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Who's not using a pack and just pouching everything?

HuumanCreed

HuumanCreed

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2020
Messages
2,677
Location
Westminster Maryland
I was packing away my hunting pack last weekend. Realized that I didn't use 80% of things in the pack, even in the colder months. I realized I could carry everything in my pockets except the sticks

With deciding to 1-sticking next season, I'm thinking about just wearing the saddle in and holding my bow (and/or platform) as I walk. Attaching 2-3 pouches(sys haulers to you cool kids). I can carry everything I need and pockets the rest. I might even attach straps to my platform and bungie my bow to it and simply sling it on my back.

Anyway, who here go without a pack if you are hunting for a day? I know it's different if you are on a long trip, deep woods, or colder months.
 
My biggest thing is water and a pee bottle (I know what everyone says about pee, but I will be Dam*Ed if I am going to play the wind, control scent on clothes and boots, to just pee into the wind off a stand, urine stinks) water I like to help cool down a little quicker once to height and a dry throat or swallowing wrong sucks without water. If I could carry those 2 things I would go packless from now on.
 
I ditched the pack on my mobile hunt system. I can get away with just the saddle and pants pockets for quick close to the truck hunts. When I'm striking out to go find a place to set up I take a little more than saddle pouches and pants pockets can handle with rain gear and I wanted something to attach my platform to and ended up getting a load bearing vest with molle attachment that covers the entire vest. I attach whatever pouch wherever I need it. Each pouch has its assigned piece of equipment that fits snug so I have limited storage and that keeps me from hauling to much junk. Army surplus has about every size and shape pouch imaginable. I can lose some of the gear I take to lighten there load but there are some luxury items that I use to often while out there to drop them from my stuff so for me I needed a little extra load carrying capacity but u could easy fit the bare necessities between ur pants pockets and a pouch or two....EWO battle belt added to your saddle another good option to attach storage pouches
 
I am a "what if" guy and I am guilty of carrying stuff I might need rather than what I will need. However, I believe this stems from wanting everything organized and in a system so I can grab and go. If I only hunted public land and was mobile all the time then becoming a minimalist would pay dividends but I hunt fixed position stands on private land as well so differing "stuff" is needed or not needed. On a couple of hunts this year I was headed to public land when cell trail cam pics prompted me to go hunt private. If I didn't have "all" my stuff then I would have lost that flexibility.
 
useyourbow said:
I am a "what if" guy and I am guilty of carrying stuff I might need rather than what I will need. However, I believe this stems from wanting everything organized and in a system so I can grab and go. If I only hunted public land and was mobile all the time then becoming a minimalist would pay dividends but I hunt fixed position stands on private land as well so differing "stuff" is needed or not needed. On a couple of hunts this year I was headed to public land when cell trail cam pics prompted me to go hunt private. If I didn't have "all" my stuff then I would have lost that flexibility.
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I used to be the same. Extra paracord, extra biners, flagging tape, hunting knife and the list goes on. Finally decided that since I was going to have to go back to the truck to drop all my crap off and pick up the sled to haul him out I really didn’t need to carry that stuff in with me in the first place. All that weight, plus a summit viper was killing me. Clothes too. Extra gloves, extra this that and the other, just in case. I paired down to an under layer, goose down and a shell. Max warmth, least weight. I don’t even carry a bottle of water. Guys are worried about ounces and they are carrying a bottle (or two!) of water that weighs a couple of pounds. Go to survival school, you carry water inside your body, not in a bottle. If you have to have water and there is a water source carry a filter straw, cost less than $15, only weighs a few ounces and will make a thousand gallons of water safe for drinking.
 
Loopwing said:
My biggest thing is water and a pee bottle (I know what everyone says about pee, but I will be Dam*Ed if I am going to play the wind, control scent on clothes and boots, to just pee into the wind off a stand, urine stinks) water I like to help cool down a little quicker once to height and a dry throat or swallowing wrong sucks without water. If I could carry those 2 things I would go packless from now on.
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I read a controlled study where deer were exposed to several scent sources. The bucks were most attracted to deer urine and their second favorite attractant was human urine. I have read that some guys actually pee in their mock scrapes with good effect.
 
2Sloe said:
I read a controlled study where deer were exposed to several scent sources. The bucks were most attracted to deer urine and their second favorite attractant was human urine. I have read that some guys actually pee in their mock scrapes with good effect.
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I'm more worried about the sound of the pee hitting dried leaves after falling 25 feet, and also I once lowered my bow and pack into a wet spot.
 
I am going to a crosspaq next year, tried a Fanny pack this year and really was still carrying too much.

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I like a small sling pack besides the stuff on my saddle and harness suspenders because I have everything I could need and the tree hides it's profile well.
 
Early season it's fine, Badlands tree hugger pack and my muff stuffed. Late season and all day sits though, even a small pack is a must. I sweat like a fat kid in a candy store and wear next to nothing walking to the stand. That and I have to have my coffee when it's really cold.
 
enkriss said:
I am quite the opposite. I hate having crap hanging off my saddle and would rather have everything in a Fanny pack or pack
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I didn't mind it last year because I didn't think there was another option. I got my new saddle this year and put it on without dump pouches and was amazed at how light it is, silly I know. I moved my rappel rope to my fanny pack and eliminated one pouch. Looking to try it with 1 pouch or possibly none depending on how practice goes over the spring and summer.
 
MIPublic said:
I didn't mind it last year because I didn't think there was another option. I got my new saddle this year and put it on without dump pouches and was amazed at how light it is, silly I know. I moved my rappel rope to my fanny pack and eliminated one pouch. Looking to try it with 1 pouch or possibly none depending on how practice goes over the spring and summer.
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That might be another option I have not consider. I have not try walking long distance or actually hanging with noticeable weighted pouches. Common sense would say lighter saddles are more comfortable. especially since I'm using a Recon which main benefit is the flexibility.

Its a little pricey but I might save up for it, have anyone try the Eberlestock Dagger pack? It look as minimalist as it come and very functional.
 
I have a dagger and absolutely love the size. I took the molle straps out of the molle on the side and strap my mission down on the back with it. I climb on bolts and store those in a pouch. Back to I carry a Gatorade pee bottle, so that takes up a lot of space. With out the bottle it would be perfect, but my own research where I hunt tells me to use the bottle. When I am doing a couple hour morning or afternoon hunt, that is my go to pack everytime.
With that being said I have a Bandit being delivered today.
 
Loopwing said:
I have a dagger and absolutely love the size. I took the molle straps out of the molle on the side and strap my mission down on the back with it. I climb on bolts and store those in a pouch. Back to I carry a Gatorade pee bottle, so that takes up a lot of space. With out the bottle it would be perfect, but my own research where I hunt tells me to use the bottle. When I am doing a couple hour morning or afternoon hunt, that is my go to pack everytime.
With that being said I have a Bandit being delivered today.
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I look forward to the dagger being on the classified for a good deal if you decide you like the Bandit! :laughing:
 
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It won't go on there. It is a great pack that if nothing else will be a hydration pack for one of my little girls or a run and gun turkey pack. I don't really hunt with decoys.
 
Loopwing said:
It won't go on there. It is a great pack that if nothing else will be a hydration pack for one of my little girls or a run and gun turkey pack. I don't really hunt with decoys.
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That sound like an even better plan for the pack. Got 3 little girls myself and I'm hoping at least one follow me to the wood. They love venison, I might just cut them off slowly to encourage them to go get some themselves.
 
My 7yo wants to go after afternoon gobblers this spring. Not sunrise, lololol. My 4 yo wants to go everytime, but can't be quiet for 3 consecutive seconds and still flinches and covers her ears when I shoot my crossbow.
 
I don't carry anything I don't need to kill a deer. My bow, stand and sticks, and whatever clothes I need bungeed on. I used to take all kinds of stupid things. I also didn't kill as many deer...
 
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