Packing for day

[bisblue]

Hey folks,
Just curious what folks are packing for day hunting in September?
Do you used saddlebags, a small backpack, a combo?
I think my 2 piece longbow will fit well in a rifle scabbard.

 

[BigAntlerGetter]

I pack a pack animal regardless, I always feel like I’m being optimistic and prepared…. In case I get one in September. But also I can pack a little more gear and supplies so if I get into them late I have the option to stay the night more comfortable.

I rarely where my backpack on a horse, unless I harvest and can’t fit it in the pack animal. I won’t allow clients to where them on horses either, to many sore horse backs from the weight of the pack, guys not riding properly and also trying to get on and off with it. I know some guys along the pack over the saddle horn but I’ve seen that sore horses to and cause wrecks.

Just found it easier to bring a pack animal


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[Pony Soldier]

Other than lightly filled saddlebags, an electric saw, a hand saw and a couple ropes, I don't carry anything other than my vest. That gives me 10-15 miles every day for a month. I come home each night. If I plan on an overnight I take everything I need on a packhorse.

 

[bisblue]

I pack a pack animal regardless, I always feel like I’m being optimistic and prepared…. In case I get one in September. But also I can pack a little more gear and supplies so if I get into them late I have the option to stay the night more comfortable.

I rarely where my backpack on a horse, unless I harvest and can’t fit it in the pack animal. I won’t allow clients to where them on horses either, to many sore horse backs from the weight of the pack, guys not riding properly and also trying to get on and off with it. I know some guys along the pack over the saddle horn but I’ve seen that sore horses to and cause wrecks.

Just found it easier to bring a pack animal


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Thanks,
I've only got two animals, so it won't be that hard to bring my second. With my llamas I would just set up a backcountry camp and hunt from there a far as I wanted for a day.
It'll be a learning curve on when it's worth the effort to ride from Basecamp vs leaving the animals. My best elk spot is a pack in, then a nasty steep drop down into a bowl dubbed the "hellhole." I don't think you get get stock down in there, even llamas.

 

[missjordan]

I’m actually really glad to see riders against riding with backpacks. While social media really portrays hunters on horses with packs. It definitely is not safe. Too much weight over the kidneys, which can happen with saddle bags also. But more importantly if you were to get unseated you can get hung up on your saddle. Same goes with bino harnesses.

I would take a pack animal as well. Since time can be a factor with getting a harvested animal out of the woods. Or keep it light and load your saddle bags


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[Babarkidd]

Its easier to bring a pack animal

 

[mntnguide]

I take an extra pack animal always.. I can't stand riding with extra weight on my saddle for both myself and my horse. . Horses kidneys sit right below your cantle, ride with a backpack for a full day, and you are not doing your horse any help with their health

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[PWCGray]

Lots of great advice above. riding and having a separate pack animal is the way to go. sounds like you have a couple so that works.

Wearing a heavy backpack and having heavy loaded, low-hanging saddle bags is really hard on a riding animal. There is a guy that rides mules a lot, has lots of social media exposure, and I just cringe at his setup. It's dork level. Folks think it is fine because it doesn't cause visible sores, but those animals will start to brace themselves when you saddle them, "bowing" to the saddle, etc... People think they can get away with it, but 6 months later they have turned their nice riding mule into a bastard. The animal begins to associate rides with pain. You probably know this, having that awesome mule and a cute kid smiling on it, but contrary to popular belief a well taken care of mule/horse loves going for a ride/pack.

Having said all of that, I have hunted a lot with one animal for the sake of convenience or availability. I bring along some saddle panniers and a lightweight lash rope. Keep my gear fairly light, small pack, and I WALK a lot just leading my animal, gear packed in those panniers on my saddle. It's amazing how comfortable it is walking half the time if you aren't carrying your gear. Makes you more effective from a hunting perspective also. I walk anywhere there is a good chance of jumping game or there are a bunch of glassing points along the trail.

 

[bisblue]

Lots of great advice above. riding and having a separate pack animal is the way to go. sounds like you have a couple so that works.

Wearing a heavy backpack and having heavy loaded, low-hanging saddle bags is really hard on a riding animal. There is a guy that rides mules a lot, has lots of social media exposure, and I just cringe at his setup. It's dork level. Folks think it is fine because it doesn't cause visible sores, but those animals will start to brace themselves when you saddle them, "bowing" to the saddle, etc... People think they can get away with it, but 6 months later they have turned their nice riding mule into a bastard. The animal begins to associate rides with pain. You probably know this, having that awesome mule and a cute kid smiling on it, but contrary to popular belief a well taken care of mule/horse loves going for a ride/pack.

Having said all of that, I have hunted a lot with one animal for the sake of convenience or availability. I bring along some saddle panniers and a lightweight lash rope. Keep my gear fairly light, small pack, and I WALK a lot just leading my animal, gear packed in those panniers on my saddle. It's amazing how comfortable it is walking half the time if you aren't carrying your gear. Makes you more effective from a hunting perspective also. I walk anywhere there is a good chance of jumping game or there are a bunch of glassing points along the trail.

Sounds good. I have a 2 piece longbow I was going to put in my rifle scabbard. My buddy who makes saddles was going to help me make an additional piece to over the strap on quiver and keep the arrows secure, so it will take me a minute to put that together.
If you are going to walk a bunch, which is all I've done hunting, climbing and doing wildland fire, do you have bigger stirrups for hiking boots?

 

[mntnguide]

If you are going to walk a bunch, which is all I've done hunting, climbing and doing wildland fire, do you have bigger stirrups for hiking boots?

I run Oversize stirrups year round. They work for after work cowboy slip ons, to late season winter pac boots. And are pretty cheap. You can get synthetic ones off outfitter supply for $30 or less, I run wooden ones with metal banding out the outside for a little more. Just google Overshoe stirrups

 

[PWCGray]

as mtnnguide says, I also use oversized stirups. I wrap the synthetic ones with a 3m anti-slip tape, the bottom part that contacts your sole. They are slippery in some conditions. I'm also very cognizant to not bury my foot on the stirup. Ball of your foot depth, max. The one danger of big stirups is if you "slip through" in a wreck. Your leg will end up broken in 90 spots, best case scenario. If you are just learning your foot placement and developing your habits, you can just swap stirups seasonally based on boot size. Reality is, most guys can ride just fine with standard stirups and hiking boots, but most guys also want to incorrectly bury the stirup to their heel.

 

[BigAntlerGetter]

as mtnnguide says, I also use oversized stirups. I wrap the synthetic ones with a 3m anti-slip tape, the bottom part that contacts your sole. They are slippery in some conditions. I'm also very cognizant to not bury my foot on the stirup. Ball of your foot depth, max. The one danger of big stirups is if you "slip through" in a wreck. Your leg will end up broken in 90 spots, best case scenario. If you are just learning your foot placement and developing your habits, you can just swap stirups seasonally based on boot size. Reality is, most guys can ride just fine with standard stirups and hiking boots, but most guys also want to incorrectly bury the stirup to their heel.

Wouldn’t say incorrectly bury their foot, i ride oxbow stirrups year round. But I’ve also been riding for 30 years, no definitely not the safest especially when there’s times I pack camp in my twisted ex moccasins. Riding oxbows you have to bury ur foot.

As far as stirrups new riders should be changing their stirrups to match their boot selection, and I highly suggest always having a heel on whatever boot, toes up heels down, ball of ur foot in the center of the stirrup,


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[Pony Soldier]

Most of my hunting is heavy winter and boots tange from loggers to cork pacs. I found the taller sturrips are more comfortable and taps are warmer and limit how far your winter boots can go into the sturrips.

Periodically I have to take the time to pry the ice buildup out . I change the leather liner out of the bottom as it gets chewed up and keep it oiled to make ice removal easier.

As many have said, I'm very careful to never get my foot in past the ball at best. The taps also keep the shypokes out when in heavy timber.