I hunt watershed property in NY. Usually walk in in the dark and out late afternoon. We mix in a few all day hunts. I hike in about an 45 minute to 1 hour walk to some of my spots. I carry my gillie, lunch, water, gut bag, pruners, calls bonocs, and extra shirt, a Torges Seat. Looking for some suggestions for a good day pack.
I have had a few but the Eberlestock X2 is the best I have found. Get the extension straps and you can strap in a tree stand plus extra clothes with ease. I really like it for my style of hunting and because it has a frame for heavy loads.
I have had a few but the Eberlestock X2 is the best I have found. Get the extension straps and you can strap in a tree stand plus extra clothes with ease. I really like it for my style of hunting and because it has a frame for heavy loads.
I use a Badlands Super Day and really like it.I can carry lots of stuff easily.To much stuff actually!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/Stumpkiller/Bowhunting/DSCN1080_zpsaeb5ab82.jpg)
I use an old military surplus musette bag. Had it so long I don't even remember which country it was originally from.
Have had it about 30 years and it has logged a lot of miles.
Small enough to stay out of the way and big enough to carry lunch and pack out a heart and liver (if I move everything else to coat pockets for the drag out).
Fieldline pro backpack. I carry my tow rope, knife, binos, and rattling antlers in it. Occasionally a few other items make their way in there depending on where I am hunting but for the most part that's it for me.
I have used a bunch of different packs. Love my eberlystock for carrying camera gear when I did.
Last few years I have been using a different type of pack for 99% of my hunting. I wanted a durable reliable bit lighter weight and fast drying pack so I started using backpacking brands of smaller day packs like Lowe alpine, Gregory, camelback, etc. I love them! Light, tough, functional, and super comfortable. Don't see myself going back to a heavier hunting pack again. Nothing wrong with any of the amazing hunting packs out there. But for me the light weight and fast dry time is a big factor. I am currently using a Gregory pack and love it.
Eberlestock Sawed Off does everything I need a daypack to do.
Bison Gear outfitter with shoulder straps.
Bison gear lost river. Not cheap but the best I've ever used.
Bison gear lost river is good, comfortable and wool is always good for not sticking out to critters.
I have used a lot of top end packs, and badlands are my favorites. plus they have THE best warranty in the business. right now I am using a white tail hybrid and it is my favorite pack so far. 1980 cubic inches and has a million pockets(almost literally). eberlystock and tenzing are probably my next two. kuiu is awesome too from what I hear, but VERY expensive...but I have always found that you get what you pay for, especially with hunting gear.
QuoteOriginally posted by Rick Moss:
I have used a lot of top end packs, and badlands are my favorites. plus they have THE best warranty in the business. right now I am using a white tail hybrid and it is my favorite pack so far. 1980 cubic inches and has a million pockets(almost literally). eberlystock and tenzing are probably my next two. kuiu is awesome too from what I hear, but VERY expensive...but I have always found that you get what you pay for, especially with hunting gear.
oops, meant to correct a spelling goof, and quoted myself...lol.
I have a small waist pack made of fleece. Room for two bottles, and two compartments to place my knife, compass, rope, plastic bag, binos, etc. Spots to strap on extra items.
Cheapo, but has been with me now for 16 years. Hmmm, not bad.
I've got several, but like my old Walmart Fieldline I think it is.. for what I use it for. It's really lightweight, has frame and big storage to pack out deer.
I sewed an extra pouch on the belt..left side..for stand keys, glasses and such that I can reach without having to take off the backpack.
I like my Badlands Monster Fanny Pack for when not packing out deer.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v71/Iflytrout/Black%20Widow%20PTF/P1020237_zpsd5681881.jpg)
I bought an Eberlestock X2 the year they were introduced, and I still have it. One of the best day packs I've ever owned. When they added the tubular frame I checked it out and was disappointed...but that's just me being me. So no more X2s in my future.
My finest day pack ever is a Mystery Ranch Dragonslayer. It is beyond comfortable and close-fitting. The yoke & belt exceed every day pack I've ever tried. The build quality of the MR pack is definitely a couple notches above my X2.
My X2 is a really good pack. My Mystery Ranch is a full cut above that.
Another plug for Badlands I have the Diablo. The open air space between the pack and my back really helps keep from getting sweated up on long walks to a stand. Lots of room for what ever you need to carry.
I have a old fieldline day pack with two side pouches it's 100% fleece it was my dads just gave it to me we switched since I bowhunt more he is always swamped with work all that's in my pack a headlight bowstringer and spare string if a worst case scenario happens in field a gutting knife my treestamd seat a grunt call a pack of h.s. Pine scent wafers and that's about it I'm gonna be lightning her up today because I have one last hunt in ny on thanksgiving day with my cousin
I use a pack I bought at Wally world a long time back. It's a bit heavy but OTOH, is made of heavy denier. I carry more than I need on any given day but everything could be needed on some days. The only thing it is not suited to is packing a large load of meat. Am thinking of going to something a bit more heavy duty with a frame so that a substantial portion of meat can be taken out on the first trip back to camp.
The one thing that my pack has and to me is absolutely necessary is a waist and chest strap.
I use a Ribz for camera. water bottle, knives, GPS, compass. survival kit, saw and plastic gloves, warm gloves, extra tab and arm guard and heart bag.
I have a small daypack for jacet and extra hat.the Ribz stays on all the time and I can easily shoot with it on. Everything I really need never leaves my body, even when in the truck on on a stand.
I'm using a Badlands Monster pack right now. Think I'll be looking for something else like bison gear or Kifaru.
Sitka Gear
I store everything I need in my Catquiver 3.5 when I use it and tie down my Torges seat or extra coat.
When I use my backquiver, I have 2 Fanny packs. A small one for my half day hunts and larger one for all day. If we plan on bowhunting quite a ways from the truck during pre rut and rut and will be rattling etc...I then strap on my bowquiver and use my Day One Pack.
Pic below of all my packs....
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/P6230001.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sf1oak/media/P6230001.jpg.html)
I have a Badlands Super Day. But for everyday whitetail hunting my go to bag for the last 20 years has been a Mountain Smith Fanny Pack.
I use this I one with a Deuter drinking system:
(http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p525/FlyingDutchman25/wildebeasttechtrekseanga22_zps14cebf9a.jpg)
(http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p525/FlyingDutchman25/Archery%20Stuff/deuterstreamer_zps9e4cd1ac.jpg)
Bison gear with shoulder straps. Comfortable and quiet
I use a Pack Idaho....that would Bison Gear now a day's...I've had to repair around a zipper....but if the pack ever really wears out I'll buy another Bison Gear Pack...I like shoulder straps...they are a must.....
I love the Badlands Ultra-Day. It carries my ambush saddle and everything I need to climb with. Has extra pockets for about anything you'd need. I love the two straps on the back for strapping down a coat/jacket, etc. The straps on the very bottom carry my knee pads very nicely. I had a Super-Day and it was a bit too large. The Ultra-Day is the ticket for me.
Bison gear is what I use. Nice and comfy- big enough.
Rancho Safari VI ... great day pack, lots of room with enough compartments to keep things findable and organized, great shoulder straps and chest strap.
Catquiver2 w/ waist belt
Bison Gear Lost River- Like the others said, roomy enough, comfortable and built to last. The wool is great.
For midwest whitetail hunting I have used a turkey vest for almost 20 years.
- Everything has its own pocket/place all season (I always know where to find things with 8-10 pockets on each side).
- Its very easy to grab things without taking off a pack.
- The large back pocket is perfect to carry a dromedary bag, a saw, stool, and clothes all tight against your back.
- It distributes weight so you do not even recognize you are carrying much -no stress on shoulders.
- I realize you are not climbing to put up a tree stand but the vest is perfect as the stand is on my back while the vest's contents are always accessible en-route or even while climbing.
- I can haul out a decent amount of meat with it- in fact; 2 guys with vests can haul out a completely boned out deer.
-Once on stand I hang up the vest with everything organized and in reach.
Works for me. . .
Any other style of day hunting I use a large fanny. There are many styles out there today-and many are quite affordable.
Dan in KS
Sitka
KOM or SI.
I used to just carry an old noisy cordura daypack but was always missing something and noisy...and if I shot something I had to walk all the way out to get another.
Now I have a Badlands Sacrifice...same as the old 4500 but 3 lbs lighter...and I am able to strap it up so it is like a day pack...but if needed loosen and open it to carry some meat or couple days of gear.
http://www.badlandspacks.com/sacrifice-hunting-pack.html
(http://www.badlandspacks.com/images/SEO/large_packs/sacrifice/sacrifice-1-badlands-hunting-packs.jpg)
Cabelas Elite scout pack. Love it
Bison Gear for me, with shoulder straps. Go to their web page and pick the pack that best meets your needs. I have owned several other brands, but none meet my needs like Bison Gear. You get what you pay for, that's for sure. :thumbsup:
Badlands 2200. I got it about 8 years ago and I've use it for short day hikes, 5-day backpacking trips, packing out deer, bear, elk, pronghorn, tree stands, ground blinds, as well as chainsaws, fuel, weed wrenches and other tools for work. Amazing warranty that I only had to use when I tried lifting the 118 pound pack of my dad's blacktail by the handle used to hang it.
You're carrying a lot of stuff. The KOM backpack I use is large enough to handle all of that, though some might need to be tied on. Likewise, The Bison Gear Lost River. Both are wool, quiet, well made and will last a lifetime.
QuoteOriginally posted by KSdan:
For midwest whitetail hunting I have used a turkey vest for almost 20 years.
- Everything has its own pocket/place all season (I always know where to find things with 8-10 pockets on each side).
- Its very easy to grab things without taking off a pack.
- The large back pocket is perfect to carry a dromedary bag, a saw, stool, and clothes all tight against your back.
- It distributes weight so you do not even recognize you are carrying much -no stress on shoulders.
- I realize you are not climbing to put up a tree stand but the vest is perfect as the stand is on my back while the vest's contents are always accessible en-route or even while climbing.
- I can haul out a decent amount of meat with it- in fact; 2 guys with vests can haul out a completely boned out deer.
-Once on stand I hang up the vest with everything organized and in reach.
Works for me. .
Any other style of day hunting I use a large fanny. There are many styles out there today-and many are quite affordable.
Dan in KS
That is a unique alternative to a pack. I just got a arrowmaster quiver and was wondering what kind of pack to carry with it. I just may have to look into a turkey vest as an alternative
:thumbsup:
I have friends that use the Primos bowhunters vest. Seems to work for them. A little hot in warmer weather is their only minor complaint.
I've got a Kifaru X-Ray in Coyote Brown. Color works well for Southern California, and it's well made. I've had it and used it for about 4 years now, I think, and it still looks new.
It's perhaps a bit overkill for daypack use, but I have used it for two day ultralight hunts and I can stuff and lash the minimal gear needed for the local climate.
I'm using a Badlands SuperDay. Its does everything I need in a daypack. Just the right amount of space and a good size bladder for the day. Another one I had that was nice was the Tenzing 2220. Really nice pack just didnt fit me as well as the Badlands.
I use military surplus packs I get online from a popular Sportman's company. A fraction of the cost of some packs and tough as nails.
I have been using the Badlands HyperHydro for several years. It is somewhat small and minimalist (I think 900cu), but has a nifty way to carry an extra jacket and you can stash a lot of stuff between the pack and your back and still get good air movement to keep you cool. For larger loads, the DIABLO works well.
BUDK.com has a pretty good selection. I have been eyeballing one on there myself, canvas type bag too.
The vests I wear have shoulder straps (not the full body/wrap around type) so added warmth is not an issue for me.
LL Bean Hunter's pack. Just found it this year and really like it.
Picked it up for $50 shipped.
Same thing I've been carrying for the last 20 - 25 years. I have a German rucksack that holds everything I want to carry, its soft, quiet and if there's nothing in it, weighs very little.
It has carried my lunch and a bottle of water, other times my camera, a small ax and a bundle of emergency stuff (ace bandages, matches, plastic bags for heart & liver). It has carried a 60 lb chamois down the alps.
I'm too lazy to take a pic, so I copied one from the Waffen Frankoni9a catalog. Mine is a bit darker green.
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm312/bladepeek/Temporary%20Storage/Rucksack.jpg) (http://s299.photobucket.com/user/bladepeek/media/Temporary%20Storage/Rucksack.jpg.html)
Badlands Diablo, had a Superday but the Diablo has more pockets to organiz stuff. Both 1,900 c.i.
:thumbsup:
I use a heavy cotton flannel backpack my wife made for me almost 15 years ago. Has pockets on the outside. Closes with a drawstring on top and has a flap on top that fastens to barrel buttons.
Mystery Ranch DragonSlayer - the newer X frame version :thumbsup:
going on 3 day hunt this weekend by canoe....taking the Badlands Sacrifice. Bag in bottom, rain cover and rain poncho in lid,food, sharpening gear for broadheads, hatchet, toiletries in bottom on top bag, clothing, jacket,camera, etc on top......machete on one side, knives, quiver, etc strapped to sides...bedroll and tent underneath. Water carried by canoe (5gal) in addition to what is in water bladder in pack...first aid, survival blanket, flashlights in outer pockets.
while out hunting will put survival blanket, first aid, spare snacks, garbage bags, rubber gloves, knives, etc in pack with the straps tightened down to daypack size....get to area...hunt. Can pack out hog if shot in interior of swamps or marsh islands.
http://youtu.be/dqFFcgmzBaE
it is yet to be bloodied...wish me luck. :)
I use a Badlands Hypervent when tree stand hunting and a Badlands 2200 elk hunting.
After 12yrs as a devout badlands 2200 owner. 2yrs ago I made the switch to Oregon Packworks modular system. One of the best decisions I've ever made.