Today I went on an Elk scouting/Bear hunting/squirrel hunting expedition. I brought along my cat quiver 3.5. While taking some practice shot at dirt clods, stumps, and whatever else looked semi soft and safe I realized I had neglected part of my prep. This was the first time this season I had shot with my pack on. Who shoots with their pack on?
It's not a part of my preseason practice. But once season starts I some times stump shoot my way from stand to camp.
I do a couple nights a week. Not the one I hunt with though, it just showed today. I've got a kid carrier and that's where my one year old is happiest riding while dad roves around the 5 acre yard. Gotta watch it though as he likes to see what were shooting at so tends to throw his weight around a little so he can see over my shoulder. Can't deny it, my favorite thing in the world to do!
Don't forget to shoot with your binos on as well. They can cause big problems.
I tighten my chest strap across my bino and gps straps.
The awkwardness was felt when I was squeezing into alignment and felt the resistence of my pack.
We went up stumping in the high country the other day and wore our packs, need to get out and shoot with our boonies and face masks on now, but we also stump our way into our hunting areas usually or stump in our hunting areas if it's prudent to do so, doesn't seem to matter as our stuff fits good
if your pack has a waist strap keep the waist strap tight so that the laod is basically on your hips. the shoulder straps are basically just to keep the pack from flipping backwards. The advantage of this for us bowhunters is it takes the pressure off our shoulders so we can shoot like normal and not have the presure from the shoulder straps.
With binos i used to use a longer strap and hang stick one arm thru the strap so the binos were off to the side. i found a way i like better is to use a real short strap so the binos are higher on my chest closer to my chin. the way i shoot there is no way the binos could get caught in the string.
I miss shooting with my child in a backpack carrier. It was a great way to spend time together and mommy got a break too.
I shoot with my child carrier as well. Like biathlonman said the kids can throw their weight around a lot. I find that if mine falls asleep on the right side it evens things out for downhill shots. However, if he is sleeping on the left slide it almost pulls me downhill! Always some good times though. I usually hang an extra tree stand next to the house and I've been shooting with heavier clothing on. Definitely shoot with your binos on.
My large badlands is set up to keep the weight off my back. The straps don't even touch the top of my shoulders.
Small day packs do not always have that option.
I like shooting with a pack on... the shoulder strap helps keep the clothes on my bow-arm shoulder out of the way of the string.
You definitely need to practice with a pack on if you are going to hunt with a pack on. It is a completely different feel. I don't like it but if you are mountain hunting you almost have to use a pack,
Bisch
I shoot with my pack on. Not all the time, but pretty often. I feel if I get a shot while on my way to my stand I'd better be able to shoot with the pack on.
Once on stand I remove my pack.
Same as Frank V...I definitely practice with it a little bit. I don't want to miss just because I sneaked up one something and didn't have time to remove it so I always do a little stumping with it on just to be sure I can shoot with it.