With the extra pockets can you still attach a bow with the compression straps?
Q: anyone know why there’s no water bladder sleeve? Wouldn’t this just expose the bladder to all the contents of the bag and risk puncture or the bladder sweating over your stuff?
Curious if you have been out bear hunting yet with the above set-up? If so, what's been the experience? The configuration is nearly identical to what I have in mind. ThanksHaven’t used it in any real “field conditions” other then packing around a few optics on short outings. The pack by itself I like. The two full zipper side pockets coupled with the massive access zippers is nice. I think it really shines though with a couple belt pockets and a Sherman pocket attached.
My tentative set up this year for spring bear (in Idaho and Montana) will be a 95mm swaro in one of the side pockets. My tripod/glassing pad in the other. I’m gonna have a small belt pouch on the collar of the bag for my sheep tarp for quick access if there is rain.
In the center I’m gonna have a medium pocket for random things I want easy access to. I will have a large side pocket lower on the center in a large pocket. I will then put the Sherman pocket (xpac material) over those two pockets which will hold all my rifle stuff such as ballistic computer, kestrel and ammo. At least that’s the tentative plan right now.
Has anyone had any experiences with the pack so far through this hunting season? Any extended trips in the back country, any good pack outs with the Hoodlum? What have you done to the pack that has worked well for you?
skierhs, what have you figured works best with your set up so far?
I packed two elk out of Colorado this year during archery season with my Hoodlum and I am very happy with it. The frame handled the weight better than my cousins Kuiu but in his defense it was an older model. The bag held 5 days of backpacking gear/ food without any problems. I added a Sherman pocket, a small belt pouch, and I'm also using an organizer pocket as a small lid. I may change to a Claymore in the future. I keep my extra buckles and straps etc in an UL pullout. My only regret was in my minimalist ounce-counting mindset, I didn't take the pullout on my first trip for my cousins elk. It earned a permanent spot in my pack after that. The first picture is the last trip packing out his elk and I'm carrying a front quarter & my gear stuffed inside the pack. The middle picture is what my set up looks like w/o packing meat, and last is a glamour shot.
Anozira,
good job on your elk hunt! That looks like a great set up with the sherman pocket. I'm looking to get a new pack and I currently have an eberlestock which I have really liked, but I have since realized these past few years a whole other range of hunting packs and performance i'm sure you get by paying more. I have strongly considered the new Mystery Ranch Beartooth 80 and I'm debating on that or spending more for the Kifaru. Out of Kifaru, the Hoodlum definitely looks like the one I would get if I did pull the trigger.
What frame do you have for that pack?