what backpack for packing out?

[Raul Duke]

Well after watching the Gutless Method clip. I got to wondering, what kind of backpack is everyone using to pack out the head & meat?

I plan to hike in further than befor this fall, and I know between me and my hunting buddy. We can drag out an elk.

What do you guys use/recomand for packs. 

[BLUEBULLS]

I use a Badlands 2800,


I assume you mean "pack" rather than "drag"
If it’s just two of you packing, watch out for warm weather. It can cripple you and ruin an elk in hurry.

Good luck this fall!

[MIKEXRAY]

Any of the meat packs out there will work well.   I had two older army Ruck sacks sitting in the garage & I took them down to the aluminum frame & put an L shape plate on both to haul meat. It works great. I actually hide them up in my hunting area for the season to save a trip to the truck. I probably wouldn't leave an expensive one. They work well for me, sometimes though I don't have anyone to use the second one. Mike

[Navyhunter]

I use a Mystery Ranch NICE frame system...I haven't had any blood on it yet, but it sure looks like it'd work pretty well. 

http://www.mysteryranch.com/s.nl/sc.7/category.50/.f

[halflife65]

Good pack, Navy.  I was thinking about one of those.

Currently, I just use a Badlands as a day pack and go get my Cabela's Alaska Hunter packboard for serious packing.

[gutsnthegrass]

Bullpac out of Idaho, best frame ever made, in my opinion of course. 

[Machias]

Decker

[1morebuck]

I use a Badlands 2800,

Great Pack!

[wastickslinger]

Decker

  my favorite. Better for your back.

[carpsniperg2]

http://www.wildernesspacks.com/trophy.html

here are some really nice packs, i have looked at them at one of the trade shows and packed around 120lbs in one threw the hoards of people at the show to try it out. they are sweet. i did not have the $ to buy one and am still waiting to get one but they are sweet. xxx sells them as well

[dreamingbig]

I like my Alaskan pack frame for quarters with bone.  I have packed out boneless meat using my blacks-creek canadian.

[bonkellekter]

I have always used a pack frame - you guys using an internal frame pack.... what do you put the meat in before putting it in the pack?

[Hyde]

We used to laugh at the guys that had those one wheel game carts.  Then one year I shot a spike bull about a zillion miles from camp.   I BEGGED our camp neighbors to borrow their cart.  Needless to say, we had our own cart the next year.  If I can't put it on a horse, ATV or in a pickup, we wheel it.  That back packing meat is for the birds.  I have a 2 wheeler now and it's even better. 

[dreamingbig]

For boneless meat, I put in a game bag first and then a line the pack with a garbage bag.  It is a good idea to let the meat cool before doing so as the plastic does restrict air flow a bit but if you leave the top open, the air still escapes somewhat.

[bonkellekter]

We used to laugh at the guys that had those one wheel game carts.  Then one year I shot a spike bull about a zillion miles from camp.   I BEGGED our camp neighbors to borrow their cart.  Needless to say, we had our own cart the next year.  If I can't put it on a horse, ATV or in a pickup, we wheel it.  That back packing meat is for the birds.  I have a 2 wheeler now and it's even better. 

No way I'm taking one of those things where I kill elk..... that there would be for the birds. More often than not we end up a long ways from trails on steep hillsides covered with windfalls. Packing is much easier than cutting a trail. 95% of the time or more we bone out the elk in the field - it helps the meat cool faster and gets rid of needless wieght. I have been wanting to try using my internal frame pack to get rid of the pack frame but not sure how well it would carry the weight. I might throw in a garbage bag and give it a shot this year.

[inmysights]

Kelty external frame. A bit bulky, but very comfortable and built well. Has a removable bag and a few options. No meat on it yet but hoping to get a bull down in September for a true test.

[actionshooter]

Mystery Ranch

[DeerThug]

I have an old aluminum pack frame with a good wasit belt and chest belt.  We also have one that has a fold out shelf on the bottom - I think we got it from wal-mart.  you don't have to spend a fortune, jutt make sure it fits you and take plenty of rope to lash it down.  If it comes loose it can really mess a guy up.

Another good way to haul out meat is a plastic tobbogon sled.  Wait till the end of winter and you can pick one up for $5.  This works great if you hunt up hill with closed skid roads.  You don't need snow for it to work just fine.  I have hauled out a 1/2 elk in one load.  Will easily haul the biggest buck.  But it won't work if you have any logs or big rocks to go over.

[Deer slayer]

Few years back I bought a nimrod pack. I don't recall the model but it's the one they brag out being able to put a whole boned mule deer in. Once it is fitted it's easy packing. I have done several deer and a few elk with it. It has a removable bag as well. The bag is washable. I can hunt all day long with it on my back where you never would want to with a frame. Another good thing is they are made out of Cashmere WA. Once again I recommend it.

[Deer slayer]

I have an old aluminum pack frame with a good wasit belt and chest belt.  We also have one that has a fold out shelf on the bottom - I think we got it from wal-mart.  you don't have to spend a fortune, jutt make sure it fits you and take plenty of rope to lash it down.  If it comes loose it can really mess a guy up.

Another good way to haul out meat is a plastic tobbogon sled.  Wait till the end of winter and you can pick one up for $5.  This works great if you hunt up hill with closed skid roads.  You don't need snow for it to work just fine.  I have hauled out a 1/2 elk in one load.  Will easily haul the biggest buck.  But it won't work if you have any logs or big rocks to go over.

There is a couple of my hunting partners that still use frames. We went from using rope as a tie to bungie cords. Best change ever they work awesome and the meat never moves on you. Rope is to hard to cinch tight where the cords can be sucked down good. Believe try it and you will never go back to rope.

[Lowedog]

Bullpac out of Idaho, best frame ever made, in my opinion of course. 

I'll second that!!  I have had mine for probably at least 10 years.  You can load it down with a bunch of weight.  Developed, designed and built by Idaho elk hunters!  Mine has been beat around in the back of the truck.  Packed out loads of game and just pretty much used and abused and besides a few scratches in the paint it is perfect.  http://bullpacs.com/ 

A lot of times I will strap my Nimrod pack with collapsible wilderness pack onto my Bull-Pac and if something gets killed it's boned and packed into the wilderness pack and strapped to the Bull-Pac.  The wilderness pack from Nimrod will hold a whole boned out mule deer.   

[Caretaker]

Use a Arcteryx Bora 80, a very solid pack for long backpack trips.  Never had a problem packing out meat and the suspension system is great.  Love REI gear, find them better quality then what the sportsman stores carry.

[JPhelps]

I use a Dana Design Terraframe Longbed.  This pack may be one of the best monster load packs of all time.  The load lifting straps are at a steep enough angle to work.  The fiberglass wands suck the weight to your hip.  The hip belt is very stiff and tranfers the load well.  It is 6500 c.i. and it compresses enough that I hunt with it on at all times.  

Other things that don't matter so much when hauling meat but are nice.  The two long vertical pockets for spotting scopes and cook stoves.  The pack also has a seperate compartment for your sleeping bag/shelter.

I used to use a Cabela's alaskan extreme pack frame.  It got the job done (packed many elk quarters), but not nearly as comfortable as the Dana Designs pack.  As many of you know Dana Gleason sold this company and started Mystery Ranch, so you have to buy these packs used.

[dromero]

I have a Eberlestock J107 that works pretty good, hauls boned out elk quarters in game bags no prob. It has alot of nice features like detachable top pack, expandable w/mesh middle panel for ventilation, built in compression straps, and a slot for rifle and hydration. Adjustable aluminum stays and adjustable shoulder yoke. etc etc. I really don't like the fact that it is made in Vietnam and once I save enough I will get rid of it and get a Mystery Ranch or Nimrod, both made in USA.

[Raul Duke]

WOW!  Thanks guys.
I made this thread this mourning before work, and I'm just getting a Chance to look it over. 2 pages of options.  You guys Rock!

I'm going to research every pack you guys mentioned & I know I'll find one that fits my needs.

Thanx again everyone for pointing me in the rite direction.

[rasbo]

freighter frame

[head hunter]

badlands 2800 for me

[HoofsandWings]

Some of the packs have pins fastening the pack to the frame. Carry some extra. 100 pounds of meat can wear those pins out.

[RUTNBULL1]

Wilderness Wanderer meat pack frame!! Best meat hauler out there. IMO.    Mine has hauled 20 plus elk and is still holding up strong, has good suspension, shoulder straps and a large meat bag that cinches down perfectly around the quarters. And it will hold one quarter and some extra meat as well. It has a light weight aircraft aluminum frame with hip belt and chest straps as well.