Elk Hunt Gear List Review / Advice

[c5mrr270]

Looking at the release you're using I would definitely take a backup. The rx2 is a good release, but it has an Achilles heel (unless they changed the design), which is that e-clip used to hold the pin that holds the d-loop hook in place. That e-clip has popped off on me 3 times and one time the pin fell out making the release unusable and ending my hunt.

 

[MesaHorseCo.]

No matter where you strap something on your body, weight is still weight....

 

[Hootsma]

List looks pretty good - try to get out for a few over nighters this summer and fall before your hunt to see what you will really use. I will say I used a MR Dragonslayer for a couple years and I loved that pack but you will be hard pressed to get all this gear to fit - especially food.

Here is a pic of that pack all loaded up for a 5 day hunt - you can see my sleeping bag/pad is in a stuff sack on the bottom and I was using 2 of the MR long pockets (@ 400ci ea) that held my food, cook gear, tent, and a few other odds and ends. I have pretty minimalist gear and I did not mind the pods or my sleeping bag on the outside but the pack fills up quick (especially if you are packing a spotter and tripod). You will definitely be making multiple trips when you get something down - that bugs some people but I did not mind it.

There's no picture, but I understand your point. Fitting everything is a concern. I didn't list it, but currently I have a MR Rip Zip pocket (300 ci) an Eberlestock A2MP pouch on the waist belt (vol. unknown). If necessary, I will get another Rip Zip for the other side. I definitely plan on doing a couple over nighters before the big day to work out all the bugs. I won't be taking a spotting scope or tripod, just binos which will be worn. We should have 3 - 4 in our party, so I'm hoping to be able to pack out an elk in one trip, but we'll do as many as necessary to get er done.

keep you pistol, wear it on a thigh rig, weight is then not an issue.

If the pistol goes, it will go in my front pocket. That's my normal hunting routine for local white tails.

Looking at the release you're using I would definitely take a backup. The rx2 is a good release, but it has an Achilles heel (unless they changed the design), which is that e-clip used to hold the pin that holds the d-loop hook in place. That e-clip has popped off on me 3 times and one time the pin fell out making the release unusable and ending my hunt.

Mine does have the c clip on it. I've never had a problem, but I can see how that could easily be an issue. On the first iteration of my list, I had my spare release on it. That original list was over 60 lbs total, so that was one of the items that got axed. I will definitely revisit that before I finalize my load out.

I really appreciate all the feed back. Lots to think about and consider. Any other suggestions are more than welcome.

Robert

 

[Hootsma]

There were a couple of questions in my original post at the bottom that haven't been addressed yet, so I thought I would restate them here:

I have an old North Face Down sleeping bag that is not waterproof nor water resistant in any way. I was wondering if any of y'all have tried the Nikwax DownProof on regular down products? If so, did it help with water repellancy...how much?

I plan on using an inflatable pad and ground cloth with it. Is a flat ground cloth opening myself up to moisture versus a tub style ground cloth like they sell at BearPaw?

Are bugs going to be an issue in this area, this time of year? How about at night while trying to sleep? How about yellow jackets while quartering out an elk?

I did get one or two responses pertaining to bugs. They basically said one year yes and the next year no. Any other experiences out there with bugs in southern Colorado in September?

Robert

 

[fillthefreezer]

i cant say for CO but here, often times by september the bugs arent bad. only takes a couple freezes. this year, not the case, bugs were bad!
bees always seem to be an issue until like october when meats being cut.
no need for a tub groundcloth, even floorless. with good camp placement, water shouldnt come but 2-3in under the edge of the tarp. saturated ground (alaska) excluded.

 

[tttoadman]

Your pack weight doesn't seem bad at at all for some of the gear you have. A lot of us seem to get that heavy for 10 day pulls and colder weather. Keep staring at it, you will spot little opportunities. I also have the the neck problems thru c5-c7. I totally agree on the tall pillow. Fine tuning the height by deflating the pad and/or the pillow is the only way to survive.

I will second the gators. May be ok with pants tucked in, but after a few days you may be carving up your boots and may even get some broken laces.

With a group of 4, are you guys cutting out the redundancy on stoves, filters, utensils, first aid, shelters......I would hope there is some opportunities for some serious savings there.

 

[mAv]

Can't speak from experience as mine for backpacking is pretty well non-existent at this point, but definitely helped me put some things together for my own gear list!

 

[Jason Snyder]

I have and use a Longbow, and I'll tell you right now you won't fit everything inside of it. That said, as long as you are okay with having stuff on the outside of it you can make it work. There are plenty of ways to lash stuff to a Longbow. The main issue you will have is keeping stuff dry if it does rain, and also balancing your weight. I filled stuff sacks with food last year and lashed them on the outside. It worked okay.

 

[Wapiti66]

As far as your archery tackle goes, I'd carry an extra D-loop, some extra serving string and allen wrenches that fit your bow at the least. It never fails for me, I get in the elk woods and something seems to get loose, or serving starts to unwind, etc. Spot and stalk hunting puts way more "wear" on your bow than a treestand hunt, you will find yourself in the middle of a big tangled blowdown or willows or something that will try to pull on your bow. D-loop and string weigh nothing, allen wrenches can be heavy, only carry the ones that fit your bow.

 

[tttoadman]

I have to put a lot of stuff on the outside because I only run a SG Solo. I agree with Jason. Put the static items in your pack in an organized and repeatable manner. Strap food and water on the outside in drybags as these vary depending on the trip. I also found it helpful to strap my tent on the outside in a drybag so I don't have to unload all of my gear in the rain to set up my tent.

 

[amp713]

I would like to make sure the part of splitting up gear with your buddies is highlighted. There is no need for 4 stoves, first aid kits, and such. You can honestly find alot of things that only one person will be using at a time so there is almost no need for 4 of them....

 

[sneaky]

If you get a thigh rig put some miles on wearing that thing they are not for everyone. I've tried multiple ways of extended carry and that is my personal lest favorite. Of course it could of just been the black hawk set up

I'll second this on the thigh rig. When we were in Iraq we could tell who the ones were who didn't do foot patrols or go outside the wire: they were the ones with thigh rigs. Get hot, start sweating and that thing will chafe the crap out of you.

 

[Jason Snyder]

I'll second this on the thigh rig. When we were in Iraq we could tell who the ones were who didn't do foot patrols or go outside the wire: they were the ones with thigh rigs. Get hot, start sweating and that thing will chafe the crap out of you.

Agreed. I hate hiking with a thigh rig. Find some way to mount it on your hip belt or shoulder strap and you'll be happier.

 

[greyghostnw]

100's of hours and never had any chafing. im not in a 100+ degree enviroment though.... proper belt and adjusted holster make or break the comfort. i had mine on my pack enough times to realize it was pointless. once your packs off so is your sidearm. i remember my first few times with one and it was different. took a few times out to decide height to ride on your thigh. in the end of course not having it there is better than to, just as not having a pack on my back feels better than to. i wear a chest bino rig so that is not an option for me.

 

[husky390]

Regarding your question on the nest. I'm planning to use my SL-5 with either a custom 2 person nest from Bearpaw designs or a tigoat kestrel bivy. The weight of either is a lot less than the full size nest and unfortunately you will not know how buggy it is until you get up there. That year we were hammered with mosquitoes was a weird year for the year prior and after it was not like that at all. All I can say is that on the second day, I didn't give a damn about scent control and was happy to soak myself with OFF. It would have been miserable to hike back in there and set up camp with no nest so long story short, I'd rather pack in a small nest or bivy and not need it than wish I had it. YMMV.

 

[westrnwild]

So lots of good stuff on your list. Like others, I'd get rid of the radio, bear spray over pistol unless you going into grizz areas. Id use one bladder over three. I'd pack a kleen kanteen and stuff as much crap as you can in it, like batteries,some of kill kit and emergency stuff, wrap it with some paracord and duck tape. Don't forget small thing of super glue. Bring an extra peep sight, learn the field change trick. Tarptent makes great tents, might want a more full protection then tarp, I've found I sleep better thus hunt harder. I've switched to Jetboil to save space plus you don't need a cup.. And last and most important.....vasoline! Don't forget it, prevents chaffing. Apply daily. And it can be used with cotton balls and a striker to start a fire if things go south, or if your like me last year and you left your lighter in the truck.

 

[MtnManZ]

+1 on the super glue and serving string.