Post by kellerbomb on Nov 23, 2016 21:22:29 GMT -5
Figured I'd start an updated thread on what vests folks like to use. I am more partial to the full upper body type, but haven't found one that suits my fancy yet. I know the satchel is popular for carrying items, since that is what I have seen mostly in the falconry equipment sites. I'm still trying to find a way to carry lure and game, as well as tidbit management other than a ziplock baggie in the pocket.
Buy a Pineo Avatar vest and you'll never need another one. Made intuitively by a falconer, out of tough 1000 denier and it can take TN briars and thorns for many seasons. If a side bag suits you taste more their Bandolero bag is great as well if quick moving and small game are your flavor.
I have always prefered the typical game bird hunters style vest because I prefer pockets instead of pouches. I had digging for something with one hand in a deep bag. I have used 2 different ones from Cabela's and like them both.
“Who are you to judge the life I live? I know I’m not perfect and do not live to be; but before you start pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean.” ~Bob Marley
Post by kellerbomb on Nov 28, 2016 14:01:10 GMT -5
I too was considering one of the upland game vests from Cabela's, mainly because they were cheaper than the falconry ones. I'm also wondering about how the bandolero may tend to flop when you are moving fast. I want to stay away from being bulky/floppy, but so far am leaning towards the bandolero.
Pineo now offers 2 different sized Bandolero Bags. Both come with a waist strap with a quick release fastener to keep it from flopping around.
I have the smaller of the two and find it to be the perfect size for the type of hawking I do with my Female Finnish Goshawk. For me most of the time it's one and out and this bag is just the right size to handle my gear as well as a pheasant or large duck.
Argue for your limitations and sure enough they're yours. From Richard Bach's "ILLUSIONS" - Diary of a Reluctant Messiah (1977)
I too was considering one of the upland game vests from Cabela's, mainly because they were cheaper than the falconry ones. I'm also wondering about how the bandolero may tend to flop when you are moving fast. I want to stay away from being bulky/floppy, but so far am leaning towards the bandolero.
ALL OF PINEO BAGS AND VESTS HAVE POCKECTS, not just game pouches. The bandolero comes with an elastic waist , clip belt. So if you begin to run after prey or hop fences, it stays put nicely. It's the perfect bag for squirrel hawking. For rabbit hawking, it can be cumbersome once there's a rabbit in the bag and you are trying for doubles. I hawked my first 4 years wearing a bandolero bag, I switched to the Avatar Vest two seasons ago for a more balanced carry, and extra pockets for additional gear - telemetry, lure, tidbits, cell phone, sling shot, etc...
Pineo's gear is made super durable ( unlike other vests and bags) and will last many seasons in briars and brush. As I said above , they are intuitively designed by a falconer so all the pockets and game pouches are placed with purpose and reduce any fumbling around looking for equipment.
The new smaller Bandolero isn't listed on the site yet, you have to ask for it. I can see where it would be great for bird hawking or micro falconry, but I would want the standard size for flying RT on squirrel and rabbits like you'll be doing in TN.
Last Edit: Nov 29, 2016 8:42:30 GMT -5 by echotadog
It is good to have an end to Journey towards, but it is the journey that matters in the End. - Ernest Hemingway
Received the Bandolero today. First note was that shipping was really fast. Second observation is the strap was disappointingly short, would prefer to hang lower by my waist. Also was expecting a meat bag for tidbits. What do the rest of you use for storing meat?
The shoulder strap should be adjustable to lower it. I wore mine at hip level. kept my tidbits in a ziplock, in the front main pocket. With my lure. The internal pocket inside the front pocket is where I kept my car keys, leash and other things I didn't want bloody. I kept a knife with belt clip in the open spot where the shoulder strap enters the game pouch. My hood is kept in a Pineo Hood Protector on the strap. My tracker telemetry pouch was also on the strap, on my back.
It is good to have an end to Journey towards, but it is the journey that matters in the End. - Ernest Hemingway
Post by runnergirl on Dec 27, 2016 11:52:03 GMT -5
I use an upland bird vest from Cabela's. I didn't have $ left in my budget for a Pineo vest (spent bigger $ on my mews, scale etc.) at the time. It's serving well. When climbing through thick stuff the waist strap can get caught, and it's more awkward to take off the vest than it would be a bag when you're crossing barbed wire. It hasn't torn despite the wire and brambles etc yet (second season) and it's pretty handy.
I hope to upgrade to a Pineo when it wears out, but I still have to invest in telemetry equipment so who knows when.