OK, I have ben struggling with getting my junk organized and am your seeking advice.
First, let me introduce my current gear and (lack of) organization: I carry all my stuff in a Camelback pack that I added a second water bottle holder to. My kill kit and non-saddle emergency gear goes in the pack with my extra clothing, food, etc. My LWHC goes in the shove-it pocket, and to accommodate it better, I have added an extra length and quick release buckle to one of its side straps. My LWHC is equipped with the standard seat cushion, an aider, paracord emergency connection, and I also add a knee cushion for the tree. My "saddle" is a RCH that I wear in, and I connect my LB and tether to the gear loops (no containment). (Yes, I plan to convert to a real saddle this year...) I also have a small bag of paracord for my pull up rope attached to the RCH gear loops. My HYS is a daisy chain of webbing with a Hero clip, generally kept on or in my pack. I also carry an extra carabiner (maybe two?). On archery hunts, I attach a quiver to my pack.
To some of you, this may seem OK, but I am struggling at the tree. I hate sitting anything down on the ground at my tree, especially my pack, as the back of it gets stinky. (Years ago, I literally had a doe spook by smelling the ground where I sat my pack.) Now I try to set only my bow or gun on the ground, and I would love to avoid that. I also hate the clink of metal to metal, and spooked one deer in pre-dawn from this in archery season.
So, I come to the tree, lean my weapon against it, pull my pack off and extract my LWHC. Then I try to balance it while I put my pack back on, and then put my HC on the tree. After attaching a haul cord to my weapon, I tether up and climb into the HC, and begin my ascent. Once at height, I deploy my HYS strap, connect my pack to the loose end, and connect my Hero to a convenient loop. Then I haul up my weapon, put it on the Hero, and begin to add/change clothes if necessary.
My descent is similar, but I have tried to avoid lowering my weapon during hunting light. I tried connecting my compound to the LWHC by the riser but could not manage the HC that way. So, I have just connected it to my pack with the shove it pocket, but I worry about buggering up a sight or rest. For gun season, I have unloaded my rifle and used my sling to put it on my back, but now what to do with my pack? So, I tried hanging my pack from my waist, but it is too long and interferes with the HC.
I have seen several threads on here about packs and organization in general, but wondered if any one who uses a LWHC had better suggestions. As others have pointed out, the LWHC seems like it could make a great "frame" for a pack, but I have not seen anyone post further on this idea. My seat and tree cushions could provide sufficient padding. Without the LWHC and shoulder straps attached, the pack of gear, food, clothes would be pretty light, but where and how do I connect it? I liked Redbeard's chest rig, but it doesn't seem large enough to even manage all my hot weather stuff. A sling or fanny pack might work OK in warmer weather, but in colder temps I need more clothes than I wear in. This is usually covered with a puff jacket and some rain pants, which I might add are a bit challenging to get on while standing on a LWHC platform. (Anyone else considered a hunting skirt? Something easy but short of the sleeping bag option...)
Though I have had a successful season, with many great opportunities on young deer passed or blown, I would really like your help refining my system for 2021. While this will not make me a better hunter, it would help eliminate some frustration, which should equate to better hunting experiences. And, should I get an opportunity on a wise old buck, I'd like to be as prepared as possible. I sure hope that some of you can help. Thanks.
Hugh
First, let me introduce my current gear and (lack of) organization: I carry all my stuff in a Camelback pack that I added a second water bottle holder to. My kill kit and non-saddle emergency gear goes in the pack with my extra clothing, food, etc. My LWHC goes in the shove-it pocket, and to accommodate it better, I have added an extra length and quick release buckle to one of its side straps. My LWHC is equipped with the standard seat cushion, an aider, paracord emergency connection, and I also add a knee cushion for the tree. My "saddle" is a RCH that I wear in, and I connect my LB and tether to the gear loops (no containment). (Yes, I plan to convert to a real saddle this year...) I also have a small bag of paracord for my pull up rope attached to the RCH gear loops. My HYS is a daisy chain of webbing with a Hero clip, generally kept on or in my pack. I also carry an extra carabiner (maybe two?). On archery hunts, I attach a quiver to my pack.
To some of you, this may seem OK, but I am struggling at the tree. I hate sitting anything down on the ground at my tree, especially my pack, as the back of it gets stinky. (Years ago, I literally had a doe spook by smelling the ground where I sat my pack.) Now I try to set only my bow or gun on the ground, and I would love to avoid that. I also hate the clink of metal to metal, and spooked one deer in pre-dawn from this in archery season.
So, I come to the tree, lean my weapon against it, pull my pack off and extract my LWHC. Then I try to balance it while I put my pack back on, and then put my HC on the tree. After attaching a haul cord to my weapon, I tether up and climb into the HC, and begin my ascent. Once at height, I deploy my HYS strap, connect my pack to the loose end, and connect my Hero to a convenient loop. Then I haul up my weapon, put it on the Hero, and begin to add/change clothes if necessary.
My descent is similar, but I have tried to avoid lowering my weapon during hunting light. I tried connecting my compound to the LWHC by the riser but could not manage the HC that way. So, I have just connected it to my pack with the shove it pocket, but I worry about buggering up a sight or rest. For gun season, I have unloaded my rifle and used my sling to put it on my back, but now what to do with my pack? So, I tried hanging my pack from my waist, but it is too long and interferes with the HC.
I have seen several threads on here about packs and organization in general, but wondered if any one who uses a LWHC had better suggestions. As others have pointed out, the LWHC seems like it could make a great "frame" for a pack, but I have not seen anyone post further on this idea. My seat and tree cushions could provide sufficient padding. Without the LWHC and shoulder straps attached, the pack of gear, food, clothes would be pretty light, but where and how do I connect it? I liked Redbeard's chest rig, but it doesn't seem large enough to even manage all my hot weather stuff. A sling or fanny pack might work OK in warmer weather, but in colder temps I need more clothes than I wear in. This is usually covered with a puff jacket and some rain pants, which I might add are a bit challenging to get on while standing on a LWHC platform. (Anyone else considered a hunting skirt? Something easy but short of the sleeping bag option...)
Though I have had a successful season, with many great opportunities on young deer passed or blown, I would really like your help refining my system for 2021. While this will not make me a better hunter, it would help eliminate some frustration, which should equate to better hunting experiences. And, should I get an opportunity on a wise old buck, I'd like to be as prepared as possible. I sure hope that some of you can help. Thanks.
Hugh