Day pack for elk hunt?

[Sandman]

I will be going on a guided elk hunt in Colorado this fall. I would like a day pack that I can carry my rifle in and is capable of carrying out an elk quarter, if necessary. Not too big and not too small. Recomendations?

Thanks!

 

[orion2000]

Ford, Chevy, Dodge... Personally, I have 3 Eberlestock packs (J107, X1, X3) for the integral scabbard to carry my rifle. The J107 is kinda big for a day pack, but, will pack all of the weight I want to hump. Just got the X3 and started doing practice hikes. I am hoping it will be the "sweet spot" in between the other two. Will know in October !

Other guys swear by the Mystery Ranch and Kifaru and Kuiu packs as well. They will be along shortly. Would be handy if you could find a few different varieties before hand and try them out. Let us know what you settle on.

 

[marioq]

Yeah I have 2 badlands and I love them but I agree. It's a personal choice. Just get quality so the stuff doesn't break on you!!!

 

[Biggs300]

Eberlestock J34 Just One pack would be my choice. I also have a Kifaru Gen 2 Longhunter standard but IMHO, the J34 is a better daypack with the ability to expand to carry an Elk Quarter. The Kifaru has better load lifters and can honestly carry a heavier load, but the J34 is good to about 60 to 65 lbs. I carried 60+ lbs comfortably last year on a backpack elk hunt in CO.

 

[Cascade_Sherpa]

Sometime this summer I'm going to pull the trigger on either the Eberlestock X3 or one of the new Badlands that are due out next month....maybe the Point.

I've spent the last several seasons hunting with Sitka Bivy and Badlands 2200 and a few assorted Cabela's brand backpacks that didn't work out very well. So I'm kinda partial to trying out the new and improved 2200 but the new Elberlestock M5 Team Elk backpack looks intriguing as well.

I wish there was an easier way to check out the Mystery ranch packs at a retail type location. About the only way compare several packs first hand is to time my drive to visit buddies in MT, so that I can hit up their store.

 

[Boman]

Ive been using the Badlands 2200 the last few years and it has worked well but it seems to fit taller guys much better. Im short 5.9 and its a little long. So im going to an Eberlestock x1. Ive used the Eberlestock just one but its more of a backpacking pack, much bigger. For a daypack all u need is 2000cu in. dont get one thats too big, not good for elk country. You can always lash stuff to the outside of any pack. Good luck

 

[aroshtr]

I don't have any experience with it yet, but I ordered a Kuiu Icon 1850. I got the full carbon frame and bag. I hope it will do well as a daypack that can also carry a heavy elk quarter very well. They wont be shipping for a couple months, but I have high hopes.

Joel

 

[Magnumitis]

Depends how much you want to spend. The Eberlestock X2 is a great daypack. The Mystery Ranch Crew Cab is even better. Neither one come with a gun scabbard but both can still be configured to carry a rifle if need be. Depending on how heavy a load you'll be carrying, the X2 is hard to beat.

 

[whiskeydog]

mystery ranch longbow or metcalf...they are pricey, but can be cinched down to almost nothing while your hunting and can pack out an entire muley boned out or half of an elk if you can carry it.

 

[Galen]

Does anyone use a regular backpacking pack for hunting? I have tried on quite a few packs that are marketed towards hunting and I just don't like the way they fit.

 

[mtnwrunner]

Stone Glacier Ultralight Backpacks

Sandman and others-----
Seriously look at Stone Glacier packs. They have been kind of under the mainstream radar but they are absolutely wonderful. I'll give you the website and you can look at the options but I've got an approach pack coming after seeing one of their packs that a buddy of mine has. The nice thing is that you can carry whatever you want in them and the pack starts at 3.5 pounds which is half of what others are. Yes, they are expensive but guess what? They are well made and MADE IN THE USA.

Randy

 

[Hognuts]

I have the Eberlestock Dragonfly, and the Gunslinger. I like them both, the Gunslinger is a little more compact and has a wider scabbard which works better with my bulky rifle/optics. The Dragonfly has a ton of storage, but that is also a downfall, as you are more tempted to bring extra goodies that aren't necessary and then end up paying for it on the mountain. Both are excellent options, but I give the edge to the Gunslinger just for the weight and the wider scabbard.











These are all pics of the Dragonfly in different configurations and on different hunts. I just picked up the Gunslinger this year and haven't had it on a big game hunt yet, I have used it on a few coyote hunts, but don't have any pics of it afield. I am really liking it though. I still have the Dragonfly and it is hard to beat for carrying out massive amounts of meat, but I don't have enough self discipline to keep from "over-doing it" on the way in. Good luck this fall!

 

[sp6x6]

Nimrod packs where the original gun carry.They make firefighting packs.I use a fanny,they are modular to fit your needs.I have one set up for rifle and one for archery.I have the meat duffle and the alum frame also,lots of accessories also.Used one for 15 yrs

 

[mtnwrunner]

Nimrod packs where the original gun carry.They make firefighting packs.I use a fanny,they are modular to fit your needs.I have one set up for rifle and one for archery.I have the meat duffle and the alum frame also,lots of accessories also.Used one for 15 yrs

They are pretty durn nice too.....................my only complaint is that they are somewhat heavy. Great company to do business with.

Randy