Equipment List for Sheep & Goat Hunts
PACK LIGHT – BUT BE THOROUGH! You will probably be using your backpack as your luggage on the commercial flights. It will need to be checked- make sure it is labeled with your name, phone, email and address. If lost, you will need to be able to recover it, hopefully. Note: When you check your back pack we strongly advise that you put your backpack into a protective cover or bag. Loose straps could get caught on airline conveyor belt resulting in total failure of the pack. We like to take a second small carry-on day pack- 1500 to 2500 cubic inches. We keep cameras, rangefinders, binoculars, passport, critical medical needs and similar indispensables with us – not in checked luggage. NO KNIVES PLEASE in carry-ons! Check on all your flights to see what are the size limits for carry-ons – it varies widely!
THE LIST BELOW IS OF TOP NOTCH PREMIUM BRANDS- OTHERS WILL WORK TOO!
The equipment listed below will cost a small fortune to buy all at once –many substitutes will work- if in doubt- ask us or your outfitter!! We have put together the IDEAL equipment, less will work with care in choices.
- Hunting licenses, Tags, a hunting license from your home state or country and all needed hunting documents including hunter safety cards.
- Learn the regulations! KNOW the game laws for your hunt species and area – no excuses!
- Flat shooting rifle with high quality Scope, Stainless nice but not critical; Synthetic stocks are generally less prone to swelling and changing impact and can be useful due to wet, nasty weather and rough rocks! Calibers: 270 to 300 magnums. SIGHT IT IN CAREFULLY AND KNOW YOUR BALLISTICS! Be comfortable to at least 400 yards if possible! And re-check on arrival. As you go higher, the air is thinner and bullets tend to fly higher.
- If using Archery equipment- bring a flat shooting Bow and don’t forget your release and extra releases and arrows, and arm guards and maybe a string.
- 2 boxes of premium grade ammunition (In original factory packaging – TSA requirement)
- Binoculars (10X to 12x), Leica, Zeiss, Swarovski, Leupold, Nikon and others. Keep weight down! A binocular harness is often vital. You will be crawling!
- High quality range finder- do not skimp! Leica has some great ones!
- Otis or similar gun cleaning kit, some black electricians tape to tape gun barrel muzzle opening
- A good quality Knife.
- A quality backpack in the 5000 to 6500 cubic inch range. You do not want straps and catches to fail, and if you pack out meat or capes, you need to know it is capable of handling the weight and the abuse of luggage handlers and rugged mountains. Check all seams and likely rupture points!
- Digital Camera/extra disc/ and battery (keep batteries warm on your body or in sleeping bag.
- Lightweight Video Camera/extra batteries/film
- Iridium Satellite Phone/extra battery and minutes (this could save your life- check to see if outfitter has one).
- Lightweight Headlamp/extra bulb/batteries
- 2 sturdy walking poles (Ship in gun case)- these can save your life- get quality!
- Two 1 qt Nalgene water bottles (6 wraps of duct tape around one bottle- for emergency repairs)
- Thermal drinking mug
- Lexan Spoon
- Lexan Bowl
- Synthetic sleeping bag, 0 to -20 degree, under 3.5 pounds. Wiggly’s Ultra-Light or Barney’s Ibex
- Waterproof compression sleeping bag stuff sack
- Sleeping pad Ultra-Light. Therm-a-rest style with stuff sack
- High quality mountain boots- suggested: Plastic/Hybrid Hunting boots, La Sportiva Men’s Trango S EVO GTX orLa Sportiva Men’s Trango S Evo GTX La Sportiva Men’s Trango S Evo GTX La Sportiva Trango Extreme EVO GTX, or Scrapa Omega mountaineering climbing boots
- Plastic boot Glacier socks (Barney’s Sport Chalet)
- Set of boot insole pads/liners
- Gaiters for deep snow or brush or streams
- Crock Shoes (lounging at night/water crossings)
- 2 Ace Bandages
- Small Spenco blister kit with extra non-padded mole skin
- Small personal First aid kit
- Survival kit…a candle, lighter and space blanket
- Enough waterproof stuff sacks for clothes/gear – in various sizes
- 3 pair of Bridgedale coolmax sock liners
- 3 pair of med weight hiking, Smartwool socks
- 1 pair of long underwear set, Polar-max XG or Under Armor or comparable
- 1 synthetic wind stopper Shirt
- 2 synthetic underwear, t-shirts and handkerchiefs
- 1 pair Sporthill SP3 Mountain cross-country ski hunting pants
- 1 pair lightweight wind stopper Mammut Champ pants
- Light weight wind stopper Sitka Gear 90% Jacket
- Wiggly L-6 Insulated Pullover or Mtn. Hardware Compressor Jacket or Barneys Brooks Range Jacket
- Some quiet Rain gear: lightweight, parka ¾ length and pants, HH, Impertech or Mtn. Hardware
- 1 pair of thermax glove liners
- 1 pair Power Stretch 150 Windproof gloves
- 1 pair leather gloves
- Wool Beanie
- Wool Balaclava
- Personal hygiene kit, tooth brush & paste
- Small bottle of medicated foot powder to powder feet before bed (keeps blisters away)
- Your necessary Medications, Motrin, Aspirin/pills/sunscreen/lip balm/small insect repellant/ Potassium pills for leg cramping/Benadryl for bug bites…etc.
- Extra pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses
- Polarized sunglasses (non-shiny)
- Town/Traveling clothes, Traveling Cash, Credit Card (s)
- Important phone numbers: Keep handy while you are traveling
- Book (s) – you could spend 2-3 days in bad weather in a tent!
- Laminated tags from your taxidermist
This information will help you prepare for your hunt. It is a must that you practice and thoroughly know your weapon and accessories. Spend much time practicing during the year and know your weapon limitations as well as your own.
Spend time with you pack fully loaded- break it in so it fits. Solve problems now, not on top of windy mountain!
Remember to keep the 40 -50 pound weight limit. Outfitters will weigh your gear and pull gear out as needed to meet the pound limitations. Streamlined, tough, tested and proven – and light weight are the key words here. You may use small aircraft, rubber rafts, horses and your legs to get into hunting grounds. Space is extremely limited and weight is a huge concern. We suggest talking to and going over this list in detail with your outfitter – well before your hunt. If you come from low elevations and you think you might have altitude problems, Butch suggests you get a prescription for Diamox from your Doctor, and start it a couple days pre-hunt. It could prevent a serious problem!!
When you arrive you must be 100% packed, ready to grab your gear and go straight into the field right then if need be, so plan according. Good flying days are precious!! Have your gear and personal affairs in order well before hand — and be in the top physical condition of your life. Weight train for strength and cross train for cardio—— it is a must prior to your hunt! If you have questions please call ASAP, so you can get them resolved NOW!
To hunt good trophies is admirable; but to have an unrealistic ego problem is something else. This is hunting, not buying animals off the shelf. If you take an observer, expect to lose some opportunities. If you share a guide, you may lose some opportunities, but you might save some money and it might bring you happiness to be with your friend. We do not want your friend to suddenly become your enemy and ruin everybody’s hunt. Hunting is an adventure in the unknown. If you want to hunt and to be pleasant, we have a place for you. If not, don’t come. If booze makes you mean, leave it behind. If you are not tough, don’t book a tough hunt.
BRING ALONG A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR- THIS IS NOT HOME!! THINGS HAPPEN-BE PATIENT!
BUT if the outfitter is not doing right by you- then face them and make them fix it, if they can. Better that than staying unhappy and keeping your mouth shut and guaranteeing a poor hunt! We try hard to find quality outfitters, but things can go awry- so speak up firmly but nicely. They want you happy!!