Thread: Quick release rifle sling options in NZ?

Another great thread and timely. Had this problem for decades but when you’re young and dumb and … well you know the rest, you just hunt and put up with the issues. A lot of the problem/privilege is that we have a wide variety of hunting environments that we can experience in NZ, for which we should be thankful, but no setup is universal.
A lot of this came to a head for me when I was down in Stewart Is. this year. After scrambling around in that coastal tiger country I had to re-think my setup completely. Normally I would wear a solid day pack filled with all manner of shit, slung rifle with bipod etc and if I had to shoot, would drop a shoulder strap as it always gets in the way.
After two days of getting constantly hung up, I just stripped down to the essentials. Had Kuiu bino/hydration pack with me so tossed the binoculars and filled the front with PLB, compass, snack pack and pocket knife and the hydro pack with survival kit, knives, torch etc.
Ditched the bipod and sling and felt much happier. Not perfect but more than good enough. The bino harness is a recent addition so still getting used to it but it really surprised me with how convenient/handy it was and despite where it sits, was not obtrusive in anyway. Rifle carry was fine except I found that the wee Tikka T3X stock is a bit shit. The plasticky feel of it just never sat right in my hand. Getting fussy in my old age I think.
Since then, had a big rethink on what gear I have, how I use it, the type of hunting I do now and the environment I hunt in. Mostly a couple of three hours or a solid day hunt in open country and/or relatively open bush. Decided that the one piece of kit that needed changed was the back pack. Hydration style looked promising, light, super slim profile but enough capacity for my uses. The Kuiu was a bit small and I wanted a more substantial waist belt. Hunters Element Fluid looks like it will fit the bill nicely. Has enough of everything I need, no bulky shoulder straps so can sling carry rifle when needed, decent waist belt, can wear it with or without bino harness etc.
Have always had quick release sling swivels on my rifles so easy to ditch the sling when needed and I think this suits a lot of different scenarios. For long carries just strap it to your pack which ever way suits the environment your travelling. You all know that nothing is perfect, and fun as it is, we can’t all be gear sluts, just adapt when you can and embrace the suck when you have to. That’s why we love what we do.
Apologies if I got sidetracked there, the thread triggered me!!