Minimalist set ups.

[catman529]

If I didn’t do video, I’d only carry the bare bones. The Predator pack would come in handy for that. I can go a lot more minimal with turkey hunting because there’s no tree arm for the camera or climbing gear. I just carry the camera on a tripod when I turkey hunt. I used to carry the shotgun too, but finally got a sling a couple years ago.


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[woodsnwaterman]

I use a Lone Wolf Hand climber, it weighs 4 pounds 2 ounces and I use is for climbing and a platform.

RutJr

I am getting in to SH for the first time this coming season and I want to use my LWHC as my climbing method and my platform as well. Do you/did you use the top or bottom piece of the climber? Did you modify it in any way? Once you got to hunting height did you use an additional ‘something’ like an ocb strap to lock it in place? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Patriot]

On my saddle I have the following:
- 33' of 550 cord

550 cord is great to have for a gazillion reasons including survival, but do you have 33’ for a specific reason? Like is it a cool backup for descending with some method I’m not aware of?

 

[ThePennsylvanian]

Nope, main reason is it's my pull rope, I wind it between two molle clips to keep it tangle free. Simple, not the big "#game changer" you were looking for! But it fits my need!

 

[deertrout]

I'm a pack hoarder but also a minimalist. My hunting packs boil down to 4 options: a walmart camo fanny pack, a fly fishing camo sling pack, an Alaska Guide Creations Cub MAX bino harness, and an Exo Mountain Gear K2 5500.

Early season short hunts I tend to gravitate towards the fanny pack. It holds my tether, LB, headlamp, a snack, water bottle and binos. Plus more if I need it.

The fly fishing sling pack is starting to take the place of the fanny pack as I move into the saddle game from a full body harness and treestand hunting as it doesnt interfere with my saddle and rotates around to my back when I'm not needing anything in it. It's really nice for ground hunting, too.

The AGC bino harness is really nice and minimalist, too. Binos, keys, headlamp, rangefinder, knife, milkweed. Tether and LB go in pants cargo pockets. It's actually kind of crazy how much stuff you can fit in that little pack, but at the same time, it forces you to only bring what you need.

The Exo is my baby. I've had it for about 3 years now and it is a workhorse. It is always in the car even if its early season and I'm not using it as I will go back to the car and get it after a shot and before tracking so I can quarter and pack the deer out. If it's cold, I'm using it to pack extra layers in. If it's a long sit, I'm throwing food in there. If there is a water crossing, waders get strapped on. Etc., etc.

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[Patriot]

Nope, main reason is it's my pull rope, I wind it between two molle clips to keep it tangle free. Simple, not the big "#game changer" you were looking for! But it fits my need!

lol “game changer” The fact that I didn’t even consider it was a simple pull rope just goes to show how accustom we all have become to the amazing ingenuity that comes from this community.

 

[always89y]

You guys have me all sorts of wrapped up in putting together an ultralight minimalist set up. Heres where I'm at with everything I think I need except weapon and water. Includes:
Saddle (Phantomish clone)
Climbing method (amsteel tethers)
Platform (treehopper ros)
Extra linemans for going around branches (amsteel)
Pull rope (zingit)
Headlamp
Extra flashlight
Gear hanger with bow hook
Knee pads
Fanny pack
Grizzly can is for size reference

Currently that's about 5 1/2. Would love to get under 5 for this kit.

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[mtsrunner]

You guys have me all sorts of wrapped up in putting together an ultralight minimalist set up. Heres where I'm at with everything I think I need except weapon and water. Includes:
Saddle (Phantomish clone)
Climbing method (amsteel tethers)
Platform (treehopper ros)
Extra linemans for going around branches (amsteel)
Pull rope (zingit)
Headlamp
Extra flashlight
Gear hanger with bow hook
Knee pads
Fanny pack
Grizzly can is for size reference

Currently that's about 5 1/2. Would love to get under 5 for this kit.

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Swap out that headlamp for a Nitecore NU25 from Litesmith if you want to shed some weight.

Nitecore® NU25 Triple Output USB Rechargeable Headlamp

Nitecore® NU25 is a triple output USB rechargeable headlamp with 360 lumen, high CRI, and red LEDs. Featherlight at just 1.17 oz (33.0 g) with our exclusive ultralight headband, perfect for backpacking.

www.litesmith.com

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[always89y]

Swap out that headlamp for a Nitecore NU25 from Litesmith if you want to shed some weight.

Nitecore® NU25 Triple Output USB Rechargeable Headlamp

Nitecore® NU25 is a triple output USB rechargeable headlamp with 360 lumen, high CRI, and red LEDs. Featherlight at just 1.17 oz (33.0 g) with our exclusive ultralight headband, perfect for backpacking.

www.litesmith.com

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Nice! Thanks

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[mtsrunner]

Nice! Thanks

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The NU20 is even lighter, but the 25 is a lot brighter, better battery life and features are better. I have both.


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[Tr33_n1nj@]

Probably leave the extra flashlight at the truck if you carry a phone. I’ve used just the screen to navigate before on a dark night, but most have a flashlight feature. Assuming there’s battery left after checking into SH.com

 

[Weldabeast]

Those glow stick things make for good back up light source. They cheap and lightweight....

 

[BTaylor]

The little petzl elight is a great little light for navigating through the woods. Would not want to try tracking a poorly hit deer with it though. I dont see much else that could be changed to lose weight. That is an impressively small kit.

 

[always89y]

I found a Nitecore U20 CRI and went ahead and made the plunge. at 1.6 oz ( 1.2 with the shock cord headstrap mod), it seems like a very nice light weight option.

Also going to take @Weldabeast advice on the mini chemlights. I have a bunch of those and didnt even think about it. Drops another 2oz

Downside...I forgot to include the back band and cell charger. Both essentials for me. Im going to have to be happy with under 6 lbs.

 

[Vtbow]

The little petzl elight is a great little light for navigating through the woods. Would not want to try tracking a poorly hit deer with it though. I dont see much else that could be changed to lose weight. That is an impressively small kit.

+1 on this ^ extremely functional for its size, and I know the older versions had a red led as well..

 

[Vtbow]

This used to be my setup...but I"ve put on a few pounds in the last year or so with a second kid and have gone back to grade 8 bolts...pack size is still the same, but a bit heavier...

Entire setup...5.25 lbs

-Climbing method -step platform -saddle -all ropes/tethers, biners -fanny pack Guess whats inside? Gallon paint can for scale. @Nutterbuster @huck72412 you can't play!

saddlehunter.com

 

[always89y]

This used to be my setup...but I"ve put on a few pounds in the last year or so with a second kid and have gone back to grade 8 bolts...pack size is still the same, but a bit heavier...

Entire setup...5.25 lbs

-Climbing method -step platform -saddle -all ropes/tethers, biners -fanny pack Guess whats inside? Gallon paint can for scale. @Nutterbuster @huck72412 you can't play!

saddlehunter.com

How do you like only using 4 steps? I considered dropping mine to 4, but seems like it would be a little rough.

 

[bj139]

My back pack weighed 17 lbs in October.

Why carry so much crap?

I’m the type of person that doesn’t carry anything that isn’t used every hunt. My bag has a pruner and saw, gloves, flashlight, pull rope, screw in steps for a ring and to hang my bow and some water. My rangefinder is on my side. A few snacks and a knife and grunt call. Unused items take up...

saddlehunter.com

 

[biggta5]

If I run with all 8 steps. Most of the time I only use 5-6.

 

[Vtbow]

How do you like only using 4 steps? I considered dropping mine to 4, but seems like it would be a little rough.

At first I thought I would miss the 5th.

How do you like only using 4 steps? I considered dropping mine to 4, but seems like it would be a little rough.

At first I thought I would miss the 5th. But honestly didnt even notice it was missing. I actually went to running 4 bolts this year for a ROS instead of actually steps at @Nutterbuster 's urging to try...and they worked great. I hunt out of good hiking boots most of the time, and the bolt didnt fell any less comfortable than a step.