I pare down my gear to absolute minimum. The less ' stuff' , the less possibility of noise. The less possibility for scent contamination. The less weight I have to carry. The less likely I am to lose something. And the less money I spend.

The only things I carry that I might not use are a first aid kit and a drag rope. One is called insurance and the other is called hope.

Also works for hanging tree stands. Only problem is that you have to stand most of the time and look behind you.

I like the loop on the shoulder Idea I think I' l try that one.

Another tip I have is to face our left shoulder (right handed) toward the direction you expect something to come in this makes it a lot easyer to draw without moveing. Jim

Jimbow, my wifes originally from kettering. we will be heading back there this weekend to visit her mom. we always stop at Carmels (by oakwood i think)for some chips n salsa and a margarita! great town

inside of a 35mm canister i carry a length of fishing string with a treble hook and a magnet glued to the bottom of the hook. this way when i drop a glove or my arrow, binoculars, etc, i can either hook it or get it with the magnet. the heads on my arrow can be picked up with the magnet

Tampons-Makes great scent wick. Great absorbtion and has a string which can easily be tied onto tree limb.

KoBear Wow that is a realy good idea. Thin, light and strong. Doubt you would pick anything up that exceeds the test of even light fishing line.

dwhod I' m a wimp... i just can' t bring myself to use them. lol

A bungee cord works great for the tree stand hunters that like to take off their quivers. Just attach one end to the quiver, stretch around a limb or tree trunk and attach the other end. Very quick and easy.

hunt3r,

You actually take breath mints in the woods?

Instead of packing in a drag rope to get your deer out, I use my safety belt. It' s the type that the length of rope going around the tree can be adjusted. This makes a perfect length drag rope. And, if your hunting buddy has one as well, two people dragging a deer makes it really easy.

Another great suggestion: use your safety rope or better yet, get a climbing type back harness/safety rope for putting in stands. I don' t know how I used to do it without one of these things. It allows you to hang from the tree freeing up both hands.