Carrying your rifle mid-pack, as shown, would surely help make weight distribution better, as long as there was no need to use it instantly. When in grizzly country, I used to carry the rifle with a sling over my shoulder, separate from the pack. This used to be pretty well standard. Especially around meat or a kill site, you have to always be wary of bears. The sound of shooting can reportedly attract them, as they associate it with a free meal. Some years ago, a Native man was killed by a grizzly near Carcross, when he returned to a kill site. Your choice, if you prefer to carry this way, but has disadvantages.
Thank you, Will! Any help you can provide by sharing my channel would be awesome. Or if you have any ideas to help us get the word out there, I would take them! We're working hard on it, but we're still not reaching our potential.
Thoughts on exposure of the rifle? I feel like my rifle is better protected on the side if I fall or if I’m gassed and lose control of my bag when I take it off. Also, removes the ability to sit for a quick break when hiking. That being said, might still give this a try. Thanks!
Hi Kyle, yes, sitting becomes a bit more challenging, but the flip side is that the muzzle is also lower, so going through timber and alder is easier with a lower rifle point. I seek out seating positions that allow me to sit with the rifle there. Also, you can see the scope cover I have from Air Armor Tech, and it goes a long way to protecting the action and the scope. Check them out!
How about bear protection? Do you feel you are adequately protected or more importantly, have you had any issues or close calls with bears where you wish you had better access to self defense against bears? I know you can't carry a hand gun in Canada for quick reaction if necessary and ---I am always asked about bear spray or mace when traveling into Canada...is bear spray legal to have and just not to import personally? what are your thoughts and concerns regarding grizzly encounters?
Hey Bart, those are all excellent questions. For the risk of a bear encounter is real and could end badly. My experience has been that bears are quick to move off, but that doesn't mean you won't surprise a bear in close quarters and have it go badly. Certainly when I am up high and above the brush and treelines, it's unlikely that I'll surprise a bear or have one come up without me seeing it. Given the odds of a bad encounter, and the importance of keeping a balanced pack, I am happy to roll the dice and keep the rifle where I want it to be. I don't personally carry a bear spray, but oftentimes a teammate will have one. They are legal in Canada, as are "bear bangers." However, if you are flying into Canada, you can't bring them on the plane. You would need to purchase one here, and then leave it behind when you fly out. There's the other issue of having a bear spray inside a small aircraft, so we will tape the spray onto a plane float or strut to keep it outside the cabin. While an accidental discharge is unlikely, the consequences would be a quick death, so it's better to keep it out of the cabin. I think the math on this changes if you are in coastal bear country where you are hiking in thick bush and the time to get the rifle will be prohibitively large compared to the time it takes a bear to get up to speed and smash you up.
@@GregMcHalesWildYukon thanks so much. For all of the hunting content I consume on this platform…. It surprises me that I didn’t run across you long ago. The algorithm’s don’t favor the hunting fans I guess. I absolutely love the quality cinematography and editing on your videos. Your production quality is fantastic. Keep doing what you’re doing. I’m old but inspired by the beauty of your films, the spectacular locations and your personal energy and enthusiasm. Thank you.
@@puckshcnick Thanks for watching, Bart! I'm a hunter, not a UA-cam guru, so if you can share my channel and subscribe, I'd be grateful. We've got tons of content here, so you should be busy for a while!
I am in the midst of putting together a system for my first sheep hunt this fall. I am definitely leaning towards this option but my only dilemma is my pack is not waterproof, in the event of heavy rain how does one put a rain cover on the pack still?
Hey Mat, my pack is not waterproof either, and that's fine. The rain cover I use is super-light and compact, and does the trick. Snow is less of an issue, but if the snow builds up on the pack it can be a problem. If it's cold out, the snow won't melt and you can brush it off. I have cut a custom hole in my rain cover to accommodate my barrel.
Carrying your rifle mid-pack, as shown, would surely help make weight distribution better, as long as there was no need to use it instantly. When in grizzly country, I used to carry the rifle with a sling over my shoulder, separate from the pack. This used to be pretty well standard. Especially around meat or a kill site, you have to always be wary of bears. The sound of shooting can reportedly attract them, as they associate it with a free meal. Some years ago, a Native man was killed by a grizzly near Carcross, when he returned to a kill site. Your choice, if you prefer to carry this way, but has disadvantages.
That’s definitely one of the downsides of this method. In the high country there’s a much lower chance of coming on a bear in close quarters.
Great tip can’t understand why you’re subscription numbers are low great quality video and tips . Keep tips coming 👊🏻
Thank you, Will! Any help you can provide by sharing my channel would be awesome. Or if you have any ideas to help us get the word out there, I would take them! We're working hard on it, but we're still not reaching our potential.
@@GregMcHalesWildYukon you bet 👍🏻
@@GregMcHalesWildYukon if you could contact the Gritty bowman brain call he has exploded his numbers and he has guests in his channel
Just found your channel, GREAT CONTENT! Who does your editing and music?
I can for see the advantage with this. Protects the rifle and glass too. I’ll give this a try Greg 😎🤙🏻
Let me know how it works for you!
@@GregMcHalesWildYukon will do!
I started doing this a couple years ago. I definitely prefer it to the side carry.
You and me both!
Great job! Thank you Sir 👍💯
Thank you!
Thoughts on exposure of the rifle? I feel like my rifle is better protected on the side if I fall or if I’m gassed and lose control of my bag when I take it off. Also, removes the ability to sit for a quick break when hiking. That being said, might still give this a try. Thanks!
Hi Kyle, yes, sitting becomes a bit more challenging, but the flip side is that the muzzle is also lower, so going through timber and alder is easier with a lower rifle point. I seek out seating positions that allow me to sit with the rifle there. Also, you can see the scope cover I have from Air Armor Tech, and it goes a long way to protecting the action and the scope. Check them out!
@@GregMcHalesWildYukon Thanks for the reply!
How about bear protection? Do you feel you are adequately protected or more importantly, have you had any issues or close calls with bears where you wish you had better access to self defense against bears? I know you can't carry a hand gun in Canada for quick reaction if necessary and ---I am always asked about bear spray or mace when traveling into Canada...is bear spray legal to have and just not to import personally? what are your thoughts and concerns regarding grizzly encounters?
Hey Bart, those are all excellent questions. For the risk of a bear encounter is real and could end badly. My experience has been that bears are quick to move off, but that doesn't mean you won't surprise a bear in close quarters and have it go badly. Certainly when I am up high and above the brush and treelines, it's unlikely that I'll surprise a bear or have one come up without me seeing it. Given the odds of a bad encounter, and the importance of keeping a balanced pack, I am happy to roll the dice and keep the rifle where I want it to be.
I don't personally carry a bear spray, but oftentimes a teammate will have one. They are legal in Canada, as are "bear bangers." However, if you are flying into Canada, you can't bring them on the plane. You would need to purchase one here, and then leave it behind when you fly out. There's the other issue of having a bear spray inside a small aircraft, so we will tape the spray onto a plane float or strut to keep it outside the cabin. While an accidental discharge is unlikely, the consequences would be a quick death, so it's better to keep it out of the cabin.
I think the math on this changes if you are in coastal bear country where you are hiking in thick bush and the time to get the rifle will be prohibitively large compared to the time it takes a bear to get up to speed and smash you up.
@@GregMcHalesWildYukon thanks so much. For all of the hunting content I consume on this platform…. It surprises me that I didn’t run across you long ago. The algorithm’s don’t favor the hunting fans I guess. I absolutely love the quality cinematography and editing on your videos. Your production quality is fantastic. Keep doing what you’re doing. I’m old but inspired by the beauty of your films, the spectacular locations and your personal energy and enthusiasm. Thank you.
@@puckshcnick Thanks for watching, Bart! I'm a hunter, not a UA-cam guru, so if you can share my channel and subscribe, I'd be grateful. We've got tons of content here, so you should be busy for a while!
agree 100%
When you know, you know.
so much room for snacks, drinks, and tater tots.
I'd say that Tater Tots are a snack!
I am in the midst of putting together a system for my first sheep hunt this fall. I am definitely leaning towards this option but my only dilemma is my pack is not waterproof, in the event of heavy rain how does one put a rain cover on the pack still?
Hey Mat, my pack is not waterproof either, and that's fine. The rain cover I use is super-light and compact, and does the trick. Snow is less of an issue, but if the snow builds up on the pack it can be a problem. If it's cold out, the snow won't melt and you can brush it off.
I have cut a custom hole in my rain cover to accommodate my barrel.
@@GregMcHalesWildYukon a hole would work I suppose. Thanks for the reply!
Slik sling is better.