Muzzyman, I love to talk backpacks. I have a Badlands 2200, gr8 pack. It is a little heavy empty though, like you say. I have found that just for strictly bowhunting with my treestand and sticks,k that I am better of with my $20 fieldline pack zip stripped to the stand and I just leave it on. I still have access to the top pouch for storage and it makes it a breeze to carry, and adds basically no weight. I attach a fanny pack above(see 1st pic) and this carries my headlight, licenses, grunt tubes, etc. I attach my rattlin antlers to the top too when i am using them. Works gr8. IAlso is a pic of the badlands 2200 with the LW installed on it in it's batwing compartment. It works gr8 too, for if you want to carry a tons of stuff. I just see no need to lug a bunch while whitetail hunting. The 2200 is more for elk and wilderness hunts and the batwing feature is gr8 for carrying a stand or Double Bull ground blind in deep for an elk hunt. Pic 2 is upside down..sorry





The top 2 pics are with the cheap lightweight fieldline pack that is permanetly zip stripped to my stand. It is very comfortable and has waist and shoulder straps, not to mention chest adjustment






The bottom 2 pics here are with the stand and sticks installed on the Badlands 2200