Join me as I talk about all of the new and old elk calls offered by Rocky Mountain Hunting Calls!  I will be at Cabelas from 11 to 4 and will be doing an hour long seminar on how to call!  Come out and see some great vendors, learn something new, find great deals, and maybe even win a free Hunt App. membership from onXmaps as well as a few other giveaways from me!

Join me in Ennis for Shedhorn Sports big fall event.  I will have a table set up demonstrating calls offered by Rocky Mountain Hunting Calls and answer any question you might have.  This two day event is great to see some of the best equipment in the business and get a chance to meet vendors who can answer many questions on gear selection.  You will also find amazing deals on firearms and ammo.  Don't miss out!

I will be at the Helena Sportsman's Warehouse from 4pm to 6 pm for an in depth seminar about elk hunting.  I will cover every aspect from calling, gear, weather, mapping, and tactics for the beginner and experience hunter.  I will have a few handouts and giveaways for those in attendance.  This is perfect timing right before the season kicks off!

During the spring I didn't get the chance to really test the pack to extreme weights. The weight I did put on the pack felt like half. I was extremely pleased with the overall performance.

I tried to pack everything I would have for a 3 to 5 day hunt. The only thing I was short on was extra food and my tent. I only kept enough food for two days. With that being said I was still hauling roughly 35 to 40 lbs.

After a few days and right around 12 to 15 miles of rough country I was blown away that I didn't have near the shoulder or hip fatigue I usually get. I felt like I could hike all day and night without having to take it off at all. Normally I'm ready to shed my pack after just a couple of miles.

I had very high expectations for this pack, but I worried I may have set the bar too high.  Well it definitely wasn't set high enough.  The creators of this pack, Steve Speck and Lenny Nelson, far surpassed everything.  I was able to pack everything I needed with extra room available.  The gear was easy to access and I found a specific place for my equipment to keep it all organized.  The weight of the pack is hard to beat.  The overall design of the pack held up to what was stated on the site.  The load stayed even on my back, once the straps were tightened there was no give, and for the majority of the days I couldn't even tell the pack was there.

I did have one question on the pack as far as being noisy. As I answered them I don't know if there is a true whisper quiet material out there but the material the Exo is made out of is a lot quieter than I expected. I was very impressed with how quiet it actually is. I wasn't sure how it would be as out of the box I did notice it to be somewhat noisy. After my tough hike and having to climb out the bottom of a chute to my pickup I continually ran into branch after branch. The material held up and was much quieter than I thought it would be. So all in all it's a very tough quiet material.

I did run into one issue and that was having the back support slip up on the titanium rail, which made the pack uncomfortable for a period of time. Once I figured out the problem and readjusted it was back to normal.

The biggest things I was happy with was being able to organize my gear with ease of access, the amount of ways to attach gear, the durability, ride of the pack, lack of adjustment after hiking for miles, and having more than adequate room to keep me out longer.

One feature that I was very pleased with is the outside stretchy pocket. I was able to add and remove layers as needed an never had to worry about knowing where each item was.

Another nice feature is the strap keepers. They are very simple by design but keeps everything together an leaves no excess straps to catch on things.

One thing that also caught my attention was the lumbar pad. It was amazing how much that feature helps. It is a gracious amount of pad, but made such a huge difference even with only the normal weight I carry. The padding will definitely show what it has to offer once a hind quarter from an elk is added or any other significant weight.

I was also very surprised that I had little to no sweat on my back. The only sweat I noticed was just normal sweat you would have from hiking even without a pack.

I'm very excited to add some accessories to the pack to give it a little more customization. I have already added some Velcro to things I attached to the hip belt, but the items coming out specifically for the pack will be a great addition.

I couldn't find a whole lot that I would do different to the pack. The only things I found I may change was a little more padding to the back padding between the shoulders. Not that it isn't adequate by any means it was the only area that had a little discomfort. It definitely wasn't a discomfort that made the pack horrible it was just an area I felt a little more than other areas. A lot of that had to do with it slipping up. Most likely it was an adjustment error on my part.

Another area was pockets. This was an area I mentioned in part 1 as well and it's just a preference for me to keep gear just a tad more organized. With that being said I was still able to keep very organized. This was mainly due to the main compartment zipper which gives you access to equipment from both top and bottom as well as the small mesh pocket in the main compartment, and the top lid pocket.

In the end I'm still blown away by this pack. I have truly found my extended an day pack. Overall I give the pack a 9.5 out of 10. The only negatives I feel are just me being picky.

If you are in the market for a new pack I would strongly suggest getting your hands on this pack. It will serve me for my day hunts to as long as 7 day excursions. I look forward to putting this pack to the test this fall. My next adventure will be archery antelope of drawn followed by a lengthy archery elk hunt where I should be able to really tax the pack.

Here are a few photos of my use in the field.

I had been anticipating finally getting the chance to chase after some black bears after recently moving to western MT.  I never really put much thought or effort into actually hunting them, but now that I'm living right in some great bear country I couldn't pass up the chance to do so. 

I haven't had much of a chance to actually get out and explore a lot of the area I'm now living in.  I didn't really know where to begin or where to head to first.  With that in mind I basically grabbed my GPS and headed out.  On the first day I selected an area somewhat close to home.  I figured I would go for a drive and look for what I thought might be some decent bear country.

I found some great looking areas where there was great cover and plenty of water.  The one thing I was lacking was open areas to glass for a wandering bear.  I took off on the first morning and as I hiked around I wasn't finding anything that would allow me to view anything other than lots of trees.

Finally I got back to the pickup after a short hike and headed off to another spot.  Finally I found a huge opening that had some great terrain and looked like a prime spot for a bear.  I sat and glassed from a high vantage point for a few hours, but did not see anything. 

At the start of the day and beginning of this spring season my hopes were just to spot a bear and possibly get a decent stalk in.  After glassing for a few hours I headed back home.  As with most first hunts of the year the anticipation kills me.  I got right around 1 1/2 of sleep as I spent the night prior getting all of my gear in order and making sure I had everything I needed.  With such a lack of sleep I knew I would be hard pressed to be healthy enough to not only make sure I made a good shot as I was hunting with stick and string, but if I was lucky enough to kill a bear have the energy to pack him out.

Back to the house I went and rested up for the next day.  Here are a couple of photos of some amazing country.  Oh and by the way the new Exo pack performed flawlessly.

After getting nice and rested up I headed back to the same area as the previous day and glassed a wide open area that would give me the opportunity to spot a bear in the open.  I began the morning by spotting several elk and had the privilege of getting to see them interact in their environment.  It was great to see them chasing each other around.  I spent the morning glassing for around 4 hours and didn't see much.  I explored some more of the area as it is all new.

After getting back home and getting some lunch I headed to an area I was told about that might hold a few more bears.  I spent the afternoon looking for a spot to take off from.  I finally found a trail head that looked decent so I headed off.  I took my time and hiked right around 3 miles and periodically glassed from time to time.  It was great being in some new country, and getting see what was out there.  I spotted a couple of deer, but not much was moving.  It was the middle of the day and I wasn't expecting too much.

I continued on and made the decision to just hike a bit further and see what I could see.  I finally worked my way around the mountain and had to decide to keep going or turn around and go back.  I figured I would keep going and then glass before dark.  I finally sat down after finding a decent place to glass from with open areas. 

I sat down for maybe two minutes, when I spotted my first bear.  I noticed an odd black spot and thought I saw some movement.  After only a couple of seconds the black spot for sure began to move and I knew exactly what it was.  It wasn't a huge bear maybe 120 to 130 lb bear.  The bonus part was that the bear was alone and indicated to me it was probably a young boar.

The bear began to work up the mountain and all of a sudden turned back around and sprinted to the bottom below me.  It was time to move.  I didn't have a specific plan other than to head to an area and cut the bear off.  At this point, it was only the second time I had been out and I was out of shape.  It is amazing what the body can take when adrenaline gets going.  I immediately threw my pack back on and headed to where I thought I might be able to get ahead of him, and hopefully ambush him.

I had to cut three ridges between us and did so in quick fashion.  I got to where I was pretty sure I could cut him off.  Well I sat for a bit and never spotted him.  The only thing I could think of is that he got a head of me.  Now that I had time to slow down I looked at my GPS and realized I was in a dilema.

I had right around 2 hours until it would be dark.  I knew I had right around 2 hours for a hike back to the pickup.  I had two ways of going.  The first more lengthy option was to follow the bottom out on the trail and then work my way back on the main road, but that would have put me at about 10 miles more.  The second option was to go back up over the top and straight down to the pickup.  I selected to just go up and over the top.  Little did I know just going up and over was going to be killer.

It was a straight 45 up and 45 back down.  It was one of those fun hikes where your knee just about touches the same time as your foot.  I had about an 800 to 1,000 ft incline to go.  When I reached what felt like about half way up I began to feel dehydration kick in. 

My muscles were cramping up, my fingers were swelling up to where it was hard to bend my fingers, and I hadn't urinated in around 3 hours.  I had plenty of water and food to last me, but I began to conserve my water as I knew it was going to be important as the hike went on.  I continuously drank water when I could, but not large amounts.  Pretty soon I began to vomit a little and I knew I needed to slow down.  As I did this I began to hear something.  Well my thought that the bear got a head of me was spot on.  I could hear something sniffing the air, and I immediately knew it was the bear I previously spotted. 

I usually don't worry too much about black bears, but then again it is a wild bear and they can be unpredictable.  I would like to say that I wasn't scared, but there is always that worry when I'm run down and being able to react correctly if things go bad.  I do carry bear spray and had it ready.  At this point shooting the bear wasn't really on my mind, because I knew there was no way of packing him out without having the meat or hide spoil and my main focus was getting back to my pickup.  I had the wind in my face and knew the bear was trying to figure out what I was.  Eventually the sniffing stopped.  I figured the bear was right around 50 to 70 yds away, but couldn't see him due to the dense timber.

After hearing the sniffing stop I continued on.  I finally reached the top and was exhausted.  It was at this point I had a decision to make to press on or rest my body and sleep on the mountain.  I knew I would be ok as I still had enough water and food to keep me alive for at least two days and longer if needed.

I decided to keep going as I still had enough light that I should make it back or close to the pickup at dark.  As I began down my muscles began to feel better as they were no longer getting beat up by the incline.  As I worked my way towards the pickup I again realized I wasn't able to make to the pickup directly.  I continually watched my GPS as I got closer and close to the trail.  There was only one problem, the entire hill side was gravel and it dropped down into a deep chute.  I finally got to the bottom of the chute and tried to work my way back up the other side.

I quickly figured out that there was no way of climbing out and had only one option of slowly working my way out.  I crawled low and high over nasty fallen timber and had horrible footing.  Finally I looked at my GPS and was within just a few hundred yds of my pickup and trail head.  Never have I been so happy to make it back to my originating spot. 

I did a few things smart before I left home.  I let my wife know exactly where I planned on being and how far I planned on going.  This is something I never usually worried about, but for some reason I felt very compelled to make sure she knew.  Looking back it was a gut instinct just in case something went bad.  I now know just how bad things can get and will never forget this trip. 

I left my pickup at 2:30 and finally made it back at around 11:30.  Once I got back into cell service I called home and let Leah know I was ok, but I was thinking about taking a trip to the ER.  My body was run down and I knew it.  I drank the rest of my water and by the time I made it back to town I was coming back around.  Tired and sore I wasn't sure when I would get back out.  The very next day I was in recovery mode and ready to get back after it.

I didn't get a bear this trip, but did learn a lot of valuable lessons.  I did a lot of things right, and others not so much.  Overall I got to see some awesome country and met my goal for my spring bear season.  My hopes were to simply spot a bear this year.  I'm very novice to bear hunting and figured just getting the chance to spot one was plenty good for me.

Although this trip was done my drive was not.  I was ready to get back after it and try for the bear once again.  Here are a couple of photos from my 2nd day out.

After going back to work for the week and having the itch even more I headed back to see if I could find another bear.  I headed back to the same area, but hiked in from the other direction on a different trail head.  The drive in was great once again with plenty of elk spotted.  One cow even gave me the opportunity for a quick photo right off of the road.  I hit the trail right at sun up.

The first couple of miles was pretty uneventful.  The terrain was even more rugged than the last.  As long as I stayed on the trail it wasn't bad.  I finally found an opening and went for a hike off of the trail.  I worked my way higher to give me the best vantage point possible.  I would continually hike and glass.  I spent the remainder of the day doing so, but only spotted a few elk with no bears spotted.  I took some time and ate some lunch on the mountain, which will always be one of my favorites.  I made it to the back side of where I saw there bear, but as stated I did not find him.

I knew my bear season was going to be short lived, but as stated before I was going to use this season as a learning adventure.  I met my goal and spotted a bear.  I hope to chase bears once again this fall and look forward to next spring.  Now that I'm more educated I feel like all I need is a little more time and I will get there.  As with every species there is a learning curve and it might not happen right away for maybe even a few seasons.  Every day spent out is just one more opportunity to be able to one up a critter.

The main thing I learned this year is that although I grew up a "flat lander", I love the mountains.  They test me year after year and I am looking forward to testing myself in the mountains. 

My next adventure will be getting in a little fly fishing over the summer and then its on to archery antelope.  As always the anticipation can sometimes be too much.  I also look forward to elk season and chasing whitetails once again.  I think out of everything this fall getting the chance to chase whitetails has me the most excited.  I recently learned I did not draw any of the big 3 in MT so I know exactly what to concentrate on.

Here is a few more shots of my short lived spring bear season.

I recently received my pack.  The anticipation for the pack to arrive was driving me crazy.  I kept in contact with one of the makers of the pack, Steve Speck, who made the decision to purchase this pack much easier.  Once the pack arrived I was blown away.

I have decided to put together a 2 part review of the pack.  For the 1st part I will be going over the initial feel for the pack out of the box.  I will highlight the features of the pack with pictures included.  For the 2nd part I will go over a more comprehensive review after I get some field testing done.

I always kept in the back of my mind that I may have not made the best choice in buying a pack without trying it on and getting a feel for it.  As with most hunting equipment now days things become an investment due to prices.  If you are going to get the best gear on the market it is going to burn a hole in the pocket book.  After getting the pack it was a very wise investment and there is absolutely no regrets with this pack. 

The design and function from what I have seen so far has exceeded my expectations.  I have been in the market for a pack that I could use as an everyday day pack, but also allow me to go on a hunt for 3 to 5 days at a time.  The Exo 3500 is exactly what I was looking for as it is spacious enough, but not overly large to where I will feel I'm carrying too much.  Plus there is also the 5500 pack available in the near future if I were ever to need more room.

I was very pleased to find the size of the pack isn't overwhelming, but spacious enough to keep me comfortable for a multi-day hunt.  The weight of the pack is unbelievable.  Most packs in this size range are usually significantly heavier.  For me I like to be minimalistic when it comes to weight.  The less I'm carrying the more comfortable and longer I can go.  Plus once you add the weight of a critter on the frame every additional ounce counts.

When I look at the outside of the pack I can't believe the areas that are available to add gear to or the options to secure things to the outside.  Although I would have liked to see more pockets on the pack I don't mind the sacrifice for the added weight of extra pockets.  Even though I say there isn't many pockets there is plenty of room and the ones that are on the pack were obviously very well thought of and put together to add plenty of space.  I already having in my mind how I'm going to set all of my gear up and their specific places. I have already begun to strap things on and fill the pack up in preparation for bear season.

The adjust ability of the pack allows to find that exact fit for me.  I was able to select the exact waist belt size I needed.  The straps and buckles area of very high quality and gives me lots of confidence in wear and tear.  My initial thoughts have me thinking it is going to take a lot of abuse to wear this pack out. 

It is also a great relief there is a lifetime warranty on the pack.  It is also hard to deny the pleasure that the pack is made her in the USA.  Although not a selling point for me I know it can be for others.

To sum up my initial thought out of the box are that I feel I have made the best choice I could have made on finding my go to pack.  From what I have saw thus far I believe this may be the pack of the year and look forward to seeing how it performs in the field.  With that I will now go into the specific details of the pack.

For the lid at the top of the pack there is a ton of room.  This is the area where I keep all of my quickly needed gear.  It can quickly be accessed from opening the zipper at the top.  I generally will keep extra gloves, warm hat, GPS, maps, headlamp, and snacks to keep me going.  This is an area for me when taking breaks that I can grab things quickly.  There is a ton of space just in this pocket alone for gear. 

The lid has a reverse buckle system, which allows easy access to the main compartment even when packing out meat, which is hauled between the pack and frame.  This is very well thought of and a smart addition to the pack.

Also on the back of the pack there is an easy access to a stretchy pocket by simply lifting up on the bottom of the lid.  This is a great area to keep additional jackets and layers for ease of access.

The main compartment is the largest area of the pack obviously and has the most room.  There is two ways to access the main pocket, which can be done by unbuckling the lid and opening a drawstring.  The other option is a vertical pocket on the outside of the pack. 

Once in the main compartment you will find a waterproof layer on the outside, which is an option I think that is sometimes overlooked.  There is nothing worse than being miles from the pickup and it begins to snow or rain and now you have wet gear and a miserable hunt.  It is one feature of the pack I was very glad to see.

Another option is that the waterproof layer is a very bright color.  The tag on the pack pointed out that this allows the user to easily identify gear when it's dark out.  Another option I would not have thought of, but will make a big difference after a long hike all day.  It's nice to be able to get to camp and find exactly what you are looking for.

There is also a mesh pocket immediately located near the vertical zipper.  This will come in handy, and will be an area that I put licenses, knives, batteries, and other small pieces of equipment I may not immediately need access to.

After seeing the size of the pocket there is plenty of room for all of my gear.

For the back of the pack I will start with the two horizontal straps.  For me this will be where I secure my bow to the pack while I'm hiking.  There is a ton of strap available so the options are endless.  They also have keepers attached to the straps that allow you to keep them together so that they are not flailing all over.

As with all of the buckles located on the pack they are extremely durable and will stand up to any test that can be thrown at them.  There is also 7 set of separate webbing where additional misc. equipment can be attached. 

Finally there is a stretchy fabric on the very back.  This fabric forms a pocket and will be great for holding rain gear or additional layers that can be shed throughout the day.  This can easily be accessed at the bottom of the day lid.

There are two identical pockets on both the left and right of the pack.  There is two separate pockets.  One pocket runs vertically the entire length of the pack, and the other is made of the same stretchy fabric as the back of the pack.  This is a great location for a water bottle. 

The stretchy pocket is designed as to let you grab whatever is in there while the pack is on you.  The long pocket is a great location for a spotter, tri-pod, rifle, and I will use it for my two man tent.

There is also a tab in the long pocket that can be used to attached a water bladder.

There area three straps located on each side.  Two straps run vertical, which will be necessary once a load of weight is placed between the pack and frame.  The way the straps are designed is to push the weight up and keep it from sliding down to the bottom of the pack.  The third strap is located at the top of the long pocket and is the closure for the pocket.

The shoulder harness and waist belt are packed full of options.  For starters they are not overly large, but not too small to hurt your shoulders.  The padding is very adequate and comfortable. 

The shoulder straps contain the logo of the pack, a stretchy elastic band for a hose from a water bladder or an area to add additional gear, and adjustable chest strap.  The load lifters are also attached at the top.  I had never used them, only read about them.  After putting the pack on and playing with them a little bit their purpose became very clear.  These will be essential when a heavy load is attached.

The shoulder harness is incredibly adjustable and can be set to the specific user's choice.  It only took a couple of minutes and I had the pack fit to my measurement.  This is simply done by a buckle located below the shoulder padding that hits the middle of your back.  Once adjusted the shoulder straps simply move up and down the two titanium rods.

Now onto the waist belt.  There is a very large lumbar pad.  The lumbar pad is very noticeable when you put the pack on, but not so much where it is uncomfortable.  I can definitely tell this pad will be very helpful with a heavy load as well and it has a sticky outside to keep it in place.

The hip pads area great size to where they are not overly large yet not too small.  It is a nice stiff padding and from fist glance will work great after a long hike and should not have much hip fatigue. 

The straps on the waist belt have a reverse pull on them.  I had used a similar system on my Cabelas Alaska frame and loved the concept.  It is so much easier to make sure everything is nice and tight.  This plays a huge factor once you strap a hind quarter from an elk on.  I have gotten the waist belt tight, and then super tight.  There is no give in the waist belt once tight, which is great as I hate having to adjust as I'm hiking.  From what I can tell there is no limit to how tight the belt will go.  I was very impressed and this feature was very well thought out.

Each side also has a an additional strap that can be opened up and gear can be added to the hip belt.  There is Velcro on the inside and I have added Velcro to some of my equipment I plan to add on.  I was very glad to see this feature as I like to have certain things close at hand so that I can get access quickly.  I will be attaching a bow holder, my rangefinder, and bear spray.  There is also a new hip pouch that is close to being done.

Another great feature is a strap on each side that connects the pack to the waist belt.  By tightening this strap it prevents some side to side motion as the frame is made to move with you.  I used to have a problem with my frame pack being so rigid it would begin to rub the outside of my hips and thighs.  This is prevented with the design of this frame.  The only issue with the movement in that the pack can pivot is that there may be a balance issue.  These two straps make the load more stable as you are hiking.

Overall the shoulder harness and waist belt are very well thought of and put together with a purpose and function.

The heart and soul of this pack in my mind is the frame.  It is specifically designed to carry a ton of weight.  By far one of the lightest frames I have thrown on my back.
If you look at the website you can see it is made with a titanium rod, which outlast me that's for sure.  The frame is very rigid up and down, but left and right it is allowed to move with you as it pivots near the bottom of the pack.This is a great feature as I just mentioned in the area of the waist belt I had problems with other packs being too rigid around my hip area.

The pack can be removed from the frame, which allows you to go out with an extremely light weight frame alone.  I know there is a couple of accessories that can be purchased such as a water bladder and meat shelf, which will be a great addition to run with just the frame and leave the pack the truck.

I have always been interested a pack that I could keep on me and also be able to have a frame to haul meat out with.  This pack meets that requirement.  You simply remove the load lifters, pull the buckle through a hole and unbuckle four straps.  The pack can no be pulled away from the frame.  There are two horizontal straps on the frame, which allows you to secure the meat to the frame.  Next you simply pull the pack back over the meat and re-buckle the straps on the side of the pack.  The straps are designed at an upward angle, which keeps the meat lifted and the majority of the weight on you back and not the hips.  The bottom of the pack is also designed so that the weight doesn't sink to the bottom and remains more in the middle of the pack.  After those are secure you simply re-do the load lifters and you are set.  Once all straps are set I don't think there is anything you can throw on this pack that will make it uncomfortable.

Having the luxury of hauling that first load back tot he pickup rather than walking back to the pickup to get a frame is imperative.  It saves time and can help make sure you get your meat back to the pickup before it spoils.  As stated before all of the buckles and straps are made very durable and will take a beating.

In closing, at first glance the pack appears to be a simple design, but it is very complex and very well thought out.  The lightweight durable design of the pack will have others drooling over it.  Like I stated earlier in this I believe this will be the pack of the year and I have no regrets buying this pack before I tried it on or got my hands on it.

I'm sure there is more features to the pack that I missed, but I am very excited to now hit the mountain and get some field testing done.  The guys from Exo Mountain Gear hit a home run with this pack and I can't wait for the accessories to come out.  At this point I see myself picking up the rain fly, hip pouch, and bow carrier.

I look forward to seeing what this pack is made of and I'm afraid it is much more than I will be able to put to the test.  I am also looking forward to putting together a more comprehensive review of in the field testing and heavy loads.  I'm hoping I can capitalize in a couple of weeks as I will try to put together my usual 3 to 5 day pack and come out with a bear.  At this point I feel it's very wishful thinking that I will have a bear attached, but unless you are out in the field it won't happen.

If you have any questions go to my contact form and let me know.  You can also have questions answered at exomountiangear.com.  Make sure and stop by the site and place an order, you won't be disappointed.  There is some great photos and videos on the pack.

If you are like me, you like to scour the internet looking for new items to come hitting the market year after year.  I spend a lot of time and research into the new products hitting the market.  Just recently, I found Exo Mountain Gear.  They are a new pack company with a pack in the works set to come out in the spring of 2014.

After doing a little research and looking at what they have to offer, I believe that I have found the pack I have been waiting to find.  Currently, the pack being built is a 3500 cu. in. pack and the pack is attached to an external frame.  It also appears there is a larger pack in the works.  There is a poll on the website asking for consumer input on which larger size to go with.  It sounds like the majority are for a 5500 to 6000 cu. in. are in the lead.  The nice thing is that if you want to use either the 3500 or the larger bag, both simply connect to the frame.  This is very similar to the Mystery Ranch Nice Frame packs that are already out.  So once you get one bag all you need is the other and one frame.

These packs are made to be used as a day pack as well as a meat hauling pack in one.  You simply unbuckle the pack from the frame keeping the bottom of the pack attached.  There are then two compression straps connected to the external frame that you can strap around the meat to hold it against the frame.  After strapping the meat down you then place the pack over the top and tighten it down with more compression straps.  Leaving the bottom attached to the frame allows the meat to stay higher on the pack and keep the weight more in the center of your back. 

Another amazing feature, and what is said to be the main point of the pack is the titanium frame.  If you look at the website, it shows how this system works.  The frame is constructed on two principals. First, the great vertical strength, and second, the ability for the pack to pivot and move with you from side to side.  I have used frame packs in the past for hauling meat and they can be very rigid.  With the movement of the pack, this takes away the tension on your hip flexors.  There are a couple of videos on the website now that show exactly how this system works and it makes perfect sense.

In one video you can see just how much the pack can haul.  I can honestly say I will most likely never haul 150 lbs of meat, but it is nice to know the capability is there.  I have done 5 day trip in the past and 2500 cu. in. could get me by, but having an extra 1000 cu. in. would be nice for that extra stuff I like to have just to make camp a little more comfortable I usually leave behind.

I'm hoping to get my hands on one of these packs this year, but am prepared for the worst, as they might sell out quickly. Word has gotten out about this pack and guys are chomping at the bit to get their heads on it. I'm excited to see the outcome and finished product.


Rather than me explaining the features, here are the specs and features of the pack from the website:

Overall Weight:

• 4lbs 4oz

Exo Skeleton Frame Panel:

• Titanium Skeleton frame (the heart and soul of the pack!) 25″ tall
• Non-slip lumbar pad fabric to prevent lumbar pad shifting
• Micro adjustable torso (16″-22″)
• Open suspension design for maximum breath-ability
• Adjustable load lifter angle
• Locking ladder locks buckles to prevent critical webbing from moving
• Micro adjustable lumbar frame angle for custom fit
• Angled compression straps for better load hauling
• Meat hauling load shelf
• Closed cell cross-linked ethylene copolymer foam provides excellent load distribution

Exo 3500 ci bag:

• 3500 cubic inches (4800 will be available summer of 2014)
• Total of 14 different compression straps to secure items and loads to the pack
• Reverse lid for ease of top access to bag when pack is loaded
• Stretchy external pockets for room when pack is full and keeps items tight and quiet
• Three different pockets to carry a spotting scope
• 9 pockets total for organization
• 18″ Side zipper for quick main bag access
• 4 places to mount hydration bladder
• Main Fabric currently 500d Cordura (still testing other fabrics)
• water resistant #10 YKK zippers

Price:

• Starting at $449 for bag and frame (available spring 2014)
• Tentative color options; Coyote Brown, ASAT and Multicam
• Made right here in Boise, ID USA

Specs are for the current 3rd Generation pack, the final product may vary slightly


As you can see the specs are not finalized as the company is still in the testing process, but very close to a finished product.  The 4th gen. pack will be the final product and is looking like it will be on the market in the middle of April.

Every year there is something new that comes out and this pack is looking like the product I will be hoping to get for this year. I'm sometimes weary about new products as they have not been tested yet, but from the little research I have done so far this pack looks ready to go with little worry.

I have always had an issue of having some great packs that get me by in one way or another, but the prospect of having a day pack and meat hauler in one is exactly what I've been looking for. I know if I pick this pack up I'm sure there will be something else out there, but it appears this pack would fit all of my wants and needs in a pack.

Well 2013 didn't quite turn out to be the hunting season I was hoping for.  This past year brought many new chapters to my life.  I began the year with the birth of my first child, Lane.  My wife and I are very blessed to have such an amazing child.  He has brought a joy into our lives we never thought possible.

After having Lane not much else had changed.  Next came spring turkey season where I was lucky enough to harvest my best bird yet with my bow.  I hunted in SD with Dusty and Stephen and once again where we captured some great video footage.  We all filled tags on great birds.

After spring season finished up the summer flew by.  We didn't do a whole lot, but made it back to Lemmon for my 10 year high school reunion.  It was a blast getting to see most everyone again and there is nothing better than going home.  It always amazes me how much that small town can change.

After summer passed us by I now began to look for employment in the western part of the state.  Leah has been wanting to move to a larger area and I was very excited for the prospect of trying something new out. 

I managed to land a job in Helena so the move was made.  I left the family behind for a little while before they moved out with me.  I was lucky enough to fit a couple days of antelope hunting in, but never had any success.  It was great just getting out when I had the chance.

So there I was all packed up and ready to begin my new adventure.  We bought a 27' bumper pull camper and that would be home.  I moved out the last part of Aug. and of course elk season was right around the corner.  I knew with the move and beginning a new job hunting was going to be put on the back burner.  I would hopefully get out a little bit and explore some new areas.  I didn't manage to fit any elk hunting in, but am very eager for next fall.

All while this big move was going on, I was privileged to help out Rocky Mountain Hunting Calls by going to a seminar and sitting at booths for them selling product and demonstrating how to use them.  It is always a blast getting to visit with other hunters both young, old, new, and experienced.

After getting in a couple of shows and a seminar in it was time to work.  Work has occupied the majority of my time, but I knew that coming in.  I finally got the family all moved in and as cramped as it was I could ask for nothing more.  We eventually found a much roomier place to live and are doing great.  I'm loving the area.  The sights are endless and I can't wait for the coming spring and fall.  While living her I have recently taken back up fly fishing and am loving it.  I managed to sneak a few days in here and there and am looking forward to hitting the river in the spring.  It is an art I'm still learning, but am in a great area to learn.

Living closer to bear country will be great.  My plans are to hopefully make a trip back to SD to hunt some turkey, but will most likely concentrate on doing some spot and stalk hunting for black bear with my bow. 

With this move there has been some big changes.  New home, new job, and loss of a couple of pets.  Unfortunately we had to put down a very loved family dog and sold our two horses as we don't have the room or time needed for them.

I got to hunt whitetails a couple of days and ran across one of the better whitetail bucks I have seen in quite a few years.  While living in eastern MT I concentrated on mostly mule deer, but look forward to transitioning back to the whitetail frame of mind.  It has been a very hard year for me not spending much time in the field, but now as a parent my perspective has changed.  Hunting will always be a huge portion of my life, once you add a family in the mix everything changes.  And that is a change for the better.

It's hard to say what 2014 will bring, but the future looks very bright and the anticipation is exciting.  Only time will tell what tags are filled and what adventures I will go on.

The archery season finally kicked off for me.  My original plan was to make it out on the 15th, which was the opener, but I had some commitments come up that I had to attend to first.  The morning of the 19th rolled around and I was out in the field.

I immediately found some antelope on a state section.  I parked on the shoulder of the road and the antelope headed the other direction.  I went farther down the road and began my hike to where I though the antelope would head.  While heading to the area I wen to cross a creek bottom and took a spill as I lost my footing.  I landed on my pack and my water bladder burst and lost the majority of my water for the day.  I cleaned things up and continued to pursue the antelope.

I finally made it to where I expected the antelope to come.  I dried my equipment out the best that I could.  After waiting for a while I headed back to my vehicle.  As I headed back I continued to try and locate the antelope.  Finally I saw the same buck, but he was now bedded on private ground.  While waiting to see what the antelope were going to do from their new position I received a phone call and had an emergency at home I had to take care of.  I never made it back out for the day, but was looking forward to getting back out when the opportunity came.

I wasn't able to make it out on the 20th as my family and I are getting ready to make a move to Helena, MT in the next couple of weeks.  I did however make it back out on the 21st.  I again headed to the state section and found a couple more antelope.  I set out again to see if I could stalk within bow range.  The antelope eventually left my sight and headed further onto private property.

The morning was short and filled with unsuccessful sighting of antelope I could hunt.  The season has started out slow thus far, but you never know when the right day will come and it's time to fling an arrow.  This season will definitely test me as there will be fewer days this year to hunt for me than in years past.  Life sometimes throws curve balls your way and you just have to be patient and take the right swing and things will come together.  

Antelope opened on the 15th, which will be followed by archer elk and deer opening on Sept. 7.  The anticipation is killing me, but I'm just glad the season finally got here.  I look forward to keeping everyone updated on the season as days go by.  It will go fast and then there will be the wait until the next season, but each season brings so many more memories.

I recently made a trip out after antelope and tried the new iPhone app called onXMaps.  It is created by Hunting GPS Maps and offers the same maps you can order from them for $99 per chip for a much smaller cost and the luxury of not having to purchase a new GPS if you already have an iPhone or iPad.  The quality of the map was amazing and easy to use.  It is an app that can turn your iPhone or iPad into a GPS.  I was able to use my phone in the field mode, which allowed my maps to continue to be used even without any data or cell phone service. 

To use the field mode you simply go into the settings on the Hunt onXmaps app and turn on the field mode.  The key is to find a wifi connection for your iPhone or iPad and cache maps of the areas that you plan on hunting.  Make sure and do this before the hunt.  Another reason to make sure and do this wifi connection is because if you don't you may run over your allotted data for your cell phone plan.  Once your maps are cached you now have the ability to access those maps while out in the field without any service.  While in field mode you can't click on the individual landowner and gov't areas to see the data, but you can still see the names on the maps that are cached.

One of my favorite features of the maps is that you can view them in an aerial format, and it is clear enough that you can depict specific trees or other landmarks to show you where the  boundaries are without walking over to them or trying to tell by topo maps.  You also have the ability to use markups where you can mark trails, take photos, and use symbols such as where your camp or vehicle is at.  I have an older GPS and the new app offered by Hunting GPS Maps is as up to date and on the cutting edge and it is a must have. 

The only drawback to the app is the battery life that your phone has.  It won't drain your phone in a couple of hours, but you aren't going to have the same battery life as a GPS.  I was aware of this issue and simply made sure to throw my GPS in my pack as a back up.  Another way to solve this issue if you don't already have a GPS is to look at investing into a backpacking solar panel.  By the time you pay for the app on your phone, which can be purchased straight from the phone for $35 or $30 from the Hunting GPS Maps website, and a solar panel you are set to go at a much lower cost.  Keep in mind that it is a yearly subscription and not a one time fee.  You may not be able to cache the entire state you are hunting like the chip offers, but have the ability to cache specific areas and hunt areas already planned out ahead of time.  Again these maps allow me to hunt individual sections and half sections and have the confidence to know exactly where I'm at and hunt more areas than ever before. 

This app is a must have as I stated before and something that once you have will wonder how you ever hunted in the past.  These maps give you the ability to access areas you only wished you could access in the past.  The only negative thing I have found with the app is the battery life, but that was known before I even went out with it.  Again as I stated that is an easy fix with a simple investment into a solar panel.  If you are unsure if this is something you will enjoy simply create a profile when you get the app and you get a free trial period of 7 days.  In my opinion you will love the app in the first few minutes you try it.  I can't say enough good about the app or the maps and they are one piece of equipment that is vital to my success in the field.