Best way to carry day hunt essentials

I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to elk hunt in NW Wyoming for 6 of the past 7 years (cow hunts primarily) and am going again this fall. As time goes by, I carry less stuff as my preference is to go lighter since I can return to a pretty cushy camp each night.

I carry 3 gamesacks, binoculars, knife, tag and pen, 1-2 bottles of water and a sandwich, along with my rifle each day.
I’ve been considering adding some paracord and a few caribiners to serve as a lightweight block/tackle for when I need to hang quarters, and I’ve been considering a rangefinder (though most of my shots are in the 250-300 range).

That said, it’s turning into a bunch of crap banging around in my game pouch on the back of my orange vest. I have started looking at some of the smaller Eberlestock bags – particularly the H1 or H2. I was wondering if anyone has experience with them and whether they felt the weight was justified?

I like the idea of having a more side-side balanced system for carrying weight or potentially having my rifle in the scabbard for the first hour of a hike (oftentimes I’m crossing wide open slopes for the first hour while I work up into higher country). The H1 also has a pull-out game sack that would probably be able to haul the loins/tenders/neck/flank meat out from an elk while I leave quarters hanging.

Thoughts/other suggestions?

Uncle uses a pack that circles his waist. Buckles in the front and has suspender style straps over the shoulders. More than enough storage for the essentials and centers the weight. No idea the brand.

I showed up to elk camp with a $350 expandable Eberlestock pack and almost got laughed out of camp. Never used the scabbord. Uncle loaned me his pack, and with a sling on the rifle, was about perfect.

I use a Eberlestock Hydration pack, it is expandable but never had to yet… I take about what you have listed, plus a few more snack bars. My binocs are on my chest and I bring 2 or 3 dry t-shirts and a pair of sock liners. I haven’t used the Camel bag, (Hydration pack) yet… it’s just easier for me to use bottles. Oh yeah, a good headlamp in the pack too

Yeah, I wear the binoculars on my chest – no reason to move them… I use them too much.

Gixxer, sounds a bit like a fanny pack- which really isn’t a bad idea (and cheap).

This is the day pack I use, works great and being the back is open it keeps your back from sweating. you can also expand it very easily in case you need to shed layers. I bought mine basically new on E Bay for under $40. It makes a perfect whitetail day pack also.

http://www.alpsoutdoorz.com/products/packs/hunting-packs/pathfinder

Greetings Sean,
Great topic,
In Alaska hunting for big game is a little different for many reasons. Road access hunting in AK is very different than flyout hunting. Air taxi services often limit passengers to 95 lbs. As a guide in AK, I found myself enforcing these weight limits by instructing Client’s on what they need, and what needs to be left behind. I also loaded aircraft with gear as to get this wrong, could be a problem. I found that many folks just bring too much stuff. In AK we weigh our gear long before we arrive to load the planes. In my experience smaller day packs do not work. A full framed back pack is often better suited to the job at hand. I had some Client’s who harvested a moose some 12 miles away from camp. It took 3 guys, 3 days to pack that moose out.
I would add that in the AK bush, gear is life itself. So getting it right, is truly a matter of life or death. So it seems that the proper day pack, depends on many factors. The good news, modern gear is strong, light weight, and quiet. My full frame pack is used for many things when I am out and about in the wilds of AK. I sit on it, I shoot off of it, my survival and first aid kit are in it, and of course, I can pack out large and heavy loads of food/groceries. So while day packs are cute, they are just not well suited for big game hunting in the AK bush.
Good hunting,
Cheers,
AKG

i haven’t been out west, but i sometimes hunt late Wisconsin seasons in some public forest where it’s a 2-3 mile hike in from the road to our stands. it’s an all-day sit, walking in well before light and out after dark. and when it’s really cold, you need to carry in your heavy insulated clothing for the sit, because if you wear it in you’ll sweat like mad and then freeze your butt off later. add in water, food, and your standards like binoculars, knife, drag kit, etc. and you need a decent pack.

https://blackhawk.com/products/tactical-nylon/bags-packs/tactical-packs/3-day-assault-pack

I use a bad lands monster fanny pack when elk hunting ,it works very well!

x2 on the Badlands monster fanny, it has room for all the things you will need on a daytrip for elk. I found that when I carry a full sized pack, after a few days of hunting I end up leaving it at camp and only taking essentials with me, which can be dangerous if you get into bad weather or an injury. Another thing I like about the monster is that when you are sneaking it is less likely to get caught up on low branches.

Sean Solberg wrote:

Yeah, I wear the binoculars on my chest – no reason to move them… I use them too much.

Gixxer, sounds a bit like a fanny pack- which really isn’t a bad idea (and cheap).

Sean, I’m mostly in the hills of Colorado and southern WY. Not much different than what you experience.

I quit hauling gear for other guys. Always ended up with all the knives, sharpeners, game bags…. I’m getting too old and beaten up for the extra work. Couple years ago I changed over to well made 5 day tactical pack and a mid sized fanny pack.
Glass on my chest, radio, food, water and basics are in the back pack, and the range finder, ammo, and essentials are in the fanny pack for easy access.

Found I’m less fatigued after all day stalks by having the weight distributed better and particular items at easier access