One neat thing Kifaru sells is the Cargo Chair:

www.kifaru.net/MGcargoC_acc.htm

Add it to any pack and it probably will make carrying the meat easier.

By the way if you want to go Kifaru, remember they sell their military line to "us civilians" as well as far as I know so you might want to check their military site as well as their hunting site as well "to find the perfect pack".

By the way Arizona Hunter thanks for your little review of the Cabela's pack, I was wondering if the frame would act like a problem. I was thinking about getting it once I started moose hunting (maybe next year) but you saved me from spending that money.

Dimitri

Dimitri,

The Cabelas pack is capable of hauling 80 lbs., I have backpacked with that much. But at around 60 pounds (about 27.3 kilos) , I notice that if the land is very rugged you can feel the pack shift to the right or left , and that is even if the straps are snugged up as tight as possible A good internal does not leave a person with that feeling. So I keep the loads at about 50 pounds and it works, ok. But if I ever get a new one, it will be the Kifaru.

Well I thought I'd post here I recently ordered a ALICE Large Pack and Frame from Brigade Quartermasters, I'll let you know of my general opinion of it when I get it. Both parts are "made in USA" which for under 150$ isn't that big of a cost in my opinion compared to alot of the imports that are sold now on the market place.

Dimitri

Handloader, I just purchased the ultra daypack from Badlands and it is the highest quality and highest tech piece of gear I have ever purchased. I once manufactured tackle bags out of cordura fabrics and believe me, the quality of workmanship is there and as Arizona Hunter points out the Badlands 2800 or maybe even the 4500 would be the pack to look at. check out this link

www.badlandspacks.com/packs.php

Pops

Check out this warranty on Badlands packs:
Our Warranty
We don't care what happened, or whose fault it was, we will fix it for free forever. We could care less if you bought it at a garage sale or a gear swap, as long as it says Badlands on the pack it's covered. All we ask is that you use and abuse your pack as much as possible so we can learn how to make better products.

Now you see why we thought it would be a shame to hide a warranty like this in the fine print.

Sounds to me they are proud of their products. No, I don't work for Badlands, I am just a happy customer.
Pops

My vote goes to the Badlands as well. I use the 4500 and love it.

I appreciate all the good suggestions and I am beginning to narrow down the selection. Ain't websites great?

I am sure any of the suggestions would be excellent. One of my hunting buddies let me try his Mystery Ranch internal frame, 5,500 capacity and I immediately ordered one for myself. Kifaru, Barney's, Alaska Wilderness all got top marks by users in rugged country, but, those that used the Mystery Ranch held them in very high esteem.

First test will be a backpack hunting trip an a week for those elusive Coues deer.

the best pack Ive ever seen for this is a k2 hunter they come in 80 or 90 litre sizes. Im keeping an eye out fpr one secound hand as the ones ive tried were just magic. at present I use an old aluminium external frame with a basic canvas bag its great with heavy load but getting old. Ive tried internal frames but just cant get my balance right with them. new k2 packs are $450nz