upgrade bow or Pack first?

[Bkaufmann]

Hey guys i'm struggling here a little bit.

I cant decide if I should upgrade my bow or pack first. Right now I have a Bowtech Assassin in 60 lb.
My pack system is a cabelas alaskan frame with a Osprey Atmos 65L mounted on it.

If you were in my situation what would you upgrade first?

If I got a bow I would get a 70lb flagship model from Obsession, Xpedition, Bowtech, or Elite. (another thing I cant decide)

Thanks,

-Ben

 

[RCR]

What style of hunting and what animals are oh going after?

 

[elkguide]

No question.......... get BOTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




(I'd probably go with the Xpedition)

 

[Bkaufmann]

Elk & stalk. and Backpacking deep into the backcountry.

Edit: the goal is to get both but the question is what would be first?
and the xpedition looks great but there is only one dealer anywhere close and by that I mean over 100 miles away. Is there anywhere I could get one online somewhere?

 

[kodiakfly]

I say pack. The advancements in a new bow over your bow wouldn't be drastic, unless you're not satisfied with your bow now or don't shoot it well. But a new pack can really make for better hunting.

 

[tipsntails7]

Elk & stalk. and Backpacking deep into the backcountry.

Edit: the goal is to get both but the question is what would be first?
and the xpedition looks great but there is only one dealer anywhere close and by that I mean over 100 miles away. Is there anywhere I could get one online somewhere?

Xpedition will send any bow to any shop, email them and asked they will set it up with your local shop.

 

[RCR]

I would say buy a GOOD pack and use what you have for a bow. Hopefully you're already comfortable with your bow and 60lbs is plenty. You'll be wearing a pack most every day on a backcountry hunt and you'll feel the difference with a good pack. Even more so when you're successful.

 

[Manosteel]

No question - get a QUALITY PACK first!

 

[elkyinzer]

What are your boots?

 

[Bkaufmann]

my boots are Whites smoke jumpers and I have danners as back ups. So I'm pretty good in that department.

 

[FURMAN]

I personally would get the pack first. As far as the bow shoot as many as you can before you buy. Being brand loyal just does not make any sense. There are too many good bows out there to limit yourself.

 

[jmez]

Pack. You can definitely upgrade over what you have now. Upgrading a bow is kind of like buying a new car, a lot of money for new paint and bells and whistles that have little to no effect on function.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

If you are going to get both for sure, get the bow first so you'll have more time behind it before season. If it is possible you'll only have funds for one, your bow will kill fine but your pack is going to hurt under much weight and any real distance so get the pack.

 

[WRO]

Buy a 2 year old flagship bow and a good pack. Pack first though. What optics are you running?

 

[elkyinzer]

my boots are Whites smoke jumpers and I have danners as back ups. So I'm pretty good in that department.

Yeah, you are good. My point being that you won't get much of an upgrade from that bow and your pack is sufficient. I would choose pack between your two options.

 

[yak]

IMO, you won't be using your pack if you don't shoot something. I'd recommend bow, then higher quality pack. Unless you are comfortable shooting your bow and confident making the shot on an animal. It's a bit counter intuitive to go hunting to harvest meat, but can't make a shot (speaking from experience).

 

[cuerro viejo]

No question pack.

Assassin is far from being outdated

 

[sodaksooner]

Nothing wrong with the Osprey either. If I had that setup, I'd call it good. (BTW..my brother does...kind of, Just a tad newer bow)

Don't overlook Prime in the archery dept.

 

[rhendrix]

Get a new pack, people kill elk all the time with bows that are 3-4 years old or older. If you don't have a quality pack, your trip will be miserable and may cause you to cut it short.

 

[dunner543]

Another vote for getting a pack. I have an old bow too (2010 Bear Attack) that I would love to replace but I shoot it well so there really isn't much point. I did just get a new sight, stabilizer, and rest and will probably pick up a new quiver too along with replacing the strings. I figure I'll be able to use all that stuff (minus strings) on my new bow in the future anyway. That might be an option for you after you pickup your pack. I learned the hard way that a uncomfortable pack makes for a crappy trip so I think that should be your first priority. Just my .02.