Deer hunting season is a long way off, unfortunately, but with shed hunting, scouting and some backyard bow shooting underway now that winter is turning to spring, it’s never too early to start thinking about your public-land hunting tactics for the fall. Now is the perfect time to start planning and testing lightweight gear setups and a mobile mindset, all of which can be game changers when keeping a low profile and hunting the ever-changing conditions of public land.
A lightweight, comfortable frame pack is an outstanding tool for having all of your gear packed and ready to go as soon as you reach your hunting area. Photo credit Chris Berens.
Grab Your Gear and Go
Do your best to have all of your clothes and gear ready to go when you arrive. Set it up to be as mobile and ready to grab and go as possible. Park, quickly change clothes if you need to, grab your gear, spray down with scent killer, hit the woods and get out of sight of the road and parking area. Then when you’re a bit of a distance away, stop and re-arrange the gear if need be. Or stop to check your map, compass or GPS bearings to make sure you’re on the right track.
An extremely helpful item is a large, lightweight frame daypack that is capable of carrying clothing, snacks, water and gear for the hunt, and has attachments for strapping on your blind/chair or treestand and climbing sticks if necessary. It might seem like overkill to use a pack system designed more for camping or Western-style hunts, but it is well worth it for the amount of gear you can carry securely and comfortably.
Another good option is to set up your treestand/climbing stick combo to be as lightweight as possible and comfortable to carry with padded backpack straps and a padded hip belt. Then use a couple of bungee cords to strap the absolute minimum amount of extra warm clothes that you need right to the stand — using the stand as your frame pack. Believe me, weight adds up quickly when you’re hoofing it across a mile or more of public hunting land, and the less gear that you need to carry, the better off your shoulders and back will be.
