new hunting backpack

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well after looking through my hunting pack, i can see i can't use it any more. the bottom is worn out, it's just one of those $30 packs from dick's. so i am looking for a new one, i don't need anything fancy, just some room the normal hunting gear.

i see there are some surplus bags for cheap, there not backpacks but have a nice shoulder strap.let me know what you use. thanks troy.
 
The military issue 3 day packs are very well made if you can find one. The difference in quality is noticeable but unless you get lucky the real ones are expensive, $90-$100 or more. I have a couple that I managed to pick up at gun shows for about $25 each before prices got crazy. And the real ones are getting harder to find.

They are also on the big side, maybe bigger and heavier than most need for a day of hunting. After all they are designed to carry enough gear for 3 days. And the heavy duty fabric, multiple pockets and webbing add weight. They are tough, but to be honest I rarely use them anymore.

I use a daypack for a lot more than hunting so it is easier to justify the cost. I'm currently using either a Camelbak or Osprey daypack that came from REI priced around $100-$130. The Osprey is a little bigger and conditions dictate which I use.

I use this more than the others. Mine is in green

https://www.amazon.com/CamelBak-1105001000-Reservoir-Hydration-Charcoal/dp/B01L8JEY26/ref=sr_1_196?crid=21B5NMNONN4PF&keywords=day+packs+hiking&qid=1563501700&s=gateway&sprefix=day+pack,aps,143&sr=8-196&th=1

Some thoughts:

* You probably don't need as big a bag as you think.
*I like one with the ability to strap my jacket on the outside of a smaller pack rather than have the jacket inside.
* I like a bag that is narrow and tall rather than wide, makes it easier to maneuver through brush and carry a rifle slung.
*Too many pockets adds to cost and weight. Keep it fairly simple. In rough terrain the weight of the empty pack matters more than you think. Keeping the pack smaller also reduces the temptation to carry too much.
*Camo isn't important, but the soft fleece of some packs designed for hunting might not be a bad idea. I have one very small camo fleece pack that I use during turkey and archery season where the noise and camo might matter. It is a little small for colder weather later on and I tend to carry one of the others.
 
The military issue 3 day packs are very well made if you can find one. The difference in quality is noticeable but unless you get lucky the real ones are expensive, $90-$100 or more. I have a couple that I managed to pick up at gun shows for about $25 each before prices got crazy. And the real ones are getting harder to find.

They are also on the big side, maybe bigger and heavier than most need for a day of hunting. After all they are designed to carry enough gear for 3 days. And the heavy duty fabric, multiple pockets and webbing add weight. They are tough, but to be honest I rarely use them anymore.

I use a daypack for a lot more than hunting so it is easier to justify the cost. I'm currently using either a Camelbak or Osprey daypack that came from REI priced around $100-$130. The Osprey is a little bigger and conditions dictate which I use.

I use this more than the others. Mine is in green

https://www.amazon.com/CamelBak-1105001000-Reservoir-Hydration-Charcoal/dp/B01L8JEY26/ref=sr_1_196?crid=21B5NMNONN4PF&keywords=day+packs+hiking&qid=1563501700&s=gateway&sprefix=day+pack,aps,143&sr=8-196&th=1

Some thoughts:

* You probably don't need as big a bag as you think.
*I like one with the ability to strap my jacket on the outside of a smaller pack rather than have the jacket inside.
* I like a bag that is narrow and tall rather than wide, makes it easier to maneuver through brush and carry a rifle slung.
*Too many pockets adds to cost and weight. Keep it fairly simple. In rough terrain the weight of the empty pack matters more than you think. Keeping the pack smaller also reduces the temptation to carry too much.
*Camo isn't important, but the soft fleece of some packs designed for hunting might not be a bad idea. I have one very small camo fleece pack that I use during turkey and archery season where the noise and camo might matter. It is a little small for colder weather later on and I tend to carry one of the others.
ya i don't need anything big, just room for my, 2 knifes some rope, call or 2, binocs, stuff to fill out are tags, maybe 1/2 box off ammo and some other stuff. one thing i like to bring on the cold days is a small wool blanket. i hunt on the ground, so i lay the blanket 1/2 on the ground and sit on it and fold the other half on my legs and waist. sounds dumb but it gets me trough the day warmer. so a pack with the straps like they use for the bedroll would be nice.
 
I never had to hump a ruck, so this may be worth what you paid for it... You might check out MidwayUSA's selection of military surplus packs. They did have, among other options, a French army knapsack priced inexpensive. It's rubberized and the straps seem to me at least halfway decent. They tend to have US packs too... ALICE and MOLLE.
 
I never had to hump a ruck, so this may be worth what you paid for it... You might check out MidwayUSA's selection of military surplus packs. They did have, among other options, a French army knapsack priced inexpensive. It's rubberized and the straps seem to me at least halfway decent. They tend to have US packs too... ALICE and MOLLE.
i have a surplus style store don the road from me, don't think they have much surplus stuff anymore. but they have new stuff. it's worth a visit. i do need a new beater knife i thin they have some mora's for $12 ill pick one up.
 
The only glimpse of a pic that I have of my pack.
20190117_085208.jpg
You know I go on about hunting lite, with a minimum of gear. I rarely csrry more than will fit in my pockets. This pack is made by Peregrine. It is based on a five gal bucket. The main (bucket) compartment is insulated with quality insulation. The exterior has pockets for two boxes of 12 ga ammo, and a water bottle. Maybe an additional pocket also. Comfortable straps. And a watertight cushioned lid that doubles as a seat.
It is perfect for dove, ducks, geese, deer, and ice fishing. I couldnt be happier with it.
Probably not the pack you would choose for a three days hike......but a nice place to stuff your jacket and lunch.
With the lid secured, it floats. And keeps your gear dry.
Notcheap.....but looks lime it will last many seasons.
I highly recommend it.
 
I picked this up for bumming around the desert from station to station for coyotes, foxes, badgers, rock chucks, etc.

Has just enough room for necessities and has a seat and kickstand to lean against for glassing and waiting.

Seems like for your use it might be a nice fit seeings how you like to sit and wait. Might be more than you want to spend though.

hunting%20pack.png
 
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The only glimpse of a pic that I have of my pack.
View attachment 850924
You know I go on about hunting lite, with a minimum of gear. I rarely csrry more than will fit in my pockets. This pack is made by Peregrine. It is based on a five gal bucket. The main (bucket) compartment is insulated with quality insulation. The exterior has pockets for two boxes of 12 ga ammo, and a water bottle. Maybe an additional pocket also. Comfortable straps. And a watertight cushioned lid that doubles as a seat.
It is perfect for dove, ducks, geese, deer, and ice fishing. I couldnt be happier with it.
Probably not the pack you would choose for a three days hike......but a nice place to stuff your jacket and lunch.
With the lid secured, it floats. And keeps your gear dry.
Notcheap.....but looks lime it will last many seasons.
I highly recommend it.

$44, $52 out the door

apilo5cxg__48004.1557853138.jpg

https://vitalarms.com/peregrine-out...QNXOB_ymrc-1e6DcIzDsfj8rk-91p8wBoCC08QAvD_BwE
 
Get one of those overgrown fanny packs with backpack straps. I love mine and has molle straps for little pouches.

If somebody wants minimal, there's also the USGI MOLLE buttpack... normally worn on the back of the MOLLE system or LC-2 belt/suspenders... add a USGI all-purpose carry strap. Use it as a sort of possibles bag. Listen to some idiots point and laugh and call it a "man purse".
 
I picked this up for bumming around the desert from station to station for coyotes, foxes, badgers, rock chucks, etc.

Has just enough room for necessities and has a seat and kickstand to lean against for glassing and waiting.

Seems like for your use it might be a nice fit seeings how you like to sit and wait. Might be more than you want to spend though.

View attachment 850925
i have something close to that for turkey, but on backpack just the game pockets, i don't use it much.
 
one thing to account for is i am a big guy, so around the waist is kinda out, i like long back straps for hen i have my winter coat on. i look ridiculous with all the bulk lol. i like the bucket things but i use them for ice fishing and can only sit or 20 mins before i have to move.
 
The only glimpse of a pic that I have of my pack.
View attachment 850924
You know I go on about hunting lite, with a minimum of gear. I rarely csrry more than will fit in my pockets. This pack is made by Peregrine. It is based on a five gal bucket. The main (bucket) compartment is insulated with quality insulation. The exterior has pockets for two boxes of 12 ga ammo, and a water bottle. Maybe an additional pocket also. Comfortable straps. And a watertight cushioned lid that doubles as a seat.
It is perfect for dove, ducks, geese, deer, and ice fishing. I couldnt be happier with it.
Probably not the pack you would choose for a three days hike......but a nice place to stuff your jacket and lunch.
With the lid secured, it floats. And keeps your gear dry.
Notcheap.....but looks lime it will last many seasons.
I highly recommend it.
the buckets don't agree with my backside, other then that it would work nice.
 
the thing i have is just like that, problem is i cant put any heavy cloths on with it. the pad needs to be bigger for me.

Personally I would get the $40 one I posted ^^^ and fold up a wool blanket in one of the big compartments, maybe a poncho or other rain gear in the other big compartment and your other stuff in the outer compartments.
 
Personally I would get the $40 one I posted ^^^ and fold up a wool blanket in one of the big compartments, maybe a poncho or other rain gear in the other big compartment and your other stuff in the outer compartments.
ya that one looks nice, ill see if there is any reviews on it. i my try the army store tomorrow to.
 
I’m an over-packer mainly because I often hunt alone (a mile or more from my party). Most of my gear fits in my blaze orange vest, vest pocket, l/r pockets, and rear game pouch. I don’t care for cargo style (3-dimensional) pockets on a vest because they get in the way when slinging/shouldering my rifle. When I reach my spot the vest comes off, essential gear comes out, and I sit on it to hide that big orange square.

I have another option I’ve used frequently for the past 8 seasons or so; a single strap sling pack with two compartments (again with flat pockets). The triangular shape stays tucked behind me and I can ditch it in seconds if necessary.

Also own a single cross-shoulder Maxpedition pack for morning deer hunts and bird season. Comes with a waist belt but I rarely deploy it. E5FBC7E1-639E-46B8-ABCB-A359A05622C6.jpeg
 
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For whitetail hunting where I’m never more than a mile from my truck or at least from my ATV, I use a small 5.11 Push Pack. Think tactical purse. Two bottles of Gatorade in the side pockets, “kill kit” for post harvest, rain fly, snacks (often last year’s deer killed from the same spot), headlamp, flashlight, and a means of communication.

A874BE68-2A9B-4CFD-ABC9-C941F8F22D15.jpeg

My brother-in-law hauls a 50L pack to walk a quartermile from his truck. Not really my style. I’m not really a minimalist, but I certainly can’t figure out what the heck I might need during a day in the deer stand which would dictate more than a small satchel’s worth of gear.

For 10 days on a mountainside, I’ve used a Kelty Coyote 80 and Redwing 50 back and forth for many years, carried on an Eberlestock aluminum frame to use as a meat hauler after the shot. This season, I’m breaking in a Mystery Ranch 6500. In the market of 10day backcountry hunting packs, the Marshall would be a better choice for most (same basic design as the 6500, but 2lbs lighter), but I prefer the military version for the molle ladders and of course, so I can keep my card in the multicam mafia...
 
I use the Tenzing 9.3 lumbar pack. It is just the right size for me. I use a separate CamelBak with it because I already had it. Amazon had it for around $60. They seem to be $80+ anywhere else.

It is great for me but I am a minimalist so it is probably a bit small for the average fella.

For down here, it is a practical necessity to get something with a hydration bladder. I would not be without a CamelBak type water source. The amount of water you can carry unobtrusively is very important when you are out looking for hogs when it’s over 80 degrees. Or over 95 degrees like yesterday. (I wasn’t out).
 
For whitetail hunting where I’m never more than a mile from my truck or at least from my ATV, I use a small 5.11 Push Pack. Think tactical purse. Two bottles of Gatorade in the side pockets, “kill kit” for post harvest, rain fly, snacks (often last year’s deer killed from the same spot), headlamp, flashlight, and a means of communication.

View attachment 850937

My brother-in-law hauls a 50L pack to walk a quartermile from his truck. Not really my style. I’m not really a minimalist, but I certainly can’t figure out what the heck I might need during a day in the deer stand which would dictate more than a small satchel’s worth of gear.

For 10 days on a mountainside, I’ve used a Kelty Coyote 80 and Redwing 50 back and forth for many years, carried on an Eberlestock aluminum frame to use as a meat hauler after the shot. This season, I’m breaking in a Mystery Ranch 6500. In the market of 10day backcountry hunting packs, the Marshall would be a better choice for most (same basic design as the 6500, but 2lbs lighter), but I prefer the military version for the molle ladders and of course, so I can keep my card in the multicam mafia...
I like that little satchel. It would be perfect for me if I could hang my coffee thermos off it somewhere. What are the rough dimensions?
 
I use large packs, simce normally I shoot as many animals as I can carry given the chance.
So, I have a Badlands 2200 (I think....it's the bigger one), and an XL/ranger (what I was told the size was anyway) Alice pack.

I've also got a few regular cheapo Walmart backpacks for carrying water, knives, other crap etc. Those I use in areas I know I won't be deboning.

best to pick a pack depending on what you want it to do....I also use a Walmart reusable bags for carrying my birds when bird hunting, I can just loop it thru my belt.
 
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