internal or external

[beaver#1]

i am planning a diy hunt,  and would like to yalls opinion on both.  packing out game is a big question for me.  i know which one looks more comfortable.

[McDave]

You can pack out more weight more comfortably with an external frame pack.  Of course, whether it's external or internal, it has to fit you.  The advantage of an internal frame pack is that there are less things to catch on brush, and it rides a little better when you are climbing or otherwise out of balance.

[beaver#1]

i was kinda thinking that.  i sure do like to think that i will take a elk so i am making preps. for that.   thatnks mcdave
dustin parker

[Michael Pfander]

I am a little biased about this for I feel that an external frame is better if you don't bone it out and that an internal frame is better if its boned.  I've got a Lowe  pack that's going on 30 years old that has probably hauled  out close to 1000# of elk and deer meat, no bones.  So far so good.
MAP

[beaver#1]

thanks map,  i am not familiar with a lowe pack but sounds like its a good one .  meat will be boned out for the most part.

[bearsfeet]

A lot depends on the style of hunting you plan on doing??
Are you doing day hunts or will you be going for several days?
On just day trips a pack like an eberlestock x2 is a great one to look at. You can put a good load on there with comfort not being a problem. If you do day hunts you can always leave a pack fram at the truck.

If your planing on being in for longer I would say a large
size internal is the way to go. Frame packs are good but on the heavy side which will add up on you in the long run.
If you get a internal that fits right and is made right you can haul as much weight as you think you can and some
that's my 2 cents

[beaver#1]

thanks bears feet.  i will be in for 5 or more days.  packing game out is my biggest delima

[bearsfeet]

I would go with one of these packs, blacks creek featherlight, badlands 4500 or a eberlestock blue widow. I have never used a blue widow but know people who swear by it.
I just put my blacks creek 2.5 up on the adds but it's pushing it for 5 days and meat.

Your delima is one of the reasons we all go though  
Are you taking this trip this up coming fall?

[beaver#1]

no it will be 2011 or 12.  i just want everything to be as perfect as i can make it. so i am starting purchasing the few things i need and making plans now

[bearsfeet]

That's the best way to do it.
What state and what animal are you going after?

[bearsfeet]

That's the best way to do it.
What state and what animal are you going after?

[beaver#1]

well i was looking for anyhting otc.  but have settled for elk in colorado. have no idea what part yet. so much info to sort through. as far i know colorado is the only place you can get otc elk tags. am i right?  im a east texas swamp man so its all new to me.

[bearsfeet]

Pm sent

good luck with finding the right pack hope it goes well! There are some really nice packs coming out this spring.

[Ragnarok Forge]

Washington State has over the counter Elk tags and you can also purchase them online.  We have lots of hunting out here.  I would be happy to host you and play guide for you if you want to hunt Roosevelts.  Bigger bodies and a bit smaller racks. I hunt the west side of Washington so you would want a Westside elk archer tag if you wanted to hunt out here with me.  Eastside hunting has some areas that are good for hike in hunts and you will be hunting Rocky Mountain Elk on the East side.  Smaller bodies and bigger racks.  Those areas are draw only for bulls but you can get an over the counter cow / spike tag.

[beaver#1]

wow ragnarok taht is quite a generous offer.  i will be driving from east texas though. i really dont care if its cow spike or bull, well who dont want a huge bull , but you know what i mean.but i dont think washington state will be in my budget.  thanks
dustin parker
  j/w  what does a out of state license cost there.

[sagebrush]

I have an external freighter frame pack that has one large main bag. A couple years ago I shot a large cow elk and boned it all out. And put the whole thing in the pack(it has a big bag).I laid down on the pack and buckled it on and could barely roll over. I could not stand up. So I had to split it in half. The pack held it, I could not. This pack has probably carried out 15 elk. It is still in great shape. The only thing I don't like is it is noisy. So I don't hunt with it. Gary