Help! Fathers Day OK for first elk hunt

[Hplayer13]

A Hail Mary effort got the ok for me to head west... I’m in desperate need of trying to get gear and learn as much as I can... anyone know of a good way to buy used gear and throw me some beginner tips.

 

[Pgohil]

Classifieds on here, and read read read. Believe it or not all the information you need to be successful can be found within the pages of rockside. Study them and ask questions afterwards.

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[idahohikker]

A Hail Mary effort got the ok for me to head west... I’m in desperate need of trying to get gear and learn as much as I can... anyone know of a good way to buy used gear and throw me some beginner tips.

Ive operated on a fairly limited budget because of some investments I’m focused on right now. Maven C1 or Vortex Diamondback 10x Binos are great entry level binos. If you want a spotter, the Athlon Ares is a fantastic mid range one. For everything but archery elk or highly timbered areas like N Idaho I think it’s a must if possible. Stay away from hunting brands and you can save tons of money on clothes. North face, Marmot, OR are all better quality than the hunting brands overall and with regular sales they’re way cheaper too. Get boots and a pack used or on sale but realize those are very important items.

 

[Hplayer13]

Ive operated on a fairly limited budget because of some investments I’m focused on right now. Maven C1 or Vortex Diamondback 10x Binos are great entry level binos. If you want a spotter, the Athlon Ares is a fantastic mid range one. For everything but archery elk or highly timbered areas like N Idaho I think it’s a must if possible. Stay away from hunting brands and you can save tons of money on clothes. North face, Marmot, OR are all better quality than the hunting brands overall and with regular sales they’re way cheaper too. Get boots and a pack used or on sale but realize those are very important items.

it will be archery in CO, so I was going to just use my Simmons to save money. Any certain packs to look for or boots? Going to REI tomorrow to try out boots and want to start searching for used packs and sleeping gear

 

[SlimWhitman]

it will be archery in CO, so I was going to just use my Simmons to save money. Any certain packs to look for or boots? Going to REI tomorrow to try out boots and want to start searching for used packs and sleeping gear

There’s an answer to all of your questions here. Just do a search. It’s a reoccurring thing around here for new people to ask.

And honestly the search function on here is decent but I just type whatever my search is in to google and add “rokslide” at the end and boom every thread ever on it.

Short answer though, it depends on what your budget is for both of those. There’s no shortage of options out there.


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[tjihrig]

A Hail Mary effort got the ok for me to head west... I’m in desperate need of trying to get gear and learn as much as I can... anyone know of a good way to buy used gear and throw me some beginner tips.

Sweet! In terms of tips to those new to elk hunting I send everyone to Chris Roes website and tell them to buy the elk module subscription. It’s like $20 for 3 months of use. Go through his videos and you’ll know more about elk hunting than most. I still buy it every year and rewatch everything.

Roe Hunting Resources

www.roehuntingresources.com

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[Staudohar300]

Get in the best hiking shape you can. As for the gear everyone on here is spot on. Boots will be what fit your feet best. Lowas work well for me but they are spendy and can take some break in time. Good luck!

 

[camelcluch]

Look at the “Cheap Stuff That Works” thread in the gear section. Lot of good ideas there. However, I would get the best stuff you can for boots, glass, pack and sleep system. No particular order but my number 1 is sleep system.

 

[Hplayer13]

Look at the “Cheap Stuff That Works” thread in the gear section. Lot of good ideas there. However, I would get the best stuff you can for boots, glass, pack and sleep system. No particular order but my number 1 is sleep system.

My one skimp was going to be go with the Simmons binos I’ve got. It’s archery and I’m not going after a targeted size. But I am trying to decide on a roll up mat or inflatable I’m more simplistic so I’m leaning towards the roll up. But would buy the best in that.

 

[300 shortmag]

Ive operated on a fairly limited budget because of some investments I’m focused on right now. Maven C1 or Vortex Diamondback 10x Binos are great entry level binos. If you want a spotter, the Athlon Ares is a fantastic mid range one. For everything but archery elk or highly timbered areas like N Idaho I think it’s a must if possible. Stay away from hunting brands and you can save tons of money on clothes. North face, Marmot, OR are all better quality than the hunting brands overall and with regular sales they’re way cheaper too. Get boots and a pack used or on sale but realize those are very important items.

i agree with you 100% idahohikker ,vortex diamondback hd binos in a 10x are a great pair of glass for the dough and clothing is overrated unless you are doing a multi-day pack in where you wont have more than one change of clothes available. you best investment should be in the best quality of boots you can afford and a good fitting pack.

 

[String&stick]

Download camofire app and the elk nut app.

Camofire offers tons of things that are typically last year's model for a discount, they also run specials on black ovis gear. Thus far all my merino is black ovis gear and is half the price of firstlite or Sitka and it wears great. They also have sleeping pads, sleeping bags, and all sorts of stuff. Gear offered changes daily so check it once a day.

The elknut app is the best money you will spend. Paul seriously underpriced the wealth of knowledge shared on the app in order to get it in the hands of everyone that wants to learn! As a plus he is also an active member on rokslide!

 

[JLeMieux]

If your feet are on the narrow side, check out the Salomon Quest 4d while at REI.

If cost is a concern, I would plan on truck camping instead of packing in. Backpacking gear can be more expensive/specialized than what you can get by with truck camping.

I second the classifieds here as well as Camofire.

I would focus on boots, pack, and shelter, then fill in the rest with whatever you have already or can pick up here and there.

 

[String&stick]

Pickup a light weight merino neck gator (camofire will have black ovis ones for like $13). Keeps your neck and face warm in the mornings, but more importantly can keep your neck from getting sun burnt in the afternoons!

 

[Lark Bunting]

I consider myself new to elk hunting as this is only the 7th year I've (my son and I) hunted and basically went from 0-100 in a short amount of time. The forums are generally very helpful, especially if you have specific questions. I'll summarize our progression over the last 7 years.

What kind of camp are you looking at? We started with what we had for family camping, a 6 man REI tent, shitty sleeping bags, extra blankets, and an air mattress. We camped at the truck and hunted from there. I have Cabelas boots that have been great for 7 years, I'm long over due for a new pair but I've had to buy new boots for my son every year as he was 10 when we started and his feet have grown every year. Yay. I've also had to replace most of his camo every year, turns out they grow if you keep feeding them.

I started with a Tenzing pack and my son an Easton hunting pack. I figured we could get meat out in small loads. I'm glad we never shot an elk those first couple years as there's no way I could have hauled more than 30 pounds in that POS pack. I'm not sure any more would have fit. I now use a Kuiu (1850 and 5200). If has meat hauling capabilities far and above my physical capabilities. I've now packed out a bull elk, cow elk and a moose. My son used a backpacking pack that actually has a meat shelf for heavy loads.

Archery equipment came used from various forums, craigslist, etc. I assume you have archery equipment since you've committed to a CO archery hunt?

Our backpacking gear is a mishmash of craigslist, yard sales, forum classifieds, etc. I have a decent system now with tent, sleeping pads, sleeping bags.

Clothing...I started with Walmart crap that went on sale around Valentine's Day. It sucked. I "upgraded" to Cabelas pants and a couple synthetic shirts...they sucked as well. I then spent a small fortune on all Kuiu gear and paid attention to the layering system. I really like it. My son gets Camofire clothing that's on sale. He wears a couple of my Kuiu pieces as well. He's now 18 and has a nice stash of money from a May b-day and graduation. If he'd like fancy schmancy clothing he can buy it. He'll probably piss most of it away on video games.

Biggest question, where are you hunting? Do you have an OTC unit picked out, a trail head? Plan A, B, C...M?

Best advice I'd give is to just go. The experience is where you'll learn the most. Also, have fun! Elk (much like trout) don't live in ugly places.

If you have specific questions (tread lightly mentioning specific GMU's) about gear, tactics, etc. do a search and if you're still not clear ask away! Good luck, and remember, Colorado appreciates your out of state dollars! I'm happy to answer any questions I can, considering all the help we received when we went down this rabbit hole seven years ago!

 

[GunsAreFun]

I have seen a lot of used EXO K2 3500 and 5500 (larger size probably better for a beginner) here and on the EXO Gear Sale FB page recently.

There is also a cheap stuff that works thread here to read.

 

[tjihrig]

In the bag department, you can get an Alps meat frame pretty cheap and keep it in camp or at the truck for go time. Then carry whatever pack you have. The bags that folks are listing here are all fantastic and I’ve used most of them but I also know startup gear cost can get crazy. I’ve hauled a lot of elk on an old Alps meat sled and I still keep it in the truck. But I have several Stone Glacier and EXO rigs now. That Alps Commander will haul a moose quarter and it’s $90


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[luckydraw2014]

Keep an eye on Camofire aka Black Ovis flashsale website for gear.