Having the right gear for every hunting situation you encounter can be difficult. As serious gear junkies ourselves, we are constantly tweaking and adding gear to our hunt setups. In many cases, the essential items we bring into the field evolve with where and how we are hunting. These ever-changing demands require a versatile bag that can adapt to whatever conditions we face. For that reason, we’ve begun leaning on hunting backpacks. A well-designed hunting backpack can accommodate all the gear, conditions, and hunting styles duck hunters can imagine.
Over the seasons, we’ve honed our setups to be adaptable and mobile. Here are the key pieces of gear that find their way into our packs no matter where we go. Whether you’re chasing honkers in dry fields or barking at mallards on a cutdown in the timber, these are our picks for hunting gear you should never leave home without.
The Bag:
In many situations, a backpack is a far more versatile option compared to a traditional blind bag. While blind bags are generally lightweight and smaller than backpacks, they limit the amount of gear you can carry, how you pack it, and what you do with the bag in the field. Our go-to backpack option has been the Aves Hybrid Elite Pack, a highly technical pack designed to be as versatile as possible for waterfowl hunters. Whether you’re in a layout, A-frame, or hunting the timber, this bag has all the features you’d hope to see in a bag and then some.
It features a rigid top lid compartment (great for storing sunglasses, electronics, and other valuables), a large internal storage compartment with rigid-removable shelves, and a host of internal and external zippered compartments. One of the most useful features this pack has for walk-in hunters is the shotgun holder. The system is integrated into the front flap of the bag, making it a breeze to carry your gun in and out of the field and freeing up your hands to haul other gear. Outside of using this pack in a dry field or hunting over water, the Hybrid Elite Pack comes standard with a built-in 5′ tree strap with four 1″ hooks to allow timber hunters to connect it directly to the tree you’re hunting under. This is also where the shelving system comes in handy, allowing hunters to organize their gear for easy access.
If you’re like me and mainly hunt dry fields or the edge of water, the rigid shelves also make it easy to run the pack horizontally without needing to worry about gear or shell boxes rolling around and spilling in your pack. Since the shelves are removable, the Hybrid Elite Pack could also work well as a mini duffel when you’re hitting the road. Some of the other features of the Hybrid Elite Pack include an external quick-connect cup holder (which doubles as a shell holder), a coated nylon rain cover, and multiple handle placements to give you a variety of ways to carry and move the bag around.
The Gear:
When we say “gear,” we aren’t just talking ammo and Little Debbies in the bottom of your bag. Depending on where you’re hunting and what species you’re pursuing, what you bring with you into the field will change, but there are a few key items that never leave our bags. These are just a few of the essentials that stay in our pack all season long. If they aren’t in your pack already, it’s worth considering these as additions.
Headlamps & Electronics
Whether your hunting buddy forgot his or the batteries died in yours, you can never have too many headlamps. If you don’t have rechargeable headlamps, throwing some extra batteries in a ziploc bag can also be a smart move. It’s also a good idea to pack a portable charger. I’ve got a handful of different ones from Goal Zero that always find their way into my pack.
Emergency Communication
Regardless of where you are, it pays to expect the unexpected. Relying solely on the company with you or your cellphone if a worst-case scenario happens can be risky. Hunting accidents occur every year, so it’s wise to have some backup in case all else fails. Investing in a satellite communication device, such as the Garmin inReach, is a wise decision and one you can use whenever you’re outdoors recreating, regardless of whether it’s duck season.
Extra Layers/Warmth
Many hunters have begrudgingly suffered through a hunt because they got their gloves soaking wet, or their socks, etc. Regardless of how you’re hunting, it’s always smart to throw an extra set of gloves, some hand warmers, or even a fresh pair of socks in your hunting bag. Especially if you’re part of the leaky wader club. Thankfully, the Hybrid Elite Pack has plenty of internal storage for extra layers, and the built-in shelves help keep any wet layers you throw in separated out until you’re back at the truck.
Dog First Aid Kit
In recent years, we’ve seen a huge uptick in the number of hunters who head into the field with first aid and trauma kits. Better have it and not need it than need it and not have it. But what about your bird dog? Whether it’s a thorn in their pad, a run-in with barbed wire, or something else, this item should be at the top of the list for every duck dog owner out there. If you’re looking to add a first aid kit to the mix for your dog, check out our Best Dog First Aid Kits article for some good options.
Extra Calls
I can’t think of anything more annoying than blowing out a reed on a hunt or worse, forgetting your calls at the truck or at home. Regardless of the situation, having an extra duck and goose call ready to go can save you some heartache.
Tape & Gear Repair
This one’s about as self-explanatory as it gets. Every good hunting pack could use a little tape in it, whether that’s athletic tape, electrical tape, duct tape, etc. You never know when you might need to get creative to fix something, keep a cut taped up, or patch a hole in your jacket. There are also a variety of “gear patches” out there that are handy to keep on hand if you do put a hole in any of your apparel, especially when it’s late season, and you pull out the puffy jackets.
Final Thoughts
As inherent gear junkies, waterfowl hunters always have something up their sleeve for every situation. Even if they don’t always have the right tools, waterfowl hunters will find a way to make things happen. Regardless of how you hunt or where you hunt, adding some of these key items to your duck pack could make a real difference if you find yourself in a pinch. Paired with a versatile pack like the Aves Hybrid Elite Pack, you can hit the blind knowing that you’ve got everything you need for any hunting situation you might run into.