Custom saddle hunting book bag…input needed

[tjarvis22]

What is a MUST have for your saddle hunting bag? Or what is a layout change/design feature that you wish your current bag had. Looking to have a custom hunting book bag made for saddle hunting and just wanted to post on here to see what you guys say and to make sure I’m not missing anything.

 

[FuddRucker]

This is what I've had best luck with Saddle pack
you'll probably get better answers on another forum. Most people here are focused on western hunting, although there's lots of whitetail hunters trying to get into it who may have some relevant knowledge.

Anyway you might have better luck at: https://saddlehunter.com/community/index.php

They might be even more gear obsessed than some of the folks here. Always tinkering lol

 

[Eship]

I switched to a Stryker xl since most of my hunting is public land and pack outs are easier than drag outs. Previously, I used some cheap mossy oak bag and it worked perfectly for saddle hunting other than being shitty for pack outs. I’d basically keep that in mind. If you don’t plan on packing out your game ever, than basically any pack will do so long as it has at least one strap to fasten your sticks and one for your platform (or just put the platform in the bag). I also used a divide 1500 which worked just as well as the cheap mossy oak pack, but no better. I think all of the “saddle specific” packs are generally overrated. So, I’d either go with an externally framed pack if there’s a chance of you packing out game or go cheap and simple if not.

 

[KY_coop]

I've found i like my saddle hunting bag to be as simple and small as possible. I do the one stick thing and carry most everything in my saddle and I walk in with that. I don't saddle hunt when It gets cold. To many clothes and ropes to deal with. My bag ive settled on is the kuiu divide 1200. Just enough to hold bino harness for walk in, a grunt tube, some water, and maybe an extra face covering/hat. There's room for more but I've been trying to slim my process and gear down.

 

[malberto416]

+1 on the Stryker XL for my pack when I’m saddle hunting, but mainly because I packout all my whitetails. Much easier than dragging them…still don’t know why everyone out here does.

 

[Macintosh]

“Book bag” as in a backpack? Just making sure I understand the question.

To me a saddle hunting pack has to hold my saddle platform, sticks (however many you use), plus whatever gear and clothes need to be carried in, and do it without clanking around making excessive noise or snagging on brush, etc. To me thats bare-minimum.

If you are in a cold climate and hike in mile(s) at times, the pack may need to be 30+ liters to fit enough clothing so you dont sweat on the way in. Warm climate, a smaller pack will work. If you drag or can cart your deer, then no need for a meat-hauling pack. I also like to carry out deer much of the time to avoid a long/uphill drag or to deal with crossing swamps, so I like a smaller meat-hauling pack, and I carry platform and sticks in the load shelf.

 

[T-y-ler]

“Book bag” as in a backpack? Just making sure I understand the question.

To me a saddle hunting pack has to hold my saddle platform, sticks (however many you use), plus whatever gear and clothes need to be carried in, and do it without clanking around making excessive noise or snagging on brush, etc. To me thats bare-minimum.

If you are in a cold climate and hike in mile(s) at times, the pack may need to be 30+ liters to fit enough clothing so you dont sweat on the way in. Warm climate, a smaller pack will work. If you drag or can cart your deer, then no need for a meat-hauling pack. I also like to carry out deer much of the time to avoid a long/uphill drag or to deal with crossing swamps, so I like a smaller meat-hauling pack, and I carry platform and sticks in the load shelf.

Agreed with pretty much all of this. Additionally, I like a nice top pocket that is accessible when the pack is hanging from the tree. I also like a padded waist belt that I can hang my pack at the right height so the belt doubles as a pad for my knees when I sit back and rest.

I think the smaller frame packs with a meat shelf really appeal to saddle hunters as we can put the platform and sticks right next to our back and a lot of times are hunting where dragging or using a cart isn’t easy and packing out is the best option. Mystery Ranch pop ups or the Stryker XL are both solid existing packs that fit the bill.

A water resistant outside that’s not overly loud would be nice too. I know those typically do not go hand in hand.