elk - backpack choice

muleymaddness · Jul 8, 2007

LAST EDITED ON Jul-08-07 AT 11:02AM (MST)[p]I've got a DIY archery elk hunt planned this fall. My question is: what type backpack should I be hunting with? Should I get a frame pack for when, and if, I kill one. Or should I get a pack that will hold my bow on the back and keep a cheaper frame pack at the camp? Chances are, the elk will be coming out on my back in as many trips as it may take. What are ya'll using?
Cory

jims · Jul 8, 2007

I would suggest 2 packs. A camo-quiet cloth smaller day pack to hunt with each day and a super large internal frame pack for packing camp and gear. Framed packs are uncomfortable, noisy, unstable in uneven terrain, and you likely won't be able to carry as much!

Internal framers hold the weight tight to your body and specifically designed for super heavy loads on uneven terrrain. Obviously some makes and models are better than others. I always bone and pack my meat which will save a trip or 2...plus it is a lot easier!

Everyone seems to have their favorite pack brands. I would try a few on to see which fits your particular body build and functional needs. If you are strapped for money there are usually a bunch of fantastic name brand mountaineering packs on ebay that you can get for cheap. I would definitely steer away from framed packs....done that and it doesn't work for me and I've packed out quite a few elk, deer, moose, etc over the years.

muleymaddness · Jul 8, 2007

Good idea. I like the idea of having two packs as well. I'll take your advice and look for an internal frame pack as well as a nice, smaller pack for day to day hunting.

archeryelk · Jul 8, 2007

Some larger backpacks are built so you can turn the top into a small backpack or fanny pack. That is also an option.

My pack has a smaller hydration pack inside that you can pull out and use as a small backpack. Works pretty well.

Archer

3blade · Jul 8, 2007

hey archeryelk,

may I ask which pack you have?

thanks

archeryelk · Jul 8, 2007

An OSPREY 70. Great backpacking pack.

Archer

hunting1 · Jul 8, 2007

Look at Mystery Ranch Nice Frame and Crew Cab. Folds flat, below the shoulder, will carry more than your body can handle. Not camo, but brown. The Osprey packs are awsome, but can't do bright red.

Bambistew · Jul 9, 2007

>Look at Mystery Ranch Nice Frame
>and Crew Cab. Folds flat,
>below the shoulder, will carry
>more than your body can
>handle. Not camo, but brown.
>The Osprey packs are awsome,
>but can't do bright red.
>

+1... best pack on the market at the moment IMO. With out a doubt the BEST waist belt out there, and the suspension is probaly the best as well or dang close to it. Its also modular so you can take the 'crew cab' (day pack) off the frame and swap it for a big hauler if you want to pack in camp. The crew cab opens up enough to easily carry an elk quarter when the hunt is over.

I would recomend a double duty pack over 2 packs. You'll have about as much money wraped up in one as 2, and I'd rather have one nice pack as opposed to two crappy ones. I've also heard good things about the Eberlestock packs wich are also double duty packs.

I had a Badlands 2200 last season and didn't care for it at all, its not even in the same league as the MR Crew Cab, not a bad day pack, but thats about it, definately not a dual purpose pack. I would think packing any more than 35-40 pounds would be pretty painful if it was very far.

Camelbak picked up the Mystery Ranch line and is selling them under their brand name at a lower price point, but also at a slightly lower materal spec. from what I understand, I'm sure they will still better than 99% of the packs out there.

I have a High Country deer/elk trip this fall, I plan on hunting 3-4 nights at a time and am taking my Crew Cab as my only pack. With a Lid and a Load Cell I will be able to get everything I need with out any problems, plus will have a real day pack to pack around my spotter and hunting stuff.

They aren't made from 'quiet' material by any means, but I've not noticed it being a problem, or even noticing any noise from it. It sits behind your back and is really out of the way of any raking branches. Granted I've only used it on one hunt, but it packed this critter out with ease 3.5 miles.

a3dhunter · Jul 9, 2007

I went with the Eberlestock just one j105 last year purchased from someone on here:
Bigbull1 at http://www.trophyhuntoutfitters.com/
I wanted something that could collapse down for day hiking, and expand for hauling once I got something, it worked well. There were times that I wanted something less because I was wore out from hiking and hunting on a 12 day trip, but I never ran out of room and I always had everything I needed, and the comfort couldn't be beat.
I can understand going with a smaller day pack and then having an external pack frame as they handle more weight than an internal frame pack. I would still look at the eberlstock packs.

bigbull1 · Jul 9, 2007

LAST EDITED ON Jul-09-07 AT 11:34AM (MST)[p]Here is the new J107 Dragonfly hunt pack from Eberlestock. The gun scabbard can be folded up and away if not needed and a "Butt Bucket" added for your bow.

The frame on the Dragonfly is simple, sophisticated, and extremely comfortable. The main pad section rides directly on the contourable stays, and is adjustable to exactly fit the torso length of the wearer. The pads have just the right amount of body contact, and an air space between these and the framesheet allows a great deal of ventilation, giving the pack the best advantages of both internal and external frame packs.

And of course the packout with 144lbs of elk:

Ed

www.trophyhuntoutfitters.com

hunting1 · Jul 9, 2007

Eberlestock packs are top quality and would secondly recomend them behind The MR. I have a Camelback Nice frame and they did not give up anything in quality! MR just coulod not keep up is why they went with Camelback. They are going to have new hunter suited packs coming soon and the material will not be a issue. Mine is coyote brown!

tmbrlinewarden · Jul 9, 2007

LAST EDITED ON Jul-10-07 AT 02:55AM (MST)[p]If you can afford the interchangeable pack system from NIMROD, it'll be the last time in your life you'll ever have to wonder about buying another pack. One pack will do all of those things that you mentioned. I've got the integrated rifle scabbord and once I got used to it (not having to sling my rifle all week), I couldn't hunt without it. Also, my time working in the oilfield has left me with a cronicly sore lower back, so I'd been through a lot of different packs. (Nimrod)Stuffs expensive. Maybe not for you guys, but my money don't come cheap. If you buy all the modular pieces of the Nimrod pack at once it will cost you as much as a good rifle. LIke most things in life, you get what you pay for. I try to buy another modular piece every year, I'm the type to buy a quality thing, take care of it, and count on it forever. Not that these others mentioned probably aren't good.

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NM Operation Game Thief 1-800-432-4263
?I want as game protectors men of courage, resolution, and hardihood, who can handle the rifle, ax, and paddle; who can camp out in summer or winter; who can go on snowshoes if necessary; who can go through the woods by day or night without regard to trails" Theodore Roosevelt-1899
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redelkarcher · Jul 10, 2007

I know ya'll have heard it from me before but I can't help but share my 02' on this again.... I love my Main Beam XL. Last year in our elk camp we hauled out 8 different elk with this pack... Mine being one of them, which was about 4 miles to the truck. For the most part we quartered every one out, but we have also boned them out in the past too... Anyhow I cannot say enough about the packs from Sportsman's Outdoor Products... I have had the oppurtunity to field test many of them and have enjoyed all of them in the process. Check em' out man.
www.sophuntinggear.com
redelkarcher>>>------------>

muleymaddness · Jul 13, 2007

Great post with some good choices. Thanks to those that posted. I'll be in the market for a new pack with more knowledge of options now.......
Cory

3blade · Jul 13, 2007

check out http://blacks-creek.com

backpacker · Jul 16, 2007

LAST EDITED ON Jul-16-07 AT 11:14AM (MST)[p]Pros/Cons of the badlands 4500 or the Jansenn's hunt pack? I know the Jansenn's is only 3500 cubes so it may be to small for what I'm looking for. I have a longer (1-2 week) trip coming up this year and a wilderness type trip next year (at least 1 week) and I'm looking for a larger pack for carrying camp and game.

bigbull1 · Jul 16, 2007

How does 2900ci-7900ci hunt pack designed to carry game, camp and your rifle in a scabbard sound?

Here is the Eberlestock J104:

Packing out a sheep, plus camp:

Or me packing out my 80 lbs of caribou with rifle in scabbard in the NWT last September:

Ed

www.trophyhuntoutfitters.com

UnoTrack · Jul 20, 2007

I like the intenal frame better than a pack frame. I've used both plenty. The J104 is outstanding. I humped out a 40 lb. javelina, and it felt like 20 with the J104.

I'm looking at the Blacks Creek, Jim Horn, Canadian. It ranges from 2200 to 3800 ci. That's the perfect range for one to five day trip and or for hauling meat. Quality product. Throw a little daypack or fanny pack on top of that and you have the perfect spike camp set up.

couesbitten · Jul 20, 2007

UnoTrack, if I was you I'd go with the Blacks Creek Alaskan. Better to have the extra space and not need it, then need it and not have it. I have the Alaskan, and I love it. Scott