what do you take into the woods?

[mefishme1234]

As a newbie I want to get all the input I can. What do you take in the woods when coon hunting? thanks!!!

[dswish]

I have a light weight pack I take that contains several things. I take my garmin tracker as well as a back up GPS just to get me out in case my 220 dies. Carry extra batteries for my 220. Also have a small spot light and 2 small stream light headlights. I carry a compass, an extra dog lead, bottle water, also an extra dc30 which has come in handy if my partner and I seperated I give him the collar so that I can keep track. If its hide season I carry a small box of extra shells. Last but not least TOILET PAPER.

[azhoundhunter88]

When I coon hunt I take a .22, tracking system and collars charged up, shells, leads, batteries, maglight, spotlight, waters, knife, toilet paper, headlamp, snacks, jacket, and cell phone. Pretty much plan for a long night and stuff just in case you have to stay out there all night.

[kordog]

compass and learn to use it before going to the woods gps or not .try to keep your hands as free as possible it makes for a lot more enjoyable hunt.picture lugging a rifle a hand held flashlight one coon sometimes more and wrestleing 1 maybe 2 hounds out on leads trying to rip the coon out of your hands.it will keep you from having a good time.so use equipment that alows you use of your hands .carrying a coon out any distance holding onto it with just your hands can be tedious also there are better ways. rifle sling or pistol with holster, headlamp . make your hounds lead good or even better handle without leads.you will get way more coons with dogs that handle . the better they handle the more coon you can get on.a dog that doesnt handle can tie you up all night on one drop.other than that ammo ,knife ,lighter, backup pocket size flashlight. good pair of atleast knee high boots.dressing right is also key to going to the woods. oct thru december here in maine you dont want to be wet either from sweat or the elements.a change of gear kept in the vehicle can keep you comfortable and from having to go home.munchies drinks etc etc..

[mefishme1234]

My 3 lead good, but I think I will only hunt them separate, the English is slower then the plot bitches. the plots are a lot faster then ole Pine. I know how to dress here in Maine. thinkn of getting a H&R single shot 22 with a scope, and one of those tactical light for shooting. A lil youth model would be ideal. I do have a Ruger mk II pistol that I am good with but this lil gun would be a good gun for the nieces and nephew to shoot too. Too bad we cant use a 17HMR.. I seen what the do to a coon insides.. I am counting the days too training season. Like to enter a few night hunts too with the English. He been on the cooner magazine when he was younger.. Went to a night hunt last month in Benton and had a blast.. The girlfriend hates them and I may loose her but I I got my hounds..

[kordog]

those lights work alright ,but a light mounted on top of your head reflects the coons eyes back to your eyes , i notice a big difference finding coons when i dont bring a headlamp. my buddys that dont have headlamps do to ,because i always end up showing them the coon.if the girlfriend leaves you over some coondogs the relationship wasnt that strong to begin with . lol they may be saving you alot of headaches and money down the road. good luck.

[mefishme1234]

haha ok. she wants to control me I feel and it pisses her off when I do what I want and like to do.. maybe I should get that Cameron bluetick pup a buddy has... thanks.

[Bayemup34]

I try to keep it light bcuz I'm not one to carry a ton of crap with me. I take my coon light and the spotlight that goes with it, my huntin knife in case I get into trouble, my phone, a 2way radio with the other sittin at home so I can talk to my family in case I lose cell phone service. A .22 if its kill season. And if I wasn't 15 and had a real full time job, I'd carry my garmin. But I can't afford it so I just have to hope I don't lose my dog. Oh and a dog lead. Tends to be helpful haha. :p

[Bayemup34]

And my Coleman headlamp just in case

[slobberdoc]

Snacks, clean socks, TWO headlamps (I've been stuck miles from anything when my headlamp went dead and didn't have an extra, several times. Finally learned!!), leashes for the dogs, knife, phone, extra ammo and batteries...that's about it. Everything in a small lightweight pack.
Forget the toilet paper, we got lots of moss out here.

[Mrcrazyweasel]

I take my blazer 21 volt belt light, coon squall, phone, camera, extra batteries, lighter,starter kindling, bullets, tracker classic reciever and collar, Garmin and collar, leatherman multi tool, toilet papaer, water, snacks, lead with a coupler, adn a few other small things

[gameganster530]

I take a back pack with my tracking box and anntinna ,spare light, batteries, and a change of clothes in case gotta go swimmin. and leashes and i always leave a collar on at the pickup in case i get turned around for some reason