Bobo

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Done

Thank you.

First question. I know there has been a thread about it, but I cannot find it. What was your best recommendation for a frame pack for packing out an elk?

Second, what is your recommendation for a waterproof pant rain layer?

Thanks!

Frame packs go like boots, several brands work well its just what fits you best. If you want a simple meat hauler, kifaru makes a good frame with some attachments that can haul meat. If you want a pack that can also haul meat, there are plenty of options, stone glacier, kuiu (newer models), kifaru, exo, and (surprisingly) sitka were pretty good according to one reviewer on rokslide.com. Don’t need to be a member to see the posts, get there and do some research.

Rain pants will depend on your needs. Purely waterproof is easy, just pick something out like frogg toggs or some sort of good goretex or rubber and make it work. But for a functional pair that needs to bust brush and handle moving a lot, thats a different ballgame. For that kind of rain gear, look at sitka cloudburst and kuiu kutana rain gear. Rain gear can be found used, nwot, open but not used, etc, for near third or half off. Some brands come up on camofire.com for decent discounts too. Also, some companies offer discounts for military, first responders, etc.

Thank you

Are any game bags better than others?

By game bags you talking about meat bags?

Pretty much all seem the same except for the really cheap ones. I try to get the antimicrobial ones, though part of me feels that is gimmick, i don’t really know. Never had any problems with the ines you get at cabelas. But those will get blood all over anything its being carried in. A lot of guys use scent free garbage bags so they can carry in their packs and keep them somewhat clean.

Thank you

Pack bag size is based on how you hunt. Day pack, or pack in 1-3 days, 5-7, 7plus

Large bag size on cheap... cabeles or alps frame
Small bag size day pack mid price....mystery ranch pop out
Higher dollar but is a Multi bag size enter change system..... exo, stone glacier, Kifaru, mystery ranch, kuiu


On pants, I normally don’t carry them elk hunting. No where I hunt really warrants them. I can sleep my pant dry and I wear gaiters. If you need some go full length zips so you can vent hips(Kuiu, Sitka, arcteryx, stone glacier are all pro hunting/military)

I’m sure some guys love frog toggs, but I personally think the entire line is not worth the coin

Any of the synthetic ones work fine- Kuiu, caribou, BRO, Black Orvis, etc. Biggest thing is decide if you want bone out size or whole qtr size.

I'm with BoBo on rain pants. get some nice quiet pants that do not absorb much water and get some quiet, brushed gaiters. Most times gaiters will keep your legs just as dry as rain pants and be much quieter.

Personally spouse and I use a day pack for all elk hunting and have a pack frame in the truck or camp for hauling meat. Day pack is of size to carry out a boned out load first trip back to get the pack frame.
For packing out in a frame, the lightweight game bags are great, Caribou, Black Ovis etc. We keep some heavy canvas ones in camp or truck for hanging meat in camp or transport in truck.

Get a pack frame that fits your body. Even an older Coleman Peak frame will work great if it fits you. We both have Wilderness pack frames and really like them. For gaiters we have Kenetrek and they work great and are quiet.

https://www.wildernesspacks.net/product-page/big-horn-frame

The aluminum pack frames work fine as well and cost less than $75.

What BOBO said.
I also like these: https://lastusbag.com/collections/outdoor-recreation/products/gote-bone-out-game-bag[/img]

I just got me some Argali MOB bags and they seem like the ones to get now. I have TAG bags for deboned meat and I have Caribou bags MOB. I went Argali MOB because....they are about half the size as the caribou and just as strong and lighter. My son is joining me this year for his first archery elk hunt and I researched bags for him....found Argali and got him some and updated my bags. Cannot believe the size and weight difference between caribou and Argali. By size I mean pack size, not actual size. I think all the major players from a quality standpoint you cannot go wrong but choose the lightest/packable brand....and today thats Argali.

My son went with kifaru Hoodlum pack/bag. I have the older kifaru Timberline pack and cannot justify another as its great but must admit his is nicer. Both of us can pack in and day hunt then haul meat with our packs. His pack he can change bags also, the Timberline pack/bag is married together and no getting divorced.

I just don't think pant bottoms are that big a deal for archery elk. Tops are more important....that said I have the cabbalas rain suade???? had them for 5 years or so. very light and packable but not Sitka quality. If its raining/lightning hard I'm waiting it out anyway.