Originally Posted By: SlickerThanSnotno professional here. but i have done my fair share.
i figure if i need a backpack to carry my stuff from truck to stand ,i am carrying to much stuff.
shotgun or rifle carried or slung over shoulder. caller and small chair or stool (if using a chair) carried in other hand. i dont bother with decoys any longer.
+1 for that. I use a molle equipped duty belt with a couple of pouches for spare ammo, multi tool, hand gun, drag, flashlight if I am hunting at night. I carry my stool, shooting sticks and caller and sling my main gun. Quick in, quick out. The more stands you run the better the chances for success.
I had the same problem when I first started. I carried everything including the kitchen sink and found that in the majority of my stands I only used a handful of the gear I was lugging around. So the most commonly used gear stayed with me and the rest stays in the truck. If you are having to hike over great distances then I would look at getting a backpack and taking more gear. One of my main partners runs a medium sized fanny pack and he swears if it won't fit into the pack it doesn't go.