Backpack recommendation for white tail saddle hunting

[GR1NCH11]

Check out a Kifaru Shape Charge. It has the option to add a hip belt, has molle on the front to run straps to hold your sticks, and it eliminates the cost of buying a pack plus frame. May be a little pricey compared to other non frame pack offerings discussed here. But with Kifaru you have a lot of modularity to add pouches, lids, and other offerings.

 

[Professor]

Mystery Ranch packs on Camofire today.

 

[Jg48]

Like the idea of the Mule on the guide lite MT frame, and at a later date upgrading to a bigger pack on the same frame as I start doing more back country hunting. But as far as I can see they only sell the mule as bag only for those who already have another pack/frame. I can’t seem to find anywhere that sells frame only or the mule with the frame?

 

[BravoNovember]

Pack Systems and Saddle Setup for Whitetail Hang-and-Hunts

Exo Mtn Gear Pack Systems are built for the backcountry, but also work great for mobile whitetail hunters that are carrying treestand or saddle-hunting setups into hard-to-reach

exomtngear.com

 

[eaglemountainman]

Mystery Ranch packs on Camofire today.

Blackovis as well, plus free shipping.

Though my Pop Up 28 is a very capable daypack for the stillhunting that I prefer, for the extra gear and weight that you anticipate, I would look more towards the Guide Light MT frame with a Sawtooth 45 (my choice) or Pintler bag. That frame is much better suited and way more comfortable under a heavy load.

 

[Professor]

Blackovis as well, plus free shipping.

Though my Pop Up 28 is a very capable daypack for the stillhunting that I prefer, for the extra gear and weight that you anticipate, I would look more towards the Guide Light MT frame with a Sawtooth 45 (my choice) or Pintler bag. That frame is much better suited and way more comfortable under a heavy load.

I have yet to handle the Sawtooth, but I certainly want to. I use a Selway or Cabinet depending on how long I will be out and how much I have to carry. They are all on the same frame, the Guide Lite, and that thing is robust. I hunt whitetails in the eastern mountains, and I am usually at least 2 miles in. Packing animals out is brutal, so I won't take a daypack in.

 

[Professor]

Like the idea of the Mule on the guide lite MT frame, and at a later date upgrading to a bigger pack on the same frame as I start doing more back country hunting. But as far as I can see they only sell the mule as bag only for those who already have another pack/frame. I can’t seem to find anywhere that sells frame only or the mule with the frame?

You can buy the frame by itself. You can also find frames and packs used. They no longer make the Cabinet, unfortunately. They do still sell the Crewcab, which is what the Cabinet was modeled on. It is one of their military packs and it would work for everything. 1,900 ci but can expand to 5,000.

 

[Jg48]

Blackovis as well, plus free shipping.

Though my Pop Up 28 is a very capable daypack for the stillhunting that I prefer, for the extra gear and weight that you anticipate, I would look more towards the Guide Light MT frame with a Sawtooth 45 (my choice) or Pintler bag. That frame is much better suited and way more comfortable under a heavy load.

Leaning towards sawtooth. Seems like a small enough bag for long day hunting. Although I’m 6’7” 240lbs, so im not to concerned with a bigger bag/frame, what other might consider bulky, I probably would not. Full frame would be more ideal for pack out and the 270* zipper on main compartment looks awesome. Also saw there’s a lid attachment that can be added if I ever do multi day hunts

 

[eaglemountainman]

Leaning towards sawtooth. Seems like a small enough bag for long day hunting. Although I’m 6’7” 240lbs, so im not to concerned with a bigger bag/frame, what other might consider bulky, I probably would not. Full frame would be more ideal for pack out and the 270* zipper on main compartment looks awesome. Also saw there’s a lid attachment that can be added if I ever do multi day hunts

The zipper will spoil you. It's my favorite feature of the bag because of its convenience. For me, the size is the sweet spot between a larger day pack, and being able to spend 2-3 nights out.

My Pop Up 28 is my preferred day pack for early/mid season, but when I need to pack bulky extra layers and gear late season, the Sawtooth is the go to.


I caught a sale on the hunting day lid, but haven’t needed to use it yet. I keep it in the load sling in case I ever need it. With its own integral harness, in the right situation, I can see it being a real asset as a stand alone. Such as a prepacked kill kit for a stalk or a quick scouting trip.

Good luck if you go that way. If the frame is a good fit for you, I think you'll really be happy with it.

 

[MightyWhitey]

I modified a Kifaru Stryker and I really like it. Sorry I don’t have pics with the platform and sticks attached right now but I’m sure you get the idea. I had my brother sew a sipper in the bottom so I could take just the bag up the tree with me if I wanted and leave the rest on the ground. I strap the platform and sticks to all that molle webbing then fold the pack up over top of it. With all the webbing attachments there’s places for more straps and plenty of room to pack meat between the bag and frame.

 

[Macintosh]

You asked about MR popup 38. I'm using a MR popup 18 for this, which I really like. I put saddle platform in the load shelf, my 2-step sticks sideways in the load shelf (I HATE sticks sticking above my head as they snag on every branch I duck under), and if i need a heavier pair of bibs or something for cold wx I roll them up and strap to the top of the pack bag. I have packed out an entire quartered antelope in this pack (quarters bone-in) along with rifle hunting gear, but where I hunt whitetails we're required to weigh in the entire deer so not allowed to quarter in the field, so I havent done this with saddle gear on board. The pack itself is more than capable of carrying a deer, but to do so with stand and sticks you'd end up having to strap stand and sticks and anything else on the outside. If you had a 28 or 38l size I think you'd have more room for heavier clothes, could put saddle platform in the bag, etc, so I'm sure it would be tight but I do not think you'd really have a problem with either. I've been doing more late season hunting and have been trying to decide if I need a lighter, more packable pair of insulated pants, or a 28l version of this pack. Havent decided yet.

 

[SevereTravis7]

I used a Mystery Ranch Pop up 38 for 2-3 years. They had great customer service when I would break buckles etc. Just was annoyed I was breaking straps or buckles. Worked great though, hauled multiple deer with it a mile out. I now have a Kifaru Stryker and let me just say this, ill never go back. Kifaru frame to me is worth every penny. The stryker works great for white tail saddle hunting. The way the Kifaru distributes the weight in comparison to the mystery ranch for me is unmatched.

 

[Professor]

I used a Mystery Ranch Pop up 38 for 2-3 years. They had great customer service when I would break buckles etc. Just was annoyed I was breaking straps or buckles. Worked great though, hauled multiple deer with it a mile out. I now have a Kifaru Stryker and let me just say this, ill never go back. Kifaru frame to me is worth every penny. The stryker works great for white tail saddle hunting. The way the Kifaru distributes the weight in comparison to the mystery ranch for me is unmatched.

A friend recently bought that same setup. I will see him in August. I am looking forward to comparing it with the full-size MR guidelight frame and pack.

 

[Ho5tile1]

I’ve went through a few packs for saddle hunting white tails and I’ve ended up on the kuiu 1800 for when it’s hot and the pro 3600 during winter as it holds my fanatic bibs and jacket. Both hold my 3 sticks when I don’t one stick it and the predator XL. On the outside of the pack with the straps. I thought the 3600 would be to big in the tree but it’s not bad once I’m all set up. Also give a look at the eberlystock X2 it’s pretty nice as well… good luck


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tracker12]

Stryker xl is definitely on my list, but I’m a new hunter, and while I prefer the “buy once cry once” approach, after getting everything at once (clothes, sticks, saddle etc) price point needs to be considered.

Would MR pop up 38 be capable of hauling a full deer (plus everything I haul in) out?

Thanks for the replies everyone

Boned out Whitetail is around #35. weigh your gear add meat weight and it will help in your decision. O could most likely get way with a Kuiu Venture 2300.

 

[eaglemountainman]

Boned out Whitetail is around #35. weigh your gear add meat weight and it will help in your decision. O could most likely get way with a Kuiu Venture 2300.

35 lb. seems a bit light unless you're hunting Coues deer. Our northern deer normally yield 60-65 lb. of boneless meat.

 

[Professor]

Boned out Whitetail is around #35. weigh your gear add meat weight and it will help in your decision. O could most likely get way with a Kuiu Venture 2300.

35 pounds would be a little one or maybe one with a lot of meat damage. A mature whitetail buck will yield 60-90 lbs in most cases.

 

[SevereTravis7]

Stryker xl is definitely on my list, but I’m a new hunter, and while I prefer the “buy once cry once” approach, after getting everything at once (clothes, sticks, saddle etc) price point needs to be considered.

Would MR pop up 38 be capable of hauling a full deer (plus everything I haul in) out?

Thanks for the replies everyone

Pop up 38 here. Quartered the deer for it into the pack. I got 60lbs of meat from the processor from him. So with bone and everything in the pack yea, good amount of weight. It handled it fine. 1 mile hike out.

BUT! As I said in my other comment My Kifaru Stryker feels WAY better and worth every penny for the Kifaru frame. So I would just spend more the first time.

My sticks were not in the pack because I had walked back to the truck to eat and shed a layer but I could have strapped them on.

 

[scott85]

I’m a fan of the popups this is the 18. This is on an army base where the deer can’t be quartered.

 

[SevereTravis7]

I’m a fan of the popups this is the 18. This is on an army base where the deer can’t be quartered.

Gear ties FTW. So handy.