Meat hauling pack

[Davis21]

I want the ability to pack out whitetails in the southeast. But with the price of a good pack, I would also want one to be able to take out west at some point in the future. Those who have experience with either, would it be better to get a pop up from MR or bite the bullet and build out a kifaru system with the stryker pack setup? Any body use either one for whitetails and western hunts?

 

[kyler1945]

I have a popup and a Kifaru setup. I prefer the
popup because it’s about 2lbs lighter.

I use the Kifaru if I intend to pack in camp for more than 3 days, know I’ll be carrying more than 40lbs, and it stays in truck or on bike or in camp to haul second and third loads.

So far, I hunt with the popup. If I kill, I load up to 60lbs in it and pack out. I’ll grab empty Kifaru to head back in for a second load, as if I’m pushing over That weight id prefer the beefier frame.

the Kifaru is bullet proof. But honestly if I were starting over and only doing one, and Day hunting in lower 48, I’d go for one of the pack brands that’s lighter but handles heavy weights still. They aren’t built as tough as Kifaru, but are just as comfortable, and if you bust one, you’re usually not in too bad of shape. If I were backcountry hunting, or north of border or in Alaska, I’d want the brick house pack - your life may depend on it.

 

[kyler1945]

Another good option is to do the popup, and then buy a dedicated Aluminum frame meat hauler to leave at camp or in truck. They’re usually pretty inexpensive, and can carry more than you.

 

[iamcorey]

Another good option is to do the popup, and then buy a dedicated Aluminum frame meat hauler to leave at camp or in truck. They’re usually pretty inexpensive, and can carry more than you.

I use an old Kelty external frame from years ago. All deboned meat goes in the pack. Head goes on top. Never hauling it too far.


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[Topdog]

Another good option is to do the popup, and then buy a dedicated Aluminum frame meat hauler to leave at camp or in truck. They’re usually pretty inexpensive, and can carry more than you.

I am doing exactly this, popup 28 on my back and my old dana design k2 long bed stays in the truck with knives and meat bags ready.

 

[Unshackled]

I use an old Kelty external frame from years ago. All deboned meat goes in the pack. Head goes on top. Never hauling it too far.


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I brought out my Kelty 3900. A granola bar fell out that went out of date in 2005.

I started saddle hunting last year and used 3 full length lone wolf sticks, had success but they were heavy and bulky. I carried them in one hand and my bow in the other but I don’t want to do that again. Thought they would pack on the kelty but think I’m going to cut at least one down and give one sticking a real shot. Also thought it would be good for packing meat out as I hunt public for the first time this year. Any thoughts on this pack as a stick/meat carrying saddle pack?

 

[Davis21]

I have a popup and a Kifaru setup. I prefer the
popup because it’s about 2lbs lighter.

I use the Kifaru if I intend to pack in camp for more than 3 days, know I’ll be carrying more than 40lbs, and it stays in truck or on bike or in camp to haul second and third loads.

So far, I hunt with the popup. If I kill, I load up to 60lbs in it and pack out. I’ll grab empty Kifaru to head back in for a second load, as if I’m pushing over That weight id prefer the beefier frame.

the Kifaru is bullet proof. But honestly if I were starting over and only doing one, and Day hunting in lower 48, I’d go for one of the pack brands that’s lighter but handles heavy weights still. They aren’t built as tough as Kifaru, but are just as comfortable, and if you bust one, you’re usually not in too bad of shape. If I were backcountry hunting, or north of border or in Alaska, I’d want the brick house pack - your life may depend on it.

Thanks man, what were some of the other pack brands you were talking about?

 

[Davis21]

How’s the pop up do hanging in the tree? Another thing I’m skeptical about with a frame pack. But I was thinking on the kifaru, I could run the guide lid and then just bring that up with me into the tree and leave rest at base. But then I would have a giant scent ball at the base of my tree....trade-offs trade offs....

 

[iamcorey]

I brought out my Kelty 3900. A granola bar fell out that went out of date in 2005.

I started saddle hunting last year and used 3 full length lone wolf sticks, had success but they were heavy and bulky. I carried them in one hand and my bow in the other but I don’t want to do that again. Thought they would pack on the kelty but think I’m going to cut at least one down and give one sticking a real shot. Also thought it would be good for packing meat out as I hunt public for the first time this year. Any thoughts on this pack as a stick/meat carrying saddle pack?

Not sure about the pack your referencing for sticks. Mine stays in the truck and is for hauling meat.

I take a much smaller pack to the stand.


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[Blinginpse]

Don't be set just on kifaru, exo makes a great light durable frame pack...as does kuiu and mystery ranch. Stone glacier also has quality packs. I carry a exo 3500 and am gonna upgrade to the k3 4800. I dont drag mtn deer. I pack them out

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[Blinginpse]

There is a badlands pack I had stuffed full of that buck im holding. I killed him in muzz.

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[Davis21]

Don't be set just on kifaru, exo makes a great light durable frame pack...as does kuiu and mystery ranch. Stone glacier also has quality packs. I carry a exo 3500 and am gonna upgrade to the k3 4800. I dont drag mtn deer. I pack them out

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I have looked at those, do you k ow if you can swap bags out on their frames? That’s one think I liked about kifaru, I could use same frame and swap out bags rather than whole new setup. But looks like some of those compact down to about the size of a daypack. What makes you want to upgrade from the 3500 to 4800?

 

[EverettJ89]

I've been going through these options a lot this summer, and I have finally narrowed it down to three options, all of which have their trade-offs in the field and varying price points -

SeekOutside Fortress 4800 w/Merlin Day pack - This pack is top notch - and comes with a pricetag to match (650ish) It can do everything I need it too as far as packing out game, is super light weight at just over 3 lbs, and the day pack zips on and off the main bag to hunt out of my camp. Pack will haul more weight than I could ever carry on a 2 mile hike. I will never need another pack unless I need a bigger main bag for a long western hunt.

Pack Rabbit Backcountry hauler & Exo Frame - Cheaper price point at 350, excellent load carry pack, some cool features (built in seat), no main bag, heavy, and not ideal for a tree.

Or the MR Popup 28/38 - We all know about it - Lowest Haul capacity.

I cannot make up my mind on what i'm going to do, MR moving their production out of the US doesn't help for me personally. I don't think the perfect meat hauling/saddle hunting pack exists yet.

 

[Blinginpse]

I have looked at those, do you k ow if you can swap bags out on their frames? That’s one think I liked about kifaru, I could use same frame and swap out bags rather than whole new setup. But looks like some of those compact down to about the size of a daypack. What makes you want to upgrade from the 3500 to 4800?

I know you can swap their bags but I'm not sure on other a bags on their frame. 3500 does me good here but 3500 when head west or to newfoundland I need to be able to carry more than 3500 can hold. 5550 is to bulky for me as a buddy has the 5500 3500 has needed more room at times so the 4800 appeals to me. What is your body size? I'd send you my exo to be hands on with it if you like on your dime for shipping.

Elknut1 is who sold me on the exo packs.. i was dead set on kifaru when I talked to elknut.

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[heretic]

I'm in a similar situation. I'm going on my first elk hunt this September so I picked up a KUIU frame pack this winter (5200 and 3200 bag) and picked up a smaller 1850 bag for whitetails. I still have yet to test out this rig for whitetails yet but I've put plenty of miles on the frame/1850 bag this spring out scouting and I really like the way it carries.

With the way the weight is distributed on the frame/hips I don't even notice I'm wearing an empty pack. Not sure how that compares to other smaller lighter packs but it's a VAST improvement over my cheap walmart molle special that I've used the past couple of years prior.

 

[jspradley]

I'm an admitted Kifaru fanboi but all the big name makers make great packs now so it's hard to go wrong with any of them.

I wear my pack going up the tree with my rifle and everything else in it and just take it off once I'm setup and I'm good to go.

Being able to pack out a deer without having to go back to the vehicle and get a cart or another pack is huge when you are a few miles in.

I am waiting to find an MR Popup 38 on sale, those seem like an awesome setup!

 

[kyler1945]

Like pretty much every other expensive piece of gear - buy used, find what you like. You can get out of used packs for what you bought them for.

 

[jspradley]

You can get out of used packs for what you bought them for.

Very true, You can usually resell Kifaru gear for 80-95% of what you paid for it, especially near hunting season because no one wants to wait 2-3 weeks to get their pack haha

 

[Murph4028]

If you can find one, a pop up 18 is great. Not too big of a pack and it can haul out just about anything. I hate waist belts and they are removable on this pack. Overall it's the best one I've used in years.

 

[Davis21]

I know you can swap their bags but I'm not sure on other a bags on their frame. 3500 does me good here but 3500 when head west or to newfoundland I need to be able to carry more than 3500 can hold. 5550 is to bulky for me as a buddy has the 5500 3500 has needed more room at times so the 4800 appeals to me. What is your body size? I'd send you my exo to be hands on with it if you like on your dime for shipping.

Elknut1 is who sold me on the exo packs.. i was dead set on kifaru when I talked to elknut.

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Sounds like we were on the same path. I have spent more time than care to recall trying to narrow this thing down. I was sold on the modularity of Kifaru. What made you change your mind and go exo? Man that’s cool of you to offer that, but I don’t have ultimate faith in postal service round here and I would hate it if something happened!