Depends how much you want in there when using it as a backpack.

I have a MR popup 18. Works for a day pack, everything i need to cut up an elk, plus food, water for the day. Converts into meat hauler frame. Ideally I wish it had SLIGHTLY more space, they have a popup 28 now that I would probably get if I started over

 

I don’t have to haul camp on my back so I bought an F1 main frame. I like it so far been walking around with 80#

 

Kuiu pro pack 2300.

 

Exo K4 and Stone Glacier x-curve are my 2 favorite frames for carrying heavy loads. Bag size depends on how you are hunting, but either brand has designs that compact nicely, so there is minimal penalty for starting off a bit too big. I have used a stone glacier 6200 or an exo 7200 for all types of hunts, including backpack hunts and whitetail day hunts with no complaints.

 

Exo K4 5000
I spent a few months last year trying cheaper packs and wish I just got the k4 right away. 5000 packs down for day hunts well. I was considering buying the 2200 also but no need. Frame is good for sandbag hikes too. You can train for the "meat loads" with sand bags. Pretty nice setup.

 

If hunting from a base camp sort of setup I'd opt for a smaller frame pack like a Popup 18/28 or similar that's easier to hike around with and can carry daily essentials but still able to haul a quarter back to camp with, then a dedicated large pack frame at camp for the rest of the loads.

 

I use seek outside and have a couple extra packs if looking used. If it is yout first time out, just use yiur normal pack. Right of passage packing out an elk with meat in your pack and a front quarter over your shoulder. I would guess the bast majority of high end packs do not see blood.

 

Kifaru Stryker XL is my favorite pack so far. But Stone Glacier, EXO, Seek outside, and a couple other companies have some great options. Bottom line is a top notch pack, that is comfy under a heavy load is going to cost some coin!

 

What would be the best size or smallest recommend size pack/frame for elk hunting southern Colorado?

4 decades of bowhunting elk and I've used just about everything pack system wise.

I like a light internal frame with a 4,000-5500 cuin bag. My current favorite is the Eco K4. You can load meat bags between the bag and frame and it stays there packing well.

Here's the K4 with my elk from last year. It's not a very good picture but I was solo and pretty beat from a lot of packing.

EDIT- it's hard to tell anything in that crummy pic but what's critical on these packs is how it carries the meat. This K4 carries it close to your back and the many straps keep it well distributed and centered so that it doesn't ball up at the bottom of the pack.

This balling can happen with some packs which makes it carry like a sack of potatoes pulling you backward.

 

The pack i have right now is the Elevation Emergent 1800

I used it in Nebraska for muledeer hunt in 2022 it worked well for that and I'm sure I could put a deboned elk hind quarter in it if it was empty but we are going 2-5 miles back in from the trail head and spike/mobile camping the whole time...

 

You'll want a real pack for that type of hunt.

 

You can also look at standard back country packs at REI.

 

Depends on the type of hunt. I run an Exo K3 1800 because I just day-hunt. If in doubt, go bigger though. Most of these packs will pack down tight.

 

If you are wanting to pack camp and meat at once you will want a pack that the bag separates from the frame. I use Seek outside frame and bags that are interchangeable. for day hunting after camp is packed in I use an 1800ci bag on it. as far as size when packing in it depends how much you want to take with you and how long you will be in for.

 

I will be posting a couple really nice seek packs later today. I only need one and somehow ended up with 3

 

I second the Kuiu recommendation.
Super light but strong. Overloaded myself with several Elk, never failed.

 

Seek outside makes good packs. I haven't used any new models (I have an lanner 5400), but they make quality gear.

You'll want a legit frame pack if you plan on carrying it out on your back. If you're doing a guided hunt with packers or horses or whatever, that's a different story.

 

If you're going to camp at your truck, I'd get a 40ish liter pack with a meat hauling shelf. 40 liters is enough to make packing easy and big enough for an occasional overnight mission.

I have MR Sawtooth 45 and love it. The MR Sawtooths were on sale this season cause they just came out with a new model. I'd highly recommend it as a workhorse, do it all pack.

 

Last fall Black Ovis had a smoking deal on Mystery Ranch Sawtooth 45, and included a second bigger Beartooth 80 pack bag, and a set of meat bags. They had a discontinued meat shelf that I bought before they vaporized. All under $500.

 

Well we drew tags so now it is time for serious planning and time to figure out which pack to get

 

Congrats. I drew a tag too. Rifle since I cannot swing a Sept archery hunt with my schedule but wanted to get out there and try to fill the freezer anyway.

You're going to get mostly the same answers, exo, stone glacier, kifaru, mystery ranch, maybe even kuiu though I've heard mixed things about their load hauling capabilities. Seek outside gets less attention but as I said above they make good stuff and I really like the frame on mine

If you have a Scheel's nearby, they have started to carry a lot more hunting gear over the years including backpack brands like kifaru and stone glacier. Id recommend going there to try some on, as well as ordering one or two others to try if you can swing it (return the ones you don't like). That's the only way you'll know what fits you best and what you like. Try to do this ASAP so you have time to train with some weighted rucks. Maybe do the same with some boots if you haven't identified what you'll be wearing yet.

Other considerations are organization/pocket configuration. Some styles are more black hole if you like to just stuff things or use individual organizer bags. Others have more integrated pockets.

 

My vote goes to exo k4 in whatever size bag you want. Carries weight like no bodies business. Like it’s a pleasure to carry that pack.