Day Pack VS Cinched Down 75L Pack for Elk Hunting?

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Aug 13, 2014
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Looking ahead to next fall's plans already, and I can't decide which is the better option for an archery elk, spike camp, hunt. I have a Badlands Diablo day pack, and an Osprey Xenith 75L pack. I was thinking I'd use my Osprey to pack everything in a few miles to a camping spot, and use it as (hopefully) a meat hauler. But also bring my day pack in with me to use while hunting each day. Starting to think I might be better off leaving the Badlands behind and just cinching down all the compression straps on the Osprey to use as my day pack instead. I wanted to ask for some advice from all you bowhunting folks. My concerns are:

- My Osprey is the usual noisy nylon material found on "regular" backpacking packs
- It is taller and bulkier than my little day pack
- And maybe not a big deal, but it's not camo, just a dark gray color

So what do you guys think? I understand the best plan would be to just go out and drop $700 on a high-end, hunting specific pack, but unfortunately that's just not in the cards for this guy. I'll just have to get by with what I have for now. Looking forward to hearing opinions from everyone!
 
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I'm not familiar with your Osprey pack but I used a Kifaru EMRII and Guide Lid (roughly 9600ci) cinched down for my day hunting this Sept in CO for elk. Worked great and I avoided carrying the extra weight of a second day pack. If your Osprey will cinch down ok then I'd run it and use the weight/space for needed gear.
 

oldgoat

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In your shoes, I'd probably pack in the daypack, in reality, it only adds the weight of the empty day pack to your osprey and loadout.
 

InIt2Live

Lil-Rokslider
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That's quite a conundrum... First off, I own and use 2 different osprey packs, and love them. I do not use them for hunting, and I would never try hauling meat with them. That's not to say they won't work, but I can't imagine them doing so in comfort, if at all, without breaking.

I understand not having the money for a crazy high end pack, but there are cheaper solutions to your problem, that will do better than trying to make your packs do things they weren't meant for. If you can scrape up a little money, you can scoop up and older camp trails frame and pack for under $100 on the auction site. Or look into buying just a frame, like the Alps frame, and strap your gear and badlands to it. That would allow you utilize the daypack while leaving the frame at camp. Then you can carry a small load out with the badlands, get the frame and head back for the heavy stuff.

Osprey packs aren't cheap, so to abuse one with meat hauling isn't worth the chance of destroying it, at least not to me. I know it's been done, and some will still do it, but it wouldn't be my choice at all.
 
OP
M
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Aug 13, 2014
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Thanks for everyone's insight so far! I did use my Osprey on a rifle mule deer hunt last fall and was actually pretty happy with how it worked for me. We just packed our camp out in one trip and then went back and packed meat out on a second trip. We were only three miles back in so it wasn't too bad. I'm not sure I'd want try put my knees and ankles through too many miles of 100 lb. loads anyway. My main concerns now are mostly related to using it on an archery hunt. Will it cause any problems for me while trying to sneak in on an elk due to the size and noise? And will I be putting myself at a disadvantage by not having a camo pack when getting close? I can't imagine this is a huge concern. But I'm all ears, and appreciate everyone's thoughts on the subject.
 
Joined
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3rd option ;)

I'd probably sell them and pick up an EXO. Thats what I ended up doing, the last few years I was using a Marmot to pack in and then a day pack to hunt. Its great until you get something down. This year used the EXO to pack in, as a day pack (archery and rifle) and for meat packing. It was awesome in every aspect.
 

oldgoat

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If the elk is behind you and can see your pack, your probably not going to get a shot anyways. I personally r take off my pack when calling or making a stalk anyways and if you just run into one walking through the forest, he won't be behind you! If you elk hunt much, figure out how to buy a hunting pack, sooner you do it, the sooner the crying is over! I worked a hundred plus hours of overtime this year to do it! If it's possible, get a holiday job and make the sacrifice, I can totally understand sometimes that's not an option for everyone, but if it is, do it, you will not be disappointed!

Thanks for everyone's insight so far! I did use my Osprey on a rifle mule deer hunt last fall and was actually pretty happy with how it worked for me. We just packed our camp out in one trip and then went back and packed meat out on a second trip. We were only three miles back in so it wasn't too bad. I'm not sure I'd want try put my knees and ankles through too many miles of 100 lb. loads anyway. My main concerns now are mostly related to using it on an archery hunt. Will it cause any problems for me while trying to sneak in on an elk due to the size and noise? And will I be putting myself at a disadvantage by not having a camo pack when getting close? I can't imagine this is a huge concern. But I'm all ears, and appreciate everyone's thoughts on the subject.
 

luke moffat

Super Moderator
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Feb 24, 2012
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I really like osprey packs and have packed out animals with the much lighter framed Aether 85 and will say it did the job but the much stiffer frame of the Xenith will do that even better IMO. I would leave the day pack at home and just hunt with the Opsrey.
 

Lockster

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For me it all comes down to how comfortable the Osprey is with a heavy load.

Ospreys warranty covers free repair of ANY damage on ANY osprey pack regardless of how it was damaged or how old the pack is, so if you rip a seam or tear out a pack strap then they'll fix it free or replace the pack with a brand new equivalent pack, so don't be scared of pushing the osprey hard. Now whether it is comfortable at higher weights is another matter...
 

kad11

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If you have access to a sewing machine it is pretty easy to make a quiet pack cover with some fleece fabric, grosgrain ribbon, and shock cord. I know it is added weight, but it makes any pack pretty much dead silent and you can find camo fleece pretty easily. I would make a fleece cover and just use the Osprey... I use an REI Mars 80 for day hunting and I don't feel that it is too bulky for sneaking through the timber. You will definitely appreciate the extra volume when you get something on the ground.
 
Joined
Jul 23, 2015
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Prescott Valley, AZ
The Osprey packs work great, with a few mods like a rifle holder, they will pack out pretty comfortably. I don't think the day pack is worth the extra weight to pack it in, when you can just cinch up your bigger pack and be ready to throw that elk quarter in there to pack it out.
 

Flyrod

Lil-Rokslider
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Coastal BC, Canada
Use your Osprey... go hike around in ninja mode and see how it does. You've humped out dead stuff already.. You know it works. Camo is for more our sake than the animals.
While the name brand hunting pack kool aid can taste great... It's not necessary if the budget isn't there.
 

Stwrt9

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kuiu would have been an option at 30% off but there all sold out. i really dropped the ball on that one really wish i was able to pick one up before they sold out!
 

dotman

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I really like osprey packs and have packed out animals with the much lighter framed Aether 85 and will say it did the job but the much stiffer frame of the Xenith will do that even better IMO. I would leave the day pack at home and just hunt with the Opsrey.

X2... Why pack in another when the big one can be cinched down.
 

dotman

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kuiu would have been an option at 30% off but there all sold out. i really dropped the ball on that one really wish i was able to pick one up before they sold out!

Have you looked at the Kifaru Rhino Den, some good deals in there currently. You can get a 7000ci high camp bag for around $150 and the old duplex for $280. They also have the T1 and T2 on closeout.

Another place to look is at the mystery ranch closeouts.

Actually right now is probably the cheapest time in history to get into a Kifaru or MR new.
 

Randle

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I will be the odd man out but I hunt thick brush in N Idaho and for me smaller and quieter take the lead when I made this decision. My small badlands carries all I need for day hunt and can carry a small first load out. I would rather hunt light and compact and quiet so I guess it depends on where you hunt if I was hunted alot more open terrain then it might be different. Where are you hunting?
 
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