Hello all, I'm a relatively new hunter in northern Virginia. Next deer season I plan to bow hunt on public land with a saddle, and I'll be packing everything in and out. My question for those who backpack hunt is, what do you do with your rucksack? Do you bring it up into the tree with you when hunting, or do you camp close enough that you can walk back to it after a kill to retrieve it and pack out your meat?
For background, I've been into archery for a few years and will be hunting with a compound. I've only ever hunted from the ground with a rifle; no experience with saddles, tree stands, or bow hunting. I have extensive backpacking experience and a fair bit of rock climbing too. My camping setup isn't quite ultralight, but when I'm just backpacking, my pack weighs around 20 pounds not counting food and water. I have, however, carried over a hundred pounds on multiple occasions for distances of 3-5 miles cross country.
Thanks for your feedback!
For background, I've been into archery for a few years and will be hunting with a compound. I've only ever hunted from the ground with a rifle; no experience with saddles, tree stands, or bow hunting. I have extensive backpacking experience and a fair bit of rock climbing too. My camping setup isn't quite ultralight, but when I'm just backpacking, my pack weighs around 20 pounds not counting food and water. I have, however, carried over a hundred pounds on multiple occasions for distances of 3-5 miles cross country.
Thanks for your feedback!