Daypack + Meat pack or Combo

[troutkingmaster]

Hey there, So things are coming together for a DIY moose and black tail hunt in SE AK this fall. This is sort of a unique hunt as we will boat in to a cabin on a tidal flat and hunt out of there on foot for the most part. After scouring aerials and topos, it looks like the swampy/marshy areas start about 2 miles from the cabin we have so it will be a lot of hiking for the moose.

For those of you you have done elk or moose hunts etc where you routinely find yourself 2-4 miles away from base, do you like carrying a day pack with just essentials and then go back to camp for the meat pack if you down something? I almost pulled the trigger on a Tenzing 2220 but got to thinking that if you down something, you now have to walk 4 miles round trip, just to get the meat pack and start doing trips. As an alternative, the cabelas instinct 70L (3700 Cu in), although larger and heavier, would allow me to start making trips immediately.

Thanks in advance!

[nofishfisherman]

I don't have a ton of practical experience with this type of hunt but thinking over the situation I'd want to avoid the extra 4 miles of hiking to get the meat pack. That could add some significant time to the process depending on how hard of hike it is.

One other thought. I'm not sure what the area is like where you'll be hunting but it might be possible to bring the large meat pack and a smaller day pack at least part of the way to your hunting spot and then stash the large meat pack in an area where it wouldn't be as bad to go retrieve if needed and where it can get picked up on the way back to the cabin. Then you'd keep your small day pack on you all day when hunting. I suppose if you plan to hunt the same area several days in a row you could stash the meat pack out there and leave it out over night and then just grab it on the last trip back to the cabin at the end of the trip. That would save having to carry it back and forth every day.

[NoWiser]

My

You aren't going to want to do your actual hunting with a pack frame on. They are cumbersome, noisy, and just not much fun to wear, especially in dense areas like I'm assuming most of SE Alaska is. But, you can't beat them for just plain load hauling ability. The good thing is that you don't need to spend much money to get a good one. Look at the Kelty Cache Hauler frame or the Cabelas Alaskan frames if you can find them. I wouldn't go on a moose trip without a frame.

But, I'd also get a daypack that you could use to haul out a light first load. There are a bunch of options out there that would work well. They should be quiet, comfortable, and of a sleek enough design so that they aren't catching on every cedar tree you duck under. On top of that it would be nice if you could haul 40-50 pounds in it for your first trip out. Something with either a batwing design or that can expand to put the meat between the frame and bag would work well. There are a ton of good pack makers out there with the top notch ones being Kifaru, Mystery Ranch, Stone Glacier, Kuiu, and Exo. There are also ones from Badlands, Eberlestock, Blacks Creek, and others that would work. If I were in your shoes I'd try to stretch your budget as much as possible and scour the western hunting sites to find a top notch used one. You're going to be wearing that pack many hours each day and it's money well spent to have something comfortable.

Maybe the best investment you could make would be to pay off your doctor to write you a note excusing you from strenuous activity. Whip it out and show it to your buddy when you have your moose down. They are some big, big animals!!

Good luck and have a great hunt!

[troutkingmaster]

I was kind of leaning towards the approach you guys bring up with 2 packs. I agree that in the thick stuff, a frame pack, even a smaller one, will be noisy and a PITA to deal with, not to mention, the smaller day packs I've been looking at tend to have a better lay out for quick access to certain items like a rangefinder, gps, etc.

I had thought about stashing the frame pack along the way as most of the good looking habitat is in the same general direction so it would not be completely out of the way to go get it, not to mention, I would most likely be headed back to get help from the others if I am lucky enough to get something down. Thanks again for the feedback.

[Scoot]

One thing you didn't mention is a budget for this pack. Any idea how much you're able to spend on it?

If I were in your shoes I'd try to stretch your budget as much as possible and scour the western hunting sites to find a top notch used one. You're going to be wearing that pack many hours each day and it's money well spent to have something comfortable.

I did a TON of research on this topic over many years and I ended up with a Kifaru (NoWiser did too!) IMO it's the best made and that's why I bought it. Cheaper packs will work for lots of things, but when you get an animal on the ground you'd sell your soul for a good pack. Hauling around two packs that weigh way too much and require you to take an "empty trip" out flat out stinks. Plus, I'd much rather haul a heavy load with my Kifaru Bikini frame than a Kelthy Cache Hauler (I own one) or an Alaskan Frame pack (I've used them a few times). Most of the Kifaru packs compress down to smaller packs than the typical day pack, so it's not a size problem- even with a 6000+ CI pack.

The Kifaru's are super expensive. If this is a "once in a lifetime" hunt and you don't want to drop the coin on it for that reason, I'd strongly suggest you take Jim's suggestion of finding a good used one for a good price, using it for your trip, then reselling it. If you do it right you'll break even on the deal or at least lose very little money. If you decide to go this route I'll be happy to offer suggestions on which options you might like, and I be NoWiser would too.

Good luck on the trip- sounds like one heck of a fun time!

[troutkingmaster]

Thanks for the great input guys. Regarding budget, I would like to stay below $400 for whatever pack(s) I end up with, but that being said and having done back country hiking trips years ago (120 miles in 8 days), I really do understand the value of a good, comfortable pack. One question after sniffing around on the Kifaru site, do you use one of their packs for the meat when using the bikini frame or just the frame? Thanks again.

[Scoot]

One question after sniffing around on the Kifaru site, do you use one of their packs for the meat when using the bikini frame or just the frame? Thanks again.

One of the beautiful things about the Kifaru frames is their versatility. I know a very accomplished elk hunter who uses a bikini frame, an XLT lid, and a long pocket- that's it. He straps elk meat directly onto the frame when he gets an animal down and he can get all of his day gear in the lid and pocket.

That being said, the vast, vast majority of people use a frame/bag combo. For your purposes I would look closely at the Nomad and the EMRII. The Nomad is smaller in CI's than the EMRII, but much more versatile IMO. I have a Nomad it is just about perfect for me. If I was going to go to Alaska and knew I'd be filling it with large loads of gear quite a bit, I would have considered the EMRII more. The beauty of the Nomad is that it can be used in conjunction with a bag that you put between the batwings and it goes from a 2400 CI pack to a 7000+ CI pack.

Another thing to consider is that if you plan on doing really heavy loads frequently, the Duplex frame may be a better choice than the Bikini frame. The Bikini is lighter and a rock solid hauler. The Duplex is slightly heavier and is flat out made for hauling. Most guys make the decision between the two based on this: if you're going to be hauling 100+ lbs often or 150 lb loads ever, probably go with the Duplex. If you're more likely to haul 60-90 lb loads, the Bikini is probably a better option. I can't haul 100+ lb loads very far, and I didn't want to lug around the couple extra pounds all the time, so I went with the Bikini and I love it. Some guys mileage varies on this and they experience the opposite of this as far as which is better for heavy loads, but by and large this is the report I get from people who have used both a bunch.

If I wanted to keep my cost below $400 I would do one of the following: 1) figure out how to buy the Kifaru set up I wanted and bump up my budget up. I'd do this if I wanted to keep the pack and use it in the future. 2) Buy a used Kifaru, use it for the trip, then sell it. If you're really careful about this you could probably make a few dollars in the process. If not, you should break even or cost yourself very little. Careful with option #2- you may think that's your plan going in, but then you just might fall in love with it! LOL

Great footwear and a pack that can do everything you need to do- these will be important on your trip.

[troutkingmaster]

Thanks again, scoot. I can definitely see that Kifaru is set up to be a very customizable system. Do any retailers carry them in MN? Regarding loads, seeing as how I am 5'9" and about 140 lbs., I will be leaning closer to the 60-70 lb loads, especially if it's difficult terrain. I'd rather make more smaller loads and get it all out than over load and risk an injury on the first load...

[NoWiser]

troutkingmaster,

There are no retailers in MN but I see you're from South Central MN. I'm approximately the same size as you at 5'10" 155 lbs. I have the bikini frame and timberline 2 pack. I live in Prior Lake so if you are ever in the area I'd be happy to let you take a look and try it on. I did have some modifications made to mine due to some back problems. Kifaru put in their "flat back" stays and a custom lumbar pad for me. The awesome part is that they did this for free 1-1/2 years after I bought the pack! You can't beat that.

I sent you a PM with my email address if you are interested.

[troutkingmaster]

Thanks for the offer, I just might take you up on that...