Trad Gang

I apologize, up-front, if this doesn't belong here.  But, I'm headed to CO for an elk hunt in Sept.

First....do you elk guys prefer a backpack to a fanny pack?  Next..Is there anything inherent with either that's detrimental to shooting? I need something with enough room (we'll base camp each night in the same place) for a jacket/layer/small amount of gear and at least a 1/2 gallon of water.  I can probably get all of this with either type pack.

I've hunted with both types, and now use my dwight schuh pack. It has an internal frame and I can carry quite a bit of stuff. I take a decent camera along too and this pack allows for the camera and other gear. I don't have a problem shooting with it on, however when I set up for elk, or final stalk mulies or antelope, it comes off. Whichever you use, practice with it on, and make sure you can shoot with it on, sometimes things happen real fast. Good luck!!   :thumbsup:

I've only chased Elk once (Elk-1, me-0), so I can't speak to that. However, I do a great deal of still hunting here in Ohio for WT. I always have a back day pack on. It holds what I've found to be of need. many times there is a small tree stand attached for whenever I find a tree that I just have to be in.

All I can say, get your rig together and practice with it on. I've never had it get in my way. My preference is for a backpack.

Good luck chasing those critters.

Either one will work fine.  I have always used a back day pack, but am considering a Bison Gear fanny pack. Hardly ever take my pack off, maybe for a mid-day rest, but that's about it.  Never a problem shooting with it on.

I've had to shoot with my Badland 2800.  Can be done - practice with it on.  A larger 4000 plus pack could be a problem if the weight in the pack shifts your center of balance.  You might find yourself on your face after you release.  H

Backpack.

Suggestion:  http://www.prairietrad.com/page33.html

Does not interfere with shooting.

(great service, trad gang sponsor)   :thumbsup:

I've hunted several years in Colorado and I prefer a day pack as opposed to a fanny.  I havn't had any trouble shooting with a pack on as long as you practice some with it on.  I would recommend getting a (quality) pack, you can't believe the difference after carrying it all day for several days.  I know from experience.  My first couple of trips there I had a cheap pack and I paid the price.  Good luck.

BOB

Lost...

That pack looks nice.  And, I'd just as soon buy from Whip as anyone.  More than I wanted to spend (especially since it doesn't come with the hydration pack.....and I need TWO!....lol).

But, I'll give that one a hard look.

I hunt most of the time with a Back pack some small and some pretty big.
There are a lot of good packs out there, for Elk get one with a hydration pack!

Make sure during practice you can shoot from all positions with your pack on. Cut and tape off all loose zips and straps to get them out of your way and keep everything quite.

Backpack for me.
Here in Montana (I assume Colorado would be the same) my mornings leaving camp might be 20 degrees and by mid afternoon it's 60 degrees, so it seems like I am constantly taking layers on and off, carrying lunch, water, knife, saw, survival type equipment, etc. When I leave camp in the morning, I don't intend on going back until that evening and can't seem to get all I need (want) in a fanny pack.
I have no trouble shooting with my Bison Gear pack on, but others have stated and I have time, I'll drop my pack when setting up for elk coming in. That way you can maneuver around easier to get a shot if necessary.
Whip has a great selection of packs, many of which would serve you nicely.
My $.02's
Ron

I've shot plenty of critters with a back on...no worries if you've practiced....shouldn't be a problem, but shooting with it on will give you confidence....and let you know if there's any squeaking.

Sometimes if I see animals soon enough, I'll shuck my pack and stalk without it....but I have been caught off guard and all went well.

Good question....

Here's a tip, like Terry said "I'll shuck my pack and stalk without it" make sure that once you drop it to start stalking make sure that you can find it, there is nothing like spending and hour looking for your pack and boots after you shot and Elk or a Muledeer so take some surveyor's tape and flag where you dropped your pack or mark it with a GPS and take the GPS with you.

I got the "Blue Widow" from Whip and I can shoot with it packed with everything I need for a three day hunt.It packs so nice with all the compression straps it doesn't interfere with shooting.I practice with it on and fully loaded and I was very careful to buy lightweight gear.  Bob

Full back packs can tend to be more restrictive than fannys or fannys with shoulder straps.  If you choose a full stiff backpack then test out your draw cylcle.  It can interupt your normal draw, which can mess with your concentration.  I like a fanny with straps if I plan to get back to camp evey night.  You can get 1000 to 1500+ cubic inch - its plenty.  Dont like to carry the extra weight, more restricted in movement and harder to sneak.  I often look for packs that have curved shoulder straps, they are less restrictive on drawing.  As said above, I drop my pack if I can.  Otherwise, if time does not allow then I will loosen my right strap and it will allow full movement.

Not shooting, specifically, but I switched from a daypack to a shoulder bag a year ago and love the change.  The synthetic material on the pack shoulder straps and the high position of the pack bag contacted brush and made too much noise when stalking.  At very close range the shoulder straps would make enough friction noise when I raised my arms to shoot that animals would alert.

I switched to a single strap shoulder bag with cotton strap.  Much quieter and handy to access by just swinging it around to my front and grabbing out what I need.

QuoteOriginally posted by CA BOWHUNTER:
Here's a tip, like Terry said "I'll shuck my pack and stalk without it" make sure that once you drop it to start stalking make sure that you can find it, there is nothing like spending and hour looking for your pack and boots after you shot and  

Take your judo or blunt out and cram it in the ground next to your pack(if you use bright fletches like me, they come in handy in many ways) as you wont be needing it on your stalk.  That will also help you find it.

I like that tip, I once spent a hour lookin for my pack after chasin a buck on a island on the potomac.  And since then I have never set my pack down, but I might loose the 25 pounds of extra clothing from now on and stick my pink feathers in the ground next to it!

One little thing to remember.......if you are using a hydration pack---don't forget to tuck that mouthpiece somewhere where it won't catch your string at full draw-----those things hurt when they come whipping back at ya, not to mention what happens to your shot!  :knothead:    :bigsmyl:

Ben's post goes to what I was going to say, which is to practice with your pack on well prior to your hunt. The first time I shot with mine on I realized that I needed to move the hydration pack tube from the left strap to the right one (I'm right-handed) to keep it away from my bowstring.

Aside from that, make sure you practice not only with your pack on, but with at least as much weight as you anticipate carrying. For me, having that much weight across my shoulders while shooting took a little getting used to.

PM sent.

I've use the Bison Gear Lost River pack for elk hunting for quite a few years now.  It works well and is easy to shoot with.  After wearing it a few days, you get to where you miss having it on.

Mike

I like packs in the 1500-2000 cu in range for that type of hunting.Layering is importsnt in the mountains when temperatures and your own body heat hnges so much.

They make some small pockets with velcro straps that can attach to your shoulder strap or waist belt.It is a good idea to carry your small pocket camera on your shoulder strap or waist belt so you can get it out quick without taking your pack off.put it on the right side for a right hand shooter,to not interfere with the string.It seems like a small thing but there will be a lot of things you will want to record besides a trophy photo and you will miss some things if the camera is in your pack and you have to take it off everytime.

I use a large fleece daypack from Rancho Safari that I like except it could use a hydration pocket.I just like the quietness of fleece or wool and even the shoulder straps are covered in fleece.Dead silent.

If you will be in steep country,make sure you have a solid pair of boots with an agressive tread and good support and have them well broke in before the trip.Forget cost on these.Get the best you can afford.Your feet are the foundation for your entire trip.Be kind to them.

I can't wait to hear about your trip.It's going to be an exciting time.

I got a Keyes Quiver pack that is pretty narrow yet deep enough for plenty of gear.Its narrow profile keeps it centered between my shoulders and does not effect my shooting at all.You can also add a belt pack to it but thats more than I usually need.

I use a Cabelas day pak my wife gave me like 10 years ago.  Its waterproof soft & quiet. I just take a few shots each fall with it on, or take it stumping tp practice. Its like it isnt eventhere.  Mike

For years I carried a North face Terra 40.  It is narrow enough to not restrict shooting but can hold quite a bit.  Probably not big enough for an elk hunt though and the new model is smaller than the old.

I recently got an Eberlestock Just One Pack.  I really like it and doesn't seem to inhibit shooting.  Can hold a ton and has a neat way to expand.  Guess the key is to load it up with what you would have in it when hunting, start shooting and see how it works.

Already lots of great advice here. I'm also in the shoot with it on camp - practice ahead of time to gain confidence and let you work out any bugs.

I totally agree with the hydration requirement. Water bottles are not the same. To use many of them requires taking the pack off, and I don't want to waste time to do that constantly. The temptation is just not to drink as much as you should, and good hydration is to important to performace. Your body needs water more often than you think when hiking the mountains. Drink often, even when you aren't thirsty.  

Last year I shot a mule deer and an elk, both with the pack on. Both situations developed fast and I doubt - would have been able to get away with shucking my pack before shooting. But I knew the pack was not a problem and it never entered my mind to take it off. I don't make any excess movements when in close.

Experience in the mountains has also taught me the benefit of a pack that will haul at least your first load of meat back to the truck. Warm temps can make it important to get the meat out quickly, and if you are miles from the truck in rugged country the last thing you will want to do is hike back to the vehicle for a decent inernal or external frame pack. Be prepared to be succesful!

I always hunt with a pack, and never shoot a bow at a critter with it on...

I will say do both.  If you have a bull coming in don't fiddle with the pack.  But if you are settin up take it off and you will be able to move better, if you put in the time to make sure ou can shoot with it on.

I do most of my hunts a LONG ways from the truck and just quarter or bone out and put in my daypack.  I use a black creek Canadian and have hauled bears, pigs, and a whole deer and it does great and is not a bank breaker.

I think they updated it, mine has been in service for four years or so.

One thing to do on all packs is sew velrco strips on the end of the straps, 90deg to the strap, then you can keep those long straps from getting in your way.

Another thing I like is it has a orange sheet that comes out so I can relocate it when I get back from a stalk.

Nothing more annoying than spending an hou looking for a camo backpack in a brushy area, especially if your boots are with it!

I have used both and depending on the situation one may be better than the other. I find the older I get the less I want to pack around. If I am not going out all day or in the late (cold) part of season I usually just take a possibles bag with just a few needed items. Later in the season or on long days I will take the back pack for extra food, extra clothes, and since I have a little extra room some game bags. As stated above and I believe it is worth repeating. Practice with whatever you will use. Killed 2 elk in the last 3 seasons with a back pack on. You don't even think about it if you are used to shooting with it on. By the way. Either way I always pack a water filter with me so I don't have to pack as much water, 16 oz is more than enough and I just refill every time I cross water. Make sure you use a filter, them little water bugs can knock you down for a few days!

I used to carry a big fanny pack with shoulder straps on it... if I'd not practiced with it on it seemed to cause my shot to go low... don't know if it was the straps restricting the shoulders as the bow came up or what... but would finally adjust to it...

Good advice on the hydration tubes... I've not done that but had other things get hung in the string... interesting developments... ha!

Jonathan

I think that most of the things that I would say have been covered.

I use a badlands 2200. I know Terry and others mentioned about practicing with it on. Practice with is full of your hunting gear and water. It is not hard to shoot but it is a different feel.

Andy mentioned securing loose straps. That very thing cost me a deer once. Very valuable input there.

I also am a person that if given the chance I will drop my pack. Dont forget to mark it with something though. They can be hard to find. :banghead:  GPS, Arrow, tape,or landmark just use something. That is big country and you will go a long ways following an elk and not know it.

Find something that is comfortable for you to wear with the appropriate gear that is needed. hen go get your elk then tell us the story and show us the pictures. Good Luck to you.