How many of you have arrived at camp only to discover that you forgot your bullets, can opener or some other important item? Some forgotten gear may only be a slight inconvenience but some are a deal breaker, such as if you forgot your rifle!
Years ago my old buddy Jack Sweet shared something with me. He pulled an elk hunting list out of a file cabinet and said, "I drew this up decades ago. It's all of the necessary items that I'll need for a week of hunting."
So today I'm suggesting that you to design a check-off list for all of your major outdoor events, such as elk hunting, backpacking, fourwheeling, etc. It will save you a lot of heartache and maybe your life.
But to make it easier on packing, you ought to leave some items always packed. Here are some examples:
Camp box. Buy or make a camp box and leave all of your utensils in it or invariably you'll forget a can opener, coffee pot or something.
Daypacks. Leave in your daypack an Adventure Medical Kit moleskin package, extra compass and fire-starting supplies.
Backpacks. I leave the above items in a backpack, plus string, boot laces, can opener, tie-down straps and a poncho.
Tackle boxes. I have separate tackle boxes for crappie fishing, bass fishing, salmon fishing and of course for fly fishing. That way all I have to do is to grab the proper box and I have all the necessary lures. (Yes, for some species I may have three to four tackle boxes.)
Also Read: Camping Checklist
Leaving the above items intact will save a lot of misery, but for the bulk of the items you'll need a list. Here's why I say this. I carry my .44 mag. on day hikes, backpacking, elk, deer and bear hunting and fishing trips, but I don't have six .44's that I can have in separate boxes. Same with rain gear and so forth. See what I mean? So 90 percent of the items you'll need to re-pack for every trip.
Try the above ideas and hopefully you can avoid that "Oh no, I forgot the...." when you get to camp.
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