Pack weight

[TREESTANDMAN]

I finally drew my long awaited elk tag and just had a question about normal weight of a day pack. I do plan in hiking into a wilderness area to hunt but I don't really have plans for sleeping out there or having a spike camp. With all of the necessities..including 2 water bladders and 3 meals of food my pack ended up weighing 27 lbs.

 

I know there is really no right answer but does that sound about right? Or do I need to lighten it up a bit?

 

Mike

[Snapshot]

My normal all day "day pack" weighs over twenty pounds, so you are not doing to0 bad with that weight. It always feels like 100lbs. at the end of a long day

[catclaw]

Mine depends on whether I am taking a tripod or not, spotting scope and in the winter hunts- more survival gear. A light pack for me is about 15# and a heavy about 32#.

 

It makes for long days sometimes! I carry an 80mm spotting scope and it is not light.

[pwrguy]

my normal is around 30# but changes drastically based on what optics and tripod come along. It is hard to go out under 20 with enough water and a jacket that will likely end up in the pack at some point hunting in AZ

[COUESAZ]

I have gone with the polar fleece pull over and use my rain gear as a wind breaker outer shell, It has cut down on i heavy coat. I am more into what will help me survive a night in the woods if i have to. So the first rule for me is some way to selter my body from the elements. throw a couple large contractor grade black garbage bags incase you do get stuck out over night they can save your life. The thing i would cut down on is a full three meals in your pack . That is alot of extra weight in your pack just for comfort. I throw a couple snacks and fruit in my pack to eat on throughout the day. Then when i get back to my truck or camp i eat a meal. I came up on a guy one time that was cooking a meal on a small stove. he packed it all day just to have a warm lunch.

[AZantlerhead]

Finally, a question i'm a semi expert on Boyscouts are required to carry 50% of their own body wieght throughout a day,weekend or week.

This will tell you if you are in shape or not. If not, you are asking for bad times attempting a " backcountry pack trip".

Allways assume you will have to survive for three days and pack accordingly. A rigid, external frame pack is the way to go

if you are serious about getting a backcountry bruiser without horses or mules.

 

I just picked up a- Swiss gear, "Bruin" Load hauler and highly recomend it. It will carry your daypack, a Rifle, Sleeping gear, And elk Quarters as needed, also has a blaze orange rain sack to keep you from getting shot, and keep your gear dry.. The added rigidness and suspension makes for allot of comfort, and has an adjustable folding "shelf" to help keep your gear from rideing on your butt. The extra five pounds of this Framepack compared to a "daypack" makes a world of difference in comfort and your ability to stay out for the duration of your hunt. It feels like an extension of your body instead of a regular jansport or something full of rocks. . Even with 20lbs of gear and 50 lbs of sheds or what not. Even for a 150lb man. Most do not understand this untill they try it. But I know what 30lbs can feel like in a book bag and it's not comfy. On the other hand 80lbs on a pack frame ain't so bad.

 

You can pick up the model I'm talking about for 100 bucks at sportsmans warehouse. It is the most comfortable and versatile pack on the market that I know of!!

 

AZantlerenthusiast has a custom framepack made of 1 inch box steel tubeing and it ways 20 something pounds empty. The one I'm speeking of (wich replaces my old one)is a nice alternative and Jason said on our last trip he's very impressed by my new one and wants one. If you are serious about Backpacking for game/sheds even if for daytrips in and out over a weeklong hunt, an external frame pack is the ONLY way to go. Even if your only packing 30lbs. You are thinking of leaving behind weight allready and that is a threat to your life when it comes down to it. A good day pack with the goods to survive in emergency should way about 30lbs . Allot more comfortable with a quality external frame pack( feels like 10lbs.

[bobbyo]

How are you planning on hunting? If you are chasing bugles. I think you are way too heavy. This is going to be the funnest, but yet most strenuous hunt you will ever have. I lost 18 # in 6 days chasing bugles. Bring water, knife, possibles bag,snacks, bow, field binocs, and a hyper hot call.I like wood wise. I can fit this all in a Camelback like pack with two pockets about 10 pounds including binocs around neck. If you are hiking in a ways you might want to bring pack frame with more equipment and stash it somewhere. Just remember you could end up miles from where you leave it. Seems like you already know, but water is the most important thing. If you are in an area with running water you might want to substitute one bladder for a water filter, but the risk is those dang bugles could lead you away from water sources. Good luck.

I'm really jealous,

Bob

[AZantlerhead]

Hmmm

 

NEVER set your pack down in thick, rugged country.Unless you know EXACTLY where to find it again.

I've learned that the hard way and spent hours trying to locate My gear before sun down. Instead of precious time spent finding what your really looking for.

When Is your hunt?

 

 

 

[Benbrown]

I try to keep mine at 20 lbs. or less. I carry survival stuff (fire starter, fire sticks, space blanket, first aid kit, etc.), headlight, spotting scope w/tripod, knives and a full bladder of water. I also carry a water filter, just in case. I don't carry meals, but rely on high energy stuff like candy bars, granola bars and trail mix. I keep a couple of knives (OK, three) on my person along with a compass, GPS, binocular, small flashlight and range finder. It's been a while, but twice I have been forced to stay out two days in the mountains of Colorado and the only thing I lost was some sleep, tending the fire. That was before I had a GPS and got caught out at dark quite a ways from camp. The maps didn't show a reasonable way to get back in the dark, so I siwashed, as the Canadians say.

[tommat]

My father in law goes out everyday. all day with a water bottle, knife and a sandwich. He always brings home the meat too.

[arizonaelitefreak]

I try to keep mine at 20 lbs. or less. I carry survival stuff (fire starter, fire sticks, space blanket, first aid kit, etc.), headlight, spotting scope w/tripod, knives and a full bladder of water. I also carry a water filter, just in case. I don't carry meals, but rely on high energy stuff like candy bars, granola bars and trail mix. I keep a couple of knives (OK, three) on my person along with a compass, GPS, binocular, small flashlight and range finder. It's been a while, but twice I have been forced to stay out two days in the mountains of Colorado and the only thing I lost was some sleep, tending the fire. That was before I had a GPS and got caught out at dark quite a ways from camp. The maps didn't show a reasonable way to get back in the dark, so I siwashed, as the Canadians say.

 

+1 on this subject without the getting caught at darks and having to stay out, but this is the basic setup I carry and its anywhere from 2olbs. to 25lbs. depending on how much water I take.