backpack for Elk

[couesbitten]

Badlands 2800  - not sure how you can beat this pack for day hunting, overnight, or that 1st load of meat!

It's easy, just buy a Blacks Creek, Eberlestock, or Kelty. LOL
Just kidding, this is the whole Ford/Chevy/Dodge argument, and it has already been discussed here and on every other hunting website. Do a search, and you'll find numerous threads about this very subject.

I personally use a Kelty Freighter frame and a Blacks Creek Alaskan and love it. I've hauled out three deer and one elk using this combo.

[AKBowman]

External frame with a freighter shelf.

[rosscrazyelk]

Are you looking for something multi-purpose or for packing out?
I have a eberlestock and it is great for many things but for just packing meat I have the cabelas Yukon frame pack  and it works just fine.

[HUNT]

I use an Eberlestock J107 for a daypack to take a first load of meat out with me when successful....  Then I use a Cabela's Alaskan Guide Frame.

[Crunchy]

http://www.bullpacs.com/

[Mike_D]

It's amazing how many different styles, shapes and perspectives and opinions!!!  I' m pretty sure I'm happy with what I got, and thanks for eveyone whos replied. It looks like the market has a supplied a back for almost every different taste!! (and that's a good thing)   

[uncoolperson]

not for elk, more general playing outdoors and hopefull getting something this year.

But I hope the skycrane is as similar to the just one as the pictures make it lool.
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,30067.0.html

[whacker1]

I just order the Eberlestock J107 Dragonfly from cabelas and they are backordered 6 - 7 weeks.

Just an FYI - I had been pondering which pack for quite some time and ultimately decided this will be the best for me.

[cornhuskid]

whacker1,

Cabelas in Lacey, WA has two J107 Dragonflys in Mossy oak Brusk in stock right now.  I was there earlier today and happened to see them.

Jeff

[bow4elk]

The Ox is a new rig from Badlands, coming very soon.  I was supposed to have a first article sample for testing a while back but they are still dialing it in.  Watch for it!!

http://www.badlandspacks.com/ox.php

[Mike_D]

Yea, the OX looks pretty cool, I'd like to see the reviews...

[Branden]

I do a lot of packing all year, first backpacking then hunting, and I like the looks of the Eberlestock, Badlands, and MR but some of them weigh a lot. For example, look at the J107. Stated weight is 8.5 so probably closer to 9 pounds. The new Badlands B4E posted is over 9 pounds. Seems like a lot of weight for a pack to me. It kinda sucks starting off with almost 10 pounds on your back before you even put anything in it.

Cableas frames are a little week, we've broke a few packing animals on them. And Bullpacs have the worst suspension of any frame pack made. They are strong and will never break unless you run them over though.

On another note I am curious where Badlands gets the info that external frames weigh 9 pounds for just the frame? 17 with a pack attached? Are they talking about a pack saddle or something? Externals are the lightest packs on the market for weight to room ratio.

The 2800 looks like a pretty decent day hunting pack with room to pack out a quarter.

[bow4elk]

I questioned the quoted weights myself, but that aside the Ox frame is very light and structurally very stout.  I'm waiting for my sample daily but I was just told I may have to wait a bit longer.  Obviously, they are using the samples they do have for advertising purposes.  Once I get done with mine, it won't be suitable for photos  .

You are correct in your assessments of the Cabela's freighter frame, the Bullpac, and the fact that external framed packs offer the most storage capacity.  I have many of the Badlands line up and I've been most happy with the Hypervent for mountain bike elk hunting.  They have eliminated the annoying "squeaking" from the internal frame so if you hear about that issue, rest assured, it's a thing of the past and only occurred on the earlier versions.

[Branden]

I almost bought a badlands 4500 this year but when I was doing the research on them they are just to heavy for the size. If I was in the market for a smaller pack I really like that 2800 and this was the first time I noticed the Hypervent but it looks like a sweet day pack.

[bow4elk]

You'd love the Hypervent - it's very light and versatile.  I just got my new one yesterday and will be hunting with it and the Ox this fall.