Everyone that says packing meat in the bag versus against your back on the shelf, is better for your center of gravity, is likely speaking of internet lore versus actual field testing. Here's the deal, if you are packing camp and meat, the meat is going to be heavier, more dense, and exaggerate it's felt weight the farther from the back it gets. There is no way around that. Physics prove it. So getting it closer to your back is the better thing.
I've watched as many Aron Snider video's as anyone. I totally respect him and his abilities. But, his preference has become a lot of people's gospel simply because he is Aron. Nothing meant about that towards anyone, especially Aron. But, there aren't many Aron's in this world. He's a beast that can fill a 5000 plus cubic inch pack with meat and heavy gear and, actually get it out of the woods more efficiently than making three or four trips. There ain't many people that is going to do that. So, why would they base their preferences on his unique ability?
The reason so many here want big bags is so they can haul meat and other stuff at the same times, in the bag. It is true that if you have a big bag, you can get a lot of heavy stuff in it to go along with the meat. But, unless you are shooting podcasts or filming hunting video's, there is zero way your day hunting gear or, camp is going to outweigh the meat. And, there is zero chance that many people are truly carrying a 100 pounds of meat plus, 40-50 pounds of gear every trip when they pack meat. Which is why I don't understand the love affair with big pack bags and, the ideology that it works better than a modest pack meant for camp with a meat shelf option. It makes me wander just how many times guys have strapped a huge load of meat in their pack bags and actually carried it a-ways. To pack meat n the bags, you got have the right meat bags, you got get it secure, you have to get used to packing it with your gear to make it stay where it belongs versus balling up and settling in the bottom of your bag. And, most importantly, you got to stack it on something in the bag to get it higher up for the best ride. It's simply inefficient and not nearly as practical.
Unless you are a rare breed like Aron, buy a bag with a shelf option, cut weight on the bag by now having the option to buy a smaller bag better suited to carry your camp or gear, and use the MEAT SHELF. To me, the best way to carry a heavy load of gear and a real load of meat, is as simple as 1+2=3. But, I'm a pretty simple guy that does my own thing versus follow the crowd. And, I'm lazy. So, taking the 35 seconds to detach my bag and strap the meat in the shelf, has proven to be the only practical way for me. God Bless men