Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Day pack for deer

I'm curious as to why you went with no waist belt?

Kifaru Spike Camp.

This

Osprey makes some decent looking little packs.

A little more cu in than 1500, but the Badlands Ultraday is my idea of perfection for a deer hunting day pack. It is 1800 cu in (about the same as your X2) but very light at 3lbs 3oz and compact. Good pockets, etc. The compression straps on it work great for holding extra clothes while you walk in (or bobcats while you walk out). Hypervent helps keep you cooler walking in. I have a short torso and it works well for me. Been using one for 4 or 5 years now and even though I've got more expensive packs I can't find one I like better.

Have one headed to me as of yesterday. I'll check it out. I didn't know it had an internal frame - my SuperDay does not and really sucks at carrying things out. It the SD worked better at carrying out head/hide/horns, I'd keep it.

Keep trying as they are a very very small company

I only use a waist belt on a pack frame.....I have to use for one with a true day pack

My mistake, you threw me off when you said it would haul a whole elk quarter.

The internal frame is really nice for what it is. Adds stiffness, but it's not a "load it up" frame. I've carried bobcats and coyotes out strapped on with the compression straps. It should handle horns and hide but it's not a true hauler...just a day pack.

That is what I understood from Badlands as well. For bigger game (elk, bears), my MO is basically shoot something, quarter it, hang in trees, take out an easy load on the way to my packframe.

For remote deer, I'm working it out. I've shot a few deer lately 1+ miles from any road and know I don't want to drag any more deer on bare ground that far......

I don't really want to carry my Eberlestock or packframe on my backpack into my camp site. Likewise, I really don't want to use my 4000 cu in backpack as a daypack. I've looked a lashing my backpack to my packframe and carry it in that way but it seems really clunky when I tried it. That still leaves me short for a daypack.

So, I'm thinking a lighter daypack, strapped to my backpack and capable of bringing out head/hide or head/backstraps, make a run to the truck for a packframe/Eberlestock. Could be a long walk but I'm considering all options at this point. Or hire a Sherpa.

At the end of the day, I need a pack ~ 13-1500 cu in anyway for my normal day hunting duties.

I use a BL 2200 as my deer / elk hunting pack.

My cuz sewed me up some quarter bags slightly larger than a pillow case which work great for deer quarters. I quarter my deer ... 4 bags. I peel the rib meat, heat, liver, and backstraps off into a 5th bag. Leave the spine, pelvis, and rib cage behind. Those 5 bags fit into a single elk quarter bag, lash it with sash cord into a "meat roll", and lash that to the BL pack using the meat shelf. Works.

It's bigger than I'd normally use for a day pack if I'm not expecting to carry meat. When I'm just out bumming around I use a Badlands Pursuit. Lack of a waist band means it doesn't interfere with my holstered revolver which I carry strong-side.

Tom

Why not go to a Paradox Evo. The frame with no extensions is short enough to permit free movement, and the frame articulates well enough to be comfortable. By adding the frame extensions in the field with a critter down, it can haul a lot of weight. This pack seems to serve both purposes well without needing to carry two packs in with you for remote hunting.

I have this pack. It works great.

It will....and has!!!

The pack comes with a system that is simply awsome for a first load out

Look at the Wilderness Pack Specialty's Muley. I quit using the Super Day after I got it. I also have the Compact frame which it clips right on, if I'm far enough back in and may need to pack meat etc. Or buy the Lite Frame Combo pack

baltz - That looks interesting. I wish the website had better pics of the pack, pockets, front, side, etc. I'll give them a ring today.

Thank you.

That's how I used to think. But there are plenty of packs that have short frames and cinch down enough with compression straps so that they're not too bulky or too tall to use as a day pack. Kifaru Longhunter is one. The good thing about using your backpack as a day pack is you're never lacking for space and there is no trip back to camp to get the big pack. Plus, you don't have the extra piece of gear to pack in.

I'm in a similar position. Have you looked at the Sitka Ascent 12? It's a new model that was just released this year. For my needs, it looks about perfect, and I'll be picking on up within a few days

I did have a look at them. The size and price is right. My only concern is a lack of compartments. I called and left them a message a couple days ago. I'll follow up today.