back pack for Elk hunt.

Looking for a pack with frame to carry meat out. I have looked at some, but looking for info from people who have hunted and packed out Elk. Thanks.

For big hunts I don’t mess around with boots or bags. I like the exo line. Mystery ranch and kirfau are also big names. Eberlestock is good but there bags are a bit on the heavy side imo.

I use both exo and eberlestock

Bobo on here is who i would talk to

I have a 3 piece unit, don't remember the maker.
The frame{plastic} can be used by itself for hauling quarters of meat. Antlers etc..
Has an upper back pack that attaches to the frame and a lower fanny pack that attaches also.
This way I use it year round whether it be carrying turkey or dove decoys in the backpack or using the fanny pack for spot and stalk hunting. Have used it in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas and Alaska to name a few and has been packed with fishing gear in Canada. 15 years old and still working good!

Kifaru, Mystery Ranch, Exo, Eberlestock, Kuiu are what I would consider "great to excellent" dual purpose backpacking packs/meat haulers. They are also expensive, some more so than others. I have a Mystery Ranch Metcalf and the Kuiu Icon Pro system. So I can comment on each of those if you have specific questions.

You can get a dedicate load/meat hauler however I think the new dual puporse packs with built in load/meat hauler sling built into the system is absolutely the way to go.

As Cleric said, don't skimp on backpacks and boots (and I would add rain gear). Not worth trying to save money here by going with something cheap and poorly built.

We mostly use internal frame packs here for our pack outs in Idaho, Wyoming, and Arizona. Mature bulls are big! We tend to hunt a little farther from the truck and they are more comfortable for long all day hikes with our extra gear and clothes. The ones from Mystery Ranch, Eberlestock, or Badlands win hands down over most others. Almost all have life-time warranties, and we have not had to try any of the newer brands or models yet. Since we usually bone out all of the animal, there is little extra weight from bone, and the bags will fill up single compartment packs to capacity. Insert a contractor grade trash bag, and fill it up.

Until you have tried to stand and walk with an 80-100# pack, don't think its easy. My boys are 36 and 42 years old, and can still pack a front and rear quarter, but I gave that up years ago. At 67 years of age, and with a bad knee but still elk hunting, about 80# is my limit now, and I would prefer 60# !!! My favorite pack right now is a Badlands Sacrafice. At 3.6 pounds it is light to carry, but expands to fit an entire deer or a LOT of elk meat.

Once we get the first loads to the truck, we may switch to an external frame pack for racks with skulls, or remaining quarters. Like to just leave them in the bed of the truck til we see if they are needed.

Pictures from an AZ elk hunt last year. The glassing in the canyon we like to hunt, my youngest son and a typical pack we carry all day, and coming out of a hell hole with a couple 100# packs at the end of day.

You looking for a pack just to Carry meat or a dual purpose pack? I have Eberlestock pack and it works great for dual purpose. But it comes down to how the pack fit you.

I use an eberlestock. It comfortable to me but a little heavier than its competitors. I forget which model I bought but it camel with a big game bag pack that you can attach. However, if I am just going to pack out meat I have a pack frame that I use that works great.

Literally dozens to choose from.

I use Eberlestock as a dual purpose because I love the rifle scabbard.
Names you hear over and over again as the best these days are Kifaru, Mystery Ranch, and Stone Glacier.

Blank, you da man.

Depends on your price point and how you hunt. Truck analogy break down...

(Old 3/4 ton- will get job done, but rough)
You can find external frame packs pretty cheap(alps, Cabela’s, Barney). Down side is big and bulky. But haul weight well

(Mid sized truck-great for mild jobs and occasional pushing the limits, you hook on to too much and you will probably get home, but it wasn’t a fun ride)
You can pack out meat with a badlands or elberstock, but neither have functional load lifters, or great belts, so over 50lbs they dig into your shoulders, other that they are great for the price and tough. Elberstock came out with a new frame that’s little stouter, but I haven’ t used it. It does Looks to have same harness and belt as previous models.

(Good heavy half ton- way better then a mid sized truck, and will “most likely” haul what you need)
Kuiu is a good mid priced pack. I’m personally scared of all carbon frames, but I do have a buddy that packed out 10 bears, 3 elk and two lions with his this year and he loves it. He is rough on stuff, he walked out a pair of kennetek hard scrabbles in a year. It’s a very light pack and 3500 cu in bag compresses to nothing.

(Modern 3/4-robust, comfortable, never think twice about what you are about to haul)
Kifaru, Exo mountain gear, Stone glacier and Mystery ranch are the most expensive but are modular(bags sizes interchangeable). Packing out (Weight wise) all four will comfortably carry what ever your legs can take.

If you hunt backcountry every year, day or overnight I would spend money on kuiu, or more robust kifaru, EXO,SG, and MR.

If you hunt the backcountry more from a truck camp and never get to deep, elberstock, badlands and some of the alps backs will work fine.

If you spent all of your money on tags and can’t afford a high or mid dollar pack, buy a cheap frame pack from Cabela’s/bass pro. I had my dads boyscout frame pack for 10 years and think he had it for 15 years before that. Hauled many a deer and elk with it.

Exactly the reason I got mine. The Mystery Ranch Metcalf that I have is no doubt bombproof. With that though comes added weight though. In addition to that some of the luxuries are missing which I found myself really missing. The Kuiu pack is super light weight and honestly in my opinion just as indestructible. Converting the pack to load haul meat takes nearly 1/3 of the time it does with the Mystery Ranch. Just a lot of more practical functional designs from Kuiu that impressed me. No doubt I was a huge skeptic for the longest time. However, after having purchased it I use it more than my Mystery Ranch, which I am almost convinced I am going to sell. There are pros and cons to both and all really. Just find what works for you and go for it. It's nearly impossible to find any of these packs in Texas at the same retailer, except maybe Eberlestock and Badlands which makes it difficult. If you don't mind blowing some money on shipping, I would order all the ones you want to try out and then return the ones you don't like. Better yet, hit a major convention/gun show like SHOT where they are all at. Another thought would be to see what, if any, you can order through Amazon Prime. They have free return on shipping. Good luck.

Kuiu fan here. I run the Ultra frame/harness with an Icon Pro 3200 bag-- perfect size for carrying all the necessities or a 2-3 day camp. It gives me the capability to pack out an entire whitetail in one load (plus everything else I carried in).

I've packed 2 deer and 2 elk with mine and not a single structural issue.

Had an Eberlestock X2 and it was heavy for the size and wasn't nearly as easy to pack an animal on. A pack that converts easily into a meat shelf plus pack frame is the way to go.

If not Kuiu I would go with Exo. I hear nothing but great things about Kifaru, only drawback is cost and weight.

Pack mules or horses

Probably the best answer. Even in the Yukon they trail horses in most places to use. They do it for a reason. The farthest pack is to the the horses.

But there are some places where horses can’t go. And sometimes you’re a long way from the horses. That’s where stout hearts, legs, and a good pack are a necessity.

Concur on meat self, can also expand pack capacity or if you are slim on funds you could just buy an a frame and run a big dry bag.

I’m a fan of the Exo, but I don’t think there is a clear winner of the top brands.

They are like bird dogs, doesn’t matter how trained or high bred they are if they sit idle for 51 weeks a year, you are about to have a lot of train wreck stories, from experience.

Don't have anything to add about backpacks but this post has used up all my energy for the next couple of days...

Great write up! Nailed the comparisons.

I’ve been using Eberlestock...X1 and X2 for many years. It has served great as a multi use pack, but I finally found its limits. Prior to my hunt this last year, I was hiking with 20lbs of weights and an 80 pound sack of play sand in my pack. After a half mile, 8 was really feeling it. The shoulder straps, and more importantly, the waist belt, left a lot to be desired. I made the 3.5 mile training hike with this set up several times, but I paid for it for a couple days afterwards. I will say the training paid off when I had to pack out a pretty good sized bull in September. Really wished I had a better pack at that moment.

I’m now shopping for an Exo. 😂

Local cowboys will pack game out, if you can't afford that might be best stay home. Old folks could die fighting to get game out of rough country, but each to their own. Thirty and forty year old people die of heart attacks and at high altitude that could bring it own.

Some states you are at the mercy of the outfitters that has all paid extraction rights to that particular area, so plan a head. If you can’t pack out multiple loads of 50-60 pounds, don’t do a DIY trip, hirer an outfitter.....but that’s not what the OP asked

We use these for packing our quarters:http://wildernesspacks.com/index.php/products/product/32-bighorn-frame-with-handipak
A lumbar pack attached to the bottom if needed for extras.
A day pack is all we wear during a hunt, but don't do much if any backpack type hunts. A daypack carries everything I need for the day plus emergency supplies. I can haul out the first load of boned meat in my daypack then get the pack frame form the truck for the heavy hauls.
I find a larger pack is not quiet enough for elk hunting. If it hangs out wider or taller than your back it will catch on everything and make noise, elk hear it all. Can you shoot with that big pack on, lots of variables for elk hunting with a pack on.

Packers must be licensed in most states so just hiring locals with horses can be iffy. Check the regs to make sure for the state you're hiring that packer in.

I had to google that one, looks like they make the outdoorsmans pack. Learn something new every day. Aka western hunter and Steven Rinella

Elk are that western trophy that is measured in distance and terrain...grins. As in "Is he big enough to pack out of this hell hole?".

Hard to go wrong with a Mystery Ranch, just remember the romance of a pack out is soon replaced by the reality of a pack out.

Don't know if that pack is a copy of the molle military version, they can be had for cheap online. The bag and harness they pair with it is what makes it haul very nicely. Very lightweight frame . I know from experience it will haul 100 lbs, I didn't haul that weight but hunting partner did.

Most of the packs can handle a lot more than the person using it. When you throw in the higher elevation with the lack of oxygen, a grade school backpack full of air is more than enough pack. My first pack was an Army surplus pack, my second was a Kletterwerks, the same people that now make the Mystery Ranch packs. I was young and in good shape back then, but the people I was with were locals, they could go all day at that altitude with a full pack, I had to take a lot of breaks.

Thanks THF. I appreciate the frank input. This is what I wanted. I have some thinking to do. I appreciate the different opinions.

Regardless of your pack choice get yourself in shape, I started this month in anticipation of drawing.

If money is tight buy used or on the exo, kifaru and stone glacier you can just buy the frame, and use a big dry bag until you save up for a fancy bag.

In fact kifaru is about to update their frames so, you will probably be able to pick up a good deal on a used kifaru duplex frame pretty reasonable

Yes I have already started.
Thanks BOBO for the input. I am on a tight budget, but I also know not to scrimp to much on some things.

I use a cheap metal frame pack from 1970 when im packing meat out. Works like a champ. When im hunting i carry a regular hunting backpack.

You DONT need to spend a ton of money here. Get something light and efficient. I put the meat quarters in trash bags and haul out one trash bag at a time.

We have two guys over 60 that hunt in our group, with one being 70, and both of them run laps around some of the younger guys and can still pack out meat on their backs. You can do whatever you put your mind too! Don't let the negative naysayers tell you can't! GEt in the gym, get your cardio up, and make it happen. You can do it. And when you do, you'll have a feeling of self sufficiency and confidence like never before. It is Hard work, no doubt. But when you are done you will feel like you are on top of the world

Eberlstock, i have the gun runner and love it

Campfire has good deals on close out(camo) Mystery ranch packs this morning

This......The only way..

If you’re a woman.

Where do I get one of those?!

Lol I don’t know was on Sheep Hunting forum.

If you are half way smart.......

Smart? How many people have died packing out their own elk?

I'm sure some have died of a heart attack, no proof just an educated guess....

Probably.

There’s no one answer to the question.

If you want to go 20 miles into the Frank Church, you’re not going to do it without horses. And if you have horses, it’s kinda silly not to use them as much as you can. Why walk when you can ride? Why pack a load of meat all the way back into camp when horses are parked somewhere along the route?
(Doesn’t mean there won’t be some backpacking involved.)

If you are truck camping, use a daypack while hunting and keep meat haulers at the truck.

But if you are where horses can’t go, it’s got to be backpack only.

Horses are not stupid or useless. Even in the Yukon where it’s an expedition to trail them in and out, most outfitters use them because they buy you miles and time in getting back in. And miles and time are the currency of backcountry hunts. Especially elk and moose hunts where the animal requires several loads to get out.

It’s not a macho thing about how much weight you can tote and how far you can tote it - it’s about getting into and then out of the best country as quickly as you can so you can spend more time hunting and less time being a pack mule.

Sounds like a challenge.

Pack mules was so yesterday. It’s 2018. Choppers and drop nets are the only way to go. You don’t even have to move it (unless under tree cover) gut it or quarter it. Just pick it up and fly it back to camp. Doesn’t everyone have a chopper? Who needs a backpack?


(This is sarcasm to its fullest if you can’t tell....but many outfitters are doing exactly this)

Ok if you say so...

I would kiss a horse or mule on the lips, if it had my elk or moose on it. Otherwise, I have no use for them and don't even like to ride them here for entertainment. Like one of my good rancher friends has often espoused, "You've never really been hurt, until you've been hurt by a horse".

I think it’s kind of sad myself, a bunch of hunters telling others to stay home if they can’t afford a guide or packer...because they personally wouldn’t pack out an animal via thier back. Crumpets and Tea anyone?

Good friend got killed horse back in colorado 17 years ago, my cousin got airlift off the mountain with a ruptured spleen, via a horse kick on a pack out, my mom has three fused vertebrae’s from a horse rearing up and over on her... horses are more likely to kill you then probably a heart attack. Your health is more predictable then an animal.

To each there own, no right anwser each has inherent risks. Regardless for many monetarily its not even relevant to the discussion

Your right each to their own, I like getting on a horse at 5,000' and be into the high country 8-9,000' a hour later when the guys on foot are at 7,000' maybe if they stay in shape. and hunt a lot later in the day. Have rented them up there in the past and never had any problems. You can get run over in Dallas at any time. you don't have to go with a fully guided hunt, go with a pack in camp.

Llamas are cheaper than mules and they wont kill you. You can't ride them but they will carry your stuff. I can hike anywhere if I'm not carrying a lot of weight.

Don't they spit on you.....

All I asked about was backpack suggestions, but THFers always have more input. This is getting entertaining anyway since I don't watch kneel down football anymore.

I had a back pack when I was in Boy Scouts but don't remember the brand....

Main thing is make sure it fits properly. A lot of the new ones have adjustable stays and/or get your size measurements before you order.

www.camofire.com

They've got some mystery ranch packs up today.

I use a pack frame that breaks down into a very small parcel. Got it from the Boone and Crockett Club. Made out of aircraft grade aluminum I can break it down and stow it easily in my daypack. When something hits the ground I like to bone it on site (where legal) and just bring out the meat. I have packed a lot of elk, deer, pronghorn with it in addition to a couple black bear and a mountain goat.

Here is a link to it:
https://www.boone-crockett.org/store/ind...p;action=detail

The problem with horses is they are a pain in the butt. I can pack my bags, jump in my truck and be elk hunting in less than 24 hours. And I have shot plenty of elk down low, infact the year before last I shot a bull not 2 miles from camp. Getting up really high is a nice, but you don't have too. I make it a point when I start out in the morning to climb as high as I can, then spend the afternoon working my way back down to camp.

I remember a few years ago the guys camped next to us had horses. Well, they got away from them and they spent the next 3 days up in the mountains trying to find their horses instead of hunt. I'm not saying that happens all the time, but it sure is nice not having to worry about taking care of the horses while hunting and enjoying myself.

Bobo asked the the real question...what type of hunt is it? Assuming guides and outfitters are not into the equation, you have 3 basic hunt types. 1-Camp by your truck and hunt from there. 2- hike in with your gear and establish base camp...hunt from there. 3- A bivy type hunt. Hunt #3 is not likely as most really don't understand what a true bivy hunt is and are not prepared to hunt that way...but its a DAM great way to kill an animal if your into it. Like me and most your going to want to hunt out of a vehicle camp situation. Camp life improves beyond what words can describe. But I only use the vehicle camp if I can get drawn. Otherwise I'm packing in and hunting out of a base camp. Your pack and other gear will be decided on your hunt type. Currently I use Kifaru pack that can haul all the gear/food I need for almost 2 weeks and can handle the loads. Plus its my day hunting pack when I get back in. I've used MR but sold it for kifaru only for the weight and a better fit with a load FOR ME. MR makes a dam good pack though. The most comfortable DAY pack I ever used was my old Dwight Schu plastic frame with just the fanny attached. But that about all I would use it for though. You can use an all in one pack for hunt/pack or get a smaller day pack but will need the hauler if you kill. Truck camp...smaller, cheaper day pack with a hauler on stand by. Hike in base camp you will want an all inclusive pack. DO NOT rely on outfitter to pack out your animal....you better be prepared to get it out yourself. They have real paying clients and they come first to them. I had one tell me it would be 5 days before he could get to me...like I was about to wait that long lol. Remember this...putting about 90lbs or more on your back...NO MATTER WHO'S PACK it is will not be comfortable....but the level of pain will vary with the pack type. I'd get my [censored] in shape and use a mid range pack before I'd go in fat and disgusting with a top of line pack. Your shape and attitude trumps ALL.

Go gettem!

Goats?

BDB thanks for the input. I am getting back in a better shape than the round one I am now. I have a don't quit attitude so I have a trump card. I Will have fun either way. I know that 100# is not doable for me. If it has to be 60-75# then that is what it is. I first have to get there, find the legal animal, shoot it, KILL IT, and then work my arse off getting it out. We have friends that have hunted there for over 15 yrs and they now stay in cabins next to the unit and drive UTV in to hunt daily. That is what we are looking at. Would I love to go in and tent camp? Heck yea, but I know my age, shape, and how soon the gas tank runs out now. When I get there I will have been successful already. What comes home is up to God and my abilities to work at it. My THFs have supplied me with knowledge, insights, and laughs. Keep it up folks.