Weighed my day pack last year, 31 pounds. Kuiu pro 2300 with 2l of water, bow, game bags, several knives, two headlamps, and some food. Most days are 4-6 miles, several 9-11 miles
probably too much. I'm not 100% sure yet how far we'll be going from the vehicle on the daily, but it shouldn't be over 20#. Plan is to dump all gear at camp and bring extra gear if we are going to spend a day away from camp. I sure as heck won't be carrying a 10L dromedary bag with me
I've adapted my hunting style a bit, and these days I mostly try to "run and gun". I carry a tiny little daypack, with some water + sawyer filter, some snacks, a kill kit, and a puffy/extra layer/rain jacket. Weighs maybe 15lbs, depending on how much water I want to take that day. I start out from the truck, hike around all day, and wind up back at the truck in the dark.
But, if I'm staying/hunting out of a spike camp, I think I'm about 50lbs all up with food/water. SG Sky 5900. Then add bino harness and rifle.
My theory (for the moment) is that if I can't find the critter, I can't kill the critter. I can cover more ground faster with less gear. Run 'n gun. Once the critter is down, cut it up, get it into game bags, and go back to camp/truck for the recovery gear. If recovery happens the day after, fine. I can't pack a full critter out myself solo anyways, so why gas myself carrying all the recovery gear etc.
I don't know if this is smart/dumb, but it worked well last season and for a chunk of 2022. I used to try "bivy hunting", but man your fitness has to be dialed in to do that every day. (I'm an office weenie these days... le sigh.) Respect to the guys who *can* hunt that way all season.
All I know is that it's kind of heavy, with all the optics, cameras and lenses, communications gear, rifle, cartridges, lunch, fluids jackets, vests, gloves, plastic garbage bags, meat/trophy processing tools, and all the survival/first-aid stuff I'm required to carry every day. Nuts
I'm not hunting this year due to being in paramedic school. However, I have my bag packed and I do training rucks three days a week. I am using a Sawtooth 45, Argali Rincon, 20 degree bag and Big Agnes Rapide SL.
I used the exact same thing on a deer hunt last year and can do 5 days (assuming area has water) under 30 lbs. With rifle I am at 32. I don't exactly take comfort items as I value lighter weight for my aging arthritic knees.