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As many of you know, I'm a big Predator camo wearer... and it's always bugged me about having mis-matched camo pieces on some of my other accessories I take into the woods with me (from purely an aesthetic point of view).

I'm having Jeff at Gray Wolf Woolens make me some belts with the Fall Gray sewn in to replace my Mossy Oak on my split leather belts, and he's also going to make me a fanny pack. I had Predator send me one in Deception, but the smallest one they had available was larger and more complex than I want... it's more like a support belt that OSHA would make a laborer wear. I'm sure it's gonna be great for my elk trip this fall, but I'm thinking something simple for treestand hunting -- something moreso just to carry my essentials with me: grunt tube, rattle bag, couple screw-in accessory hooks, Kwikee quiver holder, pull-up rope, etc.

Ok, here's where I need your help. I was going to go with a simple, one-compartment design... then Jeff threw me a loop and asked how I wanted it designed. (Plus, this way I can have it made in one of the "classic" Predator patterns -- probably Fall Gray.)

What features can you suggest or would love to see on a custom fanny pack? Thanks guys!

RE: Your chance to offer input
 

Greg/Mo, before I give my suggestions are you carrying a backpack along or going with just the fanny pack on your elk hunt?

Duh, nevermind. Just reread and you want it for treestand hunting. Thats what I get for speedreading.

RE: Your chance to offer input
 

Built in Cup Holder ;)
just jokin, I don't know right off hand but I will try to brainstorm.

RE: Your chance to offer input
 

So many ideas are running though my mind yet hard to explane in detail ... but heres goes anyway.
If I was to design a " fanny pack " I would have one large pouch in the center and one medium pouch on each side with smaller pockets on top of the mediums.
Of course all pouches and pockets would have silent zippers and I would put some type of attachment for a water bottle and a couple rings , loops or clips sewn into it between the pouches.

RE: Your chance to offer input
 

Let's see; treestand fannypack features......
1. A holster of some kind to hold a tree mounted screw in type bowholder in case the bowholder on my stand doesn't work due to a treebranchor so that I can use this screw in hook to hang items like antlers, binocs, etc. instead of taking up room in a pouch and putting holes in my pouch.
2. A rangefinder/ small binoc compartment.
3. grunt tube/can call pocket
4. Large pocket for full face cold weatherheadgear, extra gloves.
5. small pocket for disposeable handwarmers so that this is never opened until needed as the packaging makes noise. A small compass and some waterproof matches could go in here too. Candy bar with noisy wrappercould go in here too.
6. pocket for knife, writing pen for deer tag date of kill, tag, and license

From what I hear and read, it is tough to beat a badlands pack. Here is their fanny pack, has 7 compartments I believe. Guys rave about the badland pack. It might be cheaper and a better product by just getting theirs and having Jeff sew predator over it.
http://www.badlandspacks.com/packs.php

RE: Your chance to offer input
 

I think 3 compartments would be sufficient. A large one and one on each side, a little smaller than the large one. I honestly don't think you need a compartment for every single item that you carry. There is no reason that your grunt call and range finder could not go in the same compartment. Maybe some straps on the outside to strap down a coat if its warm and gets cold or vise versa.

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Here's a few

1) I'd like to have some sort of loops or something that I can take off a layer of clothing, roll it up and have some place to tie it to the fanny pack. This would be great for when the day warms up, or dressing light for the walk in. Also when you get all heated up dragging one out.

2)A hard lined, protectivepocket for an extra broadhead or two, cell phone, digital camera, etc... Just some place to put fragile or sharp items in.

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ash2042 must type faster:D

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I just posted about this in the pet peeve equipment thread.

I like many pockets in my fanny pack. I would love to find a "turkey hunter" style fanny pack but designed for the bowhunter, but like you mentioned without the massive "back support" belt.

I would like 1 large main pocket with a pocket on each side that would be sized to hold a range finder and camera. Then 1 more pocket on each side of those sized for a can call or so. Also, adding a zipper to the front of a few of those pockets to hold some smaller things such as a powder windicator, small compass, keysetc etc....

BTW, I would want no velcro on my "dream pack" :D

Here is a paint shop of what I would like. Hit me with a PM and let me know what you are having made and what it would cost as obviously I am in the market for a new fanny pack.

*EDIT* those horizontal lines on the pockets would be the zippers I was referring to.

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I would like to see another clasp or buckle at the pack end as I usually carry mine in the front so I can strap my climber on my back with no interference. Sometimes it's difficult to turn it to the front after clipping it & it's tough to clip it in the back...... if that makes any sense.

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Thanks to all who've offered input so far... and, yes -- that does make sense, lifesadrag. I picked up a good little tip from Matt/PA whom I invited in to hunt with me this year... Like you, I had always put my fanny pack on and spun it around to my front and hoisted my stand on my back. I watched Matt put his around his stand and cinch it up tight, then throw it on... It was one of those simultaneous "aha" and "duh"moments. [8D]

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I have always done that too. Otherwise when I wear a fanny pack around my waist the stand is always pushing on it and pulling my pants down.

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Only thing I can really think of is putting one of those buddy lok waterbottles on your fanny pak. I dont know if you know what I'm talking about but its hasboth male and female adapters that you can snap in and out very easily for those long hikes to and from stands.

RE: Your chance to offer input
 

Greg,

I wear a vest that has all the various pockets on the front. I like this even more than a fanny pack, simply because it's more accessible. I carry my mouth calls in the small pockets, along with things like my compass, gps, small binos,etc. Everything is front and center...I've tried fanny packs and I hate them (I have no butt and they end up around my ankles)! If you care, I'll send you a photo of what I wear. It's easy to take on and off in a tree stand situation.

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looks like most of the things i thought of were already brought up. Im sure it will be a dandy and would like o see some pics when it is done. Good luck with it Greg!!
Dan

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Hey Greg. I brought a fanny pack this year that was on sale and i love it. It has a detachable compartment for you calls, sprays, range finder and such, this hangs on the tree, the fanny pack it self has one big compartment and one side pocket, if you want me to send you a pic, just holla

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all the clips like the police have, and maybe some soft side qviver

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Appreciate the offer, huckleberry...

I understand what you're saying (even sounds a bit like the Primos bowhunting vest), but I'm sort of a minimalist when it comes to wearing stuff on stand; it's the only reason I've never bought that vest yet. I just use my fanny pack to carry my essentials with me and then I take it off and hang it on an accessory hook I screw in at stand level.

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Yeah Greg,

I think our situations are a lot different. I spend very little timeon stand-just the nature of elk hunting and the stlye of hunting I prefer. I tend to cover a lot of ground spotting and stalking. I actually sent Chuck Pensyl one of my vesthoping to have one madefrom the Enigma pattern (the two I have are made by Columbia). For me, the "front and center" aspect of my gear is the most important. One the other hand, our temps are much cooler than yours. I could see how a vest might not be the answer in your neck of the woods.

One thing you might consider (I had one sewn into my vest) is a clipon which you can hang your bow. I use mine while walking and it helps to elimate arm fatigue.

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My ultimate fanny pack would have suspenders and the suspenders would have stretchy little loop things for holding my calls and whatnot. I HATE strings around my neck and pants that fall down due to fanny pack weight.

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Thats a good idea .

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So true huckleberry... I don't think it would work for your spot and stalking (at least in being ready at a moment's notice) but I've begun using Primos's bow sling this past year, and absolutely love it for its ability to support the bow effortlessly while walking to the stand... The one caveat I've found with it is it's hard to use if I've got a stand strapped on my back; there's just not enough shoulder space left to throw it on too. But... if you've already got a stand pre-hung and you're just walking back and forth... it's awesome.

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Ok let's get this done![8D]

Like windwalker said the loops for the extra clothing would be nice.

Ok I'll make a list-

-loops for clothing
-one large 10''x4'' pocket for camera, extra gloves, compass and more
-two medium 4''x4'' pocket for binos, and such
-three 1''x4'' slots(that zipper) for pen, knife and so on
-water bottle holder
-all zippers
-pack moves anywhere along the belt and you can then snap it into place

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Also a bow holder that snaps in.

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No zippers and NO VELCRO. I like the roll top design of Badlands. If the pack had 1 large compartment and about 3 to 4 smaller ones(all with some variation of the roll top opening, that would be awesome. The disadvantage to all the packs I have seen/used is noise, noise and more noise. Material should be quiet as fleece and tough as bullhide. Again, no zippers or Velcro. I hate getting all set up in my stand before light and having to unzip or unclip anything that makes noise. And even worse is setting motionless and noiseless for 2 hrs and then going for something in a noisy pack.[:'(]Just my 2c.

LT

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For me again things like these:
http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=79997&hvarDept=400&a mp;hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=16&hvarSubCode =13&hvarTarget=browse

and mostly these:
http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=79997&hvarDept=400&a mp;hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=16&hvarSubCode =13&hvarTarget=browse

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=79992&hvarDept=400&a mp;hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=16&hvarSubCode =13&hvarTarget=browse