Buy a good pack JR. I have been using a Nimrod Wilderness pack mostly because I like fanny packs better. It has a stowable frame and deployable game bag. I was using a Alps Traverse before that. It too is an awesome pack. I've had 60 plus pounds of meat, horns and cape in it and it carried it very well plus, very comfortably. The best pack I own is a Gen II ABLE Marine Ruck Sack. This is a tremendous pack. It will haul the table and the Sink. Do it very comfortably and is ROCK solid. It closely resembles some mystery Ranch designs to the point I am certain they designed it or vice versa.
I use the Nimrod the most because of convenience. It will not carry the load the Alps will and isn't even in the same universe as the ABLE pack. But, it will carry an entire deer deboned, horns and cape, your gear, and clothes out in one trip easiy. It is EXPENSIVE though.
The Alps will do the same even better but, is more of a bother than when not toting meat because it is a back pack. It is very affordable and, the best bang for the buck in civilian packs.
I bought the ABLE pack for packing and spike camp hunting in the west. It is the most capable across the board but, the 5000 cubic inch plus size makes it over kill for here.
You need to first decide whether you like a deployable fanny pack or a back pack. If you prefer a back pack, take my advice on the Alps. You won't regret it. If you prefer the fanny pack with deployable frame and game pack, and intend to use the Nimrod in the future for such endeavors you won't regret the hundreds of dollars you'll spend on it either. Also, there are other brands to choose from. Just ensure they have lifetime warranties and they can be adjusted to fit your body type and frame.
My final advice is this: Carry a fillet knife for deboning. It works so much better removing hot meat from the bone than the thick short hunting blades our standard knives carry. Good luck and God Bless
JR - did ya ever get yourself a smoker/grill?
In my young days I've dragged deer 4.5 miles uphill in Cranberry. I've done it before when I was young and it wasn't fun and I can't imagine it would be anymore fun 30 years later.
