Gear List

[akircher49]

Hey Everyone. I am a FNG to Rokslide and the Backcountry hunting scene. I need some validation or recommendations on gear for an upcoming hunt 3rd Season Rifle Elk hunt in GMU 81 in southern Colorado. Like I said I am new to the backcountry hunting community, but I do have some military/survival experience so I am not a total newbie when it comes to surviving the elements.

I plan to hike into the BC for 2-4 days and then head back to the car to resupply, so with all that here is my list:

Mystery Ranch Metcalf 75
Kelty Late Start 2p Tent
Alliance Treking Poles
Big Agnes Divide Insulated Sleeping Pad (R Value 4)
US Army 4 Part Sleep System (0 degree Bag)
Zoleo GPS SOS Device
Fire Starting Kit
Kill Kit (Knife, Tag, Pen, Gloves, Game Bags, Sharpener)
Jet Boil or Equivalent

Kuiu Attack Pant
Lightweight Polyester Base Layer (Upper and Lower) 2 Sets
Midweight Polypro Waffle Layer (Top Only)
US Army Surplus Level 4 Jacket (Wind Layer/Lightweight Warming Layer)
FirstLite Primer Puffy Jacket
Generic Rain Jacket and Pants (Amazon Essentials?)
Primaloft Puffy Pants (US Army Surplus)
Midweight Merino Socks 2 sets
Crispi Nevada GTX Boots
Gaiters (don't remember what brand I Have)
Mittens (would love recommendations)

Vortex Glasspack
Vortex Diamondback 10x Binos
Vortex Crossfire LRF
Vortex MTN Pass Tripod
Leupold SX-4
Glassing Pad

For all of those who take a look I really appreciate it. I am going this journey alone thus far, and this will be my first hunt out West this upcoming year.

 

[LCguy]

This seems fine to me. Sleep system is probably a little heavy and bulky but it'll work just fine. I would only bring one pair of base layers and switch it to wool but that's just me. How long is your hunt? Why would you need to resupply? I would add a water filter in here as well.

 

[akircher49]

Thank you for the reply @LCguy. The season is 7 days long so I would resupply if needed and then head back out for the final 2 -3 days. Yes I will bring a sawyer squeeze and some chlorine tabs as a back up.

 

[Idagnome]

Depending on weather make sure your rain gear is bomber. Cold and wet will make you want to leave. Warm and dry and you’ll hang.

Also check out some of the other threads on this page that lighterpack or equivalent. It will give you a good idea of what other folks are bringing and the weight.

 

[CMF]

I'd second using lighterpack.com. You might get more recommendations if you have the weights posted. For example, a kill kit is required gear. But if your kill kit is 2 or 3 pounds, you could probably do better.

I'd question whether you really need the tripod and spotting scope. I don't know the unit or your expectations, but if you're hunting for any bull elk, you probably don't need a spotter. There's a thread in optics right now about this.
Hike out to resupply, as in you're committed to an area, and you'll leave camp in one spot the entire season? If so, just bring 7 days of food. But if you haven't seen anything in a few days, it may be worth moving areas entirely.

 

[akircher49]

Y'all thank you for the replies! I had never heard about lighter pack before this, but I put everything in and my dry weight is just south of 35 lbs. So with 3 days of food roughly weighing 4 lbs, and 2.5 L of water weighing 5 lbs I am looking at a pack weight of roughly 44 lbs at the trailhead. It is certainly not ultralight, but it is not over my ideal 45 lb weight.

I am a big guy 6'4" and 260 lbs so all my clothes/gear naturally just weigh more, so I have to keep that in mind as well.

I will look into the need of the spotter and whether or not I want to splurge and upgrade my sleep system, because those are the two areas where I can shed some weight since the bag is very heavy.

As far as the hike out/resupply. I only said that because I did not want to haul around 7-8lbs of food. In my opinion it also essentially would force me to relocate and see new country if there were no bulls.

 

[Kenai_dtracker]

In my opinion, if you are looking for just a legal bull, you probably do not need a spotter and bino's are just fine. For mittens, I use leather choppers with wool liners. Waterproof the mittens, and two pairs of liner in case you sweat or one pair gets wet.

I hunted 3rd rifle in 2019 in NW CO and opening morning is was -14, so be prepared, and have a plan B and C. Carry enough food for extra days just in case, and be prepared to keep your water from freezing. Altitude and dehydration will kick your butt fast. In November with early nights, be sure nice to have a tent that can take a stove.

 

[mike.adams.467]

Y'all thank you for the replies! I had never heard about lighter pack before this, but I put everything in and my dry weight is just south of 35 lbs. So with 3 days of food roughly weighing 4 lbs, and 2.5 L of water weighing 5 lbs I am looking at a pack weight of roughly 44 lbs at the trailhead. It is certainly not ultralight, but it is not over my ideal 45 lb weight.

I am a big guy 6'4" and 260 lbs so all my clothes/gear naturally just weigh more, so I have to keep that in mind as well.

I will look into the need of the spotter and whether or not I want to splurge and upgrade my sleep system, because those are the two areas where I can shed some weight since the bag is very heavy.

As far as the hike out/resupply. I only said that because I did not want to haul around 7-8lbs of food. In my opinion it also essentially would force me to relocate and see new country if there were no bulls.

Better add in the weight of a rifle and ammo, unless I missed it.

 

[blackhawk219]

I would definitely bring a pillow of some sort as I don't see that listed. I've done the no pillow while using clothing as one, and a pillow is definitely worth it. As others have said, your biggest weight savings could come from upgrading the sleep system. The army system will work, but it's heavy. Up to you if that is worth the investment. Other than that I agree with others about using wool base layers especially if you're only bringing one pair. Synthetic will stink after a few days of constant wear. Again, if that's something that matters to you and if it's worth the money.