Saddle Hunting - Choosing the Best Pack
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ค. 2024
- Saddle hunting packs are a hot topic. And the pack that could work best for one person might be overkill or insufficient for the next. In this video, I overview many styles of packs and provide guidance on choosing the best pack for you - that is, if you even need a pack.
Mystery Ranch Pop Up 18: bit.ly/2EOV3XC
Mystery Ranch Pintler: bit.ly/2AhHPio
Cabelas Elite Scout 1800: bit.ly/2EUXQyr
JX3 Hybrid: www.jx3outdoors.com/
REI Flash 18: bit.ly/2EY7EI7
Spartan Forge 20% Discount Code: DIY
tethrdnation.com
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My Gear List (with purchase links): diy-sportsman.com/2017/12/29/d...
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I wrote a 12 page How to Choose a Backpack article 2 years ago and the research required was A LOT! You did a great job in this video.
Thanks for the great reviews! For a minimalist setup I love my Badlands Magnetic Closure fanny pack. They discontinued them years ago, but if you can find one I highly recommend. They have no zippers are are absolutely silent to use. I strap mine to the tree just above knee level so that everything is within easy reach while in the saddle and it is out of the way when you stand to draw/shoot. I carry my sticks over my shoulder, using my movable aider as the sling (1" tubular webbing). My tree rope, lineman's belt, ring of steps, and doyle's safety cord all stay clipped onto my saddle for the walk in/out and duration of the hunt (tree rope and lineman's belt are daisy chained). The only complication arises when I want to carry in rattling horns...that can be a little bulky, using the straps on the bottom of the fanny pack (and the antlers can poke you in the back/rear end). I have started using a smaller rattle bag to avoid this. The straps are also good for carrying in extra clothes. They carry loads horizontally, so they are not an option for sticks, etc...those need to be slung over the shoulder.
You knew it was my birthday so you posted a video for me! Thank you!!!
Lol, I can't wait to get into a saddle next year. I'm done with this 1.5miles BS with a traditional stand and stick setup
A really great video. You covered a lot and gave excellent reviews and possible scenarios that most hunters will have. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
Keep doing what you're doing man... it's definitely appreciated and I hope it brings you more success 🍺
I went with the Stone Glacier Avail 2200 for my daypack/whitetail pack. Kind of use it for same reason you have MR Pop-up, it can attach to my SG X-Curve frame if I want to use it with a large load or be minimal and operate as backpack. So far it's been working great while saddle hunting.
Always first class videos! Good luck this season 💪
I use a cheap walmart camo backpack and I will have to say that strapping my sticks to it is not the most comfortable thing in the world. Sometimes I think it makes them feel more heavy than they actually are. Super helpful video!!!
Awesome! I was just looking for a video about this on your page the other day
Great video. I just went on a pack selling spree. I got rid of everything except the Mystery Ranch pop up 28 and a small Walmart/Fieldline camo day pack. Those two packs will cover 100% of my needs.
I am planning to order the popup 28. I want it for the extra cold gear here in NE Ohio. Is it small enough to use say in early fall with minimal equipment. I am trying to find a single pack for the whole season.
Alps traverse EPS is a great pack. I used it out west rifle hunting. A lot of storage space, expandable for carrying out game, weapon holding capability and rain cover. I used the Alps pursuit for bow hunting. Compact and plenty of storage space for what I need in the stand. If I am walking a long ways I will hang my pack from my lone wolf and attach my bow to the pack. Hands free. Great brand of packs with a lot of different options.
As always some great, unbiased info. Thanks!
With the mil tec pack I can put the predator platform in there as well as an extra jacket. I have had a time of getting the predator up the tree with me mostly because I just got it and want to put stealth strips on it, I'm thinking of adding a sling to it to be able to bring it up the tree as well. It does fit in my miltec pack but once you climb messing with a pack up in the tree can be a pain.
I'm going to be making a complete transition in all my gear. Leaving a hand climber, going with a saddle, will start with marine 3 day pack & molley pouches (since I already have those) and take it from there. If I ever intend to pack out a deer, I'm going with the ILBE. It carries 128lbs, super durable, super versatile, weighs about 7lbs camo. Molley. Comfortable. Lots of space. Just the main compartment alone holds 2-5 gallon buckets with lids. Then you can add pouches, plus the built in compartments.
Hmm..no cheap decorations on the wall, no furniture cluttering up the room, storage boxes on the floor, plenty of money for nice hunting equipment and hunts...conclusion...bachelor, congratulations!
For what I can tell, this guy is an engineer, married and living his dream when he can. This room is his "caveman" where he do exercises and plan store his equipment.
I have an ALPS Trail Blazer. Can carry my bow for comfortably when I hunt a property that has some old logging roads I can ride my mountain bike down. Pretty low profile, and has enough lashing straps for late season outerwear as well as some MOLLE webbing I haven't needed to use yet. Pretty outstanding pack for $52. I'm transitioning to a saddle next season, but I don't see myself running out of space even with a Tethrd platform, Wild Edge Steps, and full late season gear.
Another thing with the western frames is that you can buy multiple bags for the same frame. You can use the same frame for whitetail and out west but use different bags that will work better for each situation. My stone Glacier Works well for me! And I don't own multiple different packs.
Great video.
I am just starting to gather my saddle hunting gear. Based on reviews and this video, I think the Mystery Ranch Pop Up will suit my needs best. I plan to use my beast sticks as my climbing method. Do you happen to have any pictures of how you pack your sticks and platform on the Pop Up? Also, how far above your head are the pop up poles when it’s on your back?
Thanks!
Thanks for your informative work on your videos. Very much appreciated. I am older 66, still bowhunting. Blessed to live in Wisconsin and blessed with the health to still be able to hunt. Fortunately here on public land I can use climbing spurs. So 4#s and little space and my ascending method is covered. I have been climbing with spurs and a full body harness, linesmens belt - 2 of them - one becomes my tether at height whether treestand or saddle. I have been climbing this way for 30 years. I have been using a pack frame, not internal, no pack built onto it, for years. have put 1" webbing with plastic clips on all four corners (tied on at the middle leaving two long ends with mating clips) and two diagonally on the sides. I have hauled stands, sticks, spurs, clothing, etc. this way. I have a fleece day pack with 3 external pockets. I hang it by it's shoulder straps from the top of the frame. The top of the frame has two triangles that have a post on either corner, the posts stick up a couple of inches allowing for this. The frame is aluminum with meshed nylon stretched across it for comfort and breathability. You could quarter up an animal and carry it out on this. It would handle the load well. I leave the frame on the ground. Depending upon what I have the day pack can stay on the ground or come in the tree. I am new to saddle hunting. The saddle will allow me to ditch the pack frame unless on a long hunt. So the frame and separate pack are another option.
Can you do a review of the pop up 18. Really interested in it.
I had a backpack chair that had the chair break. So where the chair carried I put my predator, bottom area of pack had zippered compartment I used that for my tethrd. Odd and ends in front pocket and sticks inside main compartment. Everything to get to roughly 20 ft, about 14 pounds
In my experience with the Tethrd Mantis, you can't put much weight on the molly webbing. The only means of holding the saddle up around your waist is the waist belt. The buckle on the waist belt is terrible. It loosens with to much ease. As you walk, there's a tendency for the belt to loosen and droop making it very difficult and uncomfortable. You can loop your lineman's belt over your shoulder, attach to the each side of the lineman's belt to saddle and tighten the lineman's belt up to hold up your saddle. That seems to work okay.
I've used back packs and fanny packs with my saddle. Fanny packs have their own challenges as they tend push the saddle down and ride lower as you walk. Back packs work a bit better but are just so much more to bring. If you wear a shoulder hardness for binos or a range finder OR if you are ozonic-head and have the ozone back pack, all of these items on your shoulder creates a total cluster.
I am moving more towards simplicity. Less gear. Good luck!
You should check out the Slumberjack Deadfall pack... 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Bro you need to look into Kifaru int.! Best packs hands down.
I love my ALPS daypack $59 everything I need and can use as a fanny pack if not much stuff.
I have the same pack and absolutely love it!
what about just putting back pack straps on your platform thats basically all i do now. rope bag on saddle that i wear in then platform and 4 sticks with aiders. then i run a Alaska guide creations bino harness as my possibles bag.
Does anyone use the Cabela's Multi-day Pack?
So which of the 2 saddles do you prefer, and which of the climbing methods do you prefer?
What pouches do you have on the waist belt on the Popup Pack?
Great compairison! I'm trying to find the "perfect" pack for a midwest guy who won't have a trip out west anytime soon. Any chance you want to get rid of your pop up 18? Trying to find one and they are impossible now that it's discontinued.
Slightly off topic but where can I snage one of those hoodies? lol I love repping MN living on the East Coast
I listened to your recent podcast on saddle climbing methods and really liked it. I recently bought the new solution that NewTribe has for single hand lineman belt adjustments ...similar to what the Ropeman does. I like the idea of using a rope solution over the mechanical solution and I was curious if you have used them yet in your setup? Thanks in advance! P.s. I have replaced my ropemans with them on my Kite but haven’t climbed with them yet but they seem to work fine just testing my install.
I tried something similar with some plastic D rings and paracord to do the lifting of the prusik. It worked, but twisted easily and was tougher to get moving once I had weighed the rope. I recently ordered a Shizll tool that should do the same thing but is one piece aluminum. I plan to try it with a distel hitch instead of a prusik. Very similar to what Aero has but just a slightly different construction. The only downside I can see is that it's just bulkier than the ropeman, but I do like that it's a solution that's more widely used in arboriculture.
Your pack collection looks like mine! haha. Gotta have a different one for each situation!
Haha, yep. Now I just have to consolidate to make room for more stuff lol.
Have you been out hunting yet since the PLC? Would be cool to see some more ice fishing videos too! You film quality has really improved since the beginning.
Yes, I went out quite a bit during October and early November. My previous two videos show some highlights.
@@DIYSportsman Oh wait, I watched those already lol
Thank you for a great coverage of the topic.. When using the Cabela's or like packs where are you carrying your bow?
I generally just carry my bow in and out of the woods.
I got the pintler this year for whitetails in Pennsylvania. Some of my spots i can get back 2-3 miles in steep country so I wanted the ability to pack out deer. My lone wolf climber sits great in the frame but I eventually want to go the saddle and sticks route to get even lighter. The pack is definitely a little large but can compress really flat for a slimmer profile in the tree. We will see how it goes 🤘
So how’d it go?
@@rynoryn it went pretty well. I packed my lone wolf climber in quite a bit on more remote archery hunts. I definitely prefer the feel of just the stand on my back for hunts that I don't go in as far. However the frame pack definitely gave me the confidence to hunt some remote areas knowing that I wouldn't have to drag a deer up and down the mountains for 2-3 miles. Aside from archery I found the pack most enjoyable for rifle hunting when I was not packing a stand. I don't pack much gear except extra clothes, some food and water if needed and the printer can pack down amazingly well. I only had to pack out one doe this year as my other two were killed on closer to the road hunts but it packed extremely well and sure beat dragging. I always quarter my deer and put them in the fridge when I get home anyways so it was nice to skip the gutting and go straight to the point. I think a saddle setup with this pack would be the best option because the climber packs slightly bulky. It takes a little extra time to load the stand in the pack but removing it at the tree is very quick and quiet when you get your system down. I think with a saddle you could pack your platform in the main compartment and sticks on the compression straps and reserve the meat shelf for packing. This would save on a lot of strap and clip work as well as bulk so that is likely going to be the end game for me. However I'm happy to use the printer for packing around the climber till I get one and it definitely extends my reach of where I can hunt.
@@chriskeays8003 Good to know, I plan on one-stick saddle hunting for the upcoming season. The Pintler looked good as I will be hiking in the upwards of 2 miles and gaining over a thousand feet of elevation to get to where I need to be, and I’m looking for a bag that can accommodate packing out meat as well as hauling my gear in and out. Would you say that this bag would be able to carry clothing layers, one-stick saddle gear, and a bow, plus packed out meat? My intention is to have my hands free for trekking sticks on the way up and down the hike.
@@rynoryn I can't see you having any problems packing that gear with the printer. The bag itself has more room than I could ever use for all day hunts. I was considering the exo 1800 which I think is a better size for taking up in the tree but got the pintler on sale for half the price of the exo. It compresses great when empty and has plenty of room for clothes on late season hunts. For a saddle setup (especially one stick like you're planning on) I doubt you'll even need the load shelf until you're ready to haul meat. You could probably pack your platform right in the bag, strap your bow on with compression straps, and find a spot to strap your stick and you're on your way. The load shelf is huge, plenty of room for a single deer. Should work great for what you're trying to do.
@@chriskeays8003 thanks Chris! You’ve been a big help. Always nice to get good feedback about particular questions that a video doesn’t fully convey. As for the one-sticking, the stick and the platform will be the same thing instead of two separate pieces of gear. I’ll be using just the platform and a rope ladder in conjunction with a belay device, rope, and a lineman’s belt to ascend the tree. Then use the belay device to rappel down. So based off your description I’ll definitely be good in terms of room.
I have been subscribed for a while, just saw and I was unsubscribed from this channel..?
I've been using a mil tec pack , its a brand , I found in an army navy. They have them on line it is more of a medium carry system. I'm able to carry a fair amount of gear , I use a grunt tube and a can. I'm still looking for a better rattle system. I'm looking at the knight and hale rattle. I am currently using muddy aero lite sticks. Strapping them to the pack.is not a problem. I am going to add a whooper sling set of ropes to them to get rid of the buckle straps which are a total pain in the butt to use! They are way noisy. Which leads me to a question on the wild edge steps, I just ordered the 12 steps with the aider and plan on using 8 and either use three for the platform or the tethered platform.
Do you prefer the sticks over the wild edge steps ? Have you packed the wild edge steps in on your pack ? I know you can put them over your shoulder ,but that long distance walk ins which do you prefer and why. I know this is always evolving as a system for you. I also get it depends on where you are hunting. most of my hunts in are less then a quarter mile and some are up hill which really is a bear which is why I started watching your channel in the first place. Im also interested in what head gear and camera you were using on your hunt with Bobby Boswell
I prefer sticks over WE steps for climbing, however, I prefer WE steps over sticks for packing. That tradeoff ultimately makes the decision for which I'll want to pack for a particular hunt. With the WE steps, I'd typically throw the whole bag inside of my pack with the predator platform on the outside. For the head cam I used in MO, I had a Solvid strap mount and a Sony X3000 action cam for the footage.
@@DIYSportsman I'm waiting on my WE steps. Thanks for your videos man. I didn't kill the buck I was after this year. Your videos though have helped me get closer to them and figure more out. I'm using a tethrd mantis I have an area hunter coming. I want to try an adjustable bridge. All this has made hunting so much more fun and interesting now. So thanks man
Hey bud any chance you get to do a demo of what you have set up with the jx3 hybrid.... I just got mine and would like to see your set up so I don’t overload lol cause I’m a brand new hunter and if you ask me I’ll take everything lol.
Yea I'll have a review on it in the next couple weeks showing my setup
Are you moving away from a traditional camera arm and camera because of the added difficulty when filming in a saddle?
Ultimately, I am looking at getting a saddle for next year. BUT my biggest concern is self filming. I have been self filming the last few years and have gotten pretty decent with it while in a lone wolf and beast sticks.
I want to get into saddle hunting because of how it fits my style of hunting. But i also want to keep self filming. Would a saddle even be the way to go or would you be thinking greatly on getting the stand that Dan Infalt will be putting out next year for roughly the same price as a saddle with all the attachments?
Thank you for this video! Very informative
The main reason I'd like to try and get away from it is just that it's an additional hassle, whether from a stand or saddle, and sometimes you end up missing the shot regardless. So if there's a better way to get good footage, that's what I'm trying to find. I think Dan's stand will be a really good option, but even with a stand, eliminating an arm would be a nice thing to have. With a saddle specifically, one of the downsides is that it's harder to swing around the entirety of the tree when the arm is in the way, so you aren't able to take as much of an advantage as the saddle could potentially offer. Though with a stand, you dont necessarily have the ability to get those extreme movements in anyways so it's not a big disadvantage from a comparison standpoint.
Thanks for you input! It is greatly appreciated.
I never thought of it that way as in finding a better way to film one’s hunts. I am no way near your quality of footage, especially in the B-roll footage. I am trying to improve on that.
I definitely see the pros and cons of having a saddle versus a stand. Even with dans stand, it will be 7 pounds (prototype weight). With a saddle and small platform I think I could have that underneath 5 pounds which would also eliminate the need for a safety harness. I ultimately think that a saddle will be the lightest option and also give me the ability to get in any tree that I need. Also I feel like the saddle even with the slight disadvantage of the camera arm, I could get the shot on the other side of the tree when the deer comes from an unexpected way.
Decision to be made for sure. Thank you for your knowledge!
I carried 80lbs of hang on stand and sticks, a pack and my bow up a1000ft of vertical about a mile today.... wish I had my frame pack on.. oh well, I left it in the tree and am investing in a saddle and platform... screw all that heavy hauling...
How are you liking the mystery ranch pop-up and pintler since using them for a couple seasons? Which do you like better after some usage?
I actually sold the Pintler and got a Beartooth. I used both the pop up and the beartooth out west and ended up preferring the beartooth for that use. For whitetails I prefer the Pop Up, assuming I want the frame capabilities.
@@DIYSportsman What is your preferred backpack for tree saddle hunting?
@@johnp1839 Probably the new Sitka tool bucket overall.
If leaving the pack at the bottom of the tree, it would probably be a really good idea to leave it in a plastic garbage bag for scent control?
You could if you were really cautious of deer getting downwind or under you're tree, but there's always the chance that a deer will smell you regardless if that happens.
Time for an update on the new packs? Have you tried some of the packs that have come out since you made this video?
Yes. Currently I use the Sitka Tool Bucket and it's about perfect for how I hunt.
@@DIYSportsman Sure, Sitka. Damn! I'm not wanting to spend that money. Do you find it big enough to hold upper and lower outer layers for long walk-ins in cold weather? That seems to be my biggest issue with most packs. I'm a big guy and my outer layers are BIG.3x Firstlite Solitude. When I'm mobile in cold weather, I need room for those clothes and maybe even mid layers to go inside, then I need a place for my sticks. (2) and a platform. Plus the pack needs to allow me to wear my saddle in. Does the Tool Bucket fit that bill?
@@paulcrave3112 Yup. That's why I like it. It can be pretty compact early season when it's basically a stick and platform hauler. But then late season there are so many sets of external straps I can easily carry my gear. 3 sets of horizontal compression straps for weapon/sticks/etc, a set of compression straps on the bottom, and a set of compression straps on the lid. Many can be tucked away into little pockets when not needed. So inside the pack will go my predator, strap with 2 steps, knee pads, gloves, hat, handwarmers, maybe a trail cam or two... then incinerator bibs get rolled up and held onto the outside-bottom of the pack. Parka like the Fanatic, Divergent, or similar gets rolled up and attached to the lid. And then the sticks can be attached to the front with the two standard straps. And since everything is so light, I really don't have much need still for a hip belt, which means the pack takes up less space in the tree.
@@DIYSportsman I just watched your video review of the Fanatic jacket and you had a bit about the pack on there too. I suppose you have a video going over the pack? I’ll look for it. Thanks for your reply’s.
BTW, one of my best friends works with your dad.
@@paulcrave3112 Yup I had both and ended up selling the Fanatic Pack. The quietness that it offered was generally overkill. Which isn't a bad thing but it gave up a lot of the functionality and versatility that the tool bucket has. If you send me a message on social I can send a photo for how I have everything laid out.
You gotta tell me your secret of how you get all of these gear purchases past your wife, lol
He revealed that.... he buys things on sale! ;)
@@blazinferno79 yeah, me too but that still dont fly. I have so much stuff hidden in the garage. If she finds half of it I'm a dead man. Thank god for expense reports and per diem, lol
@@patrout1 attic or rubbermaid tub on a shelf