Backpacking in for an elk hunt

[Lark Bunting]

I have some time to figure out what I am going to do for next year but my first choice is to put in for a draw unit that will require a 4 mile backpack trip. This would be for 7-9 days and we will be packing in water ahead of time.

Right now I have my Tenzing 2220 day pack. I LOVE this pack and would feel absolutely naked without it in the woods. I also have a big external frame backpacking trip that I bought primarily as a meat hauler. It\'s huge.

Do you think I\'d be able to pack the big external frame pack with everything I\'d need for a week long backwoods trip and pack my Tenzing as my hunting pack?

My dilemma is that the Tenzing isn\'t big enough to pack everything I\'d want to bring. The external frame pack is too big for a day pack.

So far in my limited hunting experience I\'ve been hunting out of my camp or maybe drive up the road to park then hunt. My Tenzing has been perfect for it.

I\'d prefer to avoid dropping more money on a bigger hunting pack as I have several items I need for the backpacking trip next year, water filter, jetboil, lighter sleeping pad, and a better sleeping bag to name a few.

 

[cohunter14]

I don\'t know how big your hunting pack is, but the only real way to find out would be to try it. Put everything you would want to bring in onto the frame pack and see if it works. Without actually doing it, I don\'t think there is any way to really know.

 

[razorback]

I don\'t know anything about the Tenzing pack but prior to this season I played around with my Kelty and Eberlestock X2. I believe I could have lashed the X2 to the Kelty along with everything I needed for a 3-4 day hunt. I never actually did it but I believe it would have worked. There\'s probably one single pack that would perform better than the 2 combined and I\'m sure some members will make some suggestions. You have plenty of time to experiment :upthumb:

 

[cnelk]

Lark
I would like to share what I learned this past September about being in the backcountry for 9 days...

ITS A LOOOOOONNNNNNNNGGGGGG time......

I am not afraid to admit that I found out that 9 days was my limit. And we packed gear in and out on horses!
I was mentally and physically beat up. And we didnt shoot an elk!
Having John and Eric there was the best part, but Im sure they were ready to break camp too after 9 days

Packing in like you suggested, I would break it into 2 sessions. 3-4 days, come out and resupply and head back in.

If you are going to pack in water ahead of time, I would bring anything that you could then too.
As long as you can keep it secure/safe

Just my 2 pennies

 

[Swede]

I agree with Brad\'s comments. Not knowing anything about your capabilities or where you are packing into makes advise a little sketchy. I would figure on a 55 lb. comfortable pack and go from there. Four miles is usually not out of the reason for a young person in good shape. Packing out an elk, by yourself, over hard terrain, especially uphill, is an entirely different matter.

 

[Don K]

Last year I went in 4 miles with my son and we ended up hunting for 7 days. I took a pack in with all my stuff with my day-pack strapped to it (empty). I left the pack at camp, then used the day pack for the hunting. We didn\'t have to pack any water in as there was plenty where we where at.

Two people made it much easier to pack everything in that I wanted.

 

[dapper]

I also know nothing about your pack. My son and I packed in two years for two weeks. Our packs were near 70#(20 was just food, we chemically treated the water we found). I used a badlands superday for hunting and we both had Kelty Redcloud 110\'s for the pack in. We planned on only coming out if we shot an elk. We didn\'t come out. But we went in about five miles. In 2014 I drew a special New Mexico tag and backpacking in wasn\'t allowed. I shot my bull a mile from the truck. After making three trips to pack out the cape, horns and 256# of meat, we both realized that five miles was a bit much, it would\'ve been a nightmare. My son and I are in fairly good shape for our ages, but the next time we go elk hunting we won\'t be going in five miles.

Happy Hunting
Dan

 

[cohunter14]

Last year I went in 4 miles with my son and we ended up hunting for 7 days. I took a pack in with all my stuff with my day-pack strapped to it (empty). I left the pack at camp, then used the day pack for the hunting. We didn\'t have to pack any water in as there was plenty where we where at.

Two people made it much easier to pack everything in that I wanted.

Don, instead of hiking in 4 miles, you should have just driven your vehicle in and parked by those two white ones in the picture! :lol:

Jokes aside, that sounds like a great trip! I would love to do the same with my boys when they are old enough.

 

[Don K]

Don, instead of hiking in 4 miles, you should have just driven your vehicle in and parked by those two white ones in the picture!

LOL, that was at the trailhead after we got out of the Wilderness.

Right now I am waiting for two of my boys to get out of college to hunt with them again. One is a senior this year, and the other (pictured) is a freshman.

 

[Deertick]

I would say:

1. Do it! Spending time alone in the back country is something every one should do. Annually, if possible.

2. Take Brad\'s thoughts into consideration. A mid-week break is not a sin. In fact, it reminds you of what you should be thankful for. And you will be!

I am very understanding of the thought that you don\'t have to get off the road system to find elk. Yet ... part of why I go hunting every year is to \"get off the road system.\" That, alone, is a \"win\" for me. Doing is alone is a great adventure, and if I had time for it, I\'d do it every year. I have to say, though, that Brad and Eric did \"ruin\" things for me this year. I really enjoyed their company, and just shooting the sh&t with them for a week. It\'s something I do far too little of.

But ... to your point, sure, I think you could do it. It\'s not rocket surgery ... load up, suck it up, and walk. And take it in.