Hunting packs! Meat hauler vs day pack style

J

jory

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Mannville, AB
Hey all!

I'm new to big game hunting but am motivated to get kitted out appropriately. Last year's deer was thankfully taken close-ish to the truck, so it wasn't too much of a haul to get it out, but I realize I may not always be so lucky. Hence, I am in the market for a hunting pack to help out with the next time i'm tasked with this.

What i'm not sure about is the idea of a "normal" styled hunting pack, or a pack with a frame on it that's better suited for carrying meat out. As I mentioned, I am very new to hunting, so the odds of me having to haul a quartered animal out several miles is less likely than just bumbling around in the bush and coming home with tag soup. With that said, I want to be prepared either way.

I'm looking in the $300-$500 range right now, and so far the Mystery Ranch Pop Up 38 seems to fit the bill the best for what i'm looking for, considering it seems to strike a balance of both styles i'm looking at. What I worry about is that a pack that's going to be used as a day pack for 90% of its life might not be as comfortable with a frame in it, but my experience with framed backpacks is zero so i might be wrong. I worry that for someone of my skill level, a framed pack might be overkill.

Right now there are a number of eberlestock and mystery ranch bags in my view, with the nice kuiu full framed bags costing a little more than i'm willing to spend. The pop up 38 seems to be the answer right now, but i'm worried it may be overkill

Thoughts?
 
I think having a small day pack for hunting and a pack out pack left in the vehicle if your successful is the way to go unless your hiking in a long way from the vehicle.
When I get luckly, I break the animal down immediately, hanging quarters as I go. Then hike back to the vehicle and drop all my extra gear and grab the pack out bag and go back and get the meat.

But again, that is really dependent on if your hike back to the vehicle is too far to make that workable.
 
The mr pop up if fit right for your body will be more comfortable on a long walk in the woods than any cheap day pack under any conditions. + the ability to haul on the frame is an extra bonus. Ebelerstock packs are great quality but really heavy and for me the load lifters are not too low to be useful.
 
FishHog said:
I think having a small day pack for hunting and a pack out pack left in the vehicle if your successful is the way to go unless your hiking in a long way from the vehicle.
When I get luckly, I break the animal down immediately, hanging quarters as I go. Then hike back to the vehicle and drop all my extra gear and grab the pack out bag and go back and get the meat.

But again, that is really dependent on if your hike back to the vehicle is too far to make that workable.
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I'm of the alternate mindset. If I am going to carry a pack at all, why wouldn't I carry the one that is going to be useful if I shoot something?
 
Suther said:
I'm of the alternate mindset. If I am going to carry a pack at all, why wouldn't I carry the one that is going to be useful if I shoot something?
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Exactly especially if that pack is a well made pack that is much more comfortable to carry all day than a day pack that has no though or testing don't to how it actually packs weight....any amount of weight... most day packs are designed like school packs....designed to carry a few item from the building to bus then from the bus to the building... wear one all day with a coat, kill kit, water, gloves socks ect..and it adds up..they are not built to carry all day in comfort.. if your spending $$ on a decent bag that gas the proper structure for comfortable all day carry why not get one that can haul meat. Be sure to get one that pack meat up close to your back not on the outside of your bag....your back will thank you
 
Best pack I've ever had I bought from a fellow cgn'er. Took the, "pack" off, use it as a packboard. Top quality, super comfy, carry a very light, "gutbag" on it to hold stuff like cloth bags, water, lunch and straps.

One it replaced I bought back in the day. Heavy, very uncomfortable. OP in your price range find one that fits and you won't regret it.
 
I love my Badlands 2200, use it for everything including hauling bait for bears,.usually a 50lbs bag of feed. Comes with a blaze orange meat shelf for carrying a quarter outside the pack, also has a boot for the butt of your rifle/in this case an axe to carry.
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I’m a lazy guy and prefer to drag chunks in sled or on the ground. Rope in my every day pack is enough for me
https://imgur.com/a/9kqSBHs
Multiple trips to the truck are required with big game, I prefer dragging chunks. Pack is for snacks and gear.
 
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Gun hog said:
I’m a lazy guy and prefer to drag chunks in sled or on the ground. Rope in my every day pack is enough for me
https://imgur.com/a/9kqSBHs
Multiple trips to the truck are required with big game, I prefer dragging chunks. Pack is for snacks and gear.
Click to expand...

I'm a dragger as well for the most part. Deer I usually drag out whole and elk we cut up in quarters and drag those or toss them in a toboggan. With a few inches of snow on the ground dragging works quite well.
 
Gun hog said:
I’m a lazy guy and prefer to drag chunks in sled or on the ground. Rope in my every day pack is enough for me
https://imgur.com/a/9kqSBHs
Multiple trips to the truck are required with big game, I prefer dragging chunks. Pack is for snacks and gear.
Click to expand...

I'm a day-pack guy as well, I'll pack an extra mid layer and socks, food and snacks, hydration bladder, game bag, tags, flashlight, phone + external battery pack, shooting stick(s), etc in my bag and practice shooting off of it before the season starts but I usually roll my quarry onto a Crazy Carpet sled, they roll up nice and slide over the ground with ease, are tough as hell and the hand holds are perfect for looping some cordage through.
 
mikeyb said:
I'm a day-pack guy as well, I'll pack an extra mid layer and socks, food and snacks, hydration bladder, game bag, tags, flashlight, phone + external battery pack, shooting stick(s), etc in my bag and practice shooting off of it before the season starts but I usually roll my quarry onto a Crazy Carpet sled, they roll up nice and slide over the ground with ease, are tough as hell and the hand holds are perfect for looping some cordage through.
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Hah. I have two crazy carpets in the shed. I've looked at them frequently and thought about using them for that exact purpose, but we don't get much snow here on the Wet Coast.
 
FishHog said:
I think having a small day pack for hunting and a pack out pack left in the vehicle if your successful is the way to go unless your hiking in a long way from the vehicle.
When I get luckly, I break the animal down immediately, hanging quarters as I go. Then hike back to the vehicle and drop all my extra gear and grab the pack out bag and go back and get the meat.

But again, that is really dependent on if your hike back to the vehicle is too far to make that workable.
Click to expand...

I agree, this is what I do when hunting and guiding also. Why carry a heavier, bulkier pack for general use and not use it 80% of the time. I carry a daypack, and leave the pack board in the boat or truck or camp for use when required. The exception to this is when mountain hunting and you are carrying 14 days of gear in one shot.
 
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Best thing ive ever known- Proberly better ones out there- but the Frame pack in general- saved my ass... an back big time.
wish i had one for NZ... but il go back now i got one. pending Covid freedoms etc... :(
 
I have a day pack for most everything.
Mine is a Camelbak Striker that I have owned since the early 2000's
Has a 2 liter water bladder, carries skinning/caping tools, folding saw, multitool, flagging tape, game bags, rolled up rain pants and jacket, hauling rope and lots of paracord m 1.5liter thermos of coffee, first aid, snacks and a few other items like batteries, compass ect

Most of my hunting would see me wearing that pack 90% of the time.
I do have a full size multiday waterproof internal frame pack that could also be easily used for a meat hauling pack and I also have a composite pack frame with meat shelf and molle attachments . Not sure what brand it is as it was a gift .
I generally only use the day pack when I'm out from camp but if an animal is down and a different pack is required, a trip to the truck with the heart, liver and kidneys to get them on ice in the cooler asap and to grab the pack frame or meat bag is not a wasted trip.
Plus you can move much quieter in the bush with a nice streamlined, body fitting day pack that won't snag on branches and things while you hunt.
 
350 Mag said:
I disagree....

You can get a nice 3200-3500 pack with a good frame.

They only weight 4-5 pounds.

You can choose to pack it light or heavy enough to camp out of....
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i agree- that one i got is a 3500 size an can run it compressed with just ya sanga in it (sandwhich) an ya can of coke, or can run 4 days worth of stuffs, same bag, minimal weight, comfy with less in it but holds its own with weight!
 
FishHog said:
I think having a small day pack for hunting and a pack out pack left in the vehicle if your successful is the way to go unless your hiking in a long way from the vehicle.
When I get luckly, I break the animal down immediately, hanging quarters as I go. Then hike back to the vehicle and drop all my extra gear and grab the pack out bag and go back and get the meat.

But again, that is really dependent on if your hike back to the vehicle is too far to make that workable.
Click to expand...

hoytcanon said:
I agree, this is what I do when hunting and guiding also. Why carry a heavier, bulkier pack for general use and not use it 80% of the time. I carry a daypack, and leave the pack board in the boat or truck or camp for use when required. The exception to this is when mountain hunting and you are carrying 14 days of gear in one shot.
Click to expand...

seems some with experiences are doing the same. as a guide i did the same and now as well ...
 
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