Kifaru deer day pack

[huntaholic123]

Currently have a Kifaru EMR II on a duplex frame. Really like the pack but am looking for a smaller pack for day hunting whitetails and muleys in South Dakota. Due to size of public land most my hunts are only a few miles deep so don’t need to haul as much gear. Want to stay with Kifaru due to there customer service and durable packs. Anyone run a similar setup? Let’s hear your recommendations. Usually pack a kill kit, nalgene water bottle, spotter/tripod, small pullout for food, puffy coat, sometimes rain gear, and a few miscellaneous items depending on my hunt and location. Want something smaller and not as bulky as to not get hung up on branches as much. Half of my hunting is stand hunting and spot and stalk in the hills. Thanks in advance!

Justin

 

[mfllood3800]

Justin,
As many will eventually chime and say, to which I agree.... All of these larger packs compress down into day mode pretty good.
I have an AMR, one of their largest ever packs, And I can easily use it in day mode.
I have the new Fulcrum, again huge, but totally compresses down.
But I love the Kifaru Tahr.
Its 3400 ci.
I sold a lot of my other Kifaru bags and kept this one.
I use it strictly for what you describe.
With that said, I have this set up with attachments that allow me to get it over 7000 ci, which means I can also use it as a 5 day bag.

This is the beauty of Kifaru. I can take a 3400ci pack and double its capacity to over 7000- gonna be hard for some of the other pack companies to do that.

To answer the question- it's the Tahr you want.

 

[huntaholic123]

Justin,
As many will eventually chime and say, to which I agree.... All of these larger packs compress down into day mode pretty good.
I have an AMR, one of their largest ever packs, And I can easily use it in day mode.
I have the new Fulcrum, again huge, but totally compresses down.
But I love the Kifaru Tahr.
Its 3400 ci.
I sold a lot of my other Kifaru bags and kept this one.
I use it strictly for what you describe.
With that said, I have this set up with attachments that allow me to get it over 7000 ci, which means I can also use it as a 5 day bag.

This is the beauty of Kifaru. I can take a 3400ci pack and double its capacity to over 7000- gonna be hard for other pack companies to do that.

To answer the question- it's the Tahr you want.

I have been using my EMR II compressed down but don’t like the accessibility when I want something fast but all the straps are cinched down. Tends to take more time than I would like to access anything due to that reason. Again I love it for elk hunting when I have all of my gear. Looking for something more specific to deer hunting. Will definitely look into the Tahr. Thanks for the response.

To clarify I am looking for recommendations on a smaller pack. I know how to compress my EMR II down to day mode. Just something I have been wanting to buy for the style of hunting I do.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

I use a apollo and a grab it. I carry food, a quart of water or bladder, kill kit, rain gear, a foam seat, trekking poles, and layers for weather to single digits. It’s a great day pack. Best of all, it brings a whole deboned deer and all that gear in one load. If that ain’t big enough, a rambler works for Day hunts too. With long over night possibilities. One bag owner, go rambler. Looking for a good day pack only, go with the apollo. God Bless

 

[Shraggs]

I just got a tahr - for the reasons you outlined. The added feature I hoped would work is when I go deep into public land for whitetail with a climber, use the meat shelf. Have done that yet tho but it fits great!

I've run orginal nomad/camp bag for western hunts which I love, and an eberle x2 for my Midwest deer hunting, but...

The tahr is really nice! Easily can get it to 1800 cu in pack or larger like said above. Cool that when I'm going to set all day in frigid temps on a stand, I can actually pack my parka inside while bumping in and out along with all essential gear. The x2 had jed clampet thing going with same gear (fine day pack tho until heavier clothes needed.

Really love this pack and if I do 1-3 nights I'm taking this from now on!

 

[hflier]

They are coming out with a new small pack in a few weeks


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[WV Mountaineer]

I should add that’s my preferences. I simply don’t need a 3000 ci pack. Like the woodsman, 22 mag, or the tahr. However, some people like one of those three for more room, versus what I use I don’t. A day hunt bag doesn’t need to be that big if you aren’t running a tripod and spotter. God Bless

 

[Gsquared]

Any chnace you could post some pics with your "expanded" Tahr set up? Does this pack have the web attachments for pockets, pouches,etc? Thanks.

 

[colersu22]

I looked at the Apollo for awhile but picked up a Native so I can use it as a lid on longer hunts and for day hunts use the native. I was looking at getting a cargo net as well so when shed hunting I can use the net for bone and then the native on top for water and stuff.

 

[Dobermann]

I'll second the recommendations for the Tahr - especially as it's possible to fabricate short removable compression straps to run across the webbing points on the back of the pack to hold a rifle. (Cut-down Kifaru K-clip compression straps work for this, as do the extender straps from FHF Gear.)

However, as it's a top-opening-only 'sack', it's not for some. The benefits are in its high water-resistance, and customisability with pouches and pockets. But access while on a stand might be tricky. The Apollo's center zip solves this to some extent, but is not big.

I think an ideal solution is the 22 Mag, especially if run on a 22" frame. I wasn't drawn to this bag option at all, simply based on looks alone, but when Frank at Kifaru told me it was what he ran (and he personally thought was superior to the Mountain Ramlber), I had to give it a go. For ease of access and organisation, it's a great option for day hunting. The internal pockets would make things accessible in a stand (without having to locate multiple pull-outs), and it's both small and manageable while holding a surprising amount of gear. I think this is because of the fairly 'blocky' shape - something like the more tapered Apollo fits far less for a similar-looking sized bag.

 

[mfllood3800]

Any chnace you could post some pics with your "expanded" Tahr set up? Does this pack have the web attachments for pockets, pouches,etc? Thanks.

Yes it has the pals webbing every where.
I added a guide lid to the top.
I added spotting scope pockets and large and medium pockets and then belt pockets.
When I was done and it was loaded I had my wife shoot a pic and it was ginormous. Looked like the big 7000 packs .
I will see if I can find that pic. I would set it up like that and shoot a pic, but I am heading to AZ to mule deer hunt with it in 2 days- its set and ready to go for that.

 

[Shraggs]

Here is a pic of mine, hopefully I did it right. Just showing additional cord straps on top of the compression straps

 

[Agustus]

Since you already have the frame, it makes sense to get a smaller sized bag to go to the frame UNLESS you don’t want the rigidness of the frame. For that situation, I would highly recommend the x-ray.

For me, it’s great at keeping things simple and moves with you. Not gonna haul the weight as the bag and frame combo though.

Just adding what works for me as a whitetail pack that hauls essentials easily. When I’m hauling more, I use my exo pack and frame.

 

[huntaholic123]

Was just looking at Kifaru website and I guess I am a bit behind on my pack gear. When did they stop selling the bikini frame? Is the tactical frame the new style of bikini frame? I have the old style duplex frame. May upgrade my frame as well. What are the main differences and benefits between the tactical and hunting platform frames?

 

[dotman]

The mountain warrior imo is the perfect day pack that can expand if needed. When cinched down tight it has easy zipper access to main bag, zippers can be set so they are on the side and it has a big back pocket. This is a super easy design to not have to undo a ton of buckles to gain access to multiple points of entry and organization.

 

[coop2424]

So I run a dt1 during most of the season but during scouting, deer and shed season I am running the apollo with grab it and sometimes throw the lid on. It really is a pretty awesome little pack with the ability to still pack a load. I also can just slide tripod with spotting scope attached in the rear sleeve and holds well. I have a 22mag that I wanted to use instead but for me was a little more bag than needed.

 

[mfllood3800]

Any chnace you could post some pics with your "expanded" Tahr set up? Does this pack have the web attachments for pockets, pouches,etc? Thanks.

Took a bit but here is my tahr loaded with actual gear, not just bags and puffy.
I got everything in from the sleeping bag, tipi, wood stove, food, water, clothes, pads, bear fence, batteries, chargers, lights, - you name it, it was in this poor little Tahr
lol

I had 2 spotters down the sides with large pouches down the back and the guide lid then 2 belt pouches
This was 60 lbs +

 

[Miflatlander91]

What do you guys think of a reckoning as mainly a day pack? Not to hijack but kind of the same situation as the op looking for a mainly day back but may down the road get into more back country hunting


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[Backpack Hunter]

I use the Tahr quite a bit for whitetail day hunts. Typically run it with an older Longhunter lid. I can add a pocket or two if needed for extra organization, but rarely if ever do.
This setup will fit a complete deboned deer, and a days worth of gear including extras pretty easily. Pretty streamlined and small with just day gear in it.

Esse quam videri

 

[mfllood3800]

The Tahrs were in the Rhino den for like cheap- but only in foliage or grey if I remember right- but stinking cheap.
I am curious what their new release will be.
The Tahr was such a universal set up- gonna be hard to beat it