Elk Pack

[kselkhunter]

Yeah I walk around from September to mid December with it. With lid it's 9000 and it compresses down just fine  happy hunting

mines bigger

I might have you both beat.  I bought a pack for winter camping in college and one of the selling points is that you could use it for an emergency bivy sack.  I actually dug it out of the garage and will post it for sale here in the next few days.

I hauled all my winter gear, winter tent, ski stuff, 12 pack, an extra blanket and half my buddies stuff and had room to spare.

 

I felt like that on a recent November elk hunt in the snow.   Those Mystery Ranch packs can exxppppaaaannnndddddd……

[2MANY]

When I pack my 37,000,000,000 I prefer to load the top with heavy items.
Steve is an icon.

[buglebrush]

My stuff stays clean, the meat is tight to my back, I fit everything else in the pack AND I dont have to fiddle with a meat shelf.

I have done both. Utilizing the meat shelf on my exo is faster and easier then using the main compartment on my older packs. Not to mention sooo much more comfortable and secure. Your essentially more then doubling your packs capacity to carry stuff by having the meat shelf option as well.

its physics Jake. A load is gonna carry far better when loaded vertically and tight to the body, not moving weight away from your body aka bag outside of a load of meat. If a bag is designed properly with functional compression straps there won't be any barreling or shifting of weight. I've packed out hundreds and hundreds of heavy loads of meat. On frames, in bags, on meat shelfs. In fieldlines, and kuiu's, and eberlestocks, nimrods, mystery ranch,  kifaru, etc, etc.  Jon is spot on with his comments in my opinion.  Meat and gear go in my pack 100% of the time 

   In our group we have Kifaru guys that argue just like you, and then the rest of us have Exo's and couldn't disagree more.  We've exchanged packs for pack-outs, but what it really comes down to is personal preference.  Me?  Give me an Exo all day everyday.  However, I advise people to look at both Kifaru and Exo.  Pros and cons to both systems, and one of those two will be the answer to their pack question. 

[Karl Blanchard]

My stuff stays clean, the meat is tight to my back, I fit everything else in the pack AND I dont have to fiddle with a meat shelf.

I have done both. Utilizing the meat shelf on my exo is faster and easier then using the main compartment on my older packs. Not to mention sooo much more comfortable and secure. Your essentially more then doubling your packs capacity to carry stuff by having the meat shelf option as well.

its physics Jake. A load is gonna carry far better when loaded vertically and tight to the body, not moving weight away from your body aka bag outside of a load of meat. If a bag is designed properly with functional compression straps there won't be any barreling or shifting of weight. I've packed out hundreds and hundreds of heavy loads of meat. On frames, in bags, on meat shelfs. In fieldlines, and kuiu's, and eberlestocks, nimrods, mystery ranch,  kifaru, etc, etc.  Jon is spot on with his comments in my opinion.  Meat and gear go in my pack 100% of the time 

   In our group we have Kifaru guys that argue just like you, and then the rest of us have Exo's and couldn't disagree more.  We've exchanged packs for pack-outs, but what it really comes down to is personal preference.  Me?  Give me an Exo all day everyday.  However, I advise people to look at both Kifaru and Exo.  Pros and cons to both systems, and one of those two will be the answer to their pack question.

never said a word about kifaru or Exo. I was was talking load slinging vs running a large bag and putting meat inside the bag. I could care less what kind of pack people run. If I used an Exo (which I have) the meat would be getting dropped into the main bag.

[buglebrush]

My stuff stays clean, the meat is tight to my back, I fit everything else in the pack AND I dont have to fiddle with a meat shelf.

I have done both. Utilizing the meat shelf on my exo is faster and easier then using the main compartment on my older packs. Not to mention sooo much more comfortable and secure. Your essentially more then doubling your packs capacity to carry stuff by having the meat shelf option as well.

its physics Jake. A load is gonna carry far better when loaded vertically and tight to the body, not moving weight away from your body aka bag outside of a load of meat. If a bag is designed properly with functional compression straps there won't be any barreling or shifting of weight. I've packed out hundreds and hundreds of heavy loads of meat. On frames, in bags, on meat shelfs. In fieldlines, and kuiu's, and eberlestocks, nimrods, mystery ranch,  kifaru, etc, etc.  Jon is spot on with his comments in my opinion.  Meat and gear go in my pack 100% of the time 

   In our group we have Kifaru guys that argue just like you, and then the rest of us have Exo's and couldn't disagree more.  We've exchanged packs for pack-outs, but what it really comes down to is personal preference.  Me?  Give me an Exo all day everyday.  However, I advise people to look at both Kifaru and Exo.  Pros and cons to both systems, and one of those two will be the answer to their pack question.

never said a word about kifaru or Exo. I was was talking load slinging vs running a large bag and putting meat inside the bag. I could care less what kind of pack people run. If I used an Exo (which I have) the meat would be getting dropped into the main bag.

Yes, I get that.  Was referring to my experiences, and just found it funny that this same point most be argued everywhere.  IME if a person doesn't like meat shelves, they usually end up Kifaru.  Those that prefer Meat Shelves usually end up with Exo.  Not wrong, just different.

[Karl Blanchard]

All kifaru models have the ability to load sling as well. I see weirdo's doing it all the time 

[dilleytech]

All kifaru models have the ability to load sling as well. I see weirdo's doing it all the time 

To be clear you believe a pack with a meat shelf is a worse pack option for elk then one that doesn’t have the option?

[huntnnw]

[kentrek]

This is still a conversation?

Step 1, kill elk
Step 2, determine most efficient way to take care of elk...some times bone out..some times bone in...imo
Step 3, determine the most efficient way to pack out said elk...if you have alot of gear & its bone out, it's nice to have it all together..such as in the bag

It sucks having a full camp and water out away from your body

But if your only packing a few hours it isnt that big of deal..it doesn't need to be perfect...strap it on and get to work...maybe your not far from the truck...lots of scenarios

Some weirdos bone out animals even if its 5 feet from the truck! More power to them but gotta take that into consideration.


Which is why I would recommend having both options...the weight consequence isnt worth not having it and if your style evolves to wear you never need a shelf then awesome...cut the sling off ! No biggy

[Karl Blanchard]

All kifaru models have the ability to load sling as well. I see weirdo's doing it all the time 

To be clear you believe a pack with a meat shelf is a worse pack option for elk then one that doesn’t have the option?

no. What I'm saying is the option is irrelevant.  I could load sling with my current pack right this second but I won't. Been there done that.

This is still a conversation?

Step 1, kill elk
Step 2, determine most efficient way to take care of elk...some times bone out..some times bone in...imo
Step 3, determine the most efficient way to pack out said elk...if you have alot of gear & its bone out, it's nice to have it all together..such as in the bag

It sucks having a full camp and water out away from your body

But if your only packing a few hours it isnt that big of deal..it doesn't need to be perfect...strap it on and get to work...maybe your not far from the truck...lots of scenarios

Some weirdos bone out animals even if its 5 feet from the truck! More power to them but gotta take that into consideration.


Which is why I would recommend having both options...the weight consequence isnt worth not having it and if your style evolves to wear you never need a shelf then awesome...cut the sling off ! No biggy

pretty spot on except for the bones in part. What weirdo doesn't bone out elk 

[Dawgfather1]

Kifaru.  Best customer service I've ever received.  You can actually call the President on his cell phone for help selecting a pack.  100% made in the USA.  Meat goes in the pack every time for me.  Only problem is selecting the pack.  Lot's to choose from.

[2MANY]

Just Sayin.

[7mmfan]

Just Sayin.

Show off

[Karl Blanchard]

The age old question, who works harder. The guy who just grinds it out a few times a year or the guy who deals with horses 24/7? I think you gotta be a weirdo and like horses 

[kentrek]

The age old question, who works harder. The guy who just grinds it out a few times a year or the guy who deals with horses 24/7? I think you gotta be a weirdo and like horses 

How bout the guys that have horses and still dont use them cuz 4miles or less it's still easier to just pack it out yourself 

Dang horses have it too good some years