https://www.sitkagear.com/products/turkey-tool-belt/earth?variant=12332&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw17qvBhBrEiwA1rU9w-qenCGJej4EjjDbdaRKugv6mjTwMYPm4mE2GR7DLO5_E9iQWDUFWBoCloMQAvD_BwE
Anyone order one of these? They are pretty pricey at $230, but Sitka has a 10% off deal dropping it to $207 with free shipping. There's quite a few videos on YouTube. It seems like a pretty nice minimalist option.
I got one as a gift so I'm looking forward to trying it out!
Quote from: WVhuntEER on March 11, 2024, 07:16:24 PM
I got one as a gift so I'm looking forward to trying it out!
Now that's a great gift! Do you hunt with a long box? I've got a 12 inch Marlin and I'm wondering if it'll squeeze in the box compartment? If not, would it fit in the main zippered compartment perhaps at an angle?
Haha yep it was! I am more of a mouth call/pot call guy but I will go check in a bit how mine fits and let you know. ????????
Quote from: Meyerkbw on March 11, 2024, 07:38:36 PM
Quote from: WVhuntEER on March 11, 2024, 07:16:24 PM
I got one as a gift so I'm looking forward to trying it out!
Now that's a great gift! Do you hunt with a long box? I've got a 12 inch Marlin and I'm wondering if it'll squeeze in the box compartment? If not, would it fit in the main zippered compartment perhaps at an angle?
I went and tried it with one of my box calls. It has a magnetic flap that also has a piece of elastic paracord to secure the call. If you turn your call on its side the handle of the box call should be out of the way allowing you to put your call in the pouch and use the elastic to secure it. Hope this helps.
I'd like to know when it's loaded with all your gear and a water bottle, how much it sags over your butt and bounces around. That has always been my gripe with Fanny packs.
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Thanks WVhuntEER! That would work. I think you mean a inch or so on the paddle would stick out the side? That'll work for me! I appreciate you checking.
Quote from: Terry on March 12, 2024, 08:08:12 AM
I'd like to know when it's loaded with all your gear and a water bottle, how much it sags over your butt and bounces around. That has always been my gripe with Fanny packs.
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I agree. The key part will be "what's loaded up". It's meant to be a minimalist pack. I like to hunt with 1 or 2 pot calls, 1 or 2 box calls. By the time you add strikers, a knife, a water bottle and lunch, gloves, face net....it can add up quickly.
I bought one as well.
I have loaded it up with about everything I would typically carry in the woods; three pot calls&strikers, box call, two mouth calls, three extra shells, pocket knife, water bottle and two locator calls. If I carried food to the field it would only be a couple power bars and a snack bag of trail mix.
I think it carries well and I have room to spare.
Just as an add, my headnet is part of my hat and I wear my gloves not carry them.
Quote from: 10th Legionaire on March 12, 2024, 09:18:00 AM
I bought one as well.
I have loaded it up with about everything I would typically carry in the woods; three pot calls&strikers, box call, two mouth calls, three extra shells, pocket knife, water bottle and two locator calls. If I carried food to the field it would only be a couple power bars and a snack bag of trail mix.
I think it carries well and I have room to spare.
Just as an add, my headnet is part of my hat and I wear my gloves not carry them.
Doesn't flop or bounce around??
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Quote from: Meyerkbw on March 12, 2024, 08:30:13 AM
Thanks WVhuntEER! That would work. I think you mean a inch or so on the paddle would stick out the side? That'll work for me! I appreciate you checking.
That's exactly right. The paddle was in the way for it to close but when you turn it sideways it shouldn't be a problem. It will stick out a couple of inches but it should work.
Quote from: Terry on March 12, 2024, 09:29:22 AM
Quote from: 10th Legionaire on March 12, 2024, 09:18:00 AM
I bought one as well.
I have loaded it up with about everything I would typically carry in the woods; three pot calls&strikers, box call, two mouth calls, three extra shells, pocket knife, water bottle and two locator calls. If I carried food to the field it would only be a couple power bars and a snack bag of trail mix.
I think it carries well and I have room to spare.
Just as an add, my headnet is part of my hat and I wear my gloves not carry them.
Doesn't flop or bounce around??
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
When I get a chance I will load it down and test it out for you.
Quote from: Terry on March 12, 2024, 09:29:22 AM
Quote from: 10th Legionaire on March 12, 2024, 09:18:00 AM
I bought one as well.
I have loaded it up with about everything I would typically carry in the woods; three pot calls&strikers, box call, two mouth calls, three extra shells, pocket knife, water bottle and two locator calls. If I carried food to the field it would only be a couple power bars and a snack bag of trail mix.
I think it carries well and I have room to spare.
Just as an add, my headnet is part of my hat and I wear my gloves not carry them.
Doesn't flop or bounce around??
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I have not done extensive testing but in walking around the yard it seems pretty stable.
I'm sure running up and down hills and hollers it going to move around some. Can't be as bad as a vest and cushion bouncing around in the excitement of a move on a bird.
Could you use clip on suspenders to help keep it up? If needed ..
Quote from: WVhuntEER on March 12, 2024, 09:55:53 AM
Quote from: Meyerkbw on March 12, 2024, 08:30:13 AM
Thanks WVhuntEER! That would work. I think you mean a inch or so on the paddle would stick out the side? That'll work for me! I appreciate you checking.
That's exactly right. The paddle was in the way for it to close but when you turn it sideways it shouldn't be a problem. It will stick out a couple of inches but it should work.
I just got to thinking about this and remembered that almost all long boxes have a handle that sticks out on the bottom just as long as the paddle. I've never seen a longbox without a handle.
Pretty cool idea.
Quote from: WVhuntEER on March 12, 2024, 09:57:40 AM
Quote from: Terry on March 12, 2024, 09:29:22 AM
Quote from: 10th Legionaire on March 12, 2024, 09:18:00 AM
I bought one as well.
I have loaded it up with about everything I would typically carry in the woods; three pot calls&strikers, box call, two mouth calls, three extra shells, pocket knife, water bottle and two locator calls. If I carried food to the field it would only be a couple power bars and a snack bag of trail mix.
I think it carries well and I have room to spare.
Just as an add, my headnet is part of my hat and I wear my gloves not carry them.
Doesn't flop or bounce around??
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
When I get a chance I will load it down and test it out for you.
Thanks!
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Quote from: Terry on March 12, 2024, 09:29:22 AM
Quote from: 10th Legionaire on March 12, 2024, 09:18:00 AM
I bought one as well.
I have loaded it up with about everything I would typically carry in the woods; three pot calls&strikers, box call, two mouth calls, three extra shells, pocket knife, water bottle and two locator calls. If I carried food to the field it would only be a couple power bars and a snack bag of trail mix.
I think it carries well and I have room to spare.
Just as an add, my headnet is part of my hat and I wear my gloves not carry them.
Doesn't flop or bounce around??
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I loaded it up as described in my above post and took it on a three mile woods hike this morning. I live in southcentral Indiana where we have a fair amount of hills and hollers.
Not gonna lie it did bounce when double timing it. Not horribly, but I knew it was back there. Not as bad as some vests I've hunted in the past though. Just walking/sneaking along it was quite stable and carried well.
First impression is very favorable.
Quote from: Greg Massey on March 12, 2024, 10:33:35 AM
Could you use clip on suspenders to help keep it up? If needed ..
Strangely enough I found a pair of old school Original Treebark suspenders (like from the late '80's) the other day in a hunting box I hadn't been in in a while.
I tried them on the belt and if a guy were inclined he certainly could use suspenders on this rig.
Quote from: 10th Legionaire on March 19, 2024, 01:44:35 PM
Quote from: Terry on March 12, 2024, 09:29:22 AM
Quote from: 10th Legionaire on March 12, 2024, 09:18:00 AM
I bought one as well.
I have loaded it up with about everything I would typically carry in the woods; three pot calls&strikers, box call, two mouth calls, three extra shells, pocket knife, water bottle and two locator calls. If I carried food to the field it would only be a couple power bars and a snack bag of trail mix.
I think it carries well and I have room to spare.
Just as an add, my headnet is part of my hat and I wear my gloves not carry them.
Doesn't flop or bounce around??
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I loaded it up as described in my above post and took it on a three mile woods hike this morning. I live in southcentral Indiana where we have a fair amount of hills and hollers.
Not gonna lie it did bounce when double timing it. Not horribly, but I knew it was back there. Not as bad as some vests I've hunted in the past though. Just walking/sneaking along it was quite stable and carried well.
First impression is very favorable.
I really appreciate the real world review! I would think the width of the waist band would keep it fairly stable.
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On the topic of tool belt type gear, I won one of these recently in the bucket raffle at a fundraising banquet.
https://alpsoutdoorz.com/sportsman-s-belt.html
I'm thinking with the along with a Glenda Green tube seat (and maybe suspenders?) it might be the ticket for going light.
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The idea is not new, there's been other waist packs before (Beard Buster had one) anyway since the advent of the turkey vest the concept of carrying everything we can and doing it lighter has been explored. Personally I think a chest pack is better for two reasons. One when you sit down its right there for easy access and second you can wear it when you sit down. With that larg pocket in the back this waist pack is in accessable unless you take it off.
Quote from: Gooserbat on March 27, 2024, 09:06:49 AM
The idea is not new, there's been other waist packs before (Beard Buster had one) anyway since the advent of the turkey vest the concept of carrying everything we can and doing it lighter has been explored. Personally I think a chest pack is better for two reasons. One when you sit down its right there for easy access and second you can wear it when you sit down. With that larg pocket in the back this waist pack is in accessable unless you take it off.
I'm not sure if you're talking about the Sitka or Alps design but, in my very limited non hunting testing the Sitka one will spin into my lap and work just fine. For me YMMV.
I have a update on this. I went ahead and ordered it knowing I could return the belt within 30 days. I'll be keeping it though. I'm pretty impressed for what it's designed to do.
It's meant to be a minimalist pack. If you plan to really load it down with lots of gear, your probably better off with a vest. However, if you hunt with a couple pot calls, 2-3 strikers and a box or two, it's great! The belt is extremely wide and comfortable making it really stable. You could also put a trumpet in one of the striker sleeves. Theres ample room for diaphrams and or a few locator calls. The water bottle holder is a nice touch. It has snap buckles too so it can easlily be removed if you don't want that.
As for the box call fit which was my primary concern, a 11 inch halloran longbox fits perfect and closes completely. I also plan to run a 12 inch Watkins long box that will work. The flap doesn't quite close using the magnets, but very close. I can then secure it with the bungee strap though which will work just fine fine. Anything larger than 12 inches would be a stretch. You could also put a longbox up to 12 inches in the middle zippered pouch on the top. The last 1/2inch of the paddle handle would stick out though.
As for loading it up and adding suspenders, you might be able to, but again I think your better off with the vest. The idea of the pack is that once you sit down, you spin the pack around so the compartments are in your lap giving you easy access to everything. If you add suspenders, you'd need to take it off at that point to reach anything kind of removing any advantage you gained from not using a vest.
I hope this helps others considering the pack. No question it's a bit pricey, but it is of really high quality and fits a niche nicely.
Quote from: Meyerkbw on March 27, 2024, 12:08:52 PM
I have a update on this. I went ahead and ordered it knowing I could return the belt within 30 days. I'll be keeping it though. I'm pretty impressed for what it's designed to do.
It's meant to be a minimalist pack. If you plan to really load it down with lots of gear, your probably better off with a vest. However, if you hunt with a couple pot calls, 2-3 strikers and a box or two, it's great! The belt is extremely wide and comfortable making it really stable. You could also put a trumpet in one of the striker sleeves. Theres ample room for diaphrams and or a few locator calls. The water bottle holder is a nice touch. It has snap buckles too so it can easlily be removed if you don't want that.
As for the box call fit which was my primary concern, a 11 inch halloran longbox fits perfect and closes completely. I also plan to run a 12 inch Watkins long box that will work. The flap doesn't quite close using the magnets, but very close. I can then secure it with the bungee strap though which will work just fine fine. Anything larger than 12 inches would be a stretch. You could also put a longbox up to 12 inches in the middle zippered pouch on the top. The last 1/2inch of the paddle handle would stick out though.
As for loading it up and adding suspenders, you might be able to, but again I think your better off with the vest. The idea of the pack is that once you sit down, you spin the pack around so the compartments are in your lap giving you easy access to everything. If you add suspenders, you'd need to take it off at that point to reach anything kind of removing any advantage you gained from not using a vest.
I hope this helps others considering the pack. No question it's a bit pricey, but it is of really high quality and fits a niche nicely.
Thanks for the updates. Theses are definitely temping.
Please let us know how it goes after some more time with it.
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