Pest Strategies

Any type of backpack will suffice when you’re hunting, but a backpack specifically made to carry your hunting equipment, camping supplies, and meat haul will make your time out in the field more enjoyable. To help you find the best hunting backpack for your next trip, Pest Strategies researched several products on Amazon. Discover our top picks below.

 

Buying Guide

Whether you’re a crossbow hunter or a long-distance trekker, there’s a pack for you. To help you zero in on the best hunting backpack for your needs, read our buying guide below. 

• Size: The general rule of thumb when choosing a pack size is to have about 1,000 cubic inches of space for a day’s worth of supplies. When you’re packing for a trip, multiply the number of days you’ll be gone by 1,000 cubic inches. Besides pack capacity, pay attention to the sizing chart provided by the manufacturer. Choose a size or adjust the straps according to your waistline to ensure a comfortable fit.

• Load-bearing system: A comfortable and supportive backpack uses multiple components that work together to bear the weight of what you’re carrying. This load-bearing system includes the waist belt, shoulder straps, frame, and load lifters. The waist belt is made to hold the brunt of the weight in your pack, putting less strain on your shoulders. The load lifters bring the load tighter to your back to reduce the tension on your shoulders.

• Camouflage: It’s unlikely to find a dedicated hunting backpack without some sort of camouflage exterior. However, these camouflage designs vary in their colors and patterns. Consider the foliage where you go hunting, and try to look for a pack that has a similar camouflage scheme. 

• Storage: A series of pockets and compartments on the outside and inside of your hunting backpack keeps your items protected. They can carry everything from a large rifle or crossbow to a pair of sunglasses. 

• Load hauling: There’s no point in hunting if you can’t carry caught animals home with you. Larger hunting backpacks help you haul bulky and heavy animals by strapping them to dedicated shelves.

 

Hunting Safety Tips

Bringing back a load of meat is secondary to your safety when you’re hunting. Here are some basic hunting safety tips to prepare for your upcoming trip: 

• Understand and practice weapon safety whether you’re using a bow or a firearm.
• Wear the right clothing, including warm base layers, waterproof exterior layers, and close-toed shoes. 
• Let someone outside of your hunting party know where you’ll be and when you intend on returning. 
• Pack a small first aid kit in your backpack in case of an emergency.
• Bring a phone with a charger or a walkie talkie with spare batteries to contact someone in case of an emergency.

 

 

FAQs

• What should I keep in my hunting backpack? 

Anything you need for comfort and survival should be carried in your hunting backpack. This includes weapons to take down animals, accessories to scout and attract them, first aid supplies to help with emergencies, permits to prove you’re allowed to hunt, and snacks and beverages to keep your energy up. 

• How do I prevent chafing when I’m wearing my hunting backpack? 

A properly cinched and secured backpack should keep the backplate from jostling when you’re hiking. Evenly distributing the weight of your belongings throughout the pack will also make it feel more comfortable. If dry skin or chafing is a major concern, apply an anti-chafe lubricant to problem areas, and wear soft, breathable layers that are gentle on the skin. 

• How heavy should a hunting day pack be? 

In total, including all of your gear, 40–60 pounds is about how heavy a hunting pack for a day trip should be. For longer trips, 60–80 pounds is suitable.

• How do I clean animal blood off of my hunting backpack? 

Blood spots are inevitable after a successful haul. If your pack is soaked in animal blood, follow these steps to clean it:

• Spray it with a power sprayer on a concrete surface, such as a driveway. 
• Soak it in a tub of ice-cold water for 30 minutes. 
• Hand or brush wash the exterior and interior fabric. 
• Repeat this process until you’re satisfied with the results.

 

 

Pest Strategies provides reviews of select products that are top-selling on Amazon and/or popular in consumer searches. Our team evaluates the products based on industry research, consumer reviews, pricing data, and other objective criteria. Unless otherwise noted, these product reviews are intended to help inform buying decisions for non-professionals. Because pest control products can be dangerous to your family if mishandled, we always recommend consulting with an exterminator, even if just to ask for advice on how to apply pest control products yourself.