The Outdoor Scene

If you’re getting ready to pack your bags and head to hunt camp, take a moment and check out what the experts travel with. Learn what products and brands the following beautiful and influential women use for health, hygiene and beauty purposes when they’re afield. Plus, if you don’t laugh out loud at a couple of their observations, your funny bone must be missing.

Sherry Kerr
Owner, Outdoor Media Resources
Since I’m often hosting writers clients, and others when I’m in camp, some of the items I take are as much for my guests and friends as for myself.  I find that I share them on every hunt.  Here are 10 items I always pack:
- AfterBite - Bugs love me.  I’d go crazy from bites if I didn’t keep AfterBite close by.
- Johnson & Johnson Baby Wash Cloths (or a similar generic) - These keep me feeling and smelling fresh in camp without smelling like alcohol or medicine, and they’re large and thick enough to actually bathe with them.
- Benadryl - This doubles as medicine for allergic reactions and as a sleep aid.
- Ibuprofen - It’s a great painkiller, and since it reduces inflammation, it can help get your feet ready for another day of walking and climbing in boots.
- Advil Cold/Sinus - With a group of hunters, at least one person will need sinus medicine.  I find this one to be easily tolerated.
- Minimal make-up - While not feeling the need to wear make-up while hunting is a perk, sometimes I want to look better for a photo shoot or the trip home. I use a tiny make-up bag and pack a few items; anything that doesn’t fit in it doesn’t go.
- Neutrogena hand cream - It’s rich, scent-free and non-greasy. It saves my hands.
- Trial size toiletries - I feel challenged to pack necessities as tightly as possible, so I never take a full-size container of any toiletries.  Whenever I’m in a drugstore or discount store, I look for trial sizes in the brands I like and stock up on them. Some can be refilled from regular sizes.
- Water bottle - When we’re in camp and away from our usual routines, it’s easy to not drink enough water, resulting in dehydration, headaches, UTIs and other problems.  I always have a bottle of water in my daypack.
- Toilet paper - I take about a half roll with the cardboard core removed, then flatten it to take less space.  Aside from the obvious, it can also be used for marking your trail or a blood trail.

Karen Lee
Editor, Turkey Country
National Wild Turkey Federation
- ChapStick, because my lips will either get wind-chapped or sun burned.
- Oil of Olay face lotion with SPF 15 (It protects my skin but doesn’t get it greasy feeling after a day of sweating outdoors.)
- A natural shade of lipstick. Clinique’s Bamboo Pink is what I use. (I want to look nice for a trophy photo but not unnatural.)
- Funky flip-flops for around camp. It’s kind of “my thing” to wear, which gives me a sense of individuality in a sea of camo. Plus, they’re easy to slip on and off and allow my feet to breathe after a day in boots.
- A compact, folding brush and ponytail holder to go in my pack.
- Not a fan of cover scents that smell like pee, so I use vanilla-scented shampoo during deer season. I’ve heard that it doesn’t spook deer. Seems to have worked OK for me in the past.

Stephanie Mallory
Owner, Mallory Communications
To camp I usually carry:
- A hairdryer and round brush - I don’t want to bring a curling iron or rollers to camp, but I can put some shape in my hair with the hairdryer and brush.
- I bring a modified version of my normal makeup bag - includes at the very least concealer, powder, lipstick, ChapStick and mascara.
- Of course, toothbrush, toothpaste, some form of squeeze soap, razor, moisturizer, deodorant (scent-free when deer hunting).
- I usually wear a pair of small silver earrings that will go with everything.
- I bring a cute hat (in addition to my hunting hats) in case we go somewhere immediately after hunting and I have time to change clothes, but I don’t have time to fix my hat hair.
- Rubber bands for my hair.
- To the field, I just carry lipstick, in case I need to get my picture made.

Lisa Metheny:
Outdoor Writer/Photographer and Accomplished Hunter
Here is a list of the critical things I always pack, regardless of whether I am headed out the back door for a quick hunt in a nearby treestand or headed to the mountains. What starts out as an ounce in the backpack in the morning will end up feeling like a pound in the backpack by noon. So I only take a few things and all of them can fit into the SAME small Ziploc bag.
- Hunter Specialties Scent Free wet wipes - I always take these as I don’t have to worry about scent, and they serve multiple purposes such as when nature calls. They are also great for cleaning up after field dressing and super for freshening up mid-day. They are thick and soft enough to use as a washcloth.
- Hunter Specialties Lip Balm with SPF - Don’t tell the guys but the HS lip balm not only protects against sunburn but it also gives a nice little shine to the lips. Great for using throughout the day but perfect to put on when it is time to smile for those trophy photo shots.
- Elastic Hair Tie(s) - I like to keep my hair in a loose ponytail while hunting as it helps keep it out of my eyes and helps to keep it tangle free. But when it is time for a photo, I try and take the ponytail out. Keeping one or two hair ties around my wrist is common for me. They also serve multiple uses such as sleeve or pant gaiters.
I never leave home without these three items. A clean face, shiny lips and tangle free hair makes everyone look better in trophy photos.

Kirstie Pike
Founder and CEO Prois Hunting Apparel for Women
- Pro-Active Sunscreen SPF 15.  Minimal scent.  Doesn’t clog pores and cause acne.  Small bottles are easy to tote.
- WetWipes- portable pack.  Don’t leave home without them.  Great for ANYTHING that needs a wiping or cleaning!
- Burt’s Bees Lip moisturizer.  It’s the bomb.
- Ibuprofen…always.
- Honestly- any time I travel, I have my mascara and BodyShop eye shadow.  Very compact and a must-have if photos will be taken. I wasn’t blessed with that ‘gorgeous when she wakes up’ look!  I need help.
- Small bottle of Castille Liquid Soap. No scent, no environmental impact.
- My flippy ‘fold in half’ toothbrush.  Oh man, forgot that one time.  Ick.
- Ball cap. No matter how rough the hair looks, you can cover it up!
- Dove Antiperspirant.  Yeah, that should be at the TOP of the list!
- I have finally learned the true value of SPF in my ChapStick, after having my lips swell up like a baboon. It’s also nice not to have my lips sloughing like I have leprosy.

Brenda Potts:
Outdoor Writer/Marketing Consultant
Midwest Legacy Marketing
- Chap stick (never leave home without out it, always have several packed).
- Unscented sunscreen (use as a foundation under makeup).
- Hunter’s Specialties Field Wipes (also great for in-field washing off unexpected exposure to poison ivy).
- Neutrogena hand cream (must-have in cold weather when hands get cracked and dry).
- Tissue (for hay fever, no one wants to hear constant sniffing during on-camera hunts and of course, calls of nature).

Cheryl Riley
V.P. Education and Outreach
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever
When I pheasant hunt, it’s all about my feet!  I have sturdy shoes that support my ankles on uneven ground and keep my feet dry.  I have learned to always wear a pair of liner socks under my wool socks to avoid blisters.  Ruined one hunt before I learned that. If you can’t walk, it’s hard to hunt upland birds!

Shannon Salyer,
Public Relations Specialist for Nikon Sport Optics, Winchester Ammunition and ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellent
If you were to look in my toiletries bag at hunt camp, this is what you would find:
- Secret Invisible Protection Unscented - Apologies to all of the scent companies who make pit sticks, but I don’t want to use the same deodorant my guide uses.
- Hair Ties - You can never have too many of these.
- Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara (Green & Pink bottle) - This is the only makeup I wear in the stand, accent your natural beauty!
- CamoFX™ Face Paint (Realtree) - I love this stuff, just wipe it off, no scrubbing necessary.
Wildlife Research Center’s Vanilla Cover Scent - Why smell like dirt?
- Dead Down Wind e2 Scent Prevent Lotion - Scent-free body wash makes my skin dry and itchy, this stuff solves that problem.
- ChapStick - The original is all I need, I usually buy this in bulk since I lose at least one per hunt.
- HS shampoo, conditioner & body wash - A basic essential to staying scent-free.
- Good smelling shampoo, conditioner and lotion - Nothing like the feeling of your everyday products after a week or two of being scent-free!

Lisa Snuggs
SEOPA Executive Director
- Lip balm - Sun, wind and extreme temps play havoc on your lips. I keep lip balm handy everywhere, but especially when I’m outdoors.
- Deodorant - Some women glisten and glow. I sweat. Period.
- Mineral powder make-up - These new powdered foundations are quick, easy to use and convenient, offering a smooth look to your face anytime, anywhere. A touch of mascara and you’re good to go!
- Face wash - Can’t stand to go to sleep with a dirty face. Even if it’s not convenient to have a full-fledged bath for a couple days, there’s always a way to clean your face. The make-up removing towelettes are great for travel because you can pack just a few in a Zip-Vac bag.
- Face lotion - As we age, it’s more important than ever keep our faces moisturized. It feels good, too!
- Toothpaste and toothbrush - Duh!
- Hairbrush - Even a very small brush is better than none at all.
- Meds - I always make sure to carry a small first aid kit that includes baby aspirin, ibuprofen, a topical antibiotic and bandages.
- Vitamins - Gotta have ‘em.
- Snacks - I always carry granola bars for back up to planned meals.
- If I’m certain I’ll be photographed while on an outdoor adventure, I make sure to add a few more essentials to my tool kit:  lip liner, eye liner and pressed powder.

Brenda Valentine
First Lady of Hunting, TV show host, author, spokeswoman for the NWTF and member of the RedHead Pro Hunting Team
Stuff I carry on hunts, of course this varies according to the time of the year, hunt destination, and mode of travel but here are a few of my standbys.
- Free & Clear Liquid Cleanser.  Recommended by my dermatologist. I buy it online.  It is free of dyes, fragrance, lanolin, parabens and formaldehyde, plus it is very inexpensive.
- Vanicream Sunscreen Sport. Another product recommended by my dermatologist and found online at an affordable price.  Totally free of all scent, allergens or irritants.
- Vanicreme. Deep moisturizer for night and Vanicreme Light for day wear.
- Mitchum unscented anti-perspirant.  This stuff works so well you can use it every other day with no sweat!
- Harsh weather conditions are brutal on skin. That is why I layer my face with protective barriers of sunscreen, moisturizers, and makeup to shield it from the elements. I use a foundation made by Make Up Forever in Professional High Definition.
- Multivitamins
- Lip Balm . All kinds since I’m prone to losing it or leaving it in pockets and washing it in the washing machine.
- Orly Red Nail polish.  At the end of a hard day whether it be climbing mountains chasing an elk, shivering in a treestand waiting for a whitetail, or splashing through the creeks hunting for a gobbler, when the wool socks and heavy boots come off nothing reminds me faster that I am a strong, yet feminine woman than perfectly pedicured toe nails polished bright red.  I’m always amazed how that one little thing works such wonders.