What do you carry, and how ?

[dcinffxva]

I saw a post a while back (can't find it now, or would have posted there) about what folks take with them when they go out. If I'm just hunting a field, I just grab my one belt, shovel and bag. Most of the time I am in some pretty remote areas though, sometimes miles away from paved roads, and have my "long-distance" pack. In case of bad luck or stupidity (injured or lost) I carry some extras in the long distance bag. Here is my gear:

Detector and shovel

On my shovel is attached a padded rifle sling on swivels. Sure makes it easier to hump through the woods.

Small digger and pinpointer in an old police radio case on a belt. Pouch with smaller containers inside, and cotton balls to protect fragile finds. Gloves, and waterproof/snakeproof boots.

Camelbak-holds three quarts of water, and knife on belt clip. There is also a compass on it that isn't visible (in case of GPS failure)

Spare batteries, lighter, cigarettes (optional) marker tape, beef jerky, water purifying straw, cell phone, insect repellent, 2 flashlights, GPS, a couple of plastic bags, and and toilet paper.

And, of course, a camera, because you never know when you might find something you want a pic of.

 

[dcinffxva]

Plan for the worst, hope for the best

 

[mlayers]

Looks like you have everything you need....Matt

 

[vayank54]

Hope you don't mind me asking, but where did you see the snake? I saw one in Stafford a few years ago. I don't think they are supposed to be quite this far north.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

When I go hunt I do not leave the house with out my "tool box", a tacklebox full of items in case something breaks, stops working and or needs maintenance. It contains, spare batteries (AA, AAA, 9 volt, and watch battery for head light), loop coil bolt, washers, tie wraps, roll of velcro strips, black electrical tape, duct tape, allen wrench set, plyers, needlenose plyers, silcone grease, bug spray, cutter for tiewraps, silcone sealer and a couple other odds and ends I can't think of at the moment.

I also never go with out taking a spare back up detector, spare scoop if water hunting, vest if land hunting, spare harness with bungee if water hunting with clip on water bottle. Nothing worse then going hunting have find you forgot something, or something breaks........

 

[Okie Hillbillies]

Hello, OkieHillBillie here any time I go out I or We are always Carring some sort of protection. We are not as fast runners or as agile as we used to be so we need all of the help we can get.


OkieHillBillie.

 

[dcinffxva]

I carry a pistol all the time, so I didn't count that as part of my "detecting" gear.

The snake was in Stafford, but I have seen them in Fairfax as well. The area I hunt in Stafford is full of copperheads, so that's why I went with the snakeproof boots.

 

[vayank54]

Thanks I had never seen one until I that one ins Stafford and checked. I forget what they were called but the book had them only as far north as south western VA. Guess they don't know what they are tlaking about. I just realized. I didn't answer the orginal question. I've never carried a lot of stuff and it depends on far from the truck I'll be. I usually just take my machine, a regular short handled shovel, a small digging tool, a military belt with 3 pouches, one for junk one for good stuff and one for a water bottle. I also carry a couple big medicine bottles with cotton to put any buttons or small items in. If I'm going to be a good distance from the truck I'll take my camera, a water bottle and a couple power bars.

 

[BIG61AL]

Wow. All I usually have in my pockets are a pen, about twenty seven cents in change [if I am luckey enough to actually have money] and a mint from the last restaurant I ate at.

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Kimber pro carry in a Galco FED paddle holster or a Glock 19 in a Fob..... Oh, nevermind... You meant like shovels and bugspray and stuff.

HA! 8)

 

[apush]

Chapstick. Man, ya gotta have chapstick.
apush

 

[wolcottdigger]

I started carrying my stuff in a five gallon bucket a couple of years ago.
I added a top and made a hole so I could reach in and get stuff from it,
and put my good and bad finds in it. The top with the hole lets me use it as
a seat when I get tired and want to sit down. I also added a few other
features like a recessed plastic container that I can put small finds like coins
and rings in, and I put some holes and a slot for my metal probe and my digging
tool. I also keep a can of bug repellent a root cutter and a small zip up pouch
with some things that come in handy in an emergency in it. I also carry my Garrett
Pro-Pointer on my belt and Santa Clause brought me a new shovel this Christmas
for those deep finds. I carry the bucket with my left hand while I swing my ACE 250
with my right, the bucket is pretty light and I'm used to it now. Anyone have any
ideas on how to rig a sling for my new shovel so I can carry it on my shoulder.

Joe

 

[Shortstack]

Wolcottdigger, the first poster on this thread has a good idea for carrying his shovel. You could use the same idea of a rifle sling with a snap loop on each end. Or you could get someone to tack-weld a couple of rifle swivels to attach a sling with snap rings.

 

[wolcottdigger]

Thanks Shortstack, don't know how I missed that its a great idea.

Joe

 

[extractor]

Great Idea with the rifle sling on the shovel

 

[Shortstack]

Yep, that's such a good idea I'm going to steal borrow it myself.