micro Ripstop nylon fabric with fully taped seams and features a large integrated vestibule for storing gear. Offering 43 square feet of floor space, it’s just the right size for the solo bowhunter, and at just over a pound, it’s just the right weight as well.

Nothing has impacted the DIY bowhunter more than the online mapping tools we have at our fingertips today, and onX and its onX Hunt ($34.99-$99.99) are certainly at the top of the food chain. Besides the must-have topo maps and aerial images with 3-D capabilities that let us save, share and navigate in and around public and private dirt, onX Hunt also offers tree species and habitat layers features, as well as optimal wind, weather and barometric pressure features to help plan your hunt. These features, plus a whole lot more, make onX an indispensable tool.

HuntStand’s HuntStand App ($29.99-$69.99) is another digital mapping option for today’s DIY bowhunter. Although designed for the whitetail hunter, many of its features also can be used for western big game. It combines advanced mapping and premium satellite layers that are updated regularly, as well as dozens of other useful features such as wind direction and speed, trail-camera management and weather tools.

Knives are a must for the DIY bowhunter, and although there are a ton of options, quality should not be overlooked when it’s time to head into the backcountry. With more than 130 years of history, Ontario Knife Company has built a solid reputation with the SPL Pack Knife ($169.95) as one of the latest examples. Its 3.9-inch ultra-sharp Magnacut blade features a tested drop-point design with a highly visible orange G10 contoured handle. The total package is right at 8 inches long and it comes with a matching orange sheath with a snap-lock closure.

You might be able to scrimp on some DIY backcountry gear, but a headlamp shouldn’t be one of them. Peax’s Backcountry Duo ($95) has a rugged 6061 machined aluminum housing with 1,000 lumens of the highest performing single-die LED on the market. Its rechargeable 3600 mAh battery lasts up to 69 hours and also features a bright ULTRA RED light when you need to slip in without spooking game.

Using water as a barrier can be the DIY bowhunter’s best friend when you're trying to create some distance from other hunters, and when you need your navigation options light and portable, Kokopelli offers the XPD ($799) inflatable raft. Coming in at just 14 pounds, it’s designed with 1000D reinforced PVC material and rolls up to fit into a medium-sized pack. Plus, with a 300-pound carrying capacity, it can haul out game as well.

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