What’s your budget? You can go nuts on top of the line gear for a western hunt. If on a budget, I recommend good boots. Saying that, people have different opinions on what good boots are, but for out west look more into lightweight mountaineering boots or backpacking boots and a good set of socks. There’s many threads on this but the key is to go try them on. Next I would say get a good backpack. Doesn’t have to be any of the Kifaru, Stone Glacier, Kuiu, Exo packs. I got away with an Arcteryx Bora backpacking style pack for several years, but anything like a Osprey, Gregory, Granite Gear etc can do just fine. Hauling out meat will suck, but there’s a good chance you won’t be hauling meat. Also keep things light, get a good lightweight sleeping bag and pad, don’t bring your car camping Coleman bag that weighs 11 pounds.
And the most important thing, get in shape. Seriously.
Forget what you know about whitetail except for the wind part. Prepare for lots of hiking and glassing, once you find elk it’s game on but you gotta play it right. It’s a balance of getting there as fast as you can, but being patient and making the right moves at the right time. It truly is a chess match.
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