Sheep hunting pack options
- Thread starter ChiefG
- Start date
I like the Eberlestock packs for their ability to expand, add an extra bag, and carry your rifle and/or bow.
I like a pack with good side pockets for your spotting scope and tripod, and good straps to keep things tight and compact. Keeps your center of gravity easier to maintain.
Easily accessible top/back pockets for other items make life easier when stopping for breaks, snacks or refilling water bottles, etc.
Haven't gotten around to getting the rain cover yet, but need to.
I have had a Badlands daypack for over 10 years. I have had issues with their zippers for several years, but have gotten by. The main zipper finally failed this winter. Need to send in for warranty. Find it to be fairly heavy. But I have carried quite a bit of weight in for all these years.
I like a pack with good side pockets for your spotting scope and tripod, and good straps to keep things tight and compact. Keeps your center of gravity easier to maintain.
Easily accessible top/back pockets for other items make life easier when stopping for breaks, snacks or refilling water bottles, etc.
Haven't gotten around to getting the rain cover yet, but need to.
I have had a Badlands daypack for over 10 years. I have had issues with their zippers for several years, but have gotten by. The main zipper finally failed this winter. Need to send in for warranty. Find it to be fairly heavy. But I have carried quite a bit of weight in for all these years.
This one on fakebook seems good /
Alp country or so . This NEW backpack from ALPS OutdoorZ
https://www.facebook.com/thehuntingpage/videos/253735251989181/
Alp country or so . This NEW backpack from ALPS OutdoorZ
https://www.facebook.com/thehuntingpage/videos/253735251989181/
- Location
- Saskatoon Saskatchewan
How long are you going for and how much do you plan on carrying. Packs are tricky here in Canada because theres mo one stop shop where you can try on many different ones and they will perform better if fitted to you personally by someone that knows what the heck they're doing.
Mystery ranch, kifaru, seek outside and stone glacier seem to be the top end packs that you will find on the mountain. Mystery ranch Metcalf has a pretty solid following but might be a bit small for you depending on your gear. Remember it doesn't need to be a company that markets specifically to hunters like the ones I listed. Also look at mountaineering companies and I hate to say it but check out mec. Just don't tell them it's for hunting or theres a good possibility you will be crucified.
Mystery ranch, kifaru, seek outside and stone glacier seem to be the top end packs that you will find on the mountain. Mystery ranch Metcalf has a pretty solid following but might be a bit small for you depending on your gear. Remember it doesn't need to be a company that markets specifically to hunters like the ones I listed. Also look at mountaineering companies and I hate to say it but check out mec. Just don't tell them it's for hunting or theres a good possibility you will be crucified.
islandhunter
CGN Regular
- Location
- princeton b.c.
Barney's is great for the volume, and hauling out game is when it shines. I wouldn't have anything else
ChiefG,
Hope I can give you some insight, as I am a sheep guide and see a lot of different stuff come through my camps/ conversations on packs often come up with other guides.
Money aside, there are three pack companies on the market currently that make incredibly high-end, purpose built, no BS packs for the backcountry (Sheep) hunter.
Mystery Ranch, Stone Glacier, and Kifaru. No offense to anyone out there running anything else, but if you want quality, comfort, and durability these are your three.
I personally use a MR Marshall 6500, have put around 300 days on it without any problems, rips, tears etc. If you tent to pack bulky, it can run a little small. Not the lightest pack on the market, but it also wont fall apart. If you have the option to try on several different packs (ideally with a decent load in them) this is your best bet.
Hope I can give you some insight, as I am a sheep guide and see a lot of different stuff come through my camps/ conversations on packs often come up with other guides.
Money aside, there are three pack companies on the market currently that make incredibly high-end, purpose built, no BS packs for the backcountry (Sheep) hunter.
Mystery Ranch, Stone Glacier, and Kifaru. No offense to anyone out there running anything else, but if you want quality, comfort, and durability these are your three.
I personally use a MR Marshall 6500, have put around 300 days on it without any problems, rips, tears etc. If you tent to pack bulky, it can run a little small. Not the lightest pack on the market, but it also wont fall apart. If you have the option to try on several different packs (ideally with a decent load in them) this is your best bet.
Mystery ranch are great lots of pockects places to lash equipment on the fit is awesome, but the fram is to damn heavy I have one , not sure which one I would g t if I was starting over but it wouldn’t be the mystery ranch
Thanks for the comments all. Specifically a question to NMO; when you are packing have you ever seen a failure between Kifaru and stone Glacier? I have an Eberlestock and I don't know if its just my body shape (Tiny pencil) but I hate everything about it...I have tryed a Exo, Sitka 6200, and I'll be trying out a Kuiu Icon 7200 right shortly. I am glad you reiterated the Kifaru and Stone Glacier as those two are tabs on my computer that stay open. I will have a chance to field test a SG sky archer 5900 and a duplex lite from Kifaru (with one of their million bag options) in the spring. I just like input from a broad group of people.
I will be doing two ten day pack hunts this fall. Probably running around 55 pounds in the pack and minus a few once I set up base camp. I also laughed at your MEC comment, I don't darken their doors anymore (unfortunately as they do carry some good stuff) since they hated on me the last time I was in there..I may have been wearing a ccfr coat, and wild sheep society hat.. they picked up what camp I was in.
- Location
- Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Just out of curiosity, how far are you packing in? If successful will you be able to pack out all your gear and sheep in one load? I've never sheep hunted so shouldn't really weigh in here but I don't think you'd be disappointed with a Metcalf.
Really if you are talking money is no object and subscribe to buying quality, then you need to be looking at Stone Glacier, Kifaru, or Exo. Seek Outside and Barney are also strong contenders. MysterRanch has dropped the ball in the last couple of years by losing the weight game. Kuiu and Eberlestock aren’t really even in contention if you are buying a “quality sheep pack”.
I’ve used them all, or seen them used first hand, and seen some pack failures. I used to own just about every pack MR made, loved my Longbow but it wasn’t ideal for its weight/usability/price point. The only ones I still keep around are my Sky 7400 and the gf’s Sky 5900. Light, strong, and VERY dynamic on how it can be used.
I’ve used them all, or seen them used first hand, and seen some pack failures. I used to own just about every pack MR made, loved my Longbow but it wasn’t ideal for its weight/usability/price point. The only ones I still keep around are my Sky 7400 and the gf’s Sky 5900. Light, strong, and VERY dynamic on how it can be used.
pete dobinson
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Courtenay BC.
Has anyone got experience with the new mystery ranch metcalf with the guidelite frame. Also how is the quality now that they are made in the Philippines.
The one is about 17 km in and the other is 22km I believe and that's as the crow flies quite a bit of vertical climbs as well. I really hope me and the brother will be able to pack out everything in one shot, if not it may turn into a 12 day with a "cough cough I'm sick" call to work. I would like to try one of the mystery ranch packs I just don't know anyone with one to try, I'm at the point where if i'm going to throw out 1000 on a pack it seems like Kifaru and SG hold an edge on the others.
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
There is only one really really good answer to your question for a sheep hunt and that is a "horse" brand...
Very good point, and have gone that route myself now.
That said, on the trip in last year there were 3 Stone Glacier packs tucked into a top pack. You still have to get your sheep down to the horses....
Oh right, you asked about failures as well. I've seen an Eberlestock fail to close up, and fail to hold straps where they are set. On a Kuiu Icon day 2 of 8, the main buckle snapped on the waist belt. The load WAS pretty extreme though, what with there being about a pound of food, 2 pounds of water, and some rain gear in the pack.....
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I have a mystery ranch Marshall and I love it. Haven’t used it much yet, but it handled two front quarters of a northern moose (two loads) and a big billy goat really well. Super comfy and lots of nice features. A bit heavier than a few other packs but it feels like you set off a hand grenade inside and not hurt it.
Edited to add: I have two friends who have both snapped kuiu icon carbon frames in half in the back country.
Edited to add: I have two friends who have both snapped kuiu icon carbon frames in half in the back country.
Haven't seen major failures with the other two. Been down the Kuiu route, great design for organization, but us guides call them "Client Packs" for a reason. Comfy to 60lbs and great if you only hunt once or twice a year, but mine blew out after one 100 day season.
On the note of Mystery Ranch dropping the ball with weight, thats not their game, and they will tell you that. Building the best backpack to handle 100lb + loads is their game, and they do it well. New frame on a Marshall 6500 ends up being around 7.5lbs. Everyone has a preference, but I like it when my gear lasts longer than 1 season (120ish days) and if that means I carry a few extra pounds, so be it. These days most people pack around enough extra batteries/solar panels etc that its not hard to shuffle #### around and make up for the added weight in a more robust pack.
