I have a caddy doing all the hauling for me. She's also responsible for wind speed and direction, distance to subject, lenses, bird call, hydration, moral support and of course she would sacrifice herself if the subject decides to eat me.

Tripod & Gimbal with padded legs: For short distance I put my shoulder between the tripod legs with all three legs opened, this way I can put the whole rig down and shoot quickly. For long distance I tilt my long lens until it touches one of the legs, then I fold all the legs and put the whole thing over my shoulder (kinda like you would carry a log), this allow me to walk faster.

Handholding: I carry my 500 like you would carry a toddler, with the hood facing downward.