How big of a pack for deer?

[N7XW]

I'd like to get a new pack capable of packing a whole deboned deer in one trip.  What size should I be looking at?  Want something large enough to pack all the normal gear and the meat without making a second trip.  Internal or external frame?  Any suggestions?  Thanks.

[kselkhunter]

Are you just day hunting, or backpacking camp in?

Boned out, you don't need a ton of space, if you're just day hunting.   You can also just use a pack frame.

As a point of reference, I can fit an entire quartered mule deer in my Kuiu 6000 cubic inch backpack.  Boned out, I think you could get down into the 3K-5K ci range if inside the bag.   

If you go the method of packing the meat between pack and frame, then you can go even smaller on bag size if just day hunting.  I have an 1800 ci bag for my Kuiu ultra that if I'm hunting with that bag on the frame, I attach the meat between the frame and bag.  In that case, bag capacity isn't as important.   You can do the same with many other pack brands that utilize a frame that can detach from the pack.

If you're backpacking, and in good enough shape, you can even get the meat between the bag and frame, and haul all of your camp out in the bag without making a second trip.  25 years ago I could do that, but these days I just make the second trip for camp....

[Stein]

EXO 3500 or 5500 depending on how much junk you take.  Most of the best hauler packs have the ability to adjust to the load so you can take as much meat as you can carry or a smaller load.

[vandeman17]

My tenzing 4000 is more than capable of that and they pop up at a good price on camofire here and there

[Eric M]

My tenzing 4000 is more than capable of that and they pop up at a good price on camofire here and there

Plus 1 on the Tenzing. I have the 5000 and there is plenty of room.

[N7XW]

Good deal, thanks guys. 

Yeah, not planning on backpack camping at this point.  Just hauling hunting gear and meat.

[kselkhunter]

If looking for a lower budget option, one of my buddies just carries an Alps Outdoorz Commander frame and straps a duffel or waterproof liner bag in it to hold his day gear.  Alps sells various accessory bags as well that fit the frame.   I've done the same with a LL Bean Carryall.   I like the Alps fit better, and it holds meat better with it's meat shelf.   Less expensive options than a premium backpack, if you're just day hunting. 

If you think you'll get into elk as well, or eventually do backpack trips then yes the premium brands like Kifaru, MR, Exo, Stone Glacier, Kuiu, etc. might make sense later down the road.   

[WapitiTalk1]

Exo Mountain Gear 3500.  You'll never look back and won't need to upgrade  . 

[jackelope]

My tenzing 4000 is more than capable of that and they pop up at a good price on camofire here and there

@Rainier10

[Rainier10]

 
Thanks for the mention Josh.

So normally I just go out for the day. I have a bullpac. It’s just a framed packboard. Fits me great wide padded shoulder straps and waist belt. I put one game bag on it, one small fanny pack and about 20’ of paracord. On one side of the waist belt I’ve added a water bottle holder. All my knives, gear and food goes in the fanny pack strapped to the frame.  I have put a whole doe hide and all on it once. 105 pounds all said and done, deer, pack and fanny pack. Now I always go gutless and debone.

Now on the goat hunt with Josh I needed a pack with a bag to get all of our gear in, tent sleeping bag, the works. I borrowed a friends tenzing and it just didn’t work for me. Not sure if I just didn’t have it adjusted right or what. Going in wasn’t bad but coming out with it full of goat meat was brutal on my shoulders and back.

I’m sure it’s like anything. Some people love them some don’t. Same goes for boots, binocs or whatever.

I would strongly suggest borrowing and trying something out before buying.

[Eric M]

Thanks for the mention Josh.

So normally I just go out for the day. I have a bullpac. It’s just a framed packboard. Fits me great wide padded shoulder straps and waist belt. I put one game bag on it, one small fanny pack and about 20’ of paracord. On one side of the waist belt I’ve added a water bottle holder. All my knives, gear and food goes in the fanny pack strapped to the frame.  I have put a whole doe hide and all on it once. 105 pounds all said and done, deer, pack and fanny pack. Now I always go gutless and debone.

Now on the goat hunt with Josh I needed a pack with a bag to get all of our gear in, tent sleeping bag, the works. I borrowed a friends tenzing and it just didn’t work for me. Not sure if I just didn’t have it adjusted right or what. Going in wasn’t bad but coming out with it full of goat meat was brutal on my shoulders and back.

I’m sure it’s like anything. Some people love them some don’t. Same goes for boots, binocs or whatever.

I would strongly suggest borrowing and trying something out before buying.

I'm not sure if this is why, but the 6000 is for people over 6 feet tall and the 5000 is for people under 6 feet. Could that be why? I wore that pack for 16 days last year and compared to my old Army ruck it's really nice

[jackelope]

Thanks for the mention Josh.

So normally I just go out for the day. I have a bullpac. It’s just a framed packboard. Fits me great wide padded shoulder straps and waist belt. I put one game bag on it, one small fanny pack and about 20’ of paracord. On one side of the waist belt I’ve added a water bottle holder. All my knives, gear and food goes in the fanny pack strapped to the frame.  I have put a whole doe hide and all on it once. 105 pounds all said and done, deer, pack and fanny pack. Now I always go gutless and debone.

Now on the goat hunt with Josh I needed a pack with a bag to get all of our gear in, tent sleeping bag, the works. I borrowed a friends tenzing and it just didn’t work for me. Not sure if I just didn’t have it adjusted right or what. Going in wasn’t bad but coming out with it full of goat meat was brutal on my shoulders and back.

I’m sure it’s like anything. Some people love them some don’t. Same goes for boots, binocs or whatever.

I would strongly suggest borrowing and trying something out before buying.

I'm not sure if this is why, but the 6000 is for people over 6 feet tall and the 5000 is for people under 6 feet. Could that be why? I wore that pack for 16 days last year and compared to my old Army ruck it's really nice

The reason it doesn’t work is because it doesn’t have functional load lifters. The full load rode on his shoulders rather than his hips.

[Rainier10]

My bullpac doesn’t have load lifters but it does have way more padding on the shoulder straps and a way more padding on the waist belt. I also wear it all the time so it is definitely adjusted for me. The guy that had the tenzing pack that I borrowed was basically the same size as me.

It was a brutally long day when josh got his goat. He is 8’2” tall, okay maybe 6’2”, he  might even be 6’4”, he’s tall i know that and he was in a hurry to get to cell service and high as a kite on adrenaline after shooting that goat. He was feeling no pain. I know his pack was heavier, I just couldn’t keep up, my pack was killing me. I’m guessing long day and not adjusted right. Tenzing obviously works for some. Just not me that day.

[N7XW]

Awesome, thanks guys.  Really appreciate all the replies.  I need to do some research and try some on for size it sounds like. 

[benhuntin]

Kifaru Reckoning!! 


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[X-Force]

I wouldn’t go smaller than a 3000 ci external frame pack with functional load lifters.
A 3000 ci pack will give you plenty of room for food, spotter, rain gear, cold weather gear, etc. but maybe I carry to much stuff.
External frame with functional load lifters will have the ability to lash the meat between the frame and the bag, load lifters will help pull the weight away from your shoulders and put it on your hips.
Whatever pack you get make sure you adjust it to fit you with a little weight in it.

[N7XW]

Was originally thinking this one
https://www.amazon.com/ALPS-OutdoorZ-Commander-Pack-Bag/dp/B004R7L7YU/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1529815706&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=alps+outdoorz+commander+frame+backpack&dpPl=1&dpID=412MarCiuAL&ref=plSrch
5200ci, great reviews and inexpensive.  Going to keep researching though.

[Westside88]

usmc74 has an eberlestock for sale that sounds like a nice one for that type of use. It’s more money than the link you showed, but probably last many time longer and be more versatile. Might be worth checking out

@usmc74

[Eric M]

Thanks for the mention Josh.

So normally I just go out for the day. I have a bullpac. It’s just a framed packboard. Fits me great wide padded shoulder straps and waist belt. I put one game bag on it, one small fanny pack and about 20’ of paracord. On one side of the waist belt I’ve added a water bottle holder. All my knives, gear and food goes in the fanny pack strapped to the frame.  I have put a whole doe hide and all on it once. 105 pounds all said and done, deer, pack and fanny pack. Now I always go gutless and debone.

Now on the goat hunt with Josh I needed a pack with a bag to get all of our gear in, tent sleeping bag, the works. I borrowed a friends tenzing and it just didn’t work for me. Not sure if I just didn’t have it adjusted right or what. Going in wasn’t bad but coming out with it full of goat meat was brutal on my shoulders and back.

I’m sure it’s like anything. Some people love them some don’t. Same goes for boots, binocs or whatever.

I would strongly suggest borrowing and trying something out before buying.

I'm not sure if this is why, but the 6000 is for people over 6 feet tall and the 5000 is for people under 6 feet. Could that be why? I wore that pack for 16 days last year and compared to my old Army ruck it's really nice

The reason it doesn’t work is because it doesn’t have functional load lifters. The full load rode on his shoulders rather than his hips.

Oh okay. I'm no pack expert. I used it to haul a deer and had no issues. Maybe because it's so well padded.