Elk hunting beginner

[highcountrymuley]

Next is a frame pack. Kelty cache hauler or Slumberjack frame hauler is what I recommend in 100 to 250 range. Go check out used stores of backpacking gear. Practice carrying and shooting rifle and be safe! You don't need fancy clothes, used backpacking stuff is where I would go.

 

[MountainMan83]

i agree with what others have said with a decent pair of boots. I started off with cheap wool garments I found at the army surplus store. One nice pair of merino wool socks will compliment the boots well.

YouTube has some good videos on basic shooting tips for hunting. Get out and practice. Start on the flat bench and when you get a decent group, practice some shots from kneeling or off your pack. I’ve never had formal shooting lessons but have killed many elk and deer.

A cheap frame pack will work but having a nice pack that can haul meat comfortably is really nice. However, the first couple elk I packed out I just threw the quarters over my shoulders and walked them out - I don’t recommend this and it’s not easy but it all can be done with very little. Save your money up and upgrade over time. Most important - get out and have fun!

 

[Timplant]

You DONT need great gear... elk get shot 20ft off the road every year. You also don't need a mentor or a guide. the internet is full of info. Drive out west and figure it out. It may take a few years. Or it might not.

The gear makes it more enjoyable, less struggle makes it more enjoyable. But go west and find elk, people have been doing it forever, and there has never been more info on HOW to do it succesfully. You'll meet the people and learn the things you need.

Take it from a guy and his hunting partner who have been driving west for 5 years and have killed an elk and two black bears. JUST GO.

 

[Smtn10pt]

I would get a budget pack, you wont appreciate a good pack until you pack a few Elk on a crappy one, and if you have to pack out an elk you wont be too upset anyway.

 

[well_known_rokslider]

I would get a budget pack, you wont appreciate a good pack until you pack a few Elk on a crappy one, and if you have to pack out an elk you wont be too upset anyway.

This is the textbook example in support of "buy once, cry once"! Go to the Rok classifieds, find a used Exo/Kifaru/Stone Glacier for the price of a new derp around pack and be done with it!

 

[BustedRagHorn]

I consistently get made fun of by my friends for running cheap gear. FB marketplace here, thrift store there, diy gear made from others trash, and the off brand amazon odds and ends. If you have it spend the extra money on a good pair of boots, I recently was gifted a good set of Schnee's and I did not realize what I was missing. However, the number one thing that kept me from getting it done in my first two years was willing to be uncomfortable, and understanding elk behavior. I have gotten lucky every year since even with the budget set up. My perspective is gear doesn't replace time in the woods but it can make the time in the woods more comfortable.

 

[Hunterscamera]

Bought a 2nd hand EXO (gen 1? Can't even find example of it online) on marketplace for under $100 bucks a couple of years ago, packed out my first deer with it and I'll be using again this season works great and is comfortable.

 

[fracguy]

I'm going to beat it again, good boots. I was in that situation last year. I had a very limited budget due to being laid off so I spent very little on any gear. I hunted in just work clothes in layers, a cheap Walmart dome tent, cheap Walmart backpack stove. I had bought my bow a few years prior on eBay, spent a fair bit on bow, new strings/cables, arrows and all the stuff that goes with it. But my equipment was cheap. I have plenty of camping experience and stuff but first back country elk hunt. Lived on mres and other cheap food for 2 weeks. The one thing that I will NEVER cheap on is my boots, even my work boots are $$$. Miserable feet will end a trip, can deal with rest as you go. I had a blast, didn't spend a whole lot of money either.

 

[Grillnugz]

Invest in alpha grade 10x binoculars and a tripod/pan head. Elk hunting is 99% glassing. Binocular stability will make you find way more animals. IS binoculars could work too like the Sig Zulu, but they have shit low light performance compared to Swaro. If you buy alpha binos used, you can often resale for the same price or minimal loss.

As for boots, if you are hiking far heavy boots can add a lot of extra wear and tear on the body. Something like 1lb on the feet is equal to 10lbs on the back. I'm a fan of trail running shoes for non-snow conditions (ie archery season). Trail running shoes often come with carbon or polymer shanks in the sole to stiffen them up which is prefect for hunting. Don't get a pair that is waterproof, having them be more breathable will help the shoes dry out much faster. I've found my fancy Crispi boots make my legs pretty sore after a long day. Higher boots to do little to support things like ankle rolling, they mainly protect from water/snow and rocks.

A good backpack that fits will make your trip more pleasant. I'm a fan of Stone Glacier. They make a curved frame that fits my back really well. Another benefit to SG is they are lighter than most brands, 4lbs vs 8-10lbs.

Travel light, don't bring a bunch of shit. You'll have more fun!

 

[C.F.]

I'm going to beat it again, good boots. I was in that situation last year. I had a very limited budget due to being laid off so I spent very little on any gear. I hunted in just work clothes in layers, a cheap Walmart dome tent, cheap Walmart backpack stove. I had bought my bow a few years prior on eBay, spent a fair bit on bow, new strings/cables, arrows and all the stuff that goes with it. But my equipment was cheap. I have plenty of camping experience and stuff but first back country elk hunt. Lived on mres and other cheap food for 2 weeks. The one thing that I will NEVER cheap on is my boots, even my work boots are $$$. Miserable feet will end a trip, can deal with rest as you go. I had a blast, didn't spend a whole lot of money either.

Love hearing stuff like this. Just getting out there in the woods and enjoying it, without all the fancy marketing stuff.
Did you manage to get into some elk ??

 

[fracguy]

Love hearing stuff like this. Just getting out there in the woods and enjoying it, without all the fancy marketing stuff.
Did you manage to get into some elk ??

Ah man..... Saw elk every day but couldn't close the deal. If I was rifle hunting, would have been game over opening morning. I blew it pretty hard opening morning, had them all around my camp and was hot and horny to get out instead of taking my time and got out of my tent at 430 and was face to face with a cow at 30 yards in the moonlight. She barked and was an elk stampede after that. Lesson learned but was an awesome experience. I saw like a handful of tracks that were several days old where I camped, had I known I was going to be in a herd I would have been elsewhere. Here is a video of the night. Had a campfire going and all the sudden bugles rip off right behind me

 

[C.F.]

Ah man..... Saw elk every day but couldn't close the deal. If I was rifle hunting, would have been game over opening morning. I blew it pretty hard opening morning, had them all around my camp and was hot and horny to get out instead of taking my time and got out of my tent at 430 and was face to face with a cow at 30 yards in the moonlight. She barked and was an elk stampede after that. Lesson learned but was an awesome experience. I saw like a handful of tracks that were several days old where I camped, had I known I was going to be in a herd I would have been elsewhere. Here is a video of the night. Had a campfire going and all the sudden bugles rip off right behind me

That’s the kind of experiences that get you hooked for life. Just watching that has me pumped up for September. Sounds like it was an excellent hunt !