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.

Welcome, No worries, let me know where you are and I'll pop out and shoot a few of those goats to show you how it's all done! Haha I kid, but welcome any questions pop em in the forum plenty of helpful people around. I'm passionate about meat hunting and utilising animals we kill. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

I think for the price of moroka you're far better off going mystery ranch or kifaru. My mate has one, likes it but has had trouble with things breaking a few times. My brother runs a markhor and loves it, they're a French brand and don't get the exposure they deserve in Aus or the US. Tenzing are another solid brand. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

It sure will be a shame to see South Africa go the way of other African countries. One day I'll do a hunt in Africa, probably wouldn't have been SA as I love free tange hunting but definitely not now, the list of places is just getting smaller. I think it's the pendulum swinging to the other extreme, australia feels like it's heading the same way sometimes. We're becoming very much a leftist nanny state. All the best mate I hope you can get your family out safe. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Australia is not like SA in that the vast majority of people hunt diy in Australia. Mind you I can imagine SA isn't probably the place you want to stay with new laws being passed. I'd either look at working for a guide in new Zealand or if you come to Australia, consider something else. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Yeah crazy aye https://www.moroka30.com.au/backpacks-accessories-c-3/alpine-stalker-45lt15-mk4-backpack-inc-all-accessories-p-513.html?zenid=3d32ghkdr7v2b5fgg63o51mbb0 Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

I would but they're a bit out of my price range, nearly $650 for a 45 litre pack is a rich man's game! Especially with two mortgages and a kid on the way! Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Yeah my brother has one of the 45 markhor loves it. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

If I had a reason to use that i would! Never seen a pig haha Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Got a couple of black wolf's, a 75 and a 35. The 75 is just really not comfortable to use. MY last backpack hunt I just used the small one and lived real light for a few days. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

To other backpack hunters I'd really like to upgrade my pack in the near future and keen to see what others are using. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk