Elk Hunting Cost and Gear List

[Backpack Hunter]

Oh, I had some Honey Stinger Strawberry chews thrown in for each day as well.

 

[cnelk]

You didnt even have time to lose any weight!

Nice job on the cow and the list(s)

 

[Jd259]

I don't even want to know what your pack weighed now lol thanks for the info man it's very helpful for some one like myself who's just gettin into the pack style hunting.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

If it matters all of the food easily fit into three of the Kifaru Mega Pullouts. Definitely the heaviest portion of the pack.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

You didnt even have time to lose any weight!

Nice job on the cow and the list(s)

I saw your posts on meat weights, congrats to you as well.

 

[5MilesBack]

Yes, cow down opening day.

Cost of hunt
OTC Either sex elk tag $651

You could have saved about $300 by just getting a cow tag.

Ya, I know.......if you had a "cow only" tag you would have seen nothing but bulls.

 

[cnelk]

Actually a NR cow tag is only $160 less [$644 - $484]

 

[5MilesBack]

Actually a NR cow tag is only $160 less [$644 - $484]

Holy crap. When did they raise that? It was just $350 for a cow tag pretty recently.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

^^Exactly why I got the either sex. No sense limiting my options for $160. Either way I was hoping that guys would see how affordable it can be to go elk hunting. Most folks don't rent a car, and even with decreased gas mileage that is still probably around $400 less. I'm sure if a person were to plan out hotel stops or shop around for cheaper prices those costs could have been cut in half, so it should be fairly easy for an eastern guy to be able to hunt elk for less than $1,500 including the price of tags.

 

[bowhnt]

First trip west for me this year. I won't be renting a car so that will save me a few hundred bucks to buy the ridiculously expensive gear I NEED


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[DWinVA]

Great thread.

How did you get the meat back (coolers, dry ice, etc.)?

God Bless.

 

[label027]

I'm sure if a person were to plan out hotel stops or shop around for cheaper prices those costs could have been cut in half, so it should be fairly easy for an eastern guy to be able to hunt elk for less than $1,500 including the price of tags.

Assuming you don't have to purchase any gear.. That's where I ran into trouble. I told my wife the trip will be less than $2K. I realized quickly the gear I hunt with around home should probably be upgraded for out west. I think I blacked out for a few days and next thing I know I had packages showing up at my door just about every day.

I'll be set for gear now and well into the future, but I don't think my wife will believe me when I tell her less than $2K next year!

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Quite right on good gear being expensive. It is worth noting though that when I started hunting out west I had a Wal-Mart tent, military surplus clothing, and a cheap Camp Trails external frame backpack that literally rattled with every step. So expensive gear makes life easier, but is not necessarily needed.

Esse quam videri

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Great thread.

How did you get the meat back (coolers, dry ice, etc.)?

God Bless.

Cheap 55qt coolers and regular ice.

Esse quam videri

 

[George]

Congrats on the cow!!

Question though, do you have sinus issues when you get out here coming from NC? Zyrtec and sinus spray area must have for me. I guess it is the lack of oppressive humidity but I can hardly breathe like my sinuses are congested but they are bone freakin dry.

Snort water.

G

 

[timekiller13]

Not counting gear, your biggest expense is the tag and fuel to get out there. Last year, Dad and I split fuel costs. About $200/each is what we spent (3500 miles at 18mpg average gas prices about $2.25). This year, my uncle is going with us so that will reduce fuel costs a little more. I don't know what I spent on food. Tried not to stop and get fast food, although we did grab a breakfast biscuit on the way out there and a subway sandwich on the way back and ate one meal in town at the end of the hunt. Food in camp was all pre-cooked meals that could be easily warmed back up.

If you don't have to buy any gear, you can do it for less than $1500. But, most of us easterners don't have some of the stuff that would be needed, such as pack frames and the like. My biggest expense outside of tag and travel was a frame/bag. Bought a used Kuiu 6000 and 1850 with frame for about $290. I used the frame and 1850 bag last year while hunting, used the 6000 for practice hikes and storing clothes. Ended up selling the 6000 bag and frame and used that money to purchase a Kifaru set up. Other gear can be purchased here and there. If you base camp/truck camping, you can get away with heavy sleeping bags, heavy tents and such. I want to try the backpacking thing so I have slowly started to purchase more gear here and there. Just keep an eye on the classifieds and you can get some deals.

 

[Felix40]

It sure helps to split the costs with some friends too. Coming from Texas we have split it three ways almost every year and it comes out to less than $900 a person. When you add up the money I spend to drive to work every day for a week and a half it works out almost the same as splitting gas to CO three ways. So at the end of the trip Im barely spending more than the cost of the tag.

 

[seldomseensmith]

Why rent a car? Just curious.

 

[ChrisS]

Why rent a car? Just curious.

Not sure for him, but better gas mileage or less wear and tear on your own. I drove out last year and it cost me ~$600 in gas. I have an older rig that's in good condition, but it does have 100K+ miles on it. Having something like the water pump go somewhere in west Kansas at midnight makes me reconsider driving out again.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Why rent a car? Just curious.

My car has around 230K on it. Not sure how well it would have made the trip. If something broke it would have cost around the same as the car plus whatever the time interruption would have been.

Esse quam videri