Elk Hunter 338
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Promise you Buy An EXO .. you will not be let down!! ive owned all the Alpha packs and i have since sold them all and will only run the EXO
What pack are you using?
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Idaho Lefty
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- Jan 29, 2018
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We drink from our Bladders, on the way IN to our Spike camp, area. We carry, 2 Arizona Tea, Plastic Jugs and use a Filter to refill at, a Spring or fairly clean, Water source. Then fill Nalgene Bottles with, this water and we usually have, very little Water in Bladder when Hunting.
Hope this, help's ! Yes, a full Bladder can be, crushed !
I always have an empty Nalgene. I pack some of my survival and first aid odds/ends in it for just this reason, bladders can leak and that way if I get in a bind I can capture water.
It just didn't occur to me when packing out an animal that when I strap things tight this was a risk. Lesson learned. Luckily my brother in law had 2 nalgenes full so we were okay. Could have been worse, fortunately was not.
next year I will switch to a smaller bladder and 1 or 2 full nalgenes, depending on water sources and distance we are going in. The bladder is great when hiking and still see myself using one, but not relying on it as much.
muledeer01
Well-Known Member
I tried a Horn Hunter straight six last year, lasted 6 hrs. Pack with gear weighted 12 pounds, fell apart.
Dirtscoots
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- Joined
- Aug 13, 2017
- Messages
- 52
Kifaru is most comfortable do it all pack I've found. But to be completely fair it's the first higher end pack I've tried. Exo looks nice too I think any the higher end packs you can make fit your body can't go wrong with. For me I have always used a day pack then packed out to get a pack board. Now I always have options to pack more meat then I can possibly take with me without a wasted trip. I'm running the 44 mag
For your rifle the Kifaru gunbearer is hard to beat. You can attach one to most packs.
For packs, how the belt and frame interface is the most important factor. If the pack doesn't transfer the weight to your pelvis/hips (vs your shoulders) the rest doesn't matter. Pretty much all of the "high end" packs do this. The other details are up to personal preference (weight, organization, etc).
For packs, how the belt and frame interface is the most important factor. If the pack doesn't transfer the weight to your pelvis/hips (vs your shoulders) the rest doesn't matter. Pretty much all of the "high end" packs do this. The other details are up to personal preference (weight, organization, etc).
Additionally, for truly wet climates (Southeast AK), a pack frame/load hauler with a big drybag for your stuff is one of the few ways to actually have dry clothes to put on. "Waterproof" fabrics just don't cut it sometimes.
coleman112
Member
Kifaru here. Have a couple different bags. Best bet is to try a few on if possible see what fits best. I prefer a bigger bag. Can always compress it down.
Bowhunter#18
Well-Known Member
Kifaru. I used a Kifaru DT2 on my moose/ caribou hunt and it worked great. I couldn't imagine trying to put a moose quarter on any of the other packs I have used and trying to carry it any distance at all.
Bowhunter#18
Well-Known Member
Just make sure if you use the Kifaru buy a Grab- it and straps to secure the meat. My buddy didn't have a Grab- it and it took a little longer to secure the quarters.
Painless300
Well-Known Member
Check out the Mystery Ranch Pop Up packs. I have the 28 as most of my hunting is done with a day pack. I use the meat shelf has a gun holster/ Heavy jacket/ climber, etc... and it can hold way more than I need for a day pack.
Kifaru 28" duplex frame and currently have a Muskeg 7000. Also have a Mountain Warrior but it was too small to hold all my food for my longer backpack hunts, so upgraded last year to a Muskeg. Love it. Waterproof so I don't have to carry a rain slicker anymore, and it folds up smaller than mountain warrior when it's not full.
The durability of Kifaru packs is unbelievably good.
The durability of Kifaru packs is unbelievably good.
Left Hand Dave
Well-Known Member
Are you using the tactical or light frame and if you don't mind how tall are you?
I have the duplex. They only make the 28" frame in the original duplex and tactical styles, not duplex light. I don't remember the details of the difference between duplex and tactical, I think the tactical just has more attachment points, possibly a thicker frame sheet, and a few ounces heavier.
I'm 6ft 4.5", 220 lbs and unfortunately have classic narrow white guy hips (33-34" size M Kifaru belt) so a heavy pack sags when it's loaded heavy. Most people in the 6'2" to 6'5" range fit within a 26" frame just fine, and in full disclosure, I used a 26" frame for years until found out I have messed up discs in my neck. So where I used to carry some load on my shoulders as the 26" frame sagged on my hips, I now can hold 100% of the load on my hips even with very heavy loads with the 28".
