Hunting requires you to venture out into the wild in a variety of extreme weather conditions, and then find a way to haul your kill back home.
But, at the end of your hunting trip, you can often be left wondering where you’re even going to store your meat for the journey, let alone how you’re going to trek back with it.
This is why a good hunting pack that can store and carry a lot of meat is an essential piece of equipment for any serious hunter.
Depending on what it is you’ve been out hunting, and how much meat you’ve managed to obtain from your target, getting it all the way back home is going to require a pack that can not only hold the weight, but will take some of the strain off of your back and shoulders as well.
There is a huge range of hunting packs to choose from, however, and finding the perfect one to buy can cause a lot of confusion.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of our favorites, along with a guide on what to look for when you’re buying one, so you can make the right choice for your hunting needs.
In a hurry and need a hunting pack that can carry a lot of meat? Take a look at our top pick below.
In a hurry? This is our Winner!
Badlands 2200 Hunting Backpack
- Built with shoulder straps
- Internal storage capacity of 2250 cubic inches,
- Made from waterproof KXO-32 fabric
- Includes a lifetime warranty against any damage
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Our Favorite Hunting Packs for Packing Out Meat
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Our Top Pick
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Badlands 2200 Hunting Backpack with Built-in Meat Hauler |
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ALPS OutdoorZ Pursuit, Mossy Oak Country, 2700 Cubic” |
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TENZING TX Pace Day Hunting Pack, Mossy Oak Country, One Size |
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ALPS OutdoorZ Commander + Pack Bag, Briar |
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Sportsman’s Outdoor Products Horn Hunter Full Curl System Backpack |
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Top Meat Packing Hunting Bag Reviews
1. Our Top Pick: ALPS OutdoorZ Commander + Backpack
Designed especially for hauling large amounts of meat, this hunting pack from ALPS has a unique lashing system, along with three extendable straps, that will allow you to safely and securely trek home with extra large loads.
Constructed from a highly durable nylon, ripstop fabric, this pack also includes an adjustable freighter shelf that is designed to work alongside the lashing system, and take the majority of the weight of your meat.
As well as being able to store and transport a lot of meat back home, this hunting pack has a specially designed drop down rifle pocket, letting you safely strap in your gun and trek back hands free.
Along with a massive 5250 cubic inches of internal space, it also has a number of exterior pockets, including a designated pocket for keeping your spotting scope in, relieving you of another piece of equipment you’d otherwise have to carry back, or have hanging around your neck.
2. Badlands 2200 Camouflage Hunting Pack and Meat Hauler
The thermo-molded foam suspension system on this hunting pack and meat hauler from Badlands allows you to transport heavy loads home without compromising on comfort.
Designed with shoulder straps and a padded waist strap for even weight distribution, the frame of this pack is constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum, meaning it can hold a lot of weight without bending or buckling under the pressure.
The internal storage capacity is 2250 cubic inches to let you haul back even more, and there is a pistol holder on the hip belt so you can safely and securely store your gun for the trip home.
Made from waterproof and mildew proof KXO-32 fabric, and available in a range of camouflage and natural tones, this hunting pack will help you blend in with your surroundings and can withstand anything that nature decides to throw at it.
On top of all of these great features, this hunting pack also comes with an unconditional lifetime warranty, meaning you’ll be covered in the unlikely event that there’s any damage to the bag.
3. Horn Hunter Full Curl System
This full curl system from Horn Hunter consists of a large, aluminum frame and two detachable bags that give you an overall storage space of 5000 cubic inches, providing plenty of room to pack and transport large amounts of meat.
It also features a canvas meat bag that snaps directly into the frame, giving you even more storage space for packing your meat, which rests directly on the flexible shelf and provides extra support for your trek back.
Using quick release buckles, rather than a series of ropes and straps, you’ll also be able to secure your meat to the frame easily, as well as release it quickly when you get back home.
Customers that purchased this hunting pack found that it fit really well to the contours of the body, making carrying hunting gear out and hauling meat back a more comfortable experience.
4. ALPS OutdoorZ Pursuit Hunting Pack
With a 2700 cubic inch storage capacity, this hunting pack from ALPS will give you plenty of room to pack away your meat.
Constructed from a tough, durable fabric and an aluminum frame, the weight of your meat will be easily supported and can also be evenly distributed across your body thanks to the padded shoulder and waist straps.
Internal organizational pockets also allow you to pack away all of your essential hunting gear, without sacrificing any space, and you can also safely carry a rifle, a pistol and a bow all at the same time with the external holsters.
This hunting pack also comes with a blaze orange rain cover, so you can make sure that all of your equipment, and your meat, is kept dry in even the most torrential downpour.
5. Tenzing TC SP14 Shooters
This hunting pack from Tenzing has 1600 cubic inches of storage space, distributed across 5 individual compartments that, along with the aluminum stay frame, will help you easily pack and transport meat.
Shoulder straps and a padded waist strap allow the weight of everything you’re carrying to be evenly distributed across your body, and the fold out rain cover will help to keep everything safe and dry.
The design of this hunting pack is also ideal for anyone that hunts with a scoped rifle or a crossbow, and it even doubles up as a rifle rest, whilst the camouflage pattern will help you remain concealed from your target.
Customers that purchased this hunting pack were amazed at how much they were able to fit into it without it feeling awkward or overly big, and felt like it provided excellent value for money.
Choosing a Hunting Pack for Packing Out Meat
Hunting packs come in varying designs, shapes and sizes and finding a good quality, comfortable one that will also meet all of your needs can take a bit of research.
Before settling on which one you’d like to buy, there are a few things you need to take into consideration.
Strength
Your hunting gear is undoubtedly already pretty heavy, and adding meat to the pack is going to increase the weight of your load significantly. Therefore, you’re going to need a hunting pack that is super strong, and isn’t going to rip or split on your journey back home.
Look for a hunting pack that has been constructed from a durable, tough fabric which will be able to support the weight of your items with ease.
Some packs come with aluminum frames that will also help to support a heavy load of weight without buckling under the pressure. Lots of these frames also come with additional support shelves that allow you to carry larger joints of meat on your back without feeling the strain.
Size and Weight
The size of your hunting pack is something that you should consider when you’re shopping around as well. Ideally you’re going to want a pack that is a good size, and that you’ll be able to fit a lot of stuff into, but you still need to be able to actually wear it.
Think about your own height, and then compare that to measurements of the pack. If you accidentally purchase a pack that is too big, or too small, for you then you aren’t going to be able to comfortably carry it around.
If you’re looking at a hunting pack that has a waist strap, be sure to look at the measurements of that as well. Anything too small and you won’t be able to use it, meaning that you also won’t be able to distribute the weight of your items throughout your torso.
The weight of the hunting pack itself is something else to keep in mind. Your hunting gear, and the meat that you’ve packed, are going to be really heavy, so if you’re pack is already heavy before anything goes into it you’ll only be adding to the weight.
Storage Space
Hunting packs come in a variety of sizes, and therefore each one will offer a different amount of storage space, so this is something you need to give some thought to.
Your hunting pack is going to need to hold all of the hunting equipment you need for your trip, as well as any meat you’ll be packing into it for the trek home, so it’s definitely worth getting one that will leave you with a good amount of room after you’ve put your gear in it.
External storage is another thing to think about, and many hunting packs come with additional pockets that can free up a bit of room internally for packing meat.
Some hunting packs also come with external frames that allow you to strap your meat to them, offering you the opportunity to not only carry more meat home, but also take home larger joints that may not fit inside the pack.
Extra Features
It’s always worth seeing what you can get for your money when looking for a hunting pack, and there are loads that come with various extra features that will not only help you carry meat home, but will also help make the whole trip easier.
Any hunting pack that offers a place to store your weapon safely is a good choice and, not only will it keep it secure for you, but it will also leave your hands free whilst you navigate through different terrains.
Some packs offer a place to safely store and carry several weapons at the same time, which is great if you like to use a mixture of guns and bows.
Built-in rain covers are also a great extra feature, and will help to keep your equipment safe and dry in the event of a sudden downpour.
Style
A hunting pack that is designed with a camouflage style is the best option to go for, as this will help you remain hidden from your target as you stalk it and as you take the shot. Some packs offer multiple camouflage print options, so think about the terrain that you’ll be hunting on, and try and find one that matches it as closely as possible.
If camouflage isn’t an option, then go for a hunting pack that comes in a natural tone. Anything too garish and you could give the game away!
Price
A good hunting pack is an investment, and can come with a hefty price tag to match. With that in mind, it’s always best to set yourself a budget first and see what you can get for your money.
Some hunting packs include warranties, and some companies even offer a lifetime guarantee, so it’s definitely worth looking for one that will be easily replaced should anything go wrong with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I pack meat and still carry all of my hunting gear?
Evaluating how much hunting gear you have is a good starting point for this. Once you’ve done that, look for a bag that will comfortably hold it all, whilst still leaving plenty of room for packing meat. Some hunting packs come with external frames that will let you carry home larger joints of meat without taking up any room inside the pack, so these are definitely worth getting if you’re hunting larger animals.
Do I need to buy a pack with a meat shelf?
This is dependent on what it is you’re hunting, and how you choose to pack it out. If you’re target is smaller, such as ducks or wild turkeys, you may find that you’ve got plenty of room to store them internally. For larger animals, such as deer or elk, a meat shelf is a good option not just for storage purposes, but also for supporting the weight of the meat.
How can I keep the weight off my shoulders?
Meat is heavy, and along with all of your hunting essentials, you’re going to be carrying a large amount of weight. Carrying it all on your shoulders could result in injury, so to avoid this, look for a hunting pack that offers you a waist strap as well as shoulder straps. This will distribute the weight more evenly across your body and make everything much more comfortable to carry.
What’s the best material to look for in a hunting pack?
Anything rough and tough! Hunting is going to take you out into the wild and across multiple terrains, so you need a pack that is going to be able to withstand the elements without breaking or splitting. Tough, ripstop, nylon fabrics can handle an awful lot of wear and tear. It’s also good to look for something with an aluminium frame, as it’s light enough to carry without weighing you down, but still strong enough to support a lot of weight.
Badlands 2200 Hunting Backpack
- Built with shoulder straps
- Internal storage capacity of 2250 cubic inches,
- Made from waterproof KXO-32 fabric
- Includes a lifetime warranty against any damage
