Backpacks

I use the cabelas alaskan external frame pack. I have worn out a couple of these packs and have never wanted anything else. The frame is strong and very adjustable to get a good fit. The pack is well designed for hunters with a place for a rifle, spotting scope, etc. I have carried this pack with enormous loads of meat and I can tell you that it can carry more than you want. There is another thread along these lines with some great info. You can look it up on my old posts.------shooter

Cabela's Alaskan Guide Model® Camo Pack with Frame Item:IK-515448


I got the one above and love it. Used it on a few back country fishing trips this year, and did an overnght for deer this year. Loads of room and if you need to quarter up a deer the frame has I believe a 200# capacity. Padded pocket on one side for spotting scope with a long pouch for sticks/hatchet. Other side swings open to hold your rifle, even has a pocket for the butt.

Shooter-
I have looked at this pack which one is it...there are so many on the web page there is like Alaskan 2 and 1 and Guide model, and outfitter...which one is yours? How many cubic inches?

Type "IK-515448 " in the search, should take you right to it.

Crunch14-Have you ever packed a whole deer out?

Not on a pack, I made a drag harness out of web gear and go a ways with the deer then go back and get the pack then a ways with the deer, go back and grab pack. Thats how we've always gotten out deer out. I took my first deer this year but was only a mile from the road. Help my dad and others do this many times in the past. But then again this is my first year with a frame pack.

Oh nice

bc,

I don't have a catalog handy to get you an exact item number, but the pack mentioned above in this thread is the one you want. Make sure you get the frame that has a zipper compartment on the bottom of the frame shelf containing a hunter orange quarter pack that can be used with the frame when the main pack is not attached. Also, get the pack mentioned above that has the padded sleeve for optics and the rifle scabbord. I have packed out dozens of deer with this frame and it has worked out great. Most of the mulies I have packed out render about 70-80lbs of boned out meat. This is all I can carry safely, so I usually make one trip out with the meat, then hike back in to get the 35-40 lbs of camp gear that I carry. I have made one trip with everything when I killed smaller blacktatils in California, but these trips were a killer. Get the right stuff adn backpack hunting is a BLAST! Also, there are much better packs available that cost 2-3 times as much as this pack. Some guys swear by them and they are probably great. If you are made of dough, you might want to look into some of these. I've seen packs for as much as $700.00. I don't hve that kind of money so the good old Alaskan works for me.-----shooter

Do any of you guys use that pack with a bow? Is there an easy way to strap a bow to it? Thanks

Thanks Shooter You are a big help I think I have made my decision on that pack!!!Thanks for the awesome help
bc.pse

I've never strapped a bow to this pack, but I think that you could pull out the straps on the bottom of the frame that are used to pack quarters and use them to secure a bow to the outside of the pack. Kind of hard to explain, but I'm sure it would work. I've used this method to pack out a set of mulie antlers that were about the same size as a bow. Glad to help anyway I can on the packing questions, I'm no expert, but I've learned alot the hard way!-----shooter

Also what are necessary items for a 5 day hunt? Other than the gun/bow and ammo/arrows?

I am sure I am too late to be of any help, but if you haven't already got your pack don't overlook the military Molle II. I have a garage full of packs and I almost alway's use my military pack. It has tons of room and is tougher then any of my packs. I even choose it over the badlands.

Easy to find on ebay and very inexpensive.