These are some of the things I keep in my backpack pretty much all season.
Of all the things on this list, these are some of the items I've tested the most through
extensive trial and error.
First, the three calls I keep with me all season are huge.
There's nothing fancy about my clothing system. I've learned over the years what works and what doesn't and I've continued to use everything (no matter how cheap or expensive) that gets the job done. Most days I dress like I'm going to walk through hot brush all day, then add layers as needed if I'm going to be sitting in the cold.
The biggest thing I've learned over the last couple years is how important layering is. That's why I almost always have on a base of Merino wool.
I would highly recommend keeping the brush in mind when choosing outerwear. Fleece
and other fabrics that catch things easily won't do well. A tough outer layer is important.
I keep a couple different pairs of gloves on me but these two from First Lite are my
favorite.
The best cartridge for South Texas (just like everywhere else) is pretty debatable, but
these are some guns that rotate in and out of my truck all year.