Do any of you guys use a back-pack when turkey hunting. I have been thinking about switching from a vest to a pack. I guess the main reason is because of the way I hunt, sometimes being out all day and needing to carry a lot of water and food. Also to carry a video camera. A vest just doesn't seen to tote all that stuff very comfortably. My only concern is that I will miss my quick access to calls and such. What do you guys think?
Both. I leave the bag in the truck if I need something while switching spots it's not to far away. I really don't carry much with me. Most of the time I wear my vest only for the cushion and to carry water bottles. When I think I'll need my decoys the are in a small, light weight shoulder bag made for duck hunters. Every year it seems I carry less stuff. I've never carried video equipment, but if I did I'd go back pack.
This year I did buy a few nice pot calls, so I might buy a pot holster that can go on my belt. In the past as I had some water, a few diaphragms in my pocket, something to sit on, and my shotgun I was happy.
I like a vest
Vest all the way.
TRKYHTR
I use a vest and a fannypack. Plus I carry a special cushion.
i use a vest in the past for the cushion but since i now have a chair i will likely take the cushion off most of the time i carry two water bottles and a few candy bars and crackers calls T.P. and cell phone decoys and thats about it never tookk a camera
Both, vest for the small stuff and backpack for larger items. For me a backpack is the best way to carry out my turkey.
Vest for me. I hunt all day a lot as well, the vest is organized and I can get what I need without having to think about it or look for it.
I have carried a backpack and vest, however, I like my fannypack and vest combo. I put my snacks and water in the fannypack, and all my bird stuff in the vest. It seemed to work well for me.
I use a vest. I know where everything is located and can get to anything I want FAST. I carry a light cushion and my one hen decoy in the back pocket. Last year I carried my gobbler out about a mile strapped across the back pocket of my vest. It worked great. I also carry quite an array of calls and like to know where each and every one is. In the vest I know.
I use a vest but have been thinking about taking the backpack
Vest. Here in NY, we can't hunt all day, so food usually isn't a problem. If I take water, I just toss it in the back where you can put your bird to carry them out. I've never used that part anyway. There's nothing like slinging one over your shoulder for the walk out.
I am going to try a backpack this year, maybe find a fanny pack. Not sure, still looking. Vest is not the way to carry tripod, camera, video camera, binoculars, range finder, food, water, etc, a BP is much better suited. Also, I am hoping to be able to take both of my kids, and that is a lot of stuff to take along with a blind, chairs.
im hunting i aint going on vacation. :laugh:
Vest but I have two fanny packs woven into my set up seat.
Quote from: OLE RASPY on January 08, 2012, 08:43:40 PM
im hunting i aint going on vacation. :laugh:
:icon_thumright: I second that..
I'm not going on vacation either but being out all day and usually miles from the truck or any form of civilization makes bringing alot of extra stuff necessary. Especially food. I hardly ever come out for lunch and I don't like being hungry, so I take plenty. Couple that with a tripod and camera. It just doesn't carry well in a vest. I actually had not thought about my seat cushion on my vest. I will have to figure out something on that because I love my cushion.
I use a vest and a small water bladder back pack.
When I first started all that I had was a back pack. I finally got a vest and glad that I did. I have also invested in Ol Tom products that eliminate the need for a vest. I love em, fits my type of hunting real well.
I like the easy access of a vest.
I used a pack last year and got a vest this year. But I do like the fannypack/vest combo idea!
Dont forget about out pot call pouch, box call pouch, andstriker roll up pouches and backpacks.
Quote from: ThicketThrasher on January 08, 2012, 09:01:17 PM
I'm not going on vacation either but being out all day and usually miles from the truck or any form of civilization makes bringing alot of extra stuff necessary. Especially food. I hardly ever come out for lunch and I don't like being hungry, so I take plenty. Couple that with a tripod and camera. It just doesn't carry well in a vest. I actually had not thought about my seat cushion on my vest. I will have to figure out something on that because I love my cushion.
How about a seat cushion that attatches to your belt? Not as good as a vest seat, but they do work.
QuoteA vest just doesn't seem to tote all that stuff very comfortably.
Agreed. I have a belt-style rig, with several zipper-open call pouches attached. Worn behind you, instead of in front of you, it acts as a counter-balance for a big belly.....that is, if you have one. :santaclaus:
I do a lot of run and gun hunting and I used to use a fanny pack and a mule camelback with the extra storage compartments to carry all my stuff. Last year I bought a vest and I wore a smaller hydration pack under the vest. I wish I would have bought the vest years ago.
Strictly a vest for me. Seems to hold everything I need or want to lug around. Always seem to carry to much stuff around I don't use anyways with just a vest. If I used a back-pack, I'm sure I'd lug around even more stuff. ;D
Were also in the process of making one of our backpacks geared around turkey hunting instead of a general back pack. I have it half done. On the inside of the pack,,, the one side panel has a compartnebt to store the largest thermos or a hydration pack, the oposite side panel has a box call holder,2 pot call holders. on the side that is up against the back I have a striker roll up pouch and beside that a trifold mouth call folder, on the inside facing outside I am putting pockets for whatever.
On the outside of the pack, I am putting a padded fold down seat. I might put one of our compound bow slings on the side of the outside to carry a bow, not sure. If I ever get it done, I will post pics, I have a feeling my wife has already claimed this one.
for me the perfect combo is my Ol' Tom vestless shirt and a backpack. (badlands Ultraday)
shirt carries my two favorite pot calls and two stikers on my chest and has two bungee cords for locator calls. Mouth calls in the left cargo pocket of my pants and range finder on the right. Those are the essentials I need with minimal movement but keeps it simple and light.
backpack has box call, extra stikers, water, snacks, decoys and stakes, seat, packable rain wear if theres a chance of getting wet, gps.. facemask and gloves will also go in here
carries the weight a lot better than a vest
Quote from: customgunsocks on January 09, 2012, 08:43:20 AM
Were also in the process of making one of our backpacks geared around turkey hunting instead of a general back pack. I have it half done. On the inside of the pack,,, the one side panel has a compartnebt to store the largest thermos or a hydration pack, the oposite side panel has a box call holder,2 pot call holders. on the side that is up against the back I have a striker roll up pouch and beside that a trifold mouth call folder, on the inside facing outside I am putting pockets for whatever.
On the outside of the pack, I am putting a padded fold down seat. I might put one of our compound bow slings on the side of the outside to carry a bow, not sure. If I ever get it done, I will post pics, I have a feeling my wife has already claimed this one.
That sounds like it may be exactly like what I need. Keep us informed on your progress.
Quote from: njdevilsb on January 08, 2012, 08:11:50 PMI've never used that part anyway. There's nothing like slinging one over your shoulder for the walk out.
This must be a New York thing. My buddy Al is from Rochester, and he'll carry a bird two miles over his shoulder instead of putting it in his vest. :) Neill
I am thinking about using the fannypack as my vest and jsut making it work because of the heat by the end of the season.
Well I got my new backpack today after quite a but of searching. I got the Browning Hawthorne. I packed all my stuff in it and put it on to see how it felt. I believe it will be fine. I don't really like the way it secures my gun but other than that, I like it. I'm gonna load it down and go out scouting in the morning to see if it suits me or not.
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Here is the pack with some turkey stuff in it. I have to figure a way to get my seat on here and I have found that there is absolutely no quick access to anything. So I have to find a way to tote a tube and mouth calls so that I can get to them quickly. Any suggestions?
(http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv199/bigorunge/IMG_0388.jpg)
(http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv199/bigorunge/IMG_0383.jpg)
Quote from: WildTigerTrout on January 08, 2012, 07:21:21 PM
I use a vest. I know where everything is located and can get to anything I want FAST. I carry a light cushion and my one hen decoy in the back pocket. Last year I carried my gobbler out about a mile strapped across the back pocket of my vest. It worked great. I also carry quite an array of calls and like to know where each and every one is. In the vest I know.
:agreed:
Had the same vest for the past 5 years.....don't need one to kill a turkey, but I like having it like to spend all day in the woods.
Quote from: ThicketThrasher on January 08, 2012, 04:49:01 PM
Do any of you guys use a back-pack when turkey hunting. I have been thinking about switching from a vest to a pack. I guess the main reason is because of the way I hunt, sometimes being out all day and needing to carry a lot of water and food. Also to carry a video camera. A vest just doesn't seen to tote all that stuff very comfortably. My only concern is that I will miss my quick access to calls and such. What do you guys think?
I use a fanny pack with 7 pockets holds alot of stuff and is easy to carry and quick access
Find you an eastman deluxe vest and you have a pad vet and all the storage you need. Find a way to customize the lower hanging pockets.
usually use a vest
I started using this one last year by Hunter Specialties. I needed something without a vest because I hunt in South Mississippi and Louisiana and it gets hot down here quick. In the late season I may just use my fanny pack, it gets that hot!
Use a backpack last year, it was my first hear turkey hunting. Worked ok but I got a vest for this year
Vest for me!
Vest with an attached, fold out seat. It has more than enough room for decoys, calls, binoculars, a bottle or two of water and some bug dope.
It carries everything I need and still has some unused pockets.
Gotta stick with my vest. I can find anything I need in my vest without looking for it. Everything has its own spot year after year.
I like my old vest, not much too it, but that is why I like it! I throw 2 water bottles in the back and run on w/it.
my vest carries it all ... even kitchen sink
Quote from: ThicketThrasher on January 08, 2012, 04:49:01 PM
Do any of you guys use a back-pack when turkey hunting. I have been thinking about switching from a vest to a pack. I guess the main reason is because of the way I hunt, sometimes being out all day and needing to carry a lot of water and food. Also to carry a video camera. A vest just doesn't seen to tote all that stuff very comfortably. My only concern is that I will miss my quick access to calls and such. What do you guys think?
You almost have to use both at times. Usually it's just a vest.
vest for me.
I really don't use either. I use a fanny pack, with attachments for pot calls, strikers and a box call. When I get to my spot, I take it off and set it beside me. That way I have all my goodies at hands reach. Very little movement is need to get what call I need.
Vest for east of the Mississippi. When I turkey hunt in Idaho and Montana I change to a bad lands day pack. Hunt a lot of public ground and will always have enough gear just in case I need to spend the night or get confused in my direction. LOL It's a safety thing and my friends that live out there do it. Like they say, when in Rome do as the Romans do.
I will say when you are tired and hungry it is nice to break out the old stove, boil some water, and have a meal.
I find myself now having that in my truck when i hunt around here.
Vest for me, if I take a pack I will be able to take more stuff I dont need