How heavy is your scouting or hunting setup?

[deleted_user01]

My setup for tomorrow am is heavy. 37lbs. I have a 1.5 mile walk. But i dont know what to leave home

Kuiu 3200 icon pack
In bag:

-45 ounces of water
-Rc harness
-Linesman belt (ropeman, two light carabiners, 11mm rope)
-15 treehopper bolts and ezcut drill
-tree strap
-Bow holder (two arm screw in)
-kill kit (knife, license, wipes, tiny emergency bivy)
-headlamp and small flashlight
-wool gloves and hat/facemask
-sitka incinerator jacket
-Grunt tube

Outside of pack:
-Lonewolf assault hang on (11.5 lbs)
-Sitka incinerator bibs

Thoughts?
Fortunatley it carries easy with the Kuiu frame










Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

This post for future since you're hunting in the am.

I would leave the assault .
And if water is available in the hunt area ; I would replace 1/2 your "packed water supply" with a small water filter.
Grunt tube...( never had luck focusing a bucks attention to my location, figure if I can see him , he's prob going to locate me if I grunt.
Bow holder....replace it with a plastic open hook on your treebelt.

These are what I'd leave behind.
Just the water and stand alone is almost 1/3 weight saved....jmo

 

[deleted_user01]

This post for future since you're hunting in the am.

I would leave the assault .
And if water is available in the hunt area ; I would replace 1/2 your "packed water supply" with a small water filter.
Grunt tube...( never had luck focusing a bucks attention to my location, figure if I can see him , he's prob going to locate me if I grunt.
Bow holder....replace it with a plastic open hook on your treebelt.

These are what I'd leave behind, and change.
Just the water and stand alone is almost 1/3 weight saved....jmo

 

[IkemanTX]

I will say, I pack about the same amount of water. It is an absolute must down here in the south. I had a summer scouting day over 100° that I drank over 70oz in 4 hours and still got heat exhaustion.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[halltrail]

Even in the cold temps today..i drank all the water and was out of water on my walk out. But, I did have a few too many drinks last night....so I was probably dehydrated. I can keep my gear pretty light until its time to deal with cold weather and having to carry in a substantial outer layers. Redfeather, thanks for the input....unfortunately, there are no water sources on the public land....and the few spots that hold water....im not sure Id trust a filter. Mainly because there is a fair amount of agriculture near by...so chemicals could be an issue.

Leave the stand at home huh...Im guessing you mean you would hunt the ground? or did you mean use a saddle? Im really not sure Im saving a lot going in with the saddle. Plus, I really prefer not using the saddle once I have to put on bulky outer clothing. But I do miss the comfort of the new tribe after a couple of hours sitting on the stand.

I did just buy a sit drag to try what others on here are doing. Ill have to give that a shot this week.

 

[deleted_user01]

Even in the cold temps today..i drank all the water and was out of water on my walk out. But, I did have a few too many drinks last night....so I was probably dehydrated. I can keep my gear pretty light until its time to deal with cold weather and having to carry in a substantial outer layers. Redfeather, thanks for the input....unfortunately, there are no water sources on the public land....and the few spots that hold water....im not sure Id trust a filter. Mainly because there is a fair amount of agriculture near by...so chemicals could be an issue.

Leave the stand at home huh...Im guessing you mean you would hunt the ground? or did you mean use a saddle? Im really not sure Im saving a lot going in with the saddle. Plus, I really prefer not using the saddle once I have to put on bulky outer clothing. But I do miss the comfort of the new tribe after a couple of hours sitting on the stand.

I did just buy a sit drag to try what others on here are doing. Ill have to give that a shot this week.

I wasnt sure of water availability in your area so it was me trying to find some ways of reducing your total weight to cary. And yes my thoughts of leaving the stand and going the saddle route were my ideas as well.
Where I hunt there is water everywhere but a filter is needed and a vessel of some kind to contain it.I usually am hydrated well before the walk in and use my compact katydid that weighs about an ounce to just straw what I need during an all day hunt, ( no more water bottles or hyd bladders for me).
Hope you can find some ideas for lightening the load.
Good hunting and stay safe.....

 

[halltrail]

Thanks Red. I do wish there was a way to get water that would be great. Id just bring a platypus blader and filter...or even just a lifestraw. There have been times ive gone in with out water...just like having water i guess.

 

[EricS]

I pack water here also. In Colorado I filter water. IkemanTx your pack is a little heavy and long like you said you switched to a saddle to save weight. You are carrying enough to make two presets maybe three depending on how high you wish to climb and whether you remove the bolts you can reach from the ground. Not sure I would carry the stick and aider just to hang trail cameras with. Wouldn't you also have to carry it to check it. Why not drill and bolts to get to the camera? Or use the stick and aider to climb trees and skip the drill and bolts.

 

[halltrail]

Yikes 37lbs, that's what I work out with to get in shape. What's that pack weigh? I dont take any water, if you stay hydrated one hunt want kill ya. Most people dont drink enough on a regular basis.

Kenn1320, The kuiu 3200 pack and frame is 4.5lbs empty. I know weights add up...but 45 ounces of water is only 3lbs. I could lower the amount of water some. I think a lot of the weight is the cold weather gear.

50 oz for incinerator bibs and close to another 50 for the jacket. (7lbs for the two) These are my lightest weight cold weather gear that I have. The IWOM and Dayone stuff is heavier. Some people maybe able to wear there outer gear in and not carry. I see a lot of posts like these and people seem to list and weigh just the essential things but forget about clothes and little items like knives/license holder, range finder, pruners/saw, compass, gps...etc.

I dont think Id go with out my compass...I hunt the afternoons a lot...and it is super easy to get turned around in the dark in the thick areas I hunt. I dont use reflective tacks or anything cause I dont want people to see where I hunt. The GPS helps too...especially since i hunt mobile a lot...see a good amount of deer sign. I mark a tree to climb on the gps...this way when I go back I can find the spot quickly...with out hunting around for the spot. Especially good if its a AM hunt in I go in the dark.

a 20lb setup sure would be nice.

 

[deleted_user01]

Kenn1320, The kuiu 3200 pack and frame is 4.5lbs empty. I know weights add up...but 45 ounces of water is only 3lbs. I could lower the amount of water some. I think a lot of the weight is the cold weather gear.

50 oz for incinerator bibs and close to another 50 for the jacket. (7lbs for the two) These are my lightest weight cold weather gear that I have. The IWOM and Dayone stuff is heavier. Some people maybe able to wear there outer gear in and not carry. I see a lot of posts like these and people seem to list and weigh just the essential things but forget about clothes and little items like knives/license holder, range finder, pruners/saw, compass, gps...etc.

I dont think Id go with out my compass...I hunt the afternoons a lot...and it is super easy to get turned around in the dark in the thick areas I hunt. I dont use reflective tacks or anything cause I dont want people to see where I hunt. The GPS helps too...especially since i hunt mobile a lot...see a good amount of deer sign. I mark a tree to climb on the gps...this way when I go back I can find the spot quickly...with out hunting around for the spot. Especially good if its a AM hunt in I go in the dark.

a 20lb setup sure would be nice.

 

[IkemanTX]

After a scouting trip yesterday, I'm pretty sure I'm going to be ditching the power drill. That will drop a significant amount of weight. I will, however, keep the 2L water bladder. I suck down water like a fish to avoid migraines. As heavy as my setup is (minus the drill), it was extremely easy to carry. It fit easily in and out of the kayak as well. I really feel like I could easily cover an entire day's worth of ground without getting fatigued. I will have to weigh the setup again once I get everything settled. Right now, I'm thinking I dropped my setup into the very low 20's
@EricS I had that same idea about the stick for yesterday mornings scout. Pulled it out and didn't miss it once. 2 bolt holes only take about 2 minutes to drill, so I consider that effort to be more than worth the weight loss.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[redsquirrel]

After a scouting trip yesterday, I'm pretty sure I'm going to be ditching the power drill. That will drop a significant amount of weight. I will, however, keep the 2L water bladder. I suck down water like a fish to avoid migraines. As heavy as my setup is (minus the drill), it was extremely easy to carry. It fit easily in and out of the kayak as well. I really feel like I could easily cover an entire day's worth of ground without getting fatigued. I will have to weigh the setup again once I get everything settled. Right now, I'm thinking I dropped my setup into the very low 20's
@EricS I had that same idea about the stick for yesterday mornings scout. Pulled it out and didn't miss it once. 2 bolt holes only take about 2 minutes to drill, so I consider that effort to be more than worth the weight loss.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

A couple questions: Are you drilling bolt holes now for next year? If you are, you will need to re-drill these holes come fall. Have you set up a full tree with the hand drill? I did this one time and I found it to be a huge PITA. I keep the hand drill with me on hunts in case I need to clean out a hole that is too tight for my bit.

 

[IkemanTX]

A couple questions: Are you drilling bolt holes now for next year? If you are, you will need to re-drill these holes come fall. Have you set up a full tree with the hand drill? I did this one time and I found it to be a huge PITA. I keep the hand drill with me on hunts in case I need to clean out a hole that is too tight for my bit.

I have set up one full one for target shooting, and a half one in the field that looks like it might be a great pig stand. (forgot my saw to clean limbs) the one whole tree I set up was to 20 feet, and took me just over 15 minutes. Not bad at all.

How early can you start prepping them without the holes closing up? And if they close a little, how hard is it to clean them out?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LooyvilleLarry]

My initial reason for switching to saddles instead of a lone wolf or XOP was to reduce the amount of weight I was carrying. I got a pretty good drop in weight when I initially dropped the lone wolf, but gained a chunk back when I built the DaveT1963 platform.
I am dropping another good chunk of weight dropping the sticks for bolts as well. But, I think that after ropes, carabiners, and Ropeman1's I am pretty close to the original weight I started with on my lone wolf and sticks. It is, however, far less bulky, and much more ergonomic.

This year, I put together a new hunting/scouting backpack and was very surprised at just how heavy it ended up. I have an assortment of small things like a knife, milkweed for checking wind, pens for tags, a hand chain saw for trimming... I also carry a trail Cam, a Dewalt drill with extra battery for drilling trees, an EZ Kut hand drill, a single hawk helium stick, one aider for the stick, my Sit Drag, 2 linesman belts, 25 bolts to set trees up, and a 2L hidration bladder.

Total setup for scouting is 29.6lbs

I couldn't believe how heavy it got! How much weight do y'all drag around?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I go through this a couple times a year. I average around 25-30#, depending on the method. I use whatever I need each time, so I may use spurs and a rappel rope, or a RADS with a preset line, or (heaviest) some sticks. I plan on adding a sitdrag and getting some lighter setups, and trying to lighten things up even more, both with what I am carrying in, and the big weight in my boots !

 

[redsquirrel]

I have set up one full one for target shooting, and a half one in the field that looks like it might be a great pig stand. (forgot my saw to clean limbs) the one whole tree I set up was to 20 feet, and took me just over 15 minutes. Not bad at all.

How early can you start prepping them without the holes closing up? And if they close a little, how hard is it to clean them out?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

15 minutes is not bad at all! Much better than when I did it lol.

I don't know how early you can start. All I can tell you is that for the spot I use this in, I prep the trees in august or september. They are good for the season, I may just need to clean up a hole my first time in, that's why I bring the hand drill. When I go back to them the next season the hole has filled in. Although with the electric drill, if you re-drill the same hole, it is much easier than the first time.

 

[IkemanTX]

I will have to experiment. I have heard of people getting 1 whole growing season out of them, but that may be further north or different species that can't put on as much growth.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[IkemanTX]

Well, it won't happen this year, but I'm thinking of adding a Ruger 10/22 compact to my pack... assuming I can get within bow range, that would let me take pigs down with a head or behind the ear shot. The compact versions are 4.5lbs (customizable lighter) and I could strap a scabbard onto the molly loops on the side or back of my backpack. It would be on for scouting, but come off for both whitetail seasons.

Am I crazy?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[justsomedude]

RE: Tree Bolt holes.

It really depends on the tree. I've had some holes that stayed open for two seasons. I suspect that younger trees fill in faster. Haven't done a controlled study.

 

[IkemanTX]

RE: Tree Bolt holes.

It really depends on the tree. I've had some holes that stayed open for two seasons. I suspect that younger trees fill in faster. Haven't done a controlled study.

I think I'll have to set up a few trees before green up, a few in early summer, a few just before the season.... just to see.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[justsomedude]

Ideal for me would be early spring before the ticks was up and the temps are still down.
I have a 12v Lithium Ryobi drill that weighs 2.5lbs including the EZ Kut bit. I've set 5 trees with it on one charge...usually 10 bolts per tree.

When I scout early, I usually carry a machete to clear trails. Lots of thorns here in TN and I take the opportunity to create clean entries into the woods. Add ratchet pruners and a folding saw, bolts, drill, binos. If I am climbing while I scout, I carry a rock harness...plenty comfortable to just climb up and look.

 

[Ontariofarmer]

I liked flinginairos saddle hunting promotion on the hunting beast. Yup I remember sweating trying to find the right branchless tree with a climber, waking up every deer within a mile with the clanking and breaking of branches.

http://www.thehuntingbeast.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=39578&start=30

Re: Mobile treestand weight
Unread postby flinginairos » Tue Mar 28, 2017 10:00 am

ThePreBanMan wrote:
flinginairos wrote:I use a modified SitDrag as a saddle. Fully setup it's 3.5lbs. My platform to stand on is made from a seat off an XOP stand and it's 4lbs. For climbing I either use climbing spikes=4lbs for the set, or the one stick method which is 2.5lbs. My total weight for the setup is 11.5lbs at its heaviest and I can go down to 6.5lbs if I want to. I can also sit all day in this setup. My back can't handle a small lock on for long.



Man I have GOT to get on that saddle train.... 11 lbs... That's awesome.

It's changed the game for me. I can walk slowly through new areas looking for sign and set up anywhere I want. When I used a climber the weight just killed me and I found myself crashing through the woods just looking for the nearest tree to get the dang thing off my back!