Pack board question?

[throttlejocky20]

I use to take the bag off my hiking pack and use the frame for a pack board. Last year it broke when packing my elk out.It was a heavy load but if I can carry it the pack should to  .I had a 1 hind quarter, 1 front quarter, and a bag of misc meat (short pack to the truck). I was thinking about the badlands ox. Any suggestions would be helpfull.

[fair-chase]

I have also looked into the badlands ox. While I think it is a great pack, it just doesn't have the room for extended stay trips at 4400ci. If they came out with a 6500ci ox I would be on board. Right now I am leaning towards a Mystery Ranch configuration on their NICE frame system. It's about 3x the $ as the badlands but is much more versatile and can handle a larger load.

[poohdog]

We use Bull Packs and love them.

[dromero]

Mystery Ranch, Bullpacs, and Wilderness Packs, all very tough, and MADE IN USA.

[throttlejocky20]

Thanx ill check them out

[Tim]

Take a look at Kifaru Longhunters or thier new ultra-lites,5200 cu.inchs less than 3lbs.

[Schwag173]

For packing-out elk quarters; nothing holds a candle to the old Army-surplus laminated wood & canvas packboards.  I've inherited two that have more than 40 years history of hauling out Idaho elk and they're still going strong.  I plan on passing them on to my boys someday.  I haven't needed to look but I hear they're hard to find anymore.  If you can find them, buy them. 

[JPhelps]

Nothing is a strong word.
I would be willing to bet my Dana Designs Terraplane will haul a heavy load much more comfortably than an army surplus pack.

I would also look into Mystery Ranch and Kifaru packs.  They are expensive new but you can sometimes find a used pack for a reasonable price.

[halflife65]

For packing-out elk quarters; nothing holds a candle to the old Army-surplus laminated wood & canvas packboards.  I've inherited two that have more than 40 years history of hauling out Idaho elk and they're still going strong.  I plan on passing them on to my boys someday.  I haven't needed to look but I hear they're hard to find anymore.  If you can find them, buy them.  

What?  Maybe "nothing" means something different to you.  I've used those things before on elk quarters as well as to pack supplies into places - like big bags of fertilizer and 50 pound boxes of nails and there are a lot of things that are better as far as comfort, stability, etc.  They've come along way with design in the last 40 years.  I will give you the fact that they are extremely tough and hard to destroy - maybe nothing can hold up like they can (and they are probably also the coolest looking packs).  When I was feeling like the canvas straps were cutting off my arms at the shoulders I was wishing the damn thing would break so I didn't have to carry it anymore.  

Recently, I bought a Mystery Ranch and stuck a whole deer in it minus head, cape and backstraps (coues - not much body size, but still...).  No problem - carried it off in comfort (pack was comfortable on my back even if I wasn't entirely comfortable walking around with the weight.)  

If money isn't the primary object, I would seriously consider the Mystery Ranch or Kifaru or maybe see what turns up for the new Kiuau (spelling?) packs.  

[MtnMuley]

I'd put my Kifaru to the test anyday over an old army surplus pack.  I used to pack jerry cans loaded with slash fuel in those old army packs in the Forest Service days.  They were everything but comfortable.

[Schwag173]

Suit yourself, everyone has their opinion.  If your packframe survives packing more than one elk, maybe you found a good frame.  (My stepfather says he's witnessed different frames coming apart on the third quarter.)  I've personally packed five elk (two across a river) with these Army packboards and they are no worse for the wear.  But don't mind me, I was just trying to help save you some money.

[huntinfool86]

i use the trapper dan pack boards

[hoyt2002]

get a horse!! all kidding aside I got a badlands packboard last year it worked good confortable.

[400out]

get a horse!! all kidding aside I got a badlands packboard last year it worked good confortable.

they are well built but built for a skinney guy   Good idea with the horse 

[hoyt2002]

nice 400. next time call a skinny guy then lol  My pack fit just fine after it was on.