GTA
General Discussion To Gateway To Airguns => Back Room => : TexasShooter72 March 03, 2009, 10:30:14 AM
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Are there any die-hards out there who camp-out when hunting? I ask because prior to my current position at the raw foods company- I spent a decade and a half working in the outdoor industry. I've worked at REI, Alpine Outfitters, Chick's Sporting Goods and any other number of outdoorsy camping related stores and over the years I have become a sleeping bag connoisuer!
Of the many bags that I have owned there is only ONE that has withstood the elements and tests of time... my Wiggy's SuperLight 0 degree bag. I have had this bag for 14 years and today I hit the order button and ordered another! WHY?
There are quite a few bag makers out there who claim to have the latest and Greatest insulations, water-proof shell fabrics, functional zippers and self-containing pouches etc etc. They usually have a pretty hefty price tag attached to them as well to make up for such expensive materials. What makes the Wiggy bag a better bag?
Underneath the seat of just about every FA-18 fighter jet you'll find a vacuum-packed Wiggy bag!
It is the only sleeping bag capable of drying itself from the inside out and I bare witness! It is also the only bag I've ever known who's foot-box insulation doesn't thin out after 10 uses. They are vapor-permeable(as opposed to breatheable) and simply the most functional I've ever known a bag to be. The YKK #10 zipper is said to work flawlessly in -80 degree temperatures. I haven't been in -80 temps so I can't vouch for that one. Unlike other manufacturers the Wiggy's bags can be machine washed which makes them even more desireable! All of these things for a mere $168.00 sleeping bag!
So if you've got a bag that you'd call your "go-to" or your "Tried and True"... I wanna hear about it!
Let er' rip! Check em' out! http://www.wiggys.com
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Haha, one more thing my brother from another mother, I worked at REI while I was in college. I was a bicycle assembler:)
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The parallel's are endless...
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Ha Mat
What is the wieght of this 0deg. bag???
Shelby
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swynn, the bag weighs 4 pounds which is a little heavier than most bags in its class. It wouldn't be my choice for doing the Pacific Crest Trail hike by any stretch but is very functional.
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Yes that is to heavy for a 20 mile day....I do alot of backpacking , here at home and on the A.T.
I had never heard of your bag...always looking for better and lighter...
Shelby
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So here is a question for you gear hounds. The premise is that I am not going to do 20 miles on the Appalachian Trail, and if I did, I wouldn't be on an air gun hunt. Suppose instead I am heading out, on foot into the woods for an all day hun, or at most, an over night, fall/winter hunt, in moderate weather (no rain or snow in the forecast). I will have an air rifle slung on one shoulder and a day pack, with gear. Suppose, further, that I should pack for an "emergency" contingency, say -- survival for up to a week, in the case of unforeseen circumstances. What should be in the day pack?
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If'n yer a true Longhunter, allyou should need is a sharp knife, a bag of salt, and plenty of ammo fer yer smokepole....er, I mean airpole...
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Matt,
That's interesting about the F/A-18. I worked on them in the late 90's and the only thing under the seat on my birds "Lot 14 C"were the beacon radio and 3 rocket motors. Pretty cool idea.
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Yes. I am intrigued by the thought of ordering one "vacuum packed" and kept in a day pack "just in case". Maybe with a small tarp, 50 ft of paracord, a small alcohol stove & cup, a pint of absolute ethanol and a butane lighter, for starters. Then of course a compass, my trusty Buck hunting knife, my SOG Fusion Tomahawk, and my Sworski binocs.
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I've had a Butler Bag for 35 years, outstanding.
http://www.butlerbags.com/cms/Product_MC_Description?selectedLink=MC
Most important item in a pack is a mirror whether on water or land.
Paul
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TCups... 1 roll of duct tape, 1 plastic mirror, 1 gym whistle, 1 magnifying glass, 1 spool fishing line, 1 Hefty trash bag(folded small), 1 bivy sack, 1 water filter and/or iodine tablets, 1- 1oz bottle sunblock, 1 extra pair socks, 1 banadana, 1 pocket knife, 1 compass, 1 water vessel, 1 cigarette lighter, 1 pack of matches, food rations.
If done correctly ALL of these items will fit into a ruck sack or 2500-3500 cubic inch backpack.
How did I do?
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Let's not forget the toilet paper(http://../jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-surprised.gif)
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Hey Dave just make sure it's the biodegradable kind LOL
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Whining liberals... OF COURSE the toilet paper should be bio-degradeable! John Wayne style!
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A cell phone, preferably with a GPS function, a pack of smokes and a small flask of your favorite libation. You can drink and smoke while you wait for emergency services to find you after you make the call for help.
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I camp out but not really for hunting, I will check that sleeping bag out.. good info, thanks:) Makes me wonder if should vacuum pack everything! Naaa I sorta like peakchicks idea I would bring a folding chair and a glass 8)
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Don`t know if they`re the best, but both my sleeping bags are made with synthetic material.....Sierra Design....one for -30C and one for +10C if I remember correctly. Down bags are lighter, more compact and maybe even warmer (The higher quality ones)......but if they get wet or damp......it`s a pain to dry them.
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I vaccuum pack everything that I can in my survival kit. Makes it small, keeps stuff clean, and keeps me from using the emergency supplies unless I really need 'em.
That being said, dry socks, a GOOD firestarter (I have both a lighter and a magnesium match), knife, rope, and a tarp should keep you alive for days.
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Quite answer Peak !
But I will hope you have a satellite phone, in case there is no reception in your area !
I would also hope that you have some shelter and water, in case the weather prevents searchers form coming after you, and flying is socked in !
Why not just take your "Tom Tom" with you and walk out ?
When you walk with Mother Nature, you better be capable of keeping up with her :-)
Bill
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Bill I actually have a survival kit that is packed with a huge list of survival items. Enough in that pack for two people to survive for a week. That being said, I'd still prefer to lean against a comfy tree, drink and smoke while I wait for mountain search and rescue to show up. 8)
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Survival, and the gear needed may be independent of needing or wanting to be found. The worst case scenario is, of course, when you desperately don't want to be found and someone is actively looking for you. Then that GPS cell phone could become useless or worse. A hand held GPS not tied to your registered cell phone could be a good idea.
Having given this some thought, I am preparing 3 separate survival packs -- a fanny pack, a day pack and a full back pack. The fanny pack is aimed more at urban/suburban survival. You can imagine it will contain items far different from the items that would be found in my woodlands day pack. The full pack will be a combination of both and will have a tent and sleeping bag ready to go. If all hell breaks loose, I will be grabbing all three.
BTW, if you haven't discovered Sanyo's Eneloop rechargeable batteries yet, you should look for them and have some on hand. They hold most of a full charge for over a year and perform just as well in cold temps as hot. They have no "memory", can be short charged or fully recharged 1000 times. That's what I keep in my hand-held GPS and Fenix flashlights as well as my camera gear.
I don't smoke, but I do think that I will store pure grain alcohol and not denatured alcohol in my back pack for use with the alcohol stove and for medicinal purposes. Probably 2 or 3 quarts should be enough for short term survival needs.