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Minimalist saddle minimalist gear

noxninja

noxninja

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2015
Messages
1,388
So a conversation I had with myself this morning and ironically the same one I have during turkey season is exactly how much I really need to take to the woods with me. Obviously tethers and climbing gear, thermacell, release, headlight, GPS and Extra batteries are a must on my list. I have a sling on my bow so I can just haul it up with me. A pull rope may be a better option. Before you know it I'm loaded up again. What in your opinion could I ditch or modify or add to streamline my approach?


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I ditched my dump pouches and just carry my tether & lineman over my shoulder. Pouches aren't heavy, but not a benefit to me either. Bow rope is likely lighter than the bow carrier and easy to pack in your pocket while hunting. Since Im not filming, I dont take a back pack either. Mine empty is heavy and seems the more room i have, the more tempted I am to bring stuff I "might" need, not just the stuff I will need.
 
When I try to go too light it is usually just frustrating....

So I carry: First Aid, TP, lighter, ratchet pruners, folding saw, poncho, work gloves, extra hand warmers, water.

When the temps drop, I carry a larger pack due to carrying in warm outer layers and hand muff, extra socks etc
 
I used to carry way more than I need. The past few years I've really narrowed it down.

Bow with quiver and arrows, in a bow sling because I wear it in and up the tree.
Release is worn on my wrist the moment I leave the truck until I get back.
Scentlok facemask and hankerchief goes in my pocket.
saddle is worn with tether and lineman's belt in a dump pouch that is always on it.
Knee pads are worn in.
Backpack includes:
headlamp
gps
1 set extra batteries for gps and headlamp
pee bottle
a couple 1 gallon abd 1 quart ziplock bags
TP
extra flashlight
small phone mount for trophy pics
extra screw in step

That is my bare minimum set up. During the rut I bring the grunter. If I'm going mobile I add my sticks and a pouch that includes my strap on platform and bow holder.

For the most part I started leaving my kill kit in the truck. I prefer to do the extra walking and go back for it and get my sled to get the deer out.
 
redsquirrel said:
I used to carry way more than I need. The past few years I've really narrowed it down.

Bow with quiver and arrows, in a bow sling because I wear it in and up the tree.
Release is worn on my wrist the moment I leave the truck until I get back.
Scentlok facemask and hankerchief goes in my pocket.
saddle is worn with tether and lineman's belt in a dump pouch that is always on it.
Knee pads are worn in.
Backpack includes:
headlamp
gps
1 set extra batteries for gps and headlamp
pee bottle
a couple 1 gallon abd 1 quart ziplock bags
TP
extra flashlight
small phone mount for trophy pics
extra screw in step

That is my bare minimum set up. During the rut I bring the grunter. If I'm going mobile I add my sticks and a pouch that includes my strap on platform and bow holder.

For the most part I started leaving my kill kit in the truck. I prefer to do the extra walking and go back for it and get my sled to get the deer out.
Click to expand...

Ok that's it...I'm dedicating Sunday afternoon to ripping the guts out of my setup and just seeing how minimal I can go. What do you use for a dump pouch?


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Those are so strong and cheap they are hard to beat. You can cut the top flap off if you'll never need it (it has Velcro).

My only issue with these is they are heavier than they need to be.

I've been wanting to look for lighter weight stuff sacks that are strong enough to hang. They have to exist...I have also considered making some fleece pouches with webbing around the openings...would be nice and quiet

redsquirrel said:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007OZHMUK/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_hkMayGR9DPKE

It's the best one I've found so far. A little noisy at first but it quiets down. I hook it on to the belt portion of my aero hunter. If you find a better one let me know.
Click to expand...
 
I just bought 6 pouches off ebay for $7 each. They shipped from China. I'm sure the "American" pouches are made in the same factories in Shanghai.
 
I bring on every hunt (besides the obvious saddle, tether, LB, etc):
Wallet/License
Phone
Kill kit (4" zip ties, ziploc bags, havalon knife with 1 extra blade, 4' length of paracord, gloves)
Headlamp
4 or 5 nite ize rubber twist ties
Gloves
Bow rope
Custom gear Hanger with qlipter and s-biners
Alps pack
Grunt tube
Knee pads (worn if walking short distance)

For mobile hunt, All the above plus:
Climbing aid
GPS

Weather dependent:
Extra layers
Thermacell

For a preset hunt in warm weather I don't bring my Alps pack and instead carry everything on my person and in my 2 saddle dump pouches (1 on each hip).

The most difficult hunt from a gear standpoint is the all day mobile hunt in cold weather. That lends itself to a full pack. I pack all my layers and get dressed at the tree. Plus I have to pack a climbing aid.
 
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Bear spray
Knife
Bow, quiver
Wear saddle in
Gps
Extraa batteries
Headlamp, and flashlight
Toilet paper
Water, snack
 
Regarding pouches.. I went to the fabric store and bought some light gray fabric. I think it was called "rodeo" or something. Polyester, seemed strong, very quiet. I made a dump pouch for my ascender and grigri. Keeps them from clanking. I didn't have time to make another so I bought one of the dump pouches from Amazon. It works too but isn't as quiet.

I am hunting mobile 100% of the time. I just picked up a blemished (though I can't tell where) big Bear fanny pack that's convertible to a backpack for around $30. So far I love it. I wear my saddle in, waist pack above it. If I needed, extra layers would fit in the backpack part, if not the saddle would fit there.



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Had good luck with garmin legend. Joystick eventually stopped working, so bought another. I have been saved several times thanks to a gps. I also recommend a compass for times you can't get a signal. Orange/red tip faces north, boy the dumbazz story I could tell you about the idiot who thought red was danger and white(like snow) meant north. I, I mean that idiot was lost for awhile even though I, I mean he had a gps.:rolleyes:
 
My light set up when not filming is:

Wearing saddle on the way in with release in hand.

Tether,lb, pull up rope in pouches on saddle. I carry my bow in hand now since bad luck with slings (however if any one has suggestions I would appreciate it ie makes).

Carry sticks over the shoulder with strap. Ameristeps in pouches on saddle.

When filming, all day swings, and cold weather its my alps eps pack. Those are heavier days lol.

Like Red said kill kit is in the truck with sled. Its much easier that way im my honest opinion.
 
With kill kit at truck, does anyone worry that they may shoot a booner and have someone abscond with said booner while they are getting their kill kit?

And I tend to pack like I am going away for multiple days. I need to trim down my pack.
 
Waymore said:
I am surprised that range finder hasn't been mentioned or binoculars
Click to expand...
I forgot to put rangefinder on the list, good call. Every once in a while I throw binocs in there, but for the most part I stopped carrying them because they don't make a difference on my hunt. Sure I can see the deer better from further away, but it doesn't bring them any closer.
 
redsquirrel said:
What bad luck have you had with them?
Click to expand...

Last year it the bow fell out from 20ft and this year opening day morning it fell again. It has been cinched done all times and walking with it it stays put. When you have over $1500 wrapped into your bow any fall is bad. Luckily opening day I was able to hammer the dovetail straight on my sight. My sling is a Cabela's brand one which i got as a gift. It works for walking not so much for climbing.
 
sojourner said:
With kill kit at truck, does anyone worry that they may shoot a booner and have someone abscond with said booner while they are getting their kill kit?

And I tend to pack like I am going away for multiple days. I need to trim down my pack.
Click to expand...
I worry more about the bears and coyotes getting my deer while I'm getting my kill kit lol. During bow season I really don't worry about it, I'm also pretty hyped up after shooting one and I can make my hike in and out in about half the time I would if hunting. During gun season I worry about this way more. I usually will keep my kill kit in my bag and at least a deer drag so if I decide I want to take the deer straight out I can.
 
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