This website documents my hunting trips and travels, thoughts on hunting in and around the province  and most importantly what I think about all the various pieces of hunting equipment on the market today and what or what isn’t worth your hard earned cash. 

I hope you enjoy the new website, if you have any questions just leave a comment and if you have any stories or pictures you wish to share just shoot us an email at info @ bchuntingblog.com

 Thanks Again!

Below is a list that I’ve compiled based on user reviews, mainly collected via hunting and outdoors forums as to which bags seem to be the sleeping bags of choice for backpack hunters. Be prepared to drop a little bit of cash on a good bag that will last you a lifetime of hunting trips.

These are listed in no particular order.

#1. Taiga – Thousand-in-one-nights.

#2. Integral Designs -XPD0

#3. Valandre – Bloody Mary

#4. Western Mountaineering – Antelope MF

#5. Mountain Hardware – Phantom 0 degree.

#6. Montbell super stretch hugger -10 bag

#7.  Feathered Friends (manufacturer of high quality down sleeping bags)

Sleeping Bag Selection Tips:

When searching for the right sleeping bag, it’s important to take into account the different bag ratings that manufacturers put forth to consumers. Just because a bag says it’s rated for -15 doesn’t mean it’s going to be “comfortable” down to -15! When purchasing your bag, always choose the model capable of keeping you more than warm on those cold late season hunts.

Down Or Synthetic?

And it’s a good question too… And after researching forums, and asking the right questions to all of the right people I’ve come to the conclusion that a down bag is the way to go if you can afford it. They are lighter, more comfortable and keep you warmer. Yeah, they can get wet and will cease to insulate where a synthetic bag would still keep you warm, but honestly, I’ve spent quite a bit of time in the mountains and my sleeping bag rarely comes in contact with water anyways… While in my pack, it’s in a waterproof stuff sack, and if it’s not in there it’s in my Integral Designs MK III tent which keeps it bone dry as well. I am convinced that down is the way to go.

BC LEH Synopsis

BC Wildlife Federation Issues Warning To Public About Grizzly Bears

Vancouver, BC – Mel Arnold, President of BC Wildlife Federation which represents 37,000 hunters, anglers and outdoor recreationists, stated “The public must be made aware that recent media releases and paid advertisements are misleading the public about grizzly bears and how well they are managed in British Columbia”.

Grizzly bear populations are not at risk as described by these recent deceptive media releases and advertisements; their sustainability is not threatened by hunting. An independent international team of scientists reviewed bear management in BC and made recommendations to the province’s Grizzly Bear Management Strategy in 2002. These recommendations include recognition that both hunting and non-consumptive use are acceptable management objectives. Sustainable harvest rates for grizzly bears can be as high as nine per cent; BC manages more conservatively at a maximum of six per cent for total human-caused mortality, with an actual hunter harvest rate of approximately two per cent.

British Columbia has reliable management programs in place for Grizzly Bears. They are a valued, hunted species, not treated like pests as they have been in other jurisdictions. More money has been spent on Grizzly Bear DNA research in BC than on any other species. This scientifically sound research is being ignored by organizations that once used science to back their case. They are now resorting to using myths to bolster their fundraising campaigns. This fundraising rarely if ever goes toward “on the ground” habitat protection or restoration. Hunters and anglers on the other hand have directly contributed over $3 Million to projects related to the Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy. Over $1 Million has gone directly to support state-of-the-art DNA mark-recapture inventory projects, providing data to derive reliable population information.

The question needs to be asked why a formerly reputable organization would quote an ecologist based in California when British Columbia and Canada have the best government and independent professional biologists in the world, some with more than 30 years experience in bear research and management.

The BC Ministry of Environment manages wildlife based on science. In July 2001 a moratorium on Grizzly Bear hunting was overturned. Later that year an independent international review panel studied the province’s Grizzly Bear management programs. The composition of this panel was based on recommendations from the International Association for Bear Research and Management.

While hunting is allowed in most Provincial Parks, National Parks where hunting is not allowed, have some of the highest human caused mortality rates for Grizzly Bears. Many of these bears become habituated and aggressive toward humans and are not hunted but must be destroyed for public safety; others are killed in vehicle collisions.

Hunters have historically shown they are willing to contribute to and support management programs based on science and sustainability. Hunting is much more than a traditional pastime. It contributes more than $350 Million per year in revenue for the province, is continuously renewable and sustainable and creates jobs province-wide providing employment in areas struggling through tough economic times. Contrary to insinuations made by others, hunters govern their own activities based on the highest of ethics and respect for the wildlife they harvest.

It is of grave concern when international groups try to inappropriately influence wildlife management in BC. In our beautiful province we have the most intact and healthy biodiversity in the world. This is achieved through scientific management and with the support of BC residents and long term conservation organizations such as the BC Wildlife Federation.

For further information, please contact Patti MacAhonic, Executive Director of BCWF at 604-291-9990 extension 230 or 604-308-1914. Click here to e-mail.

BCWF is a province-wide voluntary conservation organization representing over 37,000 British Columbian members whose aims are to protect, enhance and promote the wise use of the environment for the benefit of present and future generations.

BC Wildlife Federation was incorporated under the BC Societies Act in 1951 and it became a registered charity in 1969. The Federation is British Columbia’s largest and oldest conservation organization.

The clerk said “Not yet… But have you ever heard of the Exped Downmats?”… He went onto say “I went on a camping trip a few weeks back and brought one of these along and it was the most comfortable sleep I’ve ever had outdoors”.. “Oh… I said” not really taking much stock in his testimonial, but it did pique my curiosity enough to do some online research and what I found out quite impressed me.
The phone call came yesterday, and my Exped Downmat 7 had finally arrived in the store for pickup… The second good news was to find out it was on sale for $139.99 as opposed to the listed $169.95!
The reasoning for my decision was quite simple… The Exped Downmat 7 seems like a better product. This coming from a guy who’s spent hundreds of nights over the last 20 years sleeping on Thermarests!
Seriously though… Look at the product specifications.

Exped Downmat 7

R-Value = 5.9*
Weight = 1lb 15oz
Thickness= 3″
Fill = Goose Down
Temp Rating = -24 ºC

Thermarest Prolite 4

R-Value= 3.2*
Weight = 1lb 8oz
Thickness= 1.5″
Fill = Urethane Foam
Temp Rating = Not Listed

*R-Value is some scientific jargon that measures the transfer of heat through an object. The higher the number the better it’s insulating properties.

For me personally… I don’t mind packing the extra 7 ounces of weight. It provides nearly twice the insulation value and is also twice as thick which means I’m going to sleep warmer, and more comfortable.
Packed up side by side the Exped Downmat 7 is actually slightly smaller than the Prolite 4, which is interesting considering the Exped is also not cut to a taper for your feet like the Prolite 4. My Thermarest hasn’t done me wrong, and it’s held up in some pretty rough and rocky terrain the last few years and still has yet to spring a leak or fail me in anyway. The Exped Downmat 7 has big shoes to fill and with spring bear season fast approaching and sheep season in just a few months I will be trying the exped downmat out on a few planned trips and will be reporting back with a much more detailed review on this product.

Carl

Now that I’ve put around 100 training miles, along with a backpack sheep hunt in with my Mystery Ranch NICE 6500 I figure I’ve put it through enough trials to be able to weigh in a fair and honest assessment of the pack, the craftsmanship and if it lives up to it’s claims.

First off… Mystery Ranch boasts some of the finest customer service out of any hunting gear suppliers I’ve dealt with.  From the initial phone call, right through to product support (and I needed it) they were a class act.  I’d chosen the wrong waist belt size, and was having some issues with the yoke pressing into my neck.  The MR staff quickly sent me out a medium waist belt and then helped me sort out my problem with my yoke.  They even went so far as to suggest they would make a custom yoke (cutting a larger one down to my height) if we couldn’t get the problem fixed by simply adjusting what I had.  The back of the yoke around my neck was rubbing uncomfortably when the pack was loaded.  We fixed the issue with proper fit and adjustment of the pack.

When I talk about “testing” this pack, my training hikes, involve a 3 mile hike with about a 600′ elevation gain around a local trail.  The pack was loaded with everything in my Sheep Hunting Backpack List aside from my rifle and weighed in about 60lbs.   I did this 4 days a week for 3 months building up to my sheep hunt.  These loaded hikes were to work out any adjustments in the pack and to figure out exactly what all the buckles, straps and tie downs do (there are lots)…. Oh yeah and also to work off a few pounds for our upcoming Stone Sheep hunt

This years sheep hunt consisted of several miles of steep hiking to get up onto a high ridge we planned on hunting.  It was a 2 day hike to get into our spot, delayed somewhat by the brutal weather one grows to expect in the mountains.  The Mystery Ranch was fully loaded with 8 days worth of hunting gear and including my rifle weighed in at roughly 65 pounds (My old pack weight 58-60). The ridge wasn’t much higher than 7000′ and we spent most our time hiking around the 5000-6800′ level.  Needless to say I definitely hiked my ass off with this pack on under moderately heavy loads and in some really rough country.

What Do I Think?

I think the pack is everything Mystery Ranch (and their legions of followers) claim it to be.  A tough durable backpack that can haul really heavy loads and is designed with features that have a hunters best interest in mind. 

Is it the most comfortable backpack I’ve ever worn?  Yes, I could say that. But to be fair, I haven’t tried a Barneys or a Kifaru and I am limited to only experiencing a few different internal framed packs, which the MR is definitely light years ahead.  One of the items that stood out right away was how snug the hip belts fit and when the pack is loaded they keep sufficient hold and they do not slip down . For long and heavy treks the NICE Frame/Yoke has enough padding in all the right places and kept my back/shoulders from getting sore on our hunt (as in no sore spots/rubbing).

Don’t kid yourself though, when your pack weighs 60lbs it weighs 60lbs.  The pack you choose doesn’t make it any lighter… Think about 100lbs+ coming out with a caped, boned out Ram?  The right pack can make that load fit better, carry better and offer more usability for your journey. The bottom line is that you’re more comfortable.  I think the crew over at Mystery Ranch can make their claims and I’ll just be one more user out in the field backing them up.

Pack Construction

The pack itself, is made out of a very durable water repellency treated cordura.  When you pick this pack up it feels heavy (and it is @9lbs 8oz).   The stitching is super clean, and visibly overkill in all the right places.  All of the straps, clips and buckles are also of a heavy duty construction.  I’ve hauled this fully loaded Mystery Ranch pack through miles of nasty buck brush, miles of rock and scree and still nothing has ripped or torn.

The NICE frame is solid and you’d have a hard time bending or breaking the “backbone” of this frame.  At first glance though, you’d never peg this to be a framed pack, that’s for sure.  I am sure the MR guys could explain much more technically the details of this packs construction, for the sake of this review, I will not.  Just know, it’s made from heavy duty materials, and was built to last a very long time under strenuous conditions. The fact that Mystery Ranch is willing to put their ass on the line with a lifetime warranty on an item like a heavy hauling hunting pack is a testament to their build quality.

Pack Features

There are several features of the Mystery Ranch NICE 6500 that made it stand out for me.

• NICE Frame. (rock solid – ain’t gonna break on a sheep hunt)
• 6500 Cubic Inches of space.  (106.5L)  more than enough room for my gear and a ram.
• Color Choices (Foliage, Coyote or Multicam)
• Heavy Duty Material, Zippers and Buckles.
• More straps and tie down points then you’ll know what to do with. (seriously)
• You can access the main compartment from the top, side and bottom. (handy for quickly accessing items buried deep in your pack)
• The pocketed hip belts are awesome, I can’t believe I went for so long without them. (fits camera, video camera, SPOT, sunglasses, sunscreen, binos, knife etc…)
• The two tube pockets on the outside of the pack are perfect for a spotter (Zeiss 85mm) and a tripod.
• The two top pockets that make up the daypack are big enough to fit my binos, socks, first aid kit, knife, snacks, rain gear, pack cover, and several other small but often used items.
• The sleeping bag compartment, has a unique way of opening, that gives you more room, and is easier to zip closed. (my sleeping bag & thermarest fit with room to spare)

If you’re worried about having tie down points for extra gear, or strapping on horns, antlers, meat, capes, tents, sleeping bags, etc… You will not have a problem.  There are more straps, buckles and tie down points then you’ll know what to do with, In fact there are some I have no idea what they are even for.  (a manual from MR with descriptions of all the pack features would be cool) because there literally are several features of the pack that they don’t detail on their website, and you have no idea what the features are for.

Oh yeah… And if you’re worried about storing your gun or bow on this pack, you should be okay.  I usually just strap my rifle (.270) to the side with the butt of the stock inside one of the external “water bottle” pockets on the outside of the pack.  I then wrap the 3 buckled side straps around my rifle and then cinch it down.  It’s not the fastest method if you want to retrieve your gun quickly though, as you’ll have to take the pack off to get your gun off.  I have heard that the Kifaru Gun Bearer goes well with the pack.  If you are trying to pack a bow I haven’t tried to pack mine with it yet.

Surely I Don’t Love Everything About The Pack?

No, I don’t… There are a few minor issues I’ve discovered after quite a bit of use with the pack.  They are minor though and not deal breakers if you’re considering a Mystery Ranch pack.

1.  Many of the buckles have a simple “locking” mechanism against loosening them once you’ve cinched them tight…  These can be a royal pain in the ass when you’re at 7000′ feet and have really cold hands!

2.  “The Daypack”…  While I understand that some people may take off and hunt with only the small daypack (included in the top pack of the MR 6500) there is no way that I would venture away from a high mountain camp without something sufficient enough in size to bring my trophy and the meat back with me and the daypack MR provides is obviously too small. Because of that, I’ve always just taken the entire pack, leaving all my heavy gear back at camp.  To save on weight I cut the daypack harness right off the pack.

3.  There are a lot of pack features, that you will not see on the website.  Such as webbing in particular places, pockets (on inside), straps, anchors and other clips and buckles that were designed with a purpose and likely a specific use in mind but their is no explanation included when you buy the pack.  Maybe they just want to spur the backcountry ingenuity in all of us…

In closing, the MR NICE 6500 combo would make any mountain hunter a happy camper.  The pack’s certainly not cheap and you’ll probably never get to try one on before hand unless you know somebody with one, visit their booth at a show, or go to their retail outlet in Bozeman Montana.  It was through reading some of many forum postings, and online reviews regarding MR packs that I was able to make my decision to purchase their product.  One of the most important aspects of researching any major hunting gear purchases is to get feedback from the guys who are actually using the products in the same fashion you in fact intend to use them… On that note, I hope you found this review helpful.

Carl S.