OK now help requested on my full load out? Elk Pack for September CO

[hflier]

Some of you have been helping me on my clothing list for a September Elk/Mule deer hunt at 8,500 to 10,500 feet in CO. I got some great feedack on the thread. I am now putting up my full list of what is in my pack and on me. I will be coming from Oklahoma. so I will only probably get one summer scouting trip, so your comments to help me shake my load down would be appreciated. I am working like crazy to get in shape (I will be 51 years old on this years hunt). I have learned alot from everyone on this forum and if you see something that should be cut or a better way to go with something, let me know. I'm not a baby and don't care too much about creature comforts, only enough comfort to do a hunt with out fatiguing myself too badly. I would like my pack to be ligther than it is. I will pack in and set-up, probably no more than 3 miles from the truck and then just move around to find the animals. If I need to spend a night away from the camp so be it. I may be solo if my two guys from PA don't make the year.

This list is what I actually have. Not what I am thinking about doing, so fire away. You guys that do it all the time probably will see a bunch of stuff I don't need. Most of what I have has been gleaned from reading the info on this site. I have been testing each piece of gear and plan to test everything during trips afield (in OK and CO) before the hunt. Thanks for your time.

On the bottom pack list there is a scroll bar below it so you can move back and forth to see all the details.


Here is what is on my person:

Item Name	Descrition	Qty	Weight	Unit
Knee Pads	Arcteryx	1	8	oz.
Binocular & Rangefinder Harness	FHF	1	11.3	oz.
Binoculars	Vortex Talon HD 10x42	1	28.3	oz.
Range Finer	Vortex 1000	1	7.5	oz.
Wind Powder	Talc & Bottle	1	1	oz.
Elk Mouth Calls	Mouth Call Pouch, 2 Mouth Calls, Carlton Cow Call	1	0.6	oz.
Boxer Shorts	Core 4 Element Merino Mix	1	3.4	oz.
Gaitor's	Cabela's Gortex	1	8.1	oz.
Pants	ASAT First Lite Merino Wool	1	20	oz.
Base Layer Top	ASAT Firts Lite Merino Wool	1	8.3	oz.
Socks	Smartwool Socks	1	3.4	oz.
Belt	Kiafru	1	1.9	oz.
I-Phone	Otter Box, Clip and Phone	1	9.3	oz.
Boots	LOWA Tibets sz 11	1	69.8	oz.
Watch	Suunto Vector	1	1.9	oz.

Here is everything in my pack.

Item Name	Details	Qty	Weight	Unit
Backpack	Kifaru T1 Multicam, Longhunter Lid, 2 LG Hunting Pockets, 1 Med. Hunting Pocket, Chamber Pocket Pocket, Grab-it	1	101	oz.
Rain Gear Bottom	ASAT	1	7.8	oz.
Rain Gear Top	ASAT	1	10.6	oz.
GPS	Garming Oregon 450T, Backcountry Solutions Pouch	1	8.6	oz.
Water Bladder	MSR 2L Bladder, Hose & Valve (with bladder filled)	1	83	oz.
Camo Face Paint	Hunter Specialties	1	1.8	oz.
First Aid Kit	First Aid Kit	1	13.9	oz.
InReach	Delorme InReach	1	8.3	oz.
Sleeping Bag	Eureka 15 Degree Sleeping, Ti Gaot Bivy Bag, Stuff Sack	1	59	oz.
Base Layer Bottom	ASAT First Lite Merino Wool	1	7.1	oz.
Sweater	First Lite Labrador	1	17.7	oz.
Socks	Smartwool Socks	1	3.4	oz.
Boxer Shorts	Core 4 Element Merino Mix	1	3.4	oz.
IPhone Batter/Charger	New Trent, Cable and Small Kifaru Pull Out	1	12.3	oz.
Toilet Kit	Glide, Tooth Brush, Cloth, Paste, Toilet Paper,, KU Pull Out, Pocket Soap	1	8.9	oz.
Water Purification Kit	Big Zip 3.0, Sawyer In-line Filter, Kifar Pull Out, Extra Bite Valve	1	12.7	oz.
Headlamp	PrinceTec Fuel with Batteries	1	2.5	oz.
Tripod Binocular Adapter	Vortex	1	4.2	oz.
Spoon	Titanium Long Sppon	1	0.6	oz.
Spotting Scope	Vortex HD 65mm, with Neoprene Cover.	1	58.2	oz.
Field Chair	Kifaru	1	12.3	oz.
Stove Kit	MSR Pocket Rocket, Paracord, Snow Peak Pot / Lid, Scrubber Sponge, Canister Legs, Stuff Sack	1	13.3	oz.
Insulated Cup	GSI	1	2.9	oz.
I-Phone Tripod Adapter	I-Phone Tripod Adapter	1	0.6	oz.
Note Pad	Write in the rain 3"x5"	1	3.2	oz.
Possibles Pouch		1	15.9	oz.
Pillow Case	Thermarest Lightweight Fleece	1	2	oz.
Puffy Jacket	OR Primaloft	1	15.6	oz.
Tent Lantern	Black Diamond	1	4.6	oz.
Wipes	Hoo-Ahhs 20 Count 7"x10"	1	4.4	oz.
Fuel Canister	8 Oz.	2	8.2	oz.
Glasses	Sunglasses, Spare Prescription Glasses, Case	1	4.4	oz.
Doo Rag	ASAT Cotton	1	1.5	oz.
Gloves	ASAT	1	2.2	oz.
Beanie	ASAT First Lite Merino Wool	1	1.7	oz.
Gator Neck	ASAT First Lite Merino Wool	1	1.4	oz.
Batteries AA	Lithium (qty 2)	2	1.1	oz.
Batteries AAA	Lithium (qty 3)	1	0.8	oz.
Battery CR2	Lithium (qty 1)	1	0.3	oz.
Tent	Hilleberg ATKO, Outter, Pegs, Pole	1	38	oz.
Water Bladder	MSR 10L (Empty)	1	8.9	oz.
Digital Camera	SONY 8.1M Pixel Cybershot	1	6.1	oz.
Kill Kit	Caribou Game Bags, 3 - 28"x48", 1 - 30"x28", 1- Camp Meat, 2 Nitrile GlovesHavalon Knife, 6 Blades,Marking Tape, Space Blanket, 1 Contractor Trash Bag, Stuff Sack, Paracord	1	38.8	oz.
Camp Shoes	Merrell Trail Gloves	1	15.4	oz.
Food		1	168	oz.
Maps	Maps and Plastic Bag	1	5	oz.
Pistol	Ruger LCR .357	1	19.5	oz.
Holster	Fobus LCR	1	3.4	oz.
Bow Set-up	Bear Legion	1	107.6	oz.
		Total	58.3

 

[Trout bum]

Hflier,
It looks like a lot of thought went into your gear choices. Tough to critique that list. You may want to add a lightweight pair of trekking poles that pack down small (3pc) that are not twist locks. BD and Leki make some good poles. Leki makes a grip insert that allows for a camera attachment if you are into photography. Trekking poles will be helpful after you fill your tag(s) and pack out. You could always drop a few things in the comfort category (i.e field chair v. rock/pack) but that is personal choice stuff. You have more latitude with weight since you are setting up a base camp and not thru hunting. At the end of the day, the most important piece of gear IMHO is you. Sounds like you are working hard to get in mountain shape. I hope you enjoy your hunt! All the best.

 

[Trout bum]

Forgot to add you can wrap duct tape around the top of your poles to store it for in the field quick fixes.

 

[littlebuf]

if you havent already dont waste your money on the long hunter lid or the long pockets. all you need with that pack is a belt pouch and the possibles pouch it comes with. any more attachments are redundant IMO. other than a grab it for your bow, but more and more i dont think i need even that for a compound. the lash kit will hold it plenty secure.i didnt see you had a field chair listed also. why? sit on the ground and save some weight/space. or a stump, or a rock, or a log, or a tuft of grass or a....

 

[littlebuf]

leaving the pistol behind will save a ton of weight too. im sure ill get flamed for that one but its true

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Personally I would leave the tent lantern, the pillow case (not sure why you have it, maybe needed?), the scrubber sponge, and the field chair.
Not sure why you have 3 different water bladders?
All in all looks like you have given quite a bit of thought to what you will be taking.

 

[hflier]

Oh I forgot I do have a set of lightweight trekking poles! They are Leki's. I have one water bladder in the pack. And I carry an empty 10L to fill and hang at camp. Pistol stays, had a deliverance moment once in OK with some folks I think were checking their pot fields. May not have that situation in CO, but the memory lingers on. I was glad I had a Beretta 92 that day. Kept everyone on the pleasant side I believe.

I got the Long Hunter Lid and butchered the hell out of it so it is light and just a big pocket. In fact I cut alot things off the T1 (probable make most cringe) in order to keep things light. That is why my pack, Long Hunter lid, and two large belt pockets and a Medium only weights about 6 pounds. And that is with aluminum stays, since I have a semi-flat back and Kifaru doesn't make Composites in a semi-flat.

 

[Bighorse]

I'd leave behind a few items: Sunglasses and spares, Otter box clip, Binos if solo, digital camera, leave out pillow case (use stuff sack), GPS (use your iphone), Insulated cup, field chair,

Add a camp saw/butcher saw and poles.

Good luck what a big adventure for you. Throw an O2 cansiter in there too. Grin!

 

[littlebuf]

i have a T1 and i cant even imagine filling up all those pockets youve got on that thing with the cu the pack has. if you are filling them up you may have a little to much gear on your back. but what ever works for you.

 

[Beastmode]

i have a T1 and i cant even imagine filling up all those pockets youve got on that thing with the cu the pack has. if you are filling them up you may have a little to much gear on your back. but what ever works for you.

What if you are a Sherpa for the wife and kids?

 

[mdog]

Looks like a great list with some items to serve as back-up. I would consider the following either/or's:

Either-Labrador sweater Or-Puffy jacket--like this for it's versatility, I sleep in mine with 30 degree bag half the time!

Either-Spotter(Mule Deer) Or-Binos(Elk)--Big, herd animals. Take both scouting as the bow stays behind.

Either-Hunt Mule Deer Or-Hunt Elk-Select one for your hunt. I an opportunity presents itself then?????

Either-Camp shoes Or-Hunt from dark to dark. Eat the big meal mid-day and lunch/snack as you're hiking back to spike camp. Take boots off, wash up, crawl into sleeping bag. Repeat til done!

 

[littlebuf]

What if you are a Sherpa for the wife and kids?

did that last year. room to spare....im not trying to knock anybodys system or set up. if its what you like and it works then great. i just know when ordering/planning out a pack you can often over analize what you "need" and imo the T1 is complete with no accessories. i like a belt pouch so i added a med,but it doesnt need it. stock you can pack a weeks worth or more easy.

 

[littlebuf]

granted the pic is me and just my one daughters stuff. but do you know how much a girl can bring with her? espeacialy when moms packing for her! shesh..

 

[fillthefreezer]

i would leave either the iphone or the camera, all the charging gear, all the extra batteries, after a scout trip and you assess water and test things, the 10L maybe, the notepad, the tent lantern and some of the pack pockets. pretty good looking list, pack it all for a high mileage bonzai scouting trip and youll probably bury some of it so

 

[luke moffat]

i have a T1 and i cant even imagine filling up all those pockets youve got on that thing with the cu the pack has. if you are filling them up you may have a little to much gear on your back. but what ever works for you.

What about coming out with camp, meat, and cape?? I've cubed my T1 out several times doing just that.....

 

[Tim in Wa.]

personally,I'd loose the bivy bag,charger and pistol

 

[littlebuf]

i can get a deer and camp in my pack. anything bigger is multipule trips any way so it doesnt really matter

 

[fillthefreezer]

What about coming out with camp, meat, and cape?? I've cubed my T1 out several times doing just that.....

maybe if we're into deer skin leather jackets down here i would think goat cape would take up some serious cubes...

 

[hflier]

Great input. I am going to re-look at thinks tonight, but I see some weight dropping. I like the perspectives from everyone here. If you did this on another forum you would just get harassed.

Ron

 

[Mike7]

Overall looks like a good list to me. If going in only 3 miles to base camp, this allows you to take some luxuries, but if you want to pack out a boned-out deer in one trip, then it sure is nice having a 40-45 lb pack over a 60-65 lb pack. I would throw in a sewing kit which weighs nothing (esp. for repair of the wool pants).

If going lightweight, I would change the lantern out for a second headlamp (or small tactical light that you can attach to your headlamp band). If you are bringing a bivy, consider a lightweight tarp instead of tent. As far as the pillow goes, one option is a granite gear very lightweight stuff sack to put extra clothes in and it also serves as a comfortable pillow since one side has a patch of attached fleece. Agree with leaving the camera in lieu of taking the phone, but my phone's GPS is not nearly as helpful as the Garmin. I also like having a pair of eyeglasses, so I am not blind at night when the contacts lenses are out, or if you have to go without contact lenses because of a potential eye irritation/infection (the lightweight firm neoprene type eyeglass cases weigh almost nothing). I would bring a second warmer hat to go over a wool beanie for sleep/glassing. Maybe consider two trashbags (can be used as pack liner to throw meat bags in, to place meat bags in creek, as pack/gear cover or meat bag cover in the rain, etc.). And finally, I hope you are small or have a different Eureka 15 deg bag than I tried one time. I had a Eureka Casper I think it was...I had to give it to the kids because although it was rated for someone 6 ft, it was really sized for someone 5'4" and 115 lbs or less.