Elk Pack Suggestions

[GameHunter1959]

Reaching out to the forum to get some suggestions for a great elk pack. I am looking for something, which is light, durable, holds plenty of big game meat (ELK), still has room for snacks, water, hunt gear, etc.

I am 5' 10" tall, 190 pounds, fair shape, etc. I prefer to purchase top-of-the-line or close to it gear. I'm not rich, but I like to do it right the first time.

What do you suggest is MANDATORY to carry with me for a day hunt (Dayton Elk Hunt)?

Thank you

[Stein]

Are you backpacking in to camp or hunting from the truck and back to a base camp every night?  I just spent about 5,000 hours researching and watching YouTube and have a few in the mail headed my way.

[GameHunter1959]

I am just doing day trip from the truck, but would possibly consider a wilderness hunt overnight; given I have someone willing to show me the ropes. Thank you

[yakimanoob]

I'm new at this so this isn't meant as advice, per se, but FWIW I just acquired an Osprey Aether pack that I plan on using for the High Buck hunt and potentially backcountry elk. 

I'll let you all know after the season if I walk away wishing I had a kifaru or kuiu or something like that. 

[kukusya]

Badlands 2200

[Stein]

Here is what I am looking at:

Kuiu Icon Pro 1850
Kuiu Ultra 1800
Exo Mountain 2000

I'll post on the Ultra later, it is being delivered later today.  I also have an Exo on order (both companies allow returns).

The idea is that all the above have a frame capable of carrying out any load and serve as a great daypack.  I don't like huge bags compressed down as a daypack as they just aren't usable with all the pockets and access folded over and covered with compression straps.  I wanted as streamlined of a daypack as possible with usable pockets, room for extra clothing and the ability to pack the animal out without having a second pack at the truck.

If you want to turn it into a backcountry camping pack, simply buy a relatively inexpensive larger bag and swap them out on the same frame.

I didn't look at Kifaru as they are too much money and their website and million combinations of packs was more than I wanted to deal with.  Stone Glacier make expensive packs as well, again way above what I was willing to pay.  Mystery ranch has the Cabinet, but I didn't like the daypack layout and I'm not sure if you can swap out bags.

[Whitpirate]

Top of the line Kifaru....


That said I think a Kuiu 5200 would be the best of all worlds as it compresses down pretty well, is affordable, and works as both an overnight and a day pack.
Pick up a sea to summit dry bag and you should be good to go.

[kselkhunter]

I have the Kuiu Ultra with both 1800 and 6000 bags, as well as the separate load shelf.   Sometimes I roll with the 1800, and just pin the meat between the bag and frame.  I've got an entire de-boned mule deer inside the 6000 before, and a smaller quartered blacktail as well.  I've strapped a Yeti Hopper 30 onto the load shelf before, so know you can handle big awkward loads with that. 

Although for elk, I usually prefer my Mystery Ranch Crew Cab.   I keep it in daypack mode, then open to meat hauling mode.  They call it the "Cabinet" pack now, but similar design.  Those frames handle very heavy loads very well.
http://www.mysteryranch.com/cabinet-pack

I use these both for day hunts, and for all my backcountry hunts where I'm packing camp up. 

[blackveltbowhunter]

Is this a one time hunt, or every year? Will you increase your distance or time in the wilderness stretching out to 3 -5 day hunts or more in the future? Can you pack 80 plus pounds physically?

If the answer is yes to all of the above. Save your time and money and get a kifaru. Yes I said money. After dealing with multiple other pack options over the course of the last decade or so, I can honestly say If I had bought the kifaru first I would have saved in the long run. Don't let all the bag options confuse you, Buy a frame and whatever bag looks like it will fit your style best. You can end there, or get super complex and customized. Its up to you. I'm not saying other options won't work, but you asked for a great one and that's it IMO.

[fillthefreezer]

i would think the exo 3500 or the icon pro 3200 would work well for your needs. if dayhunting is the primary use, id stay away from the really big packs a lot will suggest. if these are more than youre looking to spend, could probably find a good deal on a badlands 2800 that someone is upgrading away from.
i really like the layout on mystery ranch trizip, but theyre just so heavy

[Stein]

Is this a one time hunt, or every year? Will you increase your distance or time in the wilderness stretching out to 3 -5 day hunts or more in the future? Can you pack 80 plus pounds physically?

If the answer is yes to all of the above. Save your time and money and get a kifaru. Yes I said money. After dealing with multiple other pack options over the course of the last decade or so, I can honestly say If I had bought the kifaru first I would have saved in the long run. Don't let all the bag options confuse you, Buy a frame and whatever bag looks like it will fit your style best. You can end there, or get super complex and customized. Its up to you. I'm not saying other options won't work, but you asked for a great one and that's it IMO.

Would you mind throwing down a few links for a frame and roughly 2,000 ci daypack bag?  Their site is simply horrible.

[banishd]

100% agree with spending the cash on kifaru. have wasted money on osprey, kuiu and others that just can't carry the weight even halfway comfortably. if nothing else, get the frame and find a cheaper option for a bag to use with it.

[CoryTDF]

Reaching out to the forum to get some suggestions for a great elk pack. I am looking for something, which is light, durable, holds plenty of big game meat (ELK), still has room for snacks, water, hunt gear, etc.

I am 5' 10" tall, 190 pounds, fair shape, etc. I prefer to purchase top-of-the-line or close to it gear. I'm not rich, but I like to do it right the first time.

What do you suggest is MANDATORY to carry with me for a day hunt (Dayton Elk Hunt)?

Thank you

The Dayton unit is full of roads so the likelihood of you packing in and camping is not high IMHO. It is steep and deep and you will want to take out meat on your first trip for sure. Sam, who owns Bullpacs is a member here and makes a great pack board. You will want to have a real pack frame for the real heavy stuff trust me. That said, there are some really great options out there that can haul meat and gear. Such as these packs: 

http://ireviewgear.com/backpacks/seek-outside-revolution-fortress-4800-precipice-5800-pack-review/

http://ireviewgear.com/backpacks/exo-mountain-gear-3500-back-pack-review/

http://ireviewgear.com/backpacks/bull-pack-hunting-pack-review/

When I had my Dayton tag I used a BL2200 and it was ok. I found that I really didn't need all the space but it came in handy when I killed my bull. Honestly, you will be good to go with  a decent daypack for most of the hunting in this unit. Both the SEEK and EXO packs I posted are great and i personally like the SEEK Revolution suspension system more than anything else I have ever tried. 

Good luck on your hunt and with your pack choice.

[Todd_ID]

Strap a duffel bag to a bull pacs. That'd work great, seriously.  I've never tried the Kifaru stuff, but they sound great from the guys who know their stuff. I've packed probably 15-20 elk out of some poor idea places with the Kuiu 1800 I've got, and I've never wanted anything better at the end of them.

[CoryTDF]

Strap a duffel bag to a bull pacs. That'd work great, seriously.

I've packed thousands of pounds with my Bullpacs. After you get the first load to the truck it's a great pack frame to use for the rest of the loads. Heck, they even make a small day-pack that goes on it if you want. I would not prefer to use it as my "hunting" pack but I've seen it done with great success. Sam makes a great product.

 

[huntnfmly]

 Kifaru emr2 pic without bear it has a 25# bag of dog food
Nuff said
By the way that's not me in the pic it is from one of the camera men from the show best of the West.
He shared it over on rockslide when I brought this episode up

[Jpmiller]

I've never owned a real pack, I always have just strapped s waterproof bag to a plain pack frame. Way cheaper and works fine for me but kind of annoying only having the one pocket.

[Magnum_Willys]

Ive used the ultra 3000 for years. Could get by with 1800 and save a few ounces but with spotting scope, binos, tripod, sandwich, raingear, puffy, kill kit, snacks, water, take off jacket it gets pretty tight in the 1800 when coming out or packing meat.  Plus can do an overnight with the 3000. But on sale you can grab a bag for $70 so no biggie either way.

[Magnum_Willys]

I've never owned a real pack, I always have just strapped s waterproof bag to a plain pack frame. Way cheaper and works fine for me but kind of annoying only having the one pocket.

You hunt with a pack frame on?  I would get a $29 field line day pack and try that with and without frame. Straps loop right over your frame tops.  On sale can get for half price even - $15 and Ive seen em hold 80#

[Jpmiller]

I've never owned a real pack, I always have just strapped s waterproof bag to a plain pack frame. Way cheaper and works fine for me but kind of annoying only having the one pocket.

You hunt with a pack frame on?  I would get a $29 field line day pack and try that with and without frame. Straps loop right over your frame tops.  On sale can get for half price even - $15 and Ive seen em hold 80#

I like having my bag waterproof, something to consider though. Didn't really ever think about finding a cheap bag like that.

[Magnum_Willys]

The fieldlines I used were even waterproof - a plus over my high-end bags.  My brother and I packed a boned elk out last year - me with a kuiu he with a fieldline.  I said you should get one of these - he said why this is working fine.