Scouting equipment in the field.

[Singing Bridge]

Now I'm not talking about looking at aerials and topos at home, etc. What do you consider essential scouting equipment when you are actually wearing out a pair of boots? I'm sure there's things I haven't thought of, and would love to improve my technique with good equipment.

[dan]

A compass & pants..

Well... you said "essential"

Note book
topo map
Aerial photo
GPS

If your going to prep, a saw comes in handy.

[Singing Bridge]

Being a SWAMP BEAST, I pretty much define myself by the hip boots, big machete and neck compass I wear. If I'm scouting an area where I don't need those items, which I do sometimes, it just isn't the same. In recent years, I make sure I have my mini digital video/camera in my pocket too.

[PLB]

Compass, GPS, saw, backpack, water, camera, thumb tacks, pruners, scouting journal, flagging tape

[The Rav]

Boots, backpack and camera. A pen and small note pad are a must. Energy snacks and water with packets of Emergen-C. It helps to eat a good healthy breakfast before you head out, but, don't overdo it. Binoculars. Don't over dress or your gonna be sweating it out.

[Singing Bridge]

OK, here's our HB Scouting check off list so far- We each can adapt the list to our own situation. Let's continue to add to it as ideas come up:

• Compass
• Notebook
• Topo Map
• Aerial Photo
• GPS
• Saw
• Hip Boots
• Regular Boots
• Machete
• Backpack
• Water
• Packets of Emergen-C
• Camera(s)
• Thumb Tacks
• Pruners
• Scouting Journal / Notepad
• Pen
• Flagging Tape
• Energy Snacks
• Binoculars
• Toilet Paper
• Knife (Swiss Army)
• Cell Phone
• Mini Tape Recorder
• Whistle

[chad]

I don't use flagging tape, It's a way for other hunters to find my stand site.. sometimes I do put a couple reflective tacks on my tree though....

[PredatorTC]

I use binoculars even when there is no need to and learn alot and find a lot!!! There are a must for me.

[Singing Bridge]

Great tip, Predator. I also agree with Chad that making a flagging tape trail to your stand is not a good idea- Some of the things I use flagging tape for are to mark the bucks exits and entrances from his bed while scouting, along rubs/tracks/droppings going in and out. I also mark the bed itself if appropriate, and my tree(s) where my stand is going. I get down in the bed and look for the marked tree(s) to see if I'll get busted visually. Then I'll take my GPS and walk the entrance and exit trails for future reference before pulling all the tape. Sometimes I'll have to adjust my stand location and having the bed and trails on GPS will assist me down the road. The swamps I hunt are so thick, you can easily get disoriented a short distance in any direction, and the flagging tape really helps me backtrack the trails.

Regarding the scouting equipment list, if it gets popular enough maybe we can have Dan put a "Sticky" for it at the top of the Scouting forum.

[Zap]

I always take my camera. Shot these this morning.




marty

[chad]

Nice Pics. Marty!

[Singing Bridge]

Cool pics, Marty

[Zap]

Thanks, folks.
More from this afternoon.





marty

[Zap]

By the way, since I always have my Canon SX120 when I scout and hunt. I screen shoot topo and aerial photos and can view em on the 3' screen in the field. Zoom in and all.
Comes in handy since no GPS yet.

marty

[Gardner Swamp]

Don't forget about good old Toilet Paper!! You never know when your going to need it!