Pack Selection for Swamp Donkey

[Yellowknife]

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The internal/external hybrid packs can haul just fine. Hiked loads like this an honest mile through uneven terrain and brush, for several trips.

They can haul just fine is right, but there are places where the larger frame is handy. I use my Stone Glacier for almost everything now, but I've bumped against it's limits.

Kodiak 2014 with a 150+ lbs of wet bear hide.



Got it strapped on, but it wasn't easy. Absolutely maxed out the straps and had to supplement with paracord to keep it contained.



Headed to Kodiak again for spring 2017, but will have the Barneys handy this time around just in case we get another lunker.

Moose would be the same way. I COULD carry a big rack out on a SG frame, but it would just be simpler and easier with a 32x14" frame pack to strap it too vs the normal 26x9" or so of a typical hybrid pack.

 

[Doc89]

I agree with Yellowknife. Just got back from a DIY moose hunt in Alaska. This was my first Moose hunt and first time ever packing an animal. Gotta start somewhere right? I used the newer Kifaru Duplex Hunting frame and AMR bag. I was very pleased with how well it worked out and had zero issues. The rear quarters even fit inside that AMR. I was able to talk to several other hunters up there and by my guess over half if not most were packing with some sort of a "hybrid pack" like the Kifaru and Kuiu being the most common I saw. While the others were various external pack brands. What I did learn was that giant chunks of moose are tough to maneuver getting into a bag. Simply plopping it on a frame and synching it down would have been easier. But we managed fine once we got the meat in the pack. The Duplex compressed and carried very well. I don't think you could go wrong with either type of pack. If I go back I'll bring the new Cargo panel for ease of loading. One Hunter I talked to had great luck using it on his Duplex.

 

[Doc89]

Pictures to follow

 

[Doc89]

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[Doc89]

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[castandblast]

Great pics and nice bull Doc!

 

[Doc89]

Thanks!

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[Kevin Dill]

I will only add that I personally wouldn't want to pack moose meat loads (boned or quartered) inside my pack bag. That's one of the reasons I went with a type of pack that essentially uses the pack bag as a cargo panel and has an integral load shelf. I could load it so much faster and easier, plus get a higher carry for more comfort when packing out. I carried out my moose head the same way. I placed it between the pack frame and bag with nose up and antler points back. The back of the skull rode on the load shelf and I had everything cinched tighter than a bull's *ss. I was amazed how well it carried and I did no extra tying or securing aside from the compression straps.

Super pictures Doc89!

 

[Doc89]

Thanks Kevin, I can imagine how that would work out pretty sweet.

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[Yellowknife]

I got to admit... the only pack I took moose hunting this year was the SG.



Even got it bloody (with a caribou).



But when it came time for moose packing duties, we broke out the best moose packer of them all....





So much cleaner to skin them hanging!



Ok, ok... getting kind of off topic now.

 

[Colby Jack]

Is that an old Power Wagon? Looks like a nice moose buggy. Thanks for all the feedback boys!

 

[Pinewood]

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My EXO worked great on a Moose.