The Longbow has a 3 Zip design that allows for top or panel loading. Six internal pockets (including 1 zippered mesh pocket) inside the main bag and a separate zippered lid pocket. The Longbow is hydration reservoir compatible and has built in hydration ports that route your water tube directly to your shoulder pad elastic.
I tested/hunted with the Prototype Longbow for 30 days last fall. I can definitely go for a week long bivi hunt with my gear and food with this pack bag. The long bow works great for the hunter/guide carrying a set of 15's, a spotter and even a couple tripods on glassing intensive hunts.
Life Size Sheep Cape and Horns..... no problem. An entire boned out Mule Deer and antlers.... no problem.
We're currently taking pre-orders for this pack. $189 is the Ballpark Pack Bag Investment. Lifetime Warranty. Interested in a first edition Mystery Ranch?
Mark
What's your bivi pack.....?
Mark
Can you post a picture with a bow hooked onto the back. Looks like a great day pack on steroids.
would prefer slightly wider and less tall.
Sorry that took me so long.... I had to run out to the truck and grab my bow.... then it took me about 10 seconds to strap that sucker on..... and then another 10 seconds to get the photos.
Here's the shot.... hot off the camera!
Mystery Ranch Longbow pack with a compound.
Mark
The material on the Longbow is 500 Denier Cordura. It's taller rather than wider because it's designed around sneaking through the timber, taller lends better to stalking..... remember it's fully loaded in that picture... want it to sit a little lower...??? don't fill it up and compress it with the straps. This baby is very versatile. Here's a comparison picture.... fully loaded vs. fully compressed.
Want something a little wider... check out our Big Sky or Snap Dragon packs....
I cubed it myself.... 2200 PERFECT cubic inches.
Mark
I assume it will be available in camo. Will they ship before fall?
How about giving some examples of some situations where you'd use the Longbow over your Crewcab.
Jeff Lander Primitive Outfitting
Yes. You will need a NICE Frame. Frames run $250.
Mark
I use the APEX system because I can detatch the main pack compartment and use the lumbar pack as a day pack.
I do not think that hunting with the pack on will give you any advantage but your the consumer and you should get what suits you.
This pack is designed by a hunter for hunting. No frills, no extras. Built for use on the NICE Frame, this pack is specifically set up for the hunter who plans on coming home with an animal. Small and Light daypacks are great.... but when it comes to carrying the load associated with a successful hunt.... they just don't cut it!
When I'm on a Mountain Expedition.... the max loads we'll carry are 70 - 80 pounds.... while dragging a 50 pound sled... the packs we use on those trips don't incorporate the NICE Frame... usually something with a simpler frame to carry lighter loads.
The Longbow is a combination of a super light bag and a beefy strong frame... for lots of hunting situations... it's the best of both worlds.
Arwflngr~
Here's another shot of the Longbow compressed..... if you can't sneak up on something while wearing this.... it's not the pack's fault! The CC uses the NICE Frame as well.....
Yes! and Yes!
If you want to pick up the Longbow in the future.... your Crew Cab can come off and the Longbow can be strapped on.... no problem. Now that you own a NICE Frame you're set.
We might cost you a bunch of money, but you'll be a stoked hunter!!! Think of the money you'll save over time.
Mark
Could you give those of us who already have a Crew Cab a few reasons we might want to consider adding a Longbow? What are some situations for which you'd choose the Longbow over the Crew Cab.
First off... I absolutely love my Crew Cab/Daypack Lid combo... that's a system that can do just about anything anywhere!
The Longbow is definitely a specialty hunting pack for the system... it works with a NICE Frame and solves some problems for a specific type of hunter and hunt. I use it for scouting and when I know I will be carrying specific gear for specific game/hunts and probably spending at least one night out.... the gear always stays the same... food for longer trips is the only addition to the load.
For some guys this will be a great day pack with overnight capabilities... For ultra-light guys this will be a amazing piece of equipment for your long/simple trips. A very specific design for a very specific purpose or type of hunt. The Longbow makes for an awesome companion on many of your trips... If I know I'm carrying a hindquarter, tenderloin, and backstrap from an elk, for the increased performance needed for a super-heavy load I'm using my Crew Cab... sometimes there are different "best" options when it comes to pack bags to use with your NICE Frame depending on your gear and hunt.
Here are some of the reasons why we've developed the Longbow. I drew a special draw mule deer tag. I knew I would be carrying a ton of optics and hunting a ton of days, searching for a specific deer. I needed something super easy to pack.... day in day out, and with fast and simple access.....
The Longbow design allowed me to layer in my optics/tripod and protect them with my extra winter gear. Every time I spotted a buck, I'd drop my pack and set up my 15's.... if another look was needed I'd throw on a spotting scope. I was spending a ton of time hiking into different areas to check out new deer every chance I could get... and I liked the weight/design of the Prototype Longbow and it held the optics and all the extra winter clothing better than anything else I'd ever used.
If I harvested a deer (and I didn't fill my tag coincidentally!), I could easily cache the pack with the optics to carry out a majority of the meat on trip one.... or I could've completely boned-out the deer on the mountain.... and carrying all the meat including the cape/antlers in one load could have a been an option.
Optics and other items could be packed easily on the outside with the Longbow compression system if necessary...
Hope this helps. We will have a very limited number of these packs available in July..... 30 of them. Another run will undoubtedly be scheduled, but that's it on the first run.
Mark
One other question, I don't know how you set this up, but can I attach the load sling under and around this pack? I was thinking of situations where you want to cache the pack, as you put it and carry out super heavy meat loads. Always looking for options, that is the beauty of this system.
Huh~
You can definitely attach a Load Sling underneath the bag... super simple system!
Mark
1. Find the black 3/4" webbing and buckle inside the waistbelt housing... unbuckle here.
Reverse process to put a waistbelt or ZCW on.
Mark
We still have around 10 available on the first production run.
Mark
What type of tripod are you using in the photo?
Also what kind of gear do you have in there (day pack or ultralight bivy)? I am trying to get an idea about the size. I got to say it does look like easy access.
Seacat's Link
Matt was correct it's an Outdoorsmans tripod.... specifically the medium lightweight tripod... click the link above if you want to check it out...
The pack is just stuffed with a pad, some maps, and an unstuffed sleeping bag, tripod and spotter.
In this photo/configuration if you closed the pack completely, the volume would be just like the first couple photos in this thread..
Mark
If you're hiking on trails in the dark or during the day, they're usually clear from obstruction. If you're off-trail during the daylight, odds are you probably have your bow in your hand...
Mark
There are still a few available in the first production run.... People are stoked!
Mark
I could go from a 6500, to a Crew Cab, to a Longbow, to a Load Sling in under two minutes... timed!!!
It's like anything though, it has a little bit of a learning curve, but then it's a piece of cake!
Mark
Mark, do you guys attend any of the trade shows? I am located in Colorado and would really like to see what the MR packs look like in person and see what all the hype is about. Who know... maybe even find the best fit for me at the same time.
I do the like the modality concept of MR products and the NICE frame has moved to the front of the list on my potential wish list. Any chance of a suspension system that will not absorb water, so I can use the NICE on the bow of my pack raft?
In this series of photos I have a Longbow, a NICE Frame, and two Load Cells (1 small, 1 large). The NICE Frame/Longbow are Coyote Brown, and to illustrate the "load" I've chosen to use Foliage Gray load cells. With luck this fall I'll post some photos of an elk hindquarter in my pack using this very methodology.
The key with this system is that you're actually removing the Longbow from the NICE Frame and then using it (the longbow w/ your gear) as you would a Load Sling. The key is to get that "load" which will be heavy, close to the frame and against your back and then re-attach the compression system of the Longbow to the frame around your quarter or meat bags....... and compress away. I'll follow up with more detailed photos of what I'm describing.
This technology was created/designed around my personal experiences with the prototype Longbow and those of a good friend of mine who has been field testing proto's while hunting Dall Sheep. We can fit all of our bivi gear for long hunts in the Longbow... but then still need to be able to attach 70# of boned out sheep meat somewhere... the meat will go in load cells between the frame and the pack. Bringing the total load to right around 100 pounds. About as heavy a load you'd ever be able to carry long distances out of the mountains.
Please give me a bit to load the rest of the images.
Thanks guys.
Mark
You can see the load cell can be attached if you'd like to the bottom compression straps coming from the NICE Frame.
I don't want to dissuade people from buying more Mystery Ranch products, but I never want people to buy stuff they don't need to get the job done. The Load Sling has a use, the Longbow has a use, the Crew Cab has a use. Each hunter is different. Hopefully we can find the use that fits YOU best and then can help give you a better hunting experience.
Mark Mystery Ranch
I'm sure you've been asked this, but...
did you guys ever think about having the CC's "wings" (the two long pockets running lengthwise along the pack) attach with a zipper. It seems like detachable pockets would allow for an even more versitile CC "base" model. I would think it could shave off 1.5 lbs easy if a guy wanted to day hunt without all that extra capacity (weight).
It is hard for me to tell which attachment points on the NICE are used to attach the lid on the MR website; and equally difficult to see if there are any unused attachment points on your photos above.
I haven't seen on of these packs in person yet and I want to get a good idea about how I might use them.
Maybe I should just buy a Crew Cab and a Longbow and try packing my gear into them and see which suits me best. Funny thing, I bet I would end up keeping them both ;)
I've played with exactly what you're describing, the Crew Cab isn't going to change, Dana likes the design as is!
There is a way you can take them off, but then they stay off... you'll have to trade the pro's and con's... and then do the deed yourself.
Mark
Yes you could use the Daypack lid w/ a Longbow.... in lots of ways.
With our system you're virtually only limited by your personal creativity.
The majority of Longbow's purchased thus far have gone to Crew Cab loyalists who also dig the Longbow's design.
Mark
BTW, Seacat, can the NICE frame be adapted to a pack I already have, like my 2200 pack?
For sure... carry your Badlands 2200 inside a Crew Cab for best performance.
Sorry... couldn't pass up the humor on a hot Friday afternoon.
CritterGetter~
No problem! That's what we do!
Mark
The fun part is taking all your gear and figuring out the best way (for you) to pack it.
How would this pack work with bivy gear for 3-4 days, then adding in 50-60 lbs of boned out mule deer meat with horns strapped on top?
What is the weight savings of this setup versus the CC?
Are there any straps that go, or can go, over the top?
Lighter frame too? Shelf at bottom like CC so it quick/easy to expand and gives added support to meat load/load cells?
I sound like my wife....
We'll make some custom straps just for that purpose of going over the top. The weight savings is close to two pounds.... but they're really different beasts all together and comparing them for weight isn't as applicable as comparing them based on actual uses.
Genesis~
Why do think the Frame needs to be lighter....? It's absolutely bomb proof gear for folks that need bombproof gear. If it's not light enough for your tastes I would suggest the Big Sky or the upcoming new "Bighorn" pack. The Bighorn will be our 2800-3000 cubic inch "HUNTING SPECIFIC" pack with a fiberglass X-Frame it'll be around 5 pounds and change and carry 80 pound loads when necessary...
Mark.
-B
Mark you sold me with those pics, thats the idea I've been waiting for! And I sent you a PM.
Drake's Link
The Bighorn will be ready to ship mid September, not quite in time for the archery opener. It is based off the Big Sky body panel. We've added internal pockets, thicker stays, and bottom compression straps. The thicker stays will increase the weight capacity to about 80 pounds.
Next Monday Mystery Ranch is going live with a new website. You'll have to check it out. Also, starting this Saturday, you can view clips from Mark's Utah elk hunt at outdoorlife.com/livehunt
Drake
Drake's Link
Also, attached is the link to Mark Seacat's Utah elk hunt on Outdoorlife...
I've been searching for our one sew sample, unfortunately its in one of our contract sewers hands...
Just imagine a Big Sky in coyote, foliage, or multicam with autolock buckles, bottom compression straps, beefier framing, and internal pockets identical to the Longbow.
Drake
Drake's Link
I just got the update on the Big Horn. They should be ready to ship in 3 weeks.
Check out the new Mystery Ranch website, it went live this morning!!!
