Dirt2

I'm using a Gregory internal frame pack. You can get by for seven days with 4,500 cu. inches, but you may need to really prioritize gear to fit it all in. I'd have trouble fitting seven days worth of hunting gear into a 4,500 in. pack, but that's just me, maybe I'm hauling too much junk.

jones123

Yes - With a frame, I am carrying a solid multi height gun rest on my back. I carry a frame with a small 2500 in3 pack in the middle. If I want to add overnight gear and food I just strap it to the frame over, under, and/or alongside the small pack.

I have to add that I'm impressed if you can go 5 to 7 days, sleep comfortably, and carry cold weather gear with a smaller than 6500 pack. Like dirt2, I'm not proud of my packing efficiency, nor do I intend to improve on it.

stinkbelly

We are not going in cold weather. We are elk bow hunting. It ranges from 32-80 F. The only cold weather gear we need is the sleeping bag.

Dirt2

Please don't take this wrong, because I'm trying to save your life here. You sort of dismissively said "we aren't going in cold weather... 32-80 degrees" in characterizing your weather expectations in bow season. I would say that any elk country west of the Mississippi where you backpack in to hunt (implying you're going up in elevation) has the potential to be much colder than 32 degrees in September. I went out on a September weekend back in 2000, and had 3 days of 0 to 5 degree weather! I was prepared and so it wasn't a big problem. If you're only prepared for 32 degrees and it drops to single digits, you could be in big trouble. It can happen and you should be prepared for the absolute worst that can happen, and 32 degrees is far from the worst. Again, just a warning trying to keep you out of the newspapers.

ColoradoElk

I will REALLY 2nd what Dirt2 said. I have had temps below 10 degrees every year I have been pack hunting. I always bring a - 30 degree bag and have been happy to carry the extra weight. Last year a friend went with me to hunt grouse and brought a 0 degree bag. He was pretty useless when the temps did get into the 60s later each day. He bought a - 30 degree bag when he got back... By the way, Cabelas is closing out those bags now. They are top notch and 50% off, going for $99 I think.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/horizontal-item.jhtml?id=0006792513498a&navAction=push&am p;navCount=2&indexId=cat20144&podId=000679 2&catalogCode=OF&parentId=cat20144&par entType=index&rid=&cmCat=MainCatcat20075&a mp;hasJS=true

Good Luck,
CE

jones123

Third.

Even if you think a tragic death might be stretching things (it isn't), just not wanting tobe miserable should beenough motivation forto pack conservatively. It's your hunt, man! There are enough variables to make you miss opportunities, don't let misery be one of them.

BareBack Jack

I use a Alsakan pack from cabela's,it can hold everything I use even my lightweight wool pants when it snow's in September,I freeze my butt off.
I've seen it snow at least once in every month at sometime in my life,in September(September 12 th)I've seen 6 inches of snow on the ground.
I carry a light weight -10 degree sleeping bag,I can always unzip the side if I'm to warm.
BBJ

stinkbelly

Thanks for reminding me of the ability of the weater to change. I have hunted near the area we are hunting this year for 6 years and it has only dropped to 22°F. This will be the year of the big freeze. I think I will pack a little extra.

thanks

thndrchiken

It's been a long time since I packed in for a hunt, but for 5-7 days you should be looking at the 6500 sq in packs. About the only wayi would go smaller is if I knew much of the gear is provided through the outfitter. That being said for 1-3 day hiking and camping trips I can easily fill a 3500 sq in pack with plenty of extras strapped on.