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Thanks everyone. challenge met

E

emerald ghost

Active Member
SH Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2018
Messages
104
NOT FOR MEAT HAULING, but for early season archery hunting, what is your go to pack?
Thanks
 
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Used a smallish Field & Stream backpack for years, loved it and still have it but I only hunt my home property now and don’t need quite that much space. So I downsized to an Ozark Trail hydration backpack from Walmart. Been using that for two seasons around the home farm and it’s been awesome. For me, public or private land, water is the single most important thing in my pack. So I maximize water storage (2-3L bladder or bottles every time I leave the truck) and then I carry my hand muff, some snacks, headlamp, extra carabiners and cordage, extra knife and saw, and slip my ‘noccers in the front cinch pouch. F&S pack was about $50 and is completely waterproof. Ozark Pack is mildly waterproof but only costs $25.
 
If you want to really minimize, I don’t carry a pack ever. On my saddle I have a sys hauler on my right rear hip that holds my tether and linesman’s belt in the middle, a hys strap on the front outside pocket, and a 2AA mag light in the left pocket. On my left rear hip I have a molle dump pouch that carries my range finder, release, some powder for wind checking, a face mask, and my gloves. I’ll throw a grunt call in selectively also. The outside edge pocket has an 8” folding saw. I use an Allen bow hoist that is strapped to my saddle left rear and a pair of s-biners on the front left (carrying sticks up trees) and right (carrying in and up a tree my platform). Bow in my left hand. Sticks on a shoulder strap. It puts a bit of weight on the saddle itself so I added shoulder straps. But, there is no pack or pouch to carry or hang in the tree. Later season I have A pullover jacket with a belly pouch and I’ll move the release, gloves, and face mask to there and add a beanie cap and maybe a hand warmer.

not sure you’re climbing method but my next step is to swap the 4 full length helium sticks for either a one stick or a two tether setup. If I can get the two tether working, then I lose the sticks and add a foot loop (save 13 lb). then I’m just carrying in the bow in my hand. I might move the platform to the middle of my saddle or middle of my back.

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I’ve used platow pack last 2 seasons and loved it. More than enough space, platform and sticks accessible without taking pack off and straps for packing in outer layers if needed (but there’s plenty of space within the apartments
 
That excellent elite spanker hydration pack that folks like to put on their predator pack…it has a separate bladder pocket from the main pocket. Bladder in bladder pocket and the main pocket is nicely sized for a predator platform…little exterior pocket for kill kit and snacks. Just add backpack straps and a MOLLE pouch or your rappel rope pouch to the top MOLLE section if you need more capacity. Can access platform without taking it off. I climb 2TC. Great for using on kayaks too.

Platow pack if I need more capacity or have coats jackets to strap to top/bottom of pack. Can pack my saddle in the Platow also if going in a long way or planning to just still hunt, but have options.
 
apexcustomgear.com

TinyPack

Not too big, but just big enough. The TinyPack by APEX is the answer to the problem you didn’t know you had! Perfect for those early season hunts and folks who run the smaller saddle platforms on the market. Standard equipped with our belt-style tensioning system, a flap closure lid, and...
apexcustomgear.com

apexcustomgear.com

MidRange Pack

Looking for a small lightweight pack? You will not be disappointed with these sweet little things. You could call em the little brother to our APEX Packs or the big brother to our TinyPacks! Hunt for a few hours or all day with the gear you really need, and leave the stuff you don't need behind...
apexcustomgear.com

Contact him directly and he can customize whatever you want. He made mine to fit my Seeker platform and hold two sticks per side per my request.
 
casts_by_fly said:
If you want to really minimize, I don’t carry a pack ever. On my saddle I have a sys hauler on my right rear hip that holds my tether and linesman’s belt in the middle, a hys strap on the front outside pocket, and a 2AA mag light in the left pocket. On my left rear hip I have a molle dump pouch that carries my range finder, release, some powder for wind checking, a face mask, and my gloves. I’ll throw a grunt call in selectively also. The outside edge pocket has an 8” folding saw. I use an Allen bow hoist that is strapped to my saddle left rear and a pair of s-biners on the front left (carrying sticks up trees) and right (carrying in and up a tree my platform). Bow in my left hand. Sticks on a shoulder strap. It puts a bit of weight on the saddle itself so I added shoulder straps. But, there is no pack or pouch to carry or hang in the tree. Later season I have A pullover jacket with a belly pouch and I’ll move the release, gloves, and face mask to there and add a beanie cap and maybe a hand warmer.

not sure you’re climbing method but my next step is to swap the 4 full length helium sticks for either a one stick or a two tether setup. If I can get the two tether working, then I lose the sticks and add a foot loop (save 13 lb). then I’m just carrying in the bow in my hand. I might move the platform to the middle of my saddle or middle of my back.

View attachment 80782
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Man, idk how you guys do it. I can barely handle a cellphone in my phone in my pocket. Hiwever, I don’t mind a backpack at all. It’s behind you and smaller than your profile if it’s a minimal style. I want NOTHING hanging off me when I’m hunting. It’s so nice to hang your small bag in the tree.

I use an old badlands that is barely bigger than a hydration pack.
 
I have a SYS hauler on each hip due to safety…and I hate that word.

In one pouch, I keep my 2TC and in the other, I carry my release, backband and spare biner.

The reason is simple. I can forget/drop a pack, climbing sticks, etc. but cannot drop my saddle without dropping me. As such, a pack carries nothing more the “non-essentials” like knives, water, etc.

For everyone who carries their climbing/descending method in their pack, I have a simple question: How do you get down if you drop your pack or climb up if you forget your pack?

Given enough times, it will happen.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
MNFarmHunter said:
I have a SYS hauler on each hip due to safety…and I hate that word.

In one pouch, I keep my 2TC and in the other, I carry my release, backband and spare biner.

The reason is simple. I can forget/drop a pack, climbing sticks, etc. but cannot drop my saddle without dropping me. As such, a pack carries nothing more the “non-essentials” like knives, water, etc.

For everyone who carries their climbing/descending method in their pack, I have a simple question: How do you get down if you drop your pack or climb up if you forget your pack?

Given enough times, it will happen.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Preach that gospel of 2TC!!!

I do the same.
 
Wirrex said:
Man, idk how you guys do it. I can barely handle a cellphone in my phone in my pocket. Hiwever, I don’t mind a backpack at all. It’s behind you and smaller than your profile if it’s a minimal style. I want NOTHING hanging off me when I’m hunting. It’s so nice to hang your small bag in the tree.

I use an old badlands that is barely bigger than a hydration pack.
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not sure if I’m normal or not but this is what I came to based on what I hunt here. This was all before I really started with saddlehunter. of course reading this page has me rethinking some things….

also, most of the places I hunt are not long walks from the truck. Stealth is more important. So if I shoot one, I confirm the arrow, maybe track the deer, and walk back to the truck to drop off my bow and jacket. I have a little pack in the truck with a drag rope, knife, water bottle, etc. If I were going 3 miles in then I’d probably bring a small pack and redo things so I could drag a deer out with my gear.
 
doublesteps.com

Step Satchel / Pouch

Step Satchel / Pouch – silent storage for your climbing steps or ring of steps. These are 12″ tall, 8″ wide, and 4″ deep.
doublesteps.com doublesteps.com
I do not like anything on my saddle but I always liked how nice setting up was with dump pouches on my saddle. Then I found EWO satchel. The satchel acts just like dump pouches without having all that weight on the saddle. I customized mine by adding a small fleece dump pouch inside the satchel. This gives me 2 spaces to keep my gear organized. On the shoulder strap I attach a small saw, pin on compass and milkweed pouch.
 
Bino harness and single small pouch from JX3 versa pack for all of my hunts this year. Only needed the backpack from it for a couple scouting expeditions with more water.

The whole kit would still be deemed minimalist by most standards of most users here.


System has far exceeded my expectations. And can be paired with any frame if you want meat hauling capabilities.
 
I use the Alps Little Bear with the Turkey Pockets accessory kit all year. The Turkey Pockets give you two additional large front pockets for immediate access items and a nylon game bag for extra layers when it gets cold. It only weighs 2.5lbs. The front pockets hold a ton of gear - 20oz thermos, pruners, folding saw, back band, hys strap, self rescue loops, grunt tube, large headlight. Frankly I only use about 1/3 of the fanny storage. You can pick up the pack and the pockets kit on sale on Amazon for about $30 each. I’ve used it for two seasons and it’s still going strong.
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I’ve always wondered what separates a “minimalist” setup from a regular setup. When I look at the things I carry the only thing that really changes from early season to late season, other than layers, is to maybe switch a water bottle for a coffee thermos and add or subtract a Thermocell. Other than that, I’m carrying the same stuff every hunt….because that’s the stuff I need to hunt. My storage requirement and setup really doesn’t change.
 
2Sloe said:
I’ve always wondered what separates a “minimalist” setup from a regular setup. When I look at the things I carry the only thing that really changes from early season to late season, other than layers, is to maybe switch a water bottle for a coffee thermos and add or subtract a Thermocell. Other than that, I’m carrying the same stuff every hunt….because that’s the stuff I need to hunt. My storage requirement and setup really doesn’t change.
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and thats generally the reason i dont forget anything. That, and practice.
 
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