Pack advice please

[smoke]

Folks, my old Cabela's pack is ready to be retired after 20 years and I'm looking for something new. I pack out a deer a year and on rare occasions, something larger (did a moose once with the Cabela's pack . . . I was much younger). I'd like to be able to get enough gear in the pack for a week and be able to haul out meat - and I can't afford a Kifaru. Any recommendations? Thanks much,

 

[hunting1]

Badlands 2200 or Horn Hunter Full Curl.

 

[roadrunner]

Eberlestock has a decent price range, selection, and design

 

[StrutNut]

I bought the Ebelerlestock Blue Widow for the same thing. I mostly use it as a day pack, will pack out a deer or two with it but hope to soon get out west and bring in enough gear to last 5 days or so and hopefully pack out some meat with. For what I could afford it fit my torso better (had it measured) and fit me better than the Badlands stuff although I really did like their packs too. I have had mine for only 3 seasons but I use it a lot, nothing torn or broken. It is on the heavy side but when its on my back it doesnt feel bad at all. If I hunted west every year I would invest in a much better bag but for what I am doing, so far no regrets.

 

[mrbillbrown]

Horn Hunter Full Curl system. The frame has pockets for storage during extremely light trips. Add the camp bag and day pack bag onto the frame and you could easily do a week or so. At $300 for the 3 piece system it's one of the best values out there.

 

[timberland]

check out the Bounty 4500 from slumberjack. might be an option

 

[FLAK]

Eberlestock has a decent price range, selection, and design

Those Eberlestock packs may not be a yuppi favorite but are a dang good pack. My J107 has been
to AK x2, NMx2, Id., TX. Ga., and AL. more times than I can count. Used as a daypack, carry-on, and
meat hauler. Dang good packs!!

 

[hammer0419]

Buy once, cry once!! Maybe more than you want to spend but save a few more $$ and get a good pack. I can not tell you how much I paid in return shipping on packs that did not meet my needs!!!! No joke. Look in the classifieds here. You can get a great pack at a great price. No comparison to the over the counter packs.

 

[freebird134]

There are plenty of over the counter packs that work great. I had no problem with my Badlands Ox when $300 was all I wanted to spend on a pack. I did not like my Blue Widow at all.

 

[westrnwild]

Look in the classifieds and eBay you might be able to find the bank breaker pack for a lot less. And be super happy. There are a lot of gear junkies out there, myself included that off load gear

 

[Jeff Martin]

You might try KUIU - they have some discontinued packs on their site as well as their new ones are nowhere near Kifaru/SG/MR

or - you could buy a new Cabelas

 

[huntin'monkey]

Seek Outside/Paradox packs makes great, lightweight, waterproof packs for less than the other boutique manufacturers. Take a look at their Divide 3000 in light gray. At just a bit more than $300 it's a heck of a deal for an American made pack from a small company with great customer service. http://store.seekoutside.com/divide-3000-light-gray-x21rc/

 

[Zbot]

Horn Hunter Full Curl system. The frame has pockets for storage during extremely light trips. Add the camp bag and day pack bag onto the frame and you could easily do a week or so. At $300 for the 3 piece system it's one of the best values out there.

This I what I use and love it. Here is the thing, packs are like boots. What works for one person won't work for another. I tried other packs and some high end packs, but the HH fit me best.

Your results may vary.

 

[wyelkhunter]

If I couldn't have my kifaru I would go with the REI XT85 first choice, 2nd would be hornhunter full curl. I have used eberlestock, badlands and sitka and would not look at any of these for packing meat or extended hunts.

 

[husky390]

If you go with the HH Full Curl System, check out Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear, they have them for around $285 new. Also, watch the classifieds here, Kifaru, AT, and Hill People Gear. The Ute pack can be snagged in used but like new condition for around $300 or so and is a good pack.

 

[BowHunterJake]

I have a Kuiu 7200 and it is great. I tried the Eberlestock "just one" before that and just didn't like it. Plus the gun scabbard didn't fit my 280 with scope and turrets.

I think that I would also be happy with the badlands frame pack.

Good luck with finding what you are looking for.

 

[123 4/8 P&Y]

If you are only planning to haul camp and meat around I'd consider another cabelas external frame. But not if you want to hunt every day with it on your back. If I was looking for a new do-all pack today with a "reasonable" price tag, I'd try the kuiu ultra 6000 for $350.

 

[SHTF]

Just posted a Exo Mountain Gear 3500 pack for 400$ in classifieds.

 

[smoke]

Thanks everyone - this has been very helpful!

 

[84toyota]

Thanks everyone - this has been very helpful!

I've got a Cabelas pack that I'm looking to get rid of. I've had it a few years, and packed some deer and elk in it, but it is still in very nice shape. Probably some blood stains, but no holes, rips, tears, etc.