Day pack for Elk hunt.........? how big?

[ron w]

What do you Elk hunters use. I'll be hunting from a trailhead daily. I have a multi pocket/compartment day pack that's 2400 c.i., I have a harness style fanny pack, and a Badlands Diabetic. Is Camo important for a pack? I'd like you thoughts and opinions on what you think is the way to go! I getting my stuff in order and starting to pack..........Thanks up front!!!   ron w

[steadman]

Ron, first off, good luck!! About the pack, I've used everything from big to small. It all comes down to personal preference. Right now I've settled on the Embrlestock X2 for my all around pack. I don't bivy out, but if I did I would add the spike duffle. It handles all the stuff I take, but is relatively small. It has a frame though in case I ever break my curse  
If you are hunting from a trailhead, take a couple and see which one works for you.

[snag]

I love the Eberlestock X2. It has enough room for carrying game bags, H2O bladder, other items, and has a shelf for carrying that first quarter out. It is very comfortable and has cinch straps so you can make it smaller when empty. Very well built. It is made of a cloth that is quiet. If you are stalking an animal it is quiet and easy to shoot with it on.

[awbowman]

I too love my X2 and I have the spike duffle as suggested.  I can pack in with the duffle cinched in and then leave it at the campsite.  The X2 by itself can be cinched down pretty compact and used as a great day pack.  And like Steadman said, first trip out can be with an elk quarter no problem.

They say that they have tested the x2 with 100# loads and it performed well.  I would think however it is NOT designed for an longer torso so I would tryit before I'd buy it if you are rather tall.

The material is etremely quiet and waterproof also which I like.

Oh, to ansewr one of your questions, I think the X2 is about 1800 or 1900 cu.in. but like I said it can be cinched up pretty tight.

[ron w]

I'm taking a pack frame also.....I'm leaning towards the bigger day pack that I could carry meat the first trip out to get my pack frame.....that's if I had to carry meat...     My bigger pack is not camo, is that real issue? I can drop it for a stalk if I need to!

[AZStickman]

I have been using a Kifaru spike camp for a while now and can't say anything bad about it.... Terry

[Whip]

The X2 has become my go to pack for western hunting.  It is rated as 1800 cubic inches, but it sure carries a lot of stuff.  To me, it's the perfect combination of the right size for carrying what I need with me while hunting and thanks to the frame it still has the ablility to handle that first load of meat extremely well.

As far as camo goes, I do use a camo model personally.  But I don't think that is critical to its function as a hunting pack.  Even if you have the pack on your back when close in on an animal they aren't going to be able to see much of it at all.  Eberlestock has some nice solid color options including tan and green.

I do have X2's in a variety of patterns in stock with more on the way.  You can see them on my website below, or for a more in depth look take a look at the Eberlestock website.

[ron w]

Whip, I know you did carry Badlands, I have a Diablo, is that a good choice.....?

[Duckbutt]

They should make this one of those sticky threads that stay up top.

Elk hunting = Buy X2 from Whip.  Great pack. Great price.  Greatest guy.

The End

[beachbowhunter]

Just picked up my X2 from Joe too....

[awbowman]

Whip makes a good point about the X2 and it's assessories.  The spike duffle is rated at 1900 cu. in. I think, and I recently did a trial pack for an upcoming trip to CO.  You cannot imagine how much stuff I put in that thing.  I have always felt that most pack companies overstated their pack's capacities, but Eberlestock is certainly not one of them.
 
A big vote for Whip also. I will be making my first hunting trip out west this year and can't tell you the countless questions he has patiently answered.  I will be buying from him here on out also.  One of my bows will also be spending some time in the coming off season at his hospital getting the grip just right.

[Glunt]

When hunting from the truck, I use a Badlands Monster Fanny.  With binos and bugles around my neck & shoulders I prefer no shoulder straps on my pack.  It does have them that tuck away so if I do need to load it up with more than normal stuff I can use them.

No packing quarters out with it but I can rig up horns & a cape to get back to camp and grab a big pack for meat.

I used to hunt with no pack and just what I could cram in my pockets.  Never had a real issue but missed alot of nice pics and couldn't do a great job of getting an elk hung.  I tried hunting with a full daypack and after rarely accessing any of junk I filled it with, I started going lighter the last few years.  I carry rain gear, knife, stone, GPS, camera, water, lunch, and enough stuff to bag and hang meat or have a fire if a night out is required.

I have an X1E I use for rifle hunting and filming.  Works great.

[Ringneck]

I will be using a Badlands 2200 as my day pack. It will allow me to take the first load of meat out. No wasted trip. In camp I will keep my larger pack for the following loads of meat. It is olive drab in color and I'm not worrying about it not being camo. I tried on an x2 but for me it is too short of a pack and doesn't fit well. Too bad as it's a nice little pack. Everyone is different so try before you buy if you can.

[FerretWYO]

I use a 2200 for most hunts. I also have a badlands ox that is awesome. Due to recent events and a ton of hard work by Joe I say go with his advice on the X2. He will do right by you. As for the camo. Not super important but I do kinda like to hide from people too ha ha.

[ron w]

Think I'm down to my big day pack and the Badlands Diablo. Just laying all my stuff out [trying to go lite] I think one of these is going to be the thing to use. Could still carry out some meat with either.....decisions, decisions!!!!!

[wtpops]

I have always been a small day pack guy but wanted to try something that could carry my clothes when I started the shed my layers. My first larger pack was the Badlands 2200, good pack but it sat a bit high and when I tilted my head back it would move my hat around and limit my head movement. I picked up an eberlestock X2 and love it. It can be compact when you want and carry all you need when needed. I love the frame it keeps the pack body off your back and allows a breeze in between the pack and your back, very nice when warm out.

[jhg]

I was going to return my new Eberlestock X2.

 With a light load it was no better than my Lowe Alpine pack that cost on sale 80 bucks. At over 200 dollars after tax or shipping it seemed pretty extravagant.

 But then I found this bad boy.

   http://s1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee386/jg2093/?action=view¤t=DSCF0013_14.jpg  

It took literally 1 minute to have this skull and rack loaded and secure on the X2. A hard to secure and unweldy load to say the least.

Loaded this pack shines. The extra cost pays off in that it can carry a big load easily.

You must pack this pack balanced (like a lot of other packs) and as low as you can (heavy stuff at the bottom). I prefer having the pack low on my back too. I see a lot of images of guys wearing packs very high with the HIP belt as a WAIST belt. hey, if ya got a ponch don't try to hide it ;0)


   http://s1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee386/jg2093/?action=view¤t=DSCF0017_11.jpg  


   http://s1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee386/jg2093/?action=view¤t=DSCF0010_14.jpg  


   http://s1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee386/jg2093/?action=view¤t=DSCF0020_9.jpg  

I think the assault pack designs that cater to mountaineering are more flexible pack designs. They often can double as one half of an emergency bivy and often can expand upwards using a long neck into the main compartment that will hold a lot of extra gear if needed. Or as a make shift ground pad if you get caught out for a night. They are well made and narrow. Another plus. I made a stealth cover for mine out of fleece  and it was silent.

Joshua

BTW, I am 6'-2" and that is about the limit for this pack. Its about maxed out on the shoulder straps and the chest strap. My upper torso is not super long either.

[Shinken]

Ditto on the X2

I've used a lot of different daypacks to hunt elk with since 1981, but the new model X2 is the cat's meow (or is that "the dog's bark"?)....

The Dwight Schuh pack (there's one for sale on Trad Gang by Walt F. right now) is a darn good daypack as well....

I use a freighter pack for the heavy loads.

BTW - on the X2 fit I am 6' even, 205 lbs, with a long torso and it rides very nice!

Shoot straight, Shinken

   

[Gary Logsdon]

I use a Bisongear "Elk Pack" model.

[jhg]

Originally posted by Shinken:
...I am 6' even, 205 lbs, ...

Want to come out here to Colorado and hunt with me? A 205lb, 6 footer would be just the mule, er, I mean hunting partner, I have been looking for...

Joshua