First elk hunt

[longrangebob]

Assuming you have adequate transportation in & that you R younger than me so your circulation is up to snuff -
U said Tent ?? Wall tent, spike tent?? If you can access insulted tarps - do and if not available - tarps even if you have a full cover fly!! Drape it so you have "dry" area in area of entrance & keep snow where you want it --
Packable Stove that you can built fire in to lite as soon as you wake to keep the chill off - unless you're going to keep the stove going all nite --
Foam pad under your sleeping bag on top of cot -- put dry undergarments in sleeping bag with you so warm in am ....

I prefer Merino Wool undergarments - Ice Breaker good brand and not as dear as First Lite - if not - good propylene for skiing good choice - thin propylene gloves or inserts -- Leather insulted Mittens - unless you have retractable glove/mitts - mitts much better than gloves once your hand get cold

Lots of good heavy socks & if hiking long days & distances -- carry spare with you as feet perspire a lot and you might do well to change -

Hoods Are Better than hats - or both is better still, face mask or balaclava - or wool scarf which can be used around neck & head, face & wrap hat!!!

OK sounded like $ is bit of issue - WHATEVER you do -- WOOL as much as possible !! Consider Army Surplus ---- years ago I got a pair of WW2 Swedish Wool Army Issue greenish/grey pants - lotsa pockets & have kept me warm in -30C. Elk Hunting on Xcountry Skiis -

NO too pack boots - not good for long treks or difficult terrain -- better a good pair of quality insulated hiking boots & heavy socks - than perspiration filled inner booties that you will not get dried out again till your home !!! &&& rubber outers get really cold as the temperature drops ... If your toes get cold easily consider seated insoles ...

Carry matches & lighter - and preferably reuseable hot packs -- and some long burning candles!!!

Do NOT get dehydrated !!!!!

I Hunt in the foothills of & the Canadian Rockies --

If you do not know Winter Camping - read about "Snow Caves/Shelters" so if required you can make one - you can stay warm inside with just a candle !!!

Good Luck -

 

[gerardyarrow]

Lots of good advice has been posted here. I would add get in shape walking around above 10,000 feet takes a toll on you body. As already stated stay hydrated, if you feel headache coming on chew some antiacid tablets and drink lots of water. Carry enough emergency survival gear to stay out over night if weather closes in on you.Have plan and maps in addition to a gps. Carry spare batteries for the GPS and Radio. I carry a SPOT emergency locator beacon to summon help and to let my wife know I'm OK.
Good rule if you need something bring two. Two is one, one is none.
Best of luck, Colorado is a beautiful place to hunt.

 

[tooOld]

Lots of good advice has been posted here. I would add get in shape walking around above 10,000 feet takes a toll on you body. As already stated stay hydrated, if you feel headache coming on chew some antiacid tablets and drink lots of water. Carry enough emergency survival gear to stay out over night if weather closes in on you.Have plan and maps in addition to a gps. Carry spare batteries for the GPS and Radio. I carry a SPOT emergency locator beacon to summon help and to let my wife know I'm OK.
Good rule if you need something bring two. Two is one, one is none.
Best of luck, Colorado is a beautiful place to hunt.

 

[tooOld]

Down vest, small 3 sheave double pulley and extra paracord (in case you have to field dress an animal by yourself), ear bra, small piece of ensolite foam to sit on when it is cold or wet, fanny pack. I like a heavy wool mitt with outer shell for my left hand and a fingerless wool glove (fingers can be covered with just trigger finger exposed) for those cold days.

Emphasize strong, broken in waterproof, lugged sole boots with good ankle support. Two Bic lighters, wool clothing (pants and shirts), water, food, gaiters, two lights, knife (perhaps a sharpening stone). Most important -- study a map and know the area, take a compass reading before starting out. Carry a GPS...know how to use it and set your start point.

Happy hunting

 

[longrangebob]

Compass !!!!

 

[cariboo crawler]

Indeed !!!
And MAP . 1 to 50 thou. If you can find them

 

[Deleted member 107796]

I was curious, what do you plan to camp in? A friend's trailer or tent? If a tent, plan on controlling the condensation as much as possible, given the temp change you'll find and plan on using a heater of some sort. The propane units are a godsend for that brief bit of time on the morning when you roll out of the bag and start the breakfast coffee or other. Also, day or two of acclimatizing is great if you plan to stay at altitude.

 

[ronstone09]

Well I'm finally going to get to go out west to Colorado on my first elk hunt this year. Will be on public ground, going with a few guys that have been a few times before. I think I've got most of the big things I need to take with me but I'm sure there are other things im forgetting. Will be going 3rd rifle season in November.

Looking for recommendations on good layering clothing. (I don't have deep enough pockets for the kuiu, first lite, sitka etc) but what is the next best choice?

Also from what I've been reading the schnee pac boots seem like the best. Any others to consider?

And I know there's always little things that don't get thought about or forgotten until you need them? What are some of those things that you've found?

I already have the Cot, tent, sleeping bag, pack, outer layers, rifle, backup rifle, coolers and binoculars covered.

Any suggestions or help is appreciated

Thanks!

you might look into the kenetrek rancher which is a 9 inch leather with a rubber bottom and have felt removable liners ! good for snow and cold !

 

[Bmccart]

It's a Montana canvas wall tent with a full cover fly that extends 10 ft past each end. Will have a wood stove in it. The place we're going is close to steamboat sprints around 10000 feet. I've got an alpz outdoor frame pack, thanks for the info. I've got a pretty good start on most of the stuff. I'll check out some of the boots and layering clothing mentioned

 

[ronstone09]

Well I'm finally going to get to go out west to Colorado on my first elk hunt this year. Will be on public ground, going with a few guys that have been a few times before. I think I've got most of the big things I need to take with me but I'm sure there are other things im forgetting. Will be going 3rd rifle season in November.

Looking for recommendations on good layering clothing. (I don't have deep enough pockets for the kuiu, first lite, sitka etc) but what is the next best choice?

Also from what I've been reading the schnee pac boots seem like the best. Any others to consider?

And I know there's always little things that don't get thought about or forgotten until you need them? What are some of those things that you've found?

I already have the Cot, tent, sleeping bag, pack, outer layers, rifle, backup rifle, coolers and binoculars covered.

Any suggestions or help is appreciated

Thanks!

dont forget warm gloves and liners to dry quickly ,nothing worse than being cold !

 

[longrangebob]

Wood stove much less condensation than Propane

 

[Deleted member 107796]

Wood stove much less condensation than Propane

I have a 1st gen Cabelas Bighorn tent. We use wood stove at night but sleep too well to stoke it all night. That's why we wake with propane and don't have too much condensation from the hour we use it in the am. We use a nice trick to keep the heat load in the stove, and stack heavy flat rocks on the top surface. They not only retain heat but add stability to the stove when it's windy.

 

[dhois]

Good suggestions for the OP. I hunted 4th rifle in 2014 (remember the news warnings of the Artic Blast?) at 10k feet, and can attest to the need for a good layer setup. Our temps were 5 deg F at 6 am and 6 degrees F at 6 pm. Fire starter, tarp and a buddy or SOS device for safety. I had trails that were snow covered and used snowshoes successfully. If downfall areas or just thick timber are possible, have a way to strap them to your pack.

 

[Bobhunts]

Well I'm finally going to get to go out west to Colorado on my first elk hunt this year. Will be on public ground, going with a few guys that have been a few times before. I think I've got most of the big things I need to take with me but I'm sure there are other things im forgetting. Will be going 3rd rifle season in November.

Looking for recommendations on good layering clothing. (I don't have deep enough pockets for the kuiu, first lite, sitka etc) but what is the next best choice?

Also from what I've been reading the schnee pac boots seem like the best. Any others to consider?

And I know there's always little things that don't get thought about or forgotten until you need them? What are some of those things that you've found?

I already have the Cot, tent, sleeping bag, pack, outer layers, rifle, backup rifle, coolers and binoculars covered.

Any suggestions or help is appreciated

Thanks!