I bought my CM II in 2011 and have been using it every year on Stones Sheep hunts, as well as lots of goat, caribou, deer and antelope hunting. I used to use a Kifaru LongHunter Guide and the Mchale is a huge improvement for carrying heavy loads for me. Might be just my body shape, but the CM II harness system is on another level for heavy load comfort. Other people I’ve hunted with, including my brother, have bought Mchale packs after witnessing and trying mine. The packs they replaced were Kifaru’s, Mystery Ranch and Barney’s.
It is the one piece of gear that I would never get rid of or trade unless it was for another Mchale pack.
Mine is full Dyneema and apart from looking a little faded and dirty, it has no cuts, holes, abraided patches or frayed threading. I’ve never torn out a strap, popped a zipper, or broken a buckle, and this pack has carried many rams, goats, deer and caribou.
Since the McHale doesn't have a load shelf, How do you pack out of the backcountry with meat? For instance, do you place your tent, sleeping bag, clothes food etc. into a drybag outside of the pack and carry the meat in meat bags inside or something else?
Thank you!
