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Mountain Hunting Gear

Discussion in 'Guns & Hunting' started by Stroke250, Jan 10, 2019.

  1. Jan 10, 2019 at 7:20 PM
    #31
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    The wolves are beautiful animals for sure. Destructive...and ranchers/hunters hate them more than anything else.
     
    Stroke250[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  2. Jan 10, 2019 at 7:22 PM
    #32
    zcarpenter92

    zcarpenter92 Yotas and Yellow Jackets

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    Will be following this thread, have hunted deer out here on the plains but want to get into elk and other mountain game. My coworker is a big fan of Sitka and KUIU gear himself.
     
    ColoradoTJ and Stroke250[OP] like this.
  3. Jan 10, 2019 at 7:27 PM
    #33
    War Machine

    War Machine SSEM # 5 3MW

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    I only opened this to see if you guys really hunted mountains. You’re not, so good day.
     
  4. Jan 10, 2019 at 7:27 PM
    #34
    Stroke250

    Stroke250 [OP] New Member

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    Heck yeah! Kuiu gets my vote from a covering all needs basis.

    Check out the Sixsite stuff! Top of the line as well! They are continuing to add gear to their offerings.
     
  5. Jan 10, 2019 at 8:05 PM
    #35
    zcarpenter92

    zcarpenter92 Yotas and Yellow Jackets

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    It all looks like high quality stuff, not sure if the pattern of the SixSite matches up to Colorado as well as some of the other ones I’ve seen. I’d think the Natural Gear original pattern or even RealTree is a better fit here.
     
    Stroke250[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  6. Jan 10, 2019 at 8:07 PM
    #36
    duece292

    duece292 Appalachian American

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    I've been drop camp hunting for elk, in Colorado since 2004. I hunt 3rd rifle season so my gear is kind of centered around colder weather. This is some of what I've found that works well for me. I have several pieces of light weight, breathable clothing from Sitka and Cabelas but my go to is wool. IMO, merino wool can't be beat. It'll keep you warm even when it's soaked, it's available in lighter weights, it's naturally antimicrobial and scent proof and it's 100 percent silent. Tall boots with a stiff shank. Mountainous travel requires boots that give you alot of support. Steep hillsides and rocky terrain will twist an ankle really quick. I prefer a 10 or 11 inch, 4 to 600 gram leather boot like Kenetrek or Meindl. A good pair of gaiters is also a must. I prefer Outdoor Research. They'll keep your pant legs and boots from getting wet, muddy, full of snow and shredded. A neck gaiter. It's small, light, easily stuffed in a pocket and indespensible when the temp drops. Good gloves. I prefer leather gloves. A couple of flashlights and a headlamp for when you need to be hands free. A GPS, a waterproof paper topo map of your hunting area and a compass. I love my GPS but there may come a time when it doesn't work and sometimes it's just easier to navigate with a map and compass. A side note, my maglights, Gerber Carnivore headlamp and Garmin GPS all run on AA's. I only use lithium ion batteries and only need one size. I also use a small Goal Zero solar panel for charging a camera or cellphone. A good backpack. Frame pack or day pack, find one with a supportive waist belt. Keeping the weight on your hips will save your back. Two good, sharp knives, a sharpener and a folding saw. I carry an old buck folding knife and a skeletonized caping knife and a Clawhorn carbide sharpener. Nothing dulls a knife quicker than elk hair. A water filter. I use a Sawyer Mini. There are alot of filters out there, some better than others, some smaller than others. Staying hydrated is important but never trust the water in that beautiful, gin clear, little mountain stream. Giardia is not your friend! Survival gear is dependent on how far and long you're going but should be an important part of your pack. I carry some waterproof matches, fire starter material (duct tape works great), a lighter, paracord, an emergency space blanket, a small plastic poncho and a few energy bars. I carry other stuff as well but you at least want the basics if you get stuck spending the night in the woods. Game bags. 350 inches of bone is great but the meat is where it's at. Game bags will keep dirt and bugs off of all that wonderful protein. A handgun. Something that you can shoot accurately. In places with high numbers of cats and bears, like the Bob in Idaho, a gunshot is like ringing the dinner bell and you don't want to be caught unarmed, working on your elk, by a hungry griz. I carry a Ruger SP101 .357.
    That's just some of my gear. Yours will depend on alot of factors. Time of year, where and how far you go, how long you go for, if you go alone or with others. One of the MOST IMPORTANT things and it was mentioned before is to make sure someone knows exactly where you're going, how long you'll be gone, who you're with, where you parked, etc. Accidents happen, people get lost, the weather takes a turn for the worse, what ever the case, someone should know where to start looking.
     
    GAknight, aperezsh, equin and 4 others like this.
  7. Jan 10, 2019 at 8:37 PM
    #37
    duece292

    duece292 Appalachian American

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    One other important thing in your elk arsenal should be anything that helps to keep you clean and scent free. Soap, spray, wipes, baking soda. Use them all and use them alot. An elks sense of smell is 10 times that of a whitetail. They will smell you and they will leave the area. Usually quickly and quietly, long before you see them. And unlike a deer that goes a hundred yards and stops, elk go ALOT farther before they stop. Anything that helps you stay clean is a must. I use Dead Down Wind and Wildlife Research products and use baking soda in a storage bag for my clothes, in my boots and to brush my teeth with.
    Cleanliness is next to elkliness
     
  8. Jan 11, 2019 at 5:55 AM
    #38
    Stroke250

    Stroke250 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks Greg! That was a lot info but all very informative and useful!!
     
  9. Jan 11, 2019 at 6:16 AM
    #39
    Stroke250

    Stroke250 [OP] New Member

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    The pattern is for sure different but I like different. Haha Kuiu has some unique pattern as well.
     
    zcarpenter92[QUOTED] likes this.
  10. Jan 11, 2019 at 12:11 PM
    #40
    PMG

    PMG New Member

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    No, we've got wolves here. Savages too, but they're in politics mainly.
     
  11. Jan 11, 2019 at 12:40 PM
    #41
    Uhhhh....

    Uhhhh.... New Member

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    Don't know if you've ever watched Randy Newberg before, but he's awesome. Used to have a great show called On Your Own Adventures. He's a huge advocate of using our land - public lands - to the fullest. He lives in Montana & hunts all over. Check him out on YouTube - tons of hunting videos - and it's not just about the kill shot, which is what I love about his shows. He explains and teaches thoroughly - all from planning the hunt, to tactics while hunting, to skinning/quartering/packing it out. Beginning to end. Here's a video of his gear for elk hunting & elk camp: https://youtu.be/Wr_QcASb1Z0

    I've been watching him quite a bit lately cause I'll hopefully be finally fulfilling a childhood dream of mine & moving out to Colorado in the next year or two (in Virginia, originally PA). Ever since I started getting Field & Stream magazines in middle school and saw the amazing beauty of Colorado, I've wanted to be there (visited a couple times). Rabbit hole...

    Randy Newberg and Steve Rinella (Meat Eater show) are my two fav to watch, mainly cause it's not all about the kill. It's just as much, if not more, about what goes into it - the preparation, the execution of the plan, and the immense satisfaction (and cooking!) afterwards. Above vid is a great start for gear ideas - he's been elk hunting for going on 3 decades I believe.
     
  12. Jan 11, 2019 at 12:59 PM
    #42
    Stroke250

    Stroke250 [OP] New Member

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    I have been watching both of them as late!
     
  13. Jan 11, 2019 at 1:20 PM
    #43
    zcarpenter92

    zcarpenter92 Yotas and Yellow Jackets

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    Meat Eater is a favorite of mine, Rinella does an excellent job of showing all things involved in hunting big game. Haven't watched any of the cooking episodes yet, but I have no doubt they're excellent. Its downright awesome having a good hunting show on Netflix.
     
  14. Jan 17, 2019 at 5:58 AM
    #44
    Stroke250

    Stroke250 [OP] New Member

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    So what about packs? It’s too bad my Osprey hiking pack is not setup for hunting so I’ll probably have to add another. Mystery Ranch? Eberlestock? Stone Glacier? Anyone with experience with any of these?
     
  15. Mar 18, 2019 at 9:17 PM
    #45
    CenTexTundra

    CenTexTundra New Member

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    BDS 7" Coilover lift; BDS UCAs 37" Nitto Ridge Grapplers; 20" Fuel Tactic Wheels Smittybilt 10k Winch; Smittybilt M1 Bumpers WeatherTech Mats; EPS Rear Vault, TRD Pro Grille Genesis Offroad Dual Battery (Optimas)
    For serious mountain hunting I run Sitka for mid and outer layers, Kennetrek boots with gaiters, Eberlestock pack, Vortex Razor binos, and Swaro spotting scope.
     
    Stroke250[OP] likes this.
  16. Mar 28, 2019 at 2:13 PM
    #46
    Limber

    Limber New Member

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    to much to list
    Here's the best question what part of the state are you planning on hunting. Hunting gear list will change for each zone of Idaho south zone in pinyon juniper vs the pan handle thick brush vs central zone vs the eastern zone near the park. I have chased elk in all the different zones. Make sure you have your calling down is big key factor. Dont be afraid to call. Some areas of Idaho and Utah I just leave my Binos in the truck no point if lugging them around lodge pole pines

    Go to gear list
    Packs:Eberlestock just one or Mystery ranch pop 18L
    Boots: Cripsi wyoming or Idaho
    Clothes: some Sitka some kings camo some Duluth trading company pants. Merino wool is must in back country if your spending a couple days socks, and base layers
    Sidearm: 10mm springfield xdm or glock in a chest rig. I have the Eberlestock bino harness with a holster built in also looking at Kenai chest holster.
    Calls I use both phelps and rockie mtn hunting calls.
    Arrows go heavy for elk. Last year I took two bulls with a 543 grain gold tip hunter pro going 278 fps. One was a clean kill thru the lungs. The other was high in the shoulder. If I had been using a lighter arrow i doubt I would have found the bull or worse just wound him.

    Hope this helps
     
  17. Mar 28, 2019 at 3:52 PM
    #47
    smslavin

    smslavin Behind a lens...

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    Some stuff
    +1 on mystery ranch. love their stuff. bullet proof.

    https://www.mysteryranch.com/Packs/Hunting
     
  18. Mar 28, 2019 at 3:56 PM
    #48
    CenTexTundra

    CenTexTundra New Member

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    BDS 7" Coilover lift; BDS UCAs 37" Nitto Ridge Grapplers; 20" Fuel Tactic Wheels Smittybilt 10k Winch; Smittybilt M1 Bumpers WeatherTech Mats; EPS Rear Vault, TRD Pro Grille Genesis Offroad Dual Battery (Optimas)
    I recently found a brand called Kifaru out of Colorado, also great stuff as far as I can tell so far. Otherwise, mystery ranch and eberlestock are top notch.

    www.Kifaru.net
     
    Stroke250[OP] likes this.
  19. Mar 28, 2019 at 4:36 PM
    #49
    Stroke250

    Stroke250 [OP] New Member

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    Great info! Thank you!!!
     
  20. Mar 28, 2019 at 4:47 PM
    #50
    careyrob

    careyrob In the field

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    I've never elk hunted, but I've done plenty of whitetail hunting in Texas and upland hunting around basalt cliffs and coulies in Washington and the prairies of North Dakota. I've hunted in sun, rain and snow and temps from -10°F to 85°F.

    I'll leave all the Elk specific gear recommendations to people with relevant experience, but favorite hunting boots are 8" Danner Pronghorns with 400 gram insulation.

    I wore my first pair for about 700 miles in the field before replacing them with the current model of the same boot and I still use the first pair for a backup or loaner. The new pair are even more comfortable than the first.

    I can't recommend them enough. Tough as nails, comfortable all day long even side-hilling through loose scree (rocks at the bottom of cliffs) , stable, warm and water proof.

    They aren't cheap, but in this case you get even more than you pay for.

    I'm so jealous of all you guys out west. Good luck hunting.
     
    lc69hunter and Stroke250[OP] like this.
  21. Mar 28, 2019 at 6:27 PM
    #51
    Stroke250

    Stroke250 [OP] New Member

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    Glad this thread got bumped and more great info added to it!
     
  22. Mar 28, 2019 at 6:56 PM
    #52
    CenTexTundra

    CenTexTundra New Member

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    Any of you guys tried or own Kenetrek boots? I ordered my first pair (Mountain Extremes) and they haven't arrived yet. I've heard so much good about them I had to give them a try this season, although I also hear you need to get about 50-60 miles on them before they really start to break in and work for you.
     
    Stroke250[OP] likes this.
  23. Mar 28, 2019 at 7:57 PM
    #53
    Stroke250

    Stroke250 [OP] New Member

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    I’ve heard good things about them. I have some Scarpas that I love.
     
  24. Mar 28, 2019 at 9:00 PM
    #54
    CenTexTundra

    CenTexTundra New Member

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    Hey Duece, I'm hunting Colorado's last rifle season for elk this year so I've been upgrading some of my cold weather gear. Being from Texas the only time I really need actual cold weather kit is when I hunt out West. Great advice on some of the gear you carry and survival items.
     
  25. Mar 29, 2019 at 8:07 AM
    #55
    Limber

    Limber New Member

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    to much to list
    Another main stay in my pack is a good set of trekking poles. Get a good set these will save your body so much when your carrying 100lbs out on your back. Plus if you are rifle hunting they can be used as shooting sticks. Make sure you have a set of good game bag. The last two years I have used the black ovis game bag kit. For a GPS its hard to beat the onx gps phone system especially if your hunting the borders of private property.
    Other main stays in my day pack and back country bags
    fire kit
    baby wipes
    sawyer water filter
    first aid kit
    Tenkara teton fly rod kit
    Sol 2 person bivy

    Back country pack only
    Crocs
    Tents in the past I have always ran an alps 2 person back country tent but this year I have a canvas cutter to try out
    Sleeping bag and pads klymit insulated static v and ksb oversized down

    In parts of Idaho, Wyoming and Montana I always carry a bear fence. Had a couple face to face experiences with brown bears. So I take the extra weight for piece of mind

    hope this helps on ideas of what to run
     
    zcarpenter92 and Stroke250[OP] like this.
  26. Mar 29, 2019 at 8:42 AM
    #56
    Stroke250

    Stroke250 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the info!
     
  27. Apr 25, 2019 at 7:14 PM
    #57
    Stroke250

    Stroke250 [OP] New Member

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    Finally settled on this Badlands Bino Harness. I went back and forth on a couple including Eberlestock(since they are here in Boise), but after talking with a guy at Linton Outdoors(amazing customer service and info) I went this route.

    The key thing is the magnet and how it seals completely. It also sits up higher which is ideal for now hunting. Lots of internal storage as well.
    FB254651-B76D-4A61-A607-0EE6DCB53F2E.jpg
    E366D680-3883-4F0D-BA9E-716CAFBE71A7.jpg
     
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  28. Apr 25, 2019 at 7:32 PM
    #58
    gladecreekwy

    gladecreekwy Wyoming

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    Who makes the bear fence? Been thinking about one for a while.
     
    Stroke250[OP] likes this.
  29. Apr 26, 2019 at 8:24 AM
    #59
    Stroke250

    Stroke250 [OP] New Member

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    I would like to know as well. @Limber
     
  30. Apr 26, 2019 at 4:04 PM
    #60
    Stroke250

    Stroke250 [OP] New Member

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    Added another piece based on the knowledge from Linton Outdoors. This is Mystery Ranch’s new Sawtooth 45. I also added their semi auto gun holster.
    F795AD6C-80B0-4352-A9BB-E2989F71909D.jpg
    0271B9C0-3BA4-4EBF-AAA6-3CCD89F646AD.jpg
     
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