Reccomended Gear for 1st Elk Hunt in 2020

[WESTERN VA HUNTER]

Hello everyone and thanks for taking time to read my post and answer questions for a rookie.

I am new to the forums and new to Elk hunting. It's always been a dream of mine to go to Colorado for an elk and it's finally going to happen in 2020. Good Lord willing, that is....

My questions are, what are the necessary gear items that you wouldn't go without on a SW Coloado drop camp hunt in wilderness area?

I don't have the final details on the area or the elevation we'll be hunting yet, but I know it will be about 7 miles in on horseback. 2nd or 3rd rifle. Camp will be provided with everything except for food, sleeping bags, etc...

I whitetail hunt in VA, and have pretty much everything I need for that, but not exactly sure what is a necessity for out there.

Looking for recommendations on heavywight base layers (wool or whatever you use), heavyweight camo (wool or whatever you use), heavyweight gloves, walking poles that maybe I can customize into a shooting rest, bino harness, spotting scope, tripods, water purification or whatever else you feel you need to be comfortable.

Please give brand info, why you think it's a necessity and why you think that brand is better than the other brands out there.

I have a .308 with 4x12 scope, roll my own reloads, 8x42 Leupold bino, Cabelas multi day pack with meat hauling compartment, my own personalized first aid/survival kit, leight weight base layers and camo, medium weight base layers and camo.

 

[WESTERN VA HUNTER]

Sorry, I meant for this post to go in the Gear chatroom. Somehow I ended up posting it here

 

[Addicting]

Are you going with someone who sets up camp for you or a outfitter?

Who ever that is, is the best person to ask.

But what you listed you already had is fine.

 

[WESTERN VA HUNTER]

Are you going with someone who sets up camp for you or a outfitter?

Who ever that is, is the best person to ask.

But what you listed you already had is fine.

An outfitter is going to provide the camp and horses to get in there and out

 

[Ben Sellers]

I would take multiple layers of lighter weight base layers and Camo than fewer heavier layers. It could be warm or bitter cold and snowy. You won’t know for sure till you’re on the mountain. Enough layers could have you ready for -10 to 70 degrees. High quality gear is made by Sitka, kuiu, and first lite. I have some of each. Hiking gear works well as well, just stay away from cotton if you can. That said, lots of game has been killed by men in blue jeans with a lever action.
Have a great hunt.

 

[Irrelevant]

Unfortunately the weather that time of year is not always predictable. It could still be quite warm or quite cold. From a cold weather perspective, I'd make sure I had:
-warm boots that you can side hill with
-puffy coat with a hood (doesn't have to be camo)
-lightweight rain gear (pants with full leg zips)
-mittens for glassing

 

[CUElk]

good pair of hiking boots; gps unit and/or Onx on your phone.

 

[thusby]

Don't forget a rangefinder.

 

[nrpate05]

A good backpack and pair of boots are deal breakers for any western mountain hunt really. I use Mystery Ranch Metcalf for a pack and Scarpa Kinesis (I think). Foot issues can take you out of the game in a nanosecond so it's good to get that right. I used the Metcalf this past weekend to haul out a mule deer in one load. It was close to 100 pounds with all my gear and while it wasn't necessarily comfortable, I've had worse experiences with way less weight. I'd bring a good 0 degree (at least) sleeping bag and an insulated pad. Good sleep is paramount if you're hunting more than a couple days. As far as layers, I like a light wool baselayer (First Lite wick or fuse), then Sitka Core heavyweight hoody, then First Lite Sawtooth Vest and a huge Outdoor Research puffy (for morning and evening glassing). I'll also throw a light rain jacket in the mix but I really never use it. On bottom I go First lite Boxers that are long and go right above the knee (best things ever) and a over the calf sock. This combo really eliminates the need for long underwear, which I don't like to wear if I can help it. I also rock the First Lite Uncompahgre puffy pants which are unbelievable. An orange beanie and ball cap and light liner gloves and heavier mittens round it out.

I don't think any one brand of high end clothing is really better than the other and I mix and match based on my needs and fit. On a rifle hunt camo isn't a necessity so you can get away with hiking/mountaineering brands too (Outdoor Research, Patagonia, etc.) Another thing that really helps a lot is a tripod for your binoculars. Not sure how I lived without one for so many years. Good luck

 

[Gerald Martin]

As was said earlier, go with layers rather than one or two heavy garments. Western hunting is no different than hiking the ridges around Fulks Run. The mountains are just taller. Make sure you have good boots. I like uninsulated Kenetrek Mtn Extremes. If you feel like you have to have insulation, keep it to 200-400 grams. You will be active anyway and too much insulation will make your feet sweat and then get cold.

Just get regular trecking poles. The ones that convert to a shooting rest are heavy and not that good for long distance shooting anyway. Spotting scope is not a necessity and you probably will get tired of carrying it. Get a jet boil stove and throw it in your pack. Nothing better than a hot cup of beverage or warm food on the moutain.

My go to layering system for my upper body consists of synthetic or lightweight wool long sleeve T-shirt. Fleece pullover, softshell jacket, down vest, and a waterproof/windproof shell for when the weather is wet or windy. Carry at least one or two extra pairs of wool socks in your pack and switch out at lunch time. Happy feet, happy hunter.

A lightweight foam pad to sit on while glassing or waiting can keep you on stand for a lot longer than freezing your keister on snow or wet ground.

Carry a small camera or your phone to take pics with.

 

[WESTERN VA HUNTER]

Don't forget a rangefinder.

I forgot to mention I have an 850 vortex rangefinder. Not the greatest but it's what I could afford at the time. I mainly use it for bow hunting here. Idk how well it would do at longer distances, but it'll have to do because it's what I have.

 

[WESTERN VA HUNTER]

A good backpack and pair of boots are deal breakers for any western mountain hunt really. I use Mystery Ranch Metcalf for a pack and Scarpa Kinesis (I think). Foot issues can take you out of the game in a nanosecond so it's good to get that right. I used the Metcalf this past weekend to haul out a mule deer in one load. It was close to 100 pounds with all my gear and while it wasn't necessarily comfortable, I've had worse experiences with way less weight. I'd bring a good 0 degree (at least) sleeping bag and an insulated pad. Good sleep is paramount if you're hunting more than a couple days. As far as layers, I like a light wool baselayer (First Lite wick or fuse), then Sitka Core heavyweight hoody, then First Lite Sawtooth Vest and a huge Outdoor Research puffy (for morning and evening glassing). I'll also throw a light rain jacket in the mix but I really never use it. On bottom I go First lite Boxers that are long and go right above the knee (best things ever) and a over the calf sock. This combo really eliminates the need for long underwear, which I don't like to wear if I can help it. I also rock the First Lite Uncompahgre puffy pants which are unbelievable. An orange beanie and ball cap and light liner gloves and heavier mittens round it out.

I don't think any one brand of high end clothing is really better than the other and I mix and match based on my needs and fit. On a rifle hunt camo isn't a necessity so you can get away with hiking/mountaineering brands too (Outdoor Research, Patagonia, etc.) Another thing that really helps a lot is a tripod for your binoculars. Not sure how I lived without one for so many years. Good luck

Thanks for the detailed info

 

[WESTERN VA HUNTER]

As was said earlier, go with layers rather than one or two heavy garments. Western hunting is no different than hiking the ridges around Fulks Run. The mountains are just taller. Make sure you have good boots. I like uninsulated Kenetrek Mtn Extremes. If you feel like you have to have insulation, keep it to 200-400 grams. You will be active anyway and too much insulation will make your feet sweat and then get cold.

Just get regular trecking poles. The ones that convert to a shooting rest are heavy and not that good for long distance shooting anyway. Spotting scope is not a necessity and you probably will get tired of carrying it. Get a jet boil stove and throw it in your pack. Nothing better than a hot cup of beverage or warm food on the moutain.

My go to layering system for my upper body consists of synthetic or lightweight wool long sleeve T-shirt. Fleece pullover, softshell jacket, down vest, and a waterproof/windproof shell for when the weather is wet or windy. Carry at least one or two extra pairs of wool socks in your pack and switch out at lunch time. Happy feet, happy hunter.

A lightweight foam pad to sit on while glassing or waiting can keep you on stand for a lot longer than freezing your keister on snow or wet ground.

Carry a small camera or your phone to take pics with.

Thanks for your detailed response

 

[SFC B]

Big Fin has done a few "bag dump" videos which might also be helpful. Search for them on his Youtube channel

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

A few odds and ends that may have been missed:

• Water filtration, membrane filters are the easiest and produce the best tasting water, but at cold temps you have to worry about freezing them up. Obviously you don't have the issues with iodine tablets.
  • This system is awesome, but again it can freeze and high turbidity (cloudy water) can cause it to plug up and require backwashing.
    • https://smile.amazon.com/Platypus-G...NSQ8YMCTW0C&psc=1&refRID=PC2Y5TVXCNSQ8YMCTW0C
• Trekking poles, very nice, here is the cheap pair I used. works great and are lighter than AL
  • https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XM0YGW8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• Game bags, lots of options (maybe the outfitter has you covered?) if not caribou bags have high marks. What ever one you go with synthetic is generally better but costs more
  • I bought these ones: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BQXP820/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• I am a big believer in being prepared, so compass, signal mirror, fire starting, whistle, mylar emergency blanket, emergency water tablets (iodine) are all included in my pack
• Battery for charging devices, I used my phone for mapping so this was important to me.
  • I bought this one: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KPZZTGS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• I loved the long handled spoon I bought for eating out of mountain house pouches, would recommend
  • https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B073R41XLX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• I was convinced not to bring my spotting scope, biggest mistake I made. I could spot elk, but without a spotter you can't tell if there are horns at great distance to figure out if you're going to stalk 3 miles after an elk. I would high suggest bringing one.
• Layers are key, but keep in mind you have limited pack space. I found compressible layers are key. things that use down help a lot.
• Dry bags are good to use. Just in case of rain you can keep key clothing dry
• As far as sleeping bags, how cold will the camp be? Will they be running a heater? If so you can get by with a cheaper bag. If they wont be, I'd look at used sleeping bags from REI (online) they have some good deals on good quality bags. That's where I picked mine up personally and I can't tell it is anything but brand new.

 

[AvidIndoorsman]

For a second season/3rd season drop camp I would swap my bag for a 0 degree synthetic bag, add a puffy vest, and change out my wool mittens for some leather choppers.

Second Page.

Mule Deer - One Trip Pack Out - By the Numbers

I know, right? wllm has me feeling like I'm not putting near enough thought into my process. He also has me dying to know what's in his pack, other than 54.6 lbs of the good stuff and a sleep system. I feel like he's pretty dialed in for a guy that needs more time in the gym and at his high...

www.hunttalk.com

 

[Bearstew]

I’m also from VA and a buddy and I did our first elk hunt during second rifle this year. We packed in 5 miles with a forecast of 1-3 inches and by day two we had 16”. Day three we packed out which was miserable in snow that was to our knees in spots. Point being the weather is just as unpredictable there as it is in va beach. We had a wall tent setup at the car which is where we took residence for the rest of our trip.
Indera makes great base layers and meriwool makes a good 400g merino top and bottom for sitting or sleeping. We went back and forth on puffy jackets and honestly ended up ordering “amazon essentials men’s puffy jacket” which was synthetic and they also make a down. Wore the synthetic overtop of the down while glassing during the snow. Both jackets will run you about $45-50 a piece and I was shocked at the warmth they provided. While saving some coin between thejackets I did buy a nice sleeping bag. Nemo disco 15* bag with a thermo lite extreme 25* liner. I only used the liner two nights in the back country. A good set of gators is a must and I used the “outdoor research croc gaiters”
An Anker charger off of amazon as well to charge phone. (If you have a Garmin inreach they will not charge from aknee chargers) but the batteries last for 4 days easy with it constantly on.
North Star makes great chopper mits and heavy wool mitts.
The camp chef Stryker stove worked great for me and mountain house or peak refuel we’re both great meals.
pyro putty and a few diff fire source options. Honestly we both brought entirely too much but there were things we were glad we brought.the entire experience including the 1,900 miles each way was a blast and the amount of game we saw was unreal. Shoot me a message if you have any questions

 

[C17loadclear]

When picking your boots remember that you might have 100 pounds on your back...(hopefully). I loved my danner pronghorns until I had to pack out an elk. I now have something much stiffer (Mendel Denali) to deal with the extra weight.

 

[rideold]

An Anker charger off of amazon as well to charge phone. (If you have a Garmin inreach they will not charge from aknee chargers) but the batteries last for 4 days easy with it constantly on.

Really? Are you talking about the older units of the brand new one that is a full GPS and InReach in one package? Did it just not charge or did you get an error or something?

 

[AvidIndoorsman]

Really? Are you talking about the older units of the brand new one that is a full GPS and InReach in one package? Did it just not charge or did you get an error or something?

LOL I'm assuming they didn't buy the necessary cables.