I need a good hunting pack

[Empty Quiver]

I am wanting to replace my hunting pack. I'm looking to carry cold weather clothes to the stand as well as the normal can't live without trash. This includes lunch, rope, socks, small survival kit, calls roughly a fanny pack worth of kit. I'm figureing about 2200cu  and weight capabilities if boning and packing come my way. I am what my friends describe as Sasquatch sized, I'm of the opinion they are Hobbits and simply jealous. So a large pack is not a problem and small ones actually are.

Some that have been catching my eye are Eberlestock and Badlands, but 2 bills seems like a lot of cash. I will pay what has to be paid but want to be sure.

[Junior1942]

Look at this: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/mil-tec-3-day-assault-pack-woodland-camo.aspx?a=811188

Mine is the next size smaller and with only one outer pocket. It's sold out, I suppose.  Mine is the most heavy duty pack I've ever owned, and I've owned a bunch.  I removed the hydration bladder and put a folded Thermarest seat in the pouch.  I expect mine will last me the rest of my life.

Mine was unused military surplus.  After a long look at it, I finally found out why it was surplused out when it was spanking new.  One of the padded and detachable shoulder straps was 3/4" longer than the other one.  Big deal!!

PS: "heavy duty" means the fabric is very thick.  To me, it looks and feels like the thick bottom of a military duffel bag.  The main zipper is the biggest and toughest zipper I've ever seen. 

[Poopers]

Look on ebay for a Molle II external frame pack. Current military issue WILL stand up to your hunting demands. I have one, havent used it yet but it feels pretty damn rugged. The external frame has the added benefit of being able to strap oddball shaped things to it

[Winter Hawk]

I have used a LL Bean "Continental Rucksack" since my Sweetie got me the first one in 1994.  It gets daily use.  When in Alaska working for the Forest Service it was in the woods with rain gear, lunch, thermos, emergency gear, etc. every day.  I finally replaced it last year, not because it was worn out but because all the plastic buckles had broken and getting them replaced was going to be more than buying a whole new one.

I used it on several trips to training sessions as my only luggage, carrying everything I needed for a week's stay.  I used it as my luggage for two when I had to take my son to Seattle Children's Hospital for a three day stay.  I have strapped the rain gear and such on top and used it to pack out several boned out deer.  I wouldn't trade it for anything else, even if it were more "high tech" and with larger capacity.  I highly recommend it.

-Winter Hawk-

[Anduril]

I like my hunting gear to be made from a "quiet" fabric, so most of the time nylon is out.
I also don't think the latest no-see-me pattern (or any camo pattern) is needed, just a neutral brown green or grey color.
Do any of the packs mentioned so far have these qualities?
Thanks.
..

[Empty Quiver]

I like my hunting gear to be made from a "quiet" fabric, so most of the time nylon is out.
I also don't think the latest no-see-me pattern (or any camo pattern) is needed, just a neutral brown green or grey color.
Do any of the packs mentioned so far have these qualities?
Thanks.
..

The ones mentioned have those qualities in spades. They are also pretty spendy. As I said I am willing to buy one but would like a bit of feed back before I let loose of >$200. A problem I find with most packs is they don't fit my "adult physique". Generally speaking the shoulder straps could be about 6" longer, especially when winter comes.

[Winter Hawk]

I believe the LL Bean Continental Ruck is around $50, and it's hell for stout!

-WH-

[Dand]

I'd like to revive this thread as I need a new day pack.  I'm checking out the LL Bean bag recommended here but still looking for other options too.
I've  had a Gander Mt. bag that I thought would be junk but turned out to be WONDERFUL for close to 20 yrs. Now the zippers are failing and its no longer waterproof.


It was fuzzy soft camo,and totally quiet, very water proof (still surprises me) had several pockets, good zippers, and a big zip flap that could open the whole main bag.  And not real expensive.

Does anyone still make a truly quiet day bag that is waterproof? I'm often in the rain and the bag will spend a lot of time in a boat which means it can end up on the floor, in water now and then.


I should add that mesh outer pockets tend to get badly shredded in our brush.

[scootrd]

I've been saving up my pennies for over a year now in a change jar dedicated to purchasing a Badlands whitetail Hybrid or Super day pack. (these are the two I have narrowed my choices down too.

Hybrid

http://www.badlandspacks.com/index.php?go=Packs_Core09

• WEIGHT:   4 lb. 2 oz.*
• DIMENSIONS:   20 x 12 x 11
• CAPACITY:   1980 ci
• POCKETS:   Infinity + 1
• BOW:   Yes
• RIFLE:   Yes
• CAMO:   AP
• 
  
  SuperDay
  
  http://www.badlandspacks.com/index.php?go=Packs_Core05
  
  Weight:  3 lbs 15 oz
   Dimensions:  30" x 13" x 7.5"
   Capacity:  1950 ci
   Compartments:  3
   Pockets:  7
   Camo:  Max-1
  
  
  They also make an Ultraday  (part of their Hypervent series ) Though not my choice you may be interested.
  
  http://www.badlandspacks.com/index.php?go=Packs_Hypervent09
  
  
• WEIGHT:   2 lb. 3 oz.*
• DIMENSIONS:   22 x 12 x 8
• CAPACITY:   1800 ci
• POCKETS:   7
• BOW:   Yes
• RIFLE:   No
• HYDRATION:   100 oz. (not incl)
• CAMO:   AP

[teamnelson]

Just a thought, but how about a ALICE pack, or ALICE based system like a Hellcat? I don't know if you can find them anymore, but the Radioman frame was slightly longer than standard issue, which gives you a larger platform for packing out game if needs be. There's also the CFP90 which is an internal frame pack, adjustable for up to us Sasquatch sizes. All of those can be had for well under $100, and they're combat tested.

[Dand]

Scootrd I'll check those out, thanks for the links.  Since I don't have a way to look at em first hand it helps to get others' opinions.


Team Nelson, thanks too - but I think those are much bigger than my needs.  I just need some thing for a knife, ammo, gps, binocs, firestarter and maybe a spare bit of clothing.  When it comes to packing out meat, I have a big frame pack. We can't bone out anything in the field and except for a small caribou, we're usually looking at pretty big loads. More and more I hunt where I WON'T be packing far at all. Don't know if I could get a moose quarter on my back any more let alone walk away with it.


Thanks again - I didn't expect such quick responses on this older thread.

[Victor3]

Does anyone still make a truly quiet day bag that is waterproof? I'm often in the rain and the bag will spend a lot of time in a boat which means it can end up on the floor, in water now and then.
I should add that mesh outer pockets tend to get badly shredded in our brush.

 Not sure how quiet you need. Water "resistant" is maybe a better term for most common packs I think.
 
 Best nylon pack I've ever had for quiet is my current Maxpedition Falcon II. Zipper pulls are paracord, so no rattle there. Makes a "zippy" sound when rubbed against something hard (like most all nylon does). Never taken it in the rain but it's supposed to be good. No outside mesh pockets.
 
http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/FALCON-II-BACKPACK-12p110.htm
 
 

[Winter Hawk]

Dand,

Again, I used the LL Bean Continental Ruck for years in the rains of SE Alaska, out in the field working for the Forest Service.  I always carried my rain gear and helicopter flight suit in the main compartment with my lunch and thermos, then other field gear (binos, first aid kit, fire starter etc.) in the pockets.  It was/is as water resistant as any I found.  No frills, but strong and dependable.

-Kees-

[bilmac]

I have decided that I will be putting a lot of my hunting stuff like packs up for sale at our next garage sale. Getting too old to haul critters on my back. I have used a fairly large frame that has "V" bracing and a foldout shelf for packing meat. If anyone is interested about details PM me, I would like see it go to a good home.

[mcwoodduck]

I have two old Jansport Back packs that I use,
 One is green the other Camo.
What I like it the large central pouch and the double zippers
the two side pockets are large and carry stuff easy to get to.
The center pocket in it allows for other easy items to retrieve easy.
I like the straps and the tie downs.  There are two tie downs on the bottom of the Green one where I connect my Dead Slead drag.  The loop between the back straps allows me to hang it on the tree or in the stand.
And the tie downs on the top are a place to roll of camo or a blanket.  Old wool army blanklet works well as cover, warmth, and a strecher if needed with a couple of poles to drag out buddy or game.
In the side pockets I keep  Toilet paper, hand wipes, toosh wipes, rubber gloves, spare knife, fire making, small 1st aid kit, a couple Zip loc bags.  Twine,  Water, usually a diet coke, and a snickers bar..
In the center pouch I keep spare gloves, a warm hat, a balaclava, boot covers,  and some times a sweater.
The center pocket on the back usually has lunch and some snacks as well as my hunting license and tags.
Inbetween the side pockets and the main compartment are places for skis.  When I was a kid on a bike going to school I stuck my lacrosse stick there (had the same pack as a kid in school- It was red).  Now I put 50' of 3/8" nylon rope in a hank and tie it to one of the attachment points on the top. 
The other side has carried a hatchet.  But often it has held my rifle when draging out a deer.

[Dand]

Thanks folks since I often strap my pack to my snogo and my old one is failing, I decided to get something soon - so if it warms up a little I can get out.


I decided to try this Cabela's offering after checking lots of other products:  Cabela's Deluxe Whitetail™ Day Pack
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Deluxe-Whitetail8482-Day-Pack/714187.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3D51-1914%2BCabela%2527s%2BDeluxe%2BWhitetail%2BDay%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=51-1914+Cabela's+Deluxe+Whitetail+Day&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products


I thought I'd try a moderate cost unit.  We'll see how this one works - its pretty close to my old bag in design so I won't have to do a lot of adjusting.    It has a number of good reviews.


Those Badlands offerings are SPENDY!!! and there was some criticism of cold weather performance - I can expect to be down to at least -30 at one time or another.  Last year I was in even colder.  RE some of those badlands packs, I think you CAN have too many pockets - I'm constantly struggling to find stuff in the coats, vests, and pack I use now as I'm often really layered up.


Seems like a lot of stuff that is supposed to be quiet these days isn't very quiet at all - or waterproof. We'll see about the cabela offering.






That LL Bean pack looked really nice for a great price - I'd prefer the polyester one over the waxed canvas.  My biggest disappointment is that Bean really doesn't tell enough about the pack, such as are there zippers under those pocket flap straps or does the strap do the whole job. I think they'd sell more if they provided more info on the website.  If I was strictly looking for a hiking pack I'd have spent a bunch of time to find out more about that Continental Ruck as I really like the look.  But its not built with quiet cloth so I moved on. I might suggest they make a quiet hunting version.


Hope the conditions hold and I can get out for some rabbits and ptarmigan - they seem to be abundant this year - but I really don't like to hunt with broken ribs at -10 to -25.  I'l heal a bit and hopefully it won't warm up too much - just a little.

BILMAC  - do you plan to post your stuff on GB classifieds?  I'm not in the market for one but that pack frame sounds like the old Camp Trails Moose Pack - a really good design.  The shelf supports heavy loads and if I have the right frame, the V frame  up near your head strengthens the frame while making room for the back of your head - much better than an old Kelty.  My current frame is 1 step down from the moose frame.


MCWOOD - We have some Jansports for the boys to use - good packs and simple. Looks like you carry a lot of stuff like me - I often add disposable handwarmers, one of those foil space blankets, no wool, but usually a good wad of para cord or 1/4 to 3/8 braided nylon, socks, gloves, in summer bug dope, mirror, power bars etc etc.  When I'm out I like full sugar sodas for all the calories I can get - not the time to be on a diet.


Thanks again for all  the suggestions all. I'll try to update this when I get the pack  and use it a while. 

[bilmac]

I believe it is a camp trails.  It's a modern design with backbands and a hip belt. I packed an Alaskan moose hide bones and all in six trips with it which was probably it's most severe test. A boned out deer is just enough to give you good traction.

[mcwoodduck]

My packs are very similar to the Cabelas White tail.
I drink the diet coke for he caffine.  If I do not have any by 2pm I get a head ache.
OH I forgot to mention some spare ammo and a couple of spare batteries for the GPS, Flash light and the range finder.
I keep a space blanket in the coat.  My Filson coat has a strange little pocket inside the game pouch that holds a compass and a space blanket.
When I broke my ankle hunting out in the middle of Montana.  I started carrying a lot more stuff.

[GRIMJIM]

I need a new one too. I shot mine last year.

[scootrd]

Those Badlands offerings are SPENDY!!! and there was some criticism of cold weather performance

I am glad you found a pack you think you will like. 99.00 is quite a lot to drop on a pack you cannot try on for fit beforehand.

I had the opportunity to try on a few of the badlands packs. For me , the extra 50.00 - 60.00 outlay on the Badlands superday , ultrday or Diablo pack (I find them priced on-line right around 149.00 - 169.00 I feel is $$ worth spending. They are a lot of pack for the money. Additionally of sites online will offer a free bladder and/or  rain cover your choice with purchase.

Badlands packs have one of the best warranties in the Business. Unconditional no questions ask return policy , even after years of use and abuse if something breaks they will repair or replace. 

here is their Guarantee in their own words - 

We don't care what happened, or whose fault it was, we will fix it for free forever. We could care less if you bought it at a garage sale or a gear swap, as long as it says Badlands on the pack it's covered. All we ask is that you use and abuse your pack as much as possible so we can learn how to make better products.

For me I'm sold on their product.

[Dand]

Thanks again to all for the advice and information. My Cabela's pack arrived and is very close to my old Gander Mt. version. The fabric is not as quiet as the old one and the shoulder straps are fancier. There seem to be more buckles and stuff but it looks like it should work.  After I have taken it out a few times I'll try to remember to post my evaluation.


Mcwood and others who suggested what to have in a pack, I got to laughing when I reviewed the suggestions. Yes all good suggestions but I also thought of the saying some say about old boats that sit lower and lower in the water as the owers find more and more stuff to put in it.  Same could be said for day packs.  Last fall I could not figure out why my pack was so darned heavy when it was essentiall "empty".  So I really cleaned it out of all stuff including the "essential" never-leave-without-it stuff.  I found an extra water bottle, various bits of candy, food wrappers, tie wraps, a knife I thought I'd lost, ancient bandaids that were useless, some gloves I'd been looking for, lots of dirt and twigs, a few empty 22 shells, and empty 12 ga hull, roll of survey tape, and some "wet ones" towelletts that weren't wet at all any more.  I think I pulled out at least 3 pounds of not-so-needed-stuff and my pack was noticeably lighter and more roomy.

[mcwoodduck]

Thanks again to all for the advice and information. My Cabela's pack arrived and is very close to my old Gander Mt. version. The fabric is not as quiet as the old one and the shoulder straps are fancier. There seem to be more buckles and stuff but it looks like it should work.  After I have taken it out a few times I'll try to remember to post my evaluation.


Mcwood and others who suggested what to have in a pack, I got to laughing when I reviewed the suggestions. Yes all good suggestions but I also thought of the saying some say about old boats that sit lower and lower in the water as the owers find more and more stuff to put in it.  Same could be said for day packs.  Last fall I could not figure out why my pack was so darned heavy when it was essentiall "empty".  So I really cleaned it out of all stuff including the "essential" never-leave-without-it stuff.  I found an extra water bottle, various bits of candy, food wrappers, tie wraps, a knife I thought I'd lost, ancient bandaids that were useless, some gloves I'd been looking for, lots of dirt and twigs, a few empty 22 shells, and empty 12 ga hull, roll of survey tape, and some "wet ones" towelletts that weren't wet at all any more.  I think I pulled out at least 3 pounds of not-so-needed-stuff and my pack was noticeably lighter and more roomy.

I didn't make suggestions as to what to what to carry.  I told what I carry.  Right now both of my packs are empty.  I load each pack depending on where and what I am hunting.  Clearly I carry different things when Hunting elk in Montana, than when I am huting pigs in Southern Ca, for whitetail deer in NC, and different things for when we are in Az for Javilina.  New water, new Soda, fresh snacks, and ammo for the game hunted are added.  Not to mention the Rubber gloves, hand and tail wipes.
At the end of the hunt I take everyting out, throw away any trash, put the spare batteries in the battery draw, stick the water in the cooler for the ride home or the fridge, put the ammo away, and put any snacks go with me to the office.
 

[charles p]

Last week I was in a Marine Corps exchange at Camp Lejeune in NC.  They had some of the nicest packs in small sizes that I have ever seen.