I'm looking for a good backpack that includes the feature of holding your rifle off your shoulder and cinched down to the pack. They also have a hang down pocket that you stick your buttstock into to take up the weight.

I've seen them in videos and they look like they would work great for an upcoming hunt. Carry a rifle using a sling overtop back pack straps has always been a b!tch.

I see Cabelas has a couple of models. Any others worth considering? I need one that will carry my Swaro 65mm spotter, small tripod, basic daypack gear, motorola radio, camera, etc.

Sorry, but I would not recommed stuffing your longarm in a backpack. You may need to get to your weapon in a hurry (BEAR! Is one example) and fighting with a backpack to get your weapon for the ready is not the way to go. I hate to break it to you, but lugging it around in your hands/arms is the only to go. It may save your life one of these days. IMHO

[ 08-21-2003, 08:27: Message edited by: CK ]

if you want one, while I agree with the above post, the cabels outfitter pack can do that its a pretty good deal over all...

When backpacking I carry my rifle in its soft carry case bunjeed vertically to the middle of the back of my pack. Leaves my hands free. On a 7 or 8 mile backpack the last thing you want to be hassling with is a rifle in your hands or slung over the top of your backpack.

If you bunjee it butt down with the zipper open you can pretty quickly undo the bottom bunjee and get your rifle out.
I have never seen a BIG buck while backpacking in or out and usually like to take a minute to evaluate the animal before taking a shot at it anyway. If my rifle it too available I am more likely to make a snap decision and shoot an animal that is not of the quality I am looking for.
Carry pepper spray on your belt for those close encounters of the bear or cougar kind.

Look at KIFARU (on the web). They make a series of back packs designed for hunters. They include a gun bearer that leaves your hands free but keeps the rifle at hand.

In the past with a small backpack on, I would just sling the rifle across my back, over my left shoulder with the butt at my right hip. The rifle rests on the pack. I now have 2 options depending upon load to carry.
Kifaru has a very nice system with their packs. I have a spike camp and it should be just the ticket for you. http://www.kifaru.net/BACKPAKS.HTM
Another thought would be from Nimrod.
http://www.nimrodpacks.com/hunting_packs.htm
I have a pinnacle N-125 with the rifle scabbard and it is very handy. Should work good for next years sheep hunt. Depending on what all you plan to carry for your basic daypack gear, the N-125 may be a bit small. They do have a N-150 which is a bit larger.

Hey Sheldon, If I am packing in for a 1 nighter I use a great pack by Nimrod ( they have a website) It will hold all you goodies plus it has a verticle scabbard that you can access -VERY- fast. Thay are green wool or blaze orange. This is a great company run by hunters out of eastern Washington state. There main clientele if the NFS for the back country fire fighters. Way cool stuff. This is my choice for short hunts.

For a for real spike in pack I use the cabelas pack (I am not sure of the model) I have used a Kelty and years ago a Bianchi that where very good but I gave them away.

All of these have/had some way of secruring the rifle to the pack and not to me.

As for the objections of not having your rifle in your hands, there is some terrain where I agree. Then use the Boonie Packer sling arrangment. This is my choice for traveling through bear country. It is rare country where the game populations will be in the area of "travel" I have found that I normally spike in, step up a bivoac, then hunt from there. I have not had they occation of jumping a 220" muley while hiking in, would be a sight thou, with me coming unwound, ripping the rifle out, blowing an easy shot.

Funny you should ask�

I�ve been shopping for a new external pack frame as well. (and I hope you don�t mind my long opinion, but what the hell, I had it all stashed away already). While pretending to be one of Poncho Villa�s burrows, I picked up a few pearls about using packs for hunting. Mileage may vary.

First off, I�ve used the internal designs before, but for me they just don�t handle a lot of weight well. Internal packs seem to let the load shift around a little too much. So they get the axe with me.

Second off, the big decision of the day would be if:

A) Do you actually need a big ol� pack frame for what you�re doing? Do you have to quarter and pack out your game, or are you just carrying your hunting equipment?

B) If you don�t have to pack your meat (pun intended), then would a �daypack� suit you better? If this is the case, then I second DaveC and agree that Nimrod packs are excellent. I use the wool N-125 and I love the little bastard to death. Mainly, because of the way it fits and because of the rifle scabbard. Enough said.

If you really do need a pack, then I would recommend first going for the lightest and best fitting pack. Duh, right? It�d be real nice if you got to try-before-you-buy, but I know a huge selection is pretty tough to find.

Here�s my latest experience with pack frames:

[Picture a boxing ring with an announcer in the center] Standing in the corner my buddy held up his brand new �Cabela�s Alaska Outfitter with Pack Frame�(below) weighing it at a whopping 12.5 pounds. Standing in the other corner, I opted for the old lodge standby weighing in at a mere 5 lbs. It looks a lot like the �Alaska I Pack� (below). Basically, carrying his pack up the hill was like carrying an extra rifle around all day. For the flat-landers that probably won�t matter much, but I sure didn�t like the extra weight.

Cabela's

�Alaskan I Pack with Frame� WEIGHT = 5.4 lbs

�Alaskan Guide Model Advantage Timber Pack with Frame� WEIGHT = 9.5 lbs

�Alaska Outfitter with Pack Frame� WEIGHT = 12.5 lbs


The second problem with my buddy�s pack was all the extra straps and shit hanging off of it. They kept getting hung up in the brush. Very annoying. Branches just slipped right over the simple design and smooth surface of my borrowed pack. I liked that.

Third, you can see from the pics below how I hung the rifle on the pack. Yes, I know this trick has been around since Jesus was a boy, but I thought I should mention it. Having the little nubs sticking up on the frame instead of the rounded design is a nice feature. Your shoulder won�t have to bear all the weight and your rifle will always be within easy reach. Simple-setup.

For me, there were only a couple of shortcomings of a simply designed pack. When you really need to load the thing down with everything but the kitchen sink (bottom pic), the extra straps and crap on the heavier pack would come in handy for cinching things together. Also, the heavier packs frames have a �shelf� that folds out underneath the pack to help distribute the weight, the simple one doesn�t.

Just for shits n� giggles, here�s some packs from REI and Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS). I�d also look at some of the other outdoor stores as well. Good luck!

P.S. Sorry for having "DIARRHEA OF THE KEYBOARD!"

REI

EMS

Sheldon,

A couple other options for you to consider...

Barney's sports in Anchorage Alaska sells a variety of external & internal packs designed for hunters. I visited their shop last year and I was impressed with the external frame and pack. It is made for them to their specs and has quite the harness system. When it comes time for an external frame pack for a sheep or moose hunt this is the direction I will be taking.

http://www.barneyssports.com/category.jsp?depid=2&catid=88

A second options is Badlands packs. I have not had a chance to personally check one of these babies out but, I have heard nothing but, glowing reports. They are also designed for hunters and have a lifetime warranty. I believe Vortex makes these packs for Badlands.

http://www.badlandspacks.com/main.asp

http://www.vortexbackpacks.com/

Lastly, Mystey Ranch packs. This company is run by Dana Gleason formerly of "Dana Design" packs. Dana packs were well known for quality and innovation. Not hunting packs but, maybe worth a look.

http://www.mysteryranch.com/

Regards,
Dave

Wow! Thanks DavidC. You've looked into much better than I have! I like purpose-built equipment. Thanks for all your help.

You should check out bullpacs.com. We just used these on a Caribou in hunt in Alaska and I was very pleased with the way they are designed and comfort under load. I bought their bag that they call a selway pack that straps onto the frame and is very well thought out. Plenty of straps and pouches, long enough for a full length Brogan tripod. I still liked it after packing out the third animal on the second day!
Good luck, Shayne

shayneC,
I also have a bullpac and it is one great pack frame, but I think that the selway bag is too small. I have asked the people at Bullpac if they could make a larger bag, but nothing yet.

david, do you know where barneys is located, I live in anchorage and I've never seen the place before...

Dark Paladin,

A trip to Barney's is well worth it. The shop is small but, last I was there full of all manor of great outdoor equipment.

Besides packs they also have several tents and clothing lines made to there design for the most severe Alaskan weather. The "Bomb shelter" and "Hurricane Hut" are two of the tents I can recall. There is also the "Brooks range" and "Arrtic Wind" jacket and or pants combos.

All of the equipment looked top drawer to me. Just as an aside I know Barney's is a staple for many of the full time guides working in Alaska.

Barney's Sports Chalet
906 W. Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99503

ph (907)561-5242

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Dave

[ 08-24-2003, 23:36: Message edited by: DavidC ]