Fanny packer.....sounds a little kinky. :D If I'm going the LW hang-on route then I'm thinking about retiring the backpack and going with a fanny. I'm liking the looks of the Cabelas all-day transporter pack. Anyone use this combination? Would it be difficult to use a shoulder-strapped fanny with a LW hang-on stand?
I've used a fanny pack for decades; it's my go-to rig for 99% of my hunts. I had Gray Wolf Woolens custom make me one in Fall Gray wolfskin since I use it so often. I LOVE the ability to swing it around to the front of my midsection with my climber on my back as I walk in/out of my spots. It's what I use most of the time when I'm still-hunting through the Colorado mountains chasing elk as well, though I will opt for my Predator Crooked Horn backpack more often out there than usual just because I'm gone from camp so much more.
Greg, any experiences with the backpack style fanny packs? I'm thinking the extra support would be useful.
Donnie, I just bought a Black's Creek Bone Collector fanny pack. LOVE the pack. But I've wondering exactly what you're asking. What about packing my climber in and carrying my pack. What I used to do with my back pack was strap it to the stand. That worked well, and I'm going to try that with this pack as well. I think it'll work. What's nice about the Black's Creek is the shoulder straps detach. I'm thinking I could take them off when I have to pack the stand, making it easier to strap the pack to the stand. I don't know yet, haven't tried it. But I think it'll work.
No Donnie, I don't... even though I've got a "mega" Crooked Horn backpack in Predator as well that is the same version of the ones that have the shoulders straps, except mine doesn't have them. I like the flexibility of being able to simply spin it around to my front when I'm carrying stands in, and then spinning it back around to my rear when I'm climbing up or down a tree.
Do you have the sit and climb? If so, you can take the "fanny pack" style (without the shoudler straps), and hook the connected belt over the sit bar. You can't see it, but I'm sure it's attached to my stand in this pic. This was back when I was taking the video camera with me all the time.
I'm using a Badlands Monster pack. I absolutely love it. In the past I used to try a different pack almost every year because I wasn't ever quite satisfied, but I'm going on the 3rd year with my Monster and will use it as long as it lasts, and then because of the warranty I'll likely send to Badlands for a replacement when it's no longer usable. They fix or replace them at no cost for life, no questions asked. I also use a Lone Wolf Sit and Climb a TON. The reason I like the Badlands so much is because it works with the stand so well, and also have enough room for a day in the woods (I take a lot of stuff with me usually). Most of my hikes are longer, half a mile is a good average and some are over a mile, and the Monster is much more comfortable over longer hikes and with a bunch of gear than traditional packs that don't have shoulder straps. I put the pack on, and then the stand goes right on top, and if you adjust the shoulder straps right (I use Gray Wolf's stand straps) it sits perfectly and doesn't get in the way at all. One thing I really hated was putting a stand on, then attaching the pack to the stand. With the Lone Wolf which folds flat, and the pack under the stand attached directly to me, the weight is all very close to your body. It feels much lighter this way than it actually is. The further away from your body the weight gets (pack attached to outside of stand), it get a LOT heavier, and also get clumsy when walking through thicker woods. Just MHO.........but I'd recommend the Badlands to anyone that runs and guns with a stand.
Don...Guess I really wasn't that clear in my initial post. Right now I situate my pack on the "V" part of my Summit Climber and it holds well there while walking in/out. I'm wanting to get away from using a backpack and start using a fanny. Guess I'll be getting away from using a climber once I get my LW alpha hang-on. So...I'm wondering if any guys wear a backpack style fanny (with the fanny on your fanny ) while wearing a LW hang-on. Just wondering if there are any comfort issues. I could go Greg's route and use a front fanny pack but I like the shoulder strapped ones. I like the fact that the straps are removable on yours. Thats a good feature. Matt: I have a Badlands Superday pack I bought for cheap when the local sportsmans warehouse went out of the business. Great quality! I'll have to look into their fanny packs. Saw one that had all magnetic closures which is a great feature IMO. Dan...looks like that Spot n stalk bag would be annoying hanging on your side like that. Doesn't it get in the way? Its hard to tell from the picture b/c the guy is wearing matching camo.
Why are you against hooking the fanny pack to your stand (basically doing what you were doing with the summit)? Are you just dead-set on WEARING it?
Backpack or fannypack...I've always just attached it to my stand. Summit climber they fit nicely in the "V" and attach one strap to keep from losing on walk in. Hang on stands I have always just put the shoulder straps around the top two corners of stand (almost just like it was going on my shoulders) and it always rides nicely on walk in.
I guess my problem is I don't actually have the stand in my possession and I've been unable to test different methods of carrying a pack with it. Ideally, I'd like to wear the fanny around my waist with the stand on my back. I'm just not too sure how comfortable that will be until my stand arrives. I'm not at all opposed to strapping it to the stand but having everything by my side sounds better. Then when I get to my tree the fanny will be one less thing to worry about fumbling with in the dark.
That's why you want one withOUT shoulder straps... simply spin it around to the front with your stand on your back and start walking.
This fanny pack is gonna replace my current backpack so it needs some storage capacity. I'm really looking at the one Mobow suggested that has the removable shoulder straps. That way when I'm still hunting with no stand, I'll have the support I need.
Sounds like a plan! Good luck this fall! * edit - I know you're a Deception fan... you may want to just take a look at this. I've got this exact fanny pack minus the shoulder straps, as well as the "Mainbeam" pack which can be found on Predator's page if you back up a URL... http://predatorcamo.com/products/dc301_fannypack.html
I have used both over the years but like the fanny pack better, not as baulky, I don't need to bring the whole wardrobe with me to the woods.
Dammit! :D Just what I needed...more options. You know, I could have this pack altered and have some snap buckles sewn on so the straps could be removed. Good luck to you this season too, Greg. Hoyt: Thats where I'm trying to get to this year, smaller packs and less weight. I tend to bring too much stuff.
Ask a Brit what Fanny means...its is kind of kinky. (to them the word it compares to in "our" English rhymes with hunt but starts with a...c) I use a Gerber one i scored on eBay cheap that is really a pretty good butt pack. I will use it another season or two, before I replace it.
