Best backpack for whitetail hunting

[craigrh13]

I've searched all over here, google, youtube and everywhere else and I still can't decide on a good backpack for primarily tree stand hunting. I won't be packing out any deer, I will primarily hunt from fixed stands, I sometimes will be mobile. I just want a bag that has options to carry equipment if needed(including my bow) but also can hold and organize all my standard gear and maybe an outer layer or two. My current setup is just a backpack and I hate it. Everything is basically piled in 1 big pouch. I don't have a ton of gear. I just use the standard stuff....grunt call, range finder, binos, knife, light, rattling set, phone charger, lighter, first aid kit and any snacks or drinks.

Ive looked at the MR treehouse 20 and 38. Sitka tool box and a couple varieties of alpz bags. I'm currently leaning at either the Treehouse 20 or 38.

Thanks!

 

[wesfromky]

I really like my treehouse 20 - just the layout and the way the top opens is really nice for a treestand. I have carried some extra layers and my bow with it, and it works ok. You might want the 38 if you plan on carrying a lot on a more regular basis.

 

[rookieforever33]

I bought an eberlestock mainframe and a couple batwings. Added some molle pouches to the frame. Kind of heavy but easy to configure different ways and carry whatever I need. Or dont

 

[pacoalcracker]

Badlands Superday.....I have one for bowhunting and one for rifle hunting. As good as it gets.

 

[West.mass.hunter]

Badlands superday. I've had this for 12ish years I believe. Holds everything I need (and extra stuff I don't need)for an all day treestand sit including heavier bibs and jacket. When the temps get real low or the winds blowing I can hook up my heater body suit to the bed roll synchs on the bottom of the pack

 

[Desk Jockey]

Would you ever have to haul a stand or pack out a deer?

I hunt some public land that requires me to haul a stand in sometimes and where there can be a good distance between my hunting location and my vehicle where dragging isn’t a good option, so I quarter and haul.

FWIW I started with a 22 liter day pack. Too small for winter layers and no hauling capability. I used a full size frame and smaller pack for hauling when needed. I swapped to an MR pop up and like it. It handles a climber or hang on stand well. It handles a quartered whitetail fine too, but not quite as well as a full size back. It is slightly heavier and bulkier than a typical 40 liter pack but the extra function is worth it for my use.

 

[TN2shot07]

Very similar list for what I always carry.

Early - mid season I can get by with my FHF chest rig. I carry it with their shoulder strap. It sits on my side and I always have immediate access to my stuff once I’m sitting. My binos are on a rick young harness, so not in the pack and range finder is in my right cargo pocket.

Cold - If it gets to where I need to carry an extra layer I have a SG avail. It has an outside pocket on the front for immediate access and also a compression spot where you can stick a jacket. There are two small inside zipper compartments if you want to organize plus you can add their swing out pouches if you needed something else (kill kit/first aid). Plus you have the actual pack space, it’s been fine for me.

I had one of the MR tree house packs, I didn’t like how structured it was. Built like a tank though.

 

[Tater86]

I love the Kuiu Venture 1800 and Venture 2300 backpacks, not the other ventures. Great organization and have the ability to pack layers.

 

[chanson_roland]

I love the Kuiu Venture 1800 and Venture 2300 backpacks, not the other ventures. Great organization and have the ability to pack layers.

Same. I have both, and use slightly different loadouts for short/long duration hunts.

 

[Netherman]

If primarily presets I'd look for a minimalist pack with the organization you're looking for. A frame pack is probably overkill and just added weight if not carrying sticks/stands. That sitka pack might be ideal for you or maybe look at the latitude ranger series as they remind me of my shape charge.

I pretty much only mobile hunt (one preset stand at my parents house) and I've got a kifaru shape charge that is 90% of what I want. Wow did they get expensive... I primarily hunt from a tree saddle and love the top pockets for access in the tree and how low profile I can get it in the early season with minimal layers and late season with bibs, a jacket, hand muff, and sometimes a puffy all inside. The only thing I don't like is the weight with the frame sheet and hip belt, but would be banging off lots of brush with my 25" frame pack. It is also overkill when I take a hang on stand, but that's probably 10-20% of my use case as I prefer the saddle and only use the stand when in pine, cedar, or limby areas. Having one pack for everything is nice so I'm not moving stuff around on a hunt and this pack lets me do it.

 

[summs]

I ditched the backpack years ago. It just made me carry more shit I don't need and was a paint to have a mobile setup on my back. My kit is modified a bit from below, but it gets the gist of it.

"Below is a list of the things that I carry in my pack at all times or what I call “essentials”. Everything I carry weighs less than five pounds including my lunch. You may decide to add things or substitute some things but I developed this list during my thirty- five years of hunting the Big Woods.

• Space Blanket
• Dragging Rope
• Nylon Twine
• Map Compass
• Spare Ammo
• GPS
• Flashlight
• Spare Batteries
• 2 Types of Fire Starters? Tinder
• Flagging Ribbon
• Pea-less Whistle
• Spare Gloves
• Plastic Tie Wraps
• Camera
• Chocolate Bars
• Knife (can be carried on belt as well)

Anything that needs to stay dry such as fire starters or gloves, should be kept in Zip Lock bags to keep then dry."

 

[dan25]

I love the Kuiu Venture 1800 and Venture 2300 backpacks, not the other ventures. Great organization and have the ability to pack layers.

I also would second this. I have both the 2300 and 1800 Venture. Great universal packs that can do it all. I love the adjustability of the the 1800 with all of there straps.

 

[FuddRucker]

If you're just tree stand hunting, any backpack will do, but I prefer a fanny pack. If you're carrying a stand get good straps to attach to the stand to make carrying more comfortable. Strap a small pack and any extra layers to the stand when carrying.

A frame pack is way overkill and redundant for most whitetail applications imo. If you're talking tree stand hunting, sized to hang or sit beneath you in the tree, quiet accessibility, + maybe ability to carry layers or strap them to the outside late season would be my biggest criteria. The quiet part might be a feature of the bag or your own capacity to be quiet. Anything too big will be annoying to keep in the stand with you.

Sitka packs are on sale on eurooptic right now if you want a designer bag. Not hating, they seem really nice but other than organization preferences and fleece exterior, a cheaper bag can accomplish the same. Kuiu is nice too, but expensive again. I've heard good things about tree house. If you have the money/desire, that's great! I'm sure you won't be disappointed, but it's more of a nice to have.

I feel like recently whitetail hunters have internalized the "pack is one of the most important pieces of gear" notion from western big game. Aside from carrying stand/platform and sticks, I just don't think that's the case for whitetail most of the time.

I've found this SOG bag (link below) works great, and it works really well for carrying a platform and sticks if you ever go the saddle route. Regarding bow carrying capabilities, a bow sling would be a good alternative, but I prefer to keep the bow in hand. You don't always have to shoot them from a tree

Amazon.com

 

[displacedtexan]

I don't whitetail hunt from a stand much... But the Kanjera Caprock is awesome for a hunting day pack.

Intergrated bino harness, made to also carry a rifle/bow easily. Can fit an extra layer and rain gear, or cinch down to be smaller.

 

[fatlander]

For what you’re describing, your pockets (pants or in the extra layer) might be your best bet. Bow in one hand and extra layer rolled up with a gear tie in the other.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk