Sambar Backpack Trip Preparation and Product Reviews

In the upcoming weeks we head away for a backpacking adventure hunting Sambar Deer in the High Country. It is time to start sorting out the gear in preparation for our week away and while doing this I discuss the essentials in how to look after yourself and hunt well. I also talk of some of the new products I will be testing while away.
Some of the products I discuss include. Petzl Tikka Hybrid Headlamp, Wiggy's Waders, Anker power pack, Anker Solar panels, Black Diamond "Z" Pole, Exped DownMat, Exped Synmat, Helinox Chair Zero, Aldi portable chair, Sea to Summit Pillow, WD Wireless Pro Portable hard drive.

[@highcountryrob]

I hope that you and the guys have a safe, enjoyable and fruitful hunt up the big country. Thanks for the tips.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks mate and a pleasure.

[@edstar81]

Have a great trip. Can't wait too see the footage!

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers buddy

[@Juganort81]

Another great video Robbo, would be interested in a follow up video when you get back if you were happy with your gear selections

[@BoltActionProductions]

That is the aim mate. Cheers mate

[@samkitto010]

small hot water bottle is always good also.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers mate. Thanks for the heads up...............

[@momouppa]

Thanks for the info and explaining you choices.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Hopefully they are the right choices. Time will tell.

[@Zubtec]

Great information there Robbo. Thanks very much!

[@BoltActionProductions]

Well it is information. I hope you are right and it ends up being great. We will see. Cheers mate

[@descattysBushcraftbydescattys]

I have a anker charger pucker bits of kit.👌. Also have the exped down mat 5 XL great insulation compared to my 3 quarter length thermarest. I like the pillow gonna look into that one....thanks again Des

[@BoltActionProductions]

I believe they make two different size pillows and I would suggest getting the larger version

[@descattysBushcraftbydescattys]

Wow mate thanks for the quick reply I'm using my Google foo skills as we speak

[@robbiefishing]

Awesome video, and excellent advice. I haven't done a lot if backpack hiking but have done a he'll of a lot of bushwalking. The only thing I would do differently is elevate the hiking poles today much higher priority. I have a set if black diamond poles and absolutely love them. They support my back when I'm loaded up, they support my knees when walking down hill, give me leverage when climbing steep hills, help gauge the depth of creek crossings and have even been used as a support when my wife twisted her ankle 3km from the car one day. Another great video.

[@BoltActionProductions]

The walking poles are growing on me slowly and yes you are right mate they can be very helpful in some awkward situations

[@mrbighorse88]

Thanks for the great videos mate, great to see knowledgable Aussie channels of this type. Excellent quality videos also.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks mate. If you like what you have seen share the word.

[@mrbighorse88]

have done, hoping some of my friends do the same!

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks Mate

[@JamesEastham]

I cant believe how much cool shit i just saw in one video. I only stumbled across your vids last night and im hooked. Im about to do a similar trip bowhunting and this video has been super helpful. Thanks very much mate, and cant wait to see the video of the trip

[@BoltActionProductions]

Love Bow hunting. Last bow I owned was a Bowtech Allegiance but sadly don't do it much anymore. Have a great trip mate and let us know how you go

[@garythesaint44]

Very informative and well presented as always👍 i use pretty much the same gear but it’s always reassuring to see others using similar stuff. Great job tiger and hope the hunt went well

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks mate. Always testing new gear and continually altering what we use.

[@eyema_pierat8993]

Have a safe and productive trip mate - I'm looking forward to seeing the video and hearing how some of the gear performed.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thankyou. Hopefully I can put some half decent video together no matter what the outcome.

[@JamesEastham]

haha i had suspicion you were a bowhunter. Its hard to make out, but it looks like a few archers in one of your framed pics on the wall. Keep up the terrific videos mate... i feel like im on a hunt tonight just by watching them

[@BoltActionProductions]

Our kids pictured was taken many years ago now and are very competent archers

[@JamesEastham]

Bolt-Action Productions well there you go! My old man got me and my brother into archery in 1994. Growing up most out weekends were spent camping and competing at 2 day archery events. From state, to national championships it took us everywhere. And then came the hunting trips. Its fair to say the ol Bow is a my favourite past time

[@chrisjohnson38]

great vid and info mate, can't wait to see the hunt.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers Chris

[@grousehunter67]

sounds like a pretty nice trip good luck cheers

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks mate. Looking forward to just getting back in the hills

[@vicegrypp]

great vid, keen to see how mudmaps works out, that headlamp looks great too, might have to grab one. cheers.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Bit of an update. We will also be testing out the new Rino 750's as these will charge via USB which is our main power source while we are away. The headlamp is well worth the money.

[@TheCpage66]

Great man cave! And another excellent video!!

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers Mate

[@Gavin_McGregor]

Love the videos mate, been very keen to do a high country trip myself. Best of luck to the boys 👍🏽

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers Will

[@payres48]

I assume you took this equipment on your Sambar trip. I wonder if you will be making a video summarising how this equipment performed?

[@BoltActionProductions]

In the pipeline Paul. Just need to get a chance to stop work, hunting, editing and stick my head in front of the camera again. I may get a chance this weekend

[@jodyherd2010]

Just a tad jealous of yah getting away for a week. Looking forward to your next video mate keep up yah good work cheers

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks Jody.

[@regsparkes6507]

I enjoyed the gear show, but was a bit surprised that you didn't show us the 'kitchen' equipment, but maybe this is not 'your department', I guess you're the camera guy, so somebody else has to do the dishes ! Should be interesting videography coming up soon then ?

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers Reg. I think the "what go's in my pack" scenario has been done to death by many hunters. I just thought I would mention some of the newer products and stuff that I think doesn't get talked about that much. No dishes where we're going. Haha.

[@regsparkes6507]

Yeah, you know, you're right,...what you have shown us, is what you said you would,...makes me want to go on a trip like this too now, actually. Thanks for your reply, and oh yes, have a good trip !

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks again Reg.........

[@robincoker225]

ripper video Steve, really like the portable hard drive, can you connect your smart phone to view the files downloaded on it before erasing them off the sd card? can`t wait to see the end result from this trip you are planning.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers mate. Yes I should have mentioned that you can connect to the Hard Drive via wifi and view what you have on there and take full control. Hopefully it will do the job. If I don't come back with any videos you know it has failed.

[@robincoker225]

i`m sure you will come back with plenty of amazing footage Steve, will miss Leigh`s comedy though.

[@dhfactory]

Best of luck on the trip, keen to see the footage. My only points are the exped mats are prone to have separation in the baffles, I've blown 5, make sure you keep it dry from ground moisture to avoid issues. Also just keep mindful of the additional items you are relying on in that kit, I've found solar to let me down and not charge under -5 degrees in NZ. (keen to hear if your panels will charge in the cold actually)

[@BoltActionProductions]

All good points in which many I am aware. Good weather will help our solar setups. Can you place an order for good weather for us. LOL Will try my best to keep you posted

[@karolschaeffer]

have a great trip

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thankyou. We will be giving it our best shot

[@grantoyamaha]

Great vid , just wondering what you blokes use for cooking etc. can't wait for the new vids , good luck .

[@BoltActionProductions]

We will most likely spread the cooking utensils between us but I will definitely be taking the Jet-Boil on me. As our camp will be below the Snow line the Jet boil will do the job but we plan on having a fire each night if possible. You really don't need that much. A lot of the food will be pre prepared and just need to have hot water added but some cured meats will be taken as well as Jerky, tuna, muesli bars etc. Ideally after a few days in we will drop a smaller deer and take enough meat to just hang and last the rest of the week. The mandatory container of "Bush Spices" will be taken as well.

[@chrisschuster1]

Hey mate, great vid. Just a quick question. What brand / model was that hard drive ?

[@BoltActionProductions]

Western Digital. My Passport Wireless 2TB.

[@chrisschuster1]

Awesome mate I'll look them up cheers 👍

[@chela0101]

Mate, as always you've delivered a great video, thank you. How do you not get lost in thick bush when in all the excitement you venture into the thick stuff away from the tracks etc, What equipment do you use, techniques etc. Thanks

[@BoltActionProductions]

It's really not that hard and as long as you don't get injured you are pretty much good to go. Keep it simple. Camp near a significant location like a creek or river. If you head up hill in the morning you head down hill later that day. Most valleys are just fingers or veins of arteries that you can soon master. If it gets dark and you aren't sure where you are just sit it out until morning. No need to panic instead you just take it all in. When navigating never go directly at your destination but work to the right of left until you cross structures like, tracks, creeks, rivers etc. GPS is just a bonus but not absolutely necessary.

[@chela0101]

Many thanks for your advice, very much appreciated. Have a great trip - look forward to seeing the video.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thankyou

[@gregdavis3246]

Have you tried the Garmin Rino 750 or 650, GPS combined with 80 channel UHF. They are USB rechargeable and have lithium battery plus you can get a AA battery case for for back up.

[@BoltActionProductions]

We have been using the Rino 650's on and off since they were introduced. The GPS function is far better than the radios capabilities and last time I checked they were unable to be charged via USB and this is why I purchased a 12v adapter for it. Do you have some secret we don't know about? Yes I have looked at the AA battery back for them but I would need to take about 2 dozen batteries to last the week.

[@gregdavis3246]

My Garmin 750 I have charged it with usb from a usb socket I have wired into my Hilux, when I was in Mansfield this year hunting Sambar. No kills but i seen 4 while We were there.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers mate. I am trying to contact Garmin Australia as I type this to find out whether this is only a feature on the 750 and not the 650. I will let you know the outcome. P.S. How do you like the 750 so far?

[@gregdavis3246]

The 750 is great, it has a few more features than the 650

[@BoltActionProductions]

Garmin have just confirmed that both the Rino 650 and 750 will charge off USB. On the 650 you get no visual indication that it is charging though. Do you get anything showing on the screen of the 750 when charging off USB? Thanks for the Heads up mate. I will try the 650 on the USB battery pack in the next day or so and let you know how it go's.

[@lukemcintosh5108]

Hi mate, As usual top quality vid, I'm interested to know what pack and frame setup you find best for these trips?

[@BoltActionProductions]

I just use my old Macpac Cascade. Simple, strong and as comfortable as any

[@AnthonyPeterson]

Any advice on shooting sticks? Do you bother with them or do you simple lean up against a tree?

[@BoltActionProductions]

Shooting sticks have there place but for majority of Sambar deer hunting scenarios you won't need them as your shots are reasonably close and you often don't have the time. Get into open country and then they definitely have there place. Stoney Point use to make the best IMO but are no longer manufactured I believe. Primos still make them but the Stoney Point were slightly better IMO.

[@AnthonyPeterson]

Yes, thats been my limited experience. I just returned from a couple of days at Lake Dartmouth - totally loaded with Sambar but the bush is reasonably thick. Had a few close encounters but most shots were about 50 meters with a 2 second window of opportunity. I had no luck glassing the hills. Im still yet to see a sambar BEFORE he sees me. It wasn't wasted a wasted trip because I found a couple of great sites to ambush them en-route to their nightly feeding areas. They are so hard to stalk silently in the bush, you almost have to treat it like bow hunting and just set up an ambush.

[@BoltActionProductions]

It's all practice and more than anything patience. It will pay off in the end mate. Keep at it

[@KempyAU]

Great video! Have a great trip and make sure you get the kill on camera :)

[@BoltActionProductions]

No Pressure. LOL

[@KempyAU]

Hahaha, just check your spam comments, I sent a link to a two way radio with a USB charger. It might be in the spam section because I sent it with a link :)

[@anthonyfoster8072]

Which of the garmin rino are you using to and are they any good

[@BoltActionProductions]

Anthony I will try and put a bit of video together over the coming weekend with what worked and what didn't. We have had the Rino 650's for years and they had some issues with the UHFside of them. On the trip we took 3 new Rino 750's and they performed quite well. I will try and discuss this a little more in depth in a video. Stay tuned