Equipment for the Big Man

[Mjp]

Hello All,

A group of us will be leaving for Montana in Sept of 2014 for a DIY style elk hunt and I could use some help with equipment (pack, boots and socks, sleeping bag etc.) for this trip. I am 6'5" and around 290lbs right now but plan on loosing a considerable amount of weight to make it easier on myself on the trip. I have only hunted white tails in the past and could really use some pointers on how to train and prepare for this trip. I have scent blocker light weight camo suit that works well and a rain suit that works ok but if it rains for a long time it will soak through. The trip is a year away and I am getting excited already but want to be prepared. I would really appreciate any info available for a first timer.

Thanks

Matt

[pointysticks]

you packing in for an extended stay? or heading back to a truck camp every night?

my wife and i joke about how "elk hunting saved my life". . i let myself creep up to 230ish @ 5'11". i was a fat toad with hypertension. i got thru one elk hunt (got one!), almost died...and changed it all. i think cycling and quitting booze was the key for me. last elk hunt i almost killed my brother. he got used to having to wait for me and getting rested while doing so. now i am on his butt, pushing him. he gets no rest, and has to call for it. we get into much deeper wood now.

sorry for the hyjack. getting into elk shape is no joke. last year, we almost killed jake. he was woefully unprepared. now if we invite him hunting ,he ask "how are the hills? steep?" we scared him.

get in shape first. you can get by with decent gear..even so-so gear. wheezing and feeling your heart beat behind your eyeballs..not so much. just my opinion.

having said that. my wider Western Mountaineering bag is amazing. 20 degree bag, wider fit. puffy as all get out. i would take that bag to montana in sept. boots? your feet, not ours. it is a moving target, boot comfort. i hate shopping for boots.

[Triplebhunters]

Welcome Matt.
Lots of info for what you are looking for on here. Pointysticks was spot on with getting in shape. I was so busy in the last year I didn't have time to do my norm, but I followed advise on here and trained with a weighted pack, helped a lot.
Clothing: I sweat a lot so I need clothing that dries quickly and still keeps me comfortable. I use a variety, from cabelas, under armour, sitka,and generic. I really liked the under armor heat gear sox.
Dave

[Njdiverdan]

I have a similar build to you except I am even a bit heavier. I just finished my second season chasing elk. The better shape you are in the more you will be able to push. I look at it as endurance is what is needed above speed. It may take me longer to push up that mountain but hopefully slow and steady will win the race. Hill training will do you well. Or stairs. But for guys like us, loosing 50 lbs or more is probably the best.

For gear, what are you looking for? Hardest thing for me has been finding a good pack that fits. I am pretty happy with my Tenzing TZ4000 as my day/spike camp pack. Another pack that fit me great was the badlands ox as they come in different sizes.

[Mjp]

Yeah, pack is one issue I was looking at. I need one that fits well and is comfortable. I am also looking into the boot issue also. I plan on loosing that weight or starting on it soon. Need to decide on boots soon so I can start breaking them in. Any recomendations on boots? What kind of sleeping bag did you use? Beig tall, I need one that will be long enough. Thanks for the replys

[pointysticks]

at 6"5"..you're pushing the sleeping bag size envelope. i think i have only seen 6.5' bags.

i'm 5'11" and most of my bags are 6 footers..i fit decent. i now have a 6.5' Western mountaineering bag that is pretty wide. i love the extra room.

[Njdiverdan]

For a bag I sleep with big Agnes. The park series bags in long fit me pretty well although I am thinking of getting a bag expander for next year.

Boots I love my Meindl Denalis from cabelas. You may want to wait until some of the weight is off before getting the boots as the stress on you feet will change.

[Lefty]

I hate mummy bags(now that Im 60 lbs bigger and 30 years older)
Even at 6 1' with all my rolling around my bag slids down. I have a decent bag, I open up a cheap bag to pull up around my head or over my head