First year Hunting, pack suggestions

[drift_g35]

This is my first year hunting, I put in for 2nd season Elk. I have everything I need except for a pack to put it all in. I dont even know where to start. I was looking at Kifaru, but I dont know if i want to spend $1000 for a pack and frame. Then I looked at Eberlestock and i'm not a fan of them being made in Vietnam or the lack of pockets for organization.

I am looking for something around 60-70 liters...(I think) I dont plan on being out in the woods for more than 3 or 4 days.


Any suggestions?

[Lars]

Barneyssports.com look at the Frontier gear of Alaska bags. The frames are super light and the bags are tough as nails. Mine has been on numerous elk hunts and to Alaska on four separate trips, and has packed out three moose, one dall sheep and a caribou. Still showing no signs of fatigue or wear. The are priced very reasonably as well. http://barneyssports.com/backpacks.html

[henpecked]

I have a frame pack you could borrow.

[lex137]

Slumber jack bags look nice.

[drift_g35]

I have a frame pack you could borrow.

I will probably want to train with the pack. I appreciate the offer though.


Slumber jack bags look nice.

I looked at them too. They have small and ginormous. Nothing in between.

[sniper7]

Go try some on at sportsmans warehouse, or cabelas or bass. A good pack frame will probably be $200-$600 depending on what it comes with and size and material. I have a few depending on what I'm doing but mostly I just have a day pack and if I get something I bring the pack frame in the next trip.

[Zombie Steve]

When you say you're in the woods 3-4 days, does that mean back to camp every night, or you need to carry absolutely everything (like a normal backpacking trip)?

[Rucker61]

Check out www.rokslide.com. Plenty of packs out there less than the Kifarus, which are fine packs for sure. Exo Hunting and Stone Glacier are two brands starting to gain tractions. The Horn Hunter Full Curl system is, like the Slumberjacks, another more economical version. If you're a vet or LEO, you can sign up on Promotive.com and get a very nice discount on Slumberjack and Eberlestock.

[Jacket]

Their is some decent packs for around $200 - $300 at some of the big box sporting good stores, Kelty, Alpine Lowe, come to the top of my head.

I used packs a lot when I was younger usually the fist thing to wear out or have problems was the straps and zippers so now I look for durable quality straps and zippers. I usually go somewhere with a good selection and try them all on Personally I won't spend more then $300 on a pack it is just a pack..(it is not a gun).

I have been trying to find a pack with out all the newer zipper,strap,collapsible,gadget,foam BS crap they have all over them now. What ever happened to a good basic pack ?

[drift_g35]

When you say you're in the woods 3-4 days, does that mean back to camp every night, or you need to carry absolutely everything (like a normal backpacking trip)?

Probably back to camp every night. Don't want to get too far in and have a 10 mile trip back to the truck.


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[encorehunter]

Take a look at the Eberlestock X2. It is not really a frame pack, but it is a great day pack and has a shelf for carrying out a quarter. I normally hunt with it and then have the frame pack back at camp. It is very comfortable to wear with 25 ponds of gear for several miles a day. I have picked up several older pack frames from garage sales for under $5.

[Zombie Steve]

I have been trying to find a pack with out all the newer zipper,strap,collapsible,gadget,foam BS crap they have all over them now. What ever happened to a good basic pack ?

Filson's are spendy, but they are high quality.

http://www.filson.com/luggage/

[Zombie Steve]

Probably back to camp every night. Don't want to get too far in and have a 10 mile trip back to the truck.


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I figured as much. I have to limit myself on pack size, or I will bring waaaaay too much crap every time. Just in my nature, I guess. The Eberlestock X2 looks about right to me...

I just take a medium sized Maxpedition that I've had for years. Comfortable, and it works. Older version of this, I guess.

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/FALCON-II-BACKPACK-111p110.htm

[Firehaus]

I used this sjk last year.
http://www.slumberjack.com/p-630-rail-hauler-2500.aspx

Too small for more than 2-3 days out by yourself. But the option to drop the frame and just carry the soft pack is nice.


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[Mtn.man]

If you are coming back to camp everynight, then a nice combo day pack, go cheap get side pockets, maybe a upper lower rear pack, I stuff snacks, food, hydro pack, several knives garbage bags for backstraps and tenderloins, orange tape, lighter, space blanket, BackTrac, and parachute cord.
After kill go back to camp with tenderloins and backstraps, get BullPac (had mine now for 25+ years packed out moose, elk, deer, goat, antilope), go pack out the rest in 1/4's or debone. This is easy and you aren't carrying a ton of useless shit.
https://bullpacs.com/

[theGinsue]

After using many various sizes and styles, this is what I use. It may look like it can't hold much, but I carry much more than I need (4 knives, cleaning materials, rain gear, radio, water, lunch/snacks, GPS, 30 spare rnds of ammo, etc..). Not too big, not too small.
http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/mobile/Badlands-Monster-Fanny-Hunting-Pack/productDetail/Hunting-Lumbar-Packs/prod9999010827/cat118605


I also keep a Kelty cache hauler freighter frame on my ATV but don't carry it with me while hiking until I need it. It has a stored blaze orange "rain cover" I can use to cover the meat and broadcast that I'm a person moving through the woods, not an elk.
http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/mobile/Kelty-Cache-Hauler-Freighter-Frame/productDetail/Freighter-Frames/prod72545/cat100861

[bkincaid]

I'd suggest to try on many packs before purchasing, nothing worse than buying one and you later find you hate it or it doesn't fit you (experience talking). I usually strap on one quarter to my backpack and drop it back and truck/camp and grab my pack frame to get the rest out.

[Griff79]

I know I'm late responding, but if you want a lot of information on packs jump over to www.bcusa.com. That is the bushcrafter website. They have tons of info on packs. It's a good place to get some ideas on what works for you.

Griff