I used to carry a backpack. Then I graduated to a shoulder bag mainly to force myself to cut back on the junk I carry. Truth be told, most of it can be carried in the big pockets and game pouch of the vintage Woolrich coat I wear. Rifles are getting lighter each year too- Ruger 1A 6.5x55 will probably get the nod, with a few extra cartridges in my pocket. I was virtually outfitting myself for a 20 mile overnighter when all I needed was some stuff to make a day of mooching around in the deer woods a little more enjoyable.
