Daypack/backpack?

[Bsums]

No need to go overboard; your Ph will pretty much have everything you need. I didn't use a daypack and don't think its necessary, most likely you won't be carrying it around.I had extra ammo on my belt and phone/camera in my pocket, and bino's strapped to my chest/around my neck. Then I would just stick a bottle of water in my pocket if needed. Your Ph should have first aid kit etc and any other items you may need. I kept extra boxes of ammo, a jacket and a bottle of sun screen in the truck. I don't think I used bug spray; but depending on the time of year/location you'll want it. I pack less for Africa then I would for a weekend trip to visit relatives.

 

[Boela]

I keep most of the listed items in the hunting vehicle, that includes first aid kit, bug spray and sun screen. When leaving the vehicle to start tracking on foot, I will have water, 2 way radio, spare ammo, knife, parra cord (2m), TP and cable ties with me. Keep it simple.
I find it more important to select a daypack that is slim and compact with no loose loops / strings that can snag. So too with the shoulder straps - nothing worse that walking for km's on end and your rifle keep slipping from the shoulder due to over padded shoulder straps, or trying to quickly shoulder the rifle and it sit awkward in the shoulder. I rely heavily on keeping most things in the cab of the hunting vehicle. I feel it is much more important to have a well kitted and maintained vehicle - it forms a mobile 'base camp".

 

[8 x 60]

I have tried all sorts of daypacks over the years. For the last couple of years I have been using one these from Ridgeline . It has the removable water bladder, plenty of space for essentials for a day trip (a few rations and wet-wipes etc) and i also fit in a tarp along with first aid kit in case I get stuck out. It is nice and narrow as well which I find good. Used it a lot over the last year hiking in the Wadis and Mountains of Oman and found it excellent.

 

[Bruce]

I leave the back pack on the truck ( don't like the hassle of this thing on my back when I need to shoot urgently/ quickly... carry ammo pouches on my belt + knife..if tracking buff or elephant for long periods, will get one of the trackers to carry the back pack.. mainly with water and a few health/ energy bars..camera. Binos I wear on a harness ( Swarovsky type )

 

[Ernie Shipman]

My wife & I used Drago sling packs. They always stayed in the truck when we stalked...
I kept the following in them:
light leather shooting gloves (Beretta)
a few meds - advil, tums, etc.
digital camera, extra battery
iPhone (for it's camera)
1/2 roll TP
a couple snacks, granola bar, etc
a couple of bits & bobs...

late am I would peel off a layer & put it in the pack
when stalking, only took my digital....
would do the same again...

 

[thriller]

I carry a camel back with a small pocket, holds 3 liters of water some ammo and a multi tool that's it

 

[dory]

How much shit do we really need ???
I have a 20 year old huntec backpack made here in New Zealand .
Here in NZ I carry a bit of gear in it when hunting but not in Africa .
All i carried was my camera and my wife carried the vidio camera .
The PH and tracker will carry everything else that you should need like water and lunch etc .
Travel light during the day so you can take that quick shot if required and the pack wont restrain you .

 

[CAustin]

You don't really need one in SA. I took a fanny pack on two hunts but left it in the truck!

 

[Divernhunter]

Hunted SA twice. No need for a pack. I wear the binos and carry my rifle. I have 10 more rounds on the butt stock. The tracker carried water. I usually left my camera(large one) in the truck and carried a small one in one of my pockets. Sometimes I stuck a few hard candies in my pocket.

 

[grand veneur]

 

[Luvthunt]

Camelback

 

[Philip Glass]

Going on my first S. African safari in April. Does everyone take daypacks for their gear while hunting? This is a spot and stalk plains game hunt. What do you carry in your pack? Thanks!

I Take a dedicated sling pack. At times I'll clip it on the rack in the back of the bakkie. I just need ammo, binos, headlamp, batteries, etc. I DO NOT use my carry on for a day pack. You may if you wish but please follow my procedure for departure. Ammo and empty brass will always be left in a carry on that is used for a day pack by someone. Don't be that guy! Empty the pack, shake the hell out of it, check it again, and finally have a buddy go through it thoroughly as well. Don't want to extend your stay in Africa!

 

[Bandera]

I take a small cheap back pack.
The flashlight, knife and extra ammo are on the belt.
There is an ammo box, a bit of para cord, camera, protein bar are in the pack. It stays in the truck.
I have an older Cabelas cloth vest that I may take on this trip. A bunch of pockets wears better than a back pack.
Carabiner on a pack is a must. Clip to to the truck, clip it to your luggage.
Binos are on my chest, I use a harness that keeps them secure.

 

[DillonG]

Why not just take a good chest rig, and pack very basic necessities between that and belt options? You can always take some extras on a vehicle. Seems like DG hunts can get quite western, and you need to be able to move without being weighed down. I know you are hunting PG, but it would be good to use this hunt as a rehearsal for a bigger hunt later.

 

[mdwest]

I have a small tenzing twelve hundred pack that I use or a fourteen hundred sized kuiu pack that I typically use on both guided hunts or for “deer blind” hunts at home..

Small enough to not get in the way in the bakkie or the blind (where it stays).. but big enough for a few essentials that I don’t keep on my person while hunting like a med kit (both boo boos and trauma), multi-tool, zeiss wipes, dude wipes, a couple of snacks, chapstick, etc.. and it’s a place to put things like my gloves and beanie cap that I typically wear in the morning while it’s cold, but discard by late morning or early afternoon after it warms up…

 

[Philip Glass]

Why not just take a good chest rig, and pack very basic necessities between that and belt options? You can always take some extras on a vehicle. Seems like DG hunts can get quite western, and you need to be able to move without being weighed down. I know you are hunting PG, but it would be good to use this hunt as a rehearsal for a bigger hunt later.

Packs stay on the truck.