GSPhunter

Let us know what you plan on hunting and there are plenty of people here willing to offer advice

My brothers had the badlands one for years and it's still going strong.

My plan now is to wait for another 3-5 years until I can draw a good tag in the states and just buy a SG pack from the shop front in Bozeman. No tax, no shipping.

I thought about them, had a mate have two buckles break in the first six months. And they don't have an external meat shelf. Some don't that but I hate washing stinking blood out of my packs.

I want a SG 40/56 but it's over $1200 with conversion, shipping and tax. Thought about MR metcalf but they are about the same money now and made in Asia. I'm mostly a meat hunter and want something with an external meat carrier. Most don't have that ability. The buy once, cry once mentality is great for rifles, scopes, binos etc. But an expensive pack still isn't going to last a lifetime.

Being Vancouver I'd have thought you'd be spending more time on cougar's. Welcome aboard, be interested to hear about some of your hunts back home. Canada is high on my list of places to go. Almost did once, got access to hunt on a property in Manitoba until the game department informed me that even with permission to hunt on private land I wouldn't be able to without a guide. Go figure!

And a good taste in whisky I surmise. Hunted Scotland once myself for roe buck, didn't manage to take one but is certainly a beautiful place. Welcome.

G'day mate, Welcome to the site, Victoria is your best bet for diy hunting. For about $60 USD you can get a non resident license for deer, duck and quail. Prior to checking this forum just now I was looking at options for hunting aoudad next year, wondering if I can combine it with a whitetail hunt. Building points in WY myself but not ready to burn them yet. Those oryx tags in NM are hard to draw, love to hear about that and other hunts you have done. Happy to offer advice or lend a hand if need be over here anyway mate. GSP P.s. just finished reading Empire of the summer moon and currently reading Blood and Thunder. You texas boys are another breed of Americans altogether that's for sure!

There's very little difference between good and average glass in the middle of a clear day. What quality buys is better sight picture under unfavourable conditions e.g. first and last light, heavy overcast etc.

I use a black wolf titanium 35l, little bit more expensive ($100) but has lasted me years. Black wolf have a good warranty too. I use mine for hunting and holidaying, mostly hunting though. The rigid frame is handy too along with the air mesh. It doesn't sit up against your back so you get good airflow. The frame also allows you to use the pack as a gun rest. Shot the fallow buck I posted a few weeks back at 140m by resting on the top of the pack in long grass that a bipod wouldn't have elevated you above. I'm currently in the market for a new multi day pack so in the meantime I've used this for everything up to a three day hunt. You learn to pack light! Edit: anzac reminded me to mention, mine has a blaze orange rain cover.

I've had many types of hunting gear, some of my ridgeline fell apart over time, but my drab brown jumper is still hanging in there 8 years later. Shot some of my best deer with that on. I won some braken gear once, that fell apart very quickly. I still have it but personally wouldn't spend money on it. Dont hate my stoney creek or moroka but don't love it. My best gear is my Swazi, only got a couple pieces but haven't got a complaint after about 4 years.

Love to hear some hunting stories about your time in SA.

I have a redfield one I won in one of the magazine writing comps a few years ago. It's done it's job. Low light it's useless above 25x

Welcome mate, There's a handful of you lucky buggers from up north here. Chuck some stories and pics up in the hunting section.

Fire away with any questions you have.