External frame packs for whole deer

[Scolopax-munster]

I am new to the forum, living in Wales in the UK. Have hunted over in Alberta a couple of times, managing a couple of typical whitetail bucks.

back here in the UK most of my hunting is on private farms, mainly for fallow deer, ranging from 30kg (66lbs) to 60kg 130lbs, dressed weight, head off and gutted.

I need to get them off the land whole, and the two options that keep coming back to me is kifaru or barneys. I won't be quartering at all, so no need to put inside an actual backpack, so what are you guys using/suggest for this?

The modular system of the kifaru is great, but most of my hunting is a few miles max from the truck, so I am not adding anything on really, just need to get the deer out, however I do like the idea of having a multi purpous pack. Barneys looks like a deer hauling machine but little use for its modularity.

any pics would be great if you have either pack and haul deer out whole.

 

[Wapiti1]

Alpz Trophy X or Commander Frame, Slumberjack Railhauler 2, Eberlestock Mainframe would do the job for you. Barney's is the Cadillac of external frame packs. Kifaru is nice, but for what you describe, I would want an external with meat shelf.

Any of the above would work well. Since you are in the UK, I'm not sure what you have available.

Jeremy

 

[Jxferg7]

You could go with something like this. I run this most of the year and throw a guide lid on top and can add pockets. With the cargo net I’d assume you could pack anything anywhere. I’ve done tree stands and all sorts of things. It would work and is super light on just the frame and hip belt.

 

[Xbow hunter]

Look at the backpacking section of this forum and look at the Kifaru Stryker thread. There is a picture of a guy packing out a whole deer using the Stryker.

 

[Billy Goat]

Hill people gear decker pack would do it.


Most any external frame would do it really. But I think the design of the decker might work pretty well for it tho. Somewhere around 50 kg I would probably be trying to figure out how to carry it out in pieces. Like if everything needs to be removed, take the back hams off gutless and hide on, maybe head and neck also with that trip. Just makes for less chance of injuries while carrying less weight.

 

[wyosteve]

I've used a Cabelas Freighter frame (basically the same as Barney's) to pack out a whole mule deer and a couple whole(gutted) antelope. I prefer that style because it's easier to tie up legs, head, etc. Just my .02!

 

[Scolopax-munster]

You could go with something like this. I run this most of the year and throw a guide lid on top and can add pockets. With the cargo net I’d assume you could pack anything anywhere. I’ve done tree stands and all sorts of things. It would work and is super light on just the frame and hip belt.

I do like the cargo net kifaru do. My only concern with the kifaru is the shorter length of the frame. A fallow doe is around 32 inches long, which the Barney’s is big enough to accommodate whereas kifaru is 24” so there’s going to be some overfill.

 

[Scolopax-munster]

I've used a Cabelas Freighter frame (basically the same as Barney's) to pack out a whole mule deer and a couple whole(gutted) antelope. I prefer that style because it's easier to tie up legs, head, etc. Just my .02!

Any pictures of whole antelope on the frame?

I’ve never hunted antelope, one day hopefully, but what sort of weight are they gutted? They look pretty sturdy animals.

 

[alexanderg23]

I’ve put a whole deer in a Kifaru bag before. I also carried a whole smaller black bear down a mountain on the frame strapped in the straps and the grab-it.

 

[stitchesdraw]

I’ve used the Kifaru tactical frame and the cargo panel. I put the deer in the frame with the cavity towards my back so the legs would come from back to front. Tuck in the legs, cranker down with the webbing straps, put on the bright orange and away you go. That frame and panel will take way more than I ever will and it’s COMFY when fitted right making that load doable for longer.

Best of luck
Happy hunting


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[Scolopax-munster]

I’ve used the Kifaru tactical frame and the cargo panel. I put the deer in the frame with the cavity towards my back so the legs would come from back to front. Tuck in the legs, cranker down with the webbing straps, put on the bright orange and away you go. That frame and panel will take way more than I ever will and it’s COMFY when fitted right making that load doable for longer.

Best of luck
Happy hunting


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I was thinking tactical with bet but same principle.

not many people with photos of them carrying out entire deer as I am guessing the only reason you’d do that is because you are on your own!!!

 

[stitchesdraw]

I was thinking tactical with bet but same principle.

not many people with photos of them carrying out entire deer as I am guessing the only reason you’d do that is because you are on your own!!!

Don’t do it for the gram
Do it for the freezer !


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[stitchesdraw]

There’s a couple of frames on the FB Kifaru insiders page for sale right now several colours, frame and belt sizes. That group of folks are incredible to chat with and a great community. Might save ya a few bucks if you go that route. Plus get a few tips along the way.


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[Scolopax-munster]

There’s a couple of frames on the FB Kifaru insiders page for sale right now several colours, frame and belt sizes. That group of folks are incredible to chat with and a great community. Might save ya a few bucks if you go that route. Plus get a few tips along the way.


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good tip, have requested a join to the page!

 

[Jimss]

I'm a little curious why you need to haul out whole? Also, how far are you packing? It only takes me a matter of minutes to bone out a deer and would be a lot less mass and weight if boned.

lf there is no getting around packing out whole I would likely go with a Barneys pack. It likely is built for hauling huge bulk. I know a lot of Alaska guys rave about it for hauling out extreme loads....like moose.

I have a Kifaru Duplex frame with ERM2 bag and it is a meat plus camp hauling machine. The bag is ginormous. I've used it many times in Alaska hauling out lifesized capes, meat, plus camp.

With that said, I'm not sure an entire unboned deer would be very stable strapped to any pack but Barneys may be your best bet. If you plan on boning them out, Kifaru or Stone Glacier would be my 2 choices. Both of those packs would also be ideal for hunting.

 

[Scolopax-munster]

We don’t have a tag system here, I can shoot as many as I want, so I get pressured by my farmers to knock numbers back ( the Uk has seen a 60% increase in deer since the 1970’s, plus a bonus of being able to sell them. But to sell them they need to be whole, minus guts and head but in skin.

Interesting what you say about kifaru not stabilising loads as well as the Barney’s. As I’m after purely a hauler maybe that’s the way I should go....

 

[maxp]

I did it once and now my packouts look like the second pic...I used a kelty cache hauler but it's not worth hauling them out while when you can do gutless and leave the mess behind

 

[sndmn11]

This is a Seek Outside frame with a pronghorn. A Kifaru would function the same and it's a pretty simple task to get one strapped on.

 

[Hunterman22]

I need one like that!!

 

[Scolopax-munster]

I'm a little curious why you need to haul out whole? Also, how far are you packing? It only takes me a matter of minutes to bone out a deer and would be a lot less mass and weight if boned.

lf there is no getting around packing out whole I would likely go with a Barneys pack. It likely is built for hauling huge bulk. I know a lot of Alaska guys rave about it for hauling out extreme loads....like moose.

I have a Kifaru Duplex frame with ERM2 bag and it is a meat plus camp hauling machine. The bag is ginormous. I've used it many times in Alaska hauling out lifesized capes, meat, plus camp.

With that said, I'm not sure an entire unboned deer would be very stable strapped to any pack but Barneys may be your best bet. If you plan on boning them out, Kifaru or Stone Glacier would be my 2 choices. Both of those packs would also be ideal for hunting.

In answer to your distance query, around a mile and under usually, but regularly maybe once a week August to April.