Where do you carry your smart phone?
Contributors to this thread:General Topic
From: cnelk
06-Jan-19
For those that use their smart phone for hunting, where is your preferred place to carry it?
Chest pocket? Front pant pocket? Hip holster? Rear hip pocket?
From: craig@work
06-Jan-19
front pants pocket
From: Buglmin
06-Jan-19
Pocket in my pack. I'm hunting, not answering cell phones. If you fall and its in your pocket, you stand a chance of breaking it. I see no reason why it needs to be kept someplace where it can be reached fast. Plus with high performance clothing that fits tight, I hate stuff in my pants pockets.
From: Kodiak
06-Jan-19
From: 1boonr
06-Jan-19
And if you fall and it’s in your pack your screwed.
From: BOHUNTER09
06-Jan-19
Had mine in my left front pants pocket when I fell and broke my left shoulder. Could not get it out. Now it’s always in a chest pocket
From: midwest
06-Jan-19
Left, front pants pocket. I need quick, easy access because it's my GPS and my camera.
From: Glunt@work
06-Jan-19
Cargo pocket. Nice baggy, economical Microtex comfy hunting pants have all sorts of room for stuff :^)
From: elkmtngear
06-Jan-19
Leg pocket...but forgot to button it in this Year during a bad day of wildfire evacuation.. my phone is somewhere on a mountain top in Wyoming!.
From: jdee
06-Jan-19
Usually I’m using it as a GPS and using it a lot so it’s in my back pocket or my cargo pocket or my jacket pocket if the jacket I’m wearing has a zipper.....I always make sure it can’t fall out of my pocket !!
From: cnelk
06-Jan-19
Day to day activity I keep my phone in front left pant pocket.
When hunting fishing I keep it in a zippered chest pocket. It stays warm and dry so the battery last longer and no malfunction.
From: SB
06-Jan-19
Don't have a phone.
From: Jaquomo
06-Jan-19
Usually in a pack front pocket when elk hunting. I use it for mapping/GPS to toggle back and forth between satellite and topo views when in new country. So it doesnt need to be someplace with quick access because there's generally no cell service around.
From: TREESTANDWOLF
06-Jan-19
Always, always, front left, chest zip pocket.
I can grab it in an instant.
Be safe out there.
From: Ambush
06-Jan-19
I use mine for mapping too, so I like it handy. Also it's often cold when I'm hunting and chest pocket keeps it warm, otherwise battery life seems dismal.
From: Backpack Hunter
06-Jan-19
In my backpack with the rest of my electronic stuff that I do not need constant access to.
From: Crusader dad
06-Jan-19
Left front pants pocket.
From: Kurt
06-Jan-19
Right shirt pocket of a Cabelas Microtex shirt 95% of the time, with my rangefinder in the left shirt pocket. Keeps it warm and secure, typically button the pocket flap down over the phone. I don't use a GPS, just GAIA on the phone for nav.
From: Shaft
06-Jan-19
In my backpack, and the phone is on vibrate mode. I try not to look at it at all.
From: Buglmin
06-Jan-19
1booner, Please explain how if I fall and its in my back I'm screwed? If it's in your pants and you fall and break it, you're screwed. Get it soaking wet in your pocket, what's the chances it's not gonna work? I gave a gps for maps, not the kind of guy that needs to answer text messages or put everything on social media.
From: LINK
06-Jan-19
I use mine for gps not emails and texts.I very rarely have enough signal to do that in elk country anyways. Zip up shirt or coat pocket on the chest.
From: Woods Walker
06-Jan-19
I still have a dumb phone, but if I did have a smart phone it'd be carried in the same place as the dumb one when I hunt.......in the truck.
From: Cocoon Man
06-Jan-19
Zippered chest pocket first choice , second zippered cargo pocket. If in an area with no cell service carry an Inreach Mini.
From: jdee
06-Jan-19
Hey bugling, today’s iPhone with on x or Gaia on it is being used by more and more hunters.... works great. The phone has turned into a tool that’s why Apple CEO said they cost so much because they are your.....gps, camera, video camera, tv, computer, info center, calculator, flash light,tape recorder, clock, alarm clock, etc. etc all in one small package .......... Hey Seri.....
From: keepemsharp
06-Jan-19
Smart? Have a flip phone that has no signal where I hunt.
From: Glunker
06-Jan-19
My son Zac has me carrying my phone in my Badlands chest bino case. There I do not get condensation like occasionally shows up in pants pockets. With layers and pockets it is easier to keep track of the phone, especially as it is my gps.
From: LINK
06-Jan-19
Exactly jdee. A smartphone is a pocket computer with a phone app. When I’m hunting I put my computer in airplane mode, which turns the phone app off. ;)
From: midwest
06-Jan-19
Yep, always on airplane mode when hunting.
From: Huntosolo
06-Jan-19
Front left pant pocket with protective case. Rarely do I have service elk hunting. Use it exclusively for navigation, pictures, and listening to music at nighttime. The last function is a game changer hunting solo for multiple days.
From: LUNG$HOT
06-Jan-19
Zippered chest pocket. As already stated it’s my GPS, camera and communication device. I usually don’t have service where I elk hunt but every once in a while when up on a ridge I’ll get a bar or two. I usually take that time and opportunity to call the wife and kids to check in. It’s usually in airplane mode unless I’m up high where I might catch a signal. Technology can be great if not overdone. I do love being “out of touch” during my time in the woods.
From: BOWNUT
06-Jan-19
Chest pocket. Lately I have only bought hunting shirts with chest pockets for my phone. I can't feel the vibration anywhere else.
From: MK111
06-Jan-19
Left front chest pocket when hunting. Years ago I had a fencing accident by wrapping a fence wire around my right hand. And I couldn't reach my phone in my right pants pocket with my left hand. So now carry my phone in my left front pants pocket for normal daily use.
From: rooster
06-Jan-19
in my Badlands bino harness.
From: IdyllwildArcher
06-Jan-19
Right front pant pocket for daily life and hunting. It's in a lifeproof so I'm not worried about falling on it or getting it wet - I've done both several times without an issue. Also on airplane mode while hunting and use it as my GPS.
From: APauls
06-Jan-19
Front left pants pocket daily life and half hunting. Other half it’s in left leg cargo pant pocket. Ex) attack pants it’s too difficult to access in front left pocket so it goes in cargo pocket.
From: Buffalo1
06-Jan-19
Left chest pocket if one available. Otherwise, right cargo pant pocket.
From: Ucsdryder
06-Jan-19
Cargo pocket that zips. Or the elastic top of my bino harness.
From: boman
06-Jan-19
Elastic pocket on the top of AGC bino harness. Have it on airplane mode but use as GPS.
From: WYOBIRDDOG
06-Jan-19
In my pack. No cell service, I just use it for pics. I will be hunting solo this year so I will be looking into other options.
From: GAFFER1
06-Jan-19
On the end of a lanyard around my neck with the phone inside whatever coat I'm wearing. Set on vibrate mode for everything, I can't drop it, and can use either hand to take it out of me coat. Works for me.
From: kentuckbowhnter
06-Jan-19
outside small pocket on pack, in a ziplock if raining. easy to get to.
From: Native Okie
07-Jan-19
Front pocket or in my pack hip pouch. Use it all day for mapping in airplane mode.
From: BULELK1
07-Jan-19
I use to carry it in my thigh pocket on my pants but I noticed in tall brush that had morning heavy dew or even if wet from evening thunderstorms, I had a soaked pocket and phone.
Now I carry it in my hunting vest pocket with a hand warmer in along side it on those cold hunting days
Good luck, Robb
From: Vids
07-Jan-19
Elastic pocket on top of my AGC bino harness. I use it as a GPS as well, and for photos/videos. I don't like to carry it in my pants pockets because it gets wet from sweating.
From: Shawn
07-Jan-19
I believe folks who are tree stand hunting need to keep it on their person. As has been said if you fall and it is in your pack it does you no good. I keep mine in my left front chest pocket. SHAWN
From: South Farm
07-Jan-19
In my truck.
From: Smtn10PT
07-Jan-19
Extra hip pocket on my stone glacier pack. Tight fit but it works.
From: ELKMAN
07-Jan-19
Pack, if at all. Where we hunt their a camera at best
From: lv2bohunt
07-Jan-19
chest Pocket is my 1st choice, left front pants pocket is my 2nd. I prefer to have it within reach. I am smart enough to know when to look at it and when not to.
From: Brotsky
07-Jan-19
Chest pocket for me, if no chest pocket then my right front pants pocket. Need to have easy access for navigation and photos.
From: 12yards
07-Jan-19
Left cargo pocket on my pants. If it is in the main pocket of my pants, it's gotten wet with sweat on walks in. The downside of the cargo pocket is it doesn't stay warm and I've had it go dead due to cold a few times.
From: Shug
07-Jan-19
Cargo pocket as well...
I’ll also say this... I use to see more deer before I got a smartphone
From: samman
07-Jan-19
Cargo pocket on my pants.
From: HighLife
07-Jan-19
Front pants pocket with vibrate mode on. ;)
From: OFFHNTN
07-Jan-19
Zippered side pocket of my pants.
From: BigOzzie
07-Jan-19
south farm x2
oz
From: elvspec
07-Jan-19
Left chest pocket or bib chest pocket. Easy access and if its in a pant pocket it has more of a tendency to get damaged from sitting on it.
From: BOBHUNT71
07-Jan-19
Front chest pocket of my hunting bibs. Reach any time needed also take off the lock screen feature while hunting.
From: GregE
07-Jan-19
Rear pocket on my chest bino pack so I can feel it vibrate when not in Airplane mode. It's been raised up since this pic was taken. GAIA nav worked well for my Wyoming hunt and I take a LOT of pictures.
From: EMB
07-Jan-19
Case on my belt most times. But the case gets in the way of the waist belt when I use a large pack. Then I'll put it in a cargo pocket or in the pack if I'm wearing it. It's always somewhere I can get to it. Accessibility, not speed, is the issue. You only need to suffer one emergency to learn how important it may be to be able to get to your phone. Airplane or silent mode always.
From: Ambush
07-Jan-19
If you wear tight yoga pants you can just slip it in anywhere you want and it'll stay. I'm thinking of getting a "codpiece" phone case.
From: Heat
07-Jan-19
Definitely not the back pocket! Either severely scratched or cracked my screen while out hunting this past weekend. Wife bought this damn thing for me a couple weeks before Christmas. What an idiot I am! Probably did it while sitting on rocks, glassing. I guess someone has to keep the repair man in business, $$$!
From: Ermine
07-Jan-19
I usually have it turned off in my backpack
From: jdee
07-Jan-19
X100 on that EMB...... 2 years ago my wife got hurt up in a rugged wilderness and needed to be air lifted out ASAP . No cell signal and I had to leave her and climb up and get a cell signal. Hour and a half later help arrived with a med. chopper waiting at the trailhead. If I hadn’t had a phone with me that would have been her last day.
From: midwest
07-Jan-19
Dang, jdee, glad it worked out. Bet you have an InReach now?
From: wildan
08-Jan-19
I carry my phone in the woods for "MY" safety;so in my chest shirt pocket.It is not to play games or check the weather/text ect.Won't do any good in the truck or a backpack if you fall or need assistance.
From: EMB
08-Jan-19
Jdee, I understand. Having my phone with me at the time of my accident saved me also. I now also carry an Inreach PLB for those places that I don't have cell service.
From: DEMO-Bowhunter
08-Jan-19
Right leg cargo pocket. Allows easy access for pics, maps, etc.
From: lawdy
08-Jan-19
No cell phone coverage up here. There is one spot up on a hill where everyone drives to to get a signal if you are lucky. I don’t own a cell phone. A landline is enough with all the telemarketers and scammers. When hunting I don’t want to talk anyways. If I get hurt, so be it. I will either crawl out, build a fire, or die, I guess. Beats dying in a nursing home.
From: M.Pauls
08-Jan-19
Ambush, I just slip mine into my manzier, you know, like the girls do
