Critic my gear

[Jaegerr]

I finally pulled my first elk license and been planning for a few years and buying bits as things go on sale after spending a lot of time researching on here. Now with a tag in hand, I’m evaluating what I have and what I may need for a November rifle hunt in Montana. Completely open to recommendations!

Base layers: None yet, planning on getting a set of First Lite Kiln

Mid-Layers: Peloton 97 & 240, and Kenai Vest

Insulation: Stone Glacier Grumman (this thing is ridiculously warm)

Pants: Pair of attack pants, two pairs of First Lite Corrugate Guide pants I got on the recent scheels sale I saw on here

Rain Gear: Probably Kuiu Chugach?

Boots: Whatever major brand like Crispi or Kenetrek’s I can find on sale that fit me well

Socks: Couple pairs of darn tough wool socks

Accessories: Pretty open here. I have misc. gloves and glove liners and some chopper ski mitts and such.

Bag: Open here too, looked the evo frames but that’s about it

Obviously being on Rokslide I have a tikka I’m building but this isn’t the right sub thread for that combo. Looking forward to suggestions on gear and what I may be missing or what I may be carrying too much. I should add this won’t be a pack in, back country hunt, so weight isn’t a top concern for this hunt.

 

[Cyril]

I think some things will depend on the style of hunt…back pack, horse back or truck/base camp. A couple of notes:

On the pants, my opinion is the corrugate guide pants will be useless in Montana come November. I have them and they are my go to for stationary, early season whitetail. I would not want them late season in the mountains. I run catalyst pants in third season Colorado, and picked up the catalyst foundry on Black Friday sale which I believe will be better suited for me with vents. To me, both feel warmer than attack pants and fit me really well. I also think puffy pants will be a necessity.

Up top, you may need a little more warmth depending on weather. Stationary, glassing for hours with temps in the teens, I run kiln, kuiu super down vest, Rab synthetic jacket(similar to Kenai), catalyst jacket and puffy jacket. Depends on how you deal with the cold and style of hunt. If weight doesn’t matter, first lite storm tight rain jacket is nice, durable wind and rain proof, but heavy for back pack hunt.

Boot…hanwag sale, if still running has perhaps the best value you will find. If they are not marked final sale, they are returnable and it was quick and easy for me. Tried three different models and ended up keeping one.

Good luck.

 

[Jaegerr]

I think some things will depend on the style of hunt…back pack, horse back or truck/base camp. A couple of notes:

On the pants, my opinion is the corrugate guide pants will be useless in Montana come November. I have them and they are my go to for stationary, early season whitetail. I would not want them late season in the mountains. I run catalyst pants in third season Colorado, and picked up the catalyst foundry on Black Friday sale which I believe will be better suited for me with vents. To me, both feel warmer than attack pants and fit me really well. I also think puffy pants will be a necessity.

Up top, you may need a little more warmth depending on weather. Stationary, glassing for hours with temps in the teens, I run kiln, kuiu super down vest, Rab synthetic jacket(similar to Kenai), catalyst jacket and puffy jacket. Depends on how you deal with the cold and style of hunt. If weight doesn’t matter, first lite storm tight rain jacket is nice, durable wind and rain proof, but heavy for back pack hunt.

Boot…hanwag sale, if still running has perhaps the best value you will find. If they are not marked final sale, they are returnable and it was quick and easy for me. Tried three different models and ended up keeping one.

Good luck.

Notes on the plants. I just got them in and thought the same. They’ll be good for early seasons hunts tho, so for $55 I’ll take them. I’ll look into the other pants you mentioned but I do get hot. I definitely looked into some of the mil surp. puffy pants or some form of them.

lll look into another upper layer. I thought between base layer, both peloton’s, vest, grumman down jacket and a rain jacket id be toasty but this is why I wanted to pick peoples brains!

 

[Blackbird]

Probably be able to get away with no rain gear that time of year. I would look at some down pants though. Makes glassing sessions late in the year much more comfortable. I have the Sitkas but you couldn’t go wrong with any high quality brand.

 

[Texasbuckeye]

Where in montana and how are you going to be hunting?

I did a montana early november elk hunt with an outfitter so it was lodge based, and for two days we sat in a blind with blistering winds and cold air. The morning of the third day we saw a large elk herd crossing on the property and hiked over to stage for them, that day it ended up being pleasantly warm, and by the end of the hike we were all stripped down to our base layers and then were stationary for a few hours while we waited for the herd to re-emerge. Having good layers was huge.

The week before and the week after it snowed, and was cold if I remember correctly. We did not have any precip the whole week we were there.

The ability to have good moisture moving layers coupled with good insulating layers is going to pay big dividends for you no matter how you hunt. The altitude will kick your butt, so expect to sweat some if you run hot just because your body will be working in the decreased O2 levels, unless you are from altitude (guessing not due to drawing tags).

I second the puffy pants that were mentioned above. A good hat system will be helpful as well. Not sure what you have planned for up top, but something that has wind blocker in it is going to be your friend.

Get the boots going early, do not waste time on the break in process. the longer you have those the better. Unless you know you won't be doing a ton of hiking.

 

[Jaegerr]

Where in montana and how are you going to be hunting?

I did a montana early november elk hunt with an outfitter so it was lodge based, and for two days we sat in a blind with blistering winds and cold air. The morning of the third day we saw a large elk herd crossing on the property and hiked over to stage for them, that day it ended up being pleasantly warm, and by the end of the hike we were all stripped down to our base layers and then were stationary for a few hours while we waited for the herd to re-emerge. Having good layers was huge.

The week before and the week after it snowed, and was cold if I remember correctly. We did not have any precip the whole week we were there.

The ability to have good moisture moving layers coupled with good insulating layers is going to pay big dividends for you no matter how you hunt. The altitude will kick your butt, so expect to sweat some if you run hot just because your body will be working in the decreased O2 levels, unless you are from altitude (guessing not due to drawing tags).

I second the puffy pants that were mentioned above. A good hat system will be helpful as well. Not sure what you have planned for up top, but something that has wind blocker in it is going to be your friend.

Get the boots going early, do not waste time on the break in process. the longer you have those the better. Unless you know you won't be doing a ton of hiking.

November gun hunt and noted on all the suggestions. I lived in Montana previously for work for a while so I agree on the elevation and the lack of oxygen will make you sweat like no other if you start changing elevation a lot.

 

[LongWayAround]

I would look elsewhere than the kiln base layer.

I have the kiln hooded shirt. It is very comfortable, but not very warm for it's weight and takes a rather long time to dry. It's essentially my spring turkey shirt or any time temperature and exertion are mild.

I have never hunted Montana, but late season in Colorado I am wearing lightweight merino short sleeve shirt and boxers with another light weight synthetic later over them. I use the peloton 118 zip-offs as my bottom and whatever synthetic hoody i have that day (something like your peloton 97).

I resisted puffy pants for several years before getting them. They make life much nicer.

 

[Jaegerr]

I would look elsewhere than the kiln base layer.

I have the kiln hooded shirt. It is very comfortable, but not very warm for it's weight and takes a rather long time to dry. It's essentially my spring turkey shirt or any time temperature and exertion are mild.

I have never hunted Montana, but late season in Colorado I am wearing lightweight merino short sleeve shirt and boxers with another light weight synthetic later over them. I use the peloton 118 zip-offs as my bottom and whatever synthetic hoody i have that day (something like your peloton 97).

I resisted puffy pants for several years before getting them. They make life much nicer.

Got it! I definitely want a set of puffy pants for gold glassing. The black orvis 800 fill zip offs for the price seem like a good value.