"The official saddle hunting backpack thread"

[cibor]

I grew fond of this set up last year. It worked for just about every hunt except if I needed to pack a deer out. It's the Badlands Monster Pack with the Predator Pack attached to it. I liked the ability to take the predator pack off if need be or add more molle packs to expand storage. SRT kit fit nicely inside the monster pack with plenty of room to spare, or I attached a molle water bottle holder to the predator pack with the SRT stuff inside of that if I needed more room. I can lash my EWO sticks vertically using the PALS webbing on the predator pack and monster. If I am one sticking using a short stick, it sat nicely on the shelf of the fanny pack horizontally and didn't get in the way while hiking in. The doyles gear hoist also clips to the waist belt perfectly and lashes tight.

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how do you attach sticks with this setup? Would you be able to post a pic of this?

 

[Colek83]

Well i think I found the pack for me this year. Just trying to figure out how to get it all on and packed nicely. As an aside. Anyone else use this pack? Hows the durability. Lots of nice set ups guys. Oh I almost forgot....its the Field & Stream Ultimate Whitetail Pack.

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[HomeTownJB]

how do you attach sticks with this setup? Would you be able to post a pic of this?

I use niteize gear ties. I run one at the top around the strap that keeps the predator pack closed then around the step of one of the sticks, twist it tight. I use another one at the bottom using the webbing on the Monster Pack and then run it around the bottom of the stick. Never had any issues with this set up last year. I don't have a picture of my 15"one stick attached, but it sits on top of the Monster fanny shelf nicely.

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[HomeTownJB]

how do you attach sticks with this setup? Would you be able to post a pic of this?

You can also attach them horizontally on the bottom of the monster pack using the lashing straps on the pack. I just don't like having sticks horizontal when I am walking in but it works.

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[backstrap19]

Does anyone go "hands free", and carry their bow on their pack also? I strapped my bow to my pack last year, and I'll not carry it again! I know some would argue that they want their bow in hand to be ready in case of a shot opportunity on the walk in or out, however, I'm still OK with not carrying it. I have found many, many packs that work for saddle hunting, as long as I'm willing to carry my bow. Once you put EVERYTHING on the pack, very few packs fit the bill. Oh, I also carry most of my clothes in every hunt too.

 

[JCLINE84]

I have finally landed on one pack that can do it all. The eberlestock mainframe with the transformer pack attached has the ability to carry anything I need it to and do it securely. I can detach the pack from the frame at the truck after a kill to use the mainframe as a meat hauler, which it is excellent at. The pack has so many straps for lashing things to it and they are all in the perfect position on the pack. There are 3 extra straps that have attachment points on the frame that can go all the way around the pack and secure things to it without flopping around. Three straps on each side of the pack are great for sticks or spurs. Has a shelf on the bottom of the frame that sits just below the pack. Its a great place to put WE Stepps. Carries a predator platform perfectly as well. I took a few pics to show a few of the things I am talking about but it has so many more functions. Also big enough and tough enough to do a backpacking trip if I get lucky enough to go on one. Here are some pics with my spurs on the sides. With the predator platform tucked away. You can replace the spurs with sticks and they carry the same way. Its a 2300 ci pack so plenty of room on the inside. I carry everything, including my saddle and ropes inside. I like to be able to attach whatever climbing system I want to use that day and have everything for my hunt inside or attached to the pack.

 

[Shane6491]

I grew fond of this set up last year. It worked for just about every hunt except if I needed to pack a deer out. It's the Badlands Monster Pack with the Predator Pack attached to it. I liked the ability to take the predator pack off if need be or add more molle packs to expand storage. SRT kit fit nicely inside the monster pack with plenty of room to spare, or I attached a molle water bottle holder to the predator pack with the SRT stuff inside of that if I needed more room. I can lash my EWO sticks vertically using the PALS webbing on the predator pack and monster. If I am one sticking using a short stick, it sat nicely on the shelf of the fanny pack horizontally and didn't get in the way while hiking in. The doyles gear hoist also clips to the waist belt perfectly and lashes tight.

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This is like zack’s set up off THP! Always liked this set up!! Nice job man !!

 

[bob1sh]

I have finally landed on one pack that can do it all. The eberlestock mainframe with the transformer pack attached has the ability to carry anything I need it to and do it securely. I can detach the pack from the frame at the truck after a kill to use the mainframe as a meat hauler, which it is excellent at. The pack has so many straps for lashing things to it and they are all in the perfect position on the pack. There are 3 extra straps that have attachment points on the frame that can go all the way around the pack and secure things to it without flopping around. Three straps on each side of the pack are great for sticks or spurs. Has a shelf on the bottom of the frame that sits just below the pack. Its a great place to put WE Stepps. Carries a predator platform perfectly as well. I took a few pics to show a few of the things I am talking about but it has so many more functions. Also big enough and tough enough to do a backpacking trip if I get lucky enough to go on one. Here are some pics with my spurs on the sides. With the predator platform tucked away. You can replace the spurs with sticks and they carry the same way. Its a 2300 ci pack so plenty of room on the inside. I carry everything, including my saddle and ropes inside. I like to be able to attach whatever climbing system I want to use that day and have everything for my hunt inside or attached to the pack.

I’m going to look into this setup, it’s what I’m looking for. I’m a little surprised to not see as many Sitka packs. Knowing how great their clothing is I expected the pack following to be the same. I’m fortunate enough to have a mil discount through Sitka and MR so those are why I’ve been looking at primarily. I want to be able to pack out with the pack so that’s been my focus. Most of what I’ve seen will have no problem fitting the extra clothing or saddle supplies.


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[M. Wilson]

Just purchased the new Sitka cargo box pack. Can’t wait to get it set up. Looks like a solid run and gun pack. Only issue I see is packing out meat if necessary


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[JumpingVampire]

Been a minute since ive been here but man my topic exploded. Keep them packs coming and alot of great ideas.

 

[Shane6491]

Yeah it sure did !!

 

[bob1sh]

Can anyone comment on the use of the Pop-up 28 vs 38 in terms of day hunts? Obviously the 28 would be the smaller more compact choice but is the extra room in the 38 worth it? Both can compress if the space isn’t used. Just trying to weigh options here.


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[kobudo]

Can anyone comment on the use of the Pop-up 28 vs 38 in terms of day hunts? Obviously the 28 would be the smaller more compact choice but is the extra room in the 38 worth it? Both can compress if the space isn’t used. Just trying to weigh options here.


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I have the pop up 38 and have not used the pop up 28. The pop up 38 seems to be a similar sized main bag with a lid and different pouch on the front. It is a really floppy bag, so you have to purchase the extra accessories straps to keep it tight. Pretty comfortable and narrow. I have an elk hunt drop camp planned this year, so I will test it out more then. After that it will be my whitetail bag, so I don't have it set up for that yet.

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[bob1sh]

I have the pop up 38 and have not used the pop up 28. The pop up 38 seems to be a similar sized main bag with a lid and different pouch on the front. It is a really floppy bag, so you have to purchase the extra accessories straps to keep it tight. Pretty comfortable and narrow. I have an elk hunt drop camp planned this year, so I will test it out more then. After that it will be my whitetail bag, so I don't have it set up for that yet.

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They really seem like the best option if you don’t want to or need to go the frame + pack route. I have no western hunts planned for the future but knowing something like the 38 could very well do both western and whitetail sounds too good not to buy.


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[Porter]

I have not used the 38 but I just got the 28 and I absolutely love it! It carries weight extremely well. I am able to pack my ambush in the load shelf, solitude coat in the bag and sticks to the back of the pack(with more room to pack in the load shelf during late season). I would highly suggest the pop up for anyone who is looking to carry any weight at all.

 

[sojourner]

I have to admit I am disappointed by the 38. But that is after using it after a stone glacier xcurve minimalist and extra bags.

It is floppy and cannot be cinched tight unless rerouting some straps. It is heavy for what it provides. The only thing, and I reiterate, the only thing, it has going for it is to be able to adjust the frame stays to not be so long when not packing out meat. It’s waist belt leaves much to be desired. And it’s bag is loud (especially at the top). And I should have known better than to purchase a “hybrid”, so so at some things, but good at absolutely none.

I am contemplating just sticking with the xcurve and keeping my pruners with me for the mountain laurel and swamp crap that I have to duck under.

Before anyone gets excited about a potential “fire sale” from ole Sojourner, that is not going to happen. My thread injecting skills are improving and I have plans on fabricating a proper bag for that heavy frame. Hopefully that will make the errant purchase worth while.

I guess the equation is what is worse, the suck of adjusting body further to get the frame stays past obstacles or pruning them away along the travels to hunting location OR the suck of a “hybrid” pack that is not comfortable on good days, is heavy, and will be marginal, at best, at packing out game.

Just my 0.02

 

[bob1sh]

I have to admit I am disappointed by the 38. But that is after using it after a stone glacier xcurve minimalist and extra bags.

It is floppy and cannot be cinched tight unless rerouting some straps. It is heavy for what it provides. The only thing, and I reiterate, the only thing, it has going for it is to be able to adjust the frame stays to not be so long when not packing out meat. It’s waist belt leaves much to be desired. And it’s bag is loud (especially at the top). And I should have known better than to purchase a “hybrid”, so so at some things, but good at absolutely none.

I am contemplating just sticking with the xcurve and keeping my pruners with me for the mountain laurel and swamp crap that I have to duck under.

Before anyone gets excited about a potential “fire sale” from ole Sojourner, that is not going to happen. My thread injecting skills are improving and I have plans on fabricating a proper bag for that heavy frame. Hopefully that will make the errant purchase worth while.

I guess the equation is what is worse, the suck of adjusting body further to get the frame stays past obstacles or pruning them away along the travels to hunting location OR the suck of a “hybrid” pack that is not comfortable on good days, is heavy, and will be marginal, at best, at packing out game.

Just my 0.02

I could not appreciate this more, thanks for your input. I have no issue paying for quality and that’s what I’m after in the end. Not being familiar with hunting packs in general I didn’t think the bag would be what you mentioned but I see it now that you have in regards to it being a hybrid and not specific to one or the other features. Makes me want to go with an Eberlestock frame and one of their bags.


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[Topdog]

I have not used the 38 but I just got the 28 and I absolutely love it! It carries weight extremely well. I am able to pack my ambush in the load shelf, solitude coat in the bag and sticks to the back of the pack(with more room to pack in the load shelf during late season). I would highly suggest the pop up for anyone who is looking to carry any weight at all.

I have a popup 28 coming this Friday, I did a pile of research and everthing kept bringing me back to the 28, time will tell. My windwalker stand is going to go on the load shelf and spurs in the bag. I have a small fleece pack to keep snacks and other essentials for when I’m up in the air and just leave the popup at the base of the tree.

 

[Topdog]

I have to admit I am disappointed by the 38. But that is after using it after a stone glacier xcurve minimalist and extra bags.

It is floppy and cannot be cinched tight unless rerouting some straps. It is heavy for what it provides. The only thing, and I reiterate, the only thing, it has going for it is to be able to adjust the frame stays to not be so long when not packing out meat. It’s waist belt leaves much to be desired. And it’s bag is loud (especially at the top). And I should have known better than to purchase a “hybrid”, so so at some things, but good at absolutely none.

I am contemplating just sticking with the xcurve and keeping my pruners with me for the mountain laurel and swamp crap that I have to duck under.

Before anyone gets excited about a potential “fire sale” from ole Sojourner, that is not going to happen. My thread injecting skills are improving and I have plans on fabricating a proper bag for that heavy frame. Hopefully that will make the errant purchase worth while.

I guess the equation is what is worse, the suck of adjusting body further to get the frame stays past obstacles or pruning them away along the travels to hunting location OR the suck of a “hybrid” pack that is not comfortable on good days, is heavy, and will be marginal, at best, at packing out game.

Just my 0.02

This is no contest for me, pruning trails is not an option for the miles I hike in and my back is trashed so ducking whips and such is not happening, for the light loads I carry with my stand set up the popup hopefully will be the ticket, I totally agree having a dedicated pack for meat is the only way to go, mine stays in the truck all season, old school dana design long bed.

 

[sojourner]

I could not appreciate this more, thanks for your input. I have no issue paying for quality and that’s what I’m after in the end. Not being familiar with hunting packs in general I didn’t think the bag would be what you mentioned but I see it now that you have in regards to it being a hybrid and not specific to one or the other features. Makes me want to go with an Eberlestock frame and one of their bags.


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If you are looking for a top tier pack that can handle heavy loads (think out west back country hunting), check out the Rokslide forum about the different top-tier packs, e.g., kifaru, stone glacier, seek outside, exo mountain gear, mystery ranch, etc. ... you could spend hours collecting info. there.

The high end packs are, for a majority, for the high country. Think elk or sheep hunting, where carrying a large amount of weight and comfort premium. Quietness and getting through brush are not. So, us eastern whitetail hunters (who routinely bush brush and don’t carry heavy loads and want super quiet) are trying to get the best of both worlds. At this time, I am not sure there is a best of both worlds.

The concept of the pop up is good, but, IMO, the MR implementation is lacking.

Good luck with your search. And, according to Rokslide, packs retain resale value. That indicates to me that they can easily be resold if one is not happy with the purchase.