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Mystery Ranch Pop Up 28

I logged almost 30 miles with the PopUp 28 and a load varying from 25-40lbs this past weekend. The first day I came away underwhelmed because I was carrying like a standard backpack. Sure the frame is nice, but it still seemed to feel similar to all my other packs. I decided to lift up the tent posts, and I realized a whole new world - and the entire point of the pack. Night and day difference getting the load pulled up slightly higher. The second half of the trip was completely different - having those lifters are amazing. Unfortunately, I guess, the deer I shot was within 200 yards of the truck so I didn't need to pack it out.

This thing is amazing - I recommend it to anyone packing at least 30lbs of gear. I think it will really shine when I have to start hauling heavy layers. I don't fiddle in my pack a ton once i'm in the tree but a couple of ideas there - yes it is a little noisy. I wouldn't recommend rifling through your pack with a deer 50 yards away. the rear facing zipper opening on the lid pouch is great when you store the pack on backside of the tree. phone and things like that are right there for easy access. I connected the straps from one side to the other and cinched the pack down almost flat against tree, then clicked waistbelt around the front of pack in reverse. It doesn't work good for dropping a quiver in because of that lid pocket - learned that the hard way trying to fish a second arrow out - i'll put in side pocket from now on.

I really can't believe the difference in the way the pack felt with the load lift posts up versus down. It truly made the hike enjoyable.

I'll probably do a video of some of the tips and tricks at some point. Life coming at me fast though.
 
Has anyone packed a quartered whitetail out in 1 trip with this pack? I just ordered the MR pop up 28 last night and would like to understand the full extent of the meat hauling capabilities. Asking because I have a badlands 2200 on order also (black friday sale) and am considering just cancelling the badlands order. I plan to use the MR 28 to pack in sticks, platform and anything else I need for the hunt...then when I shoot a deer, get back to my car to fully unload the MR 28, then walk back in to the pack the whole animal out in 1 trip with the MR 28. I prefer to walk back to my car first to give the deer a little extra time.

If you've done this, could you explain how you've done it? I assume both hams on the meat shelf, then shoulders plus straps and neck meat in the pack...and hopefully a head plus antlers on top? I also have a molle frame with giant rucksack (maybe 6000 cubic inch) that I can use to pack the whole deer out if the MR 28 doesn't work.
 
I haven’t done it in one trip, but it is very doable. Especially if you hunt the southern half of the country.

I would do it exactly how you described.


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Has anyone packed a quartered whitetail out in 1 trip with this pack? I just ordered the MR pop up 28 last night and would like to understand the full extent of the meat hauling capabilities. Asking because I have a badlands 2200 on order also (black friday sale) and am considering just cancelling the badlands order. I plan to use the MR 28 to pack in sticks, platform and anything else I need for the hunt...then when I shoot a deer, get back to my car to fully unload the MR 28, then walk back in to the pack the whole animal out in 1 trip with the MR 28. I prefer to walk back to my car first to give the deer a little extra time.

If you've done this, could you explain how you've done it? I assume both hams on the meat shelf, then shoulders plus straps and neck meat in the pack...and hopefully a head plus antlers on top? I also have a molle frame with giant rucksack (maybe 6000 cubic inch) that I can use to pack the whole deer out if the MR 28 doesn't work.

Just did it with a decent size buck.

I do everything in the meat shelf, in TAG game bags. Bone in. I don't like packing deboned meat.

Left my sticks, platform, and heavy clothes at the kill site and came back the next day for them.

It was 80-90 pound load I'd say. Not pleasant, but for such a small frame it held up nicely. Was only about 1/2 mile and mostly downhill, but didn't want to drag through a 300 yard laurel thicket.

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@diywhitetail thank you, appreciate the reply. @elk yinzer super helpful...sounds like we are hunting similar situations. I'm in SE PA near Philly and just started quartering this year. Even if the walk is short, it's bound to be through something brutally thick where solo dragging just doesn't work. I should have said, I will be carrying bone in as I don't know how to de-bone yet. Congrats on the nice buck!

Sounds like I should probably cancel the badlands 2200 order. Looks like a cool pack but based on my research the MR 28 wins out and while I love having too much gear lol it doesn't seem to serve a purpose to have both of these packs. I originally was considering using the badlands 2200 purely as a 1 trip meat hauler and replacing the molle rucksack but if the MR 28 can do double duty I think I'll just go with that.
 
@elk yinzer have you ever stacked climbing sticks with a fixed (not fold-able) double step in the MR 28? A little worried the step would hit the back of my head. I'm looking to move to a beast stick, OOAL or custom and just realized they might be better carried on the outside of a pack.
 
@elk yinzer have you ever stacked climbing sticks with a fixed (not fold-able) double step in the MR 28? A little worried the step would hit the back of my head. I'm looking to move to a beast stick, OOAL or custom and just realized they might be better carried on the outside of a pack.

No, I just have modded heliums and the steps fold, so they fit in the meat shelf fairly well. I would think that with a fixed step you are better off lashing the sticks to the outside of the pack. Less ideal weight distribution, but I don't think it will be too noticeable.
 
Has anyone packed a quartered whitetail out in 1 trip with this pack? I just ordered the MR pop up 28 last night and would like to understand the full extent of the meat hauling capabilities. Asking because I have a badlands 2200 on order also (black friday sale) and am considering just cancelling the badlands order. I plan to use the MR 28 to pack in sticks, platform and anything else I need for the hunt...then when I shoot a deer, get back to my car to fully unload the MR 28, then walk back in to the pack the whole animal out in 1 trip with the MR 28. I prefer to walk back to my car first to give the deer a little extra time.

If you've done this, could you explain how you've done it? I assume both hams on the meat shelf, then shoulders plus straps and neck meat in the pack...and hopefully a head plus antlers on top? I also have a molle frame with giant rucksack (maybe 6000 cubic inch) that I can use to pack the whole deer out if the MR 28 doesn't work.

I tried but only made it 100 yards before giving up and making two trips. After the shot, I went back to my truck to empty my pack, grab game bags and knives and got to work. The buck was over 200 lbs and I couldn't fit the entire deer in the pack. I loaded up my pack with 4 quarters + back straps + neck meat, then carried my bow in one hand and the head+cape in the other hand. I walked about 20 yards before rolling an ankle then another 80 yards before falling down to all fours and deciding two trips would be safer for me.

I couldn't fit all the meat + head/cape in my pack, but came close. But to clarify, my body gave out on me, not my pack. A stronger, younger fellow might have been able to pack everything out in 1 trip but not me. Luckily my walk was only 0.9 miles from the truck.
 
I tried but only made it 100 yards before giving up and making two trips. After the shot, I went back to my truck to empty my pack, grab game bags and knives and got to work. The buck was over 200 lbs and I couldn't fit the entire deer in the pack. I loaded up my pack with 4 quarters + back straps + neck meat, then carried my bow in one hand and the head+cape in the other hand. I walked about 20 yards before rolling an ankle then another 80 yards before falling down to all fours and deciding two trips would be safer for me.

I couldn't fit all the meat + head/cape in my pack, but came close. But to clarify, my body gave out on me, not my pack. A stronger, younger fellow might have been able to pack everything out in 1 trip but not me. Luckily my walk was only 0.9 miles from the truck.

I’ll echo that. I was able to fit an entire buck quartered onto the shelf. All 4 quarters, straps etc. I carried the head and cape in my hands. I didn’t have the luxury of walking back to my car to unpack my bag if I did I probably could have put some meat in the pack itself but the shelf is where you want it. You want that weight as close to your back as possible. The pack was very heavy I had to pull myself up a tree to stand up. Once I was up it was fine. Going through brush sucked and going up hill sucked but that pack allowed me to get my buck out in one trip. Went back for my bow, outer layers and stand. If it’s a short distance you probably could empty your pack at the car then go in and pack everything including gear out in one trip.
 
@Thill @Bruce G appreciate it guys. Sounds like it's possible but not ideal. That's good enough for me and I get that this isn't a true western style pack. It's nice to have the option to do a 1 trip pack out depending on the size of the deer but not 100% necessary. Still have a doe tag and this pack comes in a couple days so hopefully I'll have a chance to test out the meat packing feature soon.
 
Mine is out for delivery today and I can’t wait! I may be reaching out to a few of you here on the next few days once I get my hands on it!
 
Do they make a child seat accessory that can be placed where the meat shelf is?? LOL. If they did I would buy one in a second. DSS would probably frown upon me using bungee cords or ratchet straps to keep my kid in. :flushed::fearscream::tearsofjoy:
 
I know it’s a different pack, but have a mystery ranch cabinet and it swallows a whole deer quartered up no problem. The shelf is great. I think I could easily strap one of my kids in it if I needed to. Lol.
I don’t use this pack to haul most of my hunting stuff because it’s a little loud but I keep it in the car loaded with game bags. I also have the treehouse.
The pop up would probably be better because you could put a two quarters in, walk out with your hunting gear and dump it out, go back in and get the rest. Just makes sense if you are doing two trips any way. It also looks like it is made of more quiet material.


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Do they make a child seat accessory that can be placed where the meat shelf is?? LOL. If they did I would buy one in a second. DSS would probably frown upon me using bungee cords or ratchet straps to keep my kid in. :flushed::fearscream::tearsofjoy:

What the heck is wrong with you?!?!?!? Bungee cords and ratchet straps are a horrible idea.... use a cargo net! gah! lol
 
How is everyone hanging the popup in the tree??



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I don't have a popup but I hang my frame pack by wrapping the sternum strap and belt around the tree and cranking them down. Could also use a hook from a tree strap
 
How is everyone hanging the popup in the tree??



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Use two of the hooks on my Muddy accessory strap. https://shop.gomuddy.com/multi-hook...MIlKinl4Po5gIVUv_jBx3rvwl6EAQYAiABEgIyYPD_BwE
 
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