What pack size for small spike hunts

L

Luke Downing

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Apr 1, 2014
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Just trying to get some more ideas for a hunt. We are thinking we might take my camper and use it as a base camp and spike out for 2-3 days from there for our hunt in CO. What size pack would be best for a hunt lilt that to spike out with
Would 2000 be enough or would I be better off with something in the 3000ci range bee better


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ScottR

ScottR

Eastmans' Staff / Moderator
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Feb 3, 2014
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Lots of options out there. Honestly if you are on a budget just get a pack frame and stuff the gear in a dry bag.

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Musket Man

Musket Man

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Jul 20, 2011
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colfax, wa
About the only difference in backing for 2 days or 10 is how much food you will need to take. Im sure it could be done with a 2000 but it would get small pretty fast I think. Another thing to consider is packing game out. I have a military ILBE pack that I think is 4500 and I wouldnt want anything smaller for over night trips.
 
tttoadman

tttoadman

Very Active Member
Nov 16, 2012
629
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Oregon
Ditto from above.
The setup never changes, just the load that goes on it. I have a 3300.
weekend trip - everything goes in the bag
5-6 day trip - one or 2 dry bags strapped to the sides
9-10 day trip - 3 dry bags strapped to the sides and the top.

I bought the smaller bag with this plan in mind. When I dump base camp, I can condense a little smaller and cleaner than the bigger bags. There is also a weight transfer benefit when you have loose bags that can be strapped where you want such as over the top of your animal head. If you are not good with strapping stuff on the sides, you better be getting a big bag.

Scott's on the money also. Go grab a cabelas pack frame and you are good to go if you have some other priorities for cash. I have decades of luck with a frame of that sort. Mine is basically a copy of the Cabelas Alaskan 1 with the bag on it. The bag is simple with no frills. It has a main bag and 2 long pockets. You can buy this for about $130. I have moved up to one of the better bags, but I would have no hesitation taking my old frame out on any hunt.
 
mcseal2

mcseal2

Veteran member
Mar 1, 2011
1,171
195
midwest
I have one of the Cabelas Alaskan series bag and frames that has been around for a few years. It was marketed as a lighter version, I didn't see it on a quick check of their site just now. Anyway, they do a good job. My frame has packed a fair amount of meat and I've carried it with a daypack strapped to it, but I have never used the Cabelas bag in the field. I don't like how noisy the material is. I also got an Eberlestock J34 and use it instead. They aren't ideal, the weight extends out further from your back instead of up as you continue adding stuff to them. I like the scabbard and how it works as a daypack enough to overlook that. It compacts to 2300 and expands way up from that depending on accessories added. It still packs weight and meat pretty darn good to get the first load back to the truck, and I can always go back in with the frame for the rest. For a 2-3 day trip I'd definitely choose my J34 and keep my gear weight down as much as possible. For a long trip with a lot more weight I may start thinking about switching to the Cabelas set-up and just adding a small daypack inside, leaving the big pack at camp.

A huge thing to consider for your trips in is water sources where you are going. If you have to pack water very far it changes everything including your menu.
 
MWScott72

MWScott72

Active Member
Jan 27, 2012
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West Jordan, UT
I like to economize and get a pack that will expand or shrink depending on what you need at the moment. Almost any of the new packs out there can do this. I have an Eberlestock J107, and I got it for exactly that reason. For day packing, I can shrink it down to around 2500 cc, but if I'm packing camp or loads of meat, it will expand to slightly more than double that. I'm actually looking to upgrade with one of the newer pack models out there, and if you do it right, most can double as both day packs and camp/meat haulers.
 
ScottR

ScottR

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Feb 3, 2014
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I am not a big fan of putting things on the outside if I don't have to. Not that I won't do it, but I have just never been a fan of it. If things are tight, the load shelf concept works well IMO.

This is an SG Solo, stuffed to the gills, with my SO 6 man in the load shelf and a week's worth of gear. My spotting scope is on the outside, but other than that I really didn't want much else hanging out there.

You can see in this picture from a late season trip that Guy took for mule deer that with the exception of his sleeping bag, there really isn't much hanging out there for brush to grab onto. This trip was supposed to be a late season rut hunt with a bunch of snow so he brought a heavy bag. Unseasonably warm weather dictated that they needed to backpack in and he had to put this bag on the outside.

For reference I am including the videos Guy just did on packing for the backcountry:
[video=youtube_share;0I3XzyCxpl4]http://youtu.be/0I3XzyCxpl4[/video]
 
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woodtick

woodtick

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Feb 24, 2011
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Jim Bridger County, Utah
Jeez Scott you always shoot down my way of thinking!!:(

I like the lay out of my longbow on short stint hunts and don't mind going old school with the sleeping bag on bottom, and then when I get to where I'm hunting I like the fact that I have a daypack. I've got an MR Metcalf that'll be worked into the rotation, so hopefully I won't be the dummy with the sleeping back still hanging off the bottom:eek:
 
ScottR

ScottR

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woodtick said:
Jeez Scott you always shoot down my way of thinking!!:(

I like the lay out of my longbow on short stint hunts and don't mind going old school with the sleeping bag on bottom, and then when I get to where I'm hunting I like the fact that I have a daypack. I've got an MR Metcalf that'll be worked into the rotation, so hopefully I won't be the dummy with the sleeping back still hanging off the bottom:eek:
Click to expand...
If you are confident in your pack choices that is what matters most! Given the choice between a Metcalf and Longbow though, the Metcalf wins every time. Enjoy that pack!
 
woodtick

woodtick

Veteran member
Feb 24, 2011
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Jim Bridger County, Utah
ScottR said:
If you are confident in your pack choices that is what matters most! Given the choice between a Metcalf and Longbow though, the Metcalf wins every time. Enjoy that pack!
Click to expand...
I do wish the Metcalf had a few more pockets though, I have OCD and it drives me insane not being able to organize stuff in it. I do have pocketed waist belts and a couple flip top boxes for the nice frame, but it's just not enough!!
 
ScottR

ScottR

Eastmans' Staff / Moderator
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Feb 3, 2014
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Buy a couple ditty bags. Bright colors for specific gear makes it very easy to find stuff.

I think a video on what ends up in the pack needs to happen.
 
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