I have never packed a deer out but am increasingly interested based on everything I have read. If I commit, then I’ll need a new pack. I’ve read through the old pack threads but most relate to carrying gear. But does anyone have experience packing a quartered deer our in the X2? Does it work well for that? Can you get a full deer out in one load (assume average sized buck)?
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Eberlestock X2 for Packing Quarters
- Thread starter Bach55
- Start date
How much gear do you carry?
Not a ton. 4 of the smaller Helium’s. Jacket if it’s cold. I can wear in my saddle and have my ROS in a pouch if needed. I have a smaller fanny pack with a lot of the essentials which is what I take you the tree w me. Can either wear it in or strap it to the outside of a pack.
I think packing deer all depends on how far your going. Most of my pack outs are a mile or less. I have a 35 dollar amazon 45L and it’s perfect for what i do. I’m only packing does out by myself. Big bucks require good friends.
So with the does i can get each cut down quarter, straps, and trim meat in that 45 and attached to the outside. Then just embrace the suck for a mile. The pack carries weight pretty well. Has a waist belt and load lifters. Not the best but it’s cheap for the workin man
More than a mile though i would definitely get a more expensive pack. And maybe if you have big deer where your at lol most of these Ga does are easy to get out
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So with the does i can get each cut down quarter, straps, and trim meat in that 45 and attached to the outside. Then just embrace the suck for a mile. The pack carries weight pretty well. Has a waist belt and load lifters. Not the best but it’s cheap for the workin man
More than a mile though i would definitely get a more expensive pack. And maybe if you have big deer where your at lol most of these Ga does are easy to get out
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ShooterMike
Well-Known Member
“Embrace the suck”. Marine?
I like the way you think. Kind of like a badge of honor- to endure the pack out and emerge with your prize at the trail head.
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Haha no sir. Former collegiate Offensive lineman and Current law enforcement. Know all about suck lol
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I have the x2 and for the size and weight of the pack, the main compartment capacity is not very generous. I also have a slumberjack deadfall 65 that is kinda designed like the x2 with more capacity. Only downside is that the material is more noisy than the x2. I dont mind the noise much when I am hunting I dont fidget with the pack much, it is just hanging on the tree next to me
Isn’t the intent to pack most of the meat externally, though? My thought was that between the inside compartment and the compression straps on the outside it would pack well. But was hoping to hear from people with first hand experience.
ShooterMike
Well-Known Member
Well “Ooh- Rah and Semper Fi” anyway, lol.
I back the blue for you!
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If you are loading the inside of the pack with gear, it would be tough in my opinion to also pack out a deer on the outside. The pack is not that roomy.
I plan on packing 1 this season also. I've never done it so it'll be a learning experience.. The difference in my case is the pack will be used exclusively for packing meat. It will stay at the boat and I taking a small fanny pack to the tree....I own an x2 but the pack I have loaded up and ready for that job is my old Alice pack.... I looked at them side by side and tried to weight the options between the two on a task I've never done. I don't know capacity but the surplus pack is way bigger.... And I loaded 50 pounds in each and the surplus felt better. I will take the x2 if and when I be lucky enough for a 2nd from that spot. Most wma here don't allow so I've never had a need but this new spot I can so I learn on the fly..
I'm definitely not looking forward to it.....shin to thigh deep mud for roughly 250 yards.... no high ground in sight for a breather
Sounds like chasing crippled ducks through Louisiana gumbo mud...... I’d rather walk a barefoot mile on LEGO’s
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I have a USMC ILBE2 pack for heavy loads, it is hard to beat that surplus pack for heavy weight.
How tall are you? I am 6' tall but, have a long torso. I had the X2 but, realized 30 minutes into the first hike that the frame was too short for my torso. It was a shoulder killer. My dad who is 6'3" loved the pack and even though I tried to talk him out of it he wanted to buy it from me. He hunted with it one day and hated it. I have read several reviews where people loved it but, the few times I have asked they were all under 5'10". It's a great pack design if the frame fit's your torso.
I've packed out several deer with my x-2, 1-2 miles. The pack fits me well. Extensions for the compression straps are handy. Quarters outside everything else in. Tape the frame to get rid of the squeak.
Anything less than a mile in I use an old climbing rucksack and the Lash in and on anything that I need. It's half the weight of the X2
Anything less than a mile in I use an old climbing rucksack and the Lash in and on anything that I need. It's half the weight of the X2
Thanks guys. I read a lot of similar reviews on the X2. Great height for those under 6’. I’m 6’1”, so I don’t really want to push it. I’m looking at their Team Elk pack. It has an adjustable suspension for different heights. I’m sure it’s overkill for most of my hunts, but it would do everything I need and more I’m regards to packing out.
Is it reasonable to assume you can get a full deer in one trip? Or is that wishful thinking? I have no context having never packed one out.
Is it reasonable to assume you can get a full deer in one trip? Or is that wishful thinking? I have no context having never packed one out.
If you want to get a deer out in one trip, I highly recommend looking into a Mystery Ranch Pop Up. Or to keep prices reasonable, a used or discounted Mystery Ranch Pintler or Mule on the Guidelite frame. Kifaru or new Mystery Ranch Guidelite MT will cost you a lot more.
The Pop Ups do look sweet. I’d grab one for sure if I could find a used one. Not in the market for a new pack at that price right now. Just can’t justify it at this point. Even the Eberlestock packs I was planning on buying used.
I would look at the Horn Hunter Full Curl Combo. Its what I bought when I sold my X2.