Mountain hunting gear setups!

[roosterstraw]

One other question if I ended up getting a .75 as well what kind of backpack would y’all recommend? 100% need something bigger than the Wolfpack. Have to be able to carry clothes and gear in!

I run the .75 with a Kifaru scout pack. Can fit anything necessary for all day hunts and a few mid layers. Strap my fanatic jacket and any other layers to the outside.

 

[Sbrammer]

I hunt SW Virginia as well. I'm rarely challenged weather wise in the woods until the last part of the season, and even then it may just be a day or two.

You can run a smaller pack by incorporating heated vest or a heated puffy. Really cuts down on the extra layers being carried in.

BTW, I also run the XC and for me is the most comfortable saddle.

 

[Tknapp]

I hunt the "mountains" in Pa. I'm running a cruzr XC and bullman platform steps with LWCG doubles. I have the killik k2200 pack which I'm debating on swapping out for the new cruzr pack.

 

[grayskwerel]

I hunt the mountains in Georgia and pack out if I'm going deep. I have a Kifaru Stryker pack, Sladder Climbing System and Rappel, Tetherd Phantom Saddle with a Dryad Hammock attached to it and a Tethrd Predator Platform. I have considered switching to a Bullman ROS but have not yet committed to that.

 

[Hardly_Hangin]

I hunt the mountains in Georgia and pack out if I'm going deep. I have a Kifaru Stryker pack, Sladder Climbing System and Rappel, Tetherd Phantom Saddle with a Dryad Hammock attached to it and a Tethrd Predator Platform. I have considered switching to a Bullman ROS but have not yet committed to that.

You run a phantom with the dryad hammock? What's the advantage over the standard killdeer harness?

 

[Hardly_Hangin]

You can’t go wrong with the XC. I hunt the mountains of Western MD. Saddle is a Cruzer XC, I climb with bolts and an aider and I use a modified Pop Up 28 and quarter and pack out my deer.

how do you like the popup 28? How well does it handle heavy weight?

If i don't bring a stand i can pack out a whole buck with my kifaru but it can be unhandingly large at times. Mine has a 26" frame which is great for packing out but tends to get hung on stuff

my last pack out i weighed in 38lb of meat and a 10lb head at the check station

 

[Hardly_Hangin]

Currently running the EXO K4 2200, the Dryad Mini-Drey/Killdeer setup for "short" sits and the Cruzr XC for all-day sits, the Sladder and rappel for a climbing method, and the Latitude X-Wing for a platform. Layers are subjective as for temp, but I prefer a wind/water proof outer layer and puffy synthetic mid-layers for packability AND a GOOD base layer system. Also, good boots and socks suitable for your terrain, feet, and temp. The exception to the layering system is the physical stuff that I'm wearing in, it has to be fairly quiet, water resistant, "brush" durable, and somewhat breathable and/or able to be vented.

Early season it's closer to UL with a lumbar/battle belt setup with shoulder suspension and maybe a Sherman Pocket attached, and obviously less layers.

Every pound counts, but comfort for mental stability matters a hair more, and a pack that carries well helps negate the weight, and the boots carry you lol. I also usually prefer the pack if it's gonna be deep, because the deer isn't gonna come out whole...

What kind of outer layer and puffy are you running?

 

[GCTerpfan]

how do you like the popup 28? How well does it handle heavy weight?

If i don't bring a stand i can pack out a whole buck with my kifaru but it can be unhandingly large at times. Mine has a 26" frame which is great for packing out but tends to get hung on stuff

my last pack out i weighed in 38lb of meat and a 10lb head at the check station

I weighed the pack in the pic when I got home and it was 82 pounds. That’s the most I have ever carried with it. That was also pretty much all it can handle. I I have one of the original pop-ups and I have upgraded the belt to a Kifaru belt.

I have had several long pack outs where the pack weighed around 65 pounds with the stock belt though. That’s kind of the sweet spot for the frame. 82 pounds was really pushing it regardless of the belt.

 

[bowhunthard88]

What kind of outer layer and puffy are you running?

I hunt the Appalachian ridge of NE PA and N/NW NJ. Any specific time of year you're looking for, because my system is chosen specifically for every hunt! I did make sure I have options lol. My current preferred puffy system is the FL Umcompaghre set or the BL Shift set. Preferred outer layers could vary drastically; my favorite sets are the BL Venture jacket/bibs or the BL Pyre jacket/bibs, and if it's early the BL Resist jacket/pant (I have more, but maybe that's top three...?). Layers can be added and or removed depending on weather and then you have the "hiking" outer layers as a mid-layer as well, and rain gear and on ad nauseam...

 

[grayskwerel]

You run a phantom with the dryad hammock? What's the advantage over the standard killdeer harness?

I find the killdeer harness to be very uncomfortable whether hanging, climbing or rappelling with it. On the other hand, the hammock is the most comfortable I’ve been in a saddle, although it’s for comfort only and must not be used alone. I don’t always use the hammock though… sometimes I just lean in the saddle but after a little while, I’ll sometimes get some pinching or hotspots from zippers, belt loops, etc… so I like having the option to use just the saddle or use both. There isn’t much weight difference between the Phantom and the killdeer. I never bought the retrofitter although I plan to. For now I just attached the hammock to the saddle with zip ties.

 

[grayskwerel]

I weighed the pack in the pic when I got home and it was 82 pounds. That’s the most I have ever carried with it. That was also pretty much all it can handle. I I have one of the original pop-ups and I have upgraded the belt to a Kifaru belt.

I have had several long pack outs where the pack weighed around 65 pounds with the stock belt though. That’s kind of the sweet spot for the frame. 82 pounds was really pushing it regardless of the belt.

I’ve had my Kifaru pack out at over 100 lbs… it handles it very well… better than I did, lol. The down side is the pack itself is around 9 lbs empty. But, what can you expect from a product designed to handle weight like that!

 

[Hardly_Hangin]

I hunt the Appalachian ridge of NE PA and N/NW NJ. Any specific time of year you're looking for, because my system is chosen specifically for every hunt! I did make sure I have options lol. My current preferred puffy system is the FL Umcompaghre set or the BL Shift set. Preferred outer layers could vary drastically; my favorite sets are the BL Venture jacket/bibs or the BL Pyre jacket/bibs, and if it's early the BL Resist jacket/pant (I have more, but maybe that's top three...?). Layers can be added and or removed depending on weather and then you have the "hiking" outer layers as a mid-layer as well, and rain gear and on ad nauseam...

Gotcha. Im hunting southernmost Appalachians in NGA and froze my blankety blank off today. Thanks for the input, ill do some research

 

[Hardly_Hangin]

I’ve had my Kifaru pack out at over 100 lbs… it handles it very well… better than I did, lol. The down side is the pack itself is around 9 lbs empty. But, what can you expect from a product designed to handle weight like that!

Yeah my fulcrum can handle way more weight than i can. I had 90lb loaded on it a couple of weeks ago and had to split loads and make 2 trips after about a quarter mile. Great peice of gear though. It is heavy.

 

[Hardly_Hangin]

I find the killdeer harness to be very uncomfortable whether hanging, climbing or rappelling with it. On the other hand, the hammock is the most comfortable I’ve been in a saddle, although it’s for comfort only and must not be used alone. I don’t always use the hammock though… sometimes I just lean in the saddle but after a little while, I’ll sometimes get some pinching or hotspots from zippers, belt loops, etc… so I like having the option to use just the saddle or use both. There isn’t much weight difference between the Phantom and the killdeer. I never bought the retrofitter although I plan to. For now I just attached the hammock to the saddle with zip ties.

Makes sense. Cool beans

 

[Hardly_Hangin]

I hunt the Appalachian ridge of NE PA and N/NW NJ. Any specific time of year you're looking for, because my system is chosen specifically for every hunt! I did make sure I have options lol. My current preferred puffy system is the FL Umcompaghre set or the BL Shift set. Preferred outer layers could vary drastically; my favorite sets are the BL Venture jacket/bibs or the BL Pyre jacket/bibs, and if it's early the BL Resist jacket/pant (I have more, but maybe that's top three...?). Layers can be added and or removed depending on weather and then you have the "hiking" outer layers as a mid-layer as well, and rain gear and on ad nauseam...

Talk to me specifically about late season clothing system and your go to rain gear and mindset towards hunting in sub optimal weather

 

[bowhunthard88]

Talk to me specifically about late season clothing system and your go to rain gear and mindset towards hunting in sub optimal weather

Give me your temp range lol! Cold for me is sub-25, with a sit or two in possible 0, and then there's wind chill.

 

[Hardly_Hangin]

Give me your temp range lol! Cold for me is sub-25, with a sit or two in possible 0, and then there's wind chill.

lets use sub 25 with moderate wind as one example, and another around 30-40 with dampness /light rain with wind like today

 

[bowhunthard88]

lets use sub 25 with moderate wind as one example, and another around 30-40 with dampness /light rain with wind like today

Do you exert yourself going in or take your time and sweat minimally? Are you looking for concepts and/or practices or the specific gear that I use? There could be a lot to unpack here, to the point of thread derailment lol, so if it's specific gear, maybe PM me...?

 

[grayskwerel]

Talk to me specifically about late season clothing system and your go to rain gear and mindset towards hunting in sub optimal weather

A lot of this is personal preference... there are some basics though. I like Firstlite... and one of the reasons I like Firstlite is that I prefer Nylon over Polyester. Base layer... boxer briefs, darn tough socks and T-shirt, beanie for the head, glove liner and neck gaitor should always be merino wool (or alpaca if you can afford it). Mid layer for me is always merino wool as well as it still contacts the skin on the legs and arms... this would generally be called long johns. Then you have the outer later... which can be Polyester or Nylon. Polyester absorbs oil and Nylon absorbs water. After a few days in the field you will have oily skin... it's just the way we humans are... your skin secretes oil and oil is good for the skin... keeps it from drying out... but it maintains human scent. This also makes Polyester difficult to clean... ever take off a polyester tank top after going to the gym and throw it in the wash... put it on and it smells good... then after your body heat warms it up... smells like you just worked out in it?! Nylon absorbs water... does not hold human scent like most polyesters... don't get me wrong... the newer, more expensive polyesters are better at minimizing scent, but Nylon is still better at it. Polyester is a better insulator though... so a Nylon coat with polyester insulation is good. Better yet... a Nylon rip stop coat with treated down... will keep you very warm. Add a heated vest under that and I can sit in the stand all day long.

 

[grayskwerel]

When I am heading into the stand I take my jackets off and go in as light as I can... all outer clothing is in the pack... rule of thumb is you should be cold... almost shivering when you start walking in. This will keep you from sweating too much, however, merino wool is an excellent insulator when it is wet... so if you do sweat on your way in... a merino base and mid layer will maintain 80% of your body heat when it's wet. I was amazed the first time I used a merino base and mid layer... especially because I just switched from cotton, which is the absolute worst in terms of heat retention, moisture release and warmth. Once I get to my tree and climb up to my stand and set up... I give it about 20 minutes to cool down and evaporate any surface sweat and then add my layers. You will be amazed at how well this can work for you.