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Backpack and a saddle

T

themait

New Member
Joined
Jul 11, 2019
Messages
22
This is my second year hunting from a saddle.
I use a backpack to haul in my gear and also through my 12 WE steps/bag in there. I usually take a grunt call, rattling antlers, doe bleat, gloves, headgear, go pro, knife, license, water, and binoculars in there as well. Once up in the tree, after I’ve organized all my gear and hung it, I hang my backpack at about head level, at about 2 o’clock...if 12 is the tree in front of me. However, I feel deer are really picking the bag itself or the profile of it in the tree. I slowly move around to keep behind the tree as they pass, but that bag must stand out like a sore thumb? Do most of you use bags, Fanny packs, hang them differently? (Bc it’s not super convenient there either). TIA!
 
What pack you have and how high are you when you get picked?


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This is normally how my setup goes. Bag hangs usually around 7 o’clock or like 4 o’clock, depending on where I feel I’ll most likely need to move for passing deer. If I get picked off I feel like it’s more to do with me leaning out from tree than the bag.

I had several deer I passed on this last week who did see “something” in the tree. I hid from them behind the tree as they looked up at me cause I wasn’t interested in shooting them and just waited for them to pass hoping something bigger would come behind them. But they clearly saw most of my bag in the tree. It was never enough to spook them.

If you really think your bag is busting you, maybe it’s the shape or size of your bag? I’ve hung mine before so it’s at like 3 o’clock or 9 o’clock and I feel it’s usually still ok but I do like to try and hide it slightly just by bringing it around slightly closer to me like pictured.
bae7c6b089a6c78b2740f130c705ff66.jpg



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Carry less stuff and a smaller bag.

try to use the sun to your advantage.

when trees are bare, and the deer have been hunted for two months, sometimes it’s not the best idea to be in a tree. Ground hunting can be more effective for some sets.
 
I’m carrying an Alps Outdoorz all day type pack...not sure exact model but something like this... it’s about 18-20” high and probably 15 inches across...and when it’s hanging it probably sits out from tree about 8-12”.

I’m between 20-22ft up usually.
For you guys who wear Fanny packs-do you wear them in saddle or take them off?
 
That’s another I forgot. One thing I have not been doing as much is paying attention to my background if I get in a tree. I know it’s talked about a lot in places but sillouetting is a big deal too. I like to try and make sure there’s some branches behind be even if it’s only a few, as opposed to just open sky and other straight trees. Seems to help a good deal with this. Obviously more cover is better but it’s not always possible.


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I don't use a pack. I used to, but just made me carry more stuff than I really needed.
 
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