Hey guys, I'm new to this western hunting, or elk hunting I should say. I've got an Easton Outfitters full draw pack, I think its a 3500, and I'm planning my first elk trip this fall. Plans are to truck camp an hike deep to find game. In the event elk is spotted I can bivvy camp as needed to stay with the heard. In all my surfing of this an many other forums, I've not seen much said about the Easton pack line. Am I going to be under packed, so to speak, with this pack? Should I be considering a different one? Budget for equipment is not going to be able to be much this year but, the last thing I'd wanna do is get an elk down an realize that my pack is not sufficient enough to get the meat out. Just wondering if anybody has had any experience with this pack in the elk timber or pursuing muleys?
Easton Outfitters Packs?
- Thread starter limbhanger4
- Start date
Not familiar with that pack. But if it does not have a stout frame/meat shelf or the like, you might be underpacked. You can lighten the load by boning out the meat, but you could easily have over 200 lbs of meat, and then a heavy wet cape, skullcap and horns. If it is warm, and you are alone and a couple miles in, even the best pack in the world may not be enough to salvage all the meat. Will you have help? If alone, are there packers for hire in the area?
If you don't get someone familiar with the pack to reply, it might help if you could offer more details about the pack or post a picture. My guess at this point is you probably have an issue with the pack where packing elk is concerned. Also, the season/approx. dates and where you will be can help. AZ is different than MT, 3,500' is different than 9,000', mostly relative to expected temperatures, which has a dramatic impact on meat care needs.
If you don't get someone familiar with the pack to reply, it might help if you could offer more details about the pack or post a picture. My guess at this point is you probably have an issue with the pack where packing elk is concerned. Also, the season/approx. dates and where you will be can help. AZ is different than MT, 3,500' is different than 9,000', mostly relative to expected temperatures, which has a dramatic impact on meat care needs.
luckynv
Active Member
Hi Limbhanger4, yes the Easton packs are very sturdy, well made and fairly quiet. I have both a Fullbore 3600 and 5600. The suspension in the shoulders is lacking some padding but they can carry 100 pound loads if your shoulders will tolerate the weight. The key as with any packing of animal weight is as Tim said don't carry the bones unless you have to and use your waist belt!!! Tighten the waist belt several times, handy with this pack with the opposing waist pulls. Put as much weight on your hips as you can. These packs are basicly frameless but with the webbed load carrying area and the flaps tight it pulls the load into your back. Due to the 3600 size you would be hard pressed to get more than one hind at a time though. I keep a Kelty frame and use that after I move the first load. Good luck and if any further questions shoot me a pm, God bless
Thanks for your reply Tim. The primary concern started out ove the length of the frame but, the more I looked at it and used it here during our hunting season, I started realizing I wouldn't be able to use this pack next fall in Co. for elk. I've since found and purchased a TZ 6000 second hand for a reasonable price. As for being solo or having a buddie with me.... well, that remains to be seen. I'm planning it as I'll be alone, I've got a couple buddies that say they'd like to go but they don't seem as excited as me about it. That's why I'm trying to plan as much logistically as I can. Meat packers, proccessors an coolers an such. I've been fortunate enough to have some really nice guys reach out an offer some help. That's what it's all about tho, right? I hope sometime in the future I get the opportunity to repay the favor to some other newbie you and other guys have me. Thanks again
Thanks for your reply luckynv, I appreciate it. I have used the pack with some wieght and I know what you mean when you say if you shoulders can handle it. I used it this past summer here in WV to pack in two 20lb bags of BB&J attractent an trail cameras. I was immpressed at how it handled the wieght and I do like the opposing waist pulls on the hip belt. My only complaint really is I can't adjust the pack enough to fit my torso. When I had it loaded heavy and I'd use the load lifters it would suck the wieght against my back but it wouldn't really relieve pressure on the tops of my shoulders. My son was with me and I had him take a pic on his phone from the side so I could see how it was riding on my back. After we got back home I got on YouTube and learned how to properly measure my torso, with his help ofcourse. Guess I should've learned that before I started buying packs. Oh well, guess thats why they call it trial and error. We'll still use it for a day pack an short wilderness excursions for chasing native brookes here in the great WV. Thanks again for your reply, I greatly appreciate the advice I get from you more experianced guys. Probably the best thing I've done so far is joining this forum. It amazes me the knowledge one can gain from others by just simply asking questions. Thanks again an God Bless you as well