Pick the right size; bring along only what you need

Sometimes I get asked, "How do you carry items into the woods or when you are fishing?” Well, that is not a difficult question, and I rarely struggle to find it difficult to answer. I use shoulder pouches that can be purchased at just about any sporting goods store or department store.

I have purchased several from Rural King, Walmart, Dunham's, Dick's Sporting Goods, MC Sports, and other locations. I even found some at garage sales. I use them for hunting and also for fishing.

When I hunt, I have a special pouch for archery hunting that I carry, and inside the pouch I carry such things as bowstring wax, rail lubricant for my crossbow, hand-cocking rope, extra bowstring, a broadhead wrench, and just about anything I feel I might need.

For firearms seasons, I have yet another pouch that I carry things needed for muzzleloading, such as box of 209 shotgun primers, box of Pyrodex pellets, .50 caliber Power-Belt Sabots, an extra breech plug, and assorted small tools for repair work if needed for the firearm I am carrying.

Each carrying pouch just happens to be camouflaged. I also have one pouch for each firearms season with assorted ammunition and some parts that might need to be replaced in the field.

I also use a carrying pouch for fishing, especially if I am fishing from a farm pond or retention pond. I can't carry a huge tackle box, so I opt for another carrying pouch looped around my shoulder. I normally carry a pair of needle-nosed pliers for hook removal, a small plastic tackle box with a selection of soft plastic worms, tube jigs, and often crawfish in several different colors, depending on water color, and a selection of sinkers and hooks.

Since I mostly prefer to catch and release, I don't carry a stringer, and I always carry my cellphone with me for taking pictures. I might also carry a spool of fresh fishing line in the event I have to re-spool.

You can normally find these shoulder pouches in a variety of sizes, and I might mention it is very easy to get one that is too large. Sure, you can carry more items, but consider the fact that you will be adding more weight. If you are like me while bank fishing, you will have a tendency to move around, and the added weight can make that a difficult task.

I don't move around too much while deer hunting because once I reach my stand, I hang the pouch on a hook, and I am sitting comfortably on a soft, padded seat cushion. But the shoulder pouch is well within my reach if I need anything.

I have used backpacks, and they can work quite well, especially if you feel the necessity to carry more items, but the idea is to be able to transport lightweight items you feel might be needed. I have also included a couple energy bars to satisfy any hunger needs, maybe a bottle of aspirin, and a few first aid items.

You can include gloves, toilet paper, and anything else you might feel you might need, but the farther the distance you will have to travel, and the greater the number of years you have been hunting and fishing, the more you will notice the extra weight you are toting around.

It seems like the more I try to scale down, the more things I think I will need, so it might take some experimenting. I am sure you will figure it out. It never hurts to be prepared, but I know I can no longer consider myself a pack mule, even though my wife says I am as stubborn as one!