Kutenaymtnboy could you go into detail on how you would compare the Kifaru, McHale, Dana Gleasons Mystery Ranch, and Bull Pacs?

If you primary use would be backpacking and only occasionally packing out meat which pack would you prefer?

How many cubic inch pack would you recommend as a guideline for less than a week in +30 degree temperatures?

How would you compare the down vs. the synthetic sleeping bags?

How would you compare the Scarpa, Viberg, and White�s boots.

Thanks!
Scott T.

I will be happy to do this, but, please give me more info.

Approx. age & physical condition-strength.

Geographic areas, topography and type of hunting.

Game you hunt.

Do you bone your kill in the field?

Weather conditions, dry, wet, 30*C or F

Do this and a bit about you, are you gung-ho, laid back, very experienced hunter looking for new gear or just getting started; this will help me to help you and I'll reply in the A.M.

Kutenaymtnboy thanks for the reply!



I am a new hunter with only a few years experience. I'm just getting started.



Geographic areas: Mostly the eastern half of Arizona. Primarily high desert, Juniper/Pinon, Timber and canyon country. Most of the hunting is done from 6000-10,000 ft. elevation. I will also hunt MT or CO for Elk or antelope this year.



Type of hunting: Deer/Elk spot and stalk with bow or rifle. Predators are all called with a distress call.



Meat is usually boned out in the field as I generally hunt in �Wilderness Areas� that have limited or no vehicle access.



Weather conditions: Usually dry and above 30 deg F. Occasional snow and rain.



Fitness: Age 31yo 6'0 185lbs 7% body fat. I fought competitively (Muay Thai and American kickboxing) up until a year ago. I am currently the Strength and Conditioning coach for a High School on the Navajo Nation in NE Arizona. I get up into the hills (7-10k feet) to hunt or scout at least once a week. Usually covering 5-15 miles a day when scouting.



I am breaking in a new pair of Scarpa boots as the La Sportivas and Danners I have just aren�t holding up to the cactus, scree, and talus. I am looking to replace and 15yo North Face bag and Military ALICE pack.



The hunting I�m sure is nothing as remote as places in BC but I though I would get your input.



Scott T.

Hi Scott---With your fitness level, I think that you should move to B.C. and pack out my meat!!!

Seriously, here is what I suggest, based on your needs and also upon cost.

Of the packs, the Bullpac is a welded frame, intended for meat packing. I have one, it is outstanding, but, I do not use it for backpacking. I have used frames for this, but, internals work better, so forget that.

The Kifaru line will do it all, they are primarily intended for hunting, but are very versatile. They are complex, costly and probably more than you require. But, Patrick Smith, the designer/owner is one of the finest guys you could meet and knows his stuff; you would never regret buying one.

J.J. McHale packs are possibly the finest, but, they are primarily intended for mountaineering and are not as suitable for hunting as some of the others. They are custom built and quite costly, I would not choose one for a hunting pack.

The Works @ Mystery Ranch is Dana Gleason, he makes a pack known as the SBDB for the US Navy SEAL teams and this is what I would suggest for you. It is sort of a pukey grey colour, very simple in outline and built like an bank vault.
This is both the least expensive and most practical unit, based on what you have said.

I do not like small packs and prefer to use an expedition size for everything, the Kifaru, McHale and Mystery packs in the 7000-8000 cu. in size will carry your emergency camp and a load of meat. All of these will also compress to carry small loads, so, this is the best size, IMO.

The down bags will last longer than any synthetic that I know of, they are lighter, more compressible and I find them much more comfortable. Do not bother with a Gore-Tex type shell, they are a godsend here in B.C., but, will not work as well where you are. They also add weight and cost.

I would not bother with a synthetic bag where you are, I would-maybe- get a G-T bivy bag cover for trips to MT and CO and this, with a superlight syltarp will give you about the best backpacking and emergency camp setup possible. I use this winter and summer now and only use my tents for the more extended stays.

Your choice of Scarpa boots is excellent, I use Concordias for general use and Mantas for serious alpine conditions. White's and Viberg boots are more a logger-outdoor worker style and not as good in really rough country; however, their Packer boots are better if you ride a lot. I really recommend Schnee pacs, if you go to Montana, they are not pricey and are the best I have ever used in snow and steep country.

I wouldn't own Danner boots as the ones I have seen disintegrate in B.C. conditions-note- I expect 2-3 yrs. minmum from a pair of boots, they might be o.k. for a couple of hunting trips in early fall. I have never seen a professional working in the bush here use them and they are very costly on this side of the border.

The sleeping bag that I would suggest for you is the Western Mountaineering "Versalite" size long, it is a tremendous bag for the money and will do everthing you will need. Feathered Friends also make superb bags in this weight range and size, check out their website. Buy a top quality bag, a little bit warmer than you think you will need and with a zipper that you can vent from the bottom with.

I suggest checking the webs of all of these manufacturers and spending some time thinking about the stuff. Then. call them and talk about it, I have done this for years and it has helped me. I also suggest Integral Designs for gear, they are not famous, but, their gear is absolutely superb, nobody, not even Feathered Friends makes better bags, bivys and tents.

I hope this helps you, good luck withh the Elk, Deer and packin'.

I will put an email into Dana Gleason and get the details on the SBDB. If the price were similar to the Kifaru Long Hauler which would you choose?

I checked the prices on the Western Mountaineering Versalite bag and it is comparably priced with the Integral Designs bags of a similar temp rating. Would you go with the Itegral Designs?

Do you have a preference on sleeping pads?

Lord only knows how much money, sweat, and blood you have saved me!!!

Thanks again for the help!
Scott

Boy, that is not an easy question! But, I am inclined to think that I would go with the Gleason pack if my use was primarily backpacking with some hunting, I like it's very sleek and simple outline in the thick bush here-I had an earlier version. If, it was more for hunting with some Backpacking, then I would go with the Longhunter, I intend to buy one of each in the coming year.

I would pick Integral Designs in this instance, they will tweak the bag for you while making it w/o charge which western won't, at least they wouldn't for me. I also think that I.D. and F.F. bags are slightly better than Western, my new one is absolutely sinful, it is so comfy!

I prefer Thermarests and have about four now, one wore out, but mine are pretty old and they hold up well. Also, check out these newest models in tangerine and charcoal colour, they are compact. light and can be doubled up on top of each other for cold or softer sleeping.

Glad I can help, I am confident that you will be happy with any of this gear, don't hesitate to get ID to custom size your bag, it is really helpful Their bivys and syltarps are also superb, as I said, I prefer this to any tent as I like to see the sky at night.

Of, find some "Montana Pitch Blend" waterproofing for your boots; Schnee's has it and it helps in scree and talus to save your toes from wearing through-the boots that is!