Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Alternative to a Daypack

I quit using vests and day packs for deer hunting several years ago.

I hunt on a steep, rocky, brushy island off the coast of Washington state. I camp on the beach, then climb about 300 feet to the area where I hunt. That climb is a smoker so you only want to do it once a day. Once I get to the top, I’m walking up and down hills almost all day long. When I used vests and day packs, my back would be soaking wet all day long no matter how I mixed and matched insulating layers and shells.

Now I use something like this: https://www.cabelas.com/product/hun...f-walk-in-blind-bag/1980554.uts?slotId=9

It doesn’t cover my back so I don’t get sweaty, but it holds all of the stuff that I'd have in a day pack.


Okie John

I used to use a fanny pack all year, for everything, but where I was hunting was less rugged, and the chances of needing to overnight was near zero. I use a smaller day-pack now during fall and winter because it's nice to have a few extra things with you for an unexpected overnight. I do have a couple spots I hunt that are easier and I'm less likely to need extra stuff. For those a fanny pack still works well enough, but as someone else mentioned, once everything I know I need is in my day pack I've found I usually just grab it.

I hunt turkey and whitetail, and I have different kits for both.

About 20 years ago, I quit using a turkey vest, because it was weighing me down too much. I wear vests a lot, especially when I'm traveling. If I'm riding in a truck or going shopping or just a short hike, a vest does a good job of carrying my EDC and the rest of my kit, but for a hard day of turkey, I found that it was weighing me down. I went to a small messenger bag on one side for calls and ammo and then a musette bag on the other side for raingear and my coffee thermos.

For deer hunting, I carry my outer layer and then put it on when I'm in the stand. That way, I can hike without overheating. I found the best was a war-surplus nylon duffle.

Honestly, for most everything else, I prefer a small pack on my back over anything else.


If you're set on a vest, then I can recommend this:

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/hq-issue-men039s-concealment-vest?a=2121662


I've got 2.

This is a requirement for most of my deer hunting. For my use, it's hard to beat a back pack I can strap multiple outer layers to while I'm hiking in. If it's raining or so warm that I'm only wearing 1 layer.....those time the HPG bag work well.

The problem that is getting more and more frustrating to me is that backpack straps make shouldering a rifle impossible. I’ve been looking at a sling pack, that goes over my non-shooting shoulder only. The issue I’m finding with them is that their waist belts may not be adjustable enough for my waist size.

The Patagonia Atom Sling pack is pretty nifty - and no waist belt.

"this is how I do it, ergo, that's how it is everywhere"

uhhh Filaman that ain't my style. I don't go in > come out > go in > come out !

I NEED a daypack for MY hunting. On average the Pack + content weighs 12 lbs.; Less on warm days - no thermos.
I don't return to my truck UNTIL I kill or have to leave.

Day packs are handy.


Jerry

So, lets set parameters, few hours (you said morning or afternoon), so no major temp changes, no need for food beyond maybe a snack. No need for overnight stuff (heck it's NJ, so you can't be far from a road/house :-) )

Why carry any pack? You need:
- knife
- license
- bow/gun
- safety harness
- maybe extra sweatshirt
- maybe bottle of water

Cargo pockets which are on most hunting pants, and you're done.

I like to wear this surveyors vest for half day outings. https://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/products.php?mi=11002&itemnum=880038 This didn't show it but mine has a large game bag on the back, it is pretty much the same as a number of upland vests but with more pockets. The heavy canvas is great in thorn brush, it will turn a light rain, and is not too hot or restrictive. If you want it for cold weather go up one size so it is looser over heavy clothes.

Like you said, it depends on WHERE you're hunting. I normally deer hunt on farmground, usually within sight, or just over the hill, from the house where I stay. I just carry a knife, rifle, some ammo, and maybe some gloves for gutting a deer, and a little rope, maybe.I can get all that in my pockets. If I plan to be gone most of the day, I might pack a water bottle. Filaman is probably doing the same thing I do, and is hunting farmground, and can either get to his vehicle with a short walk, or get back to the house. To be honest, I can usually get back to the house, get a tractor, and skip the drag rope and knife, and do that cleaning at the house/shed, with all the handy accessories.
Things would be different if I were hunting Colorado or Wyoming mountains, but I'm not.

I’ve got a Primos vest that is great. Has lots of pockets and breathable. It’s blaze orange and I got it for hunting public land. I’d like to get one that isn’t hi-vis.

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I think I may have found my answer: www.frostriver.com High Falls daypack. Small and slim, no buckles to rattle against a rifle slung alongside, and it comes in blaze orange. I've bought some of their gear years ago, when they were called Duluth Pack Co., and their stuff is extremely well made.

A radically different choice might be one of the packs used by Ultra distance runners. Light, flexible and meant to be worn during strenuous activities. Salomon and Ultimate Direction make popular versions.


mike r

I use a Hill People Gear chest bag.

I have the original version of this. Been very happy with it..

https://www.primos.com/primos-hunting/accessories-gear/vests/primos-bow-vest-gen-2/c-24/c-98/p-505

I use shoulder bags that I had sewn up out of left over camo reminents. They have two sections (pockets) that are about 8-10in wide and 12-14 in deep joined together at the top by a shoulder strap. The shoulder straps are long enough to let the pockets hang just below waist height. By flipping one pocket over the other through the strap opening where they join, both sections are either closed off or open for access at the top. I generally carry 3 of them when hunting. One of them has a shallow section on one side that keeps my binoculars right at finger tip access.

I didn't think about it when I made them but each one is a different camo pattern. That makes it handy to sort items before hand and know what is in each bag without having to look through them. And I can slip them off and on with very little movement or effort.

It works well for me, been carrying them for years.

That is a nice little pack, it is tempting but I have too many already.

Jeff, Duluth pack is a different company that’s extremely similar, and still alive under its own name.

https://www.duluthpack.com