joeblitz:

I carry a 9# rifle and that feels like an oppressive burden after several hours. So yes, you might want to consider getting a rifle that weighs less.

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However, on a backpack hunt you have more to think about than the weight of the rifle. When I backpack hunt for elk during Colorado's 3rd season (November, 10,000'), my pack weighs 36#. That includes the following;

Pack
Sleeping Bag & Sleeping Pad
Tent
Stove & Fuel (1 liter white gas)
Food (5 days, freeze dried & dehydrated)
Ti Tea Pot, Ti Cup, Fork & Spoon
Canteen & Water (1 liter Nalgene)
Rain Parka & Puffer Jacket (down)
Knitted Cap, Gloves, Extra Socks
Rangefinder, Binoculars
extra Ammo (10 rounds)
Game Bags, Skinning Knife, Havalon Scalpel, Bone Saw
First Aid Kit (small personal)
Compass, GPS, Maps
Fire Starter Kit
Toilet Paper
Bandana
Swiss Army Knife
Water Filter
Headlamp

You need to get the weight of all of that down to less than 40#.

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KC


Wind in my hair, Sun on my face, I gazed at the wide open spaces, And I was at home.