Backcountry Packs

[Johnb317]

Busted my rear carrying out a Rosy.... 300 + pounds in the freezer -
I use a Eberlestock x2?   switch to a meat pack after the first load!

[RadSav]

Kentrek, it is possible to pack an entire bull out in one load. That is one reason I didn't keep the T1. Because I don't think I could do it with that pack, when I can with the Barney.

What?

 

You guys can believe it or not, doesn't matter to me. It is possible and it does happen. The last bull I killed was a little over 460 lbs of boned meat, cape, head, and antlers. Obviously not a one trip bull.

I believe it!!!  My buddy Larry packed this one out whole

[MichaelJ]

I don't think I'd put it past some people to pack out an entire boned bull with skullcap/horns 1-2 miles over relatively mild terrain (I could see a few trips to a trail or a ridgetop, then entire animal in one trip).

Know more than a few people who have taken out an entire bull in two trips.  My roommate who is 5'11" and 180 lbs packed his Idaho bull last year in two trips in one day using his MR crewcab.  This was in unit 19 and was 5 miles in on a trail then bushwacked 2 miles off the trail.  Was a nice big 5x5 bull.  This is with everything including camp for 5 days and rifle+gear.  He's not that big of a guy but is a sawyer on a hotshot fire crew so every fall he is in phenomenal shape.

I myself am limited to far less than 1 elk per trip that is for sure!  If you are in a state that doesn't require the taking of neck/flank meat it'll make a BIG difference and I would see it being doable.  Especially if you take your time and really trim off a lot of the garbage off the quarters.  I'm always amazed at home much meat I actually cut/wrap vs. packout!

Mike

[Branden]

I guess it would make a difference how far of a pack out we're talking. Also I assumed we were talking mature WA bulls. I guess I could pack a spike out a short distance.

The bull I packed out was a 283" 6x6 from Colorado. Sorry to lead you to believe it was something else. The terrain I hunted there is a lot like the Wenaha. It was in about 4 miles, so not very far. Coming out of the bottom was pretty slow lol

[Branden]

I believe it!!!  My buddy Larry packed this one out whole

We are talking bulls, so I will need you to lift that branch up so we can see if you are talking apples to apples 

[RadSav]

I believe it!!!  My buddy Larry packed this one out whole

We are talking bulls, so I will need you to lift that branch up so we can see if you are talking apples to apples 

Acorns to Acorns for sure

Way back in my youth my hunting partner Channon and I took a large 7X7 and a spike with our bows about five miles into the Eagle Caps.  Each of us had a Peak1 pack frame with just the Kathy Kelly fanny pack attached.  No game bags as each had thought the other brought them.  The two bulls each died within 50 yards of one another.  We boned out the shoulders and the hind quarters and stuffed all the meat into the ribcage like a meat bucket and packed them both out whole.  Not sure what the total weight was of each pack, but it was a good thing we were just off a major horse trail or I'd have never made it as far as I did.  Channon made it to the truck dumped his load and then came back and took mine the last 1/4 mile or so.  So I do believe young guys not so right in the head who say it can be done.  Even with packs and boots that are not nearly as good as what we have today.

Would I ever do it again?  Hell No!!  Both our bodies broke down at early ages.  Have to wonder if our youthful enthusiasm and brawn over brains attitudes didn't have something to do with it.  15 miles of hiking with two five mile trips at more than 50% less weight would have been much smarter and probably much easier. The wife and I did it that way with a 4X4 and a cow a few years back.  This time only 1 mile uphill and with no bones and good packs.  She's no Channon when it comes to packing and we were both over 40.  However, it was so much better!! 

At least I was 1/4 mile from being a bad ass once in my life.  And heck, back surgery, knee surgery and hernia surgery wasn't all that bad.  Everyone should try it once.

[huntnnw]

I packed out a 4pt bull last year in 2 trips.. no trails about 2 miles out. Boned out a hind qtr and and front shoulder and all the gear I had out in the dark and returned and boned rest and caped bull out in am.

[RadSav]

BTW - Her bull (55 yards), my cow (35 yards).  We were both using BlacksCreek packs at that time.

[colockumelk]

Anyone who can pack a 200 pound load is tougher than me.

I really like my MR Longbow.  I've done a few hikes with it loaded up heavy and no hotspots afterwards.

 

I have been doing 2-4 mile training hikes with 90lbs with my Longbow and it carries it more comfortably than any pack I've tried. Not saying its the best but it is definately awesome. I also don't think you could get a better layout as fat as pockets goes for a day pack.

For wilderness hunts, if you bought the day lid and two side pockets you could easily get 4-5 days from this pack. And have the ability to carry every piece of gear you brought and as much meat as you can physically carry all at the same time. 

[dreamingbig]

RadSav - Nice double!

I am waiting on my Kifaru duplex frame and cargo panel.  It should show up in early June.  I have the Eberlestock x2 for day hunts but I don't like how it feels with heavy weight for long periods.  I did 12 miles with 60 lbs in it wasn't super uncomfortable but not what the best either.  It feels great with 25 lbs of day hunt/survival gear in it and can still take the first meat load.

[huntingalways]

I have 3-10 day backpack hunted for 10 years from Alaska Dull sheep to Elk and Sheep in Montana which is where I'm from.  through the years I've packed animals on every hunt using mystery ranch, badlands 2800, badlands 4500, and right now I've been using the Badlands Ox for the last 2 years-.  Yes it is a little heavy but. when I de-bone the meat the ox frame gives stability and keeps the meat from shifting left to right.  this is the pack for me, and as long as your waist is no smaller than a 30 it could be the pack for you.

[MichaelJ]

I have 3-10 day backpack hunted for 10 years from Alaska Dull sheep to Elk and Sheep in Montana which is where I'm from.  through the years I've packed animals on every hunt using mystery ranch, badlands 2800, badlands 4500, and right now I've been using the Badlands Ox for the last 2 years-.  Yes it is a little heavy but. when I de-bone the meat the ox frame gives stability and keeps the meat from shifting left to right.  this is the pack for me, and as long as your waist is no smaller than a 30 it could be the pack for you.

And you're torso is longer than 18"...

I have been doing 2-4 mile training hikes with 90lbs with my Longbow and it carries it more comfortably than any pack I've tried. Not saying its the best but it is definately awesome. I also don't think you could get a better layout as fat as pockets goes for a day pack.

For wilderness hunts, if you bought the day lid and two side pockets you could easily get 4-5 days from this pack. And have the ability to carry every piece of gear you brought and as much meat as you can physically carry all at the same time. 

Do you have any pictures of the two side pockets and day lid on the longbow?  what would the total weight and cubic inches be on this pack with that combo?

Mike

[deerslyr]

Heres one that made my self and did a wright up on with an alaskan frame pack and BL 2200.

http://www.eastmans.com/forum/showthread.php/2635-Pack-Frame-BadLands-2200-Hybrid

It works well and is very easy to connect and disconnect. Saved me some a bunch of money as well. We'll see how it does this season.

[colockumelk]

I have 3-10 day backpack hunted for 10 years from Alaska Dull sheep to Elk and Sheep in Montana which is where I'm from.  through the years I've packed animals on every hunt using mystery ranch, badlands 2800, badlands 4500, and right now I've been using the Badlands Ox for the last 2 years-.  Yes it is a little heavy but. when I de-bone the meat the ox frame gives stability and keeps the meat from shifting left to right.  this is the pack for me, and as long as your waist is no smaller than a 30 it could be the pack for you.

And you're torso is longer than 18"...

I have been doing 2-4 mile training hikes with 90lbs with my Longbow and it carries it more comfortably than any pack I've tried. Not saying its the best but it is definately awesome. I also don't think you could get a better layout as fat as pockets goes for a day pack.
o
For wilderness hunts, if you bought the day lid and two side pockets you could easily get 4-5 days from this pack. And have the ability to carry every piece of gear you brought and as much meat as you can physically carry all at the same time. 

Do you have any pictures of the two side pockets and day lid on the longbow?  what would the total weight and cubic inches be on this pack with that combo?

Mike

Mike I don't have the day pack lid (900 ci) or the side pockets ( 300 or 400 ci each). But I'll post a couple of threads that do have it. But to answer your question. The bag and frame is 2400 ci and weighs 6lbs 8oz. If you add the day pack lid and two side pockets the combo would be 4100 ci, and would weigh 8lb 7oz. Here's a couple of threads with good info about the pack.

Here's two reviews on it from Aron Snyder aka Elk Reaper.

 http://forums.bowsite.com/TF/bgforums/thread.cfm?threadid=384308&forum=5

 http://forums.bowsite.com/TF/bgforums/thread.cfm?threadid=382873&forum=5

Here's a thread that shows a bunch of differe.t pictures of guys packing out loads with the longbow.

 http://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?t=248785
 
Hope these threads help out.

[MichaelJ]

I've seen the review by Aron, good stuff thanks!

Right now I am looking at the Kuiu Icon 6000, MR Longbow (with option to add 6500 down the road), or the Kifaru T1 (though I'm not sure I would justify the price...) 

Biggest things for myself is the need to swap out packs on the MR packs if going more than 2-3 days and then I'm with a 9.5 lb pack starting weight which I really don't want.

The Icon 6000 I've heard great things about, from being able to daypack it, to multiday trips with being able to haul meat out.  People say they don't like the pivoting hip belt at 80+lb loads.  Though I've heard that they haven't had the compression straps on the hip belt strapped down properly in this case.

Kifaru is probably what I would go for, but with buying their "grab it" and other bag accessories, it'll come out to almost $1k which for a pack is just insane on my current budget.

Gotta love these kind of problems eh?   Right now I'm leaning towards the Kuiu, though who knows what'll happen?

Mike