Suggestion for a 5-6 day hunt

Work2hunt1 · Mar 2, 2013

Looks like I am going to pack in for a 5-6 day high country deer hunt and will need a new pack. Any thoughts on what to use for a large pack? How about a day pack? I'm 5'11 and about 175-180. Torso (waist to top of shoulder) is about 20inches.

ozzymodel70 · Mar 3, 2013

im in the same boat as you with the same build. currently use a full curl system and am looking to upgrade. the full curl is a great pack but i want a pack to haul meat and camp in one shot for 3-5 days. im looking at either Stone Glacier Solo or the new mystery ranch metcalf. I ruled out bags like eberlestock and badlands because you just cant beat the quality of American made packs.

Work2hunt1 · Mar 3, 2013

I like some of the stone glacier and Kifaru packs myself. But I find it hard to justify a $600 or 700 pack for a 1 week trip at best every other year right now. I'm struggling with a 400 pack like the Eberlestock's Dragonfly, but if I go much less than that I'm afraid I won't be able to pack camp and meat.

I'm also having an issue with buying a Stone Glacier, Kifaru, or Mystery Ranch since I can't seem to find one in the Ohio area. I would love to try one on and walk around in it before I buy....especially if I'm going to drop $700 or so on

smitty · Mar 3, 2013

I just posted a thread about over priced hunting gear in the general forum. If it were me, I'd take a serious look at some non-hunting backpacks.

I've had badlands, and now have a mystery ranch that I paid way too much for.

Check out some regular packs, 5-6 days isn't that big of a deal really, chances are you'll have to make 2 trips to get your gear and animal out anyhow.

I really think you can save yourself several hundred bucks by looking into some other packs that don't target the hunting community.

Tank · Mar 4, 2013

That's how I started doing it. Packed out entire deer in my Kelty. Still have that pack for friends to experiment with. If you are in the Boise area, you are welcome to use it.

oldoregon · Mar 4, 2013

I recommend getting a non-hunting pack. Hunting packs are generally overpriced for their quality. I use a Gregory Baltoro 65 for backcountry skiing, backpacking, hunting, mountaineering, and when its tightened down it makes a suitable day pack. I have zero complaints. I've hauled 80 lb loads in it, and lived out of it on trips ranging from 1 day to 2 months (backpacking the Andes in Bolivia). The colors are well suited for hunting, and its one of the most comfortable packs I've ever worn. There's plenty of room for an elk hindquarter, and plenty of straps to haul a head, or shed antlers. It is hydration system compatible, has pockets sized correctly for spotting scope and tripod, and offers an excellent range of motion while being worn, for climbing, shooting a bow, ect... Buy it from REI and you can return it if anything ever goes wrong with it.

Here's a link to a video about it-
http://www.rei.com/rei/videos/Ooyal...oplay=1#ooid=B5cmkxMjqYBx4mOkDeZkddtiCvhEroqt

Work2hunt1 · Mar 4, 2013

>I recommend getting a non-hunting pack.
> Hunting packs are generally
>overpriced for their quality.
>I use a Gregory Baltoro
>65 for backcountry skiing, backpacking,
>hunting, mountaineering, and when its
>tightened down it makes a
>suitable day pack. I
>have zero complaints. I've
>hauled 80 lb loads in
>it, and lived out of
>it on trips ranging from
>1 day to 2 months
>(backpacking the Andes in Bolivia).
> The colors are well
>suited for hunting, and its
>one of the most comfortable
>packs I've ever worn.
>There's plenty of room for
>an elk hindquarter, and plenty
>of straps to haul a
>head, or shed antlers.
>It is hydration system compatible,
>has pockets sized correctly for
>spotting scope and tripod, and
>offers an excellent range of
>motion while being worn, for
>climbing, shooting a bow, ect...
> Buy it from REI
>and you can return it
>if anything ever goes wrong
>with it.
>
>
>
>Here's a link to a video
>about it-
>http://www.rei.com/rei/videos/Ooyal...oplay=1#ooid=B5cmkxMjqYBx4mOkDeZkddtiCvhEroqt

This may seem like a basic question, but if you are using a "non-hunting" back pack like the Gregory Baltoro where are you putting a quarter form an elk or deer if it doesn't have a shelf. Are you placing the quarter right inside the pack where your gear woudl be stored? How about a gun? I'm assuming with a "non-hunting" back pack your slinging the gun on your shoulder and not in a built in scabbard of sorts?

cabinfever · Mar 5, 2013

LAST EDITED ON Mar-05-13 AT 03:52PM (MST)[p]I respectfully disagree with oldoregon. Non hunting packs were never designed to haul heavy loads of meat....I'm talking 90+ lb loads.If you think non hunting packs are meat haulers, you have never strapped on a Mystery Ranch or a Barneys frame pack with a massive load. MR, Barneys, and the like, are designed and made for people who hunt. They know their packs will somtimes carry loads in excess of 100 lbs, and are built accordingly.Don't worry about the fit. Call MR and give them your torso measurments and a few other basic measurments and they will sale you a pack thats built for your frame. The nice frame has several adjustment straps to fine tune the fit to your frame.

Thats me on the right ready to haul out my ram using my MR 6500. During the course of an 18 day hunt this pack weighed in excess of 90 lbs on several ocassions.

oldoregon · Mar 5, 2013

Well cabinfever I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with you. My gregory pack has hauled 90+ lb loads literally hundreds of times. I work in the winter time for a yurt based wilderness backcountry ski company (december-april). My main job description is that of a porter, i.e. the guy that packs all the groceries up for the 5-7 day, full service, guided and catered ski trips. One yurt is 6 miles in, the other is 2 miles. That adds up to alot of extremely heavy loads, ranging from pony kegs, to full 5 gal propane bottles, all manner of groceries, cots, chairs, once a woodstove, big bags of dogfood, and all other manner of odd shaped and heavy objects. my gregory pack is always super comfortable and it has carried everything I have ever stuffed in it and on it very well. I do this generally 2 days a week, and this is my fourth year. So far not a single complaint. I see people try to do this very same job with their badlands, eberlestock, and mystery ranch packs and the results consistently point towards the non-hunting packs being better.

I've taken My pack on many, many, extended backpacking trips as well, having lived out of it for a total of probably 300 days. I have also packed out several deer, elk, and bears out with it, both by myself, and with help. It has an internal shelf which supports large heavy loads perfectly. I don't rifle hunt, so I don't know how you would choose to carry your rifle.

I've had several bad experiences with a badlands pack I used to own, including one of the main shoulder straps breaking while packing half of a boned out bear in some very steep terrain. The broken strap sent me rolling down the hill, and resulted in some serious bruising.

cabinfever · Mar 6, 2013

Oldoregon

I guess it depends on how you interpret over priced. In my experience, Badlands is overpriced and is not the kind of quality I'd expect from a $450 pack. However, it sounds like you have never strapped on a Mystery Ranch and made the comparsion.Mystery Ranch is not even in the same conversation as Badlands and Eberlstock(i've owned both). A 1974 VW Bug and a Toyota Corolla will haul the same amount of passengers, but which one is more comfortable and efficient to drive.If comfort, weight distribution, and durability, aren't an issue for you, than I suppose a guy could make due with just about any pack.I think it's also important to note that the MR is used in several military and special ops applications. Furthermore, I have found more die hard sheep guides and hunters use MR than almost any pack out there.Bottom line, the MR was made to haul lots of weight. I'm not bagging on your gregor. I use a similar pack for lightweight scouting trips, however in my experience you are getting your moneys worth out of a MR.

cabinfever · Mar 6, 2013

LAST EDITED ON Mar-06-13 AT 11:18AM (MST)[p]work2hunt

If it aint in the budget to spend $600+ on a pack, take a look at the Cabelas Alaskan Outfitter pack for $279. It's an external frame pack and has several great customer reviews. Although heavy, frame packs carry lots of weight extremely well. I would also buy an eberlstock over a badlands, as i believe they have fixed some of their weight distribution issues on there newer packs.

Work2hunt1 · Mar 6, 2013

Thanks for the input guys. I will say I have been eying up the Eberlestock Dragonfly, mostly because I can see it from my local Cabelas. I haven't put any weight in it, but I like the flexibility this pack offers. It seems like it can double as a daypack and then if need I can pack meat out by opening it up. Also, if so inclined I could put a spike pack on the outside and attempt to pack camp and meat out in one haul.

Unfortunately I can not seem to find a Kifaru, Mystery Ranch, or Stone Glacier any where around me. I guess my question for these packs is what flexibility do they have. The Dragonfly seems to have some nice built in smaller pockets for organization and such. I haven't seen any real detailed pics of the others. Nearest I can tell most of them look like a big tube that everything fits inside with a couple models having a pcoket for a spotting scope.

The previous posting mentioned a Cabelas Alaskan outfitter pack. How is that for flexibility? From the website it looks like a decent pack, but it doesn't appear to allow for packing an animal and anything else at the same time. Is that correct?

heartshot · Mar 6, 2013

LAST EDITED ON Mar-06-13 AT 02:32PM (MST)[p]I kind of have the same opinion as Oldoregon. I think non-hunting packs can be rock solid. I scratch my head when people think they are not built for the weight. The non-hunting pack industry has been around for a lot longer and has a lot more users. There is some great stuff out there. A lot even at decent prices. Of course there is some poor stuff out there but there is nothing wrong with a good quality non-hunting pack. They can handle the weight. I've had my Lowe Alpine pack for 13 years now. It flat out can handle the weight and distributes it brilliantly. It fits me like a glove. I pack heavy when I back pack (I like to eat good

). Every year when I go on a 6 day backpack trip, it weighs 90 lbs. The pack handles the weight the like a champ. When I throw in both a front and a hind elk quarter ( bone-in) It doesn't begin to phase the pack. My legs will break before the pack. I've never once had a broken zipper, buckle, or strap and the material or stitching has never ripped.
I'm not saying a hunting pack can't be the same. Someday I might get one. That is if my non-hunting one ever dies. It would scare me to get one because of all the hunting pack failures I hear about. Based on cabinfever's recommendation, I will look into MR if I am ever in the market .
Work2hunt1 - If you want a new "hunting" pack, go for it. I don't have firsthand experience with them. I have some buddies that own Eberlestock packs. They really like them for hiking around all day but the minute they load it down and put some weight in it they hate it. They complain a lot about how the packs do a horrible job at balancing and distributing weight.
Just my 2 cents

cabinfever · Mar 6, 2013

LAST EDITED ON Mar-06-13 AT 05:54PM (MST)[p]work2hunt

If you plan on living out of a pack for 7 days and than hauling out a critter at the end of a hunt I think 5500-6000 cubic inches would be your minium size pack. I know I use up every ounce of room in my MR 6500 when it's time to haul out camp and a boned out critter.The MR has a tube style design in the main compartment with a shelf seperating the sleeping bag compartment from the main compartment. It has 2 long pockets for spotting scope and tripod and of course the top compartment. You can also add the hip belt pockets which I love for easy access without removing the pack

Eberlstock makes a nice pack and it doesn't seem to have the durability issues the badlands 4500 has had.I think the dragonfly would be a great pack but at 5400 ci i would not go smaller.

The problem with trying on packs in the store is they are empty.Load a pack up with 70 lbs and you will know if you have chosen the right pack. I used an eberlstock J104 for years and hauled out many critters with it. I liked the pack. It was durable, with all the right size pockets in the right places.My only beef with the pack was how the frame distributed weight under heavy loads (50+ lbs).Hopefully they fixed that in the new dragonflys.For years I had been hearing nothing but great reviews about the MR packs.A few years ago I was at a hunting expo and MR had a booth there. The guys at MR fitted me with a 6500 pack and than proceeded to add about 70 lbs.I purchased the pack on the spot. The following year I used it in AK. We packed some serious meat on that trip.The pack has been battle tested in some harsh conditions. It's a freaking awesome pack.MR was actually founded by Dana Gleason who has been in the backpacking industry for more than 30 years. He founded Dana Design, a company whose packs still are recognized for their ruggedness and breakthroughs in load carrying technology. K2 Corporation bought Dana Design in 1995 and Dana formed Mystery Ranch in 2000. The founder of MR was actually designing non hunting packs long before he made packs for hunting.

I have limited knowledge of the cabelas pack. I just know it has great reviews. Personally i think its on the small side considering what you are using it for.

SantanaOutdoors · Mar 7, 2013

I think you are headed in the right direction with the blue widow. Along the same lines is the eberslestock J34. It expands out to 4600 cu inches, but is capable of reaching 7500 cu inch with the addition of a zip on super spike duffel. Check out the link below and also watch some quick footage on the J34.

http://www.santanaoutdoors.com/servlet/the-543/Eberlestock-J34-Just-One/Detail

Eric Santana
www.SantanaOutdoors.com
"Premium Hunting Gear"

ForkWest · Mar 7, 2013

I've done and still do the same hunt you are talking about every year. I'm also the same build. For the past several years, I've been doing 5-8 days, nomadic, high country mule deer hunts in Wyoming. I'm using a 2nd generation Badlands 4500. You can pick up the 1st and 2nd generation on ebay or elsewhere used a whole heck of alot cheaper than then new packs. With the exception of a few extra pockets, they'er the same pack as the $380+ new ones.

I'm definatley not saying its the end all answer. I'm saying its what I've used, and it works.

Last year, 5 miles in, both me and my buddy unexpectedly kill two good and BIG body muleys. The pack out, one trip, was our full camp, boned out meat, cape and rack, at a confirmed weight of 128lbs and 124lbs each. (Checked on the scale when we got home). Our packs, both BL 4500s worked fine, our bodies not so much. 2800ft elevation loss and 5 miles, it was exrutiating and almost unbearable the last mile or two.

With that kind of weight, it matters very little what pack is used as long as the pack is "good enough". Meaning the pack dosent rip or break and padded enough not to tear your shoulders and hips apart. It's going to be grueling no matter what, but its do-able with the badlands. Proof.

Tank · Mar 8, 2013

I have done this 3-8 day back country hunting for the past 15 years. I have done it out of a Kelty, Badlands (which broke) and now the Eberlestock Dragonfly. The Kelty pack hauled entire deer out in one trip(Minus the head). No problems at all. Others are correct in saying the non-hunting backpacking community is a much larger group and have much more experience in designing packs. Just because we put some camo on a pack and market it to the hunting community, doesn't mean it is the best pack out there.
THe Badlands broke a zipper and 2 buckles on two overnight trips and was quickly sold off.
My Eberlestock Dragonfly has been in service since 2005 and no problems. It has done a lot 3-8 day trips, and hauled meat out of some crazy canyons with zero failures. The fact that it can expand out is a great option. Plus the expanded large compartment is a heavy mesh and it breaths. This allows meat to cool instead of hold heat and spoil as you pack it out. The fanny pack is always with me, and carries essential survival gear at all times. The gun scabbard carries a tripod with a spotting scope, for quick set up when not packing a gun. I hunt solo a lot, and you have to have confidence in the gear. Eberlestock pack have given me that. (wow, starting to sound like a commercial)
I have 4 friends who use the Blue Widow and have never had a failure. Most of them had a Badlands and it now stays home, or is a back up for someone without a pack.
Not saying that Eberlestock is the end all be all, but it gets the job done.

blazingsaddle · Mar 8, 2013

I have used the badlands 4500, which works well. But is bigger than I need. I recently switched to the Eberlestock Battleship V69.
I gave up some space, but along with the un-needed space I lost over a pound as well. I went 8 days last year in Nevada with it. You have to get clever with packing once an animal is down. But there is room for a boned out deer with cape along with your gear.
I think the overall cubic inches needed is directly related to your gear. I try to use the smallest pack I can get away with.
I 2nd the thought of back packing packs are not built for the abuse of hunting, thus I don't think in most situations they will last as long. They do tend to be lighter in weight for the cubic inches given though.

Work2hunt1 · Mar 8, 2013

Thanks everyone for the input. There is some good tips here. I may just start trying out what I can find locally and wear it some, put some weigh in it, see how it wears etc. i really hate to order a pack over the Internet or phone that I spent 600 or 700 on and then not really like it.

I'm a little hesitant to try a non-hunting pack if for no other reason but of strapping down an elk quarter or where do I put my gun or bow when I'm packing 5 or 6 miles in. Sometimes it's nice to have your hands free.

ozzymodel70 · Mar 9, 2013

before i spend my money on badlands or eberle i would look long and hard at horn hunter. they make awesome packs that will fill any of your needs. the full curl system in my opinion the best pack for the money extreamly versitle and ive seen it as cheap as 289$ and made in USA! i really wouldnt even consider a pack from over seas

JS128 · Mar 13, 2013

I tried on a pack at the expo this year. The Outdoorsmans Optics Hunter and found it to fit me really well without any adjustments. It is extremely adjustable and can fit just about anyone. Disclaimer: I have no experience with this pack loaded or outside on a mountain, I simply tried it on at the show. But I do like a lot of the features and its made by a company that makes quality products.

Is there anyone on this site that has experience with this pack? If you have any input I would love to hear it as I'm sure others would as well.

http://www.shop.outdoorsmans.com/product.sc?productId=455

From my limited experience at the expo, its a pack I'm looking long and hard at for my future hunts but I would like more information if anyone has it.

grenhdkilr · Jul 4, 2013

tenzing makes a great pack I have the 6000 but 5000 would work well for your torso length.

jims · Jul 7, 2013

Take a look at Arcteryx Bora 90. I know someone mentioned above that non-hunting packs aren't meant for 90+ lb loads but I've had no problem packing out moose, elk, dall sheep, etc and large/bulky loads with the Bora 90. Mine is an older model that holds about 6,000 cu in. Mine was made in Canada and the new ones overseas.

I definitely agree for hauling extreme loads you need something 5,500 cu in+. Smaller packs are not designed for over-sized bulk and weight. Obviously when you have to start strapping loads farther and farther from your center of gravity it makes standing upright tough. We are talking about strapping 2 x 45 lb weights on your back...pretty tough to do with a Badland 2800! I've tried hauling elk hind quarters with Badlands 2800 and it arches my back and I often find myself bending over..trying to walk....not exactly stable or comfortable!

When I first started out I had a Cabelas Alaska framed pack. I ended upsidedown several times like and over-turned turtle. They are super unstable with heavy loads because there is such a large gap between the frame...the load...and your back! The load constantly shifts on steep,uneven terrain..which is dangerous! Carrying the bulk of the load next to your torso is essetial for stability and comfort!

I know there are a lot of Badlands followers but the 4500 is EXTREMELY heavy for only being a 4500 cu in pack. If my memory is correct the unloaded pack weighs over 9 lbs? I considered one but saw how much they weighed...which quickly changed my mind.

If you want a reasonably priced hauling pack for camp/meat take a look at the Arcteryx Bora 90. If you are lucky you may be able to pick one up for super cheap on Craigslist or Ebay.

Work2hunt1 · Jul 26, 2013

So I am a rookie when it comes to 4000+ cu in packs/cargo haulers/meat haulers and what to expect while wearing them. I still haven't picked a pack out, mostly because we decided not to do the trip this year but are planning to next year.

I was able to borrow an Eberlestock dragonfly from a friend of a friend to try out. So I loaded it up today with about 90 lbs worth of dog food and went on a 1 mile walk. My questions for those that use larger packs for hauling camp in and meat and camp out is I felt fine in the back and shoulders, but my hips were pretty sore. Is this typical? Also I really felt like I was leaning forward to compensate for the weight. Will a higher quality pack (kifaru, mystery ranch, stone glacier, ???) allow you to walk more upright or is compensating for the weight by bending forward a given no matter what the pack is?

TwoFingers · Sep 4, 2013

I purchased a Tenzig 5000 off of amazon.com last year, its an amazing pack. I think it was 200 bucks or so, a much better deal than I could find anywhere else, they were 400-500.