Backpacks for getting in deep

[Babshaft]

Sure. Before Georgia, I was in upstate NY 30 miles from the Canadian border. Before that I was in the Colorado Rocky mountains. The MB can handle all of that, no problem.

Sent from my Galaxy S8.

Now I’m really interested. I can’t get my hands on it here, but something that could pack in my first lite sanctuary set would be great. Even in -10 Celsius I was sweating wearing my base layer and the bibs completely unzipped. The jacket was in a stuff sack clipped to my pack. Awesome cold weather gear but it’s damn bulky.

 

[flinginairos]

Haha, I learned the hard way this fall that this is no easy accomplishment. I only had my day gear with me, and carrying my half of this deer out darn near killed me.

Right around 5 hours from the time I shot until I hit the trailhead.

When we got out, we weighed our packs and both had over 80# each.

I carried the cape, and hind quarters while my buddy carried the rest.

Needless to say, we were exhausted when we got out. And long story short, I don't know if I could have carried the whole deer by myself inn one trip.

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Yeah, you may think a quartered deer on your back is easy but it dang sure isn’t lol. It DOES beat dragging but it still sucks. I packed out a doe a little over three miles this year and only had a little over 30lbs of deboned meat plus my gear. Pack was right at 60lbs with everything. I was whooped when I got back haha. I’m hoping to be packing my first muley this year like you did!


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[DaveT1963]

Yeah, you may think a quartered deer on your back is easy but it dang sure isn’t lol. It DOES beat dragging but it still sucks. I packed out a doe a little over three miles this year and only had a little over 30lbs of deboned meat plus my gear. Pack was right at 60lbs with everything. I was whooped when I got back haha. I’m hoping to be packing my first muley this year like you did!


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I can not even count how many critters I quartered and packed out of the Montana wilderness areas.... probably why I have a bad back. Down south in the heat, you cannot afford to leave a deer lying long. The heat will get them if the coyotes/hogs don't. When I go in, I always have everything I will need to get that buck out. Either a plastic flexible drag sheet or a pack that can carry a boned out deer. Most of the time now days, I drag them to the lake shore and kayak them out. If not I always have a game cart in my truck so I can get them quickly. If I am walking in for 2+ miles I carry a pack that will get them out in one trip.

 

[DaveT1963]

This is the exact deer drag I use. I always have one on my kayak. You drag one deer with one of these and you will never drag another without one - it really does make that much difference. I simply throw the deer on it. Use my pull rope to cinch up the sides around the deer. I attach my tether to my RCH linemans' loops and to front of sled and walk out using my hips to carry the bulk of the force.

https://www.amazon.com/Magnum-Deer-Sleighr-Game-Sled/dp/B001CJI7XA

 

[sureshotscott]

Sure. Before Georgia, I was in upstate NY 30 miles from the Canadian border. Before that I was in the Colorado Rocky mountains. The MB can handle all of that, no problem.

Sent from my Galaxy S8.

I shot a Tauntaun in the foothills of Hoth.

 

[diywhitetail]

 

[JBDaddy]

Anyone use a plain old military surplus rucksack?



They're dead-easy to find at a surplus shop, or online:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Militar...ack-Complete-w-Frame-Pouches-VGC/371976013996

The side packs are removable, and a handy size to attach to a saddle and the molle attachment points look handy for strapping climbing sticks. I already have the shoulder & waist straps for carrying a heavy climbing stand, and they're pretty comfortable even with a heavy load.

Gear I know I'll be carrying:

• a kestrel-sized saddle
• lineman's belt, tether, etc.
• bow & quiver (not saying it has to fit in/on the pack, just listing it because I'll be carrying it somehow)
• platform or ring of steps
• 3 helium sticks (full size, no mods)
• upper cold-weather layers to put on at the tree
• binoculars
• cell battery & cord
• thermacell
• hoist rope
• headlight
• knife
• stick-on and hand warmers
• grunt call
• water bottle
• granola bars

I don't mind getting a Horn Hunter Main Beam, since that looks awesome and gets pretty good reviews here, but I've never had my hands on one so it's hard for me to visualize the load on it, but I have hefted and looked at the rucksack before I got into saddle hunting, so and I have a good idea that it'd carry everything easily. I figured I'd ask to see if anyone had tried both and could point out why the HHMB is a better option, vs cheaping it.

 

[skell]

Anyone use a plain old military surplus rucksack?

I do not have direct experience using either of these options in a hunting situation. I did however pick up a rucksack w/ frame and straps recently. My original plan was to get just a frame and straps and make a custom pack to attach. I happened upon a full setup for the same price I was seeing for just a frame and straps. So I jumped at it thinking it may save me from having to DIY a pack. My first impression when it arrived....HEAVY. Those packs are built with heavy material and are built to take a beating. I have no doubt you could make one work...I just think there would be a weigh penalty. I'm planning to take the pack off the frame and custom make a lighter alternative to attach to the frame.

 

[Cory T]

I use a Badlands 2200. It has an internal frame and has a meat shelf. It's plenty big enough for all my gear plus extra layers for cold weather. It doesn't have a bunch of pockets which helps me to not take a bunch of unnecessary things in with me lol. It's a bit pricey but it has an unconditional lifetime warranty. I have packed whole quartered deer with it no problem.

 

[Cory T]

I use a Badlands 2200. It has an internal frame and has a meat shelf. It's plenty big enough for all my gear plus extra layers for cold weather. It doesn't have a bunch of pockets which helps me to not take a bunch of unnecessary things in with me lol. It's a bit pricey but it has an unconditional lifetime warranty. I have packed whole quartered deer with it no problem.

 

[elk yinzer]

I ran across this yesterday doing some research:
http://www.mysteryranch.com/pop-up-28-pack

Brand new pack from MR, the 7075 stays fold down for a sleek daypack, then you just pop them back up when you want to haul a heavy load. Brilliant idea.

Looks about perfect for what I want as a saddle gear hauler. Going to give it some time and see how the early adopters like it, let them iron out any kinks before I drop my dough.

In the meantime I packed all my stuff up in the Metcalf last night. Going to work just fine for a season or two. The sticks fit nicely on the load shelf. All my gear including my heaviest heavy clothes fit in the bag, it has nice compression. When I get my platform done I'll either find a way to pack it with the sticks on the load shelf, or lash it to the outside of the pack.

To come full circle and update my own OP I ended up springing for a MR Pop up and got a decent deal on it. Couldn't help myself.

Got a few miles on it so far. It is super comfortable as a daypack and the frame pops up easily. Definitely going to be my new go to for scouting, running cameras, and day hunting.

First thing I did was play around with packing my saddle gear and ended up with this system:

-Sticks on the meat shelf with the frame popped up. Sticks are about the same length as the frame anyway, so might as well utilize it.

-Saddle, clothes, tethers in the pack

-Platform strapped to the exterior.

That gave me the best load balancing. With it not being nearly as big as the Metcalf bag, the downside is I don't think I can get my gear and a deer out in one trip. But I can stash my gear, pack a buck out, and come back for the gear later.

 

[Babshaft]

To come full circle and update my own OP I ended up springing for a MR Pop up and got a decent deal on it. Couldn't help myself.

Got a few miles on it so far. It is super comfortable as a daypack and the frame pops up easily. Definitely going to be my new go to for scouting, running cameras, and day hunting.

First thing I did was play around with packing my saddle gear and ended up with this system:

-Sticks on the meat shelf with the frame popped up. Sticks are about the same length as the frame anyway, so might as well utilize it.

-Saddle, clothes, tethers in the pack

-Platform strapped to the exterior.

That gave me the best load balancing. With it not being nearly as big as the Metcalf bag, the downside is I don't think I can get my gear and a deer out in one trip. But I can stash my gear, pack a buck out, and come back for the gear later.
View attachment 4266 View attachment 4267

Man that looks really good! The pack looks alright too.

Seriously though, I really think you’re onto something. And I think you’re onto something with the short stick with folding steps. Packability/mobility is starting to be a lot more important to me than ultra lightweight.

 

[Tim W]

To come full circle and update my own OP I ended up springing for a MR Pop up and got a decent deal on it. Couldn't help myself.

Got a few miles on it so far. It is super comfortable as a daypack and the frame pops up easily. Definitely going to be my new go to for scouting, running cameras, and day hunting.

First thing I did was play around with packing my saddle gear and ended up with this system:

-Sticks on the meat shelf with the frame popped up. Sticks are about the same length as the frame anyway, so might as well utilize it.

-Saddle, clothes, tethers in the pack

-Platform strapped to the exterior.

That gave me the best load balancing. With it not being nearly as big as the Metcalf bag, the downside is I don't think I can get my gear and a deer out in one trip. But I can stash my gear, pack a buck out, and come back for the gear later.
View attachment 4266 View attachment 4267

Is that the pop up 18 or 28? What does the pack its self weigh? Curious because I've been looking at them also... thx

 

[elk yinzer]

Is that the pop up 18 or 28? What does the pack its self weigh? Curious because I've been looking at them also... thx

It is the 28. That’s about 1700 in3 if you are calibrated like I am and have no perspective for what one of those foreign liters is. Frankly the 18L seems pointlessly small to me, I didn’t even consider it. At that size I picture losing significant function of the load sling capability.

The bag and frame together are 4.8 pounds per MR specs. Rokslide has a pretty extensive post about them where I think someone weighed the frame and bag separately. I could got my Metcalf bag on the frame by interchanging a few buckles.

For a purely dedicated saddle hunting pack hauling compact sticks and a platform, the folding stays are a bit pointless, as I said I would transport sticks with the stays folded up anyway. Then again some of the other ultralight frames cost as much alone then you still have to add the bag. I'm not super familiar with the size of wild edge stepps, but I think you'd come up a bit short trying to cram enough of those and your other gear into the bag.

But as an everyday carry pack it is tremendously versatile. Naysayers of the design have to realize where it stands on the jack of all trades vs. specialist spectrum, along the lines of that tradeoff. And I am a big leatherman fan too.

My only critiques so far are that I go for a little bit larger bag on the frame. Something like 2300 in3, just short of the longbow/pintler on this frame would still compress down to nothing and is a sweet spot for me if I want to be capable of a bivy or carry a lot of my coldest weather gear. So eagerly waiting for the pop up 37. Also wish it had the full front/side zipper like many of MR’s other bags. But those are both minor gripes.

 

[Tim W]

It is the 28. That’s about 1700 in3 if you are calibrated like I am and have no perspective for what one of those foreign liters is. Frankly the 18L seems pointlessly small to me, I didn’t even consider it. At that size I picture losing significant function of the load sling capability.

The bag and frame together are 4.8 pounds per MR specs. Rokslide has a pretty extensive post about them where I think someone weighed the frame and bag separately. I could got my Metcalf bag on the frame by interchanging a few buckles.

For a purely dedicated saddle hunting pack hauling compact sticks and a platform, the folding stays are a bit pointless, as I said I would transport sticks with the stays folded up anyway. Then again some of the other ultralight frames cost as much alone then you still have to add the bag. I'm not super familiar with the size of wild edge stepps, but I think you'd come up a bit short trying to cram enough of those and your other gear into the bag.

But as an everyday carry pack it is tremendously versatile. Naysayers of the design have to realize where it stands on the jack of all trades vs. specialist spectrum, along the lines of that tradeoff. And I am a big leatherman fan too.

My only critiques so far are that I go for a little bit larger bag on the frame. Something like 2300 in3, just short of the longbow/pintler on this frame would still compress down to nothing and is a sweet spot for me if I want to be capable of a bivy or carry a lot of my coldest weather gear. So eagerly waiting for the pop up 37. Also wish it had the full front/side zipper like many of MR’s other bags. But those are both minor gripes.

Thanks for the reply. Your pics and write up helped.. I haven't been able to put my hands on one to really determine if I wanted to make the purchase. The way you have your gear packed was exactly what I had in mind, but was curious if the 18 would just be too small.

 

[ImThere]

I haven't been deep in to the woods in more than 15 years, don't get me wrong can get a couple of miles from the access point but the roads just over the fence about a few hundred yards. lol. That really changed growing up hunting the big woods in California to hunting here in TN. I used a 1 wheel cart looking thing i borrowed from my Dad when I was younger. kinda looked like you took the forks and front tire off a bicycle and used it like a dolly.

Anyways I use a fanny pack and shoulder strap to carry most of my stuff in. I just strap my extra clothes on the outside as winter comes

 

[elk yinzer]

Thanks for the reply. Your pics and write up helped.. I haven't been able to put my hands on one to really determine if I wanted to make the purchase. The way you have your gear packed was exactly what I had in mind, but was curious if the 18 would just be too small.

It does make for a nice compact well-balanced system which is key for comfort when you have some walks up to and over an hour long. I read on here about people hanging sticks from pack straps, carrying sticks, having 20-30 pounds in a pack with no frame at all, I couldn't do it. Anything swinging around or projecting from my pack drives me bonkers. Having some Western hunting background I can vouch there is a better way.

I guess to this crowd, not wanting to debate in the least but in the interest of full disclosure I will certainly admit that pack frames do start to get a little funk over time. My other frame pack I use to work out a lot in the summer for elk hunts, and it gets to stinking like hockey pads. I'll give it a baking soda bath every few months but otherwise I try to be somewhat careful about where I lay it at the base of my tree going up and beyond that I have zero regard for that consideration personally.

 

[DC10]

I just went through this EXACT SCENARIO.

After looking at 1000 packs, I ended up going with the Horn Hunter Main Beam. I used it for a week long DIY hunt in Illinois and it performed flawlessly.

It's fairly lightweight, but the wing and strap system is amazing. I carried 3 Muddy sticks, saddle, platform, all accessories, clothes to get me down in the 20s + full camera gear.

I honestly can't imagine another Whitetail pack being any better. I'm sure there are others that would work as well, but I don't think you'd be disappointed.

Sent from my Galaxy S8.

Is yours the 2800 or 3800 cubit pack?

I like the idea of being able to strap in my bow but not sure if the 2800 cubit one has that option.

 

[g2outdoors]

The small one. It's soooooo expandable with those wings.

Sent from my Galaxy S8.

 

[DC10]

Awesome!