BEAU'S GEAR LIST - APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN BUCKS

When it comes to western hunting, we tend to have detailed gear lists and keep everything very organized. Why shouldn’t we do the same with hunting mountain bucks in the Appalachian Range? I am a big believer in staying organized and having a system to make your hunts go smoother. Hunting the big woods is different than hunting the Midwest and other areas for whitetails. On public land and even on big private tracts that are open to public hunting, we are packing in and out of stands every day, breaking down the deer and packing out the meat, and other caveats that are just different than what you read in most magazines. This means that we have to have a specific list of tools needed and used to accommodate this unique hunting style.

With that being said, here is my gear list for what I’m carrying in my pack and on me during the rut in Pennsylvania and throughout the Appalachian Mountains. You can hear me go through each of these items in detail on the East Meets West Hunt podcast, Episode 104.

Pack:

• Prototype pack - this will be updated in early 2020!

Water Filtration:

• Steripen Classic 3 Water Filter

• 32 oz Nalgene bottle - East Meets West

I always keep at least one trail camera in my pack. While scouting/mobile hunting, I want to always have one available to set up on the fly.

Electronics:

• Black Diamond Storm Headlamp

• Garmin InReach Mini

• Dark Energy Poseidon Battery Backup

• AAA batteries x4

• AA Batteries x8 for trail cameras

• Exodus Trek Trail Camera

Photo: Shannon Vandivier

Clothing:

• East Meets West Mountain Bucks Hat

• Sitka Gear Equinox Pants

• Sitka Gear Merino Heavweight Zip T Base Layer

• Sitka Gear Merino Boxer

• Sitka Gear Fanatic Hoody

• Sitka Gear Celsius Midi

• Sitka Gear Stratus Jacket

• Sitka Gear Stratus Bib

• Sitka Gear Stratus Beanie

• Darn Tough Hunter Sock

• Sitka Gear Fanatic Glove

Footwear:

• Crispi Wild Rock GTX 400g

Calls

• Flambeau MAD Hyper Growl Grunt tube

• Primos Big Bleat Can

As with hunting elk, I like to quarter mountain bucks in the field and pack them out. In my opinion, this method is much easier than dragging a long ways through steep terrain. Photo: Justin Mueller

Hunting/Kill Kit:

• Iron Will k1 Ultralight Hunting Knife

• Iron Will Ceramic carbide knife and broadhead sharpener

• Alaskan Game Bags

• Flagging Tape

• Paracord

• Latex Gloves

• Hunting Tags & License

• Kifaru ultralight pullout for kill kit organization

Camera Gear

• Sony A7iii camera

• Vanguard VEO Tripod (used for glassing, too)

• Sigma 35mm 1.4 lens

• Camera Battery (1)

• SD Cards

Optics:

• Maven B.3 8 x 30 Binoculars Listen to the podcast to get a free gift with any Maven optics order if you order from the Maven website!

• Nikon Prostaff 7i Rangefinder

• Sitka Gear Bino Harness

Food:

• Heather’s Choice Packaroons (or go through this link and enter code eastmeetswest for free shipping on all orders!)

• MTN OPS Ignite, BCAA, and Ammo Trail Packs (if you order through the MTN OPS website, use this link and enter code BEAUFREESHIP for free shipping)

• Clif Bar

• Kirkland Trail Mix

• FBOMB beef stick

• ONE Protein Bar

Stand Setup:

• Tethrd Mantis Saddle and Predator Platform

• Hawk Helium Sticks

• Black Diamond Daisy Chain

• Heroclip carabiner and hook

Scents

• Wild Carrot Doe in estrus

• Smokey’s Pre-orbital gland scent

Miscellaneous:

• Release (Scott Sigma Thumb Trigger)

• First Aid/Emergency Kit (leukotape, gauze, wipes, ibuprofen, electrical tape, tweezers, splint)

• Windchecker

• Smith and Wesson Shield .40 Handgun

• Montana Decoy doe

This list is always changing as I'm tweaking and finding out what works best for me and my style of hunting. I’m looking to lighten up my saddle hunting setup even more using less sticks next year. If you have any questions on any gear I use, feel free to comment below!

Listen to East Meets West Hunt podcast episode 104 to hear me break down each item and how/why I’m using it!

You can find all of the items that are available on Amazon at the link below. I do receive a small commission from Amazon for any purchases that are used with any of the links above or by visiting the East Meets West Outdoors Amazon store.

https://www.amazon.com/shop/beau.martonik