WHT_MTNMAN Report post Posted December 16, 2017 I did it on my mountain goat hunt in AK. I got about half way up the mountain and I stashed the gun, and decided to use the guides gun if needed. It was needed after 5 days. Next time ( I hope there is a next time) it will be a strictly bow hunt.. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZDirtyTaco Report post Posted December 16, 2017 I would have a tuff time sleeping with my rifle alone in a bush somewhere. I figure my son will be my guide/mule soon enough and he needs one more year before I throw the rifle on his pack. He's right at his pack limit for the distance we'll need to cover. Gotta keep it painfully fun... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
300RUM Report post Posted December 16, 2017 With pack hunting there is one thing you have to worry about that you don't if you are just pack packing. The weight of the pack coming back out. I used to do wilderness pack hunts and always kept weight to a minimum to make adding an animal to the pack not become such a brutal load. Plan your load right and you can bone out the animal and make it out in one trip. Take to many extras in and it takes two trips to get out. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CatfishKev Report post Posted December 16, 2017 If you feel inclined take both. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oz31p Report post Posted December 16, 2017 Oh man on a backpack hunt I would leave my left arm at home If i had a good way to reattach it when I got back:D 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZDirtyTaco Report post Posted December 16, 2017 With pack hunting there is one thing you have to worry about that you don't if you are just pack packing. The weight of the pack coming back out. I used to do wilderness pack hunts and always kept weight to a minimum to make adding an animal to the pack not become such a brutal load. Plan your load right and you can bone out the animal and make it out in one trip. Take to many extras in and it takes two trips to get out. I haven't been able to work out the lighter pack solution just yet. I will be suffering the weight penalty with a deer and the double millage penalty if I'm fortunate enough to tag a bear. A bunch of 'suck' either way basically... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
300RUM Report post Posted December 16, 2017 My hunting partner got a bear miles into the wilderness one year. We decided go for broke and skip the double mileage penalty. His pack frame had a bar that telescoped up pretty high. Since I am substantially taller we switched pack frames and I lashed sleeping bags and other light stuff to the top of that bar. I walked under a branch that hung over the trail on the way out. With the extra height I did not fit and got flipped onto my back like an obscenity spewing upside down turtle until I could slip out of the straps. I was rather pissed off at the time but laugh about it now. The pack hunts we did left us with some great memories. Good luck on yours. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Delw Report post Posted December 16, 2017 I figure my son will be my guide/mule soon enough and he needs one more year before I throw the rifle on his pack. LMAO thats what you think. My daughter was about that age too when I figured the same thing. Last 3 seasons Dad carries everything except her bow. she even bought a camel back and never used it. kids are always one step ahead of you. With pack hunting there is one thing you have to worry about that you don't if you are just pack packing. The weight of the pack coming back out. I used to do wilderness pack hunts and always kept weight to a minimum to make adding an animal to the pack not become such a brutal load. Plan your load right and you can bone out the animal and make it out in one trip. Take to many extras in and it takes two trips to get out. I hear ya on that one, we always had an escape plan. pack up what you need and then when you kill something bury the stuff and come back and get it later. did that twice in Kaibab and once in matazels, just never went back to get the stuff in matazels. buried food, water garbage bags blanket and a few odds and ends Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOWUNTR Report post Posted December 16, 2017 IMO it's easier to get within bow range of a bear than a deer. It's your hunt... Ed F 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Explorer Report post Posted December 16, 2017 Walking out of a trailhead with a rifle and a deer on your back and running into game and fish could make for an interesting story. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Sparky Report post Posted December 16, 2017 I wouldn't worry about it. They can limit your weapon choice on harvest, strictly saying archery only to harvest, but they can't violate your 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. They would have to prove you killed it with the firearm which has been done. Archery only elk hunt some idiot took his elk to be processed got rid of the blood shot ribs but missed the 7mm slug in the opposite shoulder. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bonecollector Report post Posted December 17, 2017 Legally though you might get flack for the combo Had a game warden tell me recently I could have a bow and rifle in blind with me at same time if I wanted to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattys281 Report post Posted December 17, 2017 Oh man on a backpack hunt I would leave my left arm at home If i had a good way to reattach it when I got back:D +1. When I first started that game I was always going in ridiculously heavy. Now I can run a 5 day hunt out of a 40# pack. If the weather looks crappy and i throw a tent into the mix might be closer to 45#, but I do everything I can to keep it at or under 40. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
