Alone in the wilderness - revised inventory

[Pathfinder]

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go." ~ T. S. Eliot



For those who didn't see my other thread, my plan is to journey alone deep into the wilderness with only as much gear as can be carried on my back. I am NOT TAKING THIS LIGHTLY. After much consideration, I have decided to include a high velocity air rifle. The small size of .177 pellets will enable me to carry thousands of them, and thus hunt far more squirrels and rabbits than I could with a .22 rifle.

For self defense against large animals (or an opportunistic chance at medium sized game) I also have a sidearm.




Gear that I currently own:

ALICE pack (large)
2 one-liter canteens
2 canteen covers with ALICE pack clips
2 canteen cups
SOG Seal Pup Elite knife
Ruger GP100 .357 magnum revolver
40 Buffalo Bore 180 grain flat nose gas checked .357 magnum bullets
50 Winchester 110 grain jacketed hollow point .357 magnum bullets
50 Winchester 125 grain jacketed hollow point .38 special +P bullets
Beeman SS1000 air rifle
1000 .177 hollow point pellets
1000 .177 round head pellets
Leatherman Charge TTI multitool
Strike Force fire starter
Magnesium bar
Pocket magnifier
2 Bic lighters
100 cotton balls soaked in Vaseline
Diamond knife sharpener
Revolver cleaning kit
Air rifle cleaning kit
Compass
100 feet of 550 paracord
200 feet of snare wire
150 yards of Spiderwire braided fishing line - 20 LB
144 assorted fishing hooks
124 assorted split shot sinkers
Fishing net
30 yards of all-weather duct tape
Toothbrush and toothpaste
50 emergency water purification tablets


Gear that I still need:


Hatchet
Entrenching tool
Mess kit
First-aid kit
Emergency rations
New clothing
Sewing kit
Bandanas
Map
Sleeping bag (optional)
Tent (optional)

[40oz]

What wilderness do you plan on infiltrating?

[friendowl]

what do you hope to gain by doing this ?

how long do you think you are going to be out ?

are you going to set up somewhere or are you going to move around ?

what about water treatment over a long period of time ?......Water Treatment FAQ, Version 2.2 by Patton Turner (http://athagan.members.atlantic.net/PFSFAQ/Water_TreatmentFAQ-v2.2.html)

what about bugs...are you taking a headnet or deet ?

what about somekind of headlamp with lots of batteries ?
the nights can be very very very long and very dark

dosnt 100 ft.of useful cord seem like too little ?

[Pathfinder]

What wilderness do you plan on infiltrating?

Still under consideration. The top prospect so far is the Canadian Rockies, but that may change.

[Pathfinder]

what do you hope to gain by doing this ?

A life experience. We only get one chance at life, and there's only a short window between being too young and being too old when you have a real chance to do something special.


how long do you think you are going to be out ?

Until I need to return.


are you going to set up somewhere or are you going to move around ?

Depends. If I find someplace I really like, I may set up camp for awhile.


what about water treatment over a long period of time ?

I'll be boiling my water over a campfire.



what about bugs...are you taking a headnet or deet ?

Maybe a net. No Deet.


what about somekind of headlamp with lots of batteries ?
the nights can be very very very long and very dark

No electronics. They're good for short term, but die out. Batteries add weight. I'll have fire. I should have no reason to move far away from my fire at night.


dosnt 100 ft.of useful cord seem like too little ?

My cord won't be used at all unless I'm unable to locate natural substitutes. The best survival skill of all is creative thinking.

[scagster]

Bugs tend to stay away from you if you haven't been eating sweet stuff, so you shouldn't need to worry about that much. I'm big on survival stuff. You thought about a plastic collapse-able type of water jug? I use those when backpacking, I can fill several gallons into one, and when I'm not using it, it compresses into a small pocket.

Pistol is a good idea, if you are trying to snare some larger game, you could try using fish guts or the guts from birds or rabbits to attract something and shoot it from the bushes with the pistol.

As far as a sleeping bag goes, I would definitely bring one. You can get ones that fit into the smallest compression cases that weigh practically nothing.

What kind of fishing net are you talking about? If you can get a roll of netting, you can make little baskets with it underneath rapids in streams, or to partition pools of water, and it's pretty easy to catch fish doing that.

If you don't like batteries, they make those hand-crank flashlights that you wind up for a while, andthey stay lit. I find them very useful for backpacking, there's always some time where you go "DAMNIT! If I only had a flashlight."

Haha I'm an eagle scout and somewhat miss all the backpacking and crazy wilderness adventures I used to have, good luck.

[Trip06]

Sounds fun, something I deffenetly would like to try as well. Ive been lost in the woods hunting b4 for hours its nice getting out in the woods. Getting out in the wild like that Is something very few people get to experience or understand(I mean really getting out in the wild and haveing to survive).

Things id bring also would be, some seasoning packets, a tarp, compass to make your way back and forth to creeks and shit, Some good antibiotics, Pain killers if you break something and some ace bandage, cell phone, Idk you probly listed some of these but im to lazy to go back and read so good luck.

[GraziLovesMary]

Ahhh, I miss the days. Shit... with gear like that, I could live near indefinitely.

[dragonrider]

You might want a banjo.

[plytra09]

um ... no weed? :D

[Metaphor]

ide take notebooks and some pens to write/draw/do whatever.

[Pathfinder]

What kind of fishing net are you talking about?

This is it:
Survival Gill Net (http://www.bestglide.com/deluxe_gill_net.html)

[Pathfinder]

Shit... with gear like that, I could live near indefinitely.

That's the idea. I'll be miles away from civilization, alone and on foot. It's not like I can just decide to turn it off and do something else. I need to be able to sustain myself for however long it takes.

[Herreic68]

sucks we wont know how it all goes down since you ....wait a sec...take a labtop the posts must go on

[scagster]

Looks good to me.

[tankboy30]

i was thinking about doing this the other night, i think it would be a great expirence

[Pathfinder]

Here's another place I'm considering:

Wilderness.net- Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness (http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=WildView&WID=543&tab=Area%20Management#regs)

"extraordinary opportunities for solitude."


The drawback is that it's in California, and California strictly regulates everything. It's actually turning out to be quite a challenge just to find some wilderness anywhere that isn't strictly regulated. Illegal to carry a firearm, illegal to have a campfire, illegal to fish and/or hunt, illegal to even be there without a permit.

I suspect the only way I'm going to be able to do this is by breaking some laws.

[dragonrider]

Here's another place I'm considering:

Wilderness.net- Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness (http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=WildView&WID=543&tab=Area%20Management#regs)

"extraordinary opportunities for solitude."


The drawback is that it's in California, and California strictly regulates everything. It's actually turning out to be quite a challenge just to find some wilderness anywhere that isn't strictly regulated. Illegal to carry a firearm, illegal to have a campfire, illegal to fish and/or hunt, illegal to even be there without a permit.

I suspect the only way I'm going to be able to do this is by breaking some laws.

Well, if you are going to break some laws, then definitely, please come to my state to do it.

[Pathfinder]

Well, if you are going to break some laws, then definitely, please come to my state to do it.

That used to be my state, once upon a time.

I'm thinking it must be difficult to patrol so much wilderness. I can hide my revolver in my backpack until I get beyond the weekend tourist areas. My air rifle, on the other hand, cannot be concealed. Once I reach the back country I don't figure there will be anyone around to see me breaking any laws. The trick would be getting out there unseen to begin with.

I suppose I could try Alaska. But -40 in the winter doesn't sound fun at all.

[Nightcrewman]

Sounds like you might survive however why is a tent and a sleeping bag optional, shelter and warmth are the two most important things for survival, way ahead of water and food, also I would look at the weight of what you are carrying.
Good luck on your journey.

NCM (graduate of several survival courses)

[Bongoman]

Dude, whatever you do, make sure you have one back up way of contacting civilization, like a satellite phone or something, theres way to many stories of people just deciding to piss off into the wilderness, only have their emaciated corpses found a few months later by hikers. If you break a leg, far from help and with no way of communications, your fucked, simply put. Remember that dude that got his hand trapped in the rock and had to slice it off so he could crawl to rescue? That could be you. Satellite phones are a bit expensive, big too, but I'm sure you can think of some way of contacting help, should it be needed, like a radio, or a pimped up mobile phone. Anyway, it sounds damn hardcore what you want to do, but please make sure you have a way of contacting home. I know it sort of takes the magic off the whole experience, but better that than winding up dead. Anyway, good luck to ya!
PS couldn't you consolidate the pistol and air rifle into a small caliber rifle like a 22? Optimally you would bring a survival rifle, a proper rifle that can also be folded up into its stock when you are in civilized areas. Sure would save weight on bringing 2 weapons plus respective cleaning kits etc.

[Pathfinder]

why is a tent and a sleeping bag optional

I'll be dressing in layers, and I can build shelter using available natural resources. The weight issue you mentioned is exactly why I may not bring a tent.

[Pathfinder]

Remember that dude that got his hand trapped in the rock and had to slice it off so he could crawl to rescue?

Yes, I do remember that dude.



PS couldn't you consolidate the pistol and air rifle into a small caliber rifle like a 22?

Problem #1 - I would not feel safe depending on a .22 to protect me from large hungry furries. I won't even feel completely safe depending on my .357 magnum to protect me if I happen to get charged by a grizzly bear. Those are some tough animals. But at least I'll have 6 chances to change his mind.

Problem#2 - .22 ammunition, while small, is not as small as a .177 pellet. I could not carry thousands of .22 bullets along with my other gear. They would take up too much room and add too much weight. So I would be limited in how many times I could use it. Should the worst happen and I can't get back fast enough, the greater number of pellets will keep feeding me long after I would have run out of .22 bullets.

[Blaised]

good luck

[Trip06]

Bear mace is an option, It weights nothing but the aresol can it comes in. cept its combersome and you wont be able to eat the bear afterwards.:)

[Pathfinder]

Bear mace is an option, It weights nothing but the aresol can it comes in. cept its combersome and you wont be able to eat the bear afterwards.:)

Bear spray is a real option. There are studies saying it's more effective than a firearm (although I have to point out that none of those studies are ever specific about which caliber of firearm was used, or what type of ammunition it was loaded with). I very well may bring a can. But my problem with it is that it only lasts between 4 to 9 seconds. While that may be enough to stop one attack, I'll still be deep in the wilderness and at risk of another attack after my spray can is empty.

[Trip06]

Bring a couple cans, chances are you'll never be attacked at all, and hey you still got your revolver man. I wouldnt worry with a 357, Yeah there not that big but they pack a pretty good punch. X your shells lol. Maybe try getting some with a bigger load.

[Pathfinder]

X your shells lol. Maybe try getting some with a bigger load.

My Buffalo Bore rounds were developed specifically with bears in mind. Here's the story (http://www.gunblast.com/MilesFortis-AKChurch_BuffaloBore.htm).

Here's a video (http://www.udap.com/images/video/bearsprayed.wmv) of a guy using spray on a bear.

[dragonrider]

In bear country, always carry bacon in your pocket.

[Trip06]

I thought about how thrilling it would be to do something like this, but Id never stay out for how long I could possibly go, Id set like time because I would want to return to civilization.

[Pathfinder]

I thought about how thrilling it would be to do something like this, but Id never stay out for how long I could possibly go, Id set like time because I would want to return to civilization.

I plan to eventually return to civilization too, along with some incredible memories and a perspective of the natural world that most human beings in modern times will never have. But when undertaking something like this, I think it's prudent to plan for the worst. I may not be able to get back when I want to get back. I may be forced by circumstance to remain out there longer than I would like. Who is going to know where to find me? Who is going to even know to start looking for me? No one. It will be totally on me to rescue myself, and I'm giving myself the best chance I can of accomplishing that.

[SurfBud]

Why not try the Pacific Northwest, the Cascades are simply amazing...

As for arms, I may go heavier than a .357 Magnum. 180 Grains is minimum for Large Animals, I would in all honesty go for a Glock 21 .45 or better yet a Mossburg 12-gauge with slugs for bears...

IMO the best would be a Marlin .45-70 Guide Gun... If its good enough to drop Grizzlies in Alaska in a single shot, itll handle everything else just fine...

[Herreic68]

when were you planning on going? My guess is that you really dont know when just because you arent positive on where you are going. How long do you plan on being gone? Like only a couple of months or like a year +. Either way good luck

[Pathfinder]

when were you planning on going? My guess is that you really dont know when just because you arent positive on where you are going. How long do you plan on being gone? Like only a couple of months or like a year +. Either way good luck

After the end of winter. If I happen to get stuck out there long enough for the next winter to start, at least I'll have plenty of time to brace myself for it.

[dragonrider]

We are coming up on one year. Did this trip ever happen? Is Pathfinder still out there in the wilderness? Did he survive? Should we send a search party?

[cygnustaxt]

sounds like this guy has been reading/watching too much Into The Wild. Lol, aye there Mr. Supertramp?

this is good stuff though, I'd love to do this. I hope everything is going well for you pathfinder.

[dragonrider]

sounds like this guy has been reading/watching too much Into The Wild. Lol, aye there Mr. Supertramp?

this is good stuff though, I'd love to do this. I hope everything is going well for you pathfinder.

Cygnus, you are interested in doing the AT next year, right? I just read Bill Bryson's book, A Walk in the Woods. It is a laugh riot, but also a very good travel book about his expereinces on the AT. Lots of humor, but also history, science and hiking lore. I'd recommed it for the humor alone.

I'm getting very intersted in doing a long thru-hike next year, but not as long as the WHOLE Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail. I'm thinking about maybe the John Muir Trail, or I am also considering doing the Tahoe Rim Trail first. The JMT is about 220 miles, from Yosemite to Mt Whitney. And the TRT is 165 all the way around the Tahoe Basin. So they are both long thru-hikes in the Sierras, and the terrain is similar. But TRT crosses into civilization now and then along the way, so you have more options for resupplying, and you can get a shower every week or so. Or you can even just duck out of the whole deal if it is not working out.

One of the things that sounded great about the AT from the book was that it does get into or close to town fairly often, which the PCT and JMT do not do. A week of wilderness at a time sounds good, and I don't think I'd like to carry more than a weeks worth of consumables at a time. So I'm leaning toward the TRT just for the resupply aspect. It's also a loop, so I wouldn't need to arrange for pickup at the other end.

Another thing that sounded great about the AT is that it has SHELTERS. Mostly I am fine with sleeping al fresco or pitching a tent. And I'm fine with shitting in the woods. But shelters and privies could be nice at times too.

[deathduck]

PLEASE READ this post before you go!!

wow I would love to do this someday and have thought a lot about it.

In into the wild (movie) his greatest regret was having no one to share all his great experiences with.

Well I thought about this and I liked the 'on my own survival' aspect but disliked the 'always alone' aspect and came up with a great solution!!

Get a puppy dog from the pound and bring him with you. Raising him in the woods and hunting/adventuring together will make the experience so much more enjoyable that you will not want to trade the time you spent w/ that dog for anything in the world.

When you have time to devote all day into raising a dog they will become an amazing best friend.

Please take this advice you will be so much happier and much less lonely. Thank me when you get back ;)

[epilepticme]

There is some great advice floating around in here.
Pathfinder if and when you actually do take this trip. There is going
to be on JEALOUS epilepticme floating around.
I suggest the Katadyn water filter systems for potable water.
The idea for a dog is great as well. They make back packs for the pooches so they can carry their own supplies as well.
I would also suggest a good water proof tarp.
When you put together the First-Aid kit I would recommend some common over-the-counter medications as well. Aspirin, Benadryl etc.

Safe Travels

[Stoner Shadow Wolf]

dude, good luck to you!


i aspire to do something like this some day, but i have a lot to learn about survival before i can even think about doing that!


Anyone know any real good survivalist books i can benefit from??

[epilepticme]

Anyone know any real good survivalist books i can benefit from??

Tom Browns Guide to Wilderness Survival.

You can also find a ton of Tom's stuff on Google Video or Youtube.

[Stoner Shadow Wolf]

i'll be sure to look that up! thanks! :thumbsup:

[cygnustaxt]

Cygnus, you are interested in doing the AT next year, right? I just read Bill Bryson's book, A Walk in the Woods. It is a laugh riot, but also a very good travel book about his expereinces on the AT. Lots of humor, but also history, science and hiking lore. I'd recommed it for the humor alone.

I'm getting very intersted in doing a long thru-hike next year, but not as long as the WHOLE Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail. I'm thinking about maybe the John Muir Trail, or I am also considering doing the Tahoe Rim Trail first. The JMT is about 220 miles, from Yosemite to Mt Whitney. And the TRT is 165 all the way around the Tahoe Basin. So they are both long thru-hikes in the Sierras, and the terrain is similar. But TRT crosses into civilization now and then along the way, so you have more options for resupplying, and you can get a shower every week or so. Or you can even just duck out of the whole deal if it is not working out.

One of the things that sounded great about the AT from the book was that it does get into or close to town fairly often, which the PCT and JMT do not do. A week of wilderness at a time sounds good, and I don't think I'd like to carry more than a weeks worth of consumables at a time. So I'm leaning toward the TRT just for the resupply aspect. It's also a loop, so I wouldn't need to arrange for pickup at the other end.

Another thing that sounded great about the AT is that it has SHELTERS. Mostly I am fine with sleeping al fresco or pitching a tent. And I'm fine with shitting in the woods. But shelters and privies could be nice at times too.

I'm going to have to check that book out, sounds like a good read!

yeah the thing about the AT having towns to stop in every week or so is appealing to me due to only wanting to carry up to a weeks worth of food as well.

The thing about the shelters is that some of them suck, its just a plank to sleep on and a roof over your head. I've section hiked on the trail and at some of the shelters, I would have rather slept in my tent. When I do my thru-hike, I'm bringing a hennessy hammock instead of a tent. It's so much more comfortable than regular tents and shelters. Plus, some of the shelters are big enough to where you can mount the hammocks to the wall.

[dragonrider]

I'm going to have to check that book out, sounds like a good read!

yeah the thing about the AT having towns to stop in every week or so is appealing to me due to only wanting to carry up to a weeks worth of food as well.

The thing about the shelters is that some of them suck, its just a plank to sleep on and a roof over your head. I've section hiked on the trail and at some of the shelters, I would have rather slept in my tent. When I do my thru-hike, I'm bringing a hennessy hammock instead of a tent. It's so much more comfortable than regular tents and shelters. Plus, some of the shelters are big enough to where you can mount the hammocks to the wall.

Ha ha! Yeah, Bryson got into the fact that some of the shelters are just plain awful. And in some areas they are crowded with people or overrun with mice. He had a few funny anecdotes about sharing shelters or campsites with awful people as well. The appeal to me is that you could carry a minimalist shelter of your own for most uses, but if the weather got REALLY bad, you would have the shelter as an option. Bryson did sections northbound, and the first was in MARCH, and he actually got caught in a blizzard once.

I'll have to check out that hennesy hammock, although I personally tend not to sleep well in a hammock. I'm also thinking about tarp shelters that rig up over trekking poles. In some of the Seirra locations that I used to go to in the past, there were not always trees for a hammock or for rigging a tarp.

I just signed up at the Practical Backpackers Forum under the same screen name (which is sort of a wierd screen name for that kind of forum, I must admiot). It looks like they have a lot of good advice and info about backpacking.

[cygnustaxt]

Ha ha! Yeah, Bryson got into the fact that some of the shelters are just plain awful. And in some areas they are crowded with people or overrun with mice. He had a few funny anecdotes about sharing shelters or campsites with awful people as well. The appeal to me is that you could carry a minimalist shelter of your own for most uses, but if the weather got REALLY bad, you would have the shelter as an option. Bryson did sections northbound, and the first was in MARCH, and he actually got caught in a blizzard once.

I'll have to check out that hennesy hammock, although I personally tend not to sleep well in a hammock. I'm also thinking about tarp shelters that rig up over trekking poles. In some of the Seirra locations that I used to go to in the past, there were not always trees for a hammock or for rigging a tarp.

I just signed up at the Practical Backpackers Forum under the same screen name (which is sort of a wierd screen name for that kind of forum, I must admiot). It looks like they have a lot of good advice and info about backpacking.


I've never been a big hammock fan either, but when I tried it out it felt perfect. I tested it out in my yard and I felt like i had a normal nights sleep in my own bed rather than feeling grumpy and stiff from sleeping on the ground. The hammock comes with a tarp that you can put over it for extra weather protection and it also works well to sleep under without the hammock.

have you ever been to whiteblaze.net? Its another hiking forum thats mainly for Appalachian trail hiking but there's lots of good info about other trails and stuff too.

[dragonrider]

I've never been a big hammock fan either, but when I tried it out it felt perfect. I tested it out in my yard and I felt like i had a normal nights sleep in my own bed rather than feeling grumpy and stiff from sleeping on the ground. The hammock comes with a tarp that you can put over it for extra weather protection and it also works well to sleep under without the hammock.

have you ever been to whiteblaze.net? Its another hiking forum thats mainly for Appalachian trail hiking but there's lots of good info about other trails and stuff too.

One of the guys I have been backpacking with recently has mentioned a hammock like this. It can be rigged with either a tarp or a bug net.

I'll have to check out whiteblaze...

[Trip06]

I recently purchased all my survival gear last weak. Except for a few accesories ill be getting for christmas pressents lol. Someone mentioned takeing a dog with you, Its funny just today my mother was telling me shes going to buy me my own boxer someday(im always joking about kidnapping hers). Taking a dog with you means you also got 2 mouths to feed. I plan on doing a few month long trail runs here in menomonee county wisconsin next spring. My goal is to do some extensive backpacking and hunting out in the rockies in a couple years.
Check out the story of Dick Proenneke. I wanna test myself against the real world, I wanna climb a mountain and chill at the top.

[dragonrider]

I recently purchased all my survival gear last weak. Except for a few accesories ill be getting for christmas pressents lol. Someone mentioned takeing a dog with you, Its funny just today my mother was telling me shes going to buy me my own boxer someday(im always joking about kidnapping hers). Taking a dog with you means you also got 2 mouths to feed. I plan on doing a few month long trail runs here in menomonee county wisconsin next spring. My goal is to do some extensive backpacking and hunting out in the rockies in a couple years.
Check out the story of Dick Proenneke. I wanna test myself against the real world, I wanna climb a mountain and chill at the top.

What kinds of things did you buy, and what is on the ole Christmas list?

[cygnustaxt]

I recently purchased all my survival gear last weak. Except for a few accesories ill be getting for christmas pressents lol. Someone mentioned takeing a dog with you, Its funny just today my mother was telling me shes going to buy me my own boxer someday(im always joking about kidnapping hers). Taking a dog with you means you also got 2 mouths to feed. I plan on doing a few month long trail runs here in menomonee county wisconsin next spring. My goal is to do some extensive backpacking and hunting out in the rockies in a couple years.
Check out the story of Dick Proenneke. I wanna test myself against the real world, I wanna climb a mountain and chill at the top.

They have special packs that you can put on dogs. Obviously you wouldn't want to load the dog down too much, but i'm sure that you'd at least be able to pack all their food plus some other small essentials. Might be able to pack your cooking gear with the dog or something so you can save space in your pack. As long as your dog is trained, I bet it'd be pretty cool to have a companion like that to tag along.

[dragonrider]

Some people get the dog to carry his own food. I suppose you could also get him to carry something for you. My brother had a dog who came to him already with the name Niner. He said he was going to get that dog one of these packs, fill it with beers, and rename the dog Twelver.

[Esoteric416]

Twelver. Nice :D


I wonder if Pathfinder ever took that trip? I guess if he did he's still not back. I hope it's cause everything is going so well he doesn't want to return.
This thread should be pretty interesting if and when he gets back.

[Trip06]

I wouldnt want to load a small dog much less a puppy with stuff. Anyways to not seem disingenuine Ive grown up around the outdoors my whole life(Im curently 22) and I love camping. Ive wanted to go to whyoming and go elk hunting but the expensises are a feet on there own. So this last year I slowly started colecting my camping supplies and looking into where I wanted to test run a couple months stay. My plan is to get a feel of some of the things I bought see how they hold up, So when I do get out west SOMEDAY to do some extensive hunting ill be prepaired. Im planning on going camping some time in early spring possibly.

[cygnustaxt]

I wouldnt want to load a small dog much less a puppy with stuff. Anyways to not seem disingenuine Ive grown up around the outdoors my whole life(Im curently 22) and I love camping. Ive wanted to go to whyoming and go elk hunting but the expensises are a feet on there own. So this last year I slowly started colecting my camping supplies and looking into where I wanted to test run a couple months stay. My plan is to get a feel of some of the things I bought see how they hold up, So when I do get out west SOMEDAY to do some extensive hunting ill be prepaired. Im planning on going camping some time in early spring possibly.

yeah i would only suggest having a dog carry things if they were already full size plus i wouldn't load them down too much.

Yeah camping supplies are expensive! I've been stocking up so I can go on my northbound thru-hike of the Appalachian trail next year. I've got most of my major bases covered and I've been experimenting with some DIY gear. Made my own stove and some other nifty gear. I want to try and pack as light as possible since i'll be carrying a pack on my back for about 7 months straight lol.

[epilepticme]

I dont think anyone implied a small dog. Just a dog. I have a German Shepard.
She carries all of her food when we go out on walkabout in the bush.

If you are looking for some great deals on camping supplies check out
Campmor-com. They have a lot of great brand name stuff as well as some interesting bargin equipment.

[Trip06]

I just found my perfect spot here in Wisconsin to do this, In one of our National forests ill have roughly 6 square miles of freedom surrounded by lightly traveled roads. water ways, hills, fields, PLENTY of wild game, Might be so lucky to see a black bear(I never have seen one in the wild yet) I dont want the rangers looking for me so I will be ninja as possible at all costs. I found Googles MAPQUEST with Aerial view is EXTREMELY PERFECT for scouting the geology of the land. The areas not far from the local town/my familys private ranch If shit happens. I got GPS, Maps, And all the gear planned I need. Im going to live off 1 MRE a day and hunt/fish the remainder of my diet. I think Im going to go next late March till the end of May hopefully. Maybe longer If I decide.