Gearing up - Prioritizing a Budget

[DSY_WA]

Optics are an item that should not be skimped out on, no one has ever hiked miles and gotten to their glassing point only to wish that their spotter/binos were crappier.

If you plan on an extended trip (out of state, multiple days of leave from work, etc) I would recommend spending money on good rain gear if you don't have some means of getting completely dry every night. After getting soaked on the first day of a backpack hunt and having to hike out two days early, I decided that the couple hundred dollars I spent on that gear would be well worth it each time I didn't have to quit because I was wet. So far I am glad that I had that mentality, been through some downpours and coming out dry and being able to continue hunting is well worth the money spent on the rain gear. When you factor in the cost for your tag and time away from family/friends/work, it seems like a pretty simple choice to me.

Boots also fall into the same category as rain gear in my eyes, all for the exact same reasons.

Some things that I think you could save some money on would be the clothing you're wearing day to day when actually hunting. You can find earth tone clothing that is adequate for most situations, Eddie Bauer is kind of my go to stop for those sort of items. They have some nice hiking pants and tops that I enjoy hunting with.

 

[trophyhill]

Seriously?! That is the worst advice I've ever seen given in regards to elk hunting!!! More giant elk have been killed do to good glass than any other piece of equipment combined!! It is the SINGLE most import piece of equipment in elk hunting. Even tho I kill giant bulls every year, don't take my word for it. Do your research and watch guys that kill good bulls every year. No, not the youtube caller crowd, guys that really know how to hunt and guide. You will see them behind their glass more than anything else!!! The things I read on here

I disagree if we are talking bowhunting. I rarely ever use glass. However if I were rifle hunting I would definitely agree that good glass is a must and I might even bring my spotter.

 

[MuleyFever]

Seriously?! That is the worst advice I've ever seen given in regards to elk hunting!!! More giant elk have been killed do to good glass than any other piece of equipment combined!! It is the SINGLE most import piece of equipment in elk hunting. Even tho I kill giant bulls every year, don't take my word for it. Do your research and watch guys that kill good bulls every year. No, not the youtube caller crowd, guys that really know how to hunt and guide. You will see them behind their glass more than anything else!!! The things I read on here

I could have left my optics home on my last elk hunt. Unless you are counting inches you can spot an elk from a long way pretty easily. Spend your money on boots, a good pack, a decent sleep system and decent cloths to get started.

 

[Blacktail_Packer]

I skipped 2 1/2 pages of responses but, camofire is your friend. I started making the transition to more backcountry friendly gear from “truck camping” gear last year. Black Ovis merino is good I wear there boxes daily lightweight base layers under work clothes regularly and have 2 qz hoodies that I basically live in if I’m not at work.
watch the classifieds there’s good deals there also.
Boots and sleep system.

cascade mountain tech trekking poles off amazon, good binos and a tripod.

 

[Creekrat]

I know boots have been mentioned and I saw one mention of insoles. Do yourself a favor and go to a podiatrist and get custom orthotics where they mold your feet and in turn you get an insole that’s is custom fit to your feet.

 

[Trial153]

Getting good glass up front from the start is long term money saver.
Next on my list would be good boots.

 

[cnelk]

Seriously?! That is the worst advice I've ever seen given in regards to elk hunting!!! More giant elk have been killed do to good glass than any other piece of equipment combined!! It is the SINGLE most import piece of equipment in elk hunting. Even tho I kill giant bulls every year, don't take my word for it. Do your research and watch guys that kill good bulls every year. No, not the youtube caller crowd, guys that really know how to hunt and guide. You will see them behind their glass more than anything else!!! The things I read on here

Sorry. Not true for everyone.

 

[cnelk]

I could have left my optics home on my last elk hunt. Unless you are counting inches you can spot an elk from a long way pretty easily. Spend your money on boots, a good pack, a decent sleep system and decent cloths to get started.

^^^ Good info

 

[brsnow]

Most elk are taken with inexpensive rifles and no optics. The most important part is the be safe, so quality base layers and clothing, nice fitting boots. You don’t need camo. Add the expensive items as you learn your style and what is important to you.

 

[btplass]

I bought most of my gear used on various forum classifieds with the exception of my boots.

I recommend getting a good pack well before season and hike a good bit with some weight in it. I bought 1 pack from a budget company that made my legs numb after 30 min of hiking with 40lbs in it. Then I bought a mystery ranch NICE frame Metcalf and was able to load it up to 108lbs with no trouble. I bought the pack 2nd hand for about $300.

Now is the time for getting your gear purchased so you have plenty of time to test it.

Cheers.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[satchamo]

Seriously?! That is the worst advice I've ever seen given in regards to elk hunting!!! More giant elk have been killed do to good glass than any other piece of equipment combined!! It is the SINGLE most import piece of equipment in elk hunting. Even tho I kill giant bulls every year, don't take my word for it. Do your research and watch guys that kill good bulls every year. No, not the youtube caller crowd, guys that really know how to hunt and guide. You will see them behind their glass more than anything else!!! The things I read on here

Uhhhh no it’s not. Go hunt thick timber. I’ve seen plenty of elk and barely ever had binos out in the process.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Kevin_t]

For me , sept is trail runners , smaller binocs, etc.
In general , I prioritize mobility and speed and a bivy setup . For clothes , I prioritize breathability .

More specifically my kit may look like the following
1 Sitka base layer and pants or Prana pants
2 mid layer ( I like Sitka , Arc’teryx and a few others .. breathability
3. Puffy vest
4 . Light rain jacket
5. 8x Binos on a Rick young harness
6. Silex / DST or similar
7 . Appropriate sleep system like a western mountaineering astralight quilt or terralite bag
8. Enough pack to carry it

For more extended trips later in sept I may move to a bigger shelter / stove especially if I’m splitting it with someone else


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Indian Summer]

Clothes are gear. I realize that with the cost of Sitka it would be considered a high end investment. But it will help you both physically and mentally to be warm... but not too warm, dry and comfortable. Whatever brand you choose get a layering system that stretches and doesn’t restrict movement.

 

[Indian Summer]

And just realize that even if you bivy hunt you’ll need a base camp where you can regroup and dry everything out. I’d never leave home without a wall tent and wood stove regardless of my hunting style. Compared to bows, guns, binoculars and boots they are dirt cheap too.

 

[Wilks54]

You physical body, then mental preparedness. Spend as much money as you possibly can to cover those two first. After that boots, sleep system and then pack.

It doesn't matter how great you were equipment is if you don't have the body in the mental game to back it up nothing else matters. If you are physically fit, and mentally strong you can overcome a lot of obstacles without top end gear.

PGohil
WV

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

This. Totally this. Be as physically fit and mentally tough as you can be. Mentally tough as in not only being able to stay in the game, but also tough with being prepared. Pour over maps, go scout if you can, know the area. Be ready for it all, including being disappointed that first, second, or third time you go out. It's a grind. Be ready and be tougher than that other guy that gives up after day 3.

Then, boots.

 

[Randle]

This vv changed it alittle

Most elk taken during archery season are with no optics. The most important part is the be safe, so quality base layers and clothing, nice fitting boots. You don’t need camo. Add the expensive items as you learn your style and what is important to you.

 

[Whiskey_Fish]

If buying less gear gets you more gas, food and affordable time off do it. That's what truly seems to drive success in my opinion. I'm pretty sure I had some Cabela's camo, an old-school frame pack, and a 400$ bow for the first season my buddy and I both killed elk. Life is different now and I can afford the better toys. If you want the gear go for it. But be sure to really think about your destination. Where we've killed most of our elk, you couldn't see them more than 50 yds away, so maybe you could throw the binos at em.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Marble]

Thanks, ultimately I want to be doing backcountry hunts. But I don’t want to be that guy who’s unprepared and in over his head. Thanks for the advice.

You can do back country hunts your first year. Just do some dry runs back packing in to wherever you can go this summer and practice. Get some experience. I think it's the most valuable tool and the hardest to get.

You'll learn the lessons a lot of us took years to figure out.

 

[Marble]

In order of importance

Boots
Pack
Sleep system
Clothes

 

[ryjack70ss]

Great advice. I am in a similar position. A question about boots for those of us that live in the Midwest, making it difficult to try on good boots. Every where I read people mention how individualized boot choices are. Any advice on how to find a good fitting pair? We have an REI and Cabela’s, but minimal choices are I stock. Do people just order a bunch on the credit card and return those unused?

Thanks
Ryan


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk