Hi all, I could use some input from more experienced members regarding the choice of a good hunting pack. I'd like a pack that will serve well on hard day or short overnight (only one or two nights) trips. Ideally, it would be hydration compatible (or equivalent), very sturdy, fairly light, comfortable, and capable of hauling a good load of meat. Scenario: hike several miles into good muley, antelope, or ibex country; kill critter; quarter/debone critter; immediately pack out as much as possible without having to return to vehicle for pack frame.

I'm looking the following packs (primarily), though would be interested in hearing of others.

First is the Badlands2200 or 2800, I'm still undecided which is more practical/useful.

Second is the Eberlestock Just One J104

Comments?

I would highly recommend the Janssens "Hard Core Hunt Pack"
It was designed by a hunter with exactly the same features you described.
It's not cheap, but is well worth it.

Janssens Adventure Outfitter's
1-888-435-HUNT

Don't waste money, buy once and get a Mystery Ranch Nice Frame with a Crew Cab. It will be the last pack you ever buy!

I second the Mystery Ranch Frame with a Crew Cab. I have used both of the ones you mentioned and one does not handle meat weight very well and the other did not seem to have much room to me. The MR allows you to switch pack bags, is very comfortable and will last a lifetime. I have had all three packs and the other two are not even in the same league as the MR. I will say that the eberlestock is a nice pack and has wonderful customer servcie it just did not handle the added weigth of meat well for me. Good Luck in your quest

I just bought the Eberlestock Gunslinger:

http://www.eberlestock.com/Gunslinger%20M%20Series.htm

Just big enough for a day trip (with lots of camera gear), gun out of the way when not immediately needed, with the option to strap on a few pouches to make it suitable for overnighters.

I've packed all my gear (without extra pouches), and strapped a sleeping bag to the bottom, and that seems to work fine in the confines of my living room. Once all the straps have been adjusted it fits pretty snug. Will do for a two-day trip.

Dunno how well they will work under the added load of a quarter and a ram head. That might be stretching it a bit, but that's how I intend to use it. None of that will fit in the pack, so would have to be strapped on the outside.

Hopefully I get the chance to report on its functionality!

Frans

Gents, thanks for the input. I like the looks of the Mystery Ranch gear, but the frame/pack combo is a bit heavier than I was hoping for. And (unfortunately), it's a bit pricier than than I can swing right now. Buying one of them would eat up the gas money I need to get to Wyoming to use it!

Anybody else have any experience with good packs? I read EB's report on the Eberlestock, but I'd like to hear more about them or the Badlands.

John, which one did you find inadequate for meat transport? I'm really leaning towards the Badlands 2800 right now, so your additional input would be most appreciated.

Thanks

I use the J105 and really like it. I can keep it compact and day packish, and when it needs to be, it can be utilized to almost have too much room. I've found that it carries heavy loads well, if adjusted properly, keeping things close and balanced on your back. That scabbard is an absolute jewel IMO.

My next pack purchase will be the gunslinger for the smaller hunts. For one pack though, I find it really tough to fault the J105.

DesertRam, the J104 is the one that I really did not like for packing meat. It seemed to sag when it was really loaded (maybe overloaded) and put too much weight on my shoulders. I like it for carrying gear and a rifle. Now the J105 or 107 might make all the differance since it has a frame sheet in it, I have not tried these. If you could get to a Sportsmans Warehouse where they have both packs you could maybe try them on and load them and see which one fits you best.

On the Mystery Ranch, they have teamed up with Camelback and are making some of the same packs for less money, I do not think they are made in the USA. But it is a cheaper way to get a NICE frame and pack at a cheaper price and I believe that some of the troops in Iraq are caring the CamelBack packs.

What part of NM are you in? A couple of buddies and I drew antelope tags just west of Roswell for the mid Sept. season.

Good Luck in your search for a pack.

Chuck, I hadn't considered (or seen) the J105. I'll dig into that a bit more.

John, I live near Las Cruces. You should have a good goat hunt over there this year. I've heard that it looks pretty good. It'll still be pretty warm that time of year, so have plenty of ice to get that critter packed down.

I have an ibex tag the Florida Mountain in January. That's really my motivation for getting a nice pack. Oh, that and I want one. I've actually played with the two packs I mention at Sportsman's Warehouse. I like the fit of the Badlands 2800 a bit more than the Eberlestock, but I really like that rifle scabbard in the J104.

Thanks, and good

I am a complete believer in the Kifaru packs.

Here is a great one in the size you’re thinking about. They have a hunting line but I like the military packs better. They are internal frame but super comfortable when very heavy.
http://www.kifaru.net/MGzulu.htm

+1 for Kifaru. Pricey, but very, very good.

The set up that might suit you would be the Cargo Hauler, with the GunBearer. With that setup, you could strap your daypack on, and go.

Did I mention they are pricey?

Had a j-104 never could get it to be comfortable on me with more than 30lbs.My cousin has one and loves it and has used it with up to 80lbs.I think pack fit varies from person to person and what one finds comfortable another may not.I got a badlands 2800 to try ou this year.So far only hunted 2 days with it and with 30lbs it was great and more comfortable than the j-104.I plan to pack the first load out with the badlands (if I get an elk)then switch to my kifaru longhunter.The kifaru is a great pack when backpacking in and I have carried 80lbs in it a few times comfortably.Good luck on your hunt and pack hunt.

I've used the gunslinger a few times now, and it fits my raingear, extensive camera stuff, and various odds and ends (food/ater/spotting sope, etc) comfortably. For an overnighter it is already getting small. For two nights, I would have to strap something onto it.

I really wonder how it would hold up under the first load of meat out of the mountains. It was a bit finicky to get it adjusted right and snug, and the rifle scabbard means that the rest of the load is getting away from your back a bit.

That said, I absolutely love the way I can tuck the rifle away though. Now that I'm using a stick to help the knees, a slung rifle was becoming a major pain.

That reminds me, I need to go buy a strap-on bag, so I can use it for a planned two-night trip the weekend after next!

There is snow in them thar mountains, the sheep should be coming down a bit.

Frans

The Janssens "Hard Core Hunt Pack" has a built in rifle or bow carrier.
It has a removable bag, so you can use the external frame to haul the heaviest of loads.
It comes with a adjustable haul bag with built in lashing straps.
It has a padded spotting scope compartment, camel back compartment, knife pouch, flashlight pouch, and other options I know I'm forgetting.
It's a great bag!

KC

another vote for kifaru

Gentlemen:

Thanks for all the valuable input.

For better or worse I have chosen the Badlands 2200 pack for my use. I had the pleasure of carrying this pack with about 30 pounds of gear during a ~6 mile hike this past weekend. My initial impressions are positive, though I really need to pack some meat with it before I can make a comprehensive assessment.