Every outfitter will have their own specifics so be sure to check to see what’s including in the price. The gear you need for an elk hunt will generally fall into three main categories: In this article, we’re going to take a look at how your type of hunt affects your gear requirements and review a sample gear list to give you some ideas to consider as you plan for your hunt. Pack these items first. The name comes from the bivy sack that you sleep in at night. If you’ve never elk hunted before, you could consider a fully guided trip an investment in your elk hunting education. I like that I can use it as a daypack, or load it up for bivy hunting and that it allows me to carry the first load of meat back without having to hike back for a frame pack. Elk hunting season can bring everything from scorching heat to epic snowstorms, all in the same day. Base your clothing and gear choices on the hunt’s expected weather, temperature, terrain, activity level and the duration of time in the field. Right now my current favorite pack set up is the Metcalf from Mystery Ranch. Join Elk101.com's Corey Jacobsen as we walks you through the best clothing for an elk hunting layering system. Copyright © 2021 HuntTested LLC. Travel Towel. There are weeks during elk hunting season that only allow for bow hunting, while other weeks allow rifle hunting. Are you a bowhunter heading out for the weekend? Chad is going on his first backcountry elk hunt this fall. Your browser's Javascript functionality is turned off. Working out year-round to stay in shape to hunt the mountains has also become a priority. The key to success in these areas is to get off your ATV and burn some boot leather. Browse all archery supplies, treestands, scopes, camo clothes and hunting boots for men, women and kids. Because you’re carrying your entire camp with you, every ounce matters so buy the best ultralight gear that your budget allows. This Excel spreadsheet breaks down every category of gear: the … Unless you’re on a fully guided hunt you’re going to have to plan for your own food and cooking. What can I live without? On Episode 136 of the Hunt Backcountry Podcast we had the opportunity to speak with Chad from Backcountry Rookies. 1. The gear you need for your elk hunt is going to vary significantly depending on the location, time of year, and type of hunt. Load your pack, and then go on some long hikes with it at home to really get a sense of how it feels before your trip. Drop camps will typically come complete with wall tents, cots, tables, chairs and a water supply nearby at a minimum. It’s been a great set up. We’ve got you covered. The list of equipment and gear includes: Safety/survival gear: The most important think on your elk or deer hunt is safety. Hopefully, this has given you some ideas to consider when you’re planning your next hunt. When you’re on the mountain you’re out of luck if you forgot a key piece of equipment, so a little advance planning and preparation can help ensure that you have a great hunt. An Absolute Necessity: There is some gear that is crucial for your hunting experience. For me, elk hunting has become a passion that I focus on all year. I go very deep in the details in these Gear Guides, so I put my recommendations and a summary up top. I’ve found that there is a direct correlation between how fit I am and how much I enjoy the hunt. 300Win-Mag, 338 and 308 are also often mentioned for elk hunting. Most outfitters will limit you to about 50 pounds of gear per person, not including your rifle or bow. This can make a big difference in the amount of hunting pressure you experience. Take the time to optimize your load at home. Newbie heading out for a weeklong guided hunt? It also requires that you are in top physical shape.I think a bivy hunt is one of the more interesting hunts to plan because it’s a game of ounces. Elk decoys are best used for cover rather than drawing an animal in, ... During hunting season, you can use waypoints to track down elk… Truck camping offers the best combination of low cost and accessibility, and many public hunting areas across the West allow motorized vehicles. Your elk hunt pack list should include approved gear for the season. Hunt Arizona Buck, Deer, & Elk Season. The complexity comes from all the factors that you have to consider when planning your hunt. Elk hunting season can bring everything from scorching heat to epic snowstorms, all in the same day. Obviously, a vital part of your hunting gear is a rifle. Below you will find a downloadable Excel link for my perfected 2016 gear list: Brady-Miller-2016-Backcountry-Hunting-Gear-List-V1.xls. Add to wishlist Quick View. Forgetting important items like a foam sleeping pad can mean several restless nights in the woods. As the drop camp has most of the camping gear covered, (you’ll want your own sleeping bag), you can focus on your hunting gear and game processing and retrieval gear. Regardless, your gun will perform most effectively against elk … The name comes from the bivy sack that you sleep in at night. I prefer the gravity fed filtration systems like this one from Life Straw. A less expensive variation of the drop camp is to just rent some horses and pack animals and bring your own tents and camping gear. 30.06 is the most versatile of calibers and plenty powerful enough for elk. It’s for people who know how to hunt and can do most of the work themselves. Please turn it on so that you can experience the full capabilities of this site. Arizona Elk Outfitters offers Professional Guided Elk Hunting. If you’re going to read one book on elk hunting, Cam’s book should be the one. Add in time afield, moments … If you’re interested in a backcountry bivy hunt, Cam Hanes wrote the definitive guide on the subject in his book, Backcountry Bowhunting. Elk Hunting … I’ve tried cooking more elaborate meals in camp after hunting all day, but I’ve found that I prefer a simple meal that requires little work so I can eat and then hit the rack. If you want to fully understand the “why” just keep reading! Elk Hunting Weapons Review. You need to bring the essentials, but not so much that your pack is too heavy. You can carry significantly more gear and set up a very comfortable camp when truck camping, and you can go as basic or as extravagant as you like. The HUSH brand was created based on 3 principals. What worked well last year? A fully-guided hunt offers everything that the drop camp offers, with three big additions: Fully-guided hunts can be expensive, and they’re worth the investment. We then set up a large tent for our kitchen and a large gear tent. RMEF Resources Gear Lists Whether you hunt elk every year or every 10 years, we’re here to help you pack. For the most part, Elk hunting is not considered a luxury travel experience, and you’ll … Mark Huelsing of Exo Mountain Gear shares the gear he packs for backpack-style elk hunting in September archery seasons. It also requires that you are in top physical shape. Call (928) 300-6755. The typical drop camp hunt will include packing you and party into a camp on horses, and your outfitter will also have a combination of pack horses, mules and sometimes a donkey to carry your gear. … All Products Hardscrabble Jacket. This backpack hunting gear page has been updated the summer of 2013) As I was wrapping up my hunt of 2012, I took time to take pictures of some of my gear and wrote notes about what I wanted to remove or replace for my BackCountry Bull hunt … And a bad back. How can I lighten my load? Inspire new hunters & anglers. On the podcast, Mark and Steve go through Chad's gear … If you ask me, its a big part of the fun of the trip. If you’re considering a drop camp or a fully-guided hunt, OutfittersRatings.com is a great place to start your search for a reputable outfitter. You need lightweight gear that will protect you from the inconsistent weather you will face. Gear considerations are similar to a drop camp, but you won’t have to worry about food and you’ll likely be able to leave the pack frame at home. Below: their picks for the best gear for elk bowhunting season. The right type of hunting gear is vital whether you’re a novice or a seasoned hunter. Base your clothing and gear choices on the hunt… Here’s a food list from a recent truck camping hunt. A benefit of a drop camp style hunt over truck camping is you’ll be able to access designated wilderness areas where vehicles are not allowed. Shop hunting gear, supplies and equipment at TTS gear. A Pro to help with game processing and getting your elk off the mountain. The following gear checklists are basic guidelines for your next hunt. Often, in Montana during September, we will see early snow. For non-bivy hunts, I’ve found that planning simple meals and precooking as much as I can and freezing in vacuum bags is the way to go. Elk … Elk Hunting Gear List. Either way, they are a lot more work than a drop camp. You’ll have a team that’s working hard to show you a good time and hopefully helps you find an elk. A general rule of thumb is to carry no more than a third of your body weight. I’ve tried multiple pack options for elk hunting. Rated 4.84 out of 5 $ 130.00. The best arrow for elk hunting is built specifically for those requirements and so is this gear guide. All Products Hardscrabble Pants. Rain in forests does not give a signal, therefore … Raise awareness about hunting/fishing access and conservation initiatives. We have a collection with a goal to provide our customers with best gear in the market. Join now for news, updates, special offers & insights. (container with petroleum jelly cotton), Headlamp, flashlight, and extra batteries, Earplugs (some of my hunting buddies snore), Emergency Filling Material (I like to be prepared), Camp clothes – shorts, t-shirts, camp pants, Propane lantern in case and extra mantels, 120-quart coolers (2) (You can fit a quartered elk in two 120 quart coolers if you bone out your elk you can get by with one cooler). You need to get away from the crowds and get off the beaten track to find elk. You’ll learn more by hanging out with a good guide in the mountains for a week than you will by watching thousands of hours of elk hunting videos. It’s easy, super lightweight and the freeze-dried meals today are actually pretty good. The air temperatures aren’t extremely cold, but are still cold nonetheless. Each week will also allow for specific game (bucks, youth, or female), so it is essential to look into state regulations and plan your elk hunt … Add to wishlist. Pro Tip: The downside of truck camping is because of the ease of accessibility you can have a lot of hunting pressure. How to pick the best arrow for elk hunting Elk Hunting Equipment. Mountain House is a popular brand. The following elk hunters checklist should help you to … Generally speaking the lighter the gear, the more it costs. The drop camp is a great middle ground between a complete DIY adventure and a fully guided hunt. Coffee packets (Starbucks Via makes excellent instant coffee), Precooked chicken, tortilla, shredded cheese, Bow (Matthews Halon 32 with Blackgold Sights), Release – a spare (If you lose your release on the mountain and don’t have a backup, it’s game over), Compass, map, Garmin Oregon, (extra batteries), Fire (Bic, fire steel, matches. MUST HAVE - ELK GEAR Browse All. Late Season Budget Elk Hunting Clothes. Some drop-camps will also provide cooking gear, firewood, and sometimes food. Without this gear, you cannot have a successful hunting trip. This is a hunt for minimalists who like to rough it. Quick View. This is a hunt for minimalists who like to rough it. A big benefit of this type of hunt is you can cover more ground and camp where you find elk. Pro Tip: If you’re planning a hunt that involves horses, find someplace where you can learn some basic horsemanship before you go, it will make you and your mount a lot more comfortable. Get hunting and shooting gear at low prices. Just make sure you stay on designated trails. Good Luck! Pro Tip: It’s one thing to try on your fully loaded pack in your garage and think you can handle the weight; it’s a different story when you’re hiking for hours at 11,000 feet. Mark uses the 3500 Pack System and has a base pack weight of 18lbs, or a total with food and fuel for a 4-day hunt … Montana Decoy RMEF Cow Elk. Once we back the ATV out and remove the camping gear, we roll out a piece of carpet and set up our cots and sleeping bags. You need lightweight gear that will protect you from the inconsistent weather you will face. However, deciding on the right essentials for elk hunting can be overwhelming. Including cleaning, quartering and packing their elk back to camp. Warm clothing is another import items you should mention in the late season elk hunting gear list. Truck camping also allows you to haul in an ATV which can be a great help with game retrieval. Elk hunting requires a lot of gear and careful planning. On the truck camps that I’ve been a part of, instead of a tent, we used a snowmobile trailer as a shelter. Select options. For bivy hunts, freeze-dried food and a Jet Boil are the way to go. A big benefit of this type of hunt is you can cover more ground and camp where you find elk. Elk Hunters Checklist–Hunting Essentials How many times have you arrived at camp and realized you have forgotten some of your hunting gear? You’ll have a camp cook to prepare meals. Generally speaking the lighter the gear, the more it costs. Game processing and retrieval, (It turns out that it’s helpful to have a plan for getting a 700+ pound animal off the mountain if you’re successful). Elk hunting is a dream hunt for many of us and I am lucky enough to have had the chance over and over throughout the years. If an elk hunt is on your list of must-do hunts, I have put together … Here’s a gear list that was designed around a truck camp archery hunt in Colorado. Jerry Blake discusses and demonstrates use of various recommended elk hunting gear and accessories, such as; bino harness, hydration bladder, range finder, glassing pad, bow sling, binoculars, elk … The con of renting horses over a drop camp is you will either need to tend to your horses for the duration of your hunt or you will need to return them and hike back in on foot. You’ll need to find a water source and need a system to filter water. Just the cost-savings from eating elk you killed versus buying meat in the store should be reason enough. We’ve got a gear list for you. Below is a list of the must-have gear for elk hunting to help you in your expedition. Throughout the year I’m constantly thinking about where I’m going and how I’m going to hunt different areas. The reality is that you should be hunting elk every year. If you take an elk on a bivy hunt and pack it off the mountain, you will definitely feel like you earned it! All rights reserved. Planning my elk hunting gear is a year-round process of optimization. Shop hunting gear and apparel from DICK'S Sporting Goods. I think a bivy hunt is one of the more interesting hunts to plan because it’s a game of ounces. Pack List: Elk Hunting Essentials. I’m shooting my bow year-round because it’s fun, and I want to be able to make an ethical, clean shot if presented the opportunity. Usually, my aforementioned system of a few good base layers and a mid …