I do a lot of hiking, so when i started hunting, i really just carry my hiking pack, and separately i've got my hunting haversack.
My haversack a small leather pouch that i wear cross body. I usually call it my "man purse" . I like it because it has a lid flap that keeps everything dry, and inside there are different dividers and pockets to keep everything organised. I am able to reach in an easily find whatever item i need without having to look, because i always keep everything in the same spot.
So inside i have a lighter, whistle, extra ammo holder, hunting knife, compact binoculars, compass, map, a small measuring tape for measuring tracks, and a waterproofed print-out of a track size chart.
All my guns have slings so i can wear them on my shoulder.
Then i put my hiking pack on. It's a leather backpack, also with lots of handy pockets. In there i keep: small first aid kit, swiss army knife, bottle of hand sanitizer, lighter/ferro rod, roll of TP, water bottle, small wool blanket, roll of paracord, small folding saw, sometimes a hatchet, deck of mini cards, and b/c i'm a religious nut as well as a gun nut, a mini bible.
When going for a specific trip, i'll usually pack some sort of food option, and that can vary.
I have a soft-sided insulated lunch box that can either fit in the hiking pack or clip onto the outside. I'll put the food in there, obviously, and then also stuff into the pack whatever hardware i need for food prep. Sometimes, for example, we'll just make a fire and cook hot dogs. In that case, all i need is the dogs, buns and toppings in the lunch box, as we'll just cut branches for roasting sticks. Other times we want soup or pasta, so i might bring a small biolite rocket stove, or a pot. One time i made homemade burger patties, and then packed the ingredients for frybread for buns, so for hardware i packed a fold-out grill and a small cast iron fry pan. So the food and food hardware vary. I really like how easy my kelly kettle works, but it is the bulkiest of the hardware to pack.
I found this to be true when i worked construction too - there were always guys who are minimalists, who carry the fewest tools and the least weight they can get away with. Then there's the maximalists like me - i always had a full, heavy tool belt. It was heavier to carry all day, but i preferred that to having to go back to the truck a hundred times a day to get that one tool i was missing.
Similarly, my gear altogether probably weights between 20-30lb, and i guess that could be considered a lot, but i'm used to it and am conditioned to it, and in any case consider it a worthy price to pay to get the experience i want. When i go on a hunt or just a hike, i want to be able to stop, relax, enjoy a nice view, prepare and eat a good meal, a hot cup of coffee, maybe even take a nap, or, if i was lucky enough to have the mrs. join me that day, who knows what else!
Bottom line, you pay for the weight you carry, and each guy will pay the price of admission for the ride they want to go on.
