Hi, I remember reading about someone using a "sack" to sit in while hunting from a stand during the winter months. Does anyone know what I´m talking about? I´m tired of freezing my a-s of waiting for deer.

cewe

Have a look at:

http://www.jerven.no/

They make very good products.

Erik: That pretty much looks like what I´m looking for. Do you have any experience with tha hunters model?

This is a pretty common item in Central Europe. The proper term is in German is "Ansitzsack" - translating to something like "standhunting bag" or "sitting bag". They can save your a$$ (or rather your back and kidneys) on a cold night in a stand.

They are mostly shaped much like a sleeping bag, except that the arms are free. Often they are fixed over the arms with a set of straps. The main thing that distinguishes these "sitting bags" from a regular sleeping bag, is the material, though. Loden is the traditional material used, and is still the mostly sought after material, as well as the most expensive. You can also buy (less expensive) models in a synthetic fleece of some sort.

Often the inside of the bottom of the bag is laid out with some synthetic, to save the bag from your boots and the snow you inevitably carry with you into the stand. It is important, that the bag stays as silent as possible, though - thus the emphasis on silent materials like Loden or Fleece.

Here are some examples of what is commonly used on the Continent:

http://www.waffenworld.de/assets/s2dmain.html?http://www.waffenworld.de/jagd/fuerdenansitz/ansitzsacketc/

http://www.waffen-schrum.de/waffen-schrum/textilien/katalog/ansitz.html

http://cgi.ebay.at/NEU-Ansitzsack-gefuettert-gegen-Winterkaelte-in-Loden_W0QQitemZ7205134145QQcategoryZ30756QQcmdZViewItem

http://outdoor-jagd.de/product_info.php/cPath/71_77/products_id/432

You can find cheaper, and less elaborate versions as well. Google "Ansitzsack", and see what it comes up with

- mike

Cewe,

I have tried pretty much all the models except the Hunter. But the Hunter does look like a good shape if you want to use it as a protective sack/tarp on your own (some of the others are made to fit 2 people).

Keep in mind though that Jerven sacks are not as silent as the loden types Mike mentions. They are made for slightly differant uses. The Jerven is more the type of sack you can use to survive in harsh conditions, as it is water and windproof and retains heat (some more than others due to their thickness). They have been used by the military here for years, and are very popular amongst hunters who spend time up in the mountains. However, I have also used them while sitting in a stand when hunting in the forest by using them as a kind of "poncho". This ha been practical sometimes in the rain, and has worked fine for me.

Very nice! I new there was a word for this -ansitzsack! A friend has one of these German models (in polyester/teddy) and he swears by it. I would have got a whitetail last Saturday if I would have been warmer and not moved around (that was three hours into the hunt...). I´ll lokk into this. Waldmannsheil, cewe

cewe, Erik & Mike,

As ususal Mike has the low down on all the good equipment! Great photos & examples from the web sites, Mike!

There's two sides to this coin as Mike & Erik have related; silent wool or Loden and then something to repel rain which by today's standards seems to engender a noisy or at least not as silent covering material.

Since the Germans/Austrians/Swiss tend to sit in a Kanzel (roofed or enclosed High Seats) you can easily get away with with Loden or wool.

The "Sack" concept gets critical when the High Seat, Tree Stand or Ambush venue is open and you are exposed to the elements, expected weather and how much trekking is required to get where you want to be.

Most "Sack" coverings to repel rain are noisy(ier) to some extent since they require a synthetic covering. Also the cold seems to increase the noise since the material gets stiffer.

Having said that; Whew! You'd also be surprised at just how creative (and warm you can be!) with two brown GI blankets and a couple of inexpensive, thin fleece blankets from a discount store; or a couple of sheep skins; alternatives to expensive tailor-made options.

I just roll up my blankets and transport with my rucksack. I look like a South Pole Exlporer and heaven forbid you have to recover game as well but for me freezing is not an option.

These are indeed good points, and proof that Gerry has spent more than a few nights freezing his behind off in some cold corner of the forrest

The examples I gave are indeed mostly directed towards the use under a roof (like a high seat with a roof). In particular, rain would be a bummer if you relied on a bag made out of Loden. It would probably stay warm surprisingly long, wool is quite good a staying warm, even when wet. But it might take a while to dry out...

Also, a bag is really only useful if you can remain seated when the game (finally) shows up, and you proceed to whack it. Attempting to get up and move about while in the bag, could easily deteriorate into a rather comical situation. In this case, the deer would stand a greater chance of dying of laughter, as opposed to any violent interaction on part of the immobilized hunter...

I also often use less invovled options than dragging along an entire bag - which I really only use on permanent seats. Blankets, capes, cushions, you name it. It is quite amazing what one can strap onto the outside of a pack, although it does often create problems when trying to get into your seat with all the additional gear... Still, all better than freezing your posterior off...

- mike

Good points and all taken. I usually sit in a roofed seat but sometimes I just take cover behind a bush -rain is good weather for deer so the article will get wet eventually.

But it´ll be worth it.

I checked with my friend and he uses polyester/cotton combo that is warm and very quite. He also had a line on ordering etc.

It´s a bit late in the season to get one in time for my last hunts but I´ll be ordering it early in the fall.

Thanks

I really like the idea of a bag that I can put my boots into. Eventually my feet start to freeze thaen I'm in trouble. I've been collecting ideas for the wife to make me a bag, so this is a timely topic for me.

My thoughts

Thick insulated, waterproof bottom to keep my feet warm--maybe closed cell foam or thick felt as I have some 1 inch felt.

Many layers of fleece but the final layer will be over a waterproof layer. This should keep the noise down of the waterproof layer as it will be "sandwiched" between 2 layers of fleece.

I was thinking about making it come right to my neck with a drawstring, and a high collar with a wire in it so I can shape it to my desire.

Obviously holes for my arms. Another thought was to make a full sleeve on the right arm and a short sleeve on the left (to shoot my bow)

Some drawstrings that I could access from inside and outside.

A large "buttonhole" in the back to thread my safety harness through.

Reversable so that I could have 2 cammo patterns.

A few pockets here and there.

any other ideas?

the chef

chef,

Apparently you have been doing some overtime contemplation on the benefits and frills of the "perfect" bag/sack. Keep us posted, your ideas sound not only creative but practical as well.

I've also considered sewing my blanket collection together in some fashion or another for next season.

One of the gents who is in our stalking club has been mulling over this idea for a while...

He treid a mil surplus Germany Army sleeping bag (the sort that turns into a parka) but said that the outer was too nosiy...

He evetually bought a cheap sleeping bag and cut the foot out and then had it sewed up into essentially a "tube" ...He is very happy with the results but obviously the weather over here is not as cold as parts of main land Europe...

A few months back I bought myself one of those self-inflating seat cushions to use in highseats.

It had its trail run when i went down to stalk with Fallow Buck before Christmas...By our standards the weather was pretty chilly (-6C) especially for sitting in a highseat...The cushion was a godsend and made noticeably improvement and will be a permanent fixture in my highseat kit from now on...

regards,

Pete

I´m a user of the Jerven sacks for many years, both as a hunter and as a soldier.
It´s true as Erik states that they are a bit noisy. But when you have settled down on a stand, eighter it´s in the woods, in the mountains or in a high seat, it does not matter much imo.
The Jerven sacs are primarely made for keeping the user hot and dry and started out as a survival equipment many years ago.
On my hunting grounds on the North-West Coast of Norway and in the County of Nordland, protection from harsh weather is paramount, and the Jerven passes with flying colours.

Pete,

Your colleague's experience parallel's mine as well. I tried the German Miltary Sleeping Bag which from a conceptual point-of-view is spot-on; it has arms, good upper shoulder and head warming and the zipper bottom affords some movement when you're trying to shoot over your shoulder. Alas, it too, was not silent enough.

I also tried an American Army sleeping bag (Medium Cold - they come in different grades) which was extremely warm but also too noisy. As an afterthought wrapped a GI woolen blanket over the bag that helped considerably to dampenn the "noise" factor.

Like youself, I use and keep the inflatable cushion in my rucksack, it is an excellent piece of kit for insulating your bum on damp & cold surfaces; also reasonably quiet, especially if just inflated enough to serve it's purpose. If inflated to the max, they can be a little "squeaky".

Arild,

I've no experience with the Jervens Sack but if Norwegians claim they are the Non Plus Ultra for cold weather I'll take your word for it!

How about a photo or a lead on where we could possibly obtain, try or learn more about the Jervens Sack? If they are warmer than anything else available I'd be more than happy to research the potenital of making it quieter, perhaps a light fleece over shell/cover?

I've found, after paying my dues for years, that with a good set of boots and layers of clothes, a Sport Cat standing between my legs where I'm sitting, along with a blanket over my knees keeps me toasty warm, especially if in a high seat with sides to keep the wind down. I don't know why I froze all those years, oh yea, it was because it hadn't been invented yet!! If there isn't room in your ruck for it, make room, you won't regret it. Waidmannsheil, Dom.

Gerry

Jerven

Cheers
/JOHAN

Dom,

At the risk of this thread going down hill fast, but whats this "sport cat" you have between your legs????

Regards,

Pete

Pete,

You the Man!

I wasn't even gonna begin to touch that one!

To help console you Pete, I know Dom and we see each other occaisionally for hunting & shooting - so if there is any retribution to be made I can make sure it happens!

Hey Pete, 'bout 5'5", blond, slender, uh woops . . .

It's made by Coleman, a catalyctic heater w/a propane tank it stands on. More info at the Link.

Gerry, you weren't by chance at the Bundes last year up in Liebenau? WH, Dom.

Coleman SportCat

quote:

Originally posted by Dom:
I've found, after paying my dues for years, that with a good set of boots and layers of clothes, a Sport Cat standing between my legs where I'm sitting, along with a blanket over my knees keeps me toasty warm, especially if in a high seat with sides to keep the wind down. I don't know why I froze all those years, oh yea, it was because it hadn't been invented yet!! If there isn't room in your ruck for it, make room, you won't regret it. Waidmannsheil, Dom.

quote:

Dom,

At the risk of this thread going down hill fast, but whats this "sport cat" you have between your legs???? bewildered

quote:

[QUOTE]

omg Dom and Pete you´ve just made my day ...no offence please

quote:

Originally posted by Pete E:
One of the gents who is in our stalking club has been mulling over this idea for a while...

He treid a mil surplus Germany Army sleeping bag (the sort that turns into a parka) but said that the outer was too nosiy...

He evetually bought a cheap sleeping bag and cut the foot out and then had it sewed up into essentially a "tube" ...He is very happy with the results but obviously the weather over here is not as cold as parts of main land Europe...

A few months back I bought myself one of those self-inflating seat cushions to use in highseats.

It had its trail run when i went down to stalk with Fallow Buck before Christmas...By our standards the weather was pretty chilly (-6C) especially for sitting in a highseat...The cushion was a godsend and made noticeably improvement and will be a permanent fixture in my highseat kit from now on...

regards,

Pete

Pete, I use one of the German sleeping bag/parkas. As your friend said, they can be noisy if you are moving around, but they are warm!

Cheers, Dave.

dom,

Ah, I understand now...I thought it was some strange European technique for staying warm while in the highseat!

Dave,

What material is used in German Army Sleeping bags that makes them noisy?


its along time since I've seen one and I had it in my mind the outer was a heavy duty cotton, but I suspect thats not the case...unless I 've seen an older model?

regards,

Pete

Pete

Regarding the German army sleeping bags - I have seen them with a separate waterproof cover - or with a plasticised outer.

I fancy that the option of a separate cover allows for a quieter unit than the one I possess and use on occasion.

Regards Ian

we use a sleeping bag wrapped around our legs when posting in a blind. It works great on those cold days. Being warm helps sit that little bit longer