Equipment needed for elk hunt

[Shake_n_Bake]

I’ve got a kuiu puffy and Sitka light and medium layers for the uppers.

For pants I’m 4 years into a pair of Swedish army surplus wool cargos. Pretty tough and the water and odor resistance of wool.

They don’t have the weight advantage of the high end stuff sold now but I’m good with that. They were made in the 60s or something.

Got mine at the Jax outdoors in Fort Collins but I see them also online at armynavysales.com for like $45.


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[LargeFarva]

Eddie Bauer guide pants in solid - both regular and the fleece lined. Can find them for under $50 each.

 

[CAH]

I try to make sure I pack a clear and strong mind. It usually holds up for 3 days and then starts to crumble when I'm not finding anything.

 

[Wapiti1]

Wrangler outdoor cargo pants. 2 pairs. 2 pair long undies, one light, one medium. Mine are a wool blend from Terramar. They have held up much better than the 100% merino that they replaced. This will take me through the entire season in MT unless it gets below zero.

I wear one pair of pants until I kill something, or I help with a kill. I have yet to find a way to keep myself from getting blood all over my pants. At that point, I wash them in the creek, and wear the other pair.

The Wranglers are under $30 and very tough pants.

Jeremy

 

[Real_fatlander]

Later rifle hunts may require a little more insulation but for me in September this is all I need:

Underwear x2
Socks x3
Pants - Sitka timberlines
Shirt - Sitka core lightweight
Hoody - Sitka traverse
Puffy jacket - El Cheapo amazon basics
Rain Gear - Kuiu Northridge

If all of your gear can’t fit in a pack, you’ve got too much junk.


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[CTaylor]

I bought several pair of the Eddie Bauer pants from Costco. Found them on sale for 15 dollars, dark brown. They are going to make a great early season pant. Might be worth checking the website

 

[Napperm4]

I don’t think I even own 4-5 pairs of pants. I bring one pair any time I’m in the backcountry. Backpacking or hunting. Never needed more aside from rain pants in wet or snowy seasons.

I love the Kuiu kutana pants. Solids are great for every day casual wear, hiking and hunting.

I had some of the firstlite corrugate guides and obsidians prior to the Kuiu. The obsidian aren’t great at anything. The corrugates were ok for comfort but i hate the skinny jean look and tight lower legs on them.

 

[Indian Summer]

Later rifle hunts may require a little more insulation but for me in September this is all I need:

Underwear x2
Socks x3
Pants - Sitka timberlines
Shirt - Sitka core lightweight
Hoody - Sitka traverse
Puffy jacket - El Cheapo amazon basics
Rain Gear - Kuiu Northridge

If all of your gear can’t fit in a pack, you’ve got too much junk.


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Not wearing a base layer under those Timberlines?

 

[Real_fatlander]

Not wearing a base layer under those Timberlines?

Negative.


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[LightFoot]

I agree with most of the above comments.

Only need 1 pair and layers for underneath. Your second pair should be for the drive/flight home.

My second pair (think back up pair or drive home) is usually hiking pants that zip off to shorts. I have had to use them hunting when my primary pants were too hot for an unexpected increase in temperature in late season AZ.

Think more about your base layers than the pants. Base layer bottoms and insulation is cheaper and lighter than 4 more pair of pants.

>>>----JAKE----->

 

[P Y Buck]

Badlands Merino wool base layers has served me well for both whitetail hunting and elk hunting. I primarily use it for odor control in September for elk. It comes in a 160 weight and a 190 weight.

 

[Gatorgrizz27]

One pair of pants, 2 pairs of boxers, 2 pairs of socks and liners. Swap those out every day. No reason for more than that on the bottom besides a base layer and rain pants. Carry tenacious tape in the event of a bad rip.

I tested my KUIU attack pants thoroughly for stink before taking them hunting. Hiked with a pack in 95 degree heat, 95% humidity for 2 hours or so. My shirt would be shiny from soaking through with so much sweat. I’d take the pants off, ball them up in my car so they didn’t have a chance to air out, and do the same thing the next day. After a week there was a slight smell from the taint area but that’s it. This was sans merino boxers.

I have some gym shorts that you can put on after taking a shower, walk out the the mailbox and back, crouch down, and the smell makes you want to puke.

 

[Ralphie]

I guide in Wyoming starting in September and ending with a November season. Although I’m not guiding that whole time. I’ve got about $50 in my pants for all hunts. One pair wrangler outdoor pants and one pair of the same only fleece lined. Spare of each I guess would make it $100. If it’s a truck camp or you are not otherwise limited on what you can take though bring extras. Who cares. But I get the budget deal. And with that you do not need Sitka, kuiu, FL or whatever other trendy brand there is. And you don’t really need to sacrifice performance. If you want them and can swing it then have at it. Lots of my hunters have full outfits. I don’t think any of them are better off than me. I might think about that more if I was headed somewhere rainy.

I usually rotate through two pairs of long underwear and socks, let the previous days air out during the day. Not absolutely necessary but nice.

 

[taz_gerstman]

So I want to thank everyone for their input and please keep it coming. Thankfully I am able to afford whatever hunting items I need or want. However with that being said I still like to save but I will not sacrifice overall comfort and performance. I have been hunting overal for 30 years so I have had some time to figure out what does and does not work for me. I like sitka because it performs well and works well for me. kuiu I have not tried yet and so far I have one piece of FL so far. Pants wise I like Duluth’s dry on the fly pants so may invest in a few pair of those as well

 

[Rich M]

I wear jeans and bring 3 pair. 1 to travel there and scoutand start the hunt in, 2nd pair to hunt in, 3rd pair for the ride home. Sox and underwear are pretty much a pair a day.

1 pair long John's.

 

[BigPine]

I’m a fan of Prana Zion pants. I wear a solid brown with a Sitka camo shirt . I take one pair of pants , merino baselayer and 2 weights of shirts and a jacket. The pranks are super light ; tough and dry out in no time.

 

[Yote1]

Great information.

 

[OFFHNTN]

Good day everyone. Hope all that are sheltered in place are finding things to do. So I have a few questions about elk hunting and gear. A few years ago I went on a guided elk hunt in New Mexico and since that was my first one I took everything and the kitchen sink only to realize later that I brought way too much. This year we have applied to the same outfit in New Mexico in hopes of drawing rifle tags. My dilemma is the qty of clothing to take especially pants. I am in the market to buy clothing from Sitka or first lite and pants are not cheap and are always difficult for me due to my odd size. They will have to be hemmed. So I was thinking almost 4 or 5 pair to wear while hunting and back up pairs. I don’t plan on buying until after the draw results anyways so I have some time. Just wanted to get an idea of what all the pros here usually take along. I know guided hunts are different than diy hunts but elaborate on all. Thanks

4-5 is too much of anything in my opinion. But is this a lodge based hunt, or horseback/backpack pack-in hunt? If you can drive to camp and you hunt out of that every day, then bring more than you need. If it's a pack-in and you are restricted, that is another thing. Also, how many days will you be hunting?

 

[mtview]

Newer MT resident here who was just in your shoes. After trial and error I take 2 pair during archery. One rain and another Kuhl pants I wear all the time outside of season. I tend to wear my Kuhl pants with gaiters more than anything else. But hunting the thick stuff here will be a lot different than NM.

 

[taz_gerstman]

hello everyone. well the wait is finally over. I drew an elk tag for NM for October rifle season. I am really excited. Same unit as I hunted several years ago for archery and same guide. I just love talking about elk hunting and this will only be my second time to go. haha. So I have just about everything that I need from clothing to firearms to accessories and great optics to awesome boots, etc. but there may be something I am missing. So since I enjoy talking about the upcoming season and I have already started putting my list together and checking it twice how about everyone here share with me some ideas on things I may need that you never would have thought of until actually there. Now remember I will be with an outfitter so some things are covered with that aspect. Yes I will have toilet paper as well. that is number 1 on the list. hahaha has anyone ever hunted NM in October rifle season. 17th - 21st. maybe you can give me some insight on things. thanks and I always look forward to the feedback as it has been very helpful in my hunting adventures.