Pack for elk

[coastalbendbows]

#6522

I’m in need of a pack for my first elk trip. My buddy told me we will setup at base camp and spike camp for a couple days if we need to and stay over night. We will be in Shoshone natl Forrest in Wyoming.

I’ve looked at so many packs I’m lost. It’s pack in and out. So I need a meat shelf/bag. And enough room for 5/7 days.

Considering badlands 2200, ebrlestock, and horn hunter full curl system.

Thanks Shawn.

[T Downing]

#52224

I am a big fan of the Mystery Ranch pack 6500 & their Crew Cab. A very versatile combo… In addition, Kifaru makes an outstanding pack called the T2 which would more than fits your needs. Lastly, really enjoy my Bison Gear packs, have heard great things about their Elk Hunter.

[James Harvey]

#52295

Shawn,

I have a mystery ranch day bag that I like a lot, but man you pay a huge premium for modern camouflage patterns, molle attachments and fastex clips. I’m not at all across the variety of packs available stateside, but I reckon the best bang for your buck field packs are the vietnam era ALICE packs. They’re not as volume friendly as modern hiking style packs, but they’re light and rugged. Best of all they’re cheap as chips. I just did a google search and found this:

http://www.amazon.com/Large-ALICE-Field-Frame-Outfit/dp/B004LRDU4G/ref=pd_sim_sg_2

$85 man, 9 pounds, 3800cu in, will comfortably carry 70-100lbs. Molle is the ducks nuts, but you can just sew extra pouches onto the outside of the ALICE and it’s good to go. I know guys who use those packs to replace the ones our Army issues us. They’re fine for about 3 days I reckon, if you have to pack your own water. If you have a water source, the world is your oyster.

Might be worth your consideration. All the best with whatever you get though 😉

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#52315

When it comes to multi-day load-humping packs (and hopefully multiple loads hiking out…), and I’m mostly going to be traveling on trail to where I plan to camp, I like a good external frame. I just find that they’re hard to beat for big loads. I also really like external frames for early season hunts, as they don’t sit directly on your back and make you sweat like crazy, as most internal frames do. I have this one, made by Alps:

The pack removes pretty easily, and then you just have the frame, three fat compression straps and a drop-down shelf for packing game:

It’s very adjustable and I’ve found it to be very comfortable (but that’s always subjective). And the bonus is that since external frames aren’t very popular anymore, you can often get great prices on them – you can find this one for around $120 bucks or so, and I’ve been impressed with the quality for that price. That’s a lot of cabbage leftover for the “pint workout” fund…

That said, if the plan is to do a lot of off-trail travel, it’s hard to beat the lower center of gravity and narrower profile of an internal frame. But as Jim said, they’re a lot more expensive.

[David Petersen]

#52342

That looks like a hard deal to beat for the price, Bruce. How hard is it to remove and replace the pack bag? Where’s the place to buy one? I’m fat on all camping gear for my duration, but this sure looks like a sensible rig and very cheap compared to almost anything else.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#52366

Hey Dave –

There are four pins/split rings along each side of the frame that you remove, and the bag comes off.

I bought the whole rig – frame and bag, but I believe you can also just buy the frame (with shelf, straps, etc) without the bag for even cheaper if that’s all your interested in.

Here’s a little vid that gives more views and info (excuse the Sportsman’s Warehouse plug…):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP3C4vGAagE

If you do a search, you’ll find a number of retailers online that carry it. Seems like $110 is the going rate for the whole package these days.

I just grabbed those images off the interwebs, but I can take a few pics of my actual pack if that helps.

[coastalbendbows]

#52391

Thanks for info guys. Keep it coming.

[SDMFer]

#52409

I’m pretty loyal to Eberlestock and know you can use the J series packs as meat haulers even thought they are internal frame. Just take them to the car wash and spray them out good when your done. I have an X2 that’s day pack size but I’m in the process of modifying it to be a multi day pack in the 4900 cu in range by adding a spike duffle and some other attachments. Mostly because I’m too cheap to buy a new J-series pack.

I also have a Kelty Cache Hauler which I would highly recommend as an external frame set up. Last year I took half (boned out) of a friends elk 3 miles back to the truck with it. I’ve also used it on my own elk, taking camp plus a quarter in one trip then going back for the rest. It can handle more than I can carry I would guess.

Best advice is to get the best that your willing to pay for, my first year of elk hunting was with a sub standard pack. Lesson learned the hard way when straps and molded plastic frame broke under a heavy load.

[James Harvey]

#52724

Bruce that looks like a hell of a lot of pack for the money!

[Brennan Herr]

#53104

I vote for mystery ranch…..I have a dragon slayer and it is roomy and tuff as nails….the quility is really up there. It is the smallest they make but you can strap an elk quarter to it to pack out. I got it as a middle of the road pack for day hunts for whitetail (overkill) and for future elk hunts (hoping it is not under kill :?) but only time will tell. Made in the USA is a big plus too

[wahoo]

#53416

lots of packs , they all seem real heavy. My fave is still what they call Bison gear ( a good hardy pack for hunting). For multi days out yes you might want a heavier pack. Last year I used Badlands the thing weighs 6 pounds empty – worked good .

[coastalbendbows]

#55787

Thanks for all the suggestions. I spent some pennies and ordered me a Eberlestock J34 with the longbow attachment. Hopefully this will be a do it all pack for me.

Shawn

[James Harvey]

#55828

Looks like a good pack Shawn. I hope it serves you well for years to come!

Jim

[Brennan Herr]

#55907

congrats and nice choice…let us know what you think when you get it.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#55928

Likewise. Love to see a review after you’ve used it for a while.

[mikelee]

#55983

I bought an eberlystock pack . has lots of nice features . it does seem to have a fair bit of weight to it even empty .I think i could still haul more on my old external frame pack .But the Eberly is much quieter and better for bushwhacking !

[coastalbendbows]

#8198

I loaded my pack this weekend with 80 pounds of salt 2 sacks. for my water softener and took to the woods for a little walk on flat ground. INitial thought were this thing is amazing. But i will say that this is the first pack that I have ever bought. It is quiet and thats a plus in my book. comfort is great although I have nothing to compare to.

Shawn

[Todd Smith]

#18294

Smithhammer wrote: When it comes to multi-day load-humping packs (and hopefully multiple loads hiking out…), and I’m mostly going to be traveling on trail to where I plan to camp, I like a good external frame. I just find that they’re hard to beat for big loads. I also really like external frames for early season hunts, as they don’t sit directly on your back and make you sweat like crazy, as most internal frames do. I have this one, made by Alps:

That looks like a great pack. I have an old “Freighter Frame” and bag from Camp Trails. I paid more than that for them back in the 1970’s. The frame is not adjustable at the belt level (much) and not where the shoulder straps attach at all. I’m getting a little long in the tooth to be buying any more packs – but this one is one I would SERIOUSLY consider if I was. Versatile, priced right, nice low center of gravity, etc. Very nice. Thanks for sharing. 😮

The pack removes pretty easily, and then you just have the frame, three fat compression straps and a drop-down shelf for packing game:

It’s very adjustable and I’ve found it to be very comfortable (but that’s always subjective). And the bonus is that since external frames aren’t very popular anymore, you can often get great prices on them – you can find this one for around $120 bucks or so, and I’ve been impressed with the quality for that price. That’s a lot of cabbage leftover for the “pint workout” fund…

That said, if the plan is to do a lot of off-trail travel, it’s hard to beat the lower center of gravity and narrower profile of an internal frame. But as Jim said, they’re a lot more expensive.

[mittenm]

#21133

The thing is most of the exterier matterial is too noisy for a day back. So, I just get a freighter frame and tie my camp and day pack to that. After camp is set, I hunt out with my day pack, The Elk Hunter by Bison gear. Exterial can be wool or saddle cloth depending on what you like.

[mittenm]

#21135

Bison Gear Elk Hunter

[Author]

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