I may be a lazy hunter

[rasbo]

Been looking at packs quite a bit lately. Still waiting for one to jump into my arms though. For all the guys saying forget the sled in favor of a game cart... I'm talking about areas where walking is treacherous, let alone trying to get something with wheels moving for more than an inch at a time until it falls through the next pile of rotting logs.

the deer sleigh in the large size is great for steep terrain,taken many bears out with them.however if you buy one lose the strings that come with them,I use old ski handles with a heavier woven ropeI like to take my time and enjoy the pack out.Now being hurt,packing out with anything on me is out.I fall down to much,the game cart is awesome if you can use them,a deer sleigh in the bottom of one of the really helps the critter from getting hung up in wheels and snags....

[Rainier10]

Now that you are on to a packboard, I swear by Bulpac.  Light frame, lots of tie off spots and wide padded shoulder straps and waist band.  Once you secure your load to it and then put the pack on yourself and tighten it down you are good to go.

[washelkhunter]

Your approach to the problem will of course be dictated by the local geography and cover. a sled will work some of the time, a game cart will probably suffice half of the time, and a backpack (bullpac; my fave) will work all of the time.

[wraithen]

I must check out these bullpacs. Are they carried by any of the big stores? I can pack about 60 - 80 lbs about 4 miles in under an hour on flat ground. Gotta get that time down!

[washelkhunter]

No stores carry them. Go online to their website. Sounds like your doing OK; you can pack for me anytime. 

[idaho guy]

 I agree with most of the advice on here. Usally hunt elk with tons of deadfall and steep areas where a sled or cart would never work. If it is a long packs just like others have said bone it out. Well worth the extra time which is not that long. Just wanted to add I have used a lot of pack frames from junk(not worth the money you saved) to expensive but just bought one from cabelas last year and have used it on a few animails and it has been awesome! It is the cabelas brand and I think it was alaskan outfitter (bought the frame not the other junk) but it is priced in the 130 dollar range, check it out.   

[wraithen]

No stores carry them. Go online to their website. Sounds like your doing OK; you can pack for me anytime. 

I'm in the army. They would frown on me not being able to do at least that good!

I agree with most of the advice on here. Usally hunt elk with tons of deadfall and steep areas where a sled or cart would never work. If it is a long packs just like others have said bone it out. Well worth the extra time which is not that long. Just wanted to add I have used a lot of pack frames from junk(not worth the money you saved) to expensive but just bought one from cabelas last year and have used it on a few animails and it has been awesome! It is the cabelas brand and I think it was alaskan outfitter (bought the frame not the other junk) but it is priced in the 130 dollar range, check it out.   

I'll have a look at the cabelas one. Where were you at 10am when I was in there?!  I'm also seriously contemplating getting an alice frame and shelf. I know those things can hold a ton. A lot more than the new plastic garbage the army issues. 

[buckfvr]

Ive had the Alaskan Freighter pack frame for years....that and double layer heavy cotton game bags go everywhere I go.  Dont necessarily wear it, but it is in my truck.

[hambone]

I have used pack frames and the game carts at one time or another its just depends were you are at last year i boned my deer out used the frame to pack out of the canyon then used the game cart when i got on the top

[wraithen]

Ever wonder why they don't make all the roads at the bottom so you could hunt up and pack down?  I know I know, original intent of the usage...

[billythekidrock]

No stores carry them. Go online to their website. Sounds like your doing OK; you can pack for me anytime. 

I'm in the army. They would frown on me not being able to do at least that good!

I agree with most of the advice on here. Usally hunt elk with tons of deadfall and steep areas where a sled or cart would never work. If it is a long packs just like others have said bone it out. Well worth the extra time which is not that long. Just wanted to add I have used a lot of pack frames from junk(not worth the money you saved) to expensive but just bought one from cabelas last year and have used it on a few animails and it has been awesome! It is the cabelas brand and I think it was alaskan outfitter (bought the frame not the other junk) but it is priced in the 130 dollar range, check it out.   

I'll have a look at the cabelas one. Where were you at 10am when I was in there?!  I'm also seriously contemplating getting an alice frame and shelf. I know those things can hold a ton. A lot more than the new plastic garbage the army issues. 

My brother and I both have the Cabelas Alaskan pack. We have had them for 5 & 6 years now and have packed 6 elk, 7 deer and 3 bears with them. I think they are ok, but don't care for the plastic buckles and the frames are starting to wobble a bit.

Would I buy another? Not sure.

If I thought I was going to hunt much longer I would buy a Bull-Pac.

[Cylvertip]

Packing is best looked at I think( as is getting out of a gut hole without a critter on your back for that matter) as being like eating an elephant.     How do you eat an elephant???   

One bite at a time. 

Slow and steady wins the race here.  Set small goals - like -  to get up to the next point you can see, or that next tree, which will break the whole thing down into manageable little pieces. 

When I am standing on a ridge debating to dive off into a hell hole, I remember that I most likely ain't going to kill em where I'm standin, so just go for it.

Remember, Elk hunting is all fun and games until you put a hole in that bugger.  Then the work begins.

[washelkhntr]

Packing is best looked at I think( as is getting out of a gut hole without a critter on your back for that matter) as being like eating an elephant.     How do you eat an elephant???   

One bite at a time. 

Slow and steady wins the race here.  Set small goals - like -  to get up to the next point you can see, or that next tree, which will break the whole thing down into manageable little pieces. 

When I am standing on a ridge debating to dive off into a hell hole, I remember that I most likely ain't going to kill em where I'm standin, so just go for it.

Remember, Elk hunting is all fun and games until you put a hole in that bugger.  Then the work begins.

Very well said.

[rasbo]

I agree with most of the advice on here. Usally hunt elk with tons of deadfall and steep areas where a sled or cart would never work. If it is a long packs just like others have said bone it out. Well worth the extra time which is not that long. Just wanted to add I have used a lot of pack frames from junk(not worth the money you saved) to expensive but just bought one from cabelas last year and have used it on a few animails and it has been awesome! It is the cabelas brand and I think it was alaskan outfitter (bought the frame not the other junk) but it is priced in the 130 dollar range, check it out.

this is the old freighter frame I loved when I could pack things

[idaho guy]

No stores carry them. Go online to their website. Sounds like your doing OK; you can pack for me anytime. 

I'm in the army. They would frown on me not being able to do at least that good!

I agree with most of the advice on here. Usally hunt elk with tons of deadfall and steep areas where a sled or cart would never work. If it is a long packs just like others have said bone it out. Well worth the extra time which is not that long. Just wanted to add I have used a lot of pack frames from junk(not worth the money you saved) to expensive but just bought one from cabelas last year and have used it on a few animails and it has been awesome! It is the cabelas brand and I think it was alaskan outfitter (bought the frame not the other junk) but it is priced in the 130 dollar range, check it out.   

I'll have a look at the cabelas one. Where were you at 10am when I was in there?!  I'm also seriously contemplating getting an alice frame and shelf. I know those things can hold a ton. A lot more than the new plastic garbage the army issues. 

My brother and I both have the Cabelas Alaskan pack. We have had them for 5 & 6 years now and have packed 6 elk, 7 deer and 3 bears with them. I think they are ok, but don't care for the plastic buckles and the frames are starting to wobble a bit.

Would I buy another? Not sure.

If I thought I was going to hunt much longer I would buy a Bull-Pac.

You might be right was packing in salt a few days ago and the chest buckle broke! I have only had a year and packed out some elk but maybe they are not that durable, comfortable though!