Gearing Up For Elk

[Outdoorsmans_Blake]

Hello Roksliders,

With draw results coming in each week we want to know whos credit cards got hit and where the hunt will take them this year? We are also curious about the gear you take with you in the field. Please share with us and the Rokslide community what is one piece of equipment that will never leave your pack or set up and what is one piece you need to upgrade?

For me personally, I got drawn for a Unit 7w cow tag in Arizona and one piece of equipment that will never leave my pack is my Outdoorsmans Tall Tripod and Panhead. Looking back at last season I need to upgrade my rifle scope to a more optically clear scope, some scopes I had in mind were the Z8i and the X5 from Swarovski.

Please share your thoughts and your setups with us!

 

[One-shot]

Given that EVERYTHING in the pack is essential, I envisioned this as a no backpack question. Assuming hydration is a given, the ONE other tool besides rifle is the folding Buck knife with additional saw blade. It fits in pocket or on belt and works great! The tripod is pretty important, but if I can get close enough, I wouldn't need the pod.

 

[5MilesBack]

My bugle and reeds. Without them, I'm just out there on a sightseeing trip. Everything in my pack is essential so that stays the same. Nothing needs upgrading, I've been fine-tuning my gear for 35+ years, but the last 5 or so it's pretty much stayed the same except for a new bow in 2015. I owe my buddy this year, so his CO ML elk hunt is priority #1. I really wanted to put in for 2nd archery in NM, but with CO's late ML this year it conflicts with NM's 2nd archery. So I put in for 1st archery in the Gila......just in case I draw. Moose is always a wild card.........would love to draw, but the season is long so I can hunt before ML and after is need be. Then my CO elk tag........have no idea what that will be until I buy it. No chance of drawing what I want, so either leftover or OTC.

 

[Andrew11]

I would have to say a good headlamp. My headlamp died right before a hunt last year. Threw in a couple cheep headlamps that i had laying around the house, not expecting to need them on this hunt. Found out the hard way when packing an animal out in the dark. Did replace it right after hunt.

 

[FLAK]

I know nothing about Elk hunting. But if I do draw this fall,
I will have some paracord with me. Multiple uses.

 

[flyfishaz]

AZ unit 23 late rifle bull. I'll have a Fierce Firearms Edge in .300 Win Mag loaded with Hornady 200g ELD-X traveling at 2960 fps.

 

[Outdoorsmans_Blake]

Given that EVERYTHING in the pack is essential, I envisioned this as a no backpack question. Assuming hydration is a given, the ONE other tool besides rifle is the folding Buck knife with additional saw blade. It fits in pocket or on belt and works great! The tripod is pretty important, but if I can get close enough, I wouldn't need the pod.

Hello One-shot,

That's a solid choice of a pack essential, a good knife can go a long way in the field, I always hunt with my tripod so it never leaves my pack. Thanks for the Input and response!

 

[Outdoorsmans_Blake]

I know nothing about Elk hunting. But if I do draw this fall,
I will have some paracord with me. Multiple uses.

Hello Flak,
Survival equipment is a huge essential in a pack, multiple uses and very durable. I need to grab some more before my next hunt. Thanks for the response!

 

[jcoole4]

Idaho OTC archery, a reliable GPS unit.... everything looks the same in the dark!