What's the best pack to haul elk and deer off the mountain? Multiday packs or frame packs? What brand works best? Thanks.

Kifaru.

Lots of good packs for meat/camp/daypack use and all have their happy disciples but few are as a vocal as the Kifaru group and for good reason.

You could start with these and see what fits your body, type of hunting and budget. (They all get the job done but are pricey):

Kifaru
Exo Mountain Gear
Stone Glacier
Paradox Packs

Strictly hauling big loads of meat off the mountain, I would agree with Tanner. For the other aspects of hunting/packing/camping some of the others work as well or better for me.

I have a Cabela's Alaskan 1 that's crap. The bag is just a big bag with a large pocket on each side which works well for a quarter. The shelf is good. The real problem is the waist belt. There's no way that it will stay tight as the nylon is too slick and it slides through the buckle. I put rubber cement on it but it didn't help. It just made it harder to tighten. Also, the padding on the belt is too thick. It's impossible to fit around the hips so it rides right.

Suspension isn't on par with kifaru and the like, but I've taken a LOT of elk/deer/moose out with a BullPac.

It's tough as nails and pretty affordable. Sternum strap sucks, but $12 at a seamstress fixed that.

Dave

I've had a Blacks Creek Canadian for years. I've only packed out one whitetail with it. I was hoping that I could get one elk quarter to the truck with it and then swap out for a frame/meat hauling pack. Is this a good idea or should I go another route?

I just bought a Stone Glacier Solo and like it a lot. With the built in load shelf I always have the ability to pack a heavy meat load with my pack bag still attached, so if I'm man enough to lug it I can get out in one trip if it's a deer. The other thing that I really like is the ability to just buy another bag and have a different pack. Very versatile!

I've been using the outdoorsman's pack. I think it is worth a look. The bag comes off really easy, so you can use just the frame (which has a meat shelf) for a pack out.

Alaska Pinnacle from Barneys Chalet in Anchorage. 7800cu. in., external frame and bag weigh 8# 7 oz.. If you can't accept that, go Kifaru for second best.

http://barneyssports.com/backpacks/...laska-frieghter-frame-pinnacle-pack.html

I've used and abused both Barneys and Kifarus and wouldn't for a second consider the Kifaru an inferior pack ... Not even close.

Tanner

Which Kifaru setup do you have? What's the best frame/bag combo?

I just packed an elk out using my Mystery Ranch 6500/NICE pack. Most comfortable packing job I have ever done. My Mystery Ranch Bighorn day pack was more than capable of packing out a front quarter the day the elk was shot.

What sort of hunt are you planning? Multi-day backpack with no vehicle or base camp support? Day hunting? That will influence pack choice a ton.

I run the AMR bag on a Duplex frame, but much of my hunting is 10-12 day backpack hunts with no support from a base camp so I like the huge bag. In the last 2 seasons I've had 17 animals in that setup and it has been absolutely awesome.

Tanner

I'm hoping to do 3-7 day type hunts. I'm just now getting started, so I'm not sure exactly what I need. Thanks for any help.

I like a really big bag because that extra space is easily compressed and basically goes unnoticed if you aren't using it. Also, running out of bag space when you really need it is REALLY sucks. If you wanted to go 7 days, I'd take a look at Kifaru's Duplex frame and one of the AMR bags, a Timberline 1 bag, or their new Argali bag. Throw a few hip pockets on there and you are ready to rock.

This pack had an entire boned out sheep (ribs on the rack) all my gear, and a light camp in it (no tent) with some room to spare. It really can handle a crazy amount of gear but still compress down just fine for day hunts. I'm vocal about my love for Kifaru because they work.

Not sure why one would want to pay $600 for a Barneys when a Dana Design externals can be had for $150-$200.. I highly doubt a Barneys is worth $400 more than a DD.

Sure alot of guys into Kifaru these days. Prolly a good reason for that. I'm hoping the new MR packs for 2016 come in a couple pounds lighter than the current stuff..

I've used Mystery Ranch, Stone Glacier, and Kifaru and for me, it's Kifaru by a mile.

I've had my hands on a Barneys and I wouldn't want to wear that thing if given any of these three as an alternative.

As it was mentioned, Kifaru is a very good pack. The frames require a bit of adjusting, but once you get it adjusted to your back, they fit like a glove. Packed out a mature buck yesterday. (80+lbs) No problem.

I went from the longhunter to the mountain warrior bag. 7 days easy with the mountain warrior.

Thanks for the info, guys. Now, for the million dollar question....where's the cheapest place to buy a Kifaru? Lol

They sell direct, so ebay, classifieds here, or go on their forum, they have a classifieds section too.