First hunting pack recommendations

[Camroo]

G'day, I'm looking for my first hunting back and feeling very over whelmed! Hunting here in Australia starting out i wont be backpack hunting for a little while. looking for a pack to take on my hunt in the coming weeks enough to carry gear and pack out meat. Any and all suggestions though i unfortunately don't have 1000 to spend on a pack system ideally looking for second hand.
Cheers

 

[mitchellmountain]

I used mystery ranch beartooth and metcalf for a few years, it took care of my needs which is what you would be using them for quite nicely. You can get into those setups, new, for less than 400 if you wait for deals or buy last years model. I bought a used Kifaru tac lite frame and modified the mystery ranch pack to fit the frame. Huge step up. You could probably get into a full kifaru set up for less than $500 here on the classifieds and you will be completely set up for the foreseeable future.

 

[nphunter]

Horn hunter full curl is a good less expensive pack. I also think it depends on what it cost to get it to Australia. A used Kifaru would be hard to beat and can be found for pretty cheap these days and will last forever.

 

[Camroo]

Hard thing is our Australian dollar, best way for me to get a Kifaru would be second hand from the States as it seems more available and stronger market. Kifaru hasn't been in Australia for that long and for a pack setup new you're looking at 1600AUD. I'm happy to buy second hand, it's just a matter of sorting out my account on here for the classified and finding someone you will send it to Aus.

 

[mitchellmountain]

https://www.camofire.com/Product/mystery-ranch-2022-beartooth-camo-80-hunting-pack

Here is one of the deals I was referring to.

 

[dirtshooter]

Get a used exo k3

 

[JoeDirt]

First pack, I would recommend the Mystery Ranch Popup. Its a little more versatile slinging a rifle over your shoulder without needing to change up your hunting style but slinging an alternative way.

As mentioned you can find them used or on Camofire. Lots of big box stores are stocking them.

 

[MOLC09]

I have a Mystery Ranch Metcalf. It's pretty nice. Kifaru makes really nice, but, really expensive.

 

[tony]

Yeah last few years MR packs can be had cheap. Camofire, Camp Saver, are good places to look

 

[MatukaJoe]

EXO > And there is a FB group where used ones are sold.

 

[flyfisher117]

Hard thing is our Australian dollar, best way for me to get a Kifaru would be second hand from the States as it seems more available and stronger market. Kifaru hasn't been in Australia for that long and for a pack setup new you're looking at 1600AUD. I'm happy to buy second hand, it's just a matter of sorting out my account on here for the classified and finding someone you will send it to Aus.

If you're going to pay that much then you IMHO need to test fit one with weight before you buy. Every pack and pack frame fits everyone different. Don't just blindly buy a name brand unless you can easily resell it or flip it later if it's not what fits you.

Example being I tried on both Stone Glacier Packs. Their x curve fit me perfect. Their Crux fit me like a sheet of plywood. I hated it almost immediately.

 

[desertdwellerdyl]

EXO > And there is a FB group where used ones are sold.

Whats the group called?

 

[Eric30]

Take a look at a used exo 3. I would give the exo guys a call since they can help walk you through proper sizing as well.

Whats the group called?

Here you go.
Exo Mountain Gear And Mountain Hunting

 

[Camroo]

If you're going to pay that much then you IMHO need to test fit one with weight before you buy. Every pack and pack frame fits everyone different. Don't just blindly buy a name brand unless you can easily resell it or flip it later if it's not what fits you.

Example being I tried on both Stone Glacier Packs. Their x curve fit me perfect. Their Crux fit me like a sheet of plywood. I hated it almost immediately.

I think that's great advise, maybe I should stick to something cheaper to get me through and save my money for a pack that I've test fitted.

 

[Camroo]

Take a look at a used exo 3. I would give the exo guys a call since they can help walk you through proper sizing as well.



Here you go.
Exo Mountain Gear And Mountain Hunting

I'll check this out and see if any deals come up!

 

[displacedtexan]

First pack, I would recommend the Mystery Ranch Popup. Its a little more versatile slinging a rifle over your shoulder without needing to change up your hunting style but slinging an alternative way.

As mentioned you can find them used or on Camofire. Lots of big box stores are stocking them.

For day hunts, I don't think you can beat a pop up for a budget pack.

 

[Camroo]

I do like the look of the Mystery Ranch Popup just need to find one in large second hand!

 

[Tradchef]

Check camofire. They just ran a sale on them

 

[Camroo]

@desertdwellerdyl did you still have a pop up you would sell?

 

[thayerp81]

I've been using a Mystery Ranch Beartooth and I love it.