Bino Harness Essentials for HUNTING AND SURVIVAL

The only pack you can trust while elk hunting is your binocular harness. When you drop your main backpack, that harness is all you are going to have. You may think "I'm coming right back", but many times it will be the next sunrise before you see that backpack again. Hence, having some key items in your harness is essential to success and survival!
#hunting #elkhunting #survival #muledeerhunting #backpackhunting #adventure #selfreliance #pursuitwithcliff
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[@thomaspitcher2335]

i like a fanny pack and always make sure there are sanitary wipes onboard.

[@motorboater211]

Was one of those “why wouldn’t I have my pack with me” guys until this year. Was on an elk hunt with a buddy. We spotted some moving on the way to our spot so we jumped out of the truck. Started up a hill to the side of the road with just my hino harness since I put it on before I leave the tent. He had the rifle. Thought this is going to be a quick morning. Well two hours later and 1.5 miles in he gets a shot. Had to mark the elk and hike back to grab the packs. As soon as we got it packed out and back to camp the bingo harness wasn’t only carrying binos anymore.

[@utahreadiness]

Ammo pack in the binoculars great idea!

[@CliffGray]

thanks man!

[@everythingloud4068]

I set my pack down last year with my pistol attached and followed a big bull for a mile, and had to let him walk away because there was also a grizzly up there and all I had was my bow so I turned around

[@Royaljelly007]

I too have Guided alot... 111 successful Elk. I learned a long time ago that I will almost always regret in some big or small way leaving a pack on the ground so I no longer ever leave a pack behind. It's always taken or left on my body... Then when movement happens I'll grab the client pack or remind them to grab theirs. Multiple knives are definitely a must. I'm interested in your Bino reviews .. I'm in the process of reevaluating too. I usually carry a retro fitted military chest rig cause I don't like most straight bino harnesses. I want a bit more of a configured bino/chest rig set up.

[@benjaminhamm3957]

Great content as always. One thing of note. As people "build" there harness, don’t "build out". Think about getting in and out of a truck or laying prone to shoot. Too many add outward or downward. Be able to sit and go prone. This from a military career of living in kit

[@bonstihlbourne9458]

Cool hack I found for fire starter is a magnesium pencil sharpener. You can use a small stick like a pencil in the sharpener to make your shavings and actually chip off some magnesium to help start the fire.

[@robvernachio8290]

I use a bingo harness when I’m fly fishing to carry fly boxes, tp, survival gear , spare tippet & spare spool of fly line… works great

[@realrussclarke]

Thanks Cliff that was great info!

[@woodywoodpecker3643]

Here is what I want- a small lightweight backpack /bino harness combo that is modular. Bino harness has straps you can remove and attach to straps on small backpack. No more having two sets of straps for binos and pack. Cliff you should partner with a company and create something like this, or make it on your own. Unless there is already something out there like it? Chime in…..

[@joshkepp756]

Another thing to consider is a rat's tourniquet it has very little weight and takes up hardly any space. Buddy fell and put a muzzy through his thigh at about 10 thousand feet up in the flat tops he was alright however it could have been much worse than it turned out... always carry it now

[@darrel15]

Anytime a weapon is involved you should have one. I keep one on my chest rig, one in my pack, and when I’m using my gun belt one stays on there too

[@maxpinson5002]

I'm glad I watched this all the way through instead of just yapping. I am assuming that you forgot to say, or just figured everybody already knew to have to mandatory items in their pants or shirt pockets, and not to carry everything in a pack front or rear. Hopefully all those pocket carry items in the pack were spares. I disagree about carrying one's ID and license, etc. in a pack ( if that's what you meant) There should also be a source of ignition, a knife, some something to eat ( energy bar etc.) along with the other goods people should have in their pockets or on their belts every time they walk out in the woods. I think of it as if a space alien flew by and beamed up your packs, but your pocket carry was ok because it was in your pocket. Thanks for the video

[@andersed1]

Brilliant on the Velcro for your inreach. Back east, it is tree cover that can interfere with the reception. A few times I have hung my inreach in a clear area close to my tent so I could receive text at night if the clear area wasn’t suitable for a campsite. Usually the clear area was a tree that had fallen and the rootball prevented a tent being pitched. You can also carry 10 extra rounds on a belt. They look like the old cowboy gun belts that have loops to hold your extra ammo, but you loop a belt through and hold 10 rounds usually. I like them because unlike ammo in your pack, or in your bono case, they can be accessed in a hurry, and I hate the ergonomics of ammunition on your buckstock.

[@CliffGray]

great additional tips man! I hear ya on the inreach - it is amazing how much the orientation of the antenna makes a difference. I know guys that have hell with inreaches until they start pointing it to the sky! hahaha

[@jonathanoh84]

@@CliffGray You can look up Aziak Equipment. They make a mount for the inreach and it fits great into any 1inch webbing

[@woodywoodpecker3643]

Thermal blanket or two- almost no weight and could be lifesaver

[@desertclimber78]

You're awesome, Cliff!

[@CliffGray]

Thanks!

[@MO-vr1jg]

Good info…I always carry some sort of wet wipe or those compressed towel tablets.

[@BenSand]

picked up one of the T&K systems during the winter. will be putting it through its paces this year.

[@CliffGray]

I have one to include in this review I'm doing. Looks like a nice piece of gear. Tyler is a good guy also.

[@BenSand]

@@CliffGray Agreed. also picked up the gators, they seem to be sturdy but time will tell. keep up the good work.

[@MiddleOutdoorsman]

All great points Cliff. Since I'm always solo, I'm very...selective/picky/reserved/etc when I drop my pack. It's usually never far from me, but even for a guy who seriously doesn't like to drop his pack unless he ABSOLUTELY has to, it still happens on rare occasion. I can think of 3 or 4 times it's happen off the top of my head. Now that said, i'm going to agree and disagree at the same time. Weird right? This is just my personal opinion - I think equipment setup changes GREATLY if your carrying a sidearm. I mean, my handgun is now on my bino harness for the exact reasons you describe.... I never take it off. It only took one time leaving my pack behind, with my handgun still on it ( super stupid dumb, even though I hid my pack in a bush), for me to realize I had a problem. I tried many pieces of gear/holsters until I finally arrived at a rasco holster. Hangs on my bino harness, its out of the way, super accessible, and it's always on me. Trouble is, weight wise, its probably close to, or maybe heavier then the weight of my emergency kit. Which is at or just under 1 pound. Has everything you list, plus a couple more items (bank line cordage, blaze orange mylar bivy, etc) Great idea on the inreach velcro, I'm totally doing that later. Anyway If I was to rock everything on my harness (like I probably should), i think it would be too heavy. So I've gone out of my way to make sure that I almost never drop my pack. It was a niggling thought in the back of my head in why I went with the pack system I did. Though I know the meat shelf on it is debatable. I like to think of it is a load carrying system. Kinda like what I wore in the service. Like a set of alice gear. In the field, you almost never take it off, but they key is, the stuff you always use, has to be accessible on the waist belt. It's why I'm rocking all these big or multiple pouches. The pack bags can cinch down with the cross straps to reduce noise and bulk. So the only time I really have to take it off, is if i sit down - mainly because of that meat shelf I have a love/hate relationship with. (edit: though I have to admit I took it off this last December cow hunt and left it on a ridge. Mainly cause of that freaking meat shelf interfering with my shooting position) The instant they come out with a pack frame (again) without the meat shelf, and just a panel to cinch a quarter to the frame, i'm probably buying it. As an aside, I always drop a pin in OnX when I drop my pack. The trick is to make it as accurate as you can. I think zooming in the map ALL the way, and centering it on your location a few times (it will bounce around, give it a minute), increases accuracy of the waypoint location. Even still, one may end up walking in a 20 ft circle tell you find your pack, but it's pretty accurate doing that.

[@CliffGray]

Thanks for comment man. Great insights. I don’t carry a pistol on my chest. I’ve tried but it’s just too much weight/bull for me. It actually makes me nauseous - I think it’s the weight on the bottom of my sternum - weird. So if I carry a pistol, I carry it on a holster with a tek-lok. I can pop it off my pack belt then in to my normal belt. Love you too on making sure to mark with a zoomed in, accurate pin. I’ve been there 🤦‍♂️

[@desperado8605]

I do basically the same setup for deer hunting only thing I carry in my backpack is my lunch and an extra bottle of water

[@pemborsky]

I'm stoked to see you took my suggestion and hit up Tyler @ T & K. If you're in the market for gaiters, there's absolutely none better in the market. I've used Kenetrek, OR, Peax, Kuiu, Sitka, First Lite, Black Ovis, etc. They don't even come close, I'm telling you these things are BOMBPROOF.

[@CliffGray]

I’ll check them out! Thanks man

[@jwjenkins421]

I put a large black garbage sack in the pouch close to my chest, I also carry spf chapstick and the Allen/ star wrenches necessary for my rifle set up. I can't tell you the number of people I've known who had to end their hunt for the day because their scope came loose.

[@CliffGray]

These are great ones! thanks

[@symetryisoverated]

I liked the idea the guy, cant remember which video ..who put the clip on/off insulated beverage(red bull, whatever) holder... I borrowed that brainstorm stat...highly recommended.

[@Burritosarebetterthantacos]

Hunting out West is so much higher stakes than Southeastern deer! Our bins harness is for bino, iPhone, and a granola bar😆. As Ive been building out my gear into a more purposeful kit it continues to add up. Hard to believe a bind harness cost as much as my full-size osprey pack.

[@growchiropractickanab3730]

Love the content! I'm a gear guy so i'm always struggling to keep my bino harness light! One thing I use the back pocket for is spare TP, I just put it in a plastic bag and keep in that small back pocket. It's saved more than a few pairs of socks when I'm away from my pack haha

[@CliffGray]

Haha! Great tip! I just borrow a buddy’s glove

[@growchiropractickanab3730]

@@CliffGray haha sounds like I need better friends

[@jason-bn4qw]

I run an almost identical loadout and have been enjoying the hill people gear recon pack with bino bag pocket. Its got enough room for food for a full day without being too bulky, even with a bugle strapped to it. I fish 1 leg of my bipod under the chest strap so I can get to it quickly without too much movement. I never need to touch my main pack until there's an animal down or I need my rain gear.

[@CliffGray]

I'll check it out. I like the bipod idea also. thanks

[@LRRPFco52]

Hill People Gear make great kit.

[@gregmurphy5014]

great video man, i used to carry much less ammo on me, but this video had me thinking…def gunna bring more out w me next time, thanx man 👍

[@Terpedup925]

Would be cool if FHF made a garmin mini Molly case that can attach to the shoulder straps. No?!?

[@blankblank9737]

Exo Mtn Gear

[@drewolm]

Cool video. I was thinking I’m carrying to much in my harness. I pretty much have all the same stuff minus the water pills and ammo. If I did any fun hunting I’d definitely have the extra ammo.

[@jamesmooney5348]

👍

[@joshuafisher1900]

The fhf harness Also has bear spray attachment under harness

[@jaybrendel486]

Thank you for continued superior knowledge! Just curious how you and your hunters would handle long belly crawl stalk/campaigns

[@McDanielRanch]

I guess put ur braw on backwards 😂. Give the game time don't move when there heads up and u should not have to belly crawl.

[@CliffGray]

In those situations, which are pretty uncommon in a lot of the hunting I do, I break all my own rules and take the harness off for the belly crawl. I’ll grab my range finder and clip it to my belt if archery hunting 👍

[@danielhurst8863]

Interested in what you carry in your pockets. For example, I always have fire starting tools in a pant pocket, so I don't keep those in my bino harness.

[@Mase326]

Funny how you can land on the same solutions totally independently huh? Yours is identical to mine, only exception is I also pack a space blanket and an old credit card with all three tapes (Leuko, electrical, and duct).

[@tonyriggs7951]

Maybe I missed it but didn’t see a light source? Also chapstick! 😛

[@canyondewey8499]

Did you ever do a video on which Bino harness you like best?

[@SP6X6]

I only run a harness if im going in snow covered brushy areas.99% have a HFH suspnsion QD on pack d loops done this with my probably 20 year old 10x32 els.I never drop my pack,had to p/up my kids pack when I was bugling for him and he's ex marine gear hog.Told him im not babysitting after that deal.I have my mis gear in pockets,ALWAY a quality folder on me.Rest in pack or vest .Had to help another guy go find his whole outfit, pack and bow after he shot a bulls week later.Was a all day deal, he was 6-6 and a hiker and color blind as why he didn't see his lime green flagging

[@davidkirkman1135]

Hey Cliff. What kind of bingos are those?

[@canadianpatriot2498]

Is there something to be said about running a belt, too? Hunting with a pack doesn't seem practical to me

[@1776carpediem]

Hey Cliff, what do you think of the Origin hoodie you have?

[@CliffGray]

I like all their stuff… also just a fan of the company as a whole. Some of the people involved in that company are my heros and inspiration so why not support them! Hahaha 👍

[@AdventurerAnthony]

I run the Kuiu harness and in my main pack I Carrier the Kuiu hydration Carrier that connects to the harness. It’s like a little backpack. So if I ditch my main pack, I’ll grab the mini pack out and connect it to my harness. Carries a lot of essentials and necessities. I also carry the general purpose pouch that connects via Velcro underneath the harness itself and then pouches on both sides of the main bino pack. Do you prefer the mini inreach over the full size model and what version do you like of that mini? Appreciate all your wisdom brother!

[@CliffGray]

I like your pack setup/organization. I do something similar and have started testing some setups almost identical. I use the inreach mini 2. But honestly not a ton of experience with the competing models and options

[@AdventurerAnthony]

@@CliffGray want to get the mini1 It’s fairly priced. Not sure the differences

[@jack_batterson]

Does that magnetic closure mess with your use of a compass? (I'm assuming you use a regular magnetic compass from time to time.)

[@sigspearthumb1056]

What hoodie are you wearing I’ve don’t think I’ve ever seen that type of Camo pattern

[@glenncharles6622]

It is from Origin, Made in Maine

[@kristianrobles6163]

What magnification binoculars do you recommend running in your harness? A majority of what I hear is 10x42

[@jasonframe5245]

Have you checked out the new Kifaru Bino harness?

[@CliffGray]

haven't gotten my hands on one yet

[@jonathanoh84]

Do you find the new harness system to be bulky? I have their first gen and it is just a 1inch webbing, I was wondering if the extra material they have on the harness to be in the way of backpacks?

[@CliffGray]

I haven't had an issue with it feeling too bulky but I'm sure it's all relative. Compared to the older harnesses I have used, this harness is actually less bulky. One thing to note is that you can change out the harness to the bino packs across most the brands and generations.

[@mysterioanonymous3206]

Nice. I've looked at ALL the options but ended up ordering the kuiu recently. Ticks all my boxes. Been thinking of setting it up about 80% of what you do here but I find it stretches the capacity too much. It really adds up quick. I'm now thinking of putting a small med kit on my belt plus a little pouch for other miscellaneous stuff and emergency gear. I'm always running the hip belt of my pack though so not sure if I should go with little drop down belt pouches or go with a light warbelt type setup where I have it attached outside the bag and can strap it on when I drop the pack... Not sure yet, I'll see.

[@CliffGray]

I like your war belt idea... just a matter of if you will actually take the time to pull it off/on every time you drop the pack. thanks

[@drew5450]

Where do you carry your side arm?

[@CliffGray]

For the most part, I don't. In grizz country I carry spray and either my hunting rifle or a shotgun.

[@sasquatchrosefarts]

​@@CliffGrayspray is great because when the wind blows it back on you, it makes you taste way more delicious for the bears...... And helps preserve you if they hide the half your carcass they don't eat in the first sitting. 😂

[@jwdundon]

Enrich needs to sponsor you cliff, before my November elk hunting hells canyon Oregon. I'm going to buy an IN REACH. I'm not even look at the other ones, if you're using IN REACH, hat means I can trust it! THANKS .

[@Paul-q3m7k]

Wind check , extra mag , extra 3 rounds , lighter , tags , gerber vital knife , batteries and my in reach go on and in my harness . I run the bigger badlands harness as it holds all Of this plus my binoculars and range finder .

[@jasonjohn1978]

My setup is pretty close to identical to yours Cliff. It’s been evolving and changes slightly depending on the hunt that I’m doing too. Honestly, my Bino pack goes with me even when I’m not hunting or scouting a lot of the time. If I’m going on a short hike with my kids, I strap it on because it has my essentials. Plus, I like to get my kids involved and using binos even when it’s not hunting related. Just watching wildlife or looking at something cool that interests them.

[@CliffGray]

For sure - I agree on that. I actually think it would be cool if one of these companies made a kids sized harness.

[@LRRPFco52]

@@CliffGray I make kids’ harnesses. They’re basically mini chest rigs made out of Cordura, spacer mesh, padded and packcloth-lined pouches, integrated Camelbaks in comfortable multi-layered yoke harnesses that conceal the hydration tube. I just noticed that a custom-built bino harness will work better for what you’re doing, especially integrating and protecting the inReach and shaping the harness panel to your body. Every gear company to-date makes their harness main panels tailored for the cutting board, not the human torso. This has always been a frustration for me so I started making my own gear back in the 1990s in the Reconnaissance and Sniping community.

[@darrensmall4313]

Thanks for passing on your knowledge. The one thing I will caution about bino harnesses is the magnetic closures may affect compasses. Any electronic device can for that matter. Just something to be aware of. Thanks!

[@CliffGray]

For sure!

[@IntenseAngler]

Great setup there Cliff! Obviously very well thought out from experience, has everything you need "just in case", and it's lightweight too... can't beat that! That little tip about attaching your Garmin using velcro was priceless man... I'll definitely be incorporating that. On a side note: The kids and I made a batch of your fire starters and those things work awesome dude! Two thumbs up here from me 👍👍

[@CliffGray]

Thanks man! Great to hear on the fire starters.

[@IntenseAngler]

@@CliffGray Absolutely brother! 👍

[@brandiceb]

Cliff, Do you know of any solutions from keeping your saddle horn from getting hung up on the harness system? It’s super dangerous. If you have any pull with the manufacturers please have them design a breakaway chest strap for the horsemen.

[@CliffGray]

I don’t. You could rig up your own, just like most packets do when stringing up a string of mules, just a chunk off breakable material somewhere on the harness strapping. I wear my harness high and tight while riding, but understand what you’re saying

[@woodcrafter76]

I am currently trying to decide on a new harness. I'm leaning towards the Muley Freak due to it not having magnets. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on magnet versus no magnet. Has it ever caused you problems with navigation? Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience, it's appreciated.

[@CliffGray]

I have one of their harnesses and will include it in my reviews. Looks well made. Yes - I have had magnets reverse the polarity of cheap compasses before. Nowadays I rely on GPS (have my phone and then watch as backup) so I don't carry a compass in my harness anymore.

[@mysterioanonymous3206]

Why I ended up buying the Kuiu. No magnets.

[@chrisgunsandguitars1403]

@@CliffGrayI’ve heard it said that magnets can mess with the onboard computer of the high end ballistic profile range finder type binoculars.

[@PonderosaSoundStudio]

Very useful regarding contents and thought process to make your gear selection! As for the bino harness itself, I'm led to wonder why you didn't also consider the Sitka mountain bino harness, given your need for modularity. Having done the price comparisons, by the time you add the additional modules and pockets you have, you're into as much or more expense, and with the Sitka, you can run it how you want it - nice thin strap system to wear under your pack, it's very comfortable, and the design elements are well thought out.

[@CliffGray]

I just haven’t looked at it… I have 8-10 new harnesses to test out for a future video. There are so many harnesses now, it’s crazy. If I get a chance I’ll check Sitka’s out

[@flooded3456]

I have every survival item needed for a night on the mountain in my bino pack. I throw in a tiny cheap emerg blanket- they suck, but in a pinch will be ground or overhead shelter or a back stop for radient heat. I have a real bivy I will add when I know I am in bad country

[@CliffGray]

👍

[@symetryisoverated]

I picked up an old eddie bauer leather daypack at a garage sale ($5) and diy'ed a bino rig... This only makes sense if you enjoy doing artsy/ crafty stuff, like maybe if for some reason you got cheated out of going to summer camp one summer...even though it wasn't your fault. Anyway, ya it works good, and it has a few custom features that a no summer camping, diy guy would design into his own custom bino rig. One of my favorites is one handed access to a mid sized fixed blade hunting knife (old Western)that rides on the left side...stays put in a thin walled pvc insert, comes out/goes back in fast and ez. Hell ya given myself a better late than f. u. participation trophy. I didn't have a gen 1 to copy a pattern from and i thought for some reason it would have a waist type belt...so whatever its got a 3" full wrap over the belly around the lower back and buckles to front lower passenger side, which is handy (like the knife)since im right handed. No expense was spared (thanks Eddie)on the extra-large hd pull to cinch backpack style buckle that you can operate wearing dog sledding mittens, which is nice. By some under thought/over rigged (Jerry?) coincidence there's a couple extra low pro compression straps on back, helps with the manually opreated, out of date hvac. (Hoodie Holder).

[@jefferywilliams7687]

Wonderful advise. You never think you need survival gear until it goes wrong. Ability to start a fire and build a shelter is critical. Also, the ammo is excellent advise. I generally shoot a belted Mag that holds 3 rounds. I c a try another 5 on the stock and go every other hole cutting it from 9 to 5. This allow me to grab rounds quickly especially with gloves in. I also carry a leather fold up cartridge holder on a belt that holds another 9 rounds. Then I put in each pocket. The math is 3 + 5 + 9 + 2 = 19 rounds usually the 20th goes some place else. Rarely do I shoot more than 2. However, I have guided enough people that go thru some ammo. I was on a hunt with a person who shot 13 rounds to kill a pronghorn. Wounded him on 1st shot. Then due to the distance, altitude, pace, wind, excitement. Missed 11 times before they connect and put him down on the 13th shot.

[@pco315]

Those your apple trees?

[@CliffGray]

👍 pears

[@baddrich1]

Good video

[@CliffGray]

Thanks! 👍