question for horn hunter main beam owners regarding stick and platform transport when pack not full

[raisins]

Hey,

I am thinking of a horn hunter main beam. Mostly I need a pack with an internal frame, sternum strap, and waist belt to carry sticks and platform with and with at least 20 liters internal storage for other items. I will not use it to pack meat (have a dedicated freight hauler pack for that). I just need a pack that can hold 4 cut down Hawk Heliums (2 on each side) and a Tree Suit platform in the middle on the back in a fleece pouch that is MOLLE'd to the pack (I will add attachments to the pack if necessary).

I'm not planning to have much stuff in the pack most days, unless I'm hunting late season and stick some extra layers in the pack. So, the pack will be kind of deflated most hunts with the pack only carrying saddle, tether, lineman's lanyard, knee pads, bottle of water, snacks, accessory holder, and odds and ends.

Are you still able to lash sticks to the side and a platform in the middle when the pack is half empty and not have the sticks and platform moving around and banging into each other or you? I see how the bat wings can compress it down, but that seems to take away the spot for the platform. I don't want the platform on top of the sticks because my plan is to design things so that I walk up to the tree, attach myself, pull off 1 stick on each side, leave everything else on, and start climbing. I don't want to have to move the platform to get to the sticks.

If anyone can think of a better option for this than the main beam then please let me know also.

Thanks-R

 

[Islandshooter]

Hey,

I am thinking of a horn hunter main beam. Mostly I need a pack with an internal frame, sternum strap, and waist belt to carry sticks and platform with and with at least 20 liters internal storage for other items. I will not use it to pack meat (have a dedicated freight hauler pack for that). I just need a pack that can hold 4 cut down Hawk Heliums (2 on each side) and a Tree Suit platform in the middle on the back in a fleece pouch that is MOLLE'd to the pack (I will add attachments to the pack if necessary).

I'm not planning to have much stuff in the pack most days, unless I'm hunting late season and stick some extra layers in the pack. So, the pack will be kind of deflated most hunts with the pack only carrying saddle, tether, lineman's lanyard, knee pads, bottle of water, snacks, accessory holder, and odds and ends.

Are you still able to lash sticks to the side and a platform in the middle when the pack is half empty and not have the sticks and platform moving around and banging into each other or you? I see how the bat wings can compress it down, but that seems to take away the spot for the platform. I don't want the platform on top of the sticks because my plan is to design things so that I walk up to the tree, attach myself, pull off 1 stick on each side, leave everything else on, and start climbing. I don't want to have to move the platform to get to the sticks.

If anyone can think of a better option for this than the main beam then please let me know also.

Thanks-R

I can tell you what I did for my Sitka tool bucket. I inserted kydex into each side panel to stiffen the pack. The reason was to attach stick talons so I could pull them off while climbing. But, three pack doesn't collapse as much when empty. If that doesn't help, hit up Mike Isbell at Backwoods Mobile Gear for ideas. He modified my pack to carry sticks and platform. Good luck

 

[Mengle]

I don’t know about using sticks on the sides, I always carried my heliums horizontal using the two straps at the bottom of the pack. I did put my predator in the center of the pack. It does a great job of tightening everything down and keeping a low profile. I used it from empty to slap full

 

[raisins]

I don’t know about using sticks on the sides, I always carried my heliums horizontal using the two straps at the bottom of the pack. I did put my predator in the center of the pack. It does a great job of tightening everything down and keeping a low profile. I used it from empty to slap full

With the length of my sticks, I'd get hung up really bad in the brush I hunt in if I ran them horizontal.

 

[raisins]

I can tell you what I did for my Sitka tool bucket. I inserted kydex into each side panel to stiffen the pack. The reason was to attach stick talons so I could pull them off while climbing. But, three pack doesn't collapse as much when empty. If that doesn't help, hit up Mike Isbell at Backwoods Mobile Gear for ideas. He modified my pack to carry sticks and platform. Good luck

Do you put them back on the stick talons when climbing down? That seems a lot more tricky.

 

[Exhumis]

I use a horn hunter g2 and I've secured my gear in the exact manner you're asking about. Ultimately I moved my platform, (a RR) to the side as it was more balanced and didn't clang. Here's a pic:

When I get to the tree I disconnect my sticks and clip them to the left side of my saddle, then disconnect the platform and clip that to the right side of my saddle. My bow gets fastened to my pack for the climb up the tree. I unclip sticks as I climb and when I get to the top platform gets deployed and bag hung on tree. Hope that helps

 

[Mengle]

With the length of my sticks, I'd get hung up really bad in the brush I hunt in if I ran them horizontal.

Gotcha. Mine are cut down pretty short.

 

[Islandshooter]

Do you put them back on the stick talons when climbing down? That seems a lot more tricky.

No, most of the time I dangle then from the amsteel (pretty long as I hunt from mature cottonwoods most of the time) and drop gently. I do strap the Predator back on tho.

 

[raisins]

I use a horn hunter g2 and I've secured my gear in the exact manner you're asking about. Ultimately I moved my platform, (a RR) to the side as it was more balanced and didn't clang. Here's a pic:
View attachment 27890
When I get to the tree I disconnect my sticks and clip them to the left side of my saddle, then disconnect the platform and clip that to the right side of my saddle. My bow gets fastened to my pack for the climb up the tree. I unclip sticks as I climb and when I get to the top platform gets deployed and bag hung on tree. Hope that helps

Good idea. For some reason, I was too focused on my pack being symmetrical.

 

[atgrones]

I just got a main beam, seems a little load to me. Fabric is crinkly sounding. I'm worried it might be a little load. Do they quiet up with wear?

 

[Exhumis]

I just got a main beam, seems a little load to me. Fabric is crinkly sounding. I'm worried it might be a little load. Do they quiet up with wear?

Dunno if you can do it with the main beam, if it has a frame, but I usually throw my packs in the drier with some shoes or tennis balls for a couple hours on delicate.

 

[atgrones]

Dunno if you can do it with the main beam, if it has a frame, but I usually throw my packs in the drier with some shoes or tennis balls for a couple hours on delicate.

I might try that considering returning it still depending what I hear on here.

 

[Matt777]

Following up on this thread.
atgrones
I too am thinking about the Main beam. Did you keep the pack? is it still loud?

 

[atgrones]

Following up on this thread.
atgrones
I too am thinking about the Main beam. Did you keep the pack? is it still loud?

I personally decided to return it. I went with a Stika tool box instead and I’m going to mod the sides per a video I saw on here to hold sticks better. It is supper quiet and if your using mini sticks I suspect no mod is needed.

 

[Mengle]

I sold mine and snagged a Connor V2. I am pleased with the upgrade so far, but haven’t gone through a full day hunt with it yet.

 

[atgrones]

I sold mine and snagged a Connor V2. I am pleased with the upgrade so far, but haven’t gone through a full day hunt with it yet.

Looks like a great pack.

 

[Matt777]

Whats the size comparison to the Connor V2? V2 looks thin. I have a LW seat platform and 22" Beast sticks would the connor lug those around?

 

[Mengle]

Whats the size comparison to the Connor V2? V2 looks thin. I have a LW seat platform and 22" Beast sticks would the connor lug those around?

Might be pushing it but you could probly make it work.

I strap a predator in the center of the back of the pack and 1-3 15 inch hawk sticks horizontal at the bottom.

Been meaning to start a thread and break down what I do/don’t like about it and some additions that I have added.

 

[Matt777]

That would be cool. I would read that. I initially was looking at the Horn Hunter Main Beam but with soooo many packs its hard to pull the trigger on one. Thanks for the insight.

 

[Matt777]

Hey,

I am thinking of a horn hunter main beam. Mostly I need a pack with an internal frame, sternum strap, and waist belt to carry sticks and platform with and with at least 20 liters internal storage for other items. I will not use it to pack meat (have a dedicated freight hauler pack for that). I just need a pack that can hold 4 cut down Hawk Heliums (2 on each side) and a Tree Suit platform in the middle on the back in a fleece pouch that is MOLLE'd to the pack (I will add attachments to the pack if necessary).

I'm not planning to have much stuff in the pack most days, unless I'm hunting late season and stick some extra layers in the pack. So, the pack will be kind of deflated most hunts with the pack only carrying saddle, tether, lineman's lanyard, knee pads, bottle of water, snacks, accessory holder, and odds and ends.

Are you still able to lash sticks to the side and a platform in the middle when the pack is half empty and not have the sticks and platform moving around and banging into each other or you? I see how the bat wings can compress it down, but that seems to take away the spot for the platform. I don't want the platform on top of the sticks because my plan is to design things so that I walk up to the tree, attach myself, pull off 1 stick on each side, leave everything else on, and start climbing. I don't want to have to move the platform to get to the sticks.

If anyone can think of a better option for this than the main beam then please let me know also.

Thanks-R

Did you end up getting the Horn Hunter Main Beam? If you did how is it? Im in the same boat as you as far as gear. LW seat platform and sticks. If you got something else how did it work?
Thanks