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What is the best back pack / day pack (elk hunting) pack that you can easily strap your bow to? Thanks guys
Kuiu will work well with the right connectors with or without the formal bow holder add on unit.
Alps Outdoorz Traverse X. I have a garage full of packs and it is the best all around day hunting pack I've ever found. Bow or gun attaches quickly, has an adjustable pouch at the bottom to support the cam, expandable bat wings, meat shelf expander, integrated rain cover, load lifters.
Thank you! Looking up Alps now.
That Alps looks really nice. I have a Kuiu Venture 2300 that works well but the features on the Alps is hard to beat.
I've been using a Badlands Superday Pack. Carries a rifle or bow and has a pistol holster. The Badlands is similar to the Alps. Whether any of these packs are the "best" is entirely up to you.
MysteryRanch PopUp-18…Great Day/Hunt pack and you can easily carry a Quarter out when needed…
Ike, seems like mystery ranch has a lot of good gear, that Alps pack would be perfect for a moose brown bear hunt in 2024.
Now for an embarrassing admission.
Lawdog mentioned the Badlands Superday…I looked it up and thought, dam that looks a lot like one of the three BL packs I have, I looked at all the features and noticed it shows a little zipper in the bottom with a cute little drop-down pouch to put your bottom cam or rifle butt in. I then went to my closet and guess what? Yep, I’ve had the superday for about four years and didn’t even know it had this feature…geeze, what a moe. Lol. Thanks LD. Jaquomo I probably will try the Alps prior to upcoming Moose/Bear hunt.
Thanks men!
Ready to see some elk kills.
Lol…You’ll be fine Sam, happens to the best of us! Had the Superday for a while myself, nice pack as well…Just got tired of having to hike back to Truck or camp to get a frame to get meat out…
KSflatlander's Link
Anyone tried the Bow Spider?
I looked at that and just couldn’t justify it…Another add-on to the bow!
I would look at Eberlestocks offerings before deciding. I have an older X1E that has been abused and held up great. I don't carry a bow on it but they have several models set up for that.
I ride my ebike on some really rough stuff with the bow strapped on the back, have even fallen off a couple times, with no issues. I have not packed meat with the shelf because I'm always close enough to a pack frame. But I have no doubt it would easily carry out a boned quarter.
Lots of great options out there, unlike when I started in 1970. Just depends on the features you need for the type of hunting you do. Hell, I used to hunt elk all day out of a big fanny pack..
This is what I use and you can put your bow in the back so long as you use some sort of clip or tie for the top of the bow to secure it, but I've found that it's just much better to walk with the bow in a bow sling.
The nice thing about using a full pack is that you can take a full load back with you and bring bivvy supplies. I sheep hunt with this pack and I can get all my stuff and a week's worth of food in it easily.
IdyllwildArcher's Link
Doesn’t seem crucial for everyone but it’s crucial for me that I am able to grab my bow and remove it without removing my pack. So far as I know Eberlestock and Kuiu have that availability.
I have been in the field and killed because I was able to remove my bow that quick.
Adam, which of those packs would you recommend for hunting/ebiking? I'm always looking at packs.
I agree Sam it seems pretty handy. I’m considering getting one for this years elk hunt. Right now I use a belt bow hook when actively hunting and the KUIU bow pack system when hiking.
Tracker- I’ve been looking at the Venture 2300 for a while. How is it for carrying heavy loads - 40-60 lbs?
Stringgunner, i just got mine in the mail yesterday. Havent got to try it out yet, but just messing around with fit and looking at the design/layout it should do well. Fits better than my tenzing or badlands i currently use, and am hopeful that i can get it tested with 50-60 pounds this weekend.
Molsonarcher- sounds promising. Would be very interested in hearing how it does with weight. Wondering primarily about how it does with weight and if there is any load lift with the loadlifters. I primarily carry a Kifaru but need a good day pack that I could potentially carry a first load of boned out meat.
Jad -what's your first, second, third priority when it comes to biking with the pack? I too have a bike but for me I am mainly using it while whitetail hunting. Slow biking on flat terrain. So I just hold my bow on the handle bars, and bike that way.
When mule deer hunting I lashed it tight to my pack, and wanted it high enough that nothing is getting hooked on the seat. Would rather have the bow way above my head, which is opposite of elk hunting on foot where I would then be getting it caught in brush. (I elk hunt thick country)
So it kind of depends on your usage. If you're in open country and want the bow above your head vs biking to a spot then hunting from there etc. My Kuiu pack is great because I have the ability to pack it high like I mentioned for biking, lash it tight so there is no wobble and strings are safe and then get to a location, move the bow into the bow holder, and now have the ability to take it off my back without my eyes leaving a target or the pack leaving my back. It seems like the best all-arounder to me, but YMMV. What is most important to you?
Bow spider, saw a bunch of guys using them this summer. They seem to like them.