Hunting Pack

[RadSav]

I've never understood the logic of hunting with out the ability to take care of meat....that includes all the game bags for an entire animal..and the ability to pack out that first load.

I think for many it all has to do with either not believing you will be successful that day, proximity to the truck, long history of wearing an uncomfortable pack or a combination of all three.  I know I'd probably not wear one if my pack was a WWII pack board, I hunted no more than 200 yards from the truck and felt elk were some mysterious creature only seen on the pages of a magazine

[kentrek]

I've never understood the logic of hunting with out the ability to take care of meat....that includes all the game bags for an entire animal..and the ability to pack out that first load.

I think for many it all has to do with either not believing you will be successful that day

with out confidence how can one stay focused on the objective ? Once your focus is gone you might aswell go home

Super broad but I think this is the basics of success

[BULLBLASTER]

My Mystery ranch 6500 is worn on every hunt even half day elk hunts and treestand whitetail hunts in Nov...it barely fits all my clothes I have to pack to the stand in cold weather . Elk hunting I have everything in it to break down and pack a elk out if needed..no way I am walking back without a load.

im in the same boat. Always take something out with me.

[RadSav]

I've never understood the logic of hunting with out the ability to take care of meat....that includes all the game bags for an entire animal..and the ability to pack out that first load.

I think for many it all has to do with either not believing you will be successful that day

with out confidence how can one stay focused on the objective ? Once your focus is gone you might aswell go home

Super broad but I think this is the basics of success

I do have to admit, on those days I forget my knife, camera or leave the truck without a pack on...those are usually the days I shoot something BIG 

[kentrek]

I've never understood the logic of hunting with out the ability to take care of meat....that includes all the game bags for an entire animal..and the ability to pack out that first load.

I think for many it all has to do with either not believing you will be successful that day

with out confidence how can one stay focused on the objective ? Once your focus is gone you might aswell go home

Super broad but I think this is the basics of success

I do have to admit, on those days I forget my knife, camera or leave the truck without a pack on...those are usually the days I shoot something BIG 

can't believe you'd spill the beans on the secrets to your success......  

[RadSav]

I do have to admit, on those days I forget my knife, camera or leave the truck without a pack on...those are usually the days I shoot something BIG 

can't believe you'd spill the beans on the secrets to your success......  

Dangit, I forgot that was a secret.  Sorry

My biggest bull was an Oregon 7X7 quite a ways back into the Strawberry Wilderness.  Since neither of us had a camera I hiked 1.5 miles with a couple thousand feet in elevation, drove an hour back to town, bought a disposable 110 camera at the Exxon and hiked back in the dark.  Then realized I had grabbed the wrong camera mistakenly getting the one without a flash.  Ended up using my emergency blankets and some sage brush as insulation in October at 5,000' while we waited for light the next morning to take some blurry pictures   Was still a good day!!

[kentrek]

I do have to admit, on those days I forget my knife, camera or leave the truck without a pack on...those are usually the days I shoot something BIG 

can't believe you'd spill the beans on the secrets to your success......  

Dangit, I forgot that was a secret.  Sorry

My biggest bull was an Oregon 7X7 quite a ways back into the Strawberry Wilderness.  Since neither of us had a camera I hiked 1.5 miles with a couple thousand feet in elevation, drove an hour back to town, bought a disposable 110 camera at the Exxon and hiked back in the dark.  Then realized I had grabbed the wrong camera mistakenly getting the one without a flash.  Ended up using my emergency blankets and some sage brush as insulation in October at 5,000' while we waited for light the next morning to take some blurry pictures   Was still a good day!!

That's dedication ! My first archery bull was a 7x7 with no camera  we were 8 miles in and only 3 hours round trip from town....no one volunteers to make that camera run 

[buglebrush]

Pianoman said:  "Then get yourself a light day pack with a bladder and keep a packboard in the car. Why carry all that weight around unnecessarily?"

I found that day hunting with a pack that has a good suspension makes the weight feel light all day long.  When I put on my old day pack for day hunts, I'm always disappointed in how the weight is distributed to my shoulders, not my hips, which makes me want to carry my internal frame pack even for one-day-only hunts.

   It isn't as much about the amount of weight as it is how the weight carries.  I never hit the woods without a frame pack with functional loaf lifters.  I spent years with a frameless day pack.  Never again.

[Magnum_Willys]

[/quote]

Then get yourself a light day pack with a bladder and keep a packboard in the car. Why carry all that weight around unnecessarily?
[/quote]

The ultra 3000 is an external frame carbon fiber pack with load lifters and load sling for meat between bag and frame - and weighs no more then most typical daypacks. Best of both worlds - never a trip back to get the meat packs.  For day hunts or short overnights the kuiu or exo are nice additions.

[jtw]

  It isn't as much about the amount of weight as it is how the weight carries.  I never hit the woods without a frame pack with functional loaf lifters.  I spent years with a frameless day pack.  Never again.

I agree 100%. I have had several hunting packs with and without loadlifters and they are a non-negotiable now. Even a day pack with just a kill kit and emergency supplies in it can leave you feeling more tired after a day with a cheap backpack.
My advise, find a used frame with load lifters (Kifaru, exo, Kuiu, MR[with lift kit], it doesn't matter). Start with a frame and load sling and when you have enough to buy a full on pack get the pack. Otherwise you'll be buying multiple cheap packs that are never quite right.

[Smossy]

No Kifaru guys on here eh?

[Smossy]

Eberlestock are some great packs for the money. I had a dragonfly and packed some serious loads with it. I feel eberlestock are pretty hard to beat in their price point.

I agree 100% on this.  Plus getting the Blue Widow is supporting one of the best businesses in the NW.  Pocket layout is good, packs ride comfortable, they handle heavy loads fine and they compress down and ride like a medium weight day pack.  Wore my Dragonfly almost every day of every hunt for four years.  Almost feels wrong to hike without it on!  As a day pack I like the way it carries better than my EXO as a day pack!  One of the big things for me in an every day pack is how hot they ride.  For a pack that hauls heavy loads it rides cool.  And most important it rides dry as contact points don't seem to wick moisture form by skin.


With all that said, You can get the EXO 3500 pack for half the price of a premium pack and it has few equals.  And if they ever figure out how to make a quality waist belt I'm not sure it would have an equal!!  On heavy loads it is so good it's not even in the same class as the Eberlestock.  Very well may be the best heavy load internal frame pack I have ever worn.  Plus it is lighter than most day packs and compresses on day hunts like you are carrying only a frame.  Other than the waist belt it may be the best thought out pack on the market today.  And mine seems dang near bullet proof.  As much as I like the Eberlestock...If a guy can save up another couple hundred bucks he'd be crazy to get a Bluewidow instead of the EXO.  At least that's my opinion.  For what it's worth

Either way you are supporting good folks located in the northwest!  Some of the best people you will meet anywhere, great service and support.  And packs built by people who have actually been there, done that, and truly want you to be successful!  Can't go wrong with that!!

That blue widow actually looks like a great pack. I just wish it came in a different color.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

Lots of Kifaru guys...but he asked about an entry level pack that won't break the bank.


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[RadSav]

That blue widow actually looks like a great pack. I just wish it came in a different color.

Three camo colors and solid earth.  That's more than a lot of other packs.  You looking for pink or chartreuse?

[Jonathan_S]