Drew has some good tips. I would add that practicing with the boat you're going to using will pay dividends in the long run. Using a playboat may give you an idea if you want to do "hike-ins" at all, but all boats have different curves and shapes requiring some 'fit adjustment'. Home made or off the shelf, make sure and take your set up out at least once and hike, mostly/fully loaded for at least half an hour. This is the least you would ever hike with a back pack and usually by then... the
pain has kicked in. And that's what you're after... how to get those micro adjustments just right so you're not taking it off, putting it on a bunch. This will save a lot of time, come game day. Trust me on this one. Once the pack is set you shouldn't have any adjustments during your hike, maybe just some rest stops without the need to unsaddle yourself. Unsaddling a few times on the practice hike would be a great idea as well. Where ya hikin'?