Pack Frames Worth there Weight In Gold

[Daveinthebush]

For many of us up here the only way to retireve game is to pack it out somehow. So what kind of pack or frame do you use?

I started this, went to look at mine and the darn thing does not have one label on it!

I have an aluminum frame with a shelf extension on the bottom simular to the Cabela's Alaskan Guide series. The pack is removable with six pins and broken into compartments. I have only packed some caribou in it so it has not had a heavy test yet. There is a hook on the top vertical rail for hanging my rifle sling, that side is covered with foam pipe insulation to protect the rifle.  On top I have another piece of foam with a V in it so that I can use it like a rifle rest.

Wroks for me!

[Balto]

I use a Cabela's Alaskan back pack.     Packed out about 75 lbs of caribou for a a couple of miles on one hunt.   Also loaded it up with 50lbs and hiked throughout the summer last year training  for a sheep hunt that did'nt materialize.  I equiped it with a Barney's rifle holder.  Works real well unless you need the rifle real fast.

It has held up fine so far.  The hard core sheep hunters tell me that after a few hunts carrying 90+ lbs the Cabela's break down after a few hard usages in the sheep mountains.  

They all seam to like the Barney's external frame backpacks.   I ahve heard nothing but good about this pack and am seriously considering upgrading to the "Pinical".  But that costs around $400.00+ last time I checked (about 3 years ago).

[Del]

The DANA DESIGN "LongBed", K2 Loadmaster Series pack that I purchased a couple years ago has been GREAT.  

The couple Dall Sheep hunts on took it on, I was hauling 60-63 lbs. going in and up to 90-100 lbs. coming out.  I've also hauled out almost half a caribou ('bone-in' front & rear quarter  & some misc. boned out meat) in one trip.  The shoulder harness & waist belt system makes the load "feel" 10-15 lbs. lighter then my old pack.

The DANA DESIGN packs seems to be of very high quality, very rugged frame, material, zippers, the harness / waist belt system with the way it fits you and all the adjustments is the best I found.

If you're going to do any amount of back pack hunting or camping, do yourself a favor and buy the best pack you can afford!  From what I've seen there is a BIG difference in a $150 pack and a $300 dollar pack - I'm talking about how you're going to feel at the end of the day and how long it will last!!

Get "out there" and have some fun,
Del

[Yukon Jack]

I've got one of the Barney external frames and have used it for sheep, moose, caribou, etc... over the past 6 or 7 years.  It hasn't let me down, yet.

Having said that, I'm considering trying a good internal frame pack for this years sheep hunt.  I really like internal frames because they are less cumbersome and hold the weight better.  Meat will have to be boned-out, and put in trash bags, I think to make it work though.  Sometimes in the iffy areas, the external frame can get in the way.  I've got an internal frame for work and camping that will hold more than I can carry, so I think it'll work as far as weight and mass goes.

What do you guys, think?

[Dand]

I use an old Camp Trails Wolf Pack I bought at Barneys. I think the pack is close to 25 yrs old.   Its pretty much like their old Moose Frame with a bag that can be made into a single big sack or 2 compartments.  I've carried 70 lbs weighed a couple times.  Carried a whole boned caribou once when I was young and in shape.  I haven't used it as hard as really serious hunters but its done a lot of meat and camps in its time. I like the V bar at the top - leaves room for the back of my head than the old Kelties with a straight cross bar.  Has a heavy duty waist belt.  At the time (1978 or so) it cost 150 or more.  So like a previous post says - get the best and it will be money well spent.