ORIGINAL: quiksilver

I'm a backpack guy

I strap it to my treestand, carry it in/out. I put my coat inside on the way in (if there's room). Other items I always carry: an MRE for the day (get em from military surplus store), camera, scents, wicks, bino's, grunt tube, bleat can, drink, pee jug, rain poncho, drag rope, safety belts, an engaging book to read, glow tacks, GPS (depending on location), Radio (if I'm not hunting alone), granola bars, hand warmers, chap stick, bow holder, bow rope, flashlight, lighter, scent killer, spare clothes as weather may require.

I usually hunt in national forest with 1-2 mile hike in - I hunt from dark to dark.

If I'm close to a road (less than 1/2 mile), I leave the bag at home, use a fanny pack.

My stand weighs 13 lbs., with my pack it goes to 21 lbs. That's still less than some larger, more cumbersome climbers. If you can drag out a 160 pound carcass, carrying in a neatly-packed 21 pound pack is a breeze.

I hate having a hunting day cut short by cold/rain/hunger, or spending an unplanned night in the woods unprepared. This prevents such an episode.