Mule Deer Foundation Backcountry Hunt Packing List
The Ultimate Backcountry Mule Deer Hunting Packing Guide
By: Trevor Hubbs, Mule Deer Foundation
Hunting in the backcountry offers an unparalleled sense of adventure. There’s nothing like the challenge of reaching remote mule deer country under your own power, where success depends on preparation, skill, and self-reliance. But venturing into the backcountry also brings a level of complexity that you won’t encounter at a truck or base camp hunt. Packing the right gear and knowing how to use it can be the difference between a successful hunt and a frustrating, uncomfortable experience.
The Mule Deer Foundation has compiled a comprehensive guide to backcountry packing, combining essential gear, apparel, and trusted brands to help hunters prepare for their next tag pursuit.
Gear Carried on Your Person
The first step to a successful hunt is ensuring your most critical items are within easy reach. Many hunters today use a binocular chest harness, which keeps gear organized and accessible without adding strain to your pack.
Recommended Items for Your Chest Harness:
- Binoculars: Leupold BX-1 McKenzie HD 12×50
- Range Finder: Leupold RX 2800 TBR-W
- Tourniquet: My Medic
- Ammunition: Federal Premium
- Multi-tool
- Garmin InReach Mini: Satellite communication for emergencies
- Hunting License & Tags
Additional essential items: rifle or bow, pocketknife (Montana Knife Company), weather-appropriate clothing (Sitka Gear), boots (Zamberlan), and a phone with mapping apps like OnX.
Packs for the Backcountry
Choosing the right pack is crucial. Mule Deer Foundation staff tested multiple hunting-specific packs to find the best combination of durability, comfort, and versatility.
Top Backcountry Packs:
- Stone Glacier Sky Talus 6900: Full-featured, lightweight, excellent organization.
- Stone Glacier Solo 3600: Ultralight and expandable for multi-day hunts.
- Mystery Ranch Metcalf 75: Spacious with detachable lid, perfect for long hunts.
- Mystery Ranch Pop-Up 30: Compact, ideal for day hunts or meat hauling.
- EXO Mountain Gear K4 3600 & EXS: Heavy-duty load systems for meat and gear.
- Kifaru Bedlam: Premium materials with customizable add-ons for extended trips.
Tips for Pack Selection:
- Cost-friendly option: Mystery Ranch Pop-Up 30 is compact yet capable.
- Most comfortable: Female hunters favored Mystery Ranch Metcalf 75, males preferred Stone Glacier Solo and Kifaru Bedlam.
- Ease of use: Choose based on hunting style—archery, rifle, or shed hunting.
Pack Weight Philosophy: Limit to 35 lbs for trips up to 4 days, and no more than 50 lbs for trips up to 8 days. Food is usually the largest variable.
Inside Your Pack
Proper organization inside your pack can make life easier in the backcountry.
Sleeping System & Shelter:
- Sleeping Bag: Big Agnes Anvil Horn 0°
- Tent: VIAM Outdoor Gear Pintler 1P
Essentials:
- Water bottles (Nalgene) and water filter (MSR Guardian)
- First aid kit (My Medic)
- Food (Wild Society Freeze-Dried Meals)
- Rain gear (Sitka Gear)
Cooking Kit: MSR Pocket Rocket or Jetboil systems
Butchering Kit:
- VIAM Outdoors Game Bags & Kill Kit
- Knife sharpener (Work Sharp)
- Zip ties, electrical tape, and gallon Ziplock bags
Emergency Kit:
- BIC Lighter + Tricer ARC Electric Lighter
- Fire starters
- Signaling mirror and whistle
- 50 ft. of 550 cord
Apparel & Outerwear
Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing is essential for long days in the field. Trusted brands include:
- Sitka Gear: Advanced hunting clothing
- First Lite: Merino wool base layers
- Cabela’s & Columbia Sportswear: Reliable, weather-resistant gear
Backpacks & Hydration
- Mystery Ranch & Kifaru: Ergonomic and modular pack
- Yeti bottles or camelbacks
Lighting & Navigation
- Black Diamond: Headlamps and lighting
- Garmin: GPS navigation devices
- Leupold: Rangefinders for precise distance
Tools & Firearms
- Leatherman: Multi-tools for field use
- Benchmade: Knives for processing game
- Hornady & Weatherby Reliable ammunition and firearms
- Vortex Optics: Scopes and binoculars
Food & Cooking
- Gastro Gnome: Freeze-dried meals
- MSR & Jetboil: Compact cooking systems
- YETI: Coolers and drinkware
Final Thoughts
Backcountry mule deer hunting is one of the most rewarding hunting experiences available. Preparation is key—packing the right gear, selecting the proper clothing, and using trusted equipment ensures you can enjoy your hunt safely and successfully.
This checklist, featuring gear, apparel, and tools from Mule Deer Foundation partners, is designed to help you plan effectively for your next hunt. Print it, save it digitally, or adapt it to your specific needs. Remember, the Mule Deer Foundation supports your journey in the field while advancing conservation efforts to protect mule deer habitat for future generations.
Good luck this season! Send your success stories and photos to [email protected], and you could be featured on our website or in our magazine.
Trevor Hubbs
Trevor is the Communications Manager and Editor for the Mule Deer Foundation and Blacktail Deer Foundation. He grew up hunting and fishing the Ozark Mountains for quail, ducks, and bucks. Now he ventures west for mule deer as often as possible.
