By far and away, Cliff's videos are tops for western hunting but he also addresses the fact that you really need to be healthy/in shape for these hunts too. Very practical information based on no kidding experience.
Being one of those local types who's up in the mountains about every weekend, I've developed a system. Generally speaking what I've established for myself is this: - Emergency kit , kill kit, food kit, electronics kit, or clothing, get packed in light weight, *different colored,* zipper pouches or dry bags. - Everything I need regular access to gets put on my waist belt so I don't have to take my pack off very often. - Anything I don't immediately need gets put in the main bag on my pack. - All items, I put in the same location, each time. If I need something, I don't need to think about it, I know where it is. - Depending on how I'm rolling, I've a system worked out for day hunting/hiking, car camping, backpacking with a tent, and backpacking with a hammock. Each system has it's standard gear I've worked out. If I'm going on a more serious trip, 3 or more days, I start packing my shit a full week in advance. Never pack the day or night before unless it's just a day trip, your bound to forget something if you do.
So, because I live in Kansas and hunt the western States I have a 10’+2’ tandem axle enclosed trailer dedicated to my hunting gear. There is a Reliable Tent & Teepee 10’x12’ tent with an 8’ cook shack that attaches to the tent, a 10’x12’ inner tent liner for those frigid hunts, and a Colorado Stove, that is my base camp outfit. My base camp necessities are in a separate storage box. My Spike Camp gear is stored in a separate storage box. I use a Mystery Ranch Metcalf for Spike camp but I also attach my Mystery Ranch Pintler to the outside of my Metcalf, both use the same frame and it only takes a few minutes to swap the frame from one to the other. The Pintler is my day pack and I carry the minimum but necessary items for that day and can sinch it down so there is no bulk. I also have room in my trailer for my ATV and enough Osage Orange wood for base camp stove. When I have a chance I will take a video and send it to you @Cliff . Another great video @Cliff
@@CliffGray I wouldn’t all it organization but rather a place to keep and store my dedicated hunting gear so it’s ready to go when I need it. I always replace why I use and check it twice a year, before I go and when I return. It’s a ‘peace of mind’ issue for me.
Great vid as always Cliff! You've really got your systems dialed in there man. This is an inspiration for me to get back on my game. When I was younger it was "throw shit in the truck and go". Then I was that OCD guy for awhile, haha. Now I at least have my front and day pack systems dialed in... next is developing a better system for the trip specific stuff (I still tend to have some OCD on that one, haha).
I run pretty close to the same system. Kifaru Stryker xl with a bane attached as a lid. I run their camp bag on extended trips for the extra space needed. Good luck this season! Hunt hard!
I’m thinking of using my battle belt during 2nd rifle season so that I can keep as much stuff off of my chest as I can. Since I’m used to wearing the belt with my armor I’m comfortable with low or high crawling to get to a shooting position while wearing it.
That might work. Personally I don't like wearing a bunch of bulk/weight on my harness or belt, particularly if I am having to use a backpack during the hunt.
@@CliffGray I'm in the army and stationed in the army. The battle belt is to more easily disperse the weight across your hips instead of your back and shoulders. what you keep in your bino harness I keep on my belt I have my full trauma kit, spare ammo, LRF, water source, knife, and some other odds and ends. I never take it off when i'm not in camp and I can maneuver in it without dropping my kit.
@@Sarge9096how would you wear a belt like that comfortably with a backpack that has a waist belt? I was in the Marine Corps and did a fair amount of rucking and wore battle belts and armor and I don’t think I would consider trying that in the back country.
crazy i cant find a single video about the comfortability on wearing a bino harness and a back pack!!! ive never worn a harness and was just trying to see something or anything on wearing a bino harness with a back country pack! might be a great video idea
I fall into a third camp of people. I over pack for day hunts and under pack for longer hunts. AKA I pretty much take the same thing on both types of hunts minus a tent, sleeping system, and extra food. On a day hunt I will bring a puffy, thermals, full rain gear, kill kit, some food for over night if need be, inreach, and first aid essentials, optics, weapons, a saw, jetboil, ect. I only use packs I can haul meat on cause an extra trip to the truck 6 miles each way just to get a backpack would suck.
Im like the other commenter.Have my system of kits, kill,emergency,elc,etc.I run a bow specific pack and carry my bow on double hooks on left side Rifle I tend to have a bit more for cold weather, rifle carry on right.I just switch over the main ingredients that are in light water proof backs, kill kit is in game bags .I run bladder or nalagenes depending on weather.Pole crampons or other maybes are in vehicle.Tree stand stuff I can get by with my bladder pack.
Planning my first guided mountain Elk hunt in BC for this fall. You videos have been extremely helpful getting all the little shit I haven't thought about. It gets overwhelming a bit, I'm an eastern Canada flat land hunter! Have you or can you do a short video about tipping on a guided hunt?
Glad the videos have been helpful! good luck on your hunt. I'll touch on tipping in the future. I haven't done many videos on guided hunt how-tos, so I can integrate that into a video. In general, 10-25% is the norm - based on service, the amount of staff involved, etc... If there are multiple employees involved - cooks, guides, wranglers - just ask the outfitter how is appropriate to split it up, or they can distribute it.
Your set up is very very similar to how I run a kuiu pack with my stalker 500 and pro bino harness in combination with either my pro LT 3600 bag or switch the 3600 out if I'm not running 5-6 days in the depths of hell for my 1850 bag using the same frame and I've ran 3-4 days using my 1850 bag but only if I know the terrain is going to be rough going, don't need to get off balance and snap and ankle trying to side hill for 2 miles from spike camp.
Any suggestions on an every trip pack compatible for standalone use with a marsupial bino harness and could work with a stone glacier pack? I’m really interested in how modular your every trip system seems
The marsupial that I have has standard buckles on it - same buckles I have seen on most packs. It is already compatible with the T&K scout pack. Stone Glacier has an "access bag" they sell that is similar to the two options I show in this video also. Not quite as much utility but similar idea. The scout pack or kifaru sherman - I'm guessing a guy could rig those up on your pack/harness also, with a couple buckles. Good luck man!
@@CliffGray thanks! And thanks for providing such valuable content! Follow up question for ya if you find the time… where have you landed on the Sherman vs T&K Scout pack?
My I love your setup and mindset. Always good advice. How are you liking the FHF compared to the Marsupial in your thumbnail? I’m really debating between the two.
They much different harnesses - marsupial is minimalist design, sleek, great lid. No nonsense. But doesn’t have much room in the pockets, less modularity on bino patch and straps to add more accessories. FHF is almost opposite… molle webbing all over, lot of ways to customize. 👍
By far and away, Cliff's videos are tops for western hunting but he also addresses the fact that you really need to be healthy/in shape for these hunts too. Very practical information based on no kidding experience.
thanks man!
Being one of those local types who's up in the mountains about every weekend, I've developed a system. Generally speaking what I've established for myself is this:
- Emergency kit , kill kit, food kit, electronics kit, or clothing, get packed in light weight, *different colored,* zipper pouches or dry bags.
- Everything I need regular access to gets put on my waist belt so I don't have to take my pack off very often.
- Anything I don't immediately need gets put in the main bag on my pack.
- All items, I put in the same location, each time. If I need something, I don't need to think about it, I know where it is.
- Depending on how I'm rolling, I've a system worked out for day hunting/hiking, car camping, backpacking with a tent, and backpacking with a hammock. Each system has it's standard gear I've worked out.
If I'm going on a more serious trip, 3 or more days, I start packing my shit a full week in advance. Never pack the day or night before unless it's just a day trip, your bound to forget something if you do.
Thanks for the comment man! Sounds like a good approach.
Absolutely
Man, I was literally about to call you and get some advice on a new pack. Glad I looked here first
You can still call me man, ha!
So, because I live in Kansas and hunt the western States I have a 10’+2’ tandem axle enclosed trailer dedicated to my hunting gear. There is a Reliable Tent & Teepee 10’x12’ tent with an 8’ cook shack that attaches to the tent, a 10’x12’ inner tent liner for those frigid hunts, and a Colorado Stove, that is my base camp outfit. My base camp necessities are in a separate storage box. My Spike Camp gear is stored in a separate storage box. I use a Mystery Ranch Metcalf for Spike camp but I also attach my Mystery Ranch Pintler to the outside of my Metcalf, both use the same frame and it only takes a few minutes to swap the frame from one to the other. The Pintler is my day pack and I carry the minimum but necessary items for that day and can sinch it down so there is no bulk. I also have room in my trailer for my ATV and enough Osage Orange wood for base camp stove. When I have a chance I will take a video and send it to you @Cliff . Another great video @Cliff
For sure. I’d love to see that setup… we’re talking serious organization beyond the packs now 👍 good stuff
@@CliffGray I wouldn’t all it organization but rather a place to keep and store my dedicated hunting gear so it’s ready to go when I need it. I always replace why I use and check it twice a year, before I go and when I return. It’s a ‘peace of mind’ issue for me.
Great vid as always Cliff! You've really got your systems dialed in there man. This is an inspiration for me to get back on my game. When I was younger it was "throw shit in the truck and go". Then I was that OCD guy for awhile, haha. Now I at least have my front and day pack systems dialed in... next is developing a better system for the trip specific stuff (I still tend to have some OCD on that one, haha).
👍
I run pretty close to the same system. Kifaru Stryker xl with a bane attached as a lid. I run their camp bag on extended trips for the extra space needed. Good luck this season! Hunt hard!
Good luck to you too! 👍
I’m thinking of using my battle belt during 2nd rifle season so that I can keep as much stuff off of my chest as I can. Since I’m used to wearing the belt with my armor I’m comfortable with low or high crawling to get to a shooting position while wearing it.
That might work. Personally I don't like wearing a bunch of bulk/weight on my harness or belt, particularly if I am having to use a backpack during the hunt.
@@CliffGray I'm in the army and stationed in the army. The battle belt is to more easily disperse the weight across your hips instead of your back and shoulders. what you keep in your bino harness I keep on my belt I have my full trauma kit, spare ammo, LRF, water source, knife, and some other odds and ends. I never take it off when i'm not in camp and I can maneuver in it without dropping my kit.
@@Sarge9096 i'll check it out! sounds like a good option
@@Sarge9096how would you wear a belt like that comfortably with a backpack that has a waist belt? I was in the Marine Corps and did a fair amount of rucking and wore battle belts and armor and I don’t think I would consider trying that in the back country.
Had a good laugh soooo true!!! Didn't even realize I'm the over packer organizer guy.
crazy i cant find a single video about the comfortability on wearing a bino harness and a back pack!!! ive never worn a harness and was just trying to see something or anything on wearing a bino harness with a back country pack! might be a great video idea
I fall into a third camp of people. I over pack for day hunts and under pack for longer hunts. AKA I pretty much take the same thing on both types of hunts minus a tent, sleeping system, and extra food. On a day hunt I will bring a puffy, thermals, full rain gear, kill kit, some food for over night if need be, inreach, and first aid essentials, optics, weapons, a saw, jetboil, ect. I only use packs I can haul meat on cause an extra trip to the truck 6 miles each way just to get a backpack would suck.
Im like the other commenter.Have my system of kits, kill,emergency,elc,etc.I run a bow specific pack and carry my bow on double hooks on left side Rifle I tend to have a bit more for cold weather, rifle carry on right.I just switch over the main ingredients that are in light water proof backs, kill kit is in game bags .I run bladder or nalagenes depending on weather.Pole crampons or other maybes are in vehicle.Tree stand stuff I can get by with my bladder pack.
Thanks for the videos Cliff!
thanks for watching Greg!
Planning my first guided mountain Elk hunt in BC for this fall. You videos have been extremely helpful getting all the little shit I haven't thought about. It gets overwhelming a bit, I'm an eastern Canada flat land hunter!
Have you or can you do a short video about tipping on a guided hunt?
Glad the videos have been helpful! good luck on your hunt. I'll touch on tipping in the future. I haven't done many videos on guided hunt how-tos, so I can integrate that into a video. In general, 10-25% is the norm - based on service, the amount of staff involved, etc... If there are multiple employees involved - cooks, guides, wranglers - just ask the outfitter how is appropriate to split it up, or they can distribute it.
Makes me feel good about my system, as it is very similar.
Your set up is very very similar to how I run a kuiu pack with my stalker 500 and pro bino harness in combination with either my pro LT 3600 bag or switch the 3600 out if I'm not running 5-6 days in the depths of hell for my 1850 bag using the same frame and I've ran 3-4 days using my 1850 bag but only if I know the terrain is going to be rough going, don't need to get off balance and snap and ankle trying to side hill for 2 miles from spike camp.
Sounds like a good setup 👍
Ty
Any suggestions on an every trip pack compatible for standalone use with a marsupial bino harness and could work with a stone glacier pack? I’m really interested in how modular your every trip system seems
The marsupial that I have has standard buckles on it - same buckles I have seen on most packs. It is already compatible with the T&K scout pack. Stone Glacier has an "access bag" they sell that is similar to the two options I show in this video also. Not quite as much utility but similar idea. The scout pack or kifaru sherman - I'm guessing a guy could rig those up on your pack/harness also, with a couple buckles. Good luck man!
@@CliffGray thanks! And thanks for providing such valuable content!
Follow up question for ya if you find the time… where have you landed on the Sherman vs T&K Scout pack?
@@t3h2mas I'll have to use the scout pack some more this Fall to see if it out does the Sherman... I'll get an update out. thanks
Really helpful.
My I love your setup and mindset. Always good advice. How are you liking the FHF compared to the Marsupial in your thumbnail? I’m really debating between the two.
They much different harnesses - marsupial is minimalist design, sleek, great lid. No nonsense. But doesn’t have much room in the pockets, less modularity on bino patch and straps to add more accessories.
FHF is almost opposite… molle webbing all over, lot of ways to customize. 👍
Question Cliff: where do you put your bipod when you’re hiking / stalking?
Great info. Thanks
Glad it was helpful! 👍
Nice hat.
I've been doing most of my hunting in cold weather. My parka has more than enough pocket space for my binos and everything else.
Cliff! Where did you get your hat??
I love the smell of Mt. Goat! Lol
Yeah, it's not bad.... bwhahaha
I'm gonna be a copycat thank you