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Doing with less or how to pack (probably both)

seuss79

seuss79

Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2018
Messages
42
This site has led me to make several diy saddles and a diy jx3.

The problem I find is still, using a saddle I try to minimize but can't pack well. I've used dump pouches, sustainment pouches, trench tool pouches, and even a small backpack. I overweight the saddle with pouches. I add suspenders to counter but I feel the weight affects the adjustability in the tree.

The diy jx3 gets heavy fast I'm still working on some things there. Just last week switched out the straps and back fabric for molle ii straps and waist belt.

Disclaimer:
****** Remember this is my diy version from made from looking at pictures only
The real one may not have my problems so don't make judgement on purchasing one based on me!***********

I just ordered a turkey vest. Hopefully this will solve my problem. I always feel with the pouches I use I don't have enough pockets to separate.

I went from sticks to single sticking and this year I'm attempting to srt when possible. I rappel.

60' oplux rappel and srt, 2-8 foot oplux tethers for single sticking, 18" cut down line wolf stick, petzl hand ascender, madrock safeguard, ropeman 1, 12oz throwbag and 75ft zing it. Necessary lightweight carabiners.

So yes single stick and srt and rappel gear until I nail down the best solution for me there.
ROS, Binos, rangefinder, pruning saw, compass, leatherman, headlamp, extra batteries for headlamp, wallet, cellphone, hys strap,

***** 1st time sits I like Binos and rangefinder otherwise I can cut them out. Other than that choosing a climbing method and only carrying one would lighten it up a little. I still rappel down so I would learn the throw bag and hand ascender.

Also carry in light jacket, boonie hat and gloves for when I cool down.

Anyone else have a better fix to this?
 
Some of the stuff your carrying seems redundant to me.

I carry 30ft of oplux which allows me to get to around 23ft at my feet (plenty high around here. I carry 1 8ft linesman belt, which instead of living in my pouch at height doubles as my gear hanger. Just cinch it around the tree and clip your gear hangers on them. I use s-biners for gear hangers.

A safeguard, ropeman and hand ascender seems excessive, I'd sell one and instead carry a spare prusik as a backup, no weight and packable.

I carry with me on my saddle with 1 pouch for my 30ft oplux tether, safeguard and carabiner.

In my backpack lives 2 prusiks, a headlamp, range finder (I dont carry binoculars with the woods I hunt), my lineman belt with ropeman and carabiner, 3 s-biners (1 for bow, 1 for pack, 1 for quiver), pruning saw, knife, knee pads, gloves, whistle, phone. My stick straps right to my pack via gear ties.

With the 3to1 method and infrequent amount of SRT climbing I do, I use my lineman belt as a foot loop and either ropeman or prusik to ascend. I mostly 1 stick up unless I have a preset.
 
Wirrex said:
Sounds like you need to pick a climbing method and go with it. One stick with 30’ of rope and you loose a bunch of that stuff.
Click to expand...
^this...

SRT seems nice but it ends up being alot of gear and added weight in the end and unless you are presetting your trees can take a while too. i almost never hunt the same tree twice just to keep deer from patterning me and i hunt public so leaving paracord in a tree doesnt last long and tips off hunters that it might be a good spot (not usually the case though haha).

a mini stick with one doublestep, and using the same rappel rope to climb/tether in cuts alot out. i still bring my oplux tether for a backup. im sure some will disagree about the srt opinion but thats my .02
 
My name is Joe and I am an overpacker.

Yesterday I went out in the morning and evening without a pack. May have been the first time I've legit done that in my 20 years hunting. Just a rope, knife, and hook in my pocket. Strapped a light jacket to my platform. It was freeing.
 
Wirrex said:
Sounds like you need to pick a climbing method and go with it. One stick with 30’ of rope and you loose a bunch of that stuff.
Click to expand...

Started srt this year. I am finding out that I need presets for this.

Just one sticking allows me to leave the hand ascender zing it and throw bag at home.

I just switched from a lifeguard to a safeguard. I can probably do away with the ropeman now and use the safeguard while hunting as well and not just rappelling.

I suppose I could do away with 1 8ft tether. While one sticking, I could use my rappel line if I encounter branches.

Rangefinder is a must. Binos I suppose I could live without but trying new areas, I'm trying to scan vast crp fields. They will be location dependent.

After posting this, and going through my gear today, I think I may have a little better setup for this weekend with less.

I will update.
 
I am using a DIY pack made out of a MOLLE II frame pack. It has 6 small pouches attached to it and my sticks and platform have dedicated tie ins (those bungee cords with balls attached to the pack with knots/zip ties). Everything has its spot and anything I attach has its attachment points right there waiting. This approach has helped a lot. One pouch is just food/water. One pouch is tree trimming. One pouch is stuff I need as soon as I get to height (bow hanger, etc).
 
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Now maybe this is overkill, but I have 3 setups, depending on climbing method. I have a saddle setup for SRT OR single-stick, depending on how I load it. I also have a saddle setup specifically for using my WEI steppladder with a knaider/swaider. I do not carry all methods all the time.

My single-stick rappel line is 35' in a water bottle carrier and my SRT line is 65' and just gets wrapped and packed. Average saddle and load-out is 5-5.5lbs., this only includes saddle and dump pouch goodies.
 
elk yinzer said:
My name is Joe and I am an overpacker.

Yesterday I went out in the morning and evening without a pack. May have been the first time I've legit done that in my 20 years hunting. Just a rope, knife, and hook in my pocket. Strapped a light jacket to my platform. It was freeing.
Click to expand...
Living the dream. I don’t do it often but thoroughly enjoy when I do. Sometimes I’ll just take the bow and ground hunt. Even more freeing.
 
raisins said:
I am using a DIY pack made out of a MOLLE II frame pack. It has 6 small pouches attached to it and my sticks and platform have dedicated tie ins (those bungee cords with balls attached to the pack with knots/zip ties). Everything has its spot and anything I attach has its attachment points right there waiting. This approach has helped a lot. One pouch is just food/water. One pouch is tree trimming. One pouch is stuff I need as soon as I get to height (bow hanger, etc).
Click to expand...
I would like to see a pic of your set up
 
Last hunt I packed differently. Got my turkey vest.

What do they say? Dare I? Gamech.......

I definitely had some redundant things. Thanks for pointing that out.:wink:

It's a big improvement on the weight load.
3 army surplus sustainment pouches attached to the saddle for tons of room for quick pack up at end of hunt. Made some straps to attach saddle to turkey vest to spread the load. Quick release with g hooks.

Seemed to work better. More details and pics when I get a chance.
Next time out, I will get a list and pics.
 
Do you have a place in your yard or near by to practice your setups?
I would think, it would be better for you to hash out your setup prior to "trying" it out in the woods... shooting with a turkey vest on might get interesting in a tree...
 
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