What is a good pack board

[Gus Orviston]

I have an old Bent wood military style packboard. It is bulky but very sturdy when you tie something to it. My biggest issue is that when I carry my rifle hits it and scratches up the butt stock, also given the bent wood style you can't shoulder the rifle either.

I want to get a different pack board, lighter would be a plus, must be stout, need some storage, and a gun attachment could a be bonus as well. The racks I see in the magazines are spending and would like some of your comments before laying out the $$.

gus

[Bait O' Eggs]

How can you improve on 1942 bent wood pack frame technology?

I have 3 of the bent wood frames and one I made that matches it but made out of diamond plate. For packing of meat I prefer my diamond plate one, even though it weighs about a pound more than the wood ones. It does not work well with a gun though as you said.

My buddy just switched to a freighter frame. I am not sure I am sold on this pack. It seems to be a popular model though.

I am taking my REI "wonderland" pack into Idaho next week. I used it for years for backpacking, I have avoided getting it bloody in the past. Got lots of pockets for putting things in convenient places.

Gus, are you sure you need a pack? What would you use it for

[Gus Orviston]

Mine is the old design...1941...pre 42. must be worth some money

It just feels too wide and catches alot brush on the side hooks and the bent corner. Not easy being stealthy with it on, but great for packing.

Maybe something lighter for the hunt, but use the bentwoods when the job is soley extraction of meat. You know, like when you buddy kills something bigger than a Mr. Forky and he needs some help. :tongue:

[Gus Orviston]

ha,. I use my pack board for carrying my waders....at then end of one of my favorite hunts I cross a river....This weekend I didn't need my waders, and there also weren't any Chinook in the creek yet carried the waders for nothing!

Mr. Pointy where are you?!

[BuKuBass]

Search for "alaskan pack frame" at cabela's
$55, probably made by Camp Trails. It can be ordered with or without a packbag, has a folding shelf. There may be a rifle "holder" available for it; if not, it shouldn't be too hard to fashion one out of velcro and padding.
I've had mine for going on twenty years and have humped deer, elk, firewood, water, etc. with it and it's held up well.

[King Kong]

I have one of the Camp Trails Freighter frame with the moose pack, bag. Excellent for carrying heavy loads! The bag, moose pack, can fit an entire front shoulder and both backstraps off of an elk. Great padding and straps. The drop down bench on the back adds extra support for carrying elk and or deer quarters. I would recommend that you go to G.I. Joes and R.E.I to put one on and make sure that it fits you!!! They can even put some kind of weight inside the pack for you to try it out for fit and balance. Find the one that fits you well and then you can add just about anything as far as a rifle holder.

Kevin.

[Beer Waggin]

www.kifaru.net

After buying and using one of these for the last three years, I wouldn't trade it for the world. Kind of pricey, but well worth it! These things will haul more weight than you can carry. Internal alum. frame unit that is the very comfortable to wear. It has way to many options to list. The only thing I don't like about it is there actual pack system. Rather than having all of the smaller compartments to hold the misc. items, it's just one big bag.

[nerta]

The alaska pack from cabala's is a very good pack. I've been using one with the moose bag on it. You can drop the hind quarter of an elk in it, along with back strap ect... and walk off.
I recommend it. After back surgery it still packs well. The old military frames were great in their day but pack technology has came a long way since the 1940's. What ever you decide on try to get something that puts the weight on the hips not just the shoulders you won't be sorry. Hope this helps. :grin:

[nerta]

Oh ya I forgot they also have a sleeve you can put your rifle in. :grin: :grin:

[CAGEY]

Gus, my packboard is 6'4" and 22 years old. Hard to beat that. ha ha.

Alsmost any of the good aluminum pack boards are good. Some are very expensive especially if you get into the backpacking world. I have used the standared 40-50 dollar model from BiMart or GI Joes and find then to be just fine. They do come in different sizes and styles so you may have to shop a little to find the narrow one that allows for shouldering a rifle. I also use them for packing out elk and they will really take a beating. Just dont try to set on it.

[Gus Orviston]

I just had to double check the vintage of my bentwood....1944, so i guess I got the new model :grin:

[Tilla]

My brother got me that Camp Trails backpack. It packs out elk, but the bag also carries decoys, fish nets, chinook and actually is used to pack my treestand too!