Gents, which hunting pack should I buy? I've been looking a little at Eberlestock and Kifaru. I need a pack mostly for day hiking/hunting and the biggest animals I haul out are quartered Elk. I need your wisdom.
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Hunting & Fishing Hunting Pack
- Thread starter ManBearPig
- Start date
Re: Hunting Pack
I've had an Eberlestock G4 Operator for a couple years and absolutely love it. It's my one ruck for deployments and have served me well through two tours all over RC East in Afghanistan. If you're hiking into your area and camping, I'd look no further than an Operator. I don't know much about their smaller options, but I can say that Eberlestock will be the first and last choice for whatever pack I get next, probably a day pack for eastern whitetail hunting.
I've had an Eberlestock G4 Operator for a couple years and absolutely love it. It's my one ruck for deployments and have served me well through two tours all over RC East in Afghanistan. If you're hiking into your area and camping, I'd look no further than an Operator. I don't know much about their smaller options, but I can say that Eberlestock will be the first and last choice for whatever pack I get next, probably a day pack for eastern whitetail hunting.
Re: Hunting Pack
For just day trips you may want to have a look at the Eberlestock Phantom. Plenty big for a 3 day pack
For just day trips you may want to have a look at the Eberlestock Phantom. Plenty big for a 3 day pack
Re: Hunting Pack
Without knowing more specifics, making a recommendation is a little tough here. Here is what I'm assuming is what you want:
--Hunting oriented applications, such as a day's worth of gear for an elk hunt. Will have a base camp where you can keep non essential hunting gear, so all you need is a pack that can handle your gear for a day long hunt AND provide the capacity & ability to haul an elk quarter should you harvest an animal.;
--Want a "hunting" camo pattern, not a solid color or military/digital looking pattern;
There are a number of different make/models out there that could fulfill this role. Badlands makes some nice gear, and Blacks Creek has just completely revamped their line & have a model that should work well too. When it comes to Eberlestock, they definitely have some packs that could work, but which ones to recommend is going to vary whether you want the pack to have the ability to scabbard a rifle or not. While I don't know your preference, I'd say that either the Eberlestock J51 Jackhammer or F52 Warhammer would be excellent packs for your need(s). Both can be outfitted with a scabbard, both use an ALICE frame that can be a godsend when hauling an elk quarter, and both can be made to work from a capacity standpoint with regard to your daily gear.
Give us some more specifics as to your needs/wants/preferences, and I'm sure the crew here can narrow it down to a few options.
Ceylon
deltaoutdoorsman.com
Without knowing more specifics, making a recommendation is a little tough here. Here is what I'm assuming is what you want:
--Hunting oriented applications, such as a day's worth of gear for an elk hunt. Will have a base camp where you can keep non essential hunting gear, so all you need is a pack that can handle your gear for a day long hunt AND provide the capacity & ability to haul an elk quarter should you harvest an animal.;
--Want a "hunting" camo pattern, not a solid color or military/digital looking pattern;
There are a number of different make/models out there that could fulfill this role. Badlands makes some nice gear, and Blacks Creek has just completely revamped their line & have a model that should work well too. When it comes to Eberlestock, they definitely have some packs that could work, but which ones to recommend is going to vary whether you want the pack to have the ability to scabbard a rifle or not. While I don't know your preference, I'd say that either the Eberlestock J51 Jackhammer or F52 Warhammer would be excellent packs for your need(s). Both can be outfitted with a scabbard, both use an ALICE frame that can be a godsend when hauling an elk quarter, and both can be made to work from a capacity standpoint with regard to your daily gear.
Give us some more specifics as to your needs/wants/preferences, and I'm sure the crew here can narrow it down to a few options.
Ceylon
deltaoutdoorsman.com
Re: Hunting Pack
I won't be packing more than a days gear. It must have a scabbard or a way to carry a rifle. It must be able to haul meat. I'd prefer a frame. I need a camo pattern of some type.
I won't be packing more than a days gear. It must have a scabbard or a way to carry a rifle. It must be able to haul meat. I'd prefer a frame. I need a camo pattern of some type.
Re: Hunting Pack
Then you want an eberlestock, & you want to get it from ceylon. I got a gs2 from him last year, & am totally satisfied with the pack, & the service I got from ceylon. I'd give him a call, & let him know how much gear you usually carry for a days hunt, get his take on your options, & get the one that has the layout that fits your gear best. Eberlestock has a ton of options to look through.
Then you want an eberlestock, & you want to get it from ceylon. I got a gs2 from him last year, & am totally satisfied with the pack, & the service I got from ceylon. I'd give him a call, & let him know how much gear you usually carry for a days hunt, get his take on your options, & get the one that has the layout that fits your gear best. Eberlestock has a ton of options to look through.
Re: Hunting Pack
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bigwheels</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Then you want an eberlestock, & you want to get it from ceylon. I got a gs2 from him last year, & am totally satisfied with the pack, & the service I got from ceylon. I'd give him a call, & let him know how much gear you usually carry for a days hunt, get his take on your options, & get the one that has the layout that fits your gear best. Eberlestock has a ton of options to look through.</div></div>
+1 Check out the Eberlestock packs. Find one that suits your needs. Then order it from Ceylon!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bigwheels</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Then you want an eberlestock, & you want to get it from ceylon. I got a gs2 from him last year, & am totally satisfied with the pack, & the service I got from ceylon. I'd give him a call, & let him know how much gear you usually carry for a days hunt, get his take on your options, & get the one that has the layout that fits your gear best. Eberlestock has a ton of options to look through.</div></div>
+1 Check out the Eberlestock packs. Find one that suits your needs. Then order it from Ceylon!
Re: Hunting Pack
Look ay Mystery Ranch packs as well......I use their Longbow model for day hunting. I've packed plenty of elk meat with it.
Look ay Mystery Ranch packs as well......I use their Longbow model for day hunting. I've packed plenty of elk meat with it.
Re: Hunting Pack
These are quite popular and carry a load well and from what you ask for a framer will fit your need. A day pack will strap on the frame and over meat.
http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sport...72545/cat100861
A little better at toting the weight of a moose 5th.
http://barneyssports.com/backpacks/external-frame/frontier-gear-of-alaska-frieghter-frame.html
For toting a rifle, store bought coat / hat hooks can be found and someone makes a carry cradle. I Wasillabilly a coat hook bent steel to make my own. The hook will bolt to holes in the frame. Needs to be short enough to unhook with ease but enough to tote the pop gun.
A freighter pack with external frame carries weight very good on trails and easy terrain. Gets all the weight on the hips. I carried an external freighter for years. I mostly hunted from canoes in 15 until too many hunters ruined the area. The frame allowed a good platform for portaging and toting meat to the canoe on fairly ruff terrain bogs, dead falls, greasy hills.
On ruff terrain and off trail especially hills and side hilling or mountain hunting, an internal does a better job at carrying weight. Distributes weight on the hips and shoulders / chest. For heavy loads like game, the stays or frame should connect to the waist belt like an external, not float, the waist belt needs to be hard and stiff or the weight will flatten it out, kind of counter intuitive. Fancy sculptured soft waist belts are good for ads and weekend backpackers but for real weight in the backcounty for hard users, they are not.
One of if not the best internal freighter store bought pack;
http://www.alaskamountaineering.com/denali-pro/
The problem with buying a backpack is, it should be fit to your body and very few really know how to fit packs. The pack should fit as close to ideal as possible from the packaging then a good fitter needs to adjust it.
Good luck
These are quite popular and carry a load well and from what you ask for a framer will fit your need. A day pack will strap on the frame and over meat.
http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sport...72545/cat100861
A little better at toting the weight of a moose 5th.
http://barneyssports.com/backpacks/external-frame/frontier-gear-of-alaska-frieghter-frame.html
For toting a rifle, store bought coat / hat hooks can be found and someone makes a carry cradle. I Wasillabilly a coat hook bent steel to make my own. The hook will bolt to holes in the frame. Needs to be short enough to unhook with ease but enough to tote the pop gun.
A freighter pack with external frame carries weight very good on trails and easy terrain. Gets all the weight on the hips. I carried an external freighter for years. I mostly hunted from canoes in 15 until too many hunters ruined the area. The frame allowed a good platform for portaging and toting meat to the canoe on fairly ruff terrain bogs, dead falls, greasy hills.
On ruff terrain and off trail especially hills and side hilling or mountain hunting, an internal does a better job at carrying weight. Distributes weight on the hips and shoulders / chest. For heavy loads like game, the stays or frame should connect to the waist belt like an external, not float, the waist belt needs to be hard and stiff or the weight will flatten it out, kind of counter intuitive. Fancy sculptured soft waist belts are good for ads and weekend backpackers but for real weight in the backcounty for hard users, they are not.
One of if not the best internal freighter store bought pack;
http://www.alaskamountaineering.com/denali-pro/
The problem with buying a backpack is, it should be fit to your body and very few really know how to fit packs. The pack should fit as close to ideal as possible from the packaging then a good fitter needs to adjust it.
Good luck
Re: Hunting Pack
I don't just want a pack frame to tie meat onto. I'm looking hard at this Blue Widow. How does the scabbard attach to it?
I don't just want a pack frame to tie meat onto. I'm looking hard at this Blue Widow. How does the scabbard attach to it?
Re: Hunting Pack
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ManBearPig</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't just want a pack frame to tie meat onto. I'm looking hard at this Blue Widow. How does the scabbard attach to it? </div></div>
By weaving a strap through some MOLLE on the scabbard and pack, and i think it also had a couple clips as well....Pretty easy but does take a little trial and error to get the position of scabbard right for you. The bigger scabbard (A2LS I think it is) is a damn tight fit for a "tactical" bolt action rifle. Don't plan on drawing it out or putting it in very quickly. Pack has to be off, at least for me, with a bipod on.
Blue Widow ain't a bad pack for what you're looking to use it for though. I like mine.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ManBearPig</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't just want a pack frame to tie meat onto. I'm looking hard at this Blue Widow. How does the scabbard attach to it? </div></div>
By weaving a strap through some MOLLE on the scabbard and pack, and i think it also had a couple clips as well....Pretty easy but does take a little trial and error to get the position of scabbard right for you. The bigger scabbard (A2LS I think it is) is a damn tight fit for a "tactical" bolt action rifle. Don't plan on drawing it out or putting it in very quickly. Pack has to be off, at least for me, with a bipod on.
Blue Widow ain't a bad pack for what you're looking to use it for though. I like mine.
Re: Hunting Pack
I've had an original Eberle Gunslinger from ceylonc for a several years now. It has been a GREAT pack for me, but I wanted something a little more modular & capacious for an upcoming DIY backcountry archery elk hunt. With the help of Ceylon, my choice was widdled down to the Blue Widow w/some accessories (butt bucket, spike duffel, hydration bladder)...
Can't give any tangible report on the pack, since this trip is two months distant, but I won't hesitate to recommend Ceylon as your "go to" guy for an Eberlestock...
I've had an original Eberle Gunslinger from ceylonc for a several years now. It has been a GREAT pack for me, but I wanted something a little more modular & capacious for an upcoming DIY backcountry archery elk hunt. With the help of Ceylon, my choice was widdled down to the Blue Widow w/some accessories (butt bucket, spike duffel, hydration bladder)...
Can't give any tangible report on the pack, since this trip is two months distant, but I won't hesitate to recommend Ceylon as your "go to" guy for an Eberlestock...
Re: Hunting Pack
Check out Badlands. They make some nice packs and they stand behind their products.
Check out Badlands. They make some nice packs and they stand behind their products.
Re: Hunting Pack
I got a Blue Widow in the summer of 2009. I have nothing but praise for it. I can cinch it down tight and snug and its a great day pack. Then expand it out to carry out a buck's worth of boned out meat and rack. In fact, I did just that the month after I got it. Sure beat the Hell out of dragging through the cholla. It's very comfortable weighed down.
When I was stationed back East, I strapped my treestand to the back of it. Filled it with meat after the shot. Did great. Very versatile. I dislike fanny packs so I either leave it on top, or strap it to my quad(if I'm using one) so I have a hydration bladder readily available. I don't have the larger scabbard so I don't keep a bipod on my hunting rifles. To provide a good rest, I got one of Eberlestock's pack mountable rests.
The only place the Blue Widow falls short is the scabbard size. But, I also have a G4 Operator( I was so impressed w/Eberlestock, I looked at nothing but their offerings) which will carry my .338LM 0r a M4/30rnd mag. Different pack; different use.
Again, nothing but praise.
jake
I got a Blue Widow in the summer of 2009. I have nothing but praise for it. I can cinch it down tight and snug and its a great day pack. Then expand it out to carry out a buck's worth of boned out meat and rack. In fact, I did just that the month after I got it. Sure beat the Hell out of dragging through the cholla. It's very comfortable weighed down.
When I was stationed back East, I strapped my treestand to the back of it. Filled it with meat after the shot. Did great. Very versatile. I dislike fanny packs so I either leave it on top, or strap it to my quad(if I'm using one) so I have a hydration bladder readily available. I don't have the larger scabbard so I don't keep a bipod on my hunting rifles. To provide a good rest, I got one of Eberlestock's pack mountable rests.
The only place the Blue Widow falls short is the scabbard size. But, I also have a G4 Operator( I was so impressed w/Eberlestock, I looked at nothing but their offerings) which will carry my .338LM 0r a M4/30rnd mag. Different pack; different use.
Again, nothing but praise.
jake
