Unique backpack question for boning out bear

[Mr.T]

I'm zeroing in on a backpack that has a scabbard and is designed for hauling meat but...I'm curious for those who pack out bear if you spend the $$$ on the latest techno pack or have a system for packing out bear and don't need to invest the money cause it just works. Thoughts?

[Kola16]

I got my backpack at a yard sale for $15. It has an aluminum frame, and that is what was important for me

[Tbar]

Sounds like you are looking for a eberlestock j pack. They are great packs and worth the money. Imo

[skagitsteel]

Depends how far you are packing.  I went with a kifaru but mostly long packs for me..... nothing worse than a looong pack with a pack that doesn't carry a load well.  90+ Ibs of bear 3000 above the truck with a badlands 2200 caused me to spend some coin and get a new pack. I tried on and loaded an Eberlestock good pack for the money yes, but load is way off your back causing you to lean over to compensate also load lifters didn't work real well leaving it on my shoulders.

[j_h_nimrod]

Depends how far you are packing.  I went with a kifaru but mostly long packs for me..... nothing worse than a looong pack with a pack that doesn't carry a load well.  90+ Ibs of bear 3000 above the truck with a badlands 2200 caused me to spend some coin and get a new pack. I tried on and loaded an Eberlestock good pack for the money yes, but load is way off your back causing you to lean over to compensate also load lifters didn't work real well leaving it on my shoulders.

That was always my impression of the Eberlestock packs, granted without ever packing with one. I know a lot of people like them but the scabbard seems more of a gimmick than an actual useful item. Hand carrying or strapping my rifle to the side of my pack seems to work just fine.

I have always just used a quality large pack (~7000ci) to get my meat out along with camp. I don't think there is a need for a specialized "meat packing" pack. If I were pulling out moose or elk quarters that would be different.

[NoImpactNoIdea]

Depends how far you are packing.  I went with a kifaru but mostly long packs for me..... nothing worse than a looong pack with a pack that doesn't carry a load well.  90+ Ibs of bear 3000 above the truck with a badlands 2200 caused me to spend some coin and get a new pack. I tried on and loaded an Eberlestock good pack for the money yes, but load is way off your back causing you to lean over to compensate also load lifters didn't work real well leaving it on my shoulders.

That was always my impression of the Eberlestock packs, granted without ever packing with one. I know a lot of people like them but the scabbard seems more of a gimmick than an actual useful item. Hand carrying or strapping my rifle to the side of my pack seems to work just fine.

I have always just used a quality large pack (~7000ci) to get my meat out along with camp. I don't think there is a need for a specialized "meat packing" pack. If I were pulling out moose or elk quarters that would be different.

This was the reason that I sold both of my Eberlestock packs.  With the scabbard it felt like no matter how I packed my gear the load was unbalanced off to one side and pushed off my back with or without a rifle in it.  I wouldnt think I could be but who knows, maybe I was doing it wrong!

[Mr.T]

Sounds like you are looking for a eberlestock j pack. They are great packs and worth the money. Imo

Yeah...have my eye on the J34 mainly for hiking in and hauling out. I may do an overnight trip here and there but mostly hiking in one day.

[Mr.T]

I got my backpack at a yard sale for $15. It has an aluminum frame, and that is what was important for me

This has my attention...how much have you hauled out on one of these?

[TriggerHappy]

I love my wilderness pack specialties pack and frame.  ... I would suggest these packs to anyone...

[RadSav]

I've spent a lot of time with the Eberlestock J107.  Never experienced the same thing the guys above have.  I do have a problem with the belt/buckle system slipping, but that was an easy fix with some Velcro.  I rarely ever use the scabbard as I do not like my barrel pointed down.  Saw a guy sit down on a lightweight barrel and ruin his gun on a once in a lifetime goat hunt. Since then it scares me.  But I do use the pocket for many other things like my tripod.  When carrying a heavy load I empty it out and compress it flat.  Best non freighter internal frame style pack I've used to pack out meat.  Maybe it just fits my body better than it fits others.  I'm not what anyone would confuse with a human mountain goat   Most northern guides actually confuse me more with a bubba hunter until they get to know me   If I were to do it again I would probably opt out of the scabbard and go for the JP9 Blue Widow.  But the be clear I have spent no time with it at this point.

I do not believe I have found the perfect pack yet.  I've given away about a dozen of them over the past eight years.  Always returning to the J107.  But it is far from perfect too.  Most of the northern guys I know that are packing large meat loads up to 30 times a season and many more loads of 80#+ of gear will not use packs made for hunting.  That includes Kuiu and Kifaru!  The Kuiu didn't surprise me but the Kifaru did.  But the one thing every single one of the northern guides I know agree with...Kifaru's Gun Bearer is the only gun system they will use!

[j_h_nimrod]

It is hard to find a pack that does it all, I have not found one yet.  I spent a number of years hunting and guiding for mountain goats in SE Alaska and typically steered toward expedition size internals because other than external frame packs they were the only packs designed for the size loads I was carrying. And it was typically very brushy, narrow, or steep trails that do not lend themselves to external frame packs. We would pack in for 5-7 days and have to be prepared for very inclement weather. Going in the packs were full and coming out they were usually more so.

Now I am hunting where the trails are wide and relatively easy so am coming up with a new setup to use.  I am planning to utilize a hauler frame for heavy loads but have a mid-sized (4500ci) pack to carry camp in and then use it for a day/spike camp pack. It should hopefully be the best of both worlds, large carrying capacity but not unnecessarily big for running out on day hikes. We will see. Plus the whole system should be under 7lbs. There are a lot of packs that are straying into the 10lb+ range that are just too big for a day pack, but then you get the light "hunting" packs and they will not stand up to a load.

[skagitsteel]

I've spent a lot of time with the Eberlestock J107.  Never experienced the same thing the guys above have.  I do have a problem with the belt/buckle system slipping, but that was an easy fix with some Velcro.  I rarely ever use the scabbard as I do not like my barrel pointed down.  Saw a guy sit down on a lightweight barrel and ruin his gun on a once in a lifetime goat hunt. Since then it scares me.  But I do use the pocket for many other things like my tripod.  When carrying a heavy load I empty it out and compress it flat.  Best non freighter internal frame style pack I've used to pack out meat.  Maybe it just fits my body better than it fits others.  I'm not what anyone would confuse with a human mountain goat   Most northern guides actually confuse me more with a bubba hunter until they get to know me   If I were to do it again I would probably opt out of the scabbard and go for the JP9 Blue Widow.  But the be clear I have spent no time with it at this point.

I do not believe I have found the perfect pack yet.  I've given away about a dozen of them over the past eight years.  Always returning to the J107.  But it is far from perfect too.  Most of the northern guys I know that are packing large meat loads up to 30 times a season and many more loads of 80#+ of gear will not use packs made for hunting.  That includes Kuiu and Kifaru!  The Kuiu didn't surprise me but the Kifaru did.  But the one thing every single one of the northern guides I know agree with...Kifaru's Gun Bearer is the only gun system they will use!

I have heard this a lot with eberlestock packs that they fit some well and others not so much. 

It is hard to find a pack that does it all, I have not found one yet.  I spent a number of years hunting and guiding for mountain goats in SE Alaska and typically steered toward expedition size internals because other than external frame packs they were the only packs designed for the size loads I was carrying. And it was typically very brushy, narrow, or steep trails that do not lend themselves to external frame packs. We would pack in for 5-7 days and have to be prepared for very inclement weather. Going in the packs were full and coming out they were usually more so.

Now I am hunting where the trails are wide and relatively easy so am coming up with a new setup to use.  I am planning to utilize a hauler frame for heavy loads but have a mid-sized (4500ci) pack to carry camp in and then use it for a day/spike camp pack. It should hopefully be the best of both worlds, large carrying capacity but not unnecessarily big for running out on day hikes. We will see. Plus the whole system should be under 7lbs. There are a lot of packs that are straying into the 10lb+ range that are just too big for a day pack, but then you get the light "hunting" packs and they will not stand up to a load.

starting weight is a big factor for day packs, was one of the main reason in choosing kifaru (5000 ci just over 4 Ibs) so far super comfortable as a day pack, haven't packed any animals with it yet I am anxious to test that out!

[KFhunter]

maybe I got some hips on me I dunno - the eberlestock does a good job putting the weight on my hips and not my shoulders.

I need to fix the buckle slip though


x1a1     I carry both bow and rifle and wanted a single pack for both.

[RadSav]

I need to fix the buckle slip though

A simple narrow strip of Velcro loop material sewn through the center of the strap did wonders for me.  I think their strap is just too thin and slick to hold well.  Blacks Creek and similar systems are the best though. IMO

[KFhunter]

This'll be my first reall year of using the pack,  I got it later last year and didn't do much hunting.   Only got about 10 miles on it now.

[Ibcnurun]

I do alot of backpacking/climbing, some hunting related, but most not. As mentioned, there is no perfect all around pack that I have found. But, specific to the question of the ultimate game or quarter hauler, nothing beats this believe it or not.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/American-Seating-Company-WW2-Military-Wood-Frame-Backpack-1944-World-War-II-/111073109677?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19dc7926ad#ht_1001wt_1255

If you just want to flat out haul meat on your back, or ammo for a bazooka, you will be stunned how well these work and how comfortable they are.

[j_h_nimrod]

I do alot of backpacking/climbing, some hunting related, but most not. As mentioned, there is no perfect all around pack that I have found. But, specific to the question of the ultimate game or quarter hauler, nothing beats this believe it or not.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/American-Seating-Company-WW2-Military-Wood-Frame-Backpack-1944-World-War-II-/111073109677?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19dc7926ad#ht_1001wt_1255

If you just want to flat out haul meat on your back, or ammo for a bazooka, you will be stunned how well these work and how comfortable they are.

I actually have on of these and have never used it. It seems like a solid transport pack though. Clever load securment would be necessary though since it does not have a shelf.

[6.8mmARHunter]

Top of the line hunting backpacks:

http://www.mysteryranch.com/hunting

Ridiculously spendy though...

[RadSav]

Top of the line hunting backpacks:

http://www.mysteryranch.com/hunting

Ridiculously spendy though...

I took a hard look at these a few years back.  Just couldn't get over the fact you had 10# on your back before the first item went in.  No doubt nice quality stuff.  I've been hoping for something lighter than the J107 so this did not fit the bill at all.  Know a few guys that absolutely love theirs though!

[6.8mmARHunter]

Top of the line hunting backpacks:

http://www.mysteryranch.com/hunting

Ridiculously spendy though...

I took a hard look at these a few years back.  Just couldn't get over the fact you had 10# on your back before the first item went in.  No doubt nice quality stuff.  I've been hoping for something lighter than the J107 so this did not fit the bill at all.  Know a few guys that absolutely love theirs though!

Top of the line hunting backpacks:

http://www.mysteryranch.com/hunting

Ridiculously spendy though...

I took a hard look at these a few years back.  Just couldn't get over the fact you had 10# on your back before the first item went in.  No doubt nice quality stuff.  I've been hoping for something lighter than the J107 so this did not fit the bill at all.  Know a few guys that absolutely love theirs though!

I guess I should have said "supposedly" Top of the line hunting backpacks...

I don't own one and I haven't. I've just had some friends that raved about them.

[RadSav]

I'd say they are top of the line in quality.  Just too damn heavy for my taste.  I'm broken, fat and grumpy most of the time.  The guys I know that have them are all smoke jumpers.  When they say their feeling out of shape their still 20 times better off than my best day ever!  Don't think they even know when something is two or three pounds heavier.  I think their normal day packs are about 50#

We shot a big bear down in a hole in Eastern Oregon one time.  Straight down from the truck about three miles.  Two of these smoke jumpers and myself at the height of my physical abilities.  Since I guided them to the bear they wanted me to take the glory pack.  I was thrilled.  They each had some serious loads of meat.  I said, "Go ahead!  Don't wait up for me I'll meet you up at the truck."  And off they went trotting up the mountain.  I don't think I made it 1,000 yards before I heard them running back down the hill.  They get to me and say, "We got back to the truck and realized you've got the keys!"  Absolute freakish human mountain goats

[j_h_nimrod]

I have used the Mystery Ranch packs. They are bomb proof, very quality backpacks. As mentioned though a starting weight of 10+ is a little heavy for a day pack. These packs are designed and built by Dana Gleason, one of the original pack innovators. I use a Dana Designs Astralplane built when he still ran the company and before he started Mystery Ranch. It is a great pack and has held up to some crushing loads. This pack is essentially the same as the MR Kodiak minus the color and some differences in buckles and attachment points.

I remember when I was in good shape, never Smoke Jumper shape but pretty good. Still can hold my own but three little kids and a change in career have hurt. I remember guiding though and what it was like to hike 10 miles and 6000 vertical feet in a day with 100 pounds and then going to work the next day and carrying gear in and out of lakes all day and still being able to hit the bar for a round of drinks with friends. I would be shot if I tried that nowadays.

[troyspinetar]

I've got an old Kelty frame pack that I got off Craigslist for $20. Used it last year and hauled out my first ever bear (boned out) and hide. 8 mile hike...I'm sure those fancy $400 packs are plush, but I guess I've got different priorities. Good luck!

[jackelope]

I've got the Eberlestock j104 and I love it. I will say it is not my idea of perfect. I concur that the load lifters have minimal functionality and the belt slips. I need a picture to see how Rad fixed his and I will do it today. I mostly use the scabbard to hold a tripod and spotter or a fly rod tube. It's a great pack though. I think I've heard to them referred to as mid range packs. I agree. There's some improvements that could be made. I've hiked 3-4 miles with +/- 70# in it with mostly satisfied results. I don't have a budget for a $700-900 pack regardless of how well the load lifters work and how light they are so at this juncture I'll power through a little shoulder discomfort and a couple extra pounds of weight. I've done multi-day backpacking non-hunting related trips with it too including Mt. Adams overnighter and it worked well, but I'll be using a backpacking/non-hunting pack for those trips from now on.

[fillthefreezer]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/American-Seating-Company-WW2-Military-Wood-Frame-Backpack-1944-World-War-II-/111073109677?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19dc7926ad#ht_1001wt_1255

If you just want to flat out haul meat on your back, or ammo for a bazooka, you will be stunned how well these work and how comfortable they are.

is this a joke? that looks like the equivalent of comfort as one of those bushcraft pack frames you make with 3 sticks, a bandana or poncho and some cordage....