FNG hunting Info/Equipment

So I am starting to hunt this year, big game, coyote, etc. No I dont expect to be a raging success, but want to get in some more outdoor activity now that the kids are grown alittle and can get some free time. So I have some first time questions on gear, practice, etc. and would like some input from some of you.
Seems everyone is wrapped from head to toe in camo, is it necessary, or just a prefernce? No offense to those that do, but to camo out and then put on a huge blaze orange vest and hat doesn't make sense to me, I understand the orange is required for safety. So explain it to me please.
What kind of equipment do you take if your going to hike around for the day and (presumably) return to a camp site? Dont get me wrong on this idea but a backpack can be cumbersome, why dont more hunters use a vest (like flyfishing, even a tac vest set up properly), or belt? I dont want to be rambo in the woods kicking in doors and shootin elk, but they seem to make sense, and seems only turkey hunters use them?
Yes I am new to this, and would like some info please, even things I have not asked about, so fire away with comments. I do have a small group of people I will be going with in Oct. and I will be mostly watching, learning, scouting, not so worried about shooting this time around.

Thanks in advance.[Beer]

I am not qualified to answer since I don't typically "hunt", but...

I've always wondered about folks being wrapped in camo and stuff. I'm not a hunter but I've been on a couple of trips where we were all in jeans and a coat. They stalked for about 9 hours or so following a herd and finally picked a spot and mark to make the clean kill. There was no blaze orange (Indian reservation so they were not breaking any laws), no camo, no blinds, nor deer feeders, nor tree stands, etc.

If I was just going to hike for a day, I would just take a small backpack of the basics. Those being water, map, firestarter, knife, wire/string, bandages, etc.

Most everything could be left at your base camp (if you're doing backwoods stuff) except for the small backpack and your weapon.

Now, the blaze orange is for safety to humans. So a human doesn't shoot another human. A deer and other animals that we often hunt are color blind so I suspect the ornage is strictly for human on human safety. As far as the camo, it does break up the outline and make it harder for the animals to spot you, especially if they've caught your scent. But I would think that a soid grey 2 foot sqaure would stick out to them in teh midst of all the camo... I don't know! lol.

I don't know why more hunters don't use a vest. I think it's a good idea.

Some seasons you need a vest, some you don't. But I've always thought it was a little funny waring all the camo accented in safety orange. Turkey season is my favorite.
Don't forget the basic non hunting stuff like compass.... A whistle is good when you need help. Remember the 3 signal rule. 3 whistles or gun shots... means I need help...

They should just make bright orange in camo pattern. Do you have to wear the orange if you are hunting on private property with zero chance of someone else hunting on the same property?

Funny, the wearing of orange during hunting was a topic of conversation at work today; including orange camo.

You all need to read this (straight out of the horse mouth, even addresses orange camo):
http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/PlanYourHunt/ResourcesTips/Unlawful.htm

As far as wearing lots of camo clothes and then throwing orange over it, I'd say that's for three reasons:
(1) When most people think of hunting clothes, they think of camo so that's what they buy but they wear the orange over it to be in compliance with the law.
(2) The availability of "hunting clothes" at most stores is limited, with a large selection in camo. Folks buy what is available.
(3) Those who bow or turkey hunt use the camo hunting clothes because it's what they need but they don't have the $$ to spend or just don't want to spend the $$ on another wardrobe for muzzleloader or rifle season, so they use the same clothes with the orange draped over it.

Now, during muzzleloader or rifle season, if someone was wearing the orange with their skin painted in camo paint's, that would just be weird!

thanks guys still looking for more info!

Big game:
A good pack for knives, saw, bags etc if you get one down. Compass, survival gear. I carry a rope, first aid, etc. Enough water, snacks for the day (or 2 in case). Camo is not necesary especially when rifle hunting, but I prefer to wear it. The weather changes quick so I take extra socks etc in my day pack, and wear lighter boots but keep the heavy ones handy (in the truck, not at camp). Even during archery season like now it can go from hot to not real quick. A few years ago we got a very bad storm and came back to camp to find our tents full of water. You can never be to prepared for the woods. That is why the "pack" is a favorite, plus some of the new ones have a rifle holder built in.

Coyote:
A small pack with a couple mtn dews and some jerky from whatever I got during big game hunting. Rifle and shooting sticks.

For a good pack, I like to travel as light as possible, but that still means I have a LOT of stuff to carry with me. Through the years I've concluded that I don't like a full across the back back - opting more for a butt pack - albeit one with enough space to carry everything I need. I bought one of these (the model from 2 years ago, not this years: http://www.blacks-creek.com/www/New%20Site%20pages/Sub%20Pages/Packs%20Pages/AllAmericanPage.html
I like the full padded shoulder straps to take some of the weight off of my waist/hips, and the full padded belt to secure it well. The MSRP is $139.00 but (again, two years ago) I got mine for $80 @ Sportsmans Warehouse. Mine came with a water bladder and hose, but I removed it as I prefer to just throw in a couple of bottles of water. I keep lots more water at the ATV.

For a coat, I wanted something in Blaze orange so I didn't always have to rely on a vest (I still carry an extra lightweight vest anyway). Something WARM and waterproof was also needed as well as something "modular" (inner "warmth" jacket" with an outer goretex waterproof shell). I got one of these: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...box.jsp.form23
I originally opted for the "tall" version, because it provides coverage over my butt and upper thighs, but I've found that this makes it more burdensome to walk so now I'm looking to get the shorter one. In the morning it's freezing and this keeps me warm, but as the day warms up, I shed the outer shell and go with the inner jacket only.

GOOD BOOTS. I won't offer any solutions to this as everyone has their own preference. I wear an 800gram thinsulate boot which does keep my feet toasty - most of the time, but they are heavy and if you're going to be hiking much (I expect you will), you may want to consider a 400gram boot. If you can offord it, buy both (as trlcavscout indicated). I actually have about 4 different sets of boots that I take with me to camp. Your boots WILL get wet, even if you've treated them and you'll need to let them dry out (naturally, don't rush it or you can destroy the boot), so having multiple sets is practically essential.

I also like to apply a small piece of electrical tape to the end of my barrel and trim off the edges. This won't harm the gun or throw off my shots, but it will keep dirt, snow, rain and other debris out of the barrel. Buy a fresh roll of tape as older rolls tend to gum up a bit.

My hunting item checklist is on another computer, if I can remember, I'll post it tomorrow.

My son just told me last night that he wants to come with me this year. That means that I have to get him EVERYTHING and I have to get his mom's ATV fixed (brakes need replacing) so he can use it. I expect I'll be another $1000 poorer by the end of the preparations and even more so if either one of us harvest an animal. Looks like it's time to pull out the plastic!

I second the buttpack idea. I have a milsurp one I use for varmit calling and fishing. Good boots are a must. I have 400g Thinsulate and an old pair as backup.

Camo or a good blind is essential for varmit calling, the blaze orange is as much a legal thing for me as it is a safety issue when big game hunting.

If you can find someone more experienced than you to go hunting with whenever possible. This will significantly shorten the learning curve. You can get on youtube and see how to clean an animal but it's way easier to have someone show you how.

On the subject of camo with a blaze orange vest over it I wear camo for calling coyotes and I am used to where my gear is stowed on those clothes. extra mag in this pocket, calls in this one, etc...and those clothes are broke in so to speak so for me it makes sense to wear them when going big game hunting. I throw the pack on over my vest (my pack has a pullout blaze orange cloth so I'm legal with the pack on over my vest) and head out.

I used to use a waist pack but kept wanting more space to carry stuff but it's personal preference.

I have one friend who goes out on public land with his 6 pocket non camo pants, a jacket and blaze orange and does well.

<shrug> to each their own.

Wolfhound