Nice to hear the Stoney Creek gear getting a mention.

If you plan to HUNT with the pack on - as opposed to just leaving it in a vehicle - the fleecy material it's made of is much, much quieter than cordura when moving through thick bush, particularly if it's a bit spiky and dragging across the nylon.

The material is also very tough and comes with a pretty good guarantee - damage it when hunting within 5 years of purchase and they repair it free - not bad for a country with a hundred billion miles of barbed wired about!

I have a Bushwalker (it has a slot for a water bladder) and a bumbag and belt pouch too. It's all made out of the same quiet material, which has been designed with hunting rather than military use in mind.

I have a Camelbak - it's bloody good, and pretty bombproof - and I use it for work. But I find it too noisy for sneeking through the bush.

I would really recommend both, but the Stoney Creek stuff for hunting.

Russ: You ought to take a look at Badlands' fanny packs, especially the Monster Fanny Pack. Check it out!

quote:

Originally posted by Brazos Jack:
I need advice picking a good day pack for hunting in Africa. I need something to carry spare ammo, binoculars, water, snack/lunch, rain gear, camera, etc. This will be for mainly spot and stalk hunting or occasionally hunting from a hide/blind.

A shirt with good big flap pockets...what does not fit...leave in truck.

There's an article in Peterson's Hunting Magazine that just arrived today (the July 2010 issue) that compares 6 of the very top day packs, including the Camelbak Commander XT, Cabela's Elite Scout Pack, the Fieldline Predator, the Redhead Deer Trail Day Pack, the Blackhawk Ultra Light Phoenix and the Badlands Superday pack. The Badlands Superday pack was rated A+ and was the Editor's choice.

I see opportunities everywhere, and when I need something, the first thing I ask is “Can I make it myself”. On my last hunt I was bringing two rifles: my Sauer in .300wm and my new Searcy double in .470NE. I would be mostly using the .300 on plains-game, but I wanted to get some field experience with my double on an eland, and I wanted to have it on-hand should a good eland appear. So I decided I would make a back-pack/double-rifle-case combo out of leather. I had never worked with leather before, but I figured I could make something workable. Besides, there wasn’t anything like that available anywhere. It turned out OK. I’ll post some pics if I can dig them up.

Anyone used a Nimrod camelback model in Africa?

Unless you're self-guided, you won't need such a thing.

Lotsa pockets is what I use.

quote:

Originally posted by mrlexma:
Unless you're self-guided, you won't need such a thing.

Lotsa pockets is what I use.

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
There's an article in Peterson's Hunting Magazine that just arrived today (the July 2010 issue) that compares 6 of the very top day packs, including the Camelbak Commander XT, Cabela's Elite Scout Pack, the Fieldline Predator, the Redhead Deer Trail Day Pack, the Blackhawk Ultra Light Phoenix and the Badlands Superday pack. The Badlands Superday pack was rated A+ and was the Editor's choice.

Use Enough Gun,

I don't have access to that magazine because I work in Saudi. I want to order a pack in June so I can pick it up when I'm on leave back home in Texas in September. Can you scan and email the article?

Brazos_Jack

Will do when I return to my law office on Weds. I'll be out tomorrow on depos. Send me a PM.

cheapest you can get; you're not hoofing it in the Rocky Mountains or NW Territories.

The Cabela's German surplus bag works great - that's what I used on my last hunt in RSA; before that I had some Old Navy backpack, which BTW I still use today for family hiking trips and for my son's hunting stuff.

Check cheaperthandirt.net Also, there are some nice German Flecktarn packs on Ebay.

I have a 1,100-1,500 cu inch Camelbak that I bought about 5 years ago for $30 on clearance; regular prices are crazy.

My friend just got a really nice, generic bag from his wife, $30, looks like a Blackhawk or Maxpedition bag. Very nice.

If you want to spend your money; go with a Mystery Ranch or Kifura. The Mystery Ranch is what I would get for the mountains and camping.

Definately look at Kifaru. If the Spike Camp is too big for you, they have the Day Stalker (get the shoulder straps).

Aside from being very well made, I think they have the best rifle carrying setup.

The Day Stalker is about the size I think I need. In this size rang, of those I've found online so far, I like the looks of the Camelbak Striker and the Badlands Hydro.

I like what Bullterrier said about the quiet and toughness of the Stoney Creek. But didn't see exactly the size.

Does anyone have experience with the Camelbak Striker or the Badlands Hydro?

I'm looking for a good quality day back also, but I wanted something that offered a degree of flexibility for different tasks.

Having looked at various options at different price points, the one I am leaning towards is the 5.11 Rush 12 or the slightly larger Rush 24.

I had a look at the Rush 24 today and was *very* impressed with the build quality and the quality of the materials used as well as it general design/layout

5.11 Rush 24

The Rush 12 is slightly smaller, but of the same general configuration, and I'm guessing a better bet as an airline carryone. Both have numerious compartments/pockets to make organising your gear easier.



Both have Molle webbing on the outside, meaning you can add additional pouches to "customise" the pack. So you can add things like bino or camera cases, first aid kits or anything else you need.

Comes on Olive Drab, Coyote Brown or Black

Regards,

Peter

dam if I was going to carry all the stuff some guys have posted needing I would get a donkey. leave extra camera and other crap in truck. put small digital camera in your shirt pocket. binos around your neck. Unless your need 50 rounds at a time? the ammo on your belt should last a few days. Leave the lunch bucket in the truck where it belongs. your hunting not walking for a week none stop without support. LEDMV walked every day all day while in Uganda and he did not seam to need a donkey and there was a perfectly good horse's ass in camp brain dead researcher if he needed a donkey

quote:

Originally posted by ddrhook:
and there was a perfectly good horse's ass in camp brain dead researcher if he needed a donkey

You blokes worry far too much about bags.... Hooker just carries everything he needs on his shoulders:

Doc I don't know about you but I had a good time in Uganda

No shit!

About 10+ years ago bot a used Czech military ruck sack 2for 10 bucks and now they are 2fer 20 bucks at Sportsmans guide. Measures 19"x 3" x 15" wt. just over a pound.It has been from Cold Bay to Mossel Bay. Will hold socks ,gloves ,2nd hat,jacket,2nd camera and medi kit.

In Africa if it won't go in my pockets it is in the truck.

If carried it is cool ,quite,compact and subdued. Best part is I don't look like I'm on Adventures Abroad.

If I wanted to haul a bunch of crap around I'd take Hillbilly Hooker along .

Elton
I would make you carry beer for me