Hey guys I’ve read the “official saddle hunter pack” thread about 20 times by now. This is more specific question than which pack. Would you prefer a normal day pack and if you shoot a deer going back to the truck to get your meat hauling pack or just use a meat hauling pack the whole time? Also guys change their setups all the time since that thread started so I’m looking for a current setup. Thanks
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One pack or two?
- Thread starter Bowtie747
- Start date
Wyatt_burp
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2019
- Messages
- 711
I have a hauling pack in my jeep with game bags. Lives there when not in use during the season. Most hunts I dont need to pack out deer. I can drag em close, but big deer i pack out. It doesn't make sense to always bring the pack out bag, or have all my hunting gear in the packout bag.
If you can only afford 1, and hike miles to your spot, get a frame pack with a shelf, otherwise 2 bags make sense to me.
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If you can only afford 1, and hike miles to your spot, get a frame pack with a shelf, otherwise 2 bags make sense to me.
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andreww5001
Member
- Joined
- May 22, 2021
- Messages
- 72
I prefer to travel and hunt light and fast. I leave my meat hauler in my truck or boat. I so rarely harvest a deer, its worth being able to duck under limbs and move sliently, and just walk back to the truck to get me bigger pack on the rare occasion I'm successful.
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Two in one. That's the beauty of the MR Pop. It's a day pack until you need to haul meat then it's a frame pack.
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2020
- Messages
- 5,991
Up front: I really think a high end frame pack is the best option if you go in a mile or more. IMO, it's more versatile than other options for packing in, and can haul meat.
Of course your specific needs will depend on your specific situation and preferences. Since this is my opinion, I'll provide some background:
1. I never wear my bibs or coat in if hunting elevated, I pack those
2. I (typically) hunt cold NE states, where bulky outerwear is necessary most of the season
3. My mobile set up is geared towards deep woods public, but I have one parcel that I hunt from time to time that is big, but broken up by roads for shorter walks.
4. I currently have LWHC top, rrXL platform, LWCG miniAmbush platform, .5 treestand, homemade climbing platform, & LW climbing treestands
5. I have set ups to 2TC, 1 stick, multi stick
6. I saddle hunt, stand hunt, track
7. I'm likely not going back to the truck unless I'm not too deep, since that triples mileage.
While a day pack is fine for 2TC, or 1 stick gear and platform, I've only found 1 daypack that accommodates my XL platform inside the bag. I really like the platform and prefer to pack it against the internal frame sheet for better weight distribution as well as allowing me to strap my bow to my pack. But then I'm lashing at least half my outerwear to the pack too and it starts to become a less efficient system. Much the same for the miniAmbush, which simply fits in more and smaller packs.
With a frame pack: outerwear and platform or even treestand can be easily packed on the meat shelf. At what penalty? Rigidity-in a profile that is only slightly taller than an internal frame day pack.
On the other end of the spectrum non internal frame day packs can be quite light but carry poorly in comparison when weighted. I generally have no interest in them (except with the .5). When tracking, a lumbar pack, fanny pack, or pockets are better. I'll usually drag my buck on snow.
I've gone through the pack search a bit this year, and feel I missed the mark not going with a frame pack outright. I was shy of perceived overall expense in something I was unsure of, and of potential bulk of the external frame packs I was interested in. Looking back, there were some good sales and close outs from Kifaru I should have jumped on. Kuiu as well. Or Exo. etc. And the frame packs aren't really all that big and heavy at all.
A Kifaru Duplex Lite frame weighs 3lbs or less. Kuiu pro frame and suspesion close to 2.5lbs. Exo K3 3lbs.
Add a day style pack to a suspension and you can still end up lighter than many internal frame day packs with a rig that does so much more. For example:
- Exo K3 with 1800ci weighs 4lbs 4 oz TOTAL!
- A Kuiu Pro with 2300ci weighs just over 4lbs, Pro-1850ci UNDER 4lbs!
Luckily, my primary mobile set is a .5, which doesn't need much of a pack. Can it haul meat? I don't think it's ideal, but with anything like a Kifaru Grab-it strapped to the stand, it isn't the worst option....and much better than an internal frame pack I believe.
But I like a climbing platform for getting high during rifle, I like the saddle platforms in the swamps, I like the LW sit and climb treestand in the big woods for comfort and warmth when its brutal out. Each has a best pack setup...but a frame pack can handle them all.
As mentioned the MR Pop-up is sort of a hybrid solution that may interest you too.
Of course your specific needs will depend on your specific situation and preferences. Since this is my opinion, I'll provide some background:
1. I never wear my bibs or coat in if hunting elevated, I pack those
2. I (typically) hunt cold NE states, where bulky outerwear is necessary most of the season
3. My mobile set up is geared towards deep woods public, but I have one parcel that I hunt from time to time that is big, but broken up by roads for shorter walks.
4. I currently have LWHC top, rrXL platform, LWCG miniAmbush platform, .5 treestand, homemade climbing platform, & LW climbing treestands
5. I have set ups to 2TC, 1 stick, multi stick
6. I saddle hunt, stand hunt, track
7. I'm likely not going back to the truck unless I'm not too deep, since that triples mileage.
While a day pack is fine for 2TC, or 1 stick gear and platform, I've only found 1 daypack that accommodates my XL platform inside the bag. I really like the platform and prefer to pack it against the internal frame sheet for better weight distribution as well as allowing me to strap my bow to my pack. But then I'm lashing at least half my outerwear to the pack too and it starts to become a less efficient system. Much the same for the miniAmbush, which simply fits in more and smaller packs.
With a frame pack: outerwear and platform or even treestand can be easily packed on the meat shelf. At what penalty? Rigidity-in a profile that is only slightly taller than an internal frame day pack.
On the other end of the spectrum non internal frame day packs can be quite light but carry poorly in comparison when weighted. I generally have no interest in them (except with the .5). When tracking, a lumbar pack, fanny pack, or pockets are better. I'll usually drag my buck on snow.
I've gone through the pack search a bit this year, and feel I missed the mark not going with a frame pack outright. I was shy of perceived overall expense in something I was unsure of, and of potential bulk of the external frame packs I was interested in. Looking back, there were some good sales and close outs from Kifaru I should have jumped on. Kuiu as well. Or Exo. etc. And the frame packs aren't really all that big and heavy at all.
A Kifaru Duplex Lite frame weighs 3lbs or less. Kuiu pro frame and suspesion close to 2.5lbs. Exo K3 3lbs.
Add a day style pack to a suspension and you can still end up lighter than many internal frame day packs with a rig that does so much more. For example:
- Exo K3 with 1800ci weighs 4lbs 4 oz TOTAL!
- A Kuiu Pro with 2300ci weighs just over 4lbs, Pro-1850ci UNDER 4lbs!
Luckily, my primary mobile set is a .5, which doesn't need much of a pack. Can it haul meat? I don't think it's ideal, but with anything like a Kifaru Grab-it strapped to the stand, it isn't the worst option....and much better than an internal frame pack I believe.
But I like a climbing platform for getting high during rifle, I like the saddle platforms in the swamps, I like the LW sit and climb treestand in the big woods for comfort and warmth when its brutal out. Each has a best pack setup...but a frame pack can handle them all.
As mentioned the MR Pop-up is sort of a hybrid solution that may interest you too.
Hey thanks guy! I have a Mystery Ranch Beartooth so I bought a Pintler bag to go on the Frame. I like the idea of my sticks and platform being in the meat shelf and I can still access the bag. Shift them to the outside of the bag if I get a deer down. I also bought a Kuiu venture 2300 so it may get returned not sure yet haha Hopefully the Pintler is a perfect blend for me this year.