First Solo DIY Backcountry Elk Bow Hunt - Gear Breakdown

[jmez]

We used iodine tables this fall and I really liked them. Is there downside to using those? Way easier than a filter


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I don't like the taste with the iodine tabs, even after it has been deactivated I can still smell it and taste it. I wouldn't drink near as much water using them because of that issue.

I use a Sawyer mini inline on my bladders. They are cheap and I just replace them every year. The area I hunt has running streams so getting pretty clean water and plugging isn't an issue form me. I use a SG pack and the bladder hangs on the frame, loosen a couple straps, pop the quick connect, dunk the bladder and reattach. Takes less than a minute.

Works very well. I wouldn't recommend it if you don't know the water situation going in however. Plugging could be a major issue and you also need a source that allows you to dunk an entire bladder.

 

[samuelayres]

Definitely doing a ton of training right now. I've changed up my diet completely (not to mention ordering a s***-ton of Mountain Ops). I'm working with a personal trainer once a week. Aside from that, I'm lifting/exercising at home for an hour most every morning and walking with a loaded pack (and two dogs) through the Hollywood hills behind my apt a few nights a week. Weekends, I load up a pack and pick an interesting hike up into the San Gabriel Mountains. I've got my current pack up to 50lbs currently and am hoping to get it over 100lbs in a couple months.

I get a lot of people encouraging me to bring a buddy (not to mention my parents who seem to think I'm still ten years old). Unfortunately, most of my buddies aren't the type to go out and do things of this nature. Plus, call it pride... But, I want to be able to say that the first elk I took was on my own, with a bow on public lands... However long it takes me.

 

[Flydaho]

Lots of good advice here, you came to the right place to bounce ideas off people. My additions to the conversation:

Most important point: Weight = Distance. Every ounce you put on your back, will reduce the distance you can hike. Really get mean with yourself and scrutinize every item you are taking into the woods.

1. Kifaru Sawtooth is a hell of a shelter for a solo trip, especially at 72 ounces. Could you get away with something smaller and lighter? Megatarp? There are 2 reasons to take a single wall shelter into the woods. #1 - Its lighter per square foot than a standard double wall tent. #2 - you can use a stove in it. Since you aren't taking a stove with you, why go with such a big shelter that weighs more than a standard backpacking tent (unless you are planting it 10 feet away from your truck)?

2. Forget the lifestraw, like lots of people have said. If you are worried about the extra weight of a katadyne hiker pro (or equivelant), go with Aqua Mira drops. The two eye-dropper size bottles together weigh about 2 oz. The only down-side is you have to wait 30 minutes to drink the water.

3. Forget the tri-pod. No need for it since you aren't bringing a spotter. Elbows on the knees work fine for binos.

4. Get rid of the solar charger/power bank. You are out in the woods for a reason, enjoy the ability to unplug for a while. Keep your iphone in your pack, but only turn it on for your glory pics after you down your bull.

4. 40 cal and bear spray, pick one or the other. But a 40 cal, loaded, weighs a lot more than spray.

5. Since you are buying new boots, be sure to break them in well before your trip. Bad blisters can end your hunt in its tracks; because as you know, elk hunting involves a lot of hiking.

6. Get a 4' x 4' piece of Tyvek or heat shrink plastic for a ground cover when butchering your elk. It weighs next to nothing and it will help you keep your meat clean since you won't have anybody to hold up the quarters while you drop them into a game bag. Unless you are a beast and can lift an elk quarter with one arm.

7. Get VERY familiar with whatever method you plan to use for field dressing your animal (I like the gutless method). Since it sounds like you have little to no experience in hunting, you should study up on this. You could potentially leave the bone saw at home, depending on how you want to do it.

8. You have both a bear grylls fire starter, and an arc lighter in your day pack. You could probably leave one at camp.

Good luck on your hunt. Do a few dry runs with your gear over the summer before you take it out on the hunt. Being familiar with your gear is essential.

-Flydaho

 

[theleo91386]

I get a lot of people encouraging me to bring a buddy (not to mention my parents who seem to think I'm still ten years old). Unfortunately, most of my buddies aren't the type to go out and do things of this nature. Plus, call it pride... But, I want to be able to say that the first elk I took was on my own, with a bow on public lands... However long it takes me.

Pride and ego go hand in hand, leave them at home. You're talking about doing a backcountry, camping out, DIY, elk hunt in ruff country. If you can get someone to go with you then take them. If somebody rides past you with stock 6 miles in, has couple of empty mules to put your elk on, and offers to pack it to your rig, take them up on the offer. The truth of back country hunting is far different from what TV and social media portrays it to be. What your taking on is a task of humility and misery, so save the pride and chest thumping till you actually know what you're doing. What you're talking about is roughly equivalent to me kicking Mike Tyson in the nuts, and expecting to win the fight even though I have no training in fighting. If I won that fight it'd be out of pure luck and I wouldn't be in good enough shape to take pride in it. Take and solicit help where you can and the learning curve will be much better for you.

 

[fngTony]

I recommend reading the "first trip out west" post. I believe one is a sticky the other isn't but the name were Ross and Adam? It was an ongoing thread about their entire journey including gear and the hunt. Members chimmed in with advice.

Gear wise I would approach it from here in sub categories so you aren't overwhelmed.

Get some altitude experience and side hill practice, even if its just a ditch.

Getting your pack and boots and weapon dialed in trump saving four ounces by not bringing a powerbank.

 

[Walker6]

Sam, your gear list looks fine. Heed the water filter advice, get some MH meals and some snacks, and you'll figure the rest out. You will find that your gear list will look different in season 2.

Take a buddy if you can.

And pants, always wear pants.

 

[lintond]

Hey all... I'm definitely rather inexperienced when it comes to hunting, let alone that of the backcountry variety. This year, I'll be doing my very first major hunt... a solo DIY backcountry elk bow hunt in Idaho (unless I'm unbelievably lucky in Arizona) probably the second week of September for (pending vacation time) eight days. I, apparently, don't like starting small.

I've got a Google Sheet going that's breaking down my current gear list. Looks like I'm not the first one to think this, but I'd love to get some feedback from the experts on what I've got going so far. Anything with an "X" in the far left column is an item I've already purchased or already had. There's several items I haven't gotten around to adding weight for and several items that still need decisions made about what to purchase. Would love to see what you think so far though!

Here's the Google Sheet:
Solo DIY Backcountry Elk Bow Hunt Gear Breakdown

Don't let the backcountry scare you. A few years ago I did something similar. I went from limited hunting experience to bow hunting solo in the wilderness. I am still alive and kicking today and live for getting out in the backcountry.

Looking through the comments there are some good suggestions. If you haven't gone solo before I suggest a couple summer trips to get comfortable with being alone. It really is harder than you'd think.


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[4rcgoat]

Consider adding a couple feet of dental floss to your list. Just last year i experienced something ive never experienced before. 4 miles into the Wyoming wilderness was chowing down on some crunchy organic granola bar and had some kind of hard seed jam between my back molars, what started out as a minor inconvenience turned into a throbbing pain after 2 days of failed attempts to remove it. Had to high tail it back to my truck ( where i also didnt have any floss). Thankfully i only lived an hour away,10 seconds with some floss and it popped out,will forever have some floss with me.

 

[Beendare]

Plenty of threads on gear lists if you search. Then do some weekend trial runs to refine your list from there.
If you have a rifle- why carry a pistol or bear spray?

Btw, you are much better off making day trips to find the animals before you pack in somewhere. Good luck