Advice on Upgrading My Gear for Public Land Hunts

[logy]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for advice on upgrading my hunting gear. I hunt public land, and the areas I frequent require some effort, like hiking up and down ridges. While I think my kit is solid for shorter hunts (comfortable vest, switched to a 20ga, etc.), I've noticed a few areas where I'm limited after reflecting on my lack of success over the past few years.

One issue is comfort during longer sits. My vest is great, but after an hour or so, I start to get uncomfortable. Hunger is another problem—these hikes burn a lot of calories, and once I get hungry, it's tough to stay focused on the hunt.

The hunger issue seems easy to solve: snacks and water should do the trick. I'm also considering adding a backpacking stove and freeze-dried meals to my kit for longer stays. So, a backpack would be an easy addition.

The challenge is finding gear that helps with comfort but is still lightweight. I'm not trying to load myself down like a pack mule; I value mobility. I'm imagining something like a backpack, a chest rig for calls, and maybe a lightweight chair.

Has anyone used gear that balances comfort with mobility? I'd love to hear your suggestions!

[Greg Massey]

Order a Glenda Green seat cushion, it has an inflatable tube with a waterproof cover... You can thank me later ... LOL

[GobbleNut]

My buddies and I have hunted the vast mountain ranges of the west for decades probably doing something similar to what you describe. Every one of us has gotten away from wearing a turkey vest and have gone to hunting in cargo pants to carry the few things we need immediately (or regularly) and using a backpack for carrying everything else we might need.

Back in the days when we were backpacking in somewhere to stay overnight, we had larger backpacks to carry things like backpacking stoves, tents, etc. (the assorted stuff needed to be somewhat comfortable in those situations).  Nowadays, we mostly use lighter daypacks for our shorter day-runs with which we can carry "the essentials" while at the same time keeping the weight down for possibly walking several miles in up-and-down mountain terrain. In addition, that weight is concentrated comfortably out of the way on our backs rather than lower around the waste and upper legs like many vests tend to do.

As for having a seat/cushion, I just strap one to the back of the pack I have (one with straps with snap-buckles on the back for attaching such things). Again, it is high on the back of the pack and completely out of the way until it is needed.

Anyway, from your comments, you seem to be leaning towards going the backpack route. As one who has done so, I highly recommend it based on where you indicate you are hunting. Turkey vests certainly have their place, but "the place" you indicate you are hunting (at least on occasion) is certainly not one of them in my opinion. 





 

[WV Flopper]

I appreciate your attention to comfort. I believe a lot of turkeys are spared every season due to hunters not being comfortable. It is extremely difficult to set motionless with a rock up your butt so far its compacting a hemi!

The day pack or light back pack would check a lot of boxes I believe. The seat issue I haven't figured out yet myself but have been lucky the last two seasons.

I went to a chest rig and added a day pack with a bladder in it. The pack is big enough for snacks/food and other essentials.

To me, the best part of a vest is the seat and game bag. I find the game bag the best way to pack out a turkey. For me.

So, you'll need a strap to pack out your turkey. Carry a zip lock bag with you to put over the turkey heads. That way you don't have blood slung everywhere when you finally get out.

Check out Alaskan Guide Gear. They have nice chest rigs. Are customizable with additional pouches and a day pack with bladder.

The day pack comes with wide shoulder straps and will replace the straps on the chest rig.

[Notsoyoungturk]

Order a Glenda Green seat cushion, it has an inflatable tube with a waterproof cover... You can thank me later ... LOL

x2.  Comfortable.  Lightweight.  I use it with a minimalist vest or with her satchel.

[backforty]

Order a Glenda Green seat cushion, it has an inflatable tube with a waterproof cover... You can thank me later ... LOL

x2.  Comfortable.  Lightweight.  I use it with a minimalist vest or with her satchel.

X3 great seat and your supporting a small business. The only thing that beats it is a gobbler lounger but you don't want to carry that around the mountains.


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[Alabama556]

X4 trying to figure out how to add one to my vest permanently


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[logy]

My buddies and I have hunted the vast mountain ranges of the west for decades probably doing something similar to what you describe. Every one of us has gotten away from wearing a turkey vest and have gone to hunting in cargo pants to carry the few things we need immediately (or regularly) and using a backpack for carrying everything else we might need.

Back in the days when we were backpacking in somewhere to stay overnight, we had larger backpacks to carry things like backpacking stoves, tents, etc. (the assorted stuff needed to be somewhat comfortable in those situations).  Nowadays, we mostly use lighter daypacks for our shorter day-runs with which we can carry "the essentials" while at the same time keeping the weight down for possibly walking several miles in up-and-down mountain terrain. In addition, that weight is concentrated comfortably out of the way on our backs rather than lower around the waste and upper legs like many vests tend to do.

As for having a seat/cushion, I just strap one to the back of the pack I have (one with straps with snap-buckles on the back for attaching such things). Again, it is high on the back of the pack and completely out of the way until it is needed.

Anyway, from your comments, you seem to be leaning towards going the backpack route. As one who has done so, I highly recommend it based on where you indicate you are hunting. Turkey vests certainly have their place, but "the place" you indicate you are hunting (at least on occasion) is certainly not one of them in my opinion. 





 

What day packs are you using?

[logy]

I appreciate your attention to comfort. I believe a lot of turkeys are spared every season due to hunters not being comfortable. It is extremely difficult to set motionless with a rock up your butt so far its compacting a hemi!

The day pack or light back pack would check a lot of boxes I believe. The seat issue I haven't figured out yet myself but have been lucky the last two seasons.

I went to a chest rig and added a day pack with a bladder in it. The pack is big enough for snacks/food and other essentials.

To me, the best part of a vest is the seat and game bag. I find the game bag the best way to pack out a turkey. For me.

So, you'll need a strap to pack out your turkey. Carry a zip lock bag with you to put over the turkey heads. That way you don't have blood slung everywhere when you finally get out.

Check out Alaskan Guide Gear. They have nice chest rigs. Are customizable with additional pouches and a day pack with bladder.

The day pack comes with wide shoulder straps and will replace the straps on the chest rig.

Thank you for the game sling suggestion. I did not take that into consideration at all! How are you carrying your gun? I think I bought a Claw sling for my 20ga.

[WV Flopper]

Claw sling.

I prefer a Butler creek sling, neoprene with the rubber nipples. But....My BPS would destroy one in 1.5 seasons. I switched over to the claw a few back. They are tough and ride good on my shoulder.

I have a new gun, 4# lighter than the BPS. I did get a Claw for it but maybe should give another BC a try on it. I liked the give too the BC on the shoulder, felt like carrying nothing.

[squidd]

Two thumbs up for using a backpack and added a chest rig last fall for the binos.

I can strap a cushion or chair to backpack and have a homemade turkey carrying strap.

Same pack I use for deer hunting. I'm still old school with an ALICE pack for elk.

[Tail Feathers]

Two big things for me are the game bag and the ability to carry water in a vest.
Restless alternatives don't mention carrying water much.  If you have to use a camelbak and a bag/fanny pack/backpack, may as well have a vest.
The game bag on a vest is very handy for a variety of items, including carrying a bird out.

I often carry the gobbler lounger, but have been using a Beardbuster high back self supporting seat with an additional Klymit air cushion for some longer walks.  They fit nicely in the game bag.  These two items weigh about 2.5 lbs total and they keep me comfortable for some time and is good for days where you're moving more.

[roberthyman14]

Food wise I carry jerky, clif bars, and lightly salted almonds.  Sometimes I will slip in a little Debbie cake for a bit of sugar.  I hunt with an old primos vest that has a water bottle holder on the side. Toss another bottle in the back of the game bag. That bottle is frozen when I leave the house.  Comfort I do carry a turkey lounger.  For me it's worth the weight to sit comfortably and have some back support.

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[Marc]

I must be unusual...  I have a small boney butt, and I have not issue sitting on the ground comfortably.  Only time I use any type of seat is when it is wet.  I generally find the ground perfectly comfortable to sit on.

I hunt some steep country, sometimes with some long walks.  Heaviest thing I take is water, and sometimes, I will leave a bottle (or two) on the trail I know I will also be taking back out.

If I am walking in a ways, I leave decoys behind.  Go as light as possible. and make sure my vest is snug (yes I still like a vest).  I use the game bag to carry a bird out (hopefully).  Were I to have a vest without a good game bag, I would certainly have an after-market game pack, as that turkey feels like 50 pounds when walking up hill.  I have not like shoulder tote game bags when doing long walks out with a bird.

Sometimes you have to set up quickly, but if I feel I have time, I not only look for a strategic location to set up, but a comfortable one.  If possible, I like a log or rock in front or near me, that I can set my gun on, and use friction calls behind of, or use to eat lunch on (usually a sandwich and crackers)....  And no ants on the tree (our red ants BITE).  I am usually hunting hilly areas with oaks, and lots of rocks, with few scattered pines. 

I used to like to set up behind falls, but having bobcats sneak up behind me, and being in mountain lion country, I have become a bit more careful.  I have seen big cats three times turkey hunting, and I do not want to be sitting were one could sneak up behind me, while I am attempting to sound like one of their favorite meals.

Snacks for me are peanut butter crackers or protein bars...  Sometimes a Snicker's Bar.

[Ctate94]

Gobbler chair, it can be a little much to carry, but I use it year round now, turkey or even deer when I want to move around. Very comfortable.