New to Pack Hunting

[BKHunter]

Hello All,

I am new to the site and hunting out west in general and I am trying to learn as much as possible before I start making my purchases. I am looking into packs and would like something that could take me into the back country for 5-7 days and also have the capabilities of using/transforming into a day pack. With that said, I also would like the pack to be able to haul out meat after the harvest. Unfortunately the only Cabelas by me does not have a huge selection of these packs to try on and would really appreciate any input that might help me avoid constantly sending back any mail orders I may make. Thanks in advance for any help that can be offered.

BK

 

[RICMIC]

Welcome to the forum BK. You will likely get a lively discussion on this subject, and there are a lot of opinions on packs. I have plenty of packs that were used for canoe camping and then put to use for backpacking, but it was a gamechanger for me when I got a dedicated hunting style backpack. Mine is an Eberlestock J1. It has a scabbard, can pack all my gear, and then clamshells down to daypack size. It does not have a meat shelf, so when packing meat out you need to cinch it down properly or you will have a big ball of meat riding on your rump. That was a lesson learned the hard way. This was one of the early inovators of this style pack, and Eberlestock and other manufacturers (i.e. Mystery Ranch, Black Creek, Kifaru, Kuiu, etc.) have advanced the technology. Pay attention to the guys who have owned several so that they had a chance to compare them in actual use.

 

[ssliger]

There are many things to consider on getting a pack. How often are going to use it, once hunt per year, multiple hunts? What kind of money do you want to spend? Packs can cost as little as a couple hundred and as much as $800. I used an Eberlestock for about 3 years, it worked OK. Problems I had was, it was heavy even when empty, and has no functional load lift for heavy loads. I then got a Badlands 4500. I could get lift out of the pack, but it was heavy and and I was afraid the stays would break when I was packing out an elk. I upgraded to the EXO Mtn gear last year. I packed 2 caribou, 2 elk and a mule deer last year and it worked like a champ. It compresses really good as well. If I was in the market for a new pack I would see if there are any forum members in your area and try to see what packs you can see. Don't be afraid to buy used either. There are a ton of great pack manufactures and some of the best you cannot buy in a store like Kifaru, Stone Glacier and such.

 

[luckynv]

I just bought a Easton Outfitters 5600xt. It is fairly inexpensive as packs go and very versatile. The ones that transform to a daypack are not always the best meat haulers until you get into the high end. However a daypack that you cant haul out your first load of meat is virtually worthless. Dont be in a hurry to buy your first last pack!! Good luck and God bless

 

[tttoadman]

If the funding is there, go with the high end pack now and get over with. If you are trying to get gear together for this year, and funds are limited, go with a simpler setup and even a big dry bag. If it meant the difference of in the field or not, go light this year on the pack, and make sure you have good gear that will keep you alive. You can find simple reliable frames: cabelas guide frame, Kelty cache hauler, slumber jack. Strap your old day pack on the top and take a dry bag to haul boned out meat, and you are in the mountains.

If and when you pull the trigger on a high end purpose built pack, you will not regret it. I have Stone Glacier and a Kifaru and these were a game changer for me.