• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

What pack do you use for whitetail meat hauling?

I had an Eberlestock X2 and it is a great bag, but the question is not how tall you are - I am only 5'11, but what your torso length is...mine is 22" which is very long. Short legs, longer torso. Sold X2, bought F1 mainframe in Tall. Highly recommend for the longer torso crowd.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2362.JPG
    IMG_2362.JPG
    423.7 KB · Views: 35
This may be a touch off topic but I am considering using a pillow case. I quarter and pack usually in an Alice pack, but I have considered having a pillow case folded up with my knife, garbage bag and gloves in my main hunting pack and just putting the bag with venison into the pillow case and bringing it out that way. I was thinking if I had a duffle bag strap with two loops of paracord I could just girth hitch each end of the pillow case and carry it like a duffle and have my hunting pack on my back.
 
NMSbowhunter said:
This may be a touch off topic but I am considering using a pillow case. I quarter and pack usually in an Alice pack, but I have considered having a pillow case folded up with my knife, garbage bag and gloves in my main hunting pack and just putting the bag with venison into the pillow case and bringing it out that way. I was thinking if I had a duffle bag strap with two loops of paracord I could just girth hitch each end of the pillow case and carry it like a duffle and have my hunting pack on my back.
Click to expand...


I used pillow cases for years before buying dedicated games bags and they work fine.

We've also "hobo" carried quartered deer out before too with pillow cases. In the absence of a good pack, leave the lower rear leg attached to one of the hams and leave the hoof end sticking out of the pillow case. Once you have all the other meat in the bag, secure the open end with cord at the Achilles . If much time had passed the leg will be stiff with rigor and you can carry bag on your shoulder with your arm on the deers leg facing forward to balance the weight.

There are better options but this works better than dragging and with minimal gear.
 
I'm sure this lacks some of the comfort of a quality pack but I like using my stand as a frame with molle straps and waist belt. It's adequate for me since most of my pack outs are well under a mile. I'm able to make 1 trip in and out with almost no extra gear. Even use the stand straps to secure the load.

Screenshot_20221027-134359_Gallery.jpg

Screenshot_20221027-134436_Gallery.jpgScreenshot_20221027-134425_Gallery.jpg
 
devildog said:
I am going with a Kifaru Stryker XL this year. I have used a X2 in the past and it worked well. I really don't worry about how big my pack is in the tree (maybe I should though), but many times I have used my pack to hide behind when a deer was coming. It was nice knowing the deer would not see movement because of the pack blocking me.
Click to expand...
love mine
 
It's complete overkill, however I bought a EXO Mountain Gear K3 this year. I took my kids on a hiking / back pack camping trip this summer and needed something to carry everything. The pack worked great and also allows me the opportunity to do some serious meat hauling if the occasion ever presents itself. I typically place my pack directly in front of me when in the tree. I will compress the bag and then it has a low profile while still having snacks and whatever else I need directly in front of me without having to make much movement.
 
98XJRC said:
It's complete overkill, however I bought a EXO Mountain Gear K3 this year. I took my kids on a hiking / back pack camping trip this summer and needed something to carry everything. The pack worked great and also allows me the opportunity to do some serious meat hauling if the occasion ever presents itself. I typically place my pack directly in front of me when in the tree. I will compress the bag and then it has a low profile while still having snacks and whatever else I need directly in front of me without having to make much movement.
Click to expand...

This is the route I’m going. I’ve been eyeing exo packs for years and finally got to use one this year in Colorado.

I already had an exo harness on my hybrid and my hang on.

I sold my popup and will be selling all of my Kifaru kit once I can get back to Colorado.

I’ll just be using the K3 frame though, and all the bags from the JX3 versa pack kit.
 
I didn't want to spend so much on another pack I may not like so I bought an Instincts on amazon for $100 and really like it. It carries a full sized doe in one trip as well as a high dollar one. But my Waldrop Pack Seat is still my favorite.
 
Blacksmith said:
I didn't want to spend so much on another pack I may not like so I bought an Instincts on amazon for $100 and really like it. It carries a full sized doe in one trip as well as a high dollar one. But my Waldrop Pack Seat is still my favorite.
Click to expand...

I got my exo harness mounted on the pacseat as well now.

Getting around to a better waist belt situation.

I watched the Thursday night game in my living room last night sitting in the pacseat.
 
I see a packseat in my future...I don't plan to stop going into trees to hunt but I also like to hunt off the ground if it is the right spot.
 
NMSbowhunter said:
I see a packseat in my future...I don't plan to stop going into trees to hunt but I also like to hunt off the ground if it is the right spot.
Click to expand...
It's a pricey seat for sure but as comfortable as I've found. I like to wear mine w/my pack on it. Then if I need it, It's a pc of cake to carry a deer out.
 
NMSbowhunter said:
I see a packseat in my future...I don't plan to stop going into trees to hunt but I also like to hunt off the ground if it is the right spot.
Click to expand...
This is a whole other rabbit hole! I want a seat for the same reasons...but I want to be able to carry it on me when I'm scouting too, in case I find a spot where a chair would be better. When there's trees, I can always use my saddle at ground level and hide behind a tree. But sometimes I find spots where trees might not be around and it would be better sitting in some brush or other ground cover. That's what I want a seat for, and I figure if it's sub 5 lbs it won't be too much extra in the pack.

That being said, on those real cold winter days I don't usually climb anyway and that's where I'm considering the packseat. Now to justify it to the wife. I need another job just so I can buy all the hunting gear I want
 
I just picked up the Alps Commander Lite on camofire for cheap. I'm eager to see how it works out. The plan is to keep it in the vehicle until it's needed. I'm okay with multiple trips to the car versus dragging a deer solo.
 
Still haven't found a meat hauler pack that I like. I've tried the X2 and the MR 28. Not thrilled with either. I like the concept of the MR frame, but I hate the bag that's attached to it. I wish I could attach my badlands pursuit day pack to the pop-up frame.

Any updates or new suggestions?
 
DB4x4 said:
Still haven't found a meat hauler pack that I like. I've tried the X2 and the MR 28. Not thrilled with either. I like the concept of the MR frame, but I hate the bag that's attached to it. I wish I could attach my badlands pursuit day pack to the pop-up frame.

Any updates or new suggestions?
Click to expand...
Try this!! Works awesome and won’t break the bank!! Frame as you see it is about $100. I’ve hauled many a deer out with it!IMG_5367.jpeg
 
I like my eberlestock mainframe for packing meat. I just have not found a pack configuration that I like with it.
 
DB4x4 said:
Still haven't found a meat hauler pack that I like. I've tried the X2 and the MR 28. Not thrilled with either. I like the concept of the MR frame, but I hate the bag that's attached to it. I wish I could attach my badlands pursuit day pack to the pop-up frame.

Any updates or new suggestions?
Click to expand...
If you haven’t offloaded your 28 , try a “backstrap” it is designed for meat hauling but you can carry almost anything in a dry bag . I have one you can try but it would be easier to buy on sale with shipping costs these days .
I used it for hauling a stand that I didn’t like but I’ll use it occasionally for further out places.
Struggling to kill deer consistently since moving to a recurve so this is a gear hauler for me …
 
Loopwing said:
I like my eberlestock mainframe for packing meat. I just have not found a pack configuration that I like with it.
Click to expand...
What have you tried? I like using 2 batwings. I can tuck a mid layer behind them and also hang my water bottle behind using an amsteel soft shackle I made. If I'm using heavy layers I strap them against the batwings using the 3 straps. I also added the FHF Gear Blaze panel, which is reversible between blaze and brown and is a stretchy pocket that I use for gloves, hat, etc. https://www.fhfgear.com/products/FHBLPOBOS.html

I've thought about trying a vapor 2500, but the batwings are very functional and if I want to pack a deer out, I can always open them and use the straps.
 
I see the exo k3 was suggested earlier in the thread. They've since released the k4 and it's even better. It's pretty pricey-buy once cry once, but it's a great pack system.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top