New Elk Hunting Pack- Eberlestock

[huntinkid20]

Well i got my new pack, Eberlestock X2 a week ago. Just had some time last night to get it all loaded up for a 3 night backcountry bear hunt/elk scouting trip. Gonna be a blast. I dont think i could pack for more than 3 nights with this pack, but it will do fine for now as most of my hunting is day packing with the possibility of overnight. I plan on getting the Mystery Pack Longbow soon for backcountry (3+ night) hunts. But so far im satisfied.
Big Agnes Encampment
REI 1.75 Pad
2L Bladder
Leupold Spotting Scope
Tripod
3+ days of food
Katadyn Hiker Pro
Empty Nalgene
Change of Clothes
2 changes of socks
Hoyt TurboHawk

There is probably more, but thats the gist of it.


I actually havent ordered the Buttbucket bow carrier yet so i made due with an old fanny pack and some velcro. Works good enough until i get the real thing.
its hard to tell the actual size of the pack cause my bag and pad cover up most of it. but you get a rough idea of what it can carry. It would be great for packing meat on a day hunt or back to a spike camp. The internal frame is going to be great.

Ill be sure to post up some pics of my scouting trip when i get back.

[carpsniperg2]

don't forget a knife and a few meat sacks just in case

[Cascade_Sherpa]

What packs did you consider before you went with the X2? I'm looking to add another daypack to my herd but I was leaning toward the X1 or X1E (eberlestock).

I've got a badlands, camelback, arcteryx, REI brand, etc., but I'd like to try one of eberlestock's for a season.

Let us know how you like the pack!

[Carnivore]

I've got the Eberlestock slingshot pack just for day hunts and riding the Mt. bike with the bow or shotgun and am very happy with it.  It has only been through one season and hasn't been loaded up with meat yet but it seems to be well built and very comfortable.  Hopefully yours works out well and brings back some bear meat.

[halflife65]

I'm saving for a Mystery Ranch, too (or maybe Kifaru but I like the NICE frame idea) but I think that the Eberlestock is probably a good choice until you get the $500 + for one of the premium packs.  Let us know how it does when you have weight in it.

Right now I have a Badlands Superday and Osprey (forgetting the model right now) for day hikes/long day hikes, a Gregory for longer trips and a Cabela's packboard for meat packing.  Along with other assorted packs like a Camelback and some off brand camo pack with an Italian sounding name (actually pretty comfortable).

Other than that your gear list looks fairly similar to mine (although incomplete) except for that crappy Hoyt.  You should run that over with your pickup, throw it in the garbage and go buy a Matthews.     (I actually like Hoyts and particularly think that the Turbohawk is a really good deal, but bought a Z7 this summer so feel the urge to talk smack.)

[Thefisherman83]

I have the X1 and use it frequently on overnighters in the Olympics and I love it.  It can probably hold 3x as much weight as I load on it and it displaces the weight very nicely.  All of the Eberlestocks I have seen have tons of outside straps and tie downs.  I recently picked up the slingshot for day trips and so far it rocks as well. 

[huntinhick]

I currently have a kifaru spikecamp, I traded a kifaru siwash for it because my style of hunting did not required that much pack.  I love it but it is still big.  I think I am going to pick me and my boys up the x1.  I have the kifaru rifle holder and I hate the way it gets in my way.  I like the fact that the X1 keeps it behind your back.  I have a horrible habit of throwing in more stuff if I have room so a smaller pack is in order! for you eberlestocks guys, are the straps set up in such a way that you can shoot with it on?

carl

[Thefisherman83]

I currently have a kifaru spikecamp, I traded a kifaru siwash for it because my style of hunting did not required that much pack.  I love it but it is still big.  I think I am going to pick me and my boys up the x1.  I have the kifaru rifle holder and I hate the way it gets in my way.  I like the fact that the X1 keeps it behind your back.  I have a horrible habit of throwing in more stuff if I have room so a smaller pack is in order! for you eberlestocks guys, are the straps set up in such a way that you can shoot with it on?

carl

It'll hit the strap, but they are pretty thin and dont get in the way too much. 

[huntinkid20]

Some things I forgot to add to the list that I have packed in there.
6irst aid kit
Empty nalgene
Benchmade knife
Small 4 cup cooking pot
Lightened (cut in half) eating utensils)
Led flashlight and led headlamp
50 feet cord

Now I THINk that is it. Haha. I'm guessing the pack to weigh about 55 lbs loaded with the bow it hold the weight pretty well. I kinda wish it sat just a bit lower on my back. But I'm sure I can adjust all the straps to get it to sit right. I rearranged all the stuf in my back and added a strap I had around the house for my bag to sit on top. I also put my pad in my bag. The bag now sits much more slim on my back. Meaning weight closer to me. Ill post a picture a little later.

As far as what I compared the x2 too, well it is more of trial. I've read about a lot of packs but you don't really know exactly HOW good they are until you try them. My main concensus was I wanted a day pack with an internal frame capable of packing meat back to the truck to get the designated meat packs. Plus I also wanted a pack that I could use for shot, weekend bivys. I will definately need a larger pack for anything more than that. I'm excited to put this pack to the test. Ill let you all know how it does! See ya!

[huntinkid20]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Forgot a few things,
Wash cloth
Cleaning wipes and deoderant
Toothbrush
Elk reeds (always carry them)
License

[jay33ice]

I'll bet you like it.  I've got the J34 (love it) which i think isn't too much for a day and should do great for a 7 day.  I've only done a 2 day so far, but the Eberlestocks ride nicely on your back and are versatile. 

[PacificNWhunter]

Where's the room for the elk? 

Looks like your dialed in. Glad I am not the only one who starts packing my pack in Aug!

[MAVsled]

love my J104.
Buddy liked mine so much he purchased a new model J34 (J104 changed to the J34 w/ modifications).

packs in gear for a few nights or downsize for day adventures. i've packed out elk rear quarters and boned out too, does a great job.

[GregE]

Good pictures, thanks.   

Are you having fun yet?!?!?   

[blackhorn]

Hey huntinkid, how is that butt bucket thingy working out.  I have last years x-2 minus that piece and was considering getting one.  I am doing the bike thing this year and trying to decide on the but bucket or the gun rack on the handle bars.  Any thoughts??

[blackhorn]

Whoops!  I actually went back and read your post, nice fanny pack      Anyone else use the butt bucket.  Sheesh!!! this post is starting to sound a little weird 

[Elknut1]

 The X2 is a great little pack & can haul quarters, that's the make or break bottom line with it. We have 2 of the 2010 ones & I'll be using it on all day hunts for sure!

  ElkNut1

[fishm@n]

I picked up a Blue Widow that Eberlestock had on a smoke damaged sale this spring. I added the spike camp duffle to it and optional rifle scabbard for the rare times I rifle hunt.. all for the price the pack would have been at retail.

I had a slingshot for a few years but it is strictly a day pack. The BW looks like a really nice pack, have had it out on a loaded steep hike to PCT and it did well.

If I were you'd I'd get a more compressable sleeping bag, that one you have takes up a lot of space. I just picked up one of these from amazon and it is easily half the size of that bag you have in compressed state.

http://www.amazon.com/Suisse-Sport-Adventurer-Ultra-Compactable-Sleeping/dp/B001TR7QZA/ref=pd_sbs_sg_4

[Jason]

I have an X2, great pack, some guys complain about not enough storage but seems to haul everything I need and then some,
plus one of the features that I like is the freighter shelf, after I shot my bull last year I quartered it up before the hike back
to the truck for the pack frame, instead of going back empty I was able to stuff the backstraps and tenderloins in the main
compartment and a shoulder on the freighter shelf, worked out great and was surprisingly comfortable.

In the rain it shed water pretty good, but after a few days of constant rain the small compartments on the top started to get damp
inside, but all the other compartments stayed dry.

[elkbuster]

I have an X2, great pack, some guys complain about not enough storage but seems to haul everything I need and then some,
plus one of the features that I like is the freighter shelf, after I shot my bull last year I quartered it up before the hike back
to the truck for the pack frame, instead of going back empty I was able to stuff the backstraps and tenderloins in the main
compartment and a shoulder on the freighter shelf, worked out great and was surprisingly comfortable.

In the rain it shed water pretty good, but after a few days of constant rain the small compartments on the top started to get damp
inside, but all the other compartments stayed dry.

Jason,

Where are u at in that photo?  Looks like a great place for elk. 

[halflife65]

I have an X2, great pack, some guys complain about not enough storage but seems to haul everything I need and then some,
plus one of the features that I like is the freighter shelf, after I shot my bull last year I quartered it up before the hike back
to the truck for the pack frame, instead of going back empty I was able to stuff the backstraps and tenderloins in the main
compartment and a shoulder on the freighter shelf, worked out great and was surprisingly comfortable.

In the rain it shed water pretty good, but after a few days of constant rain the small compartments on the top started to get damp
inside, but all the other compartments stayed dry.

Jason,

Where are u at in that photo?  Looks like a great place for elk. 

   Yeah, Jason, where are you?  That's funny.