Still having a heck of a time deciding on a pack. As much as I would like one I simply cannot afford a Kifaru or Stone Glacier pack, too many other essentials to buy. Was looking into the Tenzing 6000 or Horn Hunter full pack. Need something that will hold 5-10 days worth of gear and be able to pack out a mule deer or elk quarters. Any advice? Has to be under $400
I have the large badlands pack and see no reason to get anything else for long hauls
I don't have one but I have been impressed with the smaller Tenzings. Packs are very personal things and I think they should be tried before you buy.
I believe the guys at www.rmsgear.com (http://www.rmsgear.com) ( sponsor) carry and use the horn hunters, you should give them a call. I don't see them on their website, but I'm pretty sure that's the line they sell and I seen them when I was in the shop the other day.
try Eberlestock, J34 Just One, compresses down to a nice daypack, very comfortable. I have carried 55 lbs with 5 days food with no problems. Have not hauled meat yet, hopefully this season.
http://www.eberlestock.com/
Are you planning to hunt with your pack and whole camp on your back?
If not you may want to think about getting an external frame pack to haul camp in and use a smaller day or fanny pack while you hunt.You can find pretty good deals on Kelty,Ospray or Dana Design packs.For me its just more difficult to draw my bow while wearing an external frame pack
Tim
X2 On the Eberlestock j34! Great day pack to multi day pack that will Hauls meat, pop up blinds, duck decoys, bear bait etc... great! I have had mine 5 seasons so far and still like new.
I am going to hunt from a bivy camp, so mostly everything would be with me. I would drop the pack on the final stalk. I do lime how the Horn Hunter pack can be separated from the frame to be used as a day pack.
I just bought the full curl horn hunter for Colorado elk hunting. Nice product, have not used it in the field but have been hiking with a 25 pound barbell plate in it and it is very comfortable. Like the idea of changing from backpack to carrier, very versatile. Made in the USA.
Here is my Colorado Elk pack. I bought it on here for $100. I used it on two 2 week elk hunts in the back country of Co. The packs clip off so you can use them for a day pack or fanny packs. It holds a ton of stuff. I had the Badlands 4200 but sold it since it is very hard to organize or get stuff out.
It doesn't have to be expensive to be good. This is the Dwight Schuh pack. I was very happy with this pack.
(http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv324/distantmeadows/DSCN0071.jpg) (http://s696.photobucket.com/user/distantmeadows/media/DSCN0071.jpg.html)
(http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv324/distantmeadows/Colorado%202011/DSCN0043.jpg) (http://s696.photobucket.com/user/distantmeadows/media/Colorado%202011/DSCN0043.jpg.html)
Bison gear, they have a 4500 that is awesome. The elkhunter I believe is the name. I bought mine for under $400 and it will last a life time! Shawn
Otherbthan the camo fabric, what makes these packs "hunting" packs? Seems like there are a lot of great choices in the backpacking packs that would work just fine... :dunno:
Hey Shawn looking forward to the bunny hunt again. Can't wait to see you guys.
Gil
Jacob,
The reason the packs you mentioned are so expensive is they carry a HEAVY load like an external.
If you don't mind making an extra trip back to the truck where you have a freighter frame to carry your heavy load, you can get by with most of the daypacks mentioned. They are all pretty decent with 30# in them, but you put #100 pounds in them and it is going to make you wish you spent the extra money...that is said with experience. I was young and had more brawn than brains at one point too ;)
If you can find an OLD Coleman frame Schuh pack, that might be your best option from a cost perspective. The newer Remington branded ones broke a LOT with moderate loads.
Find a used Cabelas Alaskan and make an extra trip and hunt out of an Eberlestock X2. If it were me and I had a year before I really needed it, I'd find a way to put an extra $25 a month into my kitty and get your Stone Glacier. Look Kurt up, maybe he needs help in the shipping department!
If you are a college kid on a budget, just buy a large backpacking pack on one of the many outlet websites.
I have never found much of a need for a "hunting specific" pack. That sort-of-quiet camo fabric they use on "hunting packs" is heavier than dirt and you can't be that quiet wearing a large pack anyway, so don't worry about it. Use the pack to get to and from your hunting spot, then ditch it and hunt.
Internal frames work great if you are boning out your meat. External frames are probably better for elk quarters.
If you are looking to spend top dollar some day, Mystery Ranch is right there in Bozeman and they make solid packs for heavy loads.
You can probably find a good used pack in Bozeman too, lots of outdoorsy folks constantly upgrading gear.
Here is my hunting partner with his Badlands 4200. The next year he bought the Cabealas Alaskan Outfitter Pack and Frame. It is on sale now at Cabealas for $239. It has a sturdy pack frame that would work great packing out meat.
Here is a link to the pictures of the Alaskan. Check out the pack frame on this one.
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/largeImagePopup.jsp?productId=1165425&cImage=s7_517727_999_01
Here is a picture of his Badlands. The next year he had the Alaskan. That is going to be my next pack if my Schuh bites the dust somehow.
(http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv324/distantmeadows/Colorado%202011/DSCN0016.jpg) (http://s696.photobucket.com/user/distantmeadows/media/Colorado%202011/DSCN0016.jpg.html)
Gil, you boys tale a LOT of stuff elk hunting! :D
I've owned the Horn Hunter packs, and they're great. I just picked up a Tenzing 6000 this year, and while I haven't packed it into the woods yet, I really like some of the features. I'm 6'2" and the Tenzing 6000 seems to fit a longer Torso a little better. Also, I think I can get more gear in the Tenzing. Just my 2 cents.
Tracks just gave some sound advice...
What I do is carry a Cabelas bow pack as my daypack. It has aluminum stays that will carry a reasonable load back to the truck. After that I switch to a Cabelas Alaskan I for the rest of the trips. Works well for me but I'm just one opinion and there are as many as there are posters.
Steve we went in for 14 days. 14 days of food alone fill a pack.
The auction site has one new with tags for $199 shipped. I may need to get that for next year. A cheap Hollander like me can never pass up a deal! Ha!
Gil
Do yourself a favor and buy a Marine corp ILBE off of the big auction site. Can buy them in the $50-100 range all day and it's an incredible pack. If I didn't have a Kifaru that's what I'd run!
That ILBE pack looks nice. 4500 inches and $65.
I have an alice pack but that is like you are carrying a dozen mortars with you before you fill it.
I would buy a pack that is not hunting dedicated for that kind of work and save some money for the performance You don't need camo, stealth fabric or any of the bells and whistles. Any big pack that can haul ten days worth of food and shelter etc can carry an elk quarter.
I am lucky, but you can get 300 dollar packs that are 3 or 4 years old used on CL in my area for under 150.00 all the time. Good packs too- top of the line.
Joshua
Gil if you get another pack I'll take that eberlestock one you snagged up a couple months ago here in the classifieds. By the way it was great getting to meet you and your hunting partner in Waldron last year.
i have a badlands 4200 and i like it. as far as comfort and hauling heavy loads its great. like Gil said it could use a few more smaller pockets for organization. i get along great with mine (elk hunting CO). my friend had a Cabelas frame pack i didnt use it but we loaded it down with meat. has anyone mentioned mystery ranch packs. they are to high dollar for me but people seem to like them
David that wasn't me. I didn't buy an Eberlstock.
That ILBE looks real nice. Made for the Marines so it probably cost the government $1200 per pack. $65 with the assault pack and lid seems like a great deal.
I like to be able to organize my stuff in my pack, but I think I may have to pick up one of them. That is a lot of pack for little money.
Hey Jacob, packs are like almost everything else and are very personal. Most have subtle differences that you'll notice only after hunting with them for a season. There are brands I won't ever buy again, yet others have had great luck with that brand. I've been usingto the KUIU pack the last couple years. It fits me great and is real light. See if you can find some guys around Bozeman that'll let you try theirs during the offseason. Good luck!!
I like my ILBE. It is in the same weight range as my Eberlestock but fits me better and can hual some heavy loads with ease.
I picked up a Cabelas Alaskan Outfitter pack like Gil V. is talking about from another Tradganger. It has a lot of of room and functionality and I like the idea of the freighter frame should I score on something. Heading out to elk country in a few weeks, I'll let you know how well it worked after I return.
Man am I getting old. David told me I bought a eberlestock pack. I went down stairs looking for a Thermocell I have. What do I find but a eberlestock pack. Hmmm, I wonder what else I bought I don't remember! I was just going to buy a ILBE pack too.
Thanks David
Gil
PS - David do you remember what I paid for it?
Whatever you get make sure it can hold about 150 lbs. without breaking. You may not carry that much but you need the strength in the pack. Meat weighs a lot more than gear. I always bone everything out now if it is legal to do so in the hunting area. Takes up a lot less room and I'm not carrying out a bunch of bones that I'm going to through away anyway. Gary
If interested I have a Dwight Schuh Mega Pack that was used once on a trip to Haiti. I would be willing to make you great deal if interested. I have his smaller pack and don't really need the bigger one.
with the Schuh pack, is it capable of hauling meat and gear?
X2 on the Dwight Schuh pack. It is very modest, but I got mine on the classifieds here for $90 and it does all I need.
I don't pack the meat out as I have an outfitter that does that for me.
Good luck!
I've had an Eberlestock and it doesn't hold a candle to the ILBE as far as carrying weight. KUIU either, watched an early one snap, crackle, and pop when loaded with about 100 lbs. The owner had just bought it and was quite upset. Said he would be sending it back as soon as he got home.
I haven't personally packed meat out with it but I see no reason why it wouldn't get the job done. I can email you some pics if you would like. Just PM me.
The only time I packed out meat was with an external frame pack. I don't know how a internal frame pack would be. I assume they have come along way and some would be just fine.
My hunting partner gave me a frame for the Cabealas Alaskan. He had the frame and then bought the entire pack the next year.
I still like the ILBE and am going to give one a try. You can't beat $65 for the pack, lid and assault pack. The government really has high standards for what there equipment has to do.
David I am going to pick up a ILBE. I will compare it to the Schuh and Eberlstok. If the ILBE is good with frame from the Alaskan I will work it out for you with the Eberlstok. Especially since if it wasn't for you I wouldn't have known I even had it!
Gil
Sounds good gil just keep me posted. I sure like my eberlestock just one, let me know what you think of your comparison
Is the ILBE pack an internal frame? And also can the smaller part be removed to use as a day pack? Made by Arcteryx looks like a solid pack, anybody have a place to check reviews n such besides the auction site?
I bought ilbe for an elk hunt this year the top lid really can't be used as a separate pack. I believe you can get an assault pack that will attach to the main pack but I think it would be heavy
I trimmed all the rubber, extra strapping , and buckles from mine and got it down to 7.5 lbs. I've been carrying 70 lbs with mine for 5.8 miles for training it's comfortable if your waist is smaller than 36 you will need med. waist belt the large is to big for me
I found a Cabela's pack at a local pawn shop. The guy thought it was a 51 or 5100 series. The pawn shop received it in 2006. Can anyone help with determining what model this maybe and if it is a good pack?
QuoteOriginally posted by Tracks:
I have never found much of a need for a "hunting specific" pack. That sort-of-quiet camo fabric they use on "hunting packs" is heavier than dirt and you can't be that quiet wearing a large pack anyway, so don't worry about it. Use the pack to get to and from your hunting spot, then ditch it and hunt.
X2
I called cabelas and they said this model was in a 2005 catalog and is the same as the Alaskan. What are your thoughts on the Alaskan? I can get it for $70 and it looks never used.
QuoteOriginally posted by recurvericky:
I called cabelas and they said this model was in a 2005 catalog and is the same as the Alaskan. What are your thoughts on the Alaskan? I can get it for $70 and it looks never used.
If it's in decent shape I'd say jump on it
Love my HornHunter Full Curl. Very versatile pack and will haul a serious load. I used mine to pack in for a 10 day hunt. Once camp is set up I drop the bags and hunt with the frame only, with a dry bag with all hunting essentials for the day strapped under the compression straps. The waist belt has several pockets for the smaller items that require quick access such as calls,gps,camera...Had an eberlestock J104 but like the HornHunter much better.
I bought the Alaskan yesterday from the pawnshop for $70. From the looks of it, it has never been used. I did a thorough inspestion and everything looks great. Also, the pack removes from the fram and the waste belt stays with the frame. I looked at Cabela's and the are selling for $199 on sale.