This is the second of a multi-part series about checking a hunter’s backpack with several pockets.

Exploring the second pocket of my hunting backpack: The 9-volt battery is a backup for the one in my range-finder. It has a date of March, 2015. It is time to place a new battery in the range-finder and a new battery in the pack as a backup.

An ink pen is also in the pocket. When would a hunter need a pen in the field? Here’s one scenario: A hunter meets up with another hunter who has taken a white-tailed deer. The first hunter ties flies and could use the tail of the deer for this purpose. The second hunter gives the tail to the first hunter. Before this transaction is legally complete, the second hunter must supply a written statement with name, address, license information and more info to the first hunter.

This actually happened to me when helping two other hunters dress and load two elk. One of the successful hunters didn’t want the elk liver or heart. He gave them to me, along with the required written statement.

The Gerber fire starter is the best piece of equipment for this purpose I’ve ever seen. It is five-inches long, one-inch wide and three-quarters of an inch high and made of plastic.

It pulls apart to reveal flint and steel surfaces. The flint is a circle one-half inch in diameter. The steel is much smaller, but provides a mighty spark when played along the flint.

Gerber stopped making this tool and it surprised me as to why? They told me not enough were being sold. They said the hunters in the eastern part of the United States really don’t need such survival tools. The next house is a mile away at most, so they can find their way out of the woods.

Out west, however, such a survival tool is needed, because we hunt more rugged country, and, therefore, it may be the difference between life and death. This fire starter will last a lifetime, which is another downfall to selling more.

A bit of explanation is needed at this point. My pack is heavy, too heavy to carry into the field. However, it is taken everywhere Garnet and I travel, Colville, Spokane, Yakima, Seattle, Idaho, Montana, etc.

The mountain men carried a possibles bag. The bag held the items they would use for everyday use, such as fire-starting flint and steel. My backpack is a combination of a possibles bag and a survival kit, which would be used in an emergency.

Next week: Checking the backpack pocket by pocket continued.