Glenn
Dunning is a member of New England Outdoor Writers Association
(NEOWA) and contributes monthly to Outdoors Magazine
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Outdoors Magazine, October '05 issue, Traveling Outdoorsman col. Submitted by: Glenn Dunning |
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Weighing-in on Weight Limits Confessions of a Travel Agent |
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| As has been mentioned in several previous columns, one of the initial challenges for the adventure traveler is getting all your gear and guns under the 70 pound weight limit imposed by outfitter destinations that use aircraft to access their camps and hunting territory. These restrictions face over half of Tundratour's customers every year and routinely I am on the phone with suggestions on what to bring and what not to bring in an effort to help my clients pack efficiently. Well, it's confession time for this adventure agent. It's mid August as I am writing this article for publication in the October issue. I am also in the middle of packing for a caribou hunt on the tundra 1000 miles north of Montreal, leaving next week. I really want to take at least one good bull with my bow and maybe both. However, the weather in the arctic is unpredictable with rain or even snow possible in August coupled by the fact that the wind blows constantly, can make bow hunting tough. Since bringing meat back is an equally important objective, I am also planning on taking my rifle. Herein lies the confession: It's damn difficult to get under that 70 pound limit when you need to take two weapons. There I said it. It's not going to be easy but we're going to work our way through it and hopefully by the end of this article we'll come in somewhere close. First, some evaluation of items on my "must bring" list and their respective weights. My scoped rifle weighs 9 pounds and it's going in a plastic 2 gun case that weighs 15. One of my hunting buddies will stick his rifle in the same case and, assuming his gun weighs about the same as mine, we will each accrue approximately 16 pounds toward our limit of 70. My bow, quiver and a dozen arrows come in at 8 pounds and my case weighs 9. I am hoping to fit my fishing rod, reel and what little tackle I am taking in the same case. If I've calculated correctly that brings me to a total of 36 pounds. More than half my allotted weight tied up in my weapons. Wow, this is hard. OK, there's a bunch of stuff that's got to go that doesn't weigh much: rangefinder, camera & digi cam, GPS, walkie-talkie, binoculars and, oh yeah, bullets (they might come in handy) Total for all those "must haves" 7 pounds. Cool, I can live with 7 pounds or can I? Seven plus thirty-six equals forty-two. Take all that away from 70 and heck, there's still 28 pounds left. This is the part that almost made me cry; I grabbed my sleeping bag and put it inside my empty duffle bag and stepped on the scale, 10 pounds. TEN POUNDS? In a duffle bag with no gear in it just my sleeping bag. All right, no time to panic, this is a hunting trip and who is better qualified than I to know how to pack? I'm in the business, remember? Calmly now, what do I really, really need? My tundra boots, my day pack, flashlight, towel and toiletries, bug net, ID's and trip papers, money for tips, etc. You know I'm feeling better about this already. Last, but far from least, will be my selection of clothing. I open the plastic Wal-Mart universal storage container like a kid on Christmas. Laying the plastic cover to the side, I peer at the contents smiling from ear to ear. I love my camos and other hunting garb. I instinctively know what I need; 2 pair of camo pants, 2 long sleeve camouflage pullovers, reversible camo/fluorescent vest, rain suit, bug jacket, gloves, belt and my favorite camo hat. From the bureau come two pair of long johns, t-shirts, briefs and as many sox as I can find. Somehow I manage to get my arms around this heap of camo and cotton and head for the scale. Now in actuality all this stuff weighed about 14 pounds and would have put me well over the 70 pound limit. I choose however, to be publicly redeemed rather than embarrassed so here's how we made it work: First, with the particular outfit I am hunting my carry-on bag, which is my day pack, will not be counted toward total weight. This provision is important because I can now take all my heaviest gear; cameras, binoculars spare boots etc and stuff this small back pack to the gills. Secondly, my personal weight which includes what I am wearing when I board the plane is not factored either and even though it may be 90 degrees at the airport in Montreal, I'll be decked out in my hunting coat, tundra boots, a couple of shirts, hunting pants and well you get the picture. Lastly, most outfitters charge $2.00 - $3.00 a pound for all weight exceeding the limit. I'm going to be over by probably less than 10 pounds but you know what? That's thirty bucks which I will gladly spend rather than compromise on my weapons or gear. Of course, having all the right stuff and finding hunting success in the bush are two different issues altogether, stay tuned… |
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