Hunting Backpack suggestions, New member

[WoodsWalker79]

Hello everyone I'm a new member of this site and would like to say I'm glad to be part of this community. I'm currently looking for a new gun bag to take on hunting trips. I'd be mainly carrying a Ruger American in 30-06 around the thick mountains of PA. A friend of mine has an Eberlestock Gunslinger which looks really great and reliable but told me he paid a little under $350 for it and I thought he was joking lol. So are the bags really worth the price, I found a site that has them for $320 which is cheaper.

 

[Arrowslinger]

Lots of great packs in that price range!

 

[JNDEER]

Welcome.

I would venture to think your walking in the PA woods is not many a miles. Why wouldn't you want to have the gun in your hands and at the ready should you come across game?

 

[Ambush]

Quality and function come at a price. Shop around. Dudes spend 300 to 600 on "bags" of quality all the time.

That said dudes also sell them and great deals can be found on pretty much new "bags" if you know what you want.

 

[paulc]

I have bought several Eberlestock J34, gunslinger, RMEF Elk pack and never paid more than $225 and as little as $150 on ebay. Buy them used, gonna be used soon anyhow.

 

[One Track]

If $320 is too much, just start looking on Ebay, etc. You can find used packs that are almost new. Typically, people sell them because they don't use them, not because they don't like them. Stay with a high quality brand. You can figure out what those are by check the hunting websites. I have a Badlands 2200 that I bought for $100 used. It's not known as the best pack these days, but I love it. It's packed out lots of meat over the last ten years.. And, I can strap a gun or bow to it for long hikes in the dark. Look for the type of pack with the wings, or flaps, on the back. That will allow you to pack a gun. Some of them have a sleeve for a spotting scope or a tripod. That sleeve will fit a rifle, no problem. Just because it doesn't advertise a gun sling, doesn't mean you can't strap a gun to it. Most importantly, look for padded low back support, a wide waist strap, and a sternum strap. That sternum strap is the key to getting the weight off of your hips and shoulders.

 

[TheGDog]

If you have any previous back traumas... such as from BMX/MTB/MX crashes. Then I'm going to recommend going with a Cadillac of a pack that is known for being able to haul heavy weight comfortably. I currently have a Badlands 2200 model year 2008 that I bought used off somebody shorter in stature than me. The pack is great.... until it's time to haul the meat out.

Now.. in fairness... some part of that could very well be that I don't quite have the nack of how to adjust a pack properly all the way figured out. But for me with this pack... under load... I have a constant problem with the hip belts slipping off my hip crests during the pack-out.

The first time I used it... to combat the problem of the waist belt straps slipping-down... I tightened the be-jesus out of the buckle... but... THAT... caused me to develop serious blistering over the next 3 days, so I do not recommend that.

Personally I'm trying to put money away in the meantime to go for a serious pack like a Kifaru. Mostly because packing out with that Badlkands really hurts/aggravates an old injury to my Sacrum/Tailbone area.

Your mileage may very.

 

[bearclaw]

If you have any previous back traumas... such as from BMX/MTB/MX crashes. Then I'm going to recommend going with a Cadillac of a pack that is known for being able to haul heavy weight comfortably. I currently have a Badlands 2200 model year 2008 that I bought used off somebody shorter in stature than me. The pack is great.... until it's time to haul the meat out.

Shorter in stature would imply the distance between hip belt and shoulder straps is shorter and keep the belt higher. Try any pack before you buy it. I will have a Mystery Ranch Crew Cab up soon for anyone looking for a Cadillac at a discount.

 

[JNDEER]

selling the boat anchor huh...so i guess your new digs are working well.

 

[bearclaw]

selling the boat anchor huh...so i guess your new digs are working well.

Yes sir!

 

[TheGDog]

If you have any previous back traumas... such as from BMX/MTB/MX crashes. Then I'm going to recommend going with a Cadillac of a pack that is known for being able to haul heavy weight comfortably. I currently have a Badlands 2200 model year 2008 that I bought used off somebody shorter in stature than me. The pack is great.... until it's time to haul the meat out.

Shorter in stature would imply the distance between hip belt and shoulder straps is shorter and keep the belt higher. Try any pack before you buy it. I will have a Mystery Ranch Crew Cab up soon for anyone looking for a Cadillac at a discount.

I said I bought it from somebody who was shorter in stature. (In other words, it was too tall for THEM)

BTW... straight-up LOVING my Kifaru EMR II that I now have! Started walking the dogs on our mile route with 4 Gallons of Crystal Geyser bottles on top of the basic every-trip gear I always have in there. Thing handles weight SOOOOOO much better!

 

[ElizabethBer]

Many hunters want one pack that can do it all, from day hikes to multiday trips to packing out an animal. Packs like the Sawtooth 45 offer expansion that lets you load up the frame when needed but pare the pack down when you want to stay light and compact. The problem I have with many of the packs in this category is that they’re just way too big to be comfortable day packs, and I end up reaching for a different, smaller pack. With 45 liters of volume, the Sawtooth 45 is spacious enough to comfortably carry on shorter missions without being cramped or feeling overloaded with too much pack.

The internal frame is substantial and gives this pack a weight that’s a bit high for the size, but that same robustness is what allows it to bear and distribute heavier loads when needed. The pack comes in several size options and has the Futura Yoke adjustment system, so you can really tailor it to your build, but it’s still going to feel bulkier than a slim, true day pack. For example, the substantial frame can be felt against your neck/head when ducking under branches, but this is the compromise a hunter makes when they want one pack for all situations.

 

[ElizabethBer]

Many hunters want one pack that can do it all, from day hikes to multiday trips to packing out an animal. Packs like the Sawtooth 45 offer expansion that lets you load up the frame when needed but pare the pack down when you want to stay light and compact. The problem I have with many of the packs in this category is that they’re just way too big to be comfortable day packs, and I end up reaching for a different, smaller collage backpack. With 45 liters of volume, the Sawtooth 45 is spacious enough to comfortably carry on shorter missions without being cramped or feeling overloaded with too much pack.

The internal frame is substantial and gives this pack a weight that’s a bit high for the size, but that same robustness is what allows it to bear and distribute heavier loads when needed. The pack comes in several size options and has the Futura Yoke adjustment system, so you can really tailor it to your build, but it’s still going to feel bulkier than a slim, true day pack. For example, the substantial frame can be felt against your neck/head when ducking under branches, but this is the compromise a hunter makes when they want one pack for all situations.