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NEW ways to lighten everything

yep, I have plans to go back to my lighter sight already. I love my Garmin Xero, and I'll still take it out on certain set ups, but for hunting tight bedding stuff, I'm going to buy a new lighter bow (maybe the Bowtech Zion at 3.3lbs) to put this single pin sight I have that is the lightest I've found. It is by StarFlight I think, they are out of business!

As for my set up, I used on 100% public ground-1/2 to 2 miles in.
- Latitude Method 2,
-2 Tethrd dump pouches - dumping 1 for next season = 5.3oz savings
-1lb Shikar Mini stick
- LWCG .5 as my platform WHEN I take one, used the Shikar on short sits!
-Latitude Tether
-8-1-22 DUMPED MAD ROCK & 9mm for 50' of 8mm & munter hitch repel, 2lbs 7.3oz - 1lb 11oz = 12.3oz savings
-8-122 DUMPED Single Stick for NO sticking set up = 1lb savings
- 2 light pull up ropes 1 doubles as repel pull down rope
-iphone 6 (which is pretty light as iphones go I found)
-2 zip ties
-1 zebralight uses 18650 battery & 1 extra battery DOWN SIZeD = 3.2oz savings
-bow rest down sized= Savings 2.5oz
-Elite Synergy 4.4lbs buying the Bowtech Zion -1.1lbs savings for sure
-Garmin Xero 14.7 oz replacing with Single Pin StarFlight OR b3 Exact Hunter at 4oz! 10.7 oz savings + 4.2 range finder= 6.5 net savings!
-Hamskea 5.2oz AND already have the VaporTrail Pro VX at 2.7oz = 2.5oz savings
-wrist release - already cut the extra leather and strap off it! LOL
-range finder
-dumped by GPS for OnX OFFLINE maps in December HAD no idea I already had that on my OnX! 5oz savings
LONG Disance OR unknown hunts I bring
1 light knife & gut hook by Buck (lightest made a few years ago) = 2.6oz savings
2 dump pouches, down to 1= savings 5.3oz
1 3 step aider downsized to amsteel guys version= 7.2oz savings
1 stand upgrade to USA XL PRO = 4.6oz savings
1 quiver upgrade = 4.7oz savings
1 zip lock with TP and rubber gloves
1 deer drag rope handle RARE I take it!
1 wallet ID- lisences- ect, dumping wallet! =
-boots down sized =saved 31.6oz

ADDING this stuff
1 InReach PLB + 3.5oz
1 small 1st Aid kit + ??

Think that is everything but clothing.



ADDING a NO Sticking set up to my quiver too, as suggested above, and using my plateform to get up the tree is brilliant and would be a huge savings. No repel and savings on the plateform I use now. Very seriously looking at this.


Plebe said:
Garmin 0 = 14.7oz

Leupold RX2800 => 7.9oz + Truefire Carbon Extreme => 4.2oz, together = 12.1 oz

Lighter doesn't mean better...unless it does.

I mean how can lighter be better with everyone riding this Ranch Fairy?

But seriously, where are you struggling with your setup most? If we get to know your prederences, we can advise within that context.

For example, I could lighten my setup by hunting off a Ring Of Steps, but I couldn't then stand up and turn around as I prefer to do, so it's not a negotiable option.

How do you hunt/want to hunt?
Click to expand...
 
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Kevin2 said:
yep, I have plans to go back to my lighter sight already. I love my Garmin Xero, and I'll still take it out on certain set ups, but for hunting tight bedding stuff, I'm going to buy a new lighter bow (maybe the Bowtech Zion at 3.3lbs) to put this single pin sight I have that is the lightest I've found. It is by StarFlight I think, they are out of business!

As for my set up, I used on 100% public ground-1/2 to 2 miles in.
- Latitude Method 2,
-2 Tethrd dump pouches - dumping 1 for next season = 5.3oz savings
-1lb Shikar Mini stick
- LWCG .5 as my platform WHEN I take one, used the Shikar on short sits!
-Latitude Tether
-9mm Dynamic Sterling repel (I was having issues getting up the tree when first 1 sticking AND ended up using both the repel and tether to get me up the tree!) IF I use the repel this coming year, I'm shortening my rope by 15 feet = some savings
- 2 light pull up ropes 1 doubles as repel pull down rope
-iphone 6 (which is pretty light as iphones go I found)
-2 zip ties
-1 zebralight uses 18650 battery & 1 extra battery (considering getting a lighter headlamp set up, smaller battery to save both ways) = ?? savings
-Elite Synergy 4.4lbs buying the Bowtech Zion -1.1lbs savings for sure
-Garmin Xero 14.7 oz replacing with Single Pin StarFlight OR b3 Exact Hunter at 4oz! Potential savings= 10.7 oz savings
-Hamskea 5.2oz AND already have the VaporTrail Pro VX at 2.7oz = 2.5oz savings
-wrist release - already cut the extra leather and strap off it! LOL
-range finder (already looking to get a smaller/lighter one)
-dumped by GPS for OnX OFFLINE maps in December HAD no idea I already had that on my OnX! 5oz savings
LONG Disance OR unknown hunts I bring
1 light knife & gut hook by Buck (lightest made a few years ago)
1 zip lock with TP and rubber gloves
1 deer drag rope handle RARE I take it!

Think that is everything but clothing.

Switching to NO Sticking, as suggested above, and using my plateform to get up the tree is brilliant and would be a huge savings. No repel and savings on the plateform I use now. Very seriously looking at this.
Click to expand...

That's a light setup for those treks. Search me. I can only add 10lbs.
 
I can whistle LOUD with OR without my hand/s!

Dumped the back pack years ago, along with dozens of other items. I do this "lightening" the load every season. It helps. Also, I'm considering bringing a small bladder in next season again on LONGER hikes OR scout and hang hunts. I am also replacing my base layers ALL layers to wool this year in hopes of fending off some excessive/needless water loss during those hunts.

Weldabeast said:
I think it kinda depends on where u are hunting and how....are u going deep into public or u on a couple hundred acre private? I could lighten my stuff up significantly but the places and how I do things I take some luxury items I could probably do away with and make by but I weight the pros and cons....do I "need" a grapple hook and a whistle in a pouch in my saddle? No I don't need them but I take them every hunt...never used the whistle (that's a good thing :)) but I have used the grapple a handful of time and it was a blessing...it's hard work climbing up after u walked 5 miles....do I "need" trail markers and an extra prusik and rain gear on every hunt....no, but they still go. Lay all ur gear out on a table and really evaluate if it's a useful item....it takes a while to get ur system ironed out but once u get it figured, u can always tinker but leave the main components alone and get proficient with it
Everybody gave good advice and trying to multipurpose what u take already and I could probably take that advice and re re re evaluate everything...I'm sure there's something I could loss....hahaha
Water is the big weight item for me.....I gotta take it and it heavy...no getting around it

Not taking a backpack is a really quick way for u to get ur stuff down to bare bones
Click to expand...
 
Kevin2 said:
I can whistle LOUD with OR without my hand/s!

Dumped the back pack years ago, along with dozens of other items. I do this "lightening" the load every season. It helps. Also, I'm considering bringing a small bladder in next season again on LONGER hikes OR scout and hang hunts. I am also replacing my base layers ALL layers to wool this year in hopes of fending off some excessive/needless water loss during those hunts.
Click to expand...

not to doubt you...but have you ever blown through a rescue whistle for comparison?

just want you to have the best gear for an emergency

i was dumb enough to try out my new rescue whistle in my truck....ears rang for hours afterwards even after stopping immediately once i knew i goofed up
 
raisins said:
not to doubt you...but have you ever blown through a rescue whistle for comparison?

just want you to have the best gear for an emergency

i was dumb enough to try out my new rescue whistle in my truck....ears rang for hours afterwards even after stopping immediately once i knew i goofed up
Click to expand...
All I can think about after reading.....
 
I easily dropped several pounds over the course of the season this year.

I ditched my backpack for a small sling bag. I found that I was carrying too much because I had the room. By switching to the sling bag, it forced me to carefully choose what I took. Now, I only carry a water bottle, knife, flashlights and a spare release.

My current bow is a 70# bow set to 60# and am looking at getting a new, max 60# bow. With a new bow, there's also the opportunity to pick a lighter bow.

I plan to do more scouting and set more presets this year. With the added presets, I could drop an additional 1# of weight by not carrying my throwball set.

Biggest thing though is to double my cardio efforts for this year. All of the weight savings in the world won't counter my worsening lungs.
 
Kevin2 said:
Are there many others here on Saddlehunter using that method?
Click to expand...
not many its excentric still but so was saddle hunting.they fold up small like a fat wallet.i also use them as a deer drag.i and others like MS use my linemens belt as a gear hanger.like my dude EX said dual purpose products.A WIRE saw instead of folding saw.my mathews monster is 7 pounds,almost as heavy as my climbing gear.if you can climb tree branches you shead all the weight of your climbing gear.just saddle and hunting gear.on short hunts ditch all your gear and just take a knife.bow and saddle
 
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MNFarmHunter said:
I easily dropped several pounds over the course of the season this year.

I ditched my backpack for a small sling bag. I found that I was carrying too much because I had the room. By switching to the sling bag, it forced me to carefully choose what I took. Now, I only carry a water bottle, knife, flashlights and a spare release.

My current bow is a 70# bow set to 60# and am looking at getting a new, max 60# bow. With a new bow, there's also the opportunity to pick a lighter bow.

I plan to do more scouting and set more presets this year. With the added presets, I could drop an additional 1# of weight by not carrying my throwball set.

Biggest thing though is to double my cardio efforts for this year. All of the weight savings in the world won't counter my worsening lungs.
Click to expand...
The bow thing is what I gotta focus on. I think a guy could save a ton by takin off his stabilizer and getting a lighter sight.
 
no one has as much stuff on there bow as me.got sneeky leaves.a bow sling ,and bow hanger hook.no one does that.if a company would produce products from titainium.like carabiners. buckles .cam buckles,pocket knives.prunners.i would break the bank............sup teathered.......want money.i havent bought 1 thing from 1 company since my first trophy line ambush saddle.and i gave that 5 pound thing away
 
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yes, I have one. I don't believe it sniffs my 2 finger whistle, not even close. I have one on a couple of my packs. I was suspended from junior high for whistling at a indoor gym activity, 6th grade for whistling TO LOUD! Who gets suspended for that! LOL...true story!
raisins said:
not to doubt you...but have you ever blown through a rescue whistle for comparison?

just want you to have the best gear for an emergency

i was dumb enough to try out my new rescue whistle in my truck....ears rang for hours afterwards even after stopping immediately once i knew i goofed up
Click to expand...
 
I totally agree, wish they'd get on the titanium train. I'd be all in!
tailgunner said:
no one has as much stuff on there bow as me.got sneeky leaves.a bow sling ,and bow hanger hook.no one does that.if a company would produce products from titainium.like carabiners. buckles .cam buckles,pocket knives.prunners.i would break the bank............sup teathered.......want money.i havent bought 1 thing from 1 company since my first trophy line ambush saddle.and i gave that 5 pound thing away
Click to expand...
 
yes, I haven't used a saw on public in several years due to it being illegal. However, taking off dead branches I will do by hand. I've looked at the wire saw, and for private OR public that allows it that is a killer light tool. MUST have!
tailgunner said:
not many its excentric still but so was saddle hunting.they fold up small like a fat wallet.i also use them as a deer drag.i and others like MS use my linemens belt as a gear hanger.like my dude EX said dual purpose products.A WIRE saw instead of folding saw.my mathews monster is 7 pounds,almost as heavy as my climbing gear.if you can climb tree branches you shead all the weight of your climbing gear.just saddle and hunting gear.on short hunts ditch all your gear and just take a knife.bow and saddle
Click to expand...
 
Pound for Pound comparison, I'm not sure how strong it is compared to Amsteel OR some of the Sterling ropes I use, but I do know that the rep I spoke to at Sterling last summer insisted that the ropes commonly used by 1 stickers and saddle hunters did not absorb water like I was lead to believe AND that he's heard being spoken about here and on other hunting sites. This rep seemed very up to date with what is going on with saddle hunters as it pertains to the ropes used and complaints. He insisted water retention was not an issue? My memory could be tricking me, but I don't think so AND not sure about all ropes/brands of ropes OR any of it! LOL

tailgunner said:
not many its excentric still but so was saddle hunting.they fold up small like a fat wallet.i also use them as a deer drag.i and others like MS use my linemens belt as a gear hanger.like my dude EX said dual purpose products.A WIRE saw instead of folding saw.my mathews monster is 7 pounds,almost as heavy as my climbing gear.if you can climb tree branches you shead all the weight of your climbing gear.just saddle and hunting gear.on short hunts ditch all your gear and just take a knife.bow and saddle
Click to expand...
 
(Don’t think I’ve seen this mentioned yet….)

Buy a digital scale. Weighing your gear - actual weights - will help you question “do I really need this?” and “can I use something lighter”.

I bought an inexpensive digital food scale many years ago. Has been eye-opening over the years to get actual weights on things!
 
I can't remember who on this forum said it, but he talked about how buying lighter boots was more like a 1:5 weight savings. 1 pound lighter boot = 5 pounds of perceived weight while hiking several miles. Well this turned out to be true. I got some Danner lightweight hikers this year and man that made a huge difference on my knees and stamina in the woods. I also started running a lighter pack (Eberlestock Dagger) and dropped my heavy Binos from the mix and just carry a monocular.
 
philsanchez76 said:
I can't remember who on this forum said it, but he talked about how buying lighter boots was more like a 1:5 weight savings. 1 pound lighter boot = 5 pounds of perceived weight while hiking several miles. Well this turned out to be true. I got some Danner lightweight hikers this year and man that made a huge difference on my knees and stamina in the woods. I also started running a lighter pack (Eberlestock Dagger) and dropped my heavy Binos from the mix and just carry a monocular.
Click to expand...
I only carried my binos once all season. Since my rangefinder has 6x magnification, that's all I need for the woods and is dual purpose too.
 
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