I used to use a fanny pack, but when I got enough stuff in it to be useful, then it kept slideing down. I have a small backpack that I keep most of my regular stuff in and take it out while hunting or hicking or whatever.

I bought a back pack/fanny pack combo at Wal-Mart a few years ago for about $30. For all day trips the two together holds all I wish, and the fanny pack belt doubles as a waist belt when it's used together with the back pack. Depending on other uses, I can use either the fanny pack or just the back pack depending on how light I might need to go.

I carry a small, camo fleece shoulder bag meant for muzzleloading for almost all of my hunting.

I carry it over my right shoulder and let it hang under my left arm, or around slightly behind and above my left hip. The weight on my right shoulder offsets my slung rifle on my left shoulder.

I try not to carry anything more than necessary in my pants pockets ("unslung weight") for better flexibility, but really don't need a real backpack. I do have a bunch of misc. size backpacks, but access on the go is a pain, and I like the bag handy for snacks, a drink or a band-aid. I can eat, drink and blow my damn nose one more time without breaking stride. It also can be carried under my last, top layer, so it is protected from snagging, the weather and being "out of style", like brown during a snowstorm. This also keeps my Pepsi from freezing - not a pretty sight. If I do carry it exposed, the fleece helps me to be quieter.

If I take a layer of clothing off as the day warms up, it can be carried over the pack, between the strap and my body.

I usually hunt relatively rough ground and go from a half-day to all day from the truck, keep moving and often hunt alone. I carry enough to survive a minor injury, being temporarily lost, being wet, etc..

I normally include the following:

Drink: 16-20 oz bottled water/Pepsi, etc. (Did you know Pepsi works great to remove blood from your hands?)
Snacks: Granola bars, chocolate bars, occasional real sandwich
Rope: @ 10' of 5/8" braided nylon rope: drag rope (I hope), hang a deer until I can get it out, emergency use for shelter/splint, etc.
Fire Kit: Matches/flint/tinder/USGI triox bars
Hygene Kit: folded toilet paper,wet wipes
Game handling kit: trail marker/survey tape, latex gloves, field tags, pencil, tie straps, folded paper towels
First Aid: couple aspirins, benedryl tablets (local anestetic/allergy relief), a few stomach remedies, band-aids, gauze compress, tape, razor blade, tweezers, hemostats, suture kit (God forbid - hope it's only a torn strap), prescription meds.
Misc: large plastic trash bag (emergency shelter/raincoat/liver (I hope), still-folded space blanket, 25 feet parachute cord, spare compass (first is around neck), signal whistle, Surefire 2 cell flashlight with spare battery & bulb, GMRS radio.


Almost everything packs into small zip-lock baggies and stays in it's own spot, so it's not a lot of digging through stuff. My "immediate need" items (drink, snack) are renewed each trip and right on top.

Sounds like a lot of stuff, but if I get stuck out, it's not near as much as I'd like, but would hopefully keep me alive overnight.

If I plan to sit a tree stand, I'll take a larger bag, strapped to the portable stand, and carry more comfort items (sandwiches, coffee) to make staying easier.