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"The official saddle hunting backpack thread"

Is that a DIY with the horizontal straps holding your sticks?
The sticks are held together by the black straps to make sure they don't fall apart when I unbuckle them. Really not necessary after stealth stripping them though. Then the sticks are fastened to the pack with the brown straps included on the pack.
 
The sticks are held together by the black straps to make sure they don't fall apart when I unbuckle them. Really not necessary after stealth stripping them though. Then the sticks are fastened to the pack with the brown straps included on the pack.

Are the horizontal tan straps holding the sticks to your pack DIY?
 
Are the horizontal tan straps holding the sticks to your pack DIY?

No, nothing is DIY. The tan straps are part of the pack.

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They’re on the side but are long enough to run around the front


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No, nothing is DIY. The tan straps are part of the pack.

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They’re on the side but are long enough to run around the front


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Genius! Why didn’t I think of that? I bought their add on accessory straps and couldn’t get them to work with the existing sewn in loops.
 
Genius! Why didn’t I think of that? I bought their add on accessory straps and couldn’t get them to work with the existing sewn in loops.
Haha I didn't think of it either if it makes you feel any better. Someone else pointed out to me that the side clips are male/female connectors and could be strapped across the front. Made life a lot easier. When the pack is fully stuffed, it's an insanely tight squeeze, and I wish there was more strap to work with, but I usually get it to work after placing my weight on the pack.
 
Haha I didn't think of it either if it makes you feel any better. Someone else pointed out to me that the side clips are male/female connectors and could be strapped across the front. Made life a lot easier. When the pack is fully stuffed, it's an insanely tight squeeze, and I wish there was more strap to work with, but I usually get it to work after placing my weight on the pack.

Nothing a couple of the correct side buckles and some flat webbing as an extension couldn’t fix.
 
Can anyone comment on the Tarahumara pack by Hill People Gear?

I really like its simplicity and everything I read is good about its yoke harness in terms of comfort.

The Tara is built like a tank. Probably one of the best quality bags I’ve personally handled. In the end it was just a tad small for my needs. I emailed HPG and they did say they were coming out with a new pack this spring to take the place of the Connor.

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Just got home from work and got to play with mystery ranch pop up 18. My wife picked it up at post office and when I got home she said “your not going to like that bag it’s heavy”. However I was expecting that. I threw the assassin on it in a few different configurations. Tons of strapping possibilities. The pop up function works quickly but I don’t think it will be needed for what I plan for this bag. I do like that the bag has a removable hip belt as I do not like waist belts. It seems like a good size for the assassin platform. I will put the predator on it later. I can see where short sticks will pack great on the shelf. The top quick strap would be perfect for a jacket or single stick. I don’t carry a ton so this has more than enough storage for a whitetail all day sit.. I think it will hang in a tree decent it’s not overly big. I can see where guys think the material is loud but hopefully it breaks in. I will start carrying it scouting and shed hunting and see what I think as of now this is a pick over badlands reactor, Diablo dos, cheap timber hawk, and the other fanny pack and bags I have tried.




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What size bag are you running, and is that the K2 frame or the new K3?
K2. I ran the 2000 bag a season and the 5500 bag this last year. The 2000 was great, 5500 was actually not bad either even though I wasnt using all of it. For just day hunts for whitetails, the smaller bag size was better. I think they have an 1800 out now.

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Camofire has the King’s Camo Core Hunter 1800 Day pack today for $69. It looks like it might not be a bad pack, has waist belt, internal frame, ect.... also a couple Alps packs as well.
 
Found a thread in General Discussion that caught my interest for a small pack. He upgraded the Predator pack with shoulder straps and a hydration pack.

 
Found a thread in General Discussion that caught my interest for a small pack. He upgraded the Predator pack with shoulder straps and a hydration pack.


I looked into that before I sold my predator. Looked like a winner.


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Not saddle hunting yet but packing a hangon, I'm using a kifaru guide lid and large pocket clipped together. Then using the guide lids built in straps to secure pack to the stand
 
Can anyone comment on the Tarahumara pack by Hill People Gear?

I really like its simplicity and everything I read is good about its yoke harness in terms of comfort.


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I have had one for a while. I love mine. It is built solid. First spear produces them for HPG. They are absolutely top notch. The yoke is very comfortable. Pack itself it extremely minimalist but that’s pretty much exactly what I’m looking for. What specifically are you interested in?
 
I have had one for a while. I love mine. It is built solid. First spear produces them for HPG. They are absolutely top notch. The yoke is very comfortable. Pack itself it extremely minimalist but that’s pretty much exactly what I’m looking for. What specifically are you interested in?

Minimalist is what I’m going for. Wanted something that can be a hunting bag as well as a do it all bag.

A couple of other smaller bags I had became uncomfortable after a mile or less with what I consider a somewhat light load (10 squirrel steps or 1 muddy pro, rappel rope and maybe a jacket with a bottle of water and a kill kit). I’m hoping the harness helps with that.

Do you use yours for hunting?


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Minimalist is what I’m going for. Wanted something that can be a hunting bag as well as a do it all bag.

A couple of other smaller bags I had became uncomfortable after a mile or less with what I consider a somewhat light load (10 squirrel steps or 1 muddy pro, rappel rope and maybe a jacket with a bottle of water and a kill kit). I’m hoping the harness helps with that.

Do you use yours for hunting?


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I actually don’t use mine for hunting very often. I’m in upstate NY and our season sees some pretty cold temperatures for the most part so I am typically packing in my layers and adding them at the base of the tree. That kind of forces me into a larger pack. I currently use a Kuiu Venture 2500. The HPG Tara is my go to pack for scouting, shed hunting, and the like. It will hold a few screw in stops, water, couple of trail cameras, pruning shears, and a small folding saw no problem. The compression straps on the back make a great spot to attach shed antlers or other odd shaped items. If you’re not going to be packing in lots of layers, it’s an ideal pack.
 
I actually don’t use mine for hunting very often. I’m in upstate NY and our season sees some pretty cold temperatures for the most part so I am typically packing in my layers and adding them at the base of the tree. That kind of forces me into a larger pack. I currently use a Kuiu Venture 2500. The HPG Tara is my go to pack for scouting, shed hunting, and the like. It will hold a few screw in stops, water, couple of trail cameras, pruning shears, and a small folding saw no problem. The compression straps on the back make a great spot to attach shed antlers or other odd shaped items. If you’re not going to be packing in lots of layers, it’s an ideal pack.
Where upstate? I used to hunt in 7G and 7H in the Finger Lakes.
 
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