Thread: Overnight pack size

Hey guys,

Currently looking around for a pack to take on day hunts and overnighters (upto a couple nights).

Been looking at some second hand packs and just have a couple questions. Would 65L be enough or should I jump it to 75L and has anybody run both an Osprey and Tatonka and preferred one over the other? Any advice would be much appreciated. Cheers guys

I take 85litre...because if I shoot something I want to be able to carry the meat out.

What he said..all good and well to cram overnight gear into smaller pack but shoot a deer and your trouble starts as to how to carry meat out.

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....dlands-100955/
A local member.

65 is the perfect size for your gear even into winter when you carry a bit more clothing but then lacks the room to fit in meat from a large animal.

A lot depends on the quality/size of your gear like sleeping bags and tents etc and if you have to carry lots of water

75 or 85 is a good starting point and gives you more flexibility but just remember not to fill it with crap just because you have the room.

50L ancient Macpac Pursuit in summer, my 80L Spika Drover in winter

I have 65L and a 75L Macpacs and for overnight the 75L is so much easier if you need to fit meat in. For a day hunt I'll use the 65.

It also depends if you are going to bone out the animal.

This is the beauty of packs with a meant shelf - they don't have to be big. Usually expensive though.

This is pretty much dependant on how big your sleeping system is and tent vs fly etc, also if you can rough it for one night or you like every comfort? 50L is plenty even if you get an animal if you have a smaller bag and a fly and then most of the time it will only be half full

Originally Posted by Tahr

This is the beauty of packs with a meant shelf - they don't have to be big. Usually expensive though.

Whoops. "Meat shelf"

Modular frame pack does the trick, carry the frame with a small day bag attached and have the meat shelf to load your kill on. Some popular frame packs are better than others so do your research

Still mostly use a 40+ year old K2 70l frame pack. Rats got at inside of outer pockets at some stage but still does the job. Frame can be a bit of a pain in the arse in tight bush. Carried a shit load of meat out over the years. With sleeping bag, fly etc it still has room to carry more meat than I should these days. Approx 60kgs load a fortnight ago was nearly a bit much for this fella. Also use a 60l Macpac Cascade at times, another great pack.

As others have stated it depends how much gear you take and also what beastie you intend shooting. A big body red is a hell of a big load even broken down & boned out. Too much for me regardless of pack size. A wee fallow or Sika a different story. I really like my Tatonka 70+10 but too big for overnight trips. Prefer 60L or there abouts for this

@chainsaw. You’re not wrong there. A bit off topic but last big stag I carried out off bush whole in 2011 I got a shade under 70 kegs boned out meat. He was a big fucker and it was pure determination and a dash of stupidity that I got it out. Normally a leisurely 20 minute walk turned into hour and three quarter grind. Wasn’t too keen on going back for pack and gear. Took a few days to get over that and not that sure I’d attempt it again these days, body is over it.