Gearing Up for Opening Day

The author describes being one of the few in his club who continued to use a backpack. His reason was gear: two cameras, a tripod, and a host of deer-calling equipment meant a lightweight saddle-only loadout wouldn't cover his needs. If your hunt includes filming, documenting, or deploying calling tools, a backpack provides space and organization that saddle-only setups don't inherently offer.

Saddle hunting gear changes how hunters access trees and how long they can comfortably stay in them. The emphasis with saddles is on minimal ground profile, lighter overall weight, and the ability to move into positions that are harder to reach with bulkier packs. As more archers adopt saddle tactics, hunting strategies and gear selection are adapting to favor mobility and compactness where those aspects matter most.

Making the choice: pack, saddle, or both

The central decision is practical: what will you carry and how will you hunt? If you need extra equipment (cameras, tripod, calling gear), a backpack solves the capacity problem. If you prioritize mobility and minimal ground presence, saddle gear offers advantages. Some hunters blend approaches: carry a small pack for extras while using a saddle for sitting high and out of sight. The author's experience shows this is a personal trade-off tied to the gear that matters most to you.

Opening day preparation includes considering your equipment load against your hunting tactics. If documenting the hunt or using calling tools are part of your plan, account for that when choosing your movement and tree-access method. If you expect to focus purely on shot opportunities and staying undetected, a lighter saddle system may be preferable.

Saddle hunting has shifted the balance toward mobility for many archers, but backpacks remain a valid and sometimes necessary solution for hunters who carry extra gear. Your choice should match what you carry and how you plan to hunt on opening day.