Post by: yogru on May 27, 2020, 02:34:45 PM
Any opinions out there on what might fit that bill the best?
Thanks!
Post by: Remnar on May 27, 2020, 02:36:15 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on May 27, 2020, 02:40:21 PM
Post by: p-ohana on May 27, 2020, 03:18:46 PM
Post by: zwickeyman on May 27, 2020, 03:20:50 PM
Post by: Tbar on May 27, 2020, 03:23:20 PM
Post by: headshot5 on May 27, 2020, 03:37:06 PM
Quote
Bullpacs, bar none .IMO
:yeah:
Post by: yogru on May 27, 2020, 04:24:42 PM
Post by: jdb on May 27, 2020, 04:52:33 PM
Cabela's outfitter frame has worked just fine for me. Packed a lot of quarters out with it plus countless trips of alfalfa and bags of feed.this
Post by: greenhead_killer on May 27, 2020, 05:30:30 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on May 27, 2020, 06:11:49 PM
^^ive got two exclusively for packing critters out. Comfortable and light. Can take a heavy load.
And a third of the price!
Post by: bigdub257 on May 27, 2020, 06:47:57 PM
Kifaru
X2. Bulletproof. Might as well take a load out on your way back to camp!
Post by: ctwiggs1 on May 27, 2020, 07:32:08 PM
If you hunt close to a camp and don’t want to shell out much money, any of the frame packs mentioned will work. They won’t be as comfortable, but that does not matter much if the pack out is short.
Post by: Magnum_Willys on May 27, 2020, 08:11:04 PM
When packing needed just do gutless method, boneout, drop in bag and shuttle out on meat shelf in pack. With two guys - One trip, Done. One guy its two trips - Not four.
Post by: STLHDHunter on June 14, 2020, 07:38:08 PM
If you want a really high quality pack that will be fairly light but be a breeze to carry, check out Exo, Kifaru, Stone Glacier or Mystery Ranch. I’ve heard good and bad about Kuiu.
If you hunt close to a camp and don’t want to shell out much money, any of the frame packs mentioned will work. They won’t be as comfortable, but that does not matter much if the pack out is short.
100% Kifaru. I've been running their hunting frame since 2017 and it's been bulletproof.
I've swapped out a number of packs through various hunts and seasons but I currently run the 7,000 Muskeg bag as my go to for most hunts. Previous packs have included Fulcrum and Woodsman.
The Muskeg is large enough for spiking out after Elk but can compress down for an easy day pack for scouting/hiking. My most recent outings have seen it paired with a Sherman pocket but in the past I've run it with the Xpac Guide Lid or OG Guide Lid for added space.
For archery elk hunts in the wet-side, it's been a huge plus to have the waterproof Muskeg. My first Kifaru bag was a Fulcrum which was a nice bag but for WA Western elk, it meant running with a cover and ultimately the wings proved to be unwieldy for running as a day pack - too many straps.
Prior to the Kifaru setups, I ran a Kuiu Icon Pro 7200 and while it's a nice setup, found that the frame squeaked during long hikes and the design of the frame causes a heavy pack to pivot laterally due to the v-shaped upper frame design. That and their customer service being atrocious (went back and forth for a month to get a bag repaired after a side pocket teared internally during a simple hike.
Kifaru is American made and their customer service is amazing. Aron has replied directly to my questions and has gone above and beyond to help with anything I've needed.
While not packs, their Sawtooth and Mega Tarp have seen plenty of use and this spring I've finally tried their slickbag, which is nice although very bulky given that it's synthetic.
If you're near Seattle, I'd be all for letting you try the pack out for size/fit before you buy. Just holler and we can figure out a time that works.
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on June 14, 2020, 07:47:01 PM
Bullpacs, bar none .IMO
Yep.👍
Broke mine in on a sheep hunt in the Mason unit, steep rocky, and no trails.
I wouldn’t have anything else, feels like part of you when you move about, bending over, leaning etc....👍
Post by: Rainier10 on June 14, 2020, 08:58:46 PM
:yeah: :yeah:QuoteBullpacs, bar none .IMO
:yeah:
If you are going to have a heavy load bullpac. I love mine.
Post by: nwhunter on June 14, 2020, 09:36:35 PM
Post by: hiway_99 on June 14, 2020, 10:09:19 PM
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Post by: huntnphool on June 14, 2020, 10:18:57 PM
Bullpacs, bar none .IMO
+1, love mine as well!
Post by: jackelope on June 14, 2020, 10:30:01 PM
KifaruThe agreements continue.
Post by: Rainier10 on June 15, 2020, 08:08:42 AM
For just packing meat and heavy loads Bullpacs are the way to go... I have several others from cabelas and a kifaru and if they are all in the back of my truck and we are heading in to pack out an elk I grab the bullpac first and everyone else gets whats left :dunno:I have four bullpacs. One for me, the wife and both daughters. The pacs stay in the truck all hunting season so if the girls aren't there one of my buddies can use their pack.
I actually wear mine all the time. I have a small bag, fannypack type thing that I stap onto the bullback to hold some gear. It is just easier to plan on packing meat and have it with you so you can take a load out on the first trip to the truck.
I debone everything in the field anymore so a deer head, cape and meat can all fit on one pack. It's right at 100-105 pounds loaded. Normally a buddy is close by and can help with the load but in a pinch it's a one man show.
Post by: jackelope on June 15, 2020, 08:11:51 AM
:dunno:
Post by: Rainier10 on June 15, 2020, 08:16:28 AM
@Rainier10 will definitely tell you to not use a Tenzing 6000 to pack meat. I know that to be fact without even asking him.That is a fact. I am sure they work for some. I borrowed one for Jackelope's goat hunt and it just didn't fit right. It was borrowed so I didn't want to mess with the strap adjustments but it was uncomfortable for sure. Every step coming out with that big billy on my back I was wishing I had brought my bullpac instead. I will say for the pack in with just gear the tenzing was fine. It was just with the heavy meat load that I had issues with it.
:dunno:
Post by: ridgefire on June 15, 2020, 09:59:55 PM
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on June 15, 2020, 10:10:55 PM
Post by: T-Dozzer on July 11, 2020, 09:43:49 AM
KifaruThe agreements continue.
Yup. Agreed. I haven't been on board that long & already own a frame & 3 bags. Then bought my wife a frame . Carry a load so much better then my Exo did.
Post by: ThurstonCokid on July 12, 2020, 07:37:21 PM
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Post by: lewy on July 12, 2020, 07:47:27 PM
Post by: Tbar on July 12, 2020, 08:16:11 PM
My go to backcountry and heavy load pack is a kifaru, I picked up a bullpac frame pack for exactly what you described and I can’t tell you how terrible it is compared to a heavy load in the kifaru. I’ll sell it to you if you want it. I’ve got several buddies that have the same opinion:yeah: Without question.
I hunt with the bare necessities, i.e. a packboard and game bags with little else. I day hunt but that is often in the 6-8 mile range from the road. I have also packed meat with the majority of the available options. I did like the badlands ox frame as a dedicated packer(pack sucked) but none of the other badlands. As for bull pac's, I've had two and still own them. Bullpacs are great, over built but far far from the most comfortable pack. I also really appreciate a local company with good customer service. I have a kuiu as well as a stone glacier, again acceptable but not kifaru. My kifaru is a simple frame and sling. We pack a fair amount of elk each year which means we are testing both man and gear. I try not to carry these weight I once did but kifaru is a game changer.
Post by: kentrek on July 12, 2020, 08:20:11 PM
I move alot of weight year round and it consistently holds up
If its just to pack out a few animals a year I doubt youl go wrong with any of the previous mentioned packs but if you plan on living with the dang thing then I'd definitely recommend investing in the kifaru...
Post by: northwesthunter84 on July 12, 2020, 08:21:39 PM
Post by: CastleRocker on July 12, 2020, 10:31:25 PM
Barneys
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Yep, if you are going to pack a heavy load, that's the one.
In order from heavy to light load;
Barney's, Kifaru, Stone Glacier, Cabela's, and nothing else. I tried three Kuiu Icon Pro...two broke, (awesome customer service though), and gave the last one away.
Bottom line...Barney's or Kifaru.