I am looking for a backpack that I CAN HUNT FOR ABOUT 3 OR 4 DAYS frame pack
http://www.eberlestock.com/hunting.htm these are worth looking at . i have one and like it but don't have alot of backpack experience to go by. Kifaru gets alot of press too
I use a super freighter metal frame and pack. After use setup you can use the daypack to hunt and use the frame to pack out the elk without the pack on it. Three pack in one. Use a pack frame not a softpack.
Love my Kelty, hard to find, but check out the bison (3300 ci), the cache hauler (external frame, modular size), and there's another, the name escapes me. Can't beat them for the money. Great bags, much cheaper that eberlestocks and badlands.
Mike
I used a freighter frame with what they call a "moose bag" for years for hunting & packing all kinds of stuff. Holds a lot of gear, and with all but the biggest moose the quarters would fit in whole (1 at a time !). If something doesn't fit in it I take the pins holding the bag out, remove the "bag", and strap things directly to the pack. But I bought a large internal frame 6 or 7 years ago and what a difference. A moose quarter will not fit in it, but pretty sure an elk quarter would, easily holds caribou quarters, depending on the size of the animal someimes 2 caribou quarters plus some other stuff. The internal frames are so much more comfortable and quieter. Mine is a Lowe Classic (I think), and got it for a little over 100 bucks. My 2 cents.
I really like my Blacks Creek pack. I have the Western Model. Take a look.
http://blacks-creek.com/product.php?id=4
I second BullMtn. I have the same pack and I think it is wonderful.
bison gear "Lehmi" for me
I like the new Elk Hunter Pack from Bison Gear. Check with Angelo for custom fit. I use it as my hunting day pack for elk , moose, and whitetails. Mike
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/MittenM/hero/9-23-2006-14.jpg)
Mike, neat idea taping that extra quiver on to carry your arrows in with you on a pack in hunt.
Angelo makes some nice gear...Do you also carry a Peak One frame in with you or do you use the pack by itself to carry meat from kill to camp? Does it have one of those pull out meat bags in it?
With the bison gear packs when it rains doesn't it get heavier because the wool gets wet?
If I am going in for two weeks, I like to have some extra arrows. Two or three extra elk arrows and a few stumpers come along on the piggyback quiver. Ha!
Yes I take my "camp" in all tied to a freighter frame. If I am hauling a lot of meat I like the freighter, but for hunting the Elk Hunter is very comfortable.
You can select different outer material from BG that may be lighter than wool. I like the wool, but yes it does take on little weight when wet I suppose. But, it never really bothered me. The thick wool gives extra protection for my camera gear. It is very quiet in all conditions. Prior to this pack I always used the "Screaming Eagle Elk Hunter" (same name) from Paul Brunner's ECO Enterprises, which was also made of wool outer layer. This one from Bison Gear is very similar, but slightly larger and better padded. It does not have an expandable meat compartment, but you could get over 70 pounds of meat in its large main compartment. The entire pack has two layers and is guaranteed by Angelo.
Mike
check out kifaru's long hunter. The packs are expensive but worth it. I've used it now for 7 seasons and its as solid and good as the day I opened the box.
For the last six years I have been using an Alaskan III pack frame. It has plenty of room for a weeks worth of gear. If you plan on carrying camp on your back every day, as I do, this would be a good choice. It also works quite well packing meat. Another pack I like is the Badlands 4500. Lots of room and a removable fanny pack for day hunts. My partner uses one and loves it. You might want to check out Wilderness Pack Specialties too. I met the owner a couple years ago hunting in Oregon, nice guy, and great products. He has a diverse product line, will probably be my next pack should I want to change my rig............Dave