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"The official saddle hunting backpack thread"

RainingBlades said:
So you just carry you’re sticks with that strap/sling? Isn’t it bouncing around and annoying to have your bow and your sticks and a pack?
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Well that was my setup last season. It’s almost identical this year except I’m going to do 1 sticking most of the time if possible. If dont do 1 stick, I now have the 20” heliums. Also still have my WE steps.

But no it really wasn’t as bad as you’d think. I would sling it over my head diagonal and having it like that would make the sticks kind of hug the side of my pack and the lower part of my sticks would kind of come forward so it’s almost under my arm. Kinda like how you carry a slinged rifle. They would move with me pretty good to be honest. This year if I carry the short heliums, it’s REALLY gonna be nice and secure with the shorter length.


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Hi guys, I'm new to the whole saddle hunting thing but have been a minimalist for several years now so this seems to be a natural fit. The one thing I haven't seen (in the two days it took to read this thread) was anyone running a thigh pack with their saddle. I've been running an Alpha Pack for a couple years now. Anyways, here's what it looks like.

 
ZSully said:
Hi guys, I'm new to the whole saddle hunting thing but have been a minimalist for several years now so this seems to be a natural fit. The one thing I haven't seen (in the two days it took to read this thread) was anyone running a thigh pack with their saddle. I've been running an Alpha Pack for a couple years now. Anyways, here's what it looks like.

Click to expand...

In the old days of old Trophyline / Greens, I bought a thigh pack to hold my cranford rope steps. Thought I’d be a real tree ninja. It didn’t quite work out that way for me.

That said, they do look like a good alternative for a minimalist that doesn’t use sticks.
 
Just got my MR popup 18 in the mail. So far I'm impressed. It is everything I need in a pack. Meat hauler good storage and organizational structure. And it's not too small or large for me. Hydration compatibility and I can haul my sticks and spurs. Would love to find a way to attach my bow
 
Dug my Horn Hunter G3 out of storage and will say it works perfect for my Helium minis and predator platform while not being too big.
I tried 2 sticks on each side of the pack first and it was ok. I then put all 4 sticks on the bottom straps and it's about perfect.
The predator straps on with the bow holder straps down the center of the pack.
 
DeerLaughAtMe said:
055b7e1f58e341504572836724d72010.jpg


EXO K3 4800 when I use a pack. Pack and frame weighs about 4lbs empty.
I plan on using that same pack. where do you put the platform on your set up? Also, where do you hang it on the tree once set up? Thanks for any advice.

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Last edited:
I plan on using that same pack. where do you put the platform on your set up? Also, where do you hang it on the tree once set up? Thanks for any advice.
 
I found a MR Pop Up 28 on here. Just waiting for the okay time send $ because the gentleman resides in Louisiana. The hurricane really messed things up there. So hopefully I can get this pack soon so I can start doing mock setup and shoot. I’ve been looking at so many packs I’m spent. If I’m going to spend the $$, I want a pack for life that’s multi-purpose. I carry sticks and platform like many of us. And will be SRT this year as well. I almost bought the Alaska Guide Gear Scout pack, but realized there’s not that many pockets. If it has more pockets, I’d own it! Anyone own that pack?


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I recently picked up a Kifaru marauder for my helium setup. With all of the molle on the pack I was able to add small molle pouches to the outside of the pack and inside of the pack for my small stuff. I also put a fold away molle dump sack on the side that faces me in the tree to have a gear dump while hunting. I am pretty pleased with the pack. I can fit my saddle, knee pads, Gps, kill kit, 8mm rappel gear, hydration bladder and climbing aider easily inside the pack. I have my doyles hoist in a molle pack on one side, my saw in a small on the same side, and the left side I have 1 small pouch for my wind checker, grunt and calls and the fold away dump on my left side up high. 4 hawk heliums with scout platform strap down like a champ on the outside. I may have found my climbing stick “unicorn”.
 
That’s a good pack. Well made! I’m not ecstatic about the MR PopUp28 being made in the Philippines, but at least it’s not China and most of the MR packs are made in USA, but where do most of these manufacturers get their fabric? That’s the question. Made in USA but so is Toyota (assembled) lol. Everything else is shipped from overseas. I almost bought the Shape Charge but I couldn’t see spending $360. That’s insanity.


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ap_rustic_creations said:
That’s a good pack. Well made! I’m not ecstatic about the MR PopUp28 being made in the Philippines, but at least it’s not China and most of the MR packs are made in USA, but where do most of these manufacturers get their fabric? That’s the question. Made in USA but so is Toyota (assembled) lol. Everything else is shipped from overseas. I almost bought the Shape Charge but I couldn’t see spending $360. That’s insanity.


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I completely agree, I love MR packs, shoulder and waist straps waaay more comfortable, but the kifaru is less bulky because of the slim belt and shoulder straps. I can comfortably hike in a mile with it though.
 
ap_rustic_creations said:
That’s a good pack. Well made! I’m not ecstatic about the MR PopUp28 being made in the Philippines, but at least it’s not China and most of the MR packs are made in USA, but where do most of these manufacturers get their fabric? That’s the question.
Click to expand...

Can’t speak for other pack companies but I know Kifaru and Hill People Gear are US made From US sources.


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Finally worked out my early/mid season setup. Still have room for a light jacket and headlamp, knife, grunt call, etc...

Kifaru Scout
Beast sticks-amsteel rope mod
Phantom saddle
Predator platform-amsteel rope mod
Sterling Oplux tether and linemans
Squirrel step for bow holder
Versa aider

All up its 14lbs 7oz and gets me to 20 ft.


20200901_212618.jpg
 
SCHunter85 said:
Finally worked out my early/mid season setup. Still have room for a light jacket and headlamp, knife, grunt call, etc...

Kifaru Scout
Beast sticks-amsteel rope mod
Phantom saddle
Predator platform-amsteel rope mod
Sterling Oplux tether and linemans
Squirrel step for bow holder
Versa aider

All up its 14lbs 7oz and gets me to 20 ft.


View attachment 33503
Click to expand...
Nice looking set up! O/T I grew up in Simpsonville, hows the hunting around there now? Deer were few and far between when I lived there.
 
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