Does the perfect pack exist?
Massachusetts
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It's been so long since I've seriously looked, the last pack I bought was a camo book bag style from Cabela's - that's about all that was available.
Too many choices now.
I'd like to find a pack that can be used for 1. Stalking/ ground hunting 2. Lash a tree stand to 3. A good (possibly expandable) big game day pack
Any advice/ experiences greatly appreciated.
This is a subject dear to my heart. I have more packs than I know what to do with and I'm still looking. Love em. I don't believe the "perfect " one is out there but if you find it let me know.
Have a Cabelas jacket with a ton of pockets. It literally holds everything I need!
Yup I'm searching too. I'm looking for 1 to hold all my camera gear as well as my hunting stuff. Haven't found the right 1 yet.
I'm with BC. I don't think it exists.
100% agree that the perfect pack doesn't exist. I've been using a slightly over sized fanny pack for years but I've never been really happy with it. I usually don't take a ton of stuff with me so I'm thinking about trying multi-pocket pants with multi-pocket jacket. The jacket might be tricky, needs to be large enough to fit warmth layers underneath but light enough to wear by itself on warmer days without feeling like I'm wearing a tent. Might need two options, one for warmer days and another for colder.
I've been using the same pack for longer than I can remember. I've had to make multiple repairs to it, because I can't find another one like it. It has one large compartment and one small compartment... that's all I want. It's made out of microfleece, so it's exceptionally quiet. And, the camo pattern isn't too dark, which is another big deal for me.
I normally use a smaller pack hunting at home. Don't need to carry the kitchen sink hunting suburban whitetails. I got one from Sportsmans Warehouse made by Red Rock that is great for treestand hunting. I used to use a Catquiver pack but it was cumbersome.
When I hunt out west I use a Badlands pack or something with a Camalback. I have a thing about hunting packs, kind of like my wife with shoes. Got way more than I need. I posted a pic but it came out sideways so I deleted it. I'll try again. I love these threads about gear. Especially gear that guys customize. Very cool.
It doesn't exist but I found one I like the most so far. Made by Alps Outdoorz. Its a fanny pack that has the option of unzipping and expanding into a full back pack. Also has shoulder straps and a waist belt which I need because I have a bad back. For a fanny pack, I have to have shoulder straps, idk why, its just way better on my back. I personally like a fanny pack and use this feature 90% of the time but when doing all day hunts, carrying camera gear, etc. having the full backpack is essential. I also walk really far into some of my spots so in the winter I can fit several layers of clothing in there. Very comfortable too. BUT not perfect for a few small quirky reasons.
I'm the same. Fanny pack is my go to everytime. I have a smaller one with a main pouch and 7 or so smaller zippered sections. When it gets cold and I haul in an extra layer I switch to my Badlands Monster fanny pack.
Pack Rat
Pack Rat
BC, you are all packed up I see :)
I'm pondering asking a friend of mine who owns a business which makes amazing fly fishing packs and a great day pack as well both as custom orders and some standards if he would consider a fully custom hunting pack. My mindset would be something I could wear as a back pack for times when I dont have a climber, and which I could easily buckle to the hand climber for access when hunting, or hang from the tree if in a fixed position.
I've used the same fieldline pack for years now... Amazed it's still working, got it for 5 bucks at an end of season sale at dicks probably 12-15 years ago now! I'd just love something that worked for me a little better.
BC, this is a nice collection. I ersonally have a pack from Basspro my brother bought me. Has a big and a small compartment. It has the rigid back to keep it off your back and let air thru. It is a bit heavy, but it helps my back stay straight, carries all my gear, including my stool and bow/shotgun. My buddy rags on me for taking so much gear, but when I pull out the Gatorade bottles during a long haul with the whitetail, he is happy. Lol. I have a fanny pack from Dick's too, but it doesn't stay on well and I feel like my pants are going to fall, so I never use it. I tried it on 2 hunts and put it away forever.
I used a waterproof microfleece camo pack with a camel bak which fits a bow or rifle into it. I imagine you could retro fit it to hold a tree stand. I think its made under armour honestly. What I've been doing lately is carrying most things (GPS, lighter/matches, cell, wallet, truck key, harness tree strap, etc) in my cargo pockets and jacket pockets and ditching the pack. Beefed up the shoulder straps on my tree stand, bungee stuff to it instead and go. I have a canvas pouch thing with magnets that I plan to hold my camera and camera arm in which I will bungee to my stand as well. I figure I can distribute the weight better if a little bit of everything is spread out in various locations around my body and have one thing on my back instead of two or three.
Another great pack for suburban hunting is a hip pack. I have one made by Summit. Very small to just carry your essentials, hangs off a belt at hip level. Great for quick in and out hunts.
For my suburban hunting I use a briefcase. Suburban camo. Full stealth mode.
arch2112's Link
This pack is pretty handy. Its small enough not to get in the way but has enough room for most everything I need for bow hunting. You can wear it in front of you if you want to carry in a treestand on your back. Even has a section for a hydration bladder but I never use that when hunting, a small water bottle fits in a side pocket. When I'm up in the stand I put it right under my seat or hang it off of a hook. I actually use it for travelling too. My laptop fits perfect in the hydration sleeve. I bought it 7 or 8 years ago and its been in the woods, all over the country and even China twice. Looks perfect still. Very tough.
I just got the badlands pursuit day pack, it replaces a Dwight Schuh cabelas pack that I had for a longtime. For day hunts where we are not packing much, we don't need a monster pack, day packs are perfect and less bulky.