What would you consider the best for a meat packing frame/pack?

[yogru]

Hi all, I'm in the market for a pack frame.  I don't need a backpack or something to carry gear.  This would be something 100% dedicated to packing out elk quarters and the like.  I'm looking #1 for ease of use. Something you can drop a quarter into and secure it real easy. #2 for comfort as far as thick comfy waist and shoulder straps.

Any opinions out there on what might fit that bill the best?

Thanks!

[Remnar]

Bullpacs,  bar none .IMO

[vandeman17]

Cabela's outfitter frame has worked just fine for me. Packed a lot of quarters out with it plus countless trips of alfalfa and bags of feed.

[p-ohana]

Nimrod without a doubt is the best I’ve ever used.

[zwickeyman]

EXO MT GEAR

[Tbar]

Kifaru

[headshot5]

Bullpacs,  bar none .IMO

 

[yogru]

Appreciate all the fast replies. Got a Bullpacs with the load lifters on the way. 

[jdb]

Cabela's outfitter frame has worked just fine for me. Packed a lot of quarters out with it plus countless trips of alfalfa and bags of feed.

this

[greenhead_killer]

^^ive got two exclusively for packing critters out. Comfortable and light. Can take a heavy load.

[vandeman17]

^^ive got two exclusively for packing critters out. Comfortable and light. Can take a heavy load.

And a third of the price!

[bigdub257]

Kifaru

X2. Bulletproof.  Might as well take a load out on your way back to camp!

[ctwiggs1]

If you want a really high quality pack that will be fairly light but be a breeze to carry, check out Exo, Kifaru, Stone Glacier or Mystery Ranch.  I’ve heard good and bad about Kuiu. 

If you hunt close to a camp and don’t want to shell out much money, any of the frame packs mentioned will work.  They won’t be as comfortable, but that does not matter much if the pack out is short.

[Magnum_Willys]

Get a lightweight hunting daypack you enjoy hunting with - thats what you will be using it for 95% of the time.  Kuiu and EXO entry level or Kifaru - Stone Glacier for beefier step up.

When packing needed just do gutless method, boneout, drop in bag and shuttle out on meat shelf in pack.  With two guys - One trip, Done.   One guy its two trips - Not four. 

[STLHDHunter]

If you want a really high quality pack that will be fairly light but be a breeze to carry, check out Exo, Kifaru, Stone Glacier or Mystery Ranch.  I’ve heard good and bad about Kuiu. 

If you hunt close to a camp and don’t want to shell out much money, any of the frame packs mentioned will work.  They won’t be as comfortable, but that does not matter much if the pack out is short.

100% Kifaru. I've been running their hunting frame since 2017 and it's been bulletproof.

I've swapped out a number of packs through various hunts and seasons but I currently run the 7,000 Muskeg bag as my go to for most hunts. Previous packs have included Fulcrum and Woodsman.

The Muskeg is large enough for spiking out after Elk but can compress down for an easy day pack for scouting/hiking. My most recent outings have seen it paired with a Sherman pocket but in the past I've run it with the Xpac Guide Lid or OG Guide Lid for added space.

For archery elk hunts in the wet-side, it's been a huge plus to have the waterproof Muskeg. My first Kifaru bag was a Fulcrum which was a nice bag but for WA Western elk, it meant running with a cover and ultimately the wings proved to be unwieldy for running as a day pack - too many straps.

Prior to the Kifaru setups, I ran a Kuiu Icon Pro 7200 and while it's a nice setup, found that the frame squeaked during long hikes and the design of the frame causes a heavy pack to pivot laterally due to the v-shaped upper frame design. That and their customer service being atrocious (went back and forth for a month to get a bag repaired after a side pocket teared internally during a simple hike.

Kifaru is American made and their customer service is amazing. Aron has replied directly to my questions and has gone above and beyond to help with anything I've needed.

While not packs, their Sawtooth and Mega Tarp have seen plenty of use and this spring I've finally tried their slickbag, which is nice although very bulky given that it's synthetic.

If you're near Seattle, I'd be all for letting you try the pack out for size/fit before you buy. Just holler and we can figure out a time that works.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Bullpacs,  bar none .IMO

Yep.👍

Broke mine in on a sheep hunt in the Mason unit, steep rocky, and no trails.

I wouldn’t have anything else, feels like part of you when you move about, bending over, leaning etc....👍

[Rainier10]

Bullpacs,  bar none .IMO

 

If you are going to have a heavy load bullpac. I love mine.

[nwhunter]

For just packing meat and heavy loads Bullpacs are the way to go... I have several others from cabelas and a kifaru and if they are all in the back of my truck and we are heading in to pack out an elk I grab the bullpac first and everyone else gets whats left

[hiway_99]

Barneys

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[huntnphool]

Bullpacs,  bar none .IMO

 +1, love mine as well!

[jackelope]

Kifaru

The agreements continue.

[Rainier10]

For just packing meat and heavy loads Bullpacs are the way to go... I have several others from cabelas and a kifaru and if they are all in the back of my truck and we are heading in to pack out an elk I grab the bullpac first and everyone else gets whats left

I have four bullpacs.  One for me, the wife and both daughters.  The pacs stay in the truck all hunting season so if the girls aren't there one of my buddies can use their pack.

I actually wear mine all the time.  I have a small bag, fannypack type thing that I stap onto the bullback to hold some gear.  It is just easier to plan on packing meat and have it with you so you can take a load out on the first trip to the truck.

I debone everything in the field anymore so a deer head, cape and meat can all fit on one pack.  It's right at 100-105 pounds loaded.  Normally a buddy is close by and can help with the load but in a pinch it's a one man show.

[jackelope]

@Rainier10  will definitely tell you to not use a Tenzing 6000 to pack meat. I know that to be fact without even asking him.

 

[Rainier10]

@Rainier10  will definitely tell you to not use a Tenzing 6000 to pack meat. I know that to be fact without even asking him.

 

That is a fact.  I am sure they work for some.  I borrowed one for Jackelope's goat hunt and it just didn't fit right. It was borrowed so I didn't want to mess with the strap adjustments but it was uncomfortable for sure.  Every step coming out with that big billy on my back I was wishing I had brought my bullpac instead.  I will say for the pack in with just gear the tenzing was fine.  It was just with the heavy meat load that I had issues with it.

[ridgefire]

Kifaru is the best I have used for packing meat plus it works great as a hunting pack.

[ShaneTyTrey]

I personally like the Outdoorsmans packs, they are comfortable, can carry gear with many pockets and I have carried up to 1/2 elk in one load with no issues.  I have (2) of them and would recommend them to anyone!

[T-Dozzer]

Kifaru

The agreements continue.

Yup. Agreed. I haven't been on board that long & already own a frame & 3 bags. Then bought my wife a frame . Carry a load so much better then my Exo did.

[ThurstonCokid]

If you don’t need a bag connection then I’d run it with the Cabela’s frame. I’ve had a full deer on my back..


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[lewy]

My go to backcountry and heavy load pack is a kifaru, I picked up a bullpac frame pack for exactly what you described and I can’t tell you how terrible it is compared to a heavy load in the kifaru. I’ll sell it to you if you want it. I’ve got several buddies that have the same opinion

[Tbar]

My go to backcountry and heavy load pack is a kifaru, I picked up a bullpac frame pack for exactly what you described and I can’t tell you how terrible it is compared to a heavy load in the kifaru. I’ll sell it to you if you want it. I’ve got several buddies that have the same opinion

Without question.
I hunt with the bare necessities, i.e. a packboard and game bags with little else. I day hunt but that is often in the 6-8 mile range from the road. I have also packed meat with the majority of the available options. I did like the badlands ox frame as a dedicated packer(pack sucked)  but none of the other badlands. As for bull pac's, I've had two and still own them. Bullpacs are great, over built but far far from the most comfortable pack. I also really appreciate a local company with good customer service. I have a kuiu as well as a stone glacier, again acceptable but not kifaru. My kifaru is a simple frame and sling.  We pack a fair amount of elk each year which means we are testing both man and gear. I try not to carry these weight I once did but kifaru is a game changer.

[kentrek]

Not to drive it home but kifaru

I move alot of weight year round and it consistently holds up

If its just to pack out a few animals a year I doubt youl go wrong with any of the previous mentioned packs but if you plan on living with the dang thing then I'd definitely recommend investing in the kifaru...

[northwesthunter84]

I love my Exo. I would put it up against any other pack. Carried both hind quarters off his cow bone in, one load, only had to go 1/2 a mile but I was more than happy. Way better than the pack out on my bull with my Cabelas Outfitter frame.

[CastleRocker]

Barneys

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Yep, if you are going to pack a heavy load, that's the one. 

In order from heavy to light load;
Barney's, Kifaru, Stone Glacier, Cabela's, and nothing else.  I tried three Kuiu Icon Pro...two broke, (awesome customer service though), and gave the last one away. 

Bottom line...Barney's or Kifaru.