The Ultimate Predator Pack Setup | Early Season Saddle Hunting

[@stevenadavis8]

Easiest set up I've found so far. Watched 50 plus videos. This one is money. Thanks for sharing!!

[@burninkidny05]

I have been trying to figure out my hunting setup for this year and this just changed my set up completely. 100% using this system. Great video.

[@CoveringGround]

That’s awesome! Glad you liked the video. Let us know how you like the set up once you give it a try! We’d love to see/hear how it works out for you.

[@Mike.O.89x]

I'm so glad I found this video. This is exactly what I have been looking for.

[@GRockBlues]

Just put one of these together...did some DIY sewing and trimming of unused clips and what not...amazing little set up...pack fully loaded with spurs, platform, range finder, ring of steps, rappel rope biner d-ring and madrock, kill kit, saw, headlamp, extra cambuckle and amsteel daisy chain all weighs in just under 12#...12lbs!...with saddle, lineman rope, biner, kong duck, hys strap,heroclip total weight 14#... 14lbs!...pretty sweet and compact...thanks for the video!...awesome job!

[@CoveringGround]

@@GRockBlues Thanks a lot! Glad you liked it and were able to put it to good use! Thanks for watching.

[@Pro-zh9up]

Great video, just when you thought you have learned about all the setups this is posted. I have been packing in my 5:11 60litre bag with my Hawk sticks which is probably over 30lbs extra and with the warm weather and going up some modest hills I have been sweating balls! I enjoy the work out but my big bag is for all day sits with a coffee and food. This is a good early season option.

[@CoveringGround]

Really appreciate the kind words! I have a mystery ranch metcalf that I’m using for the later season when I want to carry bibs and a heavier jacket in on my back so I’m not drenched by the time I get to the tree! But when layers aren’t in play this is just so compact and easy - it’s tough to beat!

[@walter992]

Pretty nice setup. Really modular and everything works well together. Great video.

[@CoveringGround]

Thanks Walter! I just wish the idea was mine 😂

[@walter992]

@@CoveringGround The things that can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit.

[@jalton9416]

Great video. I respect your honesty and integrity

[@MrPk33]

would love a follow-up to this set up, still using it, any other mods, etc.

[@damenhanson19]

Definitely ordering this for this season! Love your videos man! I have the skeletor climbing stick and I added the aiders and your video on that was perfect 👌

[@CoveringGround]

Thanks a ton Damen! And thanks for watching!!

[@danielsmith2274]

I already had a t3 pack which is like the one you’re using. Went to backwoods mobile gear and ordered a pack for my edp platform. Can’t wait till next year to try this out

[@zacharygifford1822]

Love the bear grease hat and love the content.

[@bluecollarfreedoms]

BRO! Sweet set up… we’ve been looking for a compact set up and this is the best one we’ve seen! Well done, you earned another sub!

[@CoveringGround]

Thanks for watching and for the kind words! I was just so stoked when I put this together, I had to share it! Let us know how the season goes!

[@bluecollarfreedoms]

@@CoveringGround For sure and will do!

[@DadProperly]

Still stoked about the cable aiders I built based on your how-to video!

[@CoveringGround]

That’s awesome man - glad you’re liking the vids! Hope those aiders help you kill a nice big buck!

[@keithquick]

Awesome setup! I have been trying to shrink down smaller and lighter, I go through marshy areas and weight matters. I had the predator bag zipped tied to a large backpack and seeing this I went and bought the hydration pack. Waiting on the latitude car in sticks to get in and I should be around 10lbs hiking out.

[@pathfinder5804]

I wish I’d have seen this before I bought my setup!!! Great idea for a solution for cheap.

[@CoveringGround]

That’s what I was going for! Thanks for watching!

[@bch5513]

Just did mine today. Worked like a champ

[@CoveringGround]

That’s awesome! Happy hunting!!

[@Jgeist22]

Great video! Not the set up I was hoping for though. I built this and used it this past season. The pack had enough room for 2 small outer garments tops and it lacked any real rigidity. Definitely helped me figure out what I wanted to improve for next year’s setup

[@CoveringGround]

@@Jgeist22 That’s great! It’s always a work in progress. Keep after it!

[@bradbareis2798]

Thanks for the heads up, great tip, watched your video & ordered stuff. Perfect!!!

[@CoveringGround]

Heck yeah, that’s awesome! Glad we could help!

[@davidhenderson1738]

Super nice setup! Thanks for the help.

[@TS1023TS]

Get the One Sticks. Been running them this year (2023) and love them.

[@angelobellofatto6762]

What size is the predator pack you are using regular or XL

[@brandonkending7920]

Such a great idea!! Thank you for sharing!

[@nickcataldo]

Excellent! Thanks for the in depth explanation. Looking forward to trying this as well.

[@CoveringGround]

Thanks so much, Nick! Let us know how it goes!!

[@solidtru9496]

Great idea going to use a similar setup now. Thanks.

[@caseywatkins777]

Do you have the link to what shoulder straps you used?

[@samwiley3677]

If you finding yourself needing more space thus needing a bigger pack, try the Eberlestock X2 pack and voile straps. It's what I use. It's also modular with molle webbing

[@CoveringGround]

@@samwiley3677 Awesome, thanks for the tip!

[@bi7235]

Great video! But I’m not dragging nor going back to my car to get a cart. I’ll stick with my pop up 28 so I can quarter and bring back in one trip.

[@CoveringGround]

Hey, more power to ya! When it gets cooler out I use a metcalf so I can carry my bibs. I’ve never used the gutless method on a whitetail, but depending on how deep I am I’m certainly not opposed to it!

[@michaeldonahue4812]

Where did you get the shoulder straps from?

[@timothybaker4629]

Great info. Just what I was looking for.

[@AlecAllphin]

Awesome setup, I already have my backpack dialed for this year but this is something I might be adding for early season next year.

[@CoveringGround]

Thanks Alex! What will you be running this year? Always interested to know what’s working for people!

[@AlecAllphin]

@@CoveringGround I will be self filming so I decided on the alps outdoors pathfinder pack, a little heavy but versatile in many ways.

[@CoveringGround]

Very nice! I was actually thinking about getting a custom pouch made for my dslr that I could attach to the bidding of the predator pack (since I’m not using those loops for sticks) but I don’t have camera arm yet so GoPro & phone filming it is!

[@AlecAllphin]

@@CoveringGround if you eventually do that would love to see a video on it!

[@ExperiencedNovice2024]

Love your videos. You do a great job answer most of the questions that come to mind as I’m watching. The question I still have after watching this is, why not just get a good day pack that can do all this without all the DIY. Is it really any lighter or more compact than a right-sized day pack?

[@CoveringGround]

Thanks a lot Greg, and thanks for watching! That’s a good question. I think the reason I like this setup so much is because I can switch it up based on the situation. The other piece is that I haven’t found a day pack that is great for strapping sticks/a platform on without sagging or needing to add straps. My frame pack is capable but it’s just too big and lots day packs don’t have as many attachment points on the outside. The one last thing I really like is that the platform is the first thing against your body so from a weight distribution standpoint it’s really ideal - the sticks’ standoffs sort of rest on the top of the predator platform. As a result it takes on the weight of the sticks as well so it’s not saggy at all. That’s a long winded way of saying a day pack would definitely work, I just really like how this sits on my body and the options it affords!

[@bradnichols120]

Fixing to run very similar setup but use a TL Mission and using the Backwoods Mobile Platform Pack.

[@CoveringGround]

Awesome! Hope you have a great rest of your season!

[@bluegrassantleraddicts7164]

How did it work out did it hold up

[@danielspurling3876]

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing

[@CoveringGround]

Of course! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidboosa6720]

great video! I will be pursuing this add on. only issue I have with the predator pack is the closure. once I take my platform out the elastic loop doesn't stay connected. thinking of sewing a couple of adjustable buckles. got the hardware to put your aider mod to my sticks, just haven't got to it yet! keep up the great ideas!

[@CoveringGround]

Thanks David! And thanks for watching - hope the aiders turn out great, keep us posted!

[@dabaird12]

Good set up 👍

[@OkayestHunter]

You can kill beer from the couch, though 😉 🍺 Great video!

[@CoveringGround]

Touché 😏 and thank you!

[@tannervanasten]

is this setup as loud as it seems?

[@the_atomic_punk487]

Nice video, great info!

[@joegawel4864]

I really like that setup. My question is how difficult is it to pull the Predator platform out once you have reached your climbing height?

[@CoveringGround]

Not sure - I take it out at the base of the tree and hook it to the back of my saddle so it’s ready when I need it!

[@joegawel4864]

@@CoveringGround I usually have mine in my pack untill I reach my climbing height. I'm going to try your setup for lighter setups.

[@CoveringGround]

Nice! Eager to hear what you think about it!

[@waynemcleod6603]

Yes. The two straps you used to secure sticks. Are they just in between the two packs and wrapped around the sticks or are they running through something else? Can you post or send a pic of that? Thanks

[@jeffkonst25]

@@joegawel4864how did the setup work for taking the platform out while on your back? I was wondering the same thing if I run this.

[@michaelatkinson3033]

Nailed it! Great video. Great hat!

[@CoveringGround]

Thanks a ton for watching! And glad someone noticed haha, my wife got that for me for Father’s Day last year and I love it 😎

[@ozarkmountainoutdooradventures]

Great video! Not the set up for me. But appreciate the hard work and subbed for future content!

[@aarontaylor6000]

Video idea, looks like you put a lot of thought into this,. I think that some visual clips of ideas you've considered other brands of packs. I think this is probably one of the second biggest decisions, which is how do I carry my stuff. Because this should influence the purchase of your sticks / platform.

[@CoveringGround]

Yeah I think I did it backwards from that, I bought the sticks/platform then reverse engineered based on what I wanted to run!

[@jeffkonst25]

Literally just got done buying everything. Will be my first year saddle hunting and for the last year just have been down a million rabbit holes of ideas of what to get and how to pack it. With that being said I finally made a decision and purchased it all. Really love this set up so I’ll be running the same thing. After a season how do you feel about it still? I mean regardless this will be my system this year but for the future have you made any changes or things you didn’t like? Thanks for the idea. I’m really excited to get started.

[@mathews2088]

Great set up

[@CoveringGround]

Thanks, and thanks for watching!

[@zachhoward8095]

How is the comfort having the predator right against your back with the added weight? I’m considering buying a pack to attach the predator bag on the outside of but I like this option better. I find I don’t need as much in my backpack and it ends up losing its shape with compression straps so I almost need to add “filler” and it’s just wasteful. Great idea!

[@CoveringGround]

It’s honestly not bad for any type of walk you’d take whitetail hunting. I know exactly what you mean, and that’s why I love having the predator pack being the thing you’re compressing to, not the other way around!

[@zachhoward8095]

@@CoveringGround thanks for the quick response! I think I’m gonna run this setup 👍🏻

[@XxPackerManxX]

Pretty sweet pack setup how has it worked for you.

[@CoveringGround]

It’s been really great! Perfect for early season when I don’t need to lug layers in on my back!

[@bound4freedom956]

Solid video, links of the products on the page would be helpful!

[@CoveringGround]

I knew I was forgetting something! Just added links in the description, thanks for the reminder. And thanks for watching!

[@jeremypresgrave1488]

Can I put a jacket and my saddle in that bag??? I walk appro 4 miles so I don't like to wear my saddle in and out so I want to put it in a pack and pack it and out

[@CoveringGround]

That’s fair! I’ve clipped bibs to the back of my pack when securing the sticks - you could definitely do the same with a jacket. That said, I don’t think you could fit your saddle setup inside but I could be wrong. I’m all for hunting deep, but I just wear my saddle with suspenders on the walk in. To each their own!

[@snboutdoors9567]

No it doesn’t. Common sense

[@jebbrown8806]

Best set up

[@GarveyGrove]

Thanks for the video man! Out of all the gear and accessories I’ve purchased over the years. This seems like it’s going to be exactly what I needed for a minimal set up. And it’s only 38 bucks. That’s not much doe🦌🦌🦌. Lol

[@CoveringGround]

Seriously! It’s so nice when you can put something together with elements you already have!

[@outdoors-fun]

I prefer to be able to reach my sticks/platform without having to pull my pack off when i get out there. Any extra movements or noise can kill a hunt. And swinging a pack off my back is asking for trouble in my opinion. I also wouldnt leave the house without a first aid kit. The pack needs to have space for that as well.

[@CoveringGround]

Plenty of space for a first aid kit 👍🏻 and I hear ya - definitely helps to keep your movement to a minimum at the tree! What’re you running these days?

[@Unrealized_Gains2024]

Lol😂

[@hollisfarmshoney]

You could learn to climb with one stick and save a lot of space and weight.

[@CoveringGround]

Haha I sure could! Is that what you do?

[@Unrealized_Gains2024]

You could grow monkey toes and climb the tree like your ancestors.

[@Verticalbowoutdoors]

Remember when men were men and just dealt with weight and carrying tree stands and not being worried about weight or the way they looked

[@thedude9138]

A small/medium tactical backpack would do the same thing. Also flip your sticks around, having the steps sticking up like that will get hung up on every branch/vine or brush.

[@CoveringGround]

Sure would! And I haven’t really run into that problem - when it’s all in my back it’s lower than my shoulders so things really don’t get caught up too often!