BackPack vs. Hip Pack

[HOGHUNTER714]

I'm just kinda curious what you guys are taking on your day hunts out in the field. On my Deer/Pig hunts I used to take a back pack, but over the years I wouldnt use 90% of the stuff that I put in there. This year I am trying something different and I bought a new Hip Pack from REI. Its small and has two water bottles. This seems ideal for just being out for a day. What are you guys using on your day hunts? Also, what are you guys taking with you into the field?

Bryan

[Frank]

For deer hunts, which I do not do too much anymore, it was a loaded down daypack. One friend of mine used his backpack, but are too bulky & cumbersome for me. I had rope & pully,food, spotting scope & tripod, gloves, rain gear, laundry type of bags (for the de-boned) meat, first aid stuff. 2 canteens were on belt.

For quail, yotes and such, I use a fanny pack, with mostly food, pepsi, 2 water bottles, spare varmint & quail calls, first aid stuff, including patches for blisters. I wear a shooting vest (for quail) that may have extra bottles of water & rain gear for the longer trips &/or if dog is taken.

Frank

[Speckmisser]

For day hunts in moderate weather, I'll usually just carry my big Uncle Mike's fanny pack. It's plenty big enough for my basic emergency gear, rope, two 24oz water bottles, ammo, maps, and food (usually a sandwich, trail bars, and trail mix). My holster and knives are on the fanny pack belt. I can also stuff in an extra shirt and stuff if necessary.

When the weather is like now, with cool mornings and evenings, I carry a day pack too. I can roll up my coat and put it in the daypack, then store the layers I take off. The nice thing is, the daypack makes a nice pillow for that mid-day nap.

I have a frame pack I used to carry on day hunts into the back country, in case I needed to pack out game, but I've quit carrying it. The pack bag is a silent-fleece thing, and really picks up burrs. I really want to get a cargo frame and attach my current fanny pack to it. I think that'll be the best of both worlds.

[MNHNTR]

Well I used to use a Bianchi HArdcore with a Camelback bladder, but when it is loaded up i can be very unwieldy. I went back to my Dwight Schuh Pack and it is very comfortable when half filled plus the camelback.

[grtwythunter]

I'm trying out a fanny pack this year and haven't really decided if i like it better than my daypack or not. I like not having my back soaked in sweat under my backpack, but sure do miss having a place to put my jacket when it warms up. I'll probably just go back and forth depnding on the hunt.
Scott

[Kernhuntr]

I have been using a Crooked Horn Outfitter's pack for short trips. It's kind of a cross between the two. It is a fannypack with shoulder straps, and if you need a little more room, on section flips up and makes into a small backpack. It's really handy for hunts that don't require a ton of gear.

I think that Cabala's has them in thier catalog. It is the best of both worlds.

[Speckmisser]

Kern,

I almost bought one of those at the Sportsmen's Expo last year. It's perfect for those days when you start at 32 degrees and end up at 80. Having the shoulder straps for the fanny pack is a nice plus too, especially if you load your fanny pack like mine. Just couldn't convince myself to part with the dinero.

Hoghunter, if you're shopping for something new, that might be just the thing. The only thing it really wouldn't do is provide a good game packing platform.

[DILPRXO]

I use a Becker Patrol pack by Eagle for day hunts.It's kinda pricey but its the best I've found to date.It has so many pockets on the outside to hold my equipment that if I do "get lucky" on a hunt, the main compartment is free to hold meat.It has a Coolmax lining to keep your back from getting sweaty while wearing and a shoulder pad which helps stabalize the butt of the gun when shooting while wearing it.It was designed for military patroling so it is very quiet and rugged. Check it out at Lightfighter.com.
Take care
DILPRXO