3 Must-Have Tools For Extended Hunting Trips

Hunters and anglers spend $76 billion a year on gear, excise taxes and various permits and licenses, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Firearms, tree stands/ground blinds and a good all-purpose knife are the essentials for a day trip into the wild.

But those going on an extended getaway, such as a 10-day Dall sheep hunt in remote Canada or a Rocky Mountain adventure in the States, need to account for both the known and the unknown. Preparation is key to an unfettered, memorable trip. These items will ensure you’re ready for anything.

BioLite campstove

Fast becoming a fixture in survival packs, the BioLite CampStove combines old school technology with new school purposes. The only fuel needed is dried twigs, pine cones and/or any other burnable foliage. The stove boils a liter of water in less than five minutes. The grill attachment allows you to cook up perfect burgers, steaks and even the rabbit you snared in a trap. But as the Dish Insider’s Guide notes, what makes the BioLite Campstove so useful is the USB port that gets its power from a built-in thermoelectric generator. Thus you can charge your iPhone, tablet or any other USB device while the fire is burning.

The NanoGrid by BioLite is an additional accessory for the stove that illuminates your camp site for 22 hours on a full charge. It is USB-compatible, so you can charge the lantern and two additional SiteLights with your stove while cooking or just keeping warm.

Grayl water filtration cups

Humans can survive for weeks without food but only a few days without water. Those driving right up to their camping spots can bring several gallons of water that will last for the duration of the trip. But most extended hunting trips require hiking to your destination on foot, which makes lugging heavy water jugs impractical.

Popular Mechanics, Field & Stream, and several other publications have raved about the effectiveness and space-saving benefits of Grayl water filtration cups. Simply fill the outer cup with dirty water, then press the inner cup into said water. The water is purified as it passes through the filter screwed onto the bottom of the inner cup. The three interchangeable filters (called TAP, TRAIL and TRAVEL) are made specifically to clean water in different situations. Each filter purifies up to 40 gallons of water, so the $100 price tag for the cups and extra filter is well worth it.

Survival Kit in a sardine can

It’s always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. That snake bite treatment kit at the bottom of your backpack is probably five years old, but no less important if a situation arises to use it. The Survival Kit in a Sardine Can is one of those “might as well” items, too.

The kit is what it sounds like: a sardine can containing 25 essential survival items for emergency situations. Aspirin, matches, compass, salt, fish line/hook, energy bar and whistle are just a few of the items packed into the small container. It’s compact enough to fit right in your pocket, so you can always keep it with you. It’s a great tool for under $15 that could help you survive a worst-case scenario for a short period of time.

Hunting and camping will always be two of America’s greatest pastimes. Always be prepared for the worst while expecting the best for maximum enjoyment.

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