Kifaru Kutthroat

[Dsherrer711]

New to the forum. Wondering if anybody could offer any insight on the Kifaru Kutthroat for day hunt spot n stalk bear hunting in the mountains?

I am reluctant to spend the money on something without a meat shelf or external frame but I like the thought of something I can wear while I hunt with minimal gear but still pack out 70-80lbs of meat if needed.

Kifaru customer service told me they suggest 60lbs or less for this pack but heard several folks say they’ve hauled significantly more. Just wondering if I should spend the extra few hundred bucks to get an Ark frame and bigger pack of if the kutthroat would suffice if I’m not carrying camping supplies and other clothing, etc.

Thanks for any help!

 

[mtnwrunner]

The kutthroat would work well for what you describe. I use mine alot for general backpacking and it works great......Great layout and handles well. I have only had about 40 pounds in mine but it could handle more. They only real issue would be the opening at the top of the bag. If you had a really large bear head, it may not fit through the opening. No problem with putting meat in it. Jordan Budd did a review on that bag and she also states that.

Randy

 

[mtnwrunner]

 

[Dsherrer711]

Thanks for the feedback! Sounds like she does have some concern with the ability to cinch the meat down if you don’t have gear in the bottom of the pack to keep it higher up but hopefully that’s manageable.

I feel like the internal frame with meat inside the pack would be similar to hauling meat on a meat shelf on an external frame but have not personally tried an internal frame to compare.

 

[Ryan Avery]

I love the Kutthroat pack. I've successfully carried out several elk and a bear with it. Although I never weighed the pack, I've had over 90 pounds in it multiple times without any issues. The only downside is that you can't fit a rear elk quarter in the main compartment without boning it out.

 

[Dsherrer711]

I love the Kutthroat pack. I've successfully carried out several elk and a bear with it. Although I never weighed the pack, I've had over 90 pounds in it multiple times without any issues. The only downside is that you can't fit a rear elk quarter in the main compartment without boning it out.

View attachment 928878

Awesome! Was that a Kutthroat R&D hunt? Haha looks like all 3 got in on the action. Certainly looks capable there.

 

[Ryan Avery]

It's also carried out a few deer too.

 

[mtnwrunner]

Showoff.

 

[hunterjmj]

Kutthroat is an awesome daypack as well as the minikeg. I use both depending on weather and where I'm hunting. I've hauled a lot of elk, deer and antelope with them. Typically, I'll go back with a Kifaru long hunter frame for elk to haul the rest out. I guess it depends how you hunt. For day hunting and going light I'll use the MiniKeg. If it's really cold and I need more gear I take the Kutthroat.

 

[Dsherrer711]

Kutthroat is an awesome daypack as well as the minikeg. I use both depending on weather and where I'm hunting. I've hauled a lot of elk, deer and antelope with them. Typically, I'll go back with a Kifaru long hunter frame for elk to haul the rest out. I guess it depends how you hunt. For day hunting and going light I'll use the MiniKeg. If it's really cold and I need more gear I take the Kutthroat.

Would you say you feel the minikeg or the Kutthroat is a noticeable difference in fit with the 24” vs 26” stays?

I’m 5’10” and was wondering if the Kutthroat would feel a bit tall

 

[hunterjmj]

The Kutthroat is a bit taller but not enough that I notice. If I'm going light and fast I'm taking the minikeg. It's my go to pack. But the Kutthroat doesn't feel much different and you can stuff a whole lot more in it. I put a whole antelope in my Kutthroat a couple years ago. Quartered and bagged but I wasn't packing much gear.

 

[Dsherrer711]

The Kutthroat is a bit taller but not enough that I notice. If I'm going light and fast I'm taking the minikeg. It's my go to pack. But the Kutthroat doesn't feel much different and you can stuff a whole lot more in it. I put a whole antelope in my Kutthroat a couple years ago. Quartered and bagged but I wasn't packing much gear.

I greatly appreciate the feedback. Thinking the Kutthroat is gonna be my best choice if I’m gonna go all in to spend the money on a quality single pack for the time being.

 

[hunterjmj]

I have no idea what they cost now but I caught it on sale 2-3 years ago for about $250 I think. Maybe wait for a sale

 

[Dsherrer711]

No way! They are $500 retail as of now..

 

[hunterjmj]

I got my minikeg on a good sale too. Prices have really gone up the last couple years. We stopped in Kifaru on the way to visit some friends and got a smoking deal on a door gunner for my oldest kid. Like $125 or something crazy. I think it helped having a 7 year old girl wanting it for a hunting pack.

 

[hunterjmj]

Ok, I lied. I just searched my email and I paid $359 January of 23'