How Big of a Pack for Daypack and Meat Hauling? Any Suggestions?

[Macintosh]

I mostly day-hunt out of an 18l MR pop-up, and that includes food, water, FA kit, kill kit, headlamp, rain gear, insulated jacket and pants, hat, spare gloves, the works...and it comfortably carries a quartered deer in the load shelf. If it's really cold and I want to also bring a stove and some food, a thermos bottle, a heavier down jacket to sit in frigid wx, any additional gear, etc my 28l pop-up easily fits all this. I'm 6'3" size L or XL clothing too, so it's not like everything I put in my pack is tiny. Are you guys who are recommending a 45-50l pack (2800+ cu in) as a day pack assuming it does not have a meat shelf, so you are putting a deer IN the pack in addition to your gear? I guess I think of that size pack as a multi-day size, I've done 3-day overnights out of a 50l pack many times and not felt like I was bursting at the seams. I generally dont like an oversized pack for day trips because it just encourages bringing stuff I dont need and probably wont use. If you are getting a frame that can attach to various size pack-bags or a pack that crosses-over into a multi-day pack it makes perfect sense...but I have a hard time calling a pack that big a "day pack". Carrying a 85-90mm spotter and tripod inside the pack in addition to all gear? I also understand having a "loose fitting" pack that allows you to stuff everything in in the dark without thinking about how it fits, so maybe there's that angle. Just curious what the angle is that has folks recommending these bigger packs?

 

[justinspicher]

My mystery ranch crewcab, mule and pintler have all been used as meat hauling capable daypacks.

 

[Tradchef]

I think it just depends what you really need it for. If you plan on ever hunting the West for elk and larger game, just whitetails and maybe hogs or turkeys or setting stands, deer and backpacking, solo hunting or do you hunt with other folks that can help split the load? I know I hunt solo and live and hunt out West. Once in a while my lady does a rifle hunt and I pack her stuff as well. I am a big fan of packing meat in the bag and also meat on the bone regardless of animal size. Sometimes that is difficult to do in certain situations but 98% of the time that's what I do. I prefer a 5000 cui. that compresses and I also like the crib style attachment that goes to the frame especially after the first load to the truck is done. You can seriously horse out some weight and save weight going back in. I also backpack in mine all summer. I do have an osprey I use for more ultra light day hikes and foraging but for longer hikes say 10 to 18 miles of more I use my hunting pack. When I lived back east I used an old EMS 1800 pack for most of my tree stand hunts. That Kuiu 1800 above with load shelf would be great for most things. If you hunt cold weather and need to layer you need to think about that stuff and it soaks up a lot of room for clothing and puffy's and such. I think the load pannier and lid and a few pockets is a good alternative too. I also think if you wanted a more of a do all type of pack anything from a 2200 to a 3800 or even a 4k would be outstanding. If you want to stay in a backpacking pack and not hunting pack the Osprey Atmos is a good one and there are a couple I have seen from Gregory and Deuter. Mystery Ranch has a couple of backpacks non hunting that would be great. Or if you can find an older model of Metcalf with the NICE Frame that were made in Bozeman back in the day those things are bombproof and haul a ton but are heavier. If you had a load pannier and smaller pack or lid system you can pack in stands, sticks etc. You can carry deer out whole in those things as well so like what has been said above you can do a lot with that style. Also what was mentioned above was a dry bag and load shelf . That works good too and you have the frame to pack. The modular design is great to mix and match your situation but if you can't have more than one I think that's why most are saying get a bigger pack. You get a little more versatility if you decide to do western hunting and east coast hunting without having to buy something else until you see what you need after you do your hunt. If you stay just whitetails I think anything you choose will be just fine.

 

[Macintosh]

I think it just depends what you really need it for. If you plan on ever hunting the West for elk and larger game, just whitetails and maybe hogs or turkeys or setting stands, deer and backpacking, solo hunting or do you hunt with other folks that can help split the load? I know I hunt solo and live and hunt out West. Once in a while my lady does a rifle hunt and I pack her stuff as well. I am a big fan of packing meat in the bag and also meat on the bone regardless of animal size. Sometimes that is difficult to do in certain situations but 98% of the time that's what I do. I prefer a 5000 cui that compresses and I also like the crib style attachment that goes to the frame especially after the first load to the truck is done. You can seriously horse out some weight and save weight going back in. I also backpack in mine all summer…. I also think if you wanted a more of a do all type of pack anything from a 2200 to a 3800 or even a 4k would be outstanding. …. The modular design is great to mix and match your situation but if you can't have more than one I think that's why most are saying get a bigger pack. You get a little more versatility if you decide to do western hunting and east coast hunting without having to buy something else until you see what you need after you do your hunt. If you stay just whitetails I think anything you choose will be just fine.

The OP was “How Big of a Pack for Daypack and Meat Hauling”, and the original post specified “Im not looking for anything elk-worthy”.
I am reading your post to say DONT get a daypack, get a multi-day pack, and just use it compressed IN CASE you want to pack an elk and/or backpack with it.

The OP might weigh in on what makes sense for him, that rationale would make perfect sense to me if the question had been “what size pack for do it all day and short overnights hunting/meat hauling deer and elk”…it’s just a different question than was asked.

Would anyone actually choose a 45-50l/2800-3000cuin (or larger) pack for a deer-hunting day trip if they also had a 30 or 35l pack with a load shelf right next to it? If so, Im curious what’s in your pack?

 

[Tradchef]

I don't think I said not to get a daypack at all. I said it depends what the OP is looking to do. If he/she ever decides to do a western hunt for bigger animals you can have a more versatile system instead of having multiple bags. If you never are going to do that I said any pack you choose will be fine. It just depends how much gear you plan on taking as everyone is different and what you really need it for.

 

[doc holiday13]

I have a 1500 cu.in bag(24 litre). I've moved up to a 2000 (35litre) cu.in this year. The 1500 holds my gear but i don't want my jacket lashed to the outside of the bag. I'd rather have the jacket inside the bag.

 

[Geewhiz]

I've got a mr guide lite frame with mule bag on it that I use for day hunts. That thing will handle more weight than you can. Its a very well built and robust pack. I've used the heck out of it for years and have had no rips, tears, broken zippers, ripped stitching, or broken buckles.

I've shamelessly plugged this pack many times because I continue to be impressed with the abuse it holds up to.

 

[Macintosh]

Fair enough on the crossover use—a big pack makes sense in that case. For sure I get that. Im still wondering about some if the other responses though.

For what its worth you all had me questioning my sanity—I just pulled a bunch of stuff together to make sure it fit the way I remembered. i might have forgotten something, but this should give a picture of amount of space required:

This is a fully packed—but not over-stuffed— 28l mystery ranch popup. Twenty eight liters. That is 1700 cu in.



In the above pack is the following:
A stove, fuel and a meal
A softshell jacket (fl catalyst)
Puffy pants (fl uncompagre)
A mid-weight down jacket.
A 200-weight fleece
A small first aid kit
A 1-liter thermos
A .75-liter water bottle
A heavier gore tex jacket
Rain Pants
A full pack of deer-sized game bags
A rattle bag
A grunt tube
A space blanket
2 pr gloves
A warm hat
A headlamp
A flashlight
Spare batteries
2 lighters
A few snacks
2 tikka magazines
A plastic tarp 3’x5’
Toilet paper
30’ of 550 cord
License, baggies, rubber gloves, sharpener, zip ties
A spare knife
A full sized knife
A compass

Again this is a 28l pack. This is at least as much gear than I would take hunting for a slow day in the woods at 0 degrees f, ex I usually would not take both hard and soft shell jackets. What are people bringing with them that they need half-again as much or double the space?

 

[The Guide]

It is unfortunate that the MR Popup 18 is discontinued. Looks like it was a good minimalist frame pack for day hiking from the truck. The 28 looks like a good pack for day hiking with enough room for comforts. The current models of MR Popup 30/40 are more than I want to spend on something my K3 3200 will do.

Jay

 

[Desk Jockey]

I prefer a pop up for that roll. Used they can be fairly cheap. I also prefer their 40 liter version. Easy to strap down if not full but handles winter layers.

Mr terraplane or a good backpacking pack used would do.

The military packs like the filbe or ilbe are worth a look. Decent haulers and can handle a heavy load.

 

[Kurts86]

If you are worried about how much money you are going to spend on a big game pack spend more money the first time. A used Exo K2 is a great value, I’ve had mine for 6 years after owning/borrowing 8 different packs before then. Trying to get by with cheaper or non hunting options is not a good long term strategy.

I do really like the pop up series if you knowingly limit your loads to 50-60 lbs. I’ve owned a gen 1 pop up 18 and a gen 2 pop up 28 and they are absolutely adequate day packs at a great price even new. Mystery ranch is perpetually 25% off and 40%+ off with pro deals. Mystery ranch is the best value in hunting packs and anything less is functionally inadequate.

 

[Tradchef]

This is my day pack. It’s just the lid and load pannier and frame. I use this for elk and deer and lopes early season. I only use my bag for late season and bear hunting when I need to pack out head and hide and meat and gear in one load. Theres so many combinations you can use. Again it just depends on what you really want. I like to use it for everything. Meat, gear, backpacking, winter and late season hunting with my lady, backcountry fly fishing etc. Some thing like this can haul a ton of weight but be sub 7lbs for an evening or morning sit or a couple hike to a glassing point to get a stalk. I don’t carry the kitchen sink with a lot of gear and I’m not a huge bino harness guy or a pocket on my pack guy. I stay minimal but again that’s my preference. So with a bag for me a 3500 to 5k for my solo stuff and getting meat of the mountain by myself it works. I agree above the pop up could work really well for you. Mountain archery and camofire have close outs on mystery ranch a lot so you can save money that way or buy used on here. Good luck and let us know what you decide

 

[Hoofing It]

Wow great replies guys, thanks! Right now I really have no plans to backpack hunt, even overnighter except out of my car. I just don't have the time or crew to do it. It could change in a few years - but if it does I'll pick up what I need then.

Sounds like the Pop Up is what most people like, and there's some other similar options. That's what I'm mostly looking at as well.

To echo @Macintosh's question, how do you deal with meat inside the bag? For my old external frame I was just going to sacrifice the pack if I had to haul meat in it, and bleach it out later (the color's fading anyway), but especially since a lot of large packs lack organization is there something you guys do to stop the slight blood leakage from game bags getting into all your stuff?

 

[Ditt44]

Mystery Ranch 28 or 38 Pop-up or the newer equivalent. My buddy and I used one of each to pack out my elk last fall. 2.5 miles over really rocky ground. The packs held up just fine and were comfortable. Lucky for us the guide had a few friends nearby and it only took us one trip to pack out the bull. For an out and back from the truck hunt, the 28/38 was more than sufficient. You're in the $200-$250 price range as well and tons of accessories and one-off add-on options. And you can usually get great deals on used packs or parts.

 

[Tradchef]

Wow great replies guys, thanks! Right now I really have no plans to backpack hunt, even overnighter except out of my car. I just don't have the time or crew to do it. It could change in a few years - but if it does I'll pick up what I need then.

Sounds like the Pop Up is what most people like, and there's some other similar options. That's what I'm mostly looking at as well.

To echo @Macintosh's question, how do you deal with meat inside the bag? For my old external frame I was just going to sacrifice the pack if I had to haul meat in it, and bleach it out later (the color's fading anyway), but especially since a lot of large packs lack organization is there something you guys do to stop the slight blood leakage from game bags getting into all your stuff?

I have a 32L OR Durable Dry Sack I have been using for years. I put the game bags and meat in there if I bone the animal out and then put it in the bag. Lots of guys just use a heavy duty contractor bag. If I do bone in I just put the game bag in my pack bag and make sure my gear is in a dry bag in another pocket or the lid. I don't care about getting it dirty or bloody at all. They clean up nice and look good as new.

 

[griebel303]

I have the Mystery Ranch Pintler ( 2355 Cu-Ins) , Metcalf (433 cu-ins ), and the Popup 30 (1830 Cu-Ins) and they are all great packs and haul loads well. The Pintler and the Popup have been good for warm weather hunts where I don't take much for layers, the Popup is my favorite now just being a little lower profile with the frame adjustments. The Metcalf is a good multiday pack or late season hunt pack where you are bringing extra layers and need the storage. If you can find a deal on the Popup 30 its a pack that will last a long time and suit you well for day hunts and packing a load out too.

 

[TaperPin]

Wow great replies guys, thanks! Right now I really have no plans to backpack hunt, even overnighter except out of my car. I just don't have the time or crew to do it. It could change in a few years - but if it does I'll pick up what I need then.

Sounds like the Pop Up is what most people like, and there's some other similar options. That's what I'm mostly looking at as well.

To echo @Macintosh's question, how do you deal with meat inside the bag? For my old external frame I was just going to sacrifice the pack if I had to haul meat in it, and bleach it out later (the color's fading anyway), but especially since a lot of large packs lack organization is there something you guys do to stop the slight blood leakage from game bags getting into all your stuff?

Simply use a garbage bag as a liner and nothing gets on the pack. I keep a stuff sack for gear and lash it on the outside if needed. It works so well, I can’t remember ever having a blood issue.

I honestly don’t quite understand the attraction to the pop up - maybe if a hunting partner has one and I can see how an extension above shoulder height helps, it will make more sense, but I just don’t see it.

 

[Kurts86]

I honestly don’t quite understand the attraction to the pop up - maybe if a hunting partner has one and I can see how an extension above shoulder height helps, it will make more sense, but I just don’t see it.

The best thing about the pop-up is the low profile ducking through thick brush when it’s folded up. I would use a pop up over my Exo while eastern deer hunting thick public land.

The popup is also great because it’s the realistic solution to how 80% of people use a hunting frame pack for a very reasonable price.

 

[TaperPin]

The best thing about the pop-up is the low profile ducking through thick brush when it’s folded up. I would use a pop up over my Exo while eastern deer hunting thick public land.

The popup is also great because it’s the realistic solution to how 80% of people use a hunting frame pack for a very reasonable price.

Do people carry meat much higher than the shoulders? Even the marketing photo shows the white game bag only contacting the pop up maybe an inch above the top of the shoulder straps. If the pop up in either photo were completely compressed wouldn’t it still carry ok? I’m not poo pooing the idea if users actually feel a benefit to extending the pop up, I just don’t see the benefit from the marketing pics.

 

[Kurts86]

It’s not about the height of the load, it’s about the upward tension on a load helps to carry better and more efficiently.