Internal Frame Pack for hunting out west

[hawk22]

I have a kelty coyote 4750 cubic inch internal frame pack that i've used for backpacking and wondered if it would work for hunting?  I don't see why it wouldn't because the hunting specific internal frame packs look the same other than the camo.  Anyone use a pack similar to this?  If not, what is your choice of pack for a backcountry hunt?  thanks guys!
 

[Canyon]

It will work fine. The only issue is the noisy material rubbing on brush. If you want camo make a pack cover from a quieter material.

[lpcjon2]

Military surplus ALICE pack they have to sizes and they are inexpensive.  

[Jon Stewart]

I have a Kelty external frame pack that I used for back packing and hunting.  I like the external  frame because of the ease of getting to the things I need.  The ouside pockets are larger.  I also like to hang things from the frame on the outside to dry such as sock, bandana's etc.  Its all a matter of preference.  I am sure that pack will work for you as you are already used to it and know how to pack it to fit your needs.

[sinistral]

Use the back you have. The material will be noisy, so cover it in an old camo shirt or something softer. If you want a new back check out Mystery Ranch. Or save the money, use yours and the saved money will help pay for tags, or a longer trip. My 2 cents, Jeff

[Tater]

Are you packing in to hunt or are you going to use the pack as your day pack for hunting as well?
      I have a Coyote, great pack for packing in for a few days or packing boned out meat. As far as an everyday hunting pack it is pretty large the nylon is going to make noise whether you cover it or not and it is cumbersome for moving through black timber and tough to shoot with it on.

[Gehrke145]

Just got the Sitka bivy, well worth the money!

[easyup]

As the others have said it will work.  Might be noisy but in most of my hunting experience AZ, NM and WY, unless your in black timber it would not be a problem.  For more convenience and silence I use and like Badlands for short trips and Kifaru frame for the long hunts.

[wihill]

It'll work fine with a fleece pack cover, though I'd  personally limit how much weight I'd load it with after the kill - I'm not familiar with the model or it's suspension type.

Many of the expedition grade packs on the market would work fine for pack in hunts, a simple cover can take care of any camo issues.

[lb55]

A comfortable pack is what you need to get your gear into the backcountry doesnt need to be ultra quiet or camo, Once you spot or locate game to sneak on you won't be needing that pack on anymore, drop the pack, make your stalk go back for the pack later.

Good Hunting
Ted

[hawk22]

I'm trying to plan a backcountry mule deer hunt.  I know the pack will carry all the gear I'm going to need but how should I pack out quarters and still be able to have all my gear?  I will probably try to do a 7-10 day solo hunt.

[Looper]

You'll probably need to make a couple of trips out. A boned out mulie with a cape and rack will weigh around 100# or so.  Your gear will probably weigh 50#, maybe more.  I don't know many folks that would try to haul all of that out in one trip, even if you weren't very far from your vehicle.

I'd do a little experimenting at home with some bags of sand.  Load your pack up and go on a hike.  You'll figure out what is reasonable in your pack.  You definitely don't want to overload yourself.

[chinook907]

I'm with Looper, if you get a critter you'll be making more than one trip out with it and your camp.  I got a Sitka 45 (4500 ci) last fall, its a great pack but I'm looking for something bigger to save trips.  What I've used for years is an old lowe contour classic, capacity is 6400 ci, you can get the sink in there !  It heavy (unloaded probably 9 or 10 lbs), but because its so big it has made the difference in making one long, gruelly (but happy !) trip out, rather than a couple trips and maybe multiple days.

[legends1]

You can also use just the packframe for packing out game.

[hunt it]

Internal frame packs will hold more weight and stabler than a external frame model. Externals get used alot as the frame serves as a great handle to get pack up and tie things off. If you are going to carry alot of weight 150# + of meat I'd consider an expedition grade pack. REI sells lots of them.

[hawk22]

I understand that i can't take an entire deer out in one trip.  To be more specific, are you guys strapping quarters to the outside of your packs or putting them in the main compartment?

[Bonecracker]

I used an older Dana Design Terraplane that is not far off your pack design. It is green in color and works well for a bivy pack and carry very heavy loads. I usually pack 3 to 6 miles in then set up a base camp then hunt from there. I have carried loads up to 100lbs in that pack.

[twitchstick]

I have used alot of frame packs and your kelty will work great. As your question on carrying one whole,it depends on your pack. The older frame packs I used I always like straping them directly to the frame in quarters. If there were two people alot of times we just cut them in 1/2,elk in quarters. I now use an elberlystock "just one" dragonfly. I like its versiablity to use as a day pack or as a full on multiday pack. I like the how quite a internal frame pack is compared to the frame pack and they are more stable. As they say go in light come out heavy. There are sevral other internal frame packs that are great too like badlands. Dwight Schuh has a real great frame pack system also. Just make sure that what ever pack you use is make for hauling enough weight.

[twitchstick]

Sorry I read your post wrong I thought that your kelty was a frame pack. Your kelty will work great. I keep sevral extras around base camp for those that don't have a good pack.

[snag]

I would pack out with that pack and the head and cape. Grab your "meat pack" at the truck and go back in for the meat. No wasted trips.