SE Alaska Black Bear - What backpack?

[pjohnson8168]

Buddy and I drew unit 3 black bear tags for this spring, we will be staying in a lodge as home base but striking out on our own with a rented boat. We have done a couple AK hunts the past 5 years with good success but this one is a different beast given the weather, boats, hunting shoreline etc... We gave ourselves 10-hunting days which by most accounts is plenty for bears and we plan to use remaining time for fishing and trying for wolves with e-callers. One of my specific questions is around a backpack, havent seen or heard of individuals having to break down a bear to get it to the boat, but at the same time I could see us sneaking down tributaries a ways to find bears and of course having them run into the trees 70-100 yds before expiring. Originally I thought a waterproof day back pack was sufficient but now wondering if the EXO is a better fit, given the weather is the EXO going to be a water logged mess the entire time and overkill?

Any advice from those who have done it is greatly appreciated, any other gear or words of wisdom would be great as well.

 

[stayzeroed]

If you are considering an EXO, it is worth the investment. It is a great pack. I just use an extra pack cover I had from an Eberlestock pack if I run into enough rain to worry about. It is relatively lightweight to carry along with. By the looks of it, you won't be too concerned with any weight cost since your boating in.

 

[Seak_angler]

An exo pack is worth every single penny. I couldn’t recommend one enough!

 

[pjohnson8168]

Thanks guys, shoudl have clarified, I have the EXO and couldnt agree more. Was curious if its worth bringing for load hauling or if its unnecessary vs a dry bag backpack of sorts.

 

[adventure907]

I hunt Southeast Alaska for two months every spring. I use an EXO. You'll want the bigger pack if you have to haul meat any considerable distance.

Josh

 

[Cyril]

For a spring hunt, I don't think it is necessary but not a bad thing to have. They are usually shot pretty close to the beach or boat access. I have seen several packed on beach in a slotted plastic tote. Heavy duty handles on each side, drain out water or blood out the bottom.

 

[David Gough]

Which island/lodge? I'm staying at Calder Mountain again. Hunting Kupreanof.

 

[pjohnson8168]

Nice, we are at Island Point, hunting Mitkoff