One thing you need to realize about asking a gear question in a forum, is that people are going to automatically tell you to buy the most expensive stuff. I'm not saying it isn't warranted, because it almost always is. But to me, there is a lot of great quality gear that will last you for years, and wont kill your pocket book. I am a gear head, and spend a lot of time researching products...but with that being said, I will always spend the money on the memory of a killer hunt over a piece of gear.
I would say for the type of hunting you want to do, you want to have a pack atleast 5000 cu in and greater. The thing I didnt like about Eblerstocks, and a lot of other packs, is that the rifle hangs below the bottom of the pack. It makes it impossible to simply sit down and rest without having to take off your pack. Also, you cant ride a dirt bike with one of those. I also hate having a pack that has the rifle set to one side or another.
There are a lot of great packs in that $500 and less range. The one I ended up going with was the Tenzing 5000. If you are taller, I would look at the 6000. I liked the pack because it has a lot of compartmentalized storage, an adjustable torso system and detachable fanny pack. The other cool thing is that the meat compartment is not in the main section of the pack which allows you to keep the meat closer to your body, so its not just one big lump sitting in the bottom. You can adjust how low your rifle or bow will set below the bottom, and per Tenzings lead product designer, ..max payload, people are carrying upwards of 200lbs."
Everything I could want in a pack and can handle more weight than I ever would want to carry at once. Price tag is under $400.
