NEW ways to lighten everything

[mtsrunner]

I question how much weight savings with straps vs 8mm ropes like RescueTech. Go do some research on the breaking strength of 1” straps, too. I would try to cut weight somewhere else instead of lifesaving gear.

Aluminum is lighter than titanium. Titanium is stronger, so certain items can be made with less titanium and still be strong enough for our purposes. The best example is bolts. A 6” x 3/8” Ti bolt is lighter than the steel grade 8 bolts and just as strong. A 6” x 3/8” aluminum bolt would be a bad idea.


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[Topdog]

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! 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 (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.

Keep the Zebra light and one battery and ditch the heavy knives, Tyto Finisher Ti is what I carry, my whole kill kit half fills one ziplock sandwich bag, I keep the real knives in the truck along with however I plan on getting my deer out, I see no reason to carry that stuff when there is probably a 99% chance it won’t get used, if I’m meat hunting that’s a different story, but usually I’m not. I also carry a PLB, beats a whistle, if I go down a helicopter is coming.

 

[Kevin2]

I actually do this! It is sad that a grown man pulls his equipment out to weigh it, but I do. This whole weighing thing came from me discovering ultralight backpacking one year, and then transferred that philosophy into my hunting when I discovered how heavy things were.

(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!

 

[Kevin2]

The PLB it’s a great idea, especially when I do tracking of deer in the snow where you could go 5 miles in any direction, maybe 10 miles. However 99% of my bow hunting, 100% of my bow hunting is done in a very specific location. I leave a very specific map with my wife and kids every single time I go out, so they know the exact region, and sometimes the exact tree I’m going to be in. With that said, I did do a bunch of deer tracking in the snow during gun season this year, and I plan on doing it more next year if we have snow. So I’m going to get a PLB! Won’t make the archery pack ever, but it will on me if the snow flies during rifle season.

As for the zebra lights, I’m switching out my big battery zebra for my AA, and an extra battery, it’s gonna save me a few ounces. I don’t take the knives with me, unless I’m going on a super long tracking hunt in the snow like I described above.

Beats a whistle! Thanks for the laugh lol

Keep the Zebra light and one battery and ditch the heavy knives, Tyto Finisher Ti is what I carry, my whole kill kit half fills one ziplock sandwich bag, I keep the real knives in the truck along with however I plan on getting my deer out, I see no reason to carry that stuff when there is probably a 99% chance it won’t get used, if I’m meat hunting that’s a different story, but usually I’m not. I also carry a PLB, beats a whistle, if I go down a helicopter is coming.

 

[mtsrunner]

I actually do this! It is sad that a grown man pulls his equipment out to weigh it, but I do. This whole weighing thing came for me ultralight backpacking one year, and then transferred into my hunting when I discovered how heavy things were.

Same. I haven’t resorted to using the lighterpack spreadsheet/app for my hunting gear yet, but probably will at some point


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[Kevin2]

Here in Michigan you’re not allowed to debone a deer in the woods, you have to haul the whole thing out. It would be nice to be able to debone it in the field, pack out the meat, and go stick it in the fridge. I am envious of the states that allow that. Yes

I’ve always found the issue of getting a deer out is way more trouble getting my gear in.

 

[Topdog]

The PLB it’s a great idea, especially when I do tracking of deer in the snow where you could go 5 miles in any direction, maybe 10 miles. However 99% of my bow hunting, 100% of my bow hunting is done in a very specific location. I leave a very specific map with my wife and kids every single time I go out, so they know the exact region, and sometimes the exact tree I’m going to be in. With that said, I did do a bunch of deer tracking in the snow during gun season this year, and I plan on doing it more next year if we have snow. So I’m going to get a PLB! Won’t make the archery pack ever, but it will on me if the snow flies during rifle season.

As for the zebra lights, I’m switching out my big battery zebra for my AA, and an extra battery, it’s gonna save me a few ounces. I don’t take the knives with me, unless I’m going on a super long tracking hunt in the snow like I described above.

Beats a whistle! Thanks for the laugh lol

Tracking on snow is how I hunt almost exclusively.

 

[Shed84]

Weight differs by the hunt. If it's a close walk from the road I've literally just carried my bow with a headlamp and knife in my pockets for preset. If it's an all day mountain scout/hunt my exo mountain pack gets loaded with 20-30 lbs of gear including a jet boil for a freeze dried meal and the availability to make instant coffee. One stick,saddle,clothing layers and some survival gear. I will regularly ruck once or twice a week with 50 lbs all summer so it's not a big deal to have a comfortable pack with 30lbs in it.

 

[Kevin2]

I’ve actually got two sets of boots that I use, and because of this very idea I was looking at lighter boot options at least for the early season before it gets too cold. So by next season I should have something significantly lighter than even my lightest pair of boots. Thanks, brilliant add to the discussion.

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.

 

[Kevin2]

We haven’t had much snow here where I’ve hunted in the last decade, this year has been the best year for it and that mostly occured during gun season for me. I normally don’t even hunt gun season because of all the gun hunters here in Michigan on public land. However I did this year and really enjoyed it. Ended up going out with my crossbow after rifle & muzzle loader seasons ended trying to track some deer down, turned more into a scouting mission on those occasions, but I will definitely use that in coming seasons when we get the snow. It’s a lot of fun.

Tracking on snow is how I hunt almost exclusively.

 

[tailgunner]

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

ropes and webbing don't hold alot Of water they exorbe it at the same rate due to the material property's being simmilar ropes just have more mass per inch.and thickness holds water longer before it drys ,out here that literaly stinks.thers also a difference between poly and nylon but i wont beet that horse here.plus ropes dont roll up as small.

 

[tailgunner]

I question how much weight savings with straps vs 8mm ropes like RescueTech. Go do some research on the breaking strength of 1” straps, too. I would try to cut weight somewhere else instead of lifesaving gear.

Aluminum is lighter than titanium. Titanium is stronger, so certain items can be made with less titanium and still be strong enough for our purposes. The best example is bolts. A 6” x 3/8” Ti bolt is lighter than the steel grade 8 bolts and just as strong. A 6” x 3/8” aluminum bolt would be a bad idea.


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I use straps for a reason. 1 I'm just not scared. i know the ratings on all my gear i make it myself .you can pull a truck out of a ditch with an old freyed 1 inch strap.plus if I hang my self with a shoe lace than change my mind I know I'm screwed.i aint gona break it if i jump off a platform to get away .thats why they take them from you in jail.straps pack smaller and i prioritise packability First.then weight when wet.im from oregon.you have to weigh things wet to be acurate in comparison.and wich dries faster .plus wich smells worse.from not drying before it gets wet again day in and day out.comes from light weight backpacking hunts in the cascades .you also need hunting gear in check.and you right about titanium and aluminum.however titanium can be made smaller.plus it can be ported or scaffold for the same strength. Getting lighter.Hints a titanium stiletto cats claw.no aluminum cats claw or hammer like that.ill.stand on a 3/8 tree branch .broke alot of them.i dont need grade 8 for insurance but i could sell alot of metior might strike my nutts insurance

 

[Kevin2]

LOST 4lbs since the new year! Another 7-8lbs and I'm golden.

 

[TreeCreep]

Assault Bike - joking, but seriously - I got one used during 2020 when gyms were closed.
Do a monthly test of 10 min for max calories and / or 100 calories for time while occasionally adding it into your workouts. It is a soul crushing device.
You then will climb any hill

presets.

I also started weighing my packs -
Made me realize what a “ two is one , one is none” mantra (binos, ccw, saw / pruner , bow hangers and rappel gear) adds to a kit.

A cheap Dano zip pouch that I strap to tree w a cam jam is my lightest kit or a vest . I can just add this to a pack or carry it by itself.
Easy to access if needed and not much in pockets. No dump pouches.

Recurve - one piece, I forget I’m carrying it.

gear is too subjective . go light or figure out how to make a frame pack work for you

 

[Tr33_n1nj@]

paracord in a figure 8 no-tangle pattern

I call BS, there’s no such magic paracord!

 

[theAdmiral]

No BS, I’ve been doing it for years. Plenty of videos on how to do it.

 

[HuumanCreed]

2TC with Amsteel and a few Squirrel steps would save you a lot of weight.

If you don't care about the bow you shoot, a trad bow would cut 1/2 the weight, most Bear bow are 2 lbs. Also youth bow that goes up to 60-70lbs. My Mission Craze 2 is only 3ish lbs.

If you got time, preset the location you have with everything you would need. so on hunting day, you just have to walk in. I sat in the same tree for 3 days last season, I literally just left everything there over night except my bow. Next morning I just SRT up and pull my bow up with the rope.

 

[tailgunner]

The only ultra light climbing gear is 2tc.every thing els is just a climbing system

 

[Still Kicking]

I cut the size of my pack contents by making a first aid and kill kit to place in a permanent wooden blind in the central location of the property I hunt. I still have some basics in my pack for emergencies but not carrying several extra pounds helps a bit and if needed I am much closer to more than to my vehicle.

 

[Kevin2]

I was really into mountain biking, and I have spent thousands of hours spinning on this bike! I had it looking out at the lake at a retirement home, but I ended up sticking it in my man cave bathroom! I can look at the pretty chicks on the walls, which is almost as fun as the lake I guess!

Assault Bike - joking, but seriously - I got one used during 2020 when gyms were closed.
Do a monthly test of 10 min for max calories and / or 100 calories for time while occasionally adding it into your workouts. It is a soul crushing device.
You then will climb any hill

presets.

I also started weighing my packs -
Made me realize what a “ two is one , one is none” mantra (binos, ccw, saw / pruner , bow hangers and rappel gear) adds to a kit.

A cheap Dano zip pouch that I strap to tree w a cam jam is my lightest kit or a vest . I can just add this to a pack or carry it by itself.
Easy to access if needed and not much in pockets. No dump pouches.

Recurve - one piece, I forget I’m carrying it.

gear is too subjective . go light or figure out how to make a frame pack work for you