Ideal day pack

I've currently been doing day trips using a pikau and although they do their job okay I'm looking for a more suitable day/overnight pack. Also looking for opinions on the scabbards and if they're any good? I'm not sure on the idea of not holding my rifle although walking through heavy traffic areas it doesn't seem like a bad thing. I never spend more than 2 days out there and normally only one. I'm looking at the cactus line and wondering what the other alternatives are? If anyone has anything they want to part with by all means PM me also.

Can't go wrong with a cactus huntaway. Its big enough for an overnight or 2 in summer or if staying in huts and not carrying tents, fly's or sleeping mat.

Size will depend on how compact the rest of your gear is. My main day pack is a 40l and really to small for a over night pack

Check out some of the Eberlestock options, I love mine. The scabbard set up is fantastic

Second hand macpac with a cactus saddle works ok... As do the twin needle molly me :thumbsup:

I think the new 55 plus 10 tatonka bison looks like a great day pack especially when your hunting in cold conditions and when your on the move need somewhere to stick all the layers of clothes. Might be on the big side a little but I personally think it would be perfect

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I use a cactus Milklat these days,carry all day hunt gear and a boned out deer with ease,bit small for overnight if you score an animal tho,

Cactus huntaway and scabbard, great setup! Can fly camp for a couple of nights in summer and fit two boned out reds in it. Small enough to not be a PITA while stalking but big enough .

The huntaway is a good size. I like to have 50 litres capacity if I'm doing an overnighter.

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Originally Posted by Hunty1

Cactus huntaway and scabbard, great setup! Can fly camp for a couple of nights in summer and fit two boned out reds in it. Small enough to not be a PITA while stalking but big enough .

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I had the huntaway and I definitely couldn’t fit two boned out reds in it while fly camping for a couple nights.

I use a Stone Glacier 7400. It can be adjusted from approx 30 litres all the way to 120 litres. Weighs about 2kgs and the external frame is strong enough to carry out most of the meat I'd get from a mature hind/spiker.

It's handy having that kind of flexibility in a pack. If it's a day mission I simply compress it. If it's a multi week trip I may fill the entire pack.

I've found that it's always better to have extra room in a pack and not need it. Besides, filling space does not necessarily mean extra weight. Some items may be 'ultralight' but bulky and require extra room. E.g a 2nd pair of boots for once you hit the snowline...or a big puffer jacket.

Sometimes I may not compress my sleeping bag in its stuff sack and just let it fill extra space in my pack. This approach can increase the longevity of a down bag. Or I may get into some thick scrub and the extra room in my pack will allow me to move gear from outside of my pack (e.g tent) into my pack to keep it from getting torn.

Some good manufacturers of compressible packs include Stone Glacier, Kifaru, Mystery Ranch and Exo Mountain Gear.

Beats carrying two seperate packs, but they're not exactly cheap either.

They look like a good pack there @Frodo it’s a tough compromise though as I like to go light and fast for my day trips once base is sorted so I usually op to carry two.

I've got jne of these surplus if your interested? Great pack uve just ended up with a milkat and a bison So it's just not really needed
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Originally Posted by MSL

I had the huntaway and I definitely couldn’t fit two boned out reds in it while fly camping for a couple nights.

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@MSL My set up is pretty minimal and super light and compact. Have done in a few times (2 deer in it that is) admittedly with two some stuff like the fly and sleeping mat end up on the outside under the bungy/compression straps. Guess it all depends on how little you can get by with for a night.

So I think we have proved the "ideal" day pack hasn't been invited

the huntec one with the canvas meat carrier inside
mostly because its big enough to carry my short list of items but then it keeps my meat clean for the way home

I hunt for meat so it suits me to a tee

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Originally Posted by 223nut

So I think we have proved the "ideal" day pack hasn't been invited

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@223nut Send out an invitation then...

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Originally Posted by Frodo

@223nut Send out an invitation then...

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Ahhh invented... They look similar and bloody autocorrelation got the wrong one, if I knew where this pack lived I would gladly send out an invite

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Originally Posted by 223nut

Ahhh invented... They look similar and bloody autocorrelation got the wrong one, if I knew where this pack lived I would gladly send out an invite

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Autocorrelation aye...:thumbsup:

Ok I'll stop being a grammar Nazi.

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Originally Posted by 223nut

So I think we have proved the "ideal" day pack hasn't been invited

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I believe it has. A mate has come up with the outstanding idea of stitching a biggish Pikau onto a bum bag. I keep asking him to make me one, it is top shelf

Twin needle mini me.

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Originally Posted by Hunty1

Cactus huntaway and scabbard, great setup! Can fly camp for a couple of nights in summer and fit two boned out reds in it. Small enough to not be a PITA while stalking but big enough .

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Same as mine but deer meat never see my packs. Can’t beat a Cactus.


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I want one with its own legs.

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Originally Posted by Tahr

I want one with its own legs.

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Just don’t fill with meat mate ! Simpler idea and it works for me. [emoji23]


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Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

I believe it has. A mate has come up with the outstanding idea of stitching a biggish Pikau onto a bum bag. I keep asking him to make me one, it is top shelf

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Sounds similar to the buffalo bags Swazi and Huntech used to do. Big bumbag that has shoulder straps as well, and a pack zips out the top of the bumbag when you get your animal. I have a Huntech one, the damn rats gave it a good hiding but I managed to salvage it.

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Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

I believe it has. A mate has come up with the outstanding idea of stitching a biggish Pikau onto a bum bag. I keep asking him to make me one, it is top shelf

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that was done commercially in the 80s.....good sized bumbag with pikau inside it that came up out of top.....
I got Mrs to sew me up a big polarfleece sack about twice the size of pillow case...I can fit front half of a red in it and carry back wheel on shoulders..... I find as of late my bumbag is getting carried inside pikau untill I have something else to put in it or decide I need to get at all the bits in it.

Cheers for the ideas lads, much like some of the comments I'm more of a spooker than a hunter but I should prepare for the day where God help me I shoot something. I've managed to find an eberlestock pack at a good price so think I'll settle with that for the time being.

Huntech canvas bag could get boned out back legs.back steaks and one front shoulder off a stag.

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Originally Posted by SGR

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Sold mate

I use a 35 mtr markhor. high spec pack and that makes it heavier. 1/2 compartment pack with top and bottom opening. 2 side and top pockets as well. bottom unzips to give access to a rain cover and a fluro hood. has 2 loops on the back suitable for a lite rifle or bow. hydration pocket and pouches on the waist strap.
have over nighted with it. but you need to be minamilist. small sleeping bag, stove, bed roll, set of thermals and nylon rain coat.
Z