When you go out into the field to hunt,a firearm,ammo,optics,and knife,and a little pack go with most of us,but what is one other thing you don't leave home without?For me it's two things,first is some kind of hydration(water,pop,coffee,etc.)and second is a fire starter of some sorts(matches,lighter,both).My thoughts are if I were to get turned around or have to stay out over night,something to wet the whistle,and stay warm and dry is all I need.(swamp water doesn't taste that well)

Hearing protection!

Cell phone: (can "substitute") as a weak flashlight).

I always carry a flashlight.

A compass, especially when hunting new areas. And some kind of mosquito repellent. They are big enough to carry you away in some east Texas areas.

Make that a bug outfit! I've hunted Texas & repellant doesn't work. As big as they are down there. They're even bigger as you go south like central america.
For me it's the fire starter & some emergency food. Never had to but I could need it. Dislocated my knee once while bow hunting & almost had to stay out there.

Flashlight like a Surefire with the extra bright beam, and the clip for attaching to hat brim, plus a backup flashlight like one of the Pelican Mitylights. I have spent the night out more than once, and had to be helicoptered out on one occasion after being injured in a rockslide. I never venture out without flashlights, compass/GPS, first aid, firebuilding materials, and extra ammo. Water/energy bars are a given. Your life could depend on these.

Small flashight (mini mag lite or Surefire) and toilet paper.

This is the off the top list of what's in my daypack (Eberlestock Blue Widow) every time I leave the truck or tent.
I'm sure I will forget a thing or two so I will add to it later.
License & tags
Paper towels (Takes the place of TP + other obvious uses TP can't do)
Meat care
Light weight game bags (TAG bags. Full set that will handle an entire moose weigs less than 3# & are reusable.)
Knives (usually 2 standard drop point. Have a Kershaw Alaskan blade trader to try out).
1/8" cord (can hang 1/4rs or lash meat to pack, survival, etc)
Contractor weight large garbage bag (2) (tear open to use as small light tarp to lay meat on, survival, etc).
cotton gloves w/rubber facing (2 pair for butchering)

Survival
GPS & compass (With spare batteries that also fit headlamp)
Headlamp
Flashlight (with (extra)Lithium 123 batts)
SPOT (sattelight communication device)
Cell phone (if in a covered area)
Food (6 granola bars, some candy,string cheese, jerky... Varies)
Planned meals for the day
Emergency bivvy bag (like a super heavy duty space blanket sleeping bag)
Space blanket
lightweight fleece stocking cap & gloves
Water (hydration bag)
3 lighters
Fire starters (Cotton balls soaked in vaseline stuffed in sealed plastic throat lossenge tube)
1st aid kit

Misc
Digital camera (I prefer one that takes AAs like my headlamp, not a camera specific battery)
Predator call (for black bear)
Rain gear(usually)(HH Impertech)
Bug dope (100% DEET)
Small Bible, journal, & pen (in ziplock)
Extra ammo
Extra truck key
Survey tape (to mark a trail or kill sight)
Appropriate extra clothes (socks, jacket, etc)
Small sleeping bag (seasonal & depending on location)

I'm sure I'm forgetting something.

With a full tank of water & most everything but the sleeping bag it's near 20#, but it gives me a pack that will brng the 1st load of meat out with me (important if you are talking moose & 7ish loads) & enough to get thru a night or two if I must.
I usually hunt alone so I make sure I have what I need!

These are the items that I have found to be essential items in my back pack... for what it is worth...


Flashlight ( and a head lamp for skinning and quartering in the dark)
Compass
Camo hat, face mask, & gloves (hat is beeswaxed and gloves are waterproofed)
Knife... or 2
Hand saw (wood)
Hand saw (bone)
Binoculars
Range finder
Camera stand & sand bag for shooting
Water bottle
Empty bottle to fill up...
Rain jacket
Toilet paper

In addition to the above, plus another vote for CAMERA. Nothing like "right after" pic and esp. for websites like this one.

Not to mention lifetime memories. As we get older, when it comes to our hunting exploits, other than the mount on the wall, what else is there?

My list is pretty close to Vances. I get into some remote areas and would rather have something and not need it, than need it and not have it.

LOL, I keep forgetting about the survival equipment because I don't usually have to hunt more than 500 yards from my truck. To make matters better, I am hunting on a military base with check in stations and a section hunting areas. (And I make sure some ALWAYS knows were I am hunting!) I not only have to log into a log book, but I am required to put a cell phone number in as well. If I am not back by a certain time I get a cell phone call, (a good one,) or my friends usually are coming to look for me. It is a wonderful thing.

With my hunting style & places (and I think Pab's is about the same), the general rule for my wife is don't call anybody the 1st night I don't come home as expected. If she hasn't heard from me by late the next day she can call friends to go look (or her brother if he's in town. He has a small plane). If she hasn't heard from me by the 2nd overdue night she can call the troopers. If I'm hunting close to town I have cell phone reception so if I killed something at dark I could call. If I'm in the boonies it would be a different thing. If I kill a moose at dark it will be an all nighter & part of the next day to get it to the truck, even from a mile away.

only hunt 10 to 20 miles (or less) in back of the house so i carry vary little. compass,extra ammo, knife, mataches, lighter, pipe tobacco, thats about it. keep thinking that i need a small pack but never do. want ta bet ill wish i did someday?

Space blanket and a few first aid supplies,
TP,
2 Flashlights and extra batteries,
Extra bullets,
Binos,
Daypack,
Food and water for the day,
para cord,
knife & folding saw,
compass,
thermacel,
cell phone or radio's depending...
that's about it for the most part.

If I'm going on a hunt out of the area then I'm usually paid up on an emergency medivac program too. Making sure you're not going to get stuck with a big rescue bill if something does happen is comforting.

I hunt fairly small woodlots and swamps, but I still carry a GPS or compass. It is easy to loose your way in if fog rolls in. I also carry a camera,my tags,a good flashlight,extra ammo,CELL PHONE.