Best Frame Pack for Hauling Gear and Game?

[Elkhound]

I am in need of a good pack frame with a shelf for gear and game quarter hauling and was wondering if anyone could give some recommendations.  I've only looked at the various packs that Cabelas sells and it seems like they get pretty good reviews but I value the people on here for "real world" insight.  I will be packing about 5 miles or so with help from a few friends.  Thanks in advance for any recommendations!

[packmule]

I don't think you'll find a better frame pack than those made by Bull-Pacs (http://www.bullpacs.com/).  They are a little spendy ($190), so if you're looking for a little less expensive one, the Kelty Cache Hauler is really good and can be had for about $100 online.  I've also used the Cabelas packs and they work just fine. . . most of my longer backpacking trips have been with one, but the two mentioned above are better for heavy loads.  Good luck!

[Elknut1]

We've hauled many an elk off the mtn with the Kelty with seat & batwing Haulers, you don't need any rope or bungee cords for this setup!

  ElkNut1

[LincolnTWilliams]

I used the Cabelas Alaskan guide Pack frame last year to get my bull out. I didn't have to walk 5 miles but it seemed to work well. It gets good reviews and the price was right. However it does't look as beefy as the other two suggested.

[elkoholic]

make sure you have a shelf... my wife has been making fun of me lately because we do a lot of walking around the neighborhood and I wear my packframe with 2 cynder blocks attached....

[conwaydave]

I have been wondering the same question. I will be packing in also. I have looked at that pack and wondered. Do most guys just use that pack for all the camping gear also, on the pack in?

[Crunchy]

Bullpacs

[couesbitten]

We've hauled many an elk off the mtn with the Kelty with seat & batwing Haulers, you don't need any rope or bungee cords for this setup!

  ElkNut1

   Kelty's what I use, and I'm ordering another for my son.  These things are built "hell for stout", they'll carry more than you can.

[halflife65]

Mystery Ranch if you want to spend some money.  Kifaru is another good choice.  Made in the USA but you'll pay for them.  Kinda get what you pay for, though.

[briancorneal]

I second the Mystery Ranch pack.  I have the NICE 6500 and although you still are carrying the weight, it puts all of it in the right places.  I usually get a kink in my back when carrying weight, but with this pack, I haven't felt that pain.  You'll pay an arm and a leg, but you'll save your back.

[wehunt]

My son and one of his hunting partners are both using eberlystock and I just picked up a badlands, sacrifice for our pack in trips this year. The eberlystocks are built very stout, but just over 7 lbs empty. The sacrifice starts at 3.8 lbs empty, with just 3800 sq inch's of space. We pack in for deer only and will bone out the deer and bring it and our equipment back out in one trip and it will take two of the three of us to do that. If we shoot two bucks it is very hard too get both deer and all the gear out between the three of us in one trip. Three deer is two trips. I,ve used many different packs in my life and there just like boats, it take more then one to do it all for me.

[Rainier10]

Bullpacs for me all day long, with a shelf.

[THEBUGLER]

Bull packs rule! Had mine for years with many heavy loads packed out. Made in Lewiston Idaho. Very comfy and is unbreakable.