Warning

 

Close

Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Confirm Cancel
BCM
User Panel

Site Notices
Posted: 2/17/2014 10:34:30 AM EDT
*Please bear with me, as I know how this is going to sound*

But hear me out before passing judgement. There are some pieces of tactical gear that I think would work really well for the type of hunting that I do. But, I don't want to be "that guy", if you know what I mean. I don't want to look like I am going to war with the deer and antelope. I was hoping maybe someone makes what I have in mind.

We hunt in wide open spaces out here. Most of the time by foot. So I am always trying to streamline my gear and cut weight where possible. Boots, camo and a daypack is the usual setup. I have noticed that I have a lot of unused room in my daypack (read: dead weight) and I have to remove it frequently for fence crossings. I am envisioning a chest rig or PC type (no armor) setup instead for carrying the few items that I haul. Since I am switching over to AR platforms for deer and antelope seasons, it seems to me that some of the existing tactical gear may be a perfect fit.

I need to carry:

Hydration pouch
A couple of AR mags
License/Tag
Basic first aid/survival items

What I don't need:

Armor
Dump pouches
87 mag pouches
Comms, patches, etc.

Lightweight and low profile are key. What I don't want is someone calling the game warden about the crazy guy wearing armor and an AR running around the desert.

So am I out of my mind or do you guys think this can be done without looking like an Airsofter who got lost?
Link Posted: 2/17/2014 10:45:49 AM EDT
[#1]
I want the same thing.  I was thinking about one of the micro chest rigs that are basically a PALS webbing covered panel with shoulder straps.  You could integrate the hydration pouch to connect to the shoulder straps.  Get one made in hunter orange or Natural Gear and be on your way!





CHRIS
Link Posted: 2/17/2014 10:51:19 AM EDT
[#2]
Check out Tactical Tailor's Mini-MAV. It is small, but has enough PALS webbing for you to set it up to carry just what you want.



You could mount a small first aid pouch, a mag pouch, and maybe an admin pouch for your license.

FYI, Tactical Tailor supposedly makes some of their items in Hunter Orange, but only sells them in their retail store. You might be able to call and see what pouches they have available in it.
Link Posted: 2/17/2014 11:01:09 AM EDT
[#3]
Why not a smaller daypack like a MULE.
Link Posted: 2/17/2014 11:02:18 AM EDT
[#4]
Micro Chest Rig..... this looks promising.



The size of the front is about perfect. Is there one made just like this but with a back panel to mount a hydration carrier? Or, how would you mount a carrier to this?
Link Posted: 2/17/2014 11:08:37 AM EDT
[#5]
sounds like a battle belt might be useful for you
Link Posted: 2/17/2014 11:24:37 AM EDT
[#6]
Hill People Gear kit bag.
Link Posted: 2/17/2014 11:25:19 AM EDT
[#7]
how about a Camelbak and a magazine pouch on your belt?

no need to over complicate matters
Link Posted: 2/17/2014 11:37:53 AM EDT
[#8]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Hill People Gear kit bag.
View Quote


Thanks for this.

I'm liking the Recon bag. I just wish it came with PALS on the rear also.
Link Posted: 2/17/2014 11:46:50 AM EDT
[#9]
I didthis sorry some of the pics are gone, but it should give you some ideas.
Link Posted: 2/17/2014 2:48:33 PM EDT
[#10]
Another vote for a micro rig. Carry what you want with minimal bulk.
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k140/CDALY05/IMG_0422_zps1f9361a5.jpg
Link Posted: 2/17/2014 4:43:27 PM EDT
[#11]
OSOE Micro rigs.
Link Posted: 2/17/2014 7:37:56 PM EDT
[#12]
I'm using a Hill People Gear Runner's Kit Bag for, well, running, and really like it.  I think that the Recon Kit Bag would be exactly what you need.  Throw a BFG Ten-Speed on the front and wear a CamelBak (or combine with a Tarahumara from HPG with a Runner's Harness and then you'll have some ability to carry stuff in the pack along with the hydration bladder) and I think you'll be in business.
Link Posted: 2/17/2014 8:18:56 PM EDT
[#13]
I have used a Tactical Tailor split MAV and a eagle RRV, both for hike in hunts.

I liked the split front the best, it's easy to don and doff. But I also carried a Alice pack frame with a small hydro pack lashed to it. To carry out game.

If you want to go light and fast, have items accessible vs. digging in a pack they are a good option.

I used what I had on hand which was the mentioned chest rigs but if you want something medium sized look at the specter gear molle chest rig. It's more than capable of holding what you want, it's not padded on the shoulder straps, and it is very well made. I also have a tactical tailor MAV and it might be to small for what you want.

Check out the blackhawk split front zipper chest rig it may work for you as well.
Link Posted: 2/17/2014 8:36:01 PM EDT
[#14]
I roll with a bfg molle minus.
Link Posted: 2/17/2014 10:30:39 PM EDT
[#15]
I'm just going to throw my two cents here.

The last couple of years I've used a Swiss alpenflage parka. It is like a chest rig and parka blended. Upper chest has mag pouches and on the waist you have lots of pockets that can fit everything you need for a light hunt. The hood has a face veil for what it is worth.

I hunt in fall so it can get cold and the parka helps with layering. I used to live in southern CA and know it can get chilly but I don't know if it will be too hot for you.
Link Posted: 2/20/2014 4:45:48 AM EDT
[#16]
So am I out of my mind or do you guys think this can be done without looking like an Airsofter who got lost?
View Quote


No, I think you're on to something.  I never thought about it before, but a chest rig or vest type of setup would work great.  Much of the stuff I carried when I used to go hunting would fit in MOLLE pouches.

Have you thought about a surplus MOLLE FLC vest with appropriately sized pouches for the gear you need to carry?  Add a hydration carrier to the back and you're set.
Link Posted: 2/20/2014 7:44:35 AM EDT
[#17]
Couple of things I have run across in my search that might be useful to someone:

http://www.reaperoutdoors.com/product/tactical-hunting-vest-thv/



Thoughts on the one above: too expensive for what it is, way more pouches than what I need.

http://www.diytactical.com/forums/index.php?topic=7577.0





Thoughts on the one above: I really like this one! It looks like a one-off custom to me. But it is almost exactly what I am thinking about.

The diytactical has a bunch of guys who make their own custom gear and some look like they are very good at it. Wish I had any sewing skills whatsoever.

http://www.diytactical.com/forums/index.php?board=75.0
Link Posted: 2/20/2014 7:58:27 AM EDT
[#18]
I would love to find an orange vest with molle webbing.
Link Posted: 2/20/2014 8:04:34 AM EDT
[#19]
Another option is an FLC.  Super cheap and you can stick as much pouches or whatever all over it.
Link Posted: 2/20/2014 8:56:49 AM EDT
[#20]
That DIY rig looks like the BCM rig.
Link Posted: 2/20/2014 10:32:54 AM EDT
[#21]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
I would love to find an orange vest with molle webbing.
View Quote

Get cordura from rockywoods and 1" multicam webbing.
Someone will custom make it for you!
Link Posted: 2/20/2014 10:36:09 AM EDT
[#22]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
I would love to find an orange vest with molle webbing.
View Quote


It wasn't MOLLE, but when I was doing Search & Rescue about 15 years ago,  I used a Bashaw medical rescue vest.  It was blaze orange cordura nylon with rellective strips on the pockets.  Very durable I had 5 pockets on the front (with two inside pockets) and two pockets on the back - one of which was a big, game bag-type of pocket on the lower back.

Thinking back to when I used to hunt, that vest would have been perfect for the type of hunting that I did then.
Link Posted: 2/20/2014 10:40:52 AM EDT
[#23]
I went through the same thing as I started hunting coyotes at night in southern Utah where the terrain is a mix of desert with rocks everywhere, cliffs, washes, brush and the foot of the mountains. I needed something for when I'd park the Jeep and get out and walk several miles to either not spook anything or because you simply couldn't drive there. I could easily be 4-6 hours out of the vehicle, so a resupply there is not really an option. For added difficulty, all hiking and climbing is done in pitch dark with a PVS14.

I also didn't want to look like I was going to war with the coyotes and needed something that wouldn't wear me down in the middle of nowhere, at night.

Initially I was looking at something like a universal chest rig but after thinking it through, the top heavy weigh distribution and fact that I will be climbing and crawling doesn't sound so hot with everything hanging off my chest in the front, let alone the back strain.

I went with a war belt setup. It distributes weight a lot better on your hips and I am able to carry everything I need besides a small water pack, on the belt.

You were looking for something close to this I think, from my left to right:
- VTAC Brokos belt
- HSGI inner belt
- 1 pistol mag pouch
- 2 AR shingles next to each other (not stacked)
- Roll up dump pouch
- ATS SO Med Kit (the real small tear away one, think its the special operations one or something like that)
- TT E&E Pouch with batteries, power bar, chemlights, minimal maintenance items (coiled Dewey 22cal rod, sawed off plastic brush, 22cal brush, few patches, tiny oil capsule), 3 small baggies with a few pills in each (tylenol, ant-acid, tramadol), sharpie. Total this thing weighs next to nothing as everything is very minimalist.
- Safariland holster on GCode duty drop mount with a Spartan CQC tucked behind it

Other than that I only have a Source Hydration hydration backpack on. Any GPS/calls/misc can go in my cargo pockets.

All this, together with my carbine is pretty light weight considering what you are bringing with you.
Link Posted: 2/20/2014 12:48:28 PM EDT
[#24]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
That DIY rig looks like the BCM rig.
View Quote


PERFECT! Thank you very much!

Link Posted: 2/20/2014 1:06:22 PM EDT
[#25]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
I would love to find an orange vest with molle webbing.
View Quote


Tactical tailor's retail store has some stuff like this, if you give them a call i bet they would be able to help you out.


http://www.tacticaltailor.com/retailstorehuntingline.aspx
Link Posted: 2/20/2014 5:04:21 PM EDT
[#26]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Couple of things I have run across in my search that might be useful to someone:

http://www.reaperoutdoors.com/product/tactical-hunting-vest-thv/

http://www.reaperoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/THV2-300x300.jpg

Thoughts on the one above: too expensive for what it is, way more pouches than what I need.

View Quote


Ron Bellan I.e. reaper 1 just retired, he was my master chief for a short period of time. He is legit, can't comment on his gear I don't own any. He's a good guy and looked after his troops like any good master chief should.
Link Posted: 2/20/2014 5:43:46 PM EDT
[#27]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
I'm just going to throw my two cents here.

The last couple of years I've used a Swiss alpenflage parka. It is like a chest rig and parka blended. Upper chest has mag pouches and on the waist you have lots of pockets that can fit everything you need for a light hunt. The hood has a face veil for what it is worth.

I hunt in fall so it can get cold and the parka helps with layering. I used to live in southern CA and know it can get chilly but I don't know if it will be too hot for you.
View Quote


I use a similar Artkis uninsulsted parka.  I found a good deal on a Flecktarn one on Ebay.  Love all the pockets.
Link Posted: 2/20/2014 6:03:41 PM EDT
[#28]
Blackhawk Low Profile Chest Rig (Discontinued; but a nice piece of kit if you can find one)

I have one of these from Blackhawk. It is very well made and works perfectly for what you are looking for. Hunt around on Ebay and the interweb and you may fined one. I got mine from Blackhawk in '06 or soand it was getting phased out on their website then. 3 large pockets, 3 pistol mag pouches, 4 AR mag open top slots, and a radio pouch. I typically keep a few AR mags, multi-tool, compass, Izzy bandage, strobe, mini-binos, and a small note book in mine and it is easy to move about in when properly adjusted.
Close Join Our Mail List to Stay Up To Date! Win a FREE Membership!

Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!

You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.


By signing up you agree to our User Agreement. *Must have a registered ARFCOM account to win.
Top Top