Backcountry Elk Gear Checklist

by **WapitiTalk1** » 03 27, 2014 • [Post 1]

Anyone care to share their backcountry hunting gear checklist? I thought that those planning this type of hunt in the next year or two would be interested in seeing them. Is anybody "interested" in seeing some? RJ

by **ctdad** » 03 27, 2014 • [Post 2]

I'll post mine when home at my computer. One request if you are posting your list is include weights. I don't Chase light weight gear at all costs but I'm also not carrying a 70 lb spike camp in.

by **Lark Bunting** » 03 27, 2014 • [Post 3]

When I go to the spot where Brad directed me I'm bringing two camps. One base camp right out of the truck and the supplies to get back away if necessary for a couple days. So, I have the stuff that I don't really care about weight and I'm collecting the stuff where weight will make a difference. In other words, I'm not cooking every meal with a super light weight camp stove when we're at base camp, nor am I hauling my grill to the spike camps.

I have my list necessary for the base camp near the truck but I'd be interested in seeing lists for the spike camps.

by **BrentLaBere** » 03 27, 2014 • [Post 4]

How do we attach a PDF? I have an Xcell format that I have used for my gear/weights/descriptions....ect.

by **WapitiTalk1** » 03 27, 2014 • [Post 5]

Yah, I don't think we have the ability to upload those types of files. I believe it's just picture type files (jpgs, gifs, etc.) that are allowed to be attached. We may end up just taking a photo of the check list and posting it. If somebody would really like a copy of one of the posted lists in spreadsheet format, they can PM the author.

by **BrentLaBere** » 03 27, 2014 • [Post 6]

I have one I can share if others are interested in comparing or just gearing up for your first trip. Little gadgets can add up quick, ounces to pounds, you may not need. Its a good list to create.

by **WapitiTalk1** » 03 27, 2014 • [Post 7]

Brent, I'm gonna work on trying to scan my Excel checklist tomorrow and transferring it to a useable file for posting. Will let you know how it goes. The picture taking thing doesn't come out too well. RJ

by **pointysticks** » 03 27, 2014 • [Post 8]

I kinda built mine off of slims. I keep it at work.

by **ctdad** » 03 27, 2014 • [Post 9]

Back country list:
Tent
Sleeping bag / pillow
Sleeping pad
Rain jacket and pants
Kryptek and sitka shirts
Merino wool shirt
Underwear
socks x2
wear in mtn pants, t-shirt, hat
Long underwear x1
beanie/gloves, Stocking hat
backpacking towel
helinox chair
gaiters
Cook kit
Stove/cook pot, Fuel, Coffee cup, Spoon, Lighter, Water pump filter, Scrub pad, tin foil, Fire starters, pulley (to hang food in bear country)
Daypack gear
Camera kit, water bladder, binos, range finder, wind checker, gps, TP, extra batteries, map, headlamp, calls
First aid kit
Super glue, Ibuprofen, Benadryl, Duct tape on lighter/ matches, Emergency bivy, Petroleum cotton balls, hot hands, Spare batteries, Allen wrenches, Compass, Head lamp (extra), Water treatment pills
Kill Kit
1 Havalon knife, TAG bags, Stone glacier meat baggie, Zip ties, 50ft para cord, elk license/ hunter safety, contractor bag
Hygiene kit
scent free wipes, towel, toothpaste and toothbrush
Supplies Kit
Solar panel, power source, Phone, phone charger cord
Trekking poles
bow (36-37# to this point)
Meals (1-1.5 lb/ day)
Total weight about 50#
Slip system (new this year) weight?

My "kits" are kept in small draw string bags made out of cuben fiber. Easy way to organize things. My pack has very few pockets so this way works well for me.

by **Indian Summer** » 03 28, 2014 • [Post 10]

I'll scan mine when I have a minute. One thing I noticed about your list CTdad... other than duct tape no camp tools. Shovel, hammer for tent spikes etc., chainsaw, splitting maul, pipe wrench for hooking hoses to propane tanks (also gets spike out of the ground). Flagging tape. Large water jug. Taking your son... add Tang.

by **ctdad** » 03 28, 2014 • [Post 11]

My list is for back pack hunt where I'm a few miles from the truck on foot. No chainsaws there. I carried flagging tape in Colorado one year and there were flags left up by other hunters everywhere I looked. Where I hunt in Montana, flagging tape isn't needed. Very open country.

by **Swede** » 03 29, 2014 • [Post 12]

I like ctdad's list. If I was doing the packing, I would lighten it up. It has everything I need plus about 10 pounds worth. This is strictly a personal preference matter, but I would go without quite a few of the items ct has. I would use my jacket for a pillow and may improvise for a sleeping pad. Forget the rain gear if the forecast is looking good. I would decide on which hat to take. The chair has to go along with several other items including the trekking poles and solar panel. Ct I think your pack would have a lot in common with Indian Summer's. I would do without some of the creature comforts to keep the weight down to about 40#. For me 40# is still very comfortable in most areas I hunt. Unless I really need more, it is not leaving base camp.

by **ctdad** » 03 29, 2014 • [Post 13]

I went a little over board on light at all cost before. If I can't sleep or am soaking wet, my drive for ten days is pretty poor. I'm good with my pack weight though and I've done it for real, not just in theory. I agree that i take a few comfort items that aren't required but i don't agree that a sleeping pad is one. I couldn't sleep much on the ground. One thing I don't do is pack out meat and My camp at the same time. I will pack this camp in and then leave it for many days while day hunting from there. I couldn't bivy hunt with this weight. To be honest I'm not sure I could bivy hunt for days on end at all.

If you've never carried in your camp, my advice is to make a list, weigh it, cut out what you think you can and then start hiking and possibly camping with your setup. You'll likely cut out more once you feel the weight. Also, food is huge. It is your fuel. Carry energy dense food bc you'll burn a lot of energy. Without proper fuel, you'll struggle.

by **mrbillbrown** » 03 30, 2014 • [Post 14]

I'm preparing for my first backcountry elk hunt in ID in Sept. Coming from a Midwest whitetail background, I'd appreciate any help with a packing list or spreadsheet to help keep me focused on "appropriate" gear for 7-10 days. My partner, an experienced backcountry hunter, has been graciously answering all my new guy dumb questions but I'm trying not to wear him out before Sept. You can send anything you have to my email.
Thanks in advance! Bill

mrbillbrownjr@gmail.com

by **Wagnon89** » 03 30, 2014 • [Post 15]

I'll be going on my first backcountry elk hunt this year also. I've got pretty much everything accounted for in my pack and I'm gonna be right under 50 lbs it looks like. Still debating whether I'm going with my iphone as GPS with a back up power source or if I'm gonna purchase a standalone GPS. That, along with deciding about a few creature comforts and I'll have everything squared away. I'll post a list here soon.

by **Broken arrow** » 03 30, 2014 • [Post 16]

This is my 12 day total weight including everything
Item oz. ea. Qty. Total oz.
EXO 3500 76 1 76
Source 2 L bladder 8 1 8
100 ft para cord 4 1 4
Therma rest sleep pad 9 1 9
5'x7' lite tarp 9 1 9
Mountain LT 32 1 32
Jet Boil flash w/ 100g fuel 24 1 24
Fuel for stove 100g 8 1 8
16oz bottle wide mouth 4 1 4
Coleman 20° down bag 47 1 47
Iodine tabs 3 1 3
Garmin Oregan 450T 9 1 9
First aid/ survival kit 12 1 12
Outdoor flip n blade w/saw 9 1 9
caribou solo hunter kill kit 16 1 16
Sony cyber shot camera 7 1 7
Headlamp 3 2 6
Recurve w/ 4 arrows 48 1 48
Vortex binos 24 1 24
Core 4 merino boxers 2 2 4
Liner socks 1 2 2
Smart wool medium hiker 3 2 6
ASAT syn bottom base layer 4 1 4
First lite Llano top 7 1 7
First lite springer vest 20 1 20
First lite labrador 19 1 19
Core4 element pants 29 1 29
Apex Gale 4 jacket 23 1 23
Cabelas rain jacket 24 1 24
Lowe renagade II 46 1 46
Otto gaiters 2 1 2
Core 4 ultru-lite beanie 0.5 1 0.5
2 L water 70.4 1 70.4
contractor bags 1.76 2 3.52
Trekking pole 9.5 2 19
Sawyer squeeze filter 7 1 7
AAA batteries 0.5 6 3
AA batteries 1 4 4
Buck pac-lite caper 3 1 3
Klymit inertia x frame 10.6 1 10.6
food 286.97 1 286.97
toiletries 10 1 10
Rada sharpener 3 1 3
Total Weight Pounds 60.12 everything
Total PackWeight Pounds 50.37 just what is in my pack.

by **Lefty** » 03 30, 2014 • [Post 17]

My area is considered backcounty because of its remoteness
I sort of break my list down differently in some ways it is simple, but comprehensive for me hunting from my tent site and pickup.
My supplies is basically ready to hunt right now, while my bow is in my shop and some gear is upstairs ready to be worked though; maybe I should put together a list of what I really take

Camp supplies,
sleeping gear
Food
Ice and water
clothing
hunting supplies
meat handling
first aid and emergency
pickup supplies

by **Triplebhunters** » 04 03, 2014 • [Post 18]

Added safety glasses to ours.

by **Indian Summer** » 04 04, 2014 • [Post 19]

I guess I missed the word "backcountry" Swede.

My elk hunts are a celebration of life. My favorite time and place all year. I will NOT make sacrifices and live like a homeless person because I can't carry this or that. I've packed canvas wall tents where I knew I was going to dig in for more than 10 days. If I have to I'll make two trips.

You are right though me and CTdad do think alike. No sleeping pad? Are you crazy! I wouldn't last a day. And weather in the mountains is so unpredictable you'd be crazy to skip the rain gear where I hunt. Even the weatherman rolls his eyes when speculating about high country forecasts.

I'm another one who doesn't pack camp and meat at the same time. Maybe just the head if I can fit it. How many times a year do you backpack a camp? I don't weigh anything. I take what I want. Yes I might suffer a little but it's a good pain and worth it when I consider the rewards and it's just one day of paying my dues for a week or more of living like a king in elk country.

One time I surprised a partner. He loves his beer. But who the heck is packing a case of beer right??? I was in Montana and he was flying in. I hiked 8 miles in before he got there and hid beer in an icy stream under an overhanging willow. When we got there and dropped our gear I said man couldn't you go for a cold one about now? He just sighed.... until I reached into the water and handed him a freezing beer. The look on his face must be the same one a person makes when they see the pearly gates and realize they made it to heaven.

If for nothing else it was a morale booster that's for sure.

Why cut corners? lol

by **Washington Wapiti** » 04 04, 2014 • [Post 20]

RJ, there isn't enough posting space for your Excel spreadsheet!

by **WapitiTalk1** » 04 04, 2014 • [Post 21]

Washington Wapiti wrote:RJ, there isn't enough posting space for your Excel spreadsheet!

Ha! No, we can't post those types of files (MS Excel, etc.), but I was gonna scan mine post it up in a couple of images for anyone interested in seeing it. My gear is not the lightest by a long shot but I think my list is pretty complete (thanks to input by guys like Slim9300 and Dotman a handfull of years back). After seeing Broken Arrow's and ctdad's list, I think I have a few more additions to make to mine :shock:

by **Broken arrow** » 04 05, 2014 • [Post 22]

I might be a little OCD but this was my food a day spread sheet.

: ImageUploadedByTapatalk1396741000.484222.jpg (152.7 KiB) Viewed 17343 times

by **WapitiTalk1** » 04 06, 2014 • [Post 23]

Arrow,
Pretty detailed daily chow list. No 'big' meal for you each day? MH or another brand freeze dried chow?

by **Broken arrow** » 04 06, 2014 • [Post 24]

I alternated between a MH and instant potatoes. There is a MH in the pic. My abbreviation skills need work. [GRINNING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]