Pack size for Mule Deer Hunt?

[mustang8]

Looking at buying a new pack for the upcoming season, I have never packed out a deboned animal before and see a lot of the packs show ratings based on cubic inches. Assuming 2 guys packing out 1 animal how big do I need to go with ballpark? 4500 or 5200ci or? Thanks guys. Luke

 

[CoHiCntry]

My experience has been two guy's with packs in the 2500-3000 cu in range will pack out a whole mule deer in one trip, bone in. Of course more room is only a bonus, and boning it out helps to minimize the load.

 

[mustang8]

Great, thanks for the quick response!

 

[CODAK]

Definitely bone out, you will thank yourself the next morning for the lessened weight. Bigger is better, especially if you are hauling other gear (tent, gun/bow, food/water, etc). Look for one with exterior straps to help with keeping the cape in one piece.

 

[Never in Doubt]

I have a 4500 pack and I can carry my camp and a boned out deer in one load. I've also used a 3500 size pack and split the load with a friend. Either way works, as long as you can strap on stuff on the outside of the pack. I can't get everything inside.

 

[Micah S]

I've had over 100lb of deboned elk meat in my icon pro 3200. If your not planning on spiking out there is no reason to go bigger then 3500.

 

[ScottR]

https://youtu.be/S4g8h5NZzfc

Here is a good pack option. Stone Glacier has several bags that are a great size for mule deer.


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[ScottR]

https://youtu.be/EmtjVoXNvHs

The Metcalf is another pack I really like.


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[ScottR]

Last post with some good info in it. Many of the packs that would be great multi day or daypack options with the load shelf option that Matzinger broke down in this video.

http://blog.eastmans.com/mystery-ranch-load-carriage-system/


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[mustang8]

I wont have tent etc, just the normal binos, knives, meat bags, food etc. So I think ill look for something in that 3500 ci range.

 

[Slugz]

I'm a big fan for day hunts which sounds like what your doing of taking just my lightweight frame and two compress bags. One for my hunting gear and one for my food /emergency gear. Keeps it light.

 

[SouthForkguy]

i always bone out, but then again. I have never had to spend the night sleeping next to my deer on a moutnain somewhere

 

[HiMtnHnter]

I've packed boned out deer in a 3,300 several times. Just make sure the frame is stout.

 

[Collins]

Last year in Montana, I packed out 2 mule deer with my buddy. He had the Kuiu Icon 1850 (using his load sling), and I had an Eberlestock pack, not quite sure how many cubic inches, but we got both deer out in one trip. If you and your partner both have packs in the 3000 cubic inch range, you should be just fine. Especially if you have the capability to attach random gear to the outside with straps or whatever. A boned out mule deer isn't all that much weight to carry. A friend of mine carried an entire deer out alone using a stone glacier 6000ish pack. But with two guys, it's not too bad.

 

[Doe Nob]

KUIU 7200. I love mine. It compresses down really well for day hunts, but you can fit a bunch in there on the way in or out. This is w/ about 45 lbs going in on a scouting trip.

And this is a couple days later. We had camp out and were day scouting, so I really only had a spotter, some water, extra clothes and snacks in there.