Contributors to this thread:
Fellow Bowsiters,
Looking for a pack that will hold my bow as well as minimal gear. Have a couple of hunts coming up that require a lot of hiking and would like to be “hands-free”. Thanks
Many packs will accomplish this.. you can strap a bow to the outside of most any pack.. what's your budget? Do you plan to haul anything (quarters, etc.)? What kind of hunt is this pack for?
I bought two of these last year and just returned from a two week hunting trip that included commercial flying. It's small enough to use as a 'carry on' for the flights, but it's not all that roomy. They make one a size larger, but it was too big to suit my needs. I went through the same thing you are, looking for a pack that carries a bow. Check on the review I made for my pack and you'll also see the additional straps I had made for it to carry the bow horizontally across the back. Hope it helps
For a medium price pack, check out the Eberlestock X2.
It won't have any issues carrying a 50 lb load either.
or with the aid of a bow sling and a bungee cord, you can hang and attach it to your pack.
I like to carry the bow in a Kifaru Gunbearer. Its readily accessible in seconds, you can use hiking poles, and I feel a bit safer than lashed on the back of a pack. Good luck with your hunts.
Kurt, do you have any pics of how you set it up in the Gunbearer?
Cohoythunter,
I did not have a specific budget in mind...really wanted the input of experience. I had in mind a personal backpack, not a pack-frame style meat hauler. The pack would be used for an antelope(if successful applicant) and caribou hunt this year. Other mountain hunts in 2019.
Thanks to all for input. I will have to research these suggestions.
I would second the suggestion of the Badlands 2200.. very versatile
I have a Sitka Ascent 12 in Optifade Subalpine that I’d cut you a deal on. Used on one hunt for a week last season. PM me if interested. Yes, your bow can hang on the back and there is room for minimal gear. It’s a great day pack. Didn’t have any luck in the draws this year, so I’d rather have someone use it than have it sit in the closet for another year.
Link to pack mentioned above
a lot of hunters will laugh at me, but I am sorry, its a Wal Mart bow/rifle pack that I paid 30.00 for in the winter clearance one year,,,, attached to my sandpiper pack mule, it has served me well..... my pack mule is the best thing I ever bought, and I got that for a song, thru Cabelas...................
the system has been out of the country twice and still going,,,,,,
On the high end I had a badlands great pack and company, I had a zipper fail, and they replaced all of them,,,, traded it for a Eurkeka solo tent
