Ross and Adam: First CO Elk Hunt Planning Thread

[realunlucky]

80 lbs is amazing hope your rewarded for all the efforts towards this season.

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[Elktaco]

Wow big congrats on the weight loss! Im looking forward to your guys pictures and stories when you return! Good luck and enjoy the adventure!!!!!

 

[d90rick]

Man, it is so cool to see threads like this. Guys/gals getting in great shape, being healthier and using hunting as motivation to do so. Awesome! Best of luck!

 

[AdamW]

Tic toc, tic toc, tic toc...

Got the Timberline 2 loaded down like Yosemite Sam, full of too much of some things, not enough of some things and crap that I won't know I don't need until after the hunt. Newbie problems!

 

[tyeager2964]

Whats your total weight. This year is my first elk hunt too (although I do have hiking/backpacking experience) and I came out to 37 +/- lbs without food and water. It all fits relatively easily into a 75 liter (4500 ci) pack. The Timberline 2 looks pretty full and is slightly bigger at 5200 but w/ a guide lid and pockets adding space. I'm just interested in trying to compare/contrast base weights and how different they are.

I will say I'm not carrying a spotter/tripod so that is saving 5+ lbs

 

[AdamW]

Whats your total weight. This year is my first elk hunt too (although I do have hiking/backpacking experience) and I came out to 37 +/- lbs without food and water. It all fits relatively easily into a 75 liter (4500 ci) pack. The Timberline 2 looks pretty full and is slightly bigger at 5200 but w/ a guide lid and pockets adding space. I'm just interested in trying to compare/contrast base weights and how different they are.

I will say I'm not carrying a spotter/tripod so that is saving 5+ lbs

I think the 5200 ci includes the pockets. I added the guide lid because I was sure I would need the space. Truth told, I could have fit everything in the T2 without the guide lid, but it makes it a little less crammed and with the convenience of popping the lid off for short day pack use if I'm running to get water, etc. The side pocket on my right just has a pair of crocs in it, my tripod is on the opposite side with nothing in the pocket.

That's a good question and the short answer is I don't know 100% yet. I don't get overly concerned with base weight because I'm always carrying food, water and fuel, but right now it looks like right at 35 lbs w/ fuel but I don't have my last minute electronics/dry bag in there which I think is right at 2 lbs so we are pretty close I'd say. I'm probably forgetting some small items, but that weight also includes my tripod.

Last night, only missing a few lightweight food items and my rifle I was at 51 lbs. That is 3L of water and 8 days worth +/- of food, stove fuel, tripod, etc. My expectation at this point is including rifle and all I'm going to be right at 60 lbs. I started out weighing every item and tracking it, but it was just too time consuming. I laid out the gear I needed/wanted to take, weeded things down and it weighs what it weighs. I will probably do a final spin through of "do I need that?" before we leave. I definitely have an awareness of what gear I own that is too heavy and bulky - for me it is sleep system for sure, specifically my sleeping bag. Spreading gear purchases out throughout the year of planning has been great, but some things (like a new sleeping bag/shelter) are pricey and I couldn't have tested them in cold weather before the trip, which is a no-go for me. I'd say those will be my first items to upgrade after this season...if I don't cry and decide I'm never hunting again.

 

[daddie63]

I'm really pulling for you two. It's been fun keeping up with the progress and excitement. Best of luck.

 

[bojangles808]

good luck take lots of pics plz

 

[AdamW]

I'm really pulling for you two. It's been fun keeping up with the progress and excitement. Best of luck.

good luck take lots of pics plz

Thanks a bunch guys, we really appreciate it!

 

[vanish]

Eagerly watching!

 

[Bar]

Don't forget you have to cover the backpack with blaze orange in rifle season.

 

[AdamW]

Don't forget you have to cover the backpack with blaze orange in rifle season.

Have an extra vest and a blaze rain cover as well. Thanks!

 

[Bar]

Good deal.

Good luck.

 

[jvonbank]

Cool thread and good luck guys! This was the first year since I graduated from college 15 yrs ago that my dad and I didn't head out west elk hunting due to no luck in the elk drawings. . Instead, we made a quick run out to NV to use my antelope tag which is a lot better than nothing. I guess it will be a year of experiencing it through the stories of others! Keep your spirits up and shoot straight....

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[COlineman78]

Don't forget you have to cover the backpack with blaze orange in rifle season.

Not legally required, but recommended.


A fellow Rokslide member makes a good option. Blaze Orange Glow Panel – Orange Aglow

 

[Bar]

Not legally required, but recommended.


A fellow Rokslide member makes a good option. Blaze Orange Glow Panel – Orange Aglow

It sure is. How do you show 500" of BO if you have your back covered with a backpack?

Here's the brochure. Scroll down to the blaze orange section and watch the video.

http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/RulesRegs/Brochure/BigGame/biggame.pdf

 

[COlineman78]

It sure is. How do you show 500" of BO if you have your back covered with a backpack?

Here's the brochure. Scroll down to the blaze orange section and watch the video.

http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/RulesRegs/Brochure/BigGame/biggame.pdf

We've had this argument before.

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/general-discussion-forum/48071-colorado-blaze-orange-backpacks.html

A member even contacted the DoW to verify. The conclusion: regs don't state that the 500" must be visible, only that it must be an "outer garment", which a backpack is not a garment. Also, the only thing that must be visible from 360 degrees is the hat, not the garment.

Again, orange on the backpack is recommended, but not legally required.

 

[Bar]

Depends on who you talk to at the DOW. I was told the pack must be covered in BO. Even in the video it says a backpack must be covered.

I wouldn't want to test a warden to see if he fines me.

 

[AdamW]

I'm going through some final gear stuff (how many more "final" checks will I do?) and wanted to look up random gear lists for that "aha!" thing that I was forgetting, so I just googled "elk hunt gear list". It's almost like every hunting magazine/website just copied and pasted the same gear list over and over again like a crusty repost from year to year in the old Boy Scout manuals. I changed my search to "rokslide gear list" and wow would you believe they seem much more streamlined, like someone might actually be carrying this stuff in on their person? You guys are the best!

 

[Bar]

I think lists are made on the safe side. For sure someone will tell you that you left something off the list. So, they put everything you can think of on the list.