The Outdoor Scene

I am NOT the kind of woman who snoops in people’s medicine cabinets when I visit their powder room. That’s just creepy. I do confess to an acute interest in what people pack in their luggage, though, especially women heading to hunt camp. That is, of course, not weird. It’s a matter of practicality. What health, hygiene and beauty products do other women need when they head afield? Last week, I sent an email to several women quizzing them about what they carried to hunt camp. These are women who are not only beautiful and self-assured; they also are frequent travelers and expert hunters. Their needs range from the bare essentials to those who focus on caring for the diva within to women who know they’ll be appearing in photos and video.

Those I surveyed were more than indulgent about my blatant nosiness and provided the following feedback on what they take to hunt camp for this two-part series.

Marilyn Bentz
Executive Director of the National Bowhunter Education Foundation
Some “have to haves” for my trip to the woods.  Most of them have a dual safety purpose.
- Water (best beauty aid around). Portable water purifying system for trips longer than a day.
- Pre-moistened towelettes, large and small sizes (the no-scent ones are nice, but anything anti-bacterial will do).
- I always have at least a half a roll of toilet paper. Besides the obvious reason, it also can be used as a compress for any accidental cuts.
- Propane powered curling iron (uses same propane canister as Thermacells) for overnight trips.
- CD to use as make-shift mirror or emergency signaling device.
- ChapStick or other lip balm.  I also carry a film canister smushed full of cotton balls that have been saturated with Vaseline (petroleum jelly). This can be used if you forget your ChapStick.  Their real job is as a fire starter, however.
- Gloves, heavy and lightweight to wear all the time for hand protection from cold, rocks or other elements.  Include several pair of disposables if you plan on field dressing game or even just getting your hands wet in a stream. 
- I also carry a small multi-tool that contains a small scissors you can use for a hangnail, pesky tag in a t-shirt, etc.
- Besides being used to put a fine edge on a broadhead, a small file or stone sharpener also can be used to smooth out a rough edge on a fingernail.
- And here is something you may want to consider, if you are a lipstick type gal, consider getting some make-up tattoos.  That way you can put on a baseball hat over the hair and you look great!  The tattoos can be a little expensive up front, but the lipstick and eye-liner are really worth the initial discomfort and effort.

Carolee Boyles
Outdoor writer
- A hairbrush!
- Hand cream for dry skin and a razor to shave my legs is about it.

Laurie Lee Dovey
Outdoor writer/photographer
Executive Director of the Professional Outdoor Media Association
Hygiene and health, yes.
Beauty, no way.
- Revitalizing face cream because my face takes a beating from the elements.
- Sunscreen – always.
- Oil of Olay for all day use, plus it has suncreen in it - in case I forget to use sunscreen.
- Hard core hair gel can turn bad hat hair around in a few minutes.
- Tweezers for tick pulling.
- My own pillow so I can get the best sleepy time possible.
- Hand sanitizer. I just don’t leave home without it.
- Mole foam (self adhesive) for the sore spots on my feet. Get ‘em no matter what boots/shoes I wear. I stick it on the owies, and I’m off and running.
- Vitamins and Airborne. Hunting season means running ourselves into the ground during germ season. We all have to fight back.
- Super wicking underwear, bra and panties. I perspire a lot, and having all the great high-tech cloths that help us me stay comfortable and warm is worthless if I’m wearing cotton underwear that gets soaked from perspiration and clings to my skin. Yuck.

Sheryl Gallup
Media Director at Richard Scales Advertising
In camp or in the field I am always sans makeup but I still carry these essentials:
- Clean & Clear Morning Burst facial cleanser.
- Oil of Olay Fragrance-Free moisturizer.
- SPF 40 or higher sun blocking lotion.
- ChapStick or Burt’s Bees lip balm.
- Benadryl for any allergic reaction.
- Anti-Itch cream.
- Fingernail glue.
- Dove Moisturizing soap – fragrance-free.
- Toothpaste/brush.
- Band-Aids, every size, shape, color.
- For the trip home, I drag out the entire collection of makeup, hair care products, hair dryer and curling iron. But, one of the oddest things in my bag is a roll of camo gun tape. It is the Duct Tape remedy for hunters. I have used it for everything from patching my camo pants that I caught on a barbed wire fence, fixing my suitcase, covering my gun stock, applying over a blister, to temporarily patching boots. I also bring earplugs for a good night’s sleep in camp. I usually bring enough for all the ladies who have to share a room with me!

Vickie Gardner
Alpen Optics Vice President of Stuff
- Juice Plus capsules because you never know if you’ll see a fruit or veggie in hunt camp.
- Target brand wet towelettes because they work for cleaning all parts when water isn’t near camp.
- Floss - for the obvious, and you can use it for anything that needs tied.
- 15-hour lipstick, just because!

Karen Lutto
Co-owner of Hunter Outdoor Communications
Top Ten Items I take with me on hunting trips:
- Aveda Shampoo & conditioner (When in the field, especially for long periods of time, it is nice to smell clean and fresh, but not sexy or too girly.)
- Clear nail polish. This works great if you get chiggers and looks better than pink or red.
- Tweezers. Always have them handy for splinters, cactus and other irritants and, of course, a stray brow can be plucked.
- Aveda lip-gloss adds a little color and sun protection but looks natural.  Not too flashy.
- Ear plugs. Always have earplugs.  You never know who will be in camp and how bad they snore.  Despite having your own room these guys can rattle a house!  And if you are in a tent or tepee they are a god send!
- Simply Sleep. Sometimes earplugs aren’t enough. 
- Mole skin, in the event of blisters this is a must. Always keep it in your pack.
- Super glue. I always keep super glue in my pack or in camp.  If you are in a remote place and someone gets a bad cut this will work to seal the cut if a hospital is not accessible.  (Also repairs fingernails!)
- Preparation H lotion. If you don’t get any sleep, but want to look fresh, rub a little Preparation H under your eyes.  The bags will disappear. 
- Sure Fire flashlight with extra batteries.

Check back in next week for more great tips from women who hunt and travel. And if you have a unique tip you want to share, drop me a line at: tammy@womensoutdoorwire.com.