Advice on Drop Camp Hunt

[Deanmac]

I have booked a 2017 trip into West Elk Wilderness area 54 in the Gunnison NF for our group of four. This will be during 1st rifle season. We will be 7.5 miles into the wilderness, with a 13K peak to our backs.

I was looking for advice on what to bring and what to leave home. Each person in our party is allowed 120 pounds, which will include our sleeping bags/pad, food, clothes, and hunting gear. Not our rifle
Each person could bring a 50 quart cooler, in that 120 pounds. I have a outfitter type water filter that is very compact, so that will not be an issue.
I plan on having more than just MRE and freeze dried meals.

What is some suggestions from folks that have packed in or did drop camp hunts in the past. This will be the first drop camp hunt for anyone in our party.

Thanks in advance.

[Timber]

I am assuming they are supplying nothing except the ride in? (tent?)

[Indian Summer]

Peanut butter and jelly with bagels instead of bread because they are more durable. Trail mix. "Meat alternatives " such as jerky, tuna in bags, summer sausage. Oatmeal. Jolly Ranchers. Tang mix because plain water gets monotonous. Fruit and not the kind that gets smashed.... oranges or apples hold up well. Take some kind of season salt in case you kill grouse or um... elk! Good luck!

[Elkduds]

Deanmac will NOT be cutting any corners in the grub box. Trust me on this. His camp will dine with a wonderful southern flair.

DM, wondering if the camp supplies a woodstove, gas stove, water?

[CurlyTail]

Platypus Gravity Works 4 L Complete Water Filter Kit

Bring one complete set of cold weather hunting clothes, and one complete set of warm weather clothing. No more. Easy to bring too many clothes.
Don't forget the balaclava, headband, sun hat, stocking cap - gotta have the right head wear for the conditions

lightweight "ground chairs" are just like a recliner at midday

pack your hunting day packs ahead of time. Divy up the required equipment in the kill kit so there is not redundancy. Divy up survival and fire making gear. I always leave camp prepared for an unexpected overnight if required (bare bones).

have a detailed topographic map, and a GPS with decent topo

Consider hiking poles if you have guys over 45 years old - they can really help on the steep stuff and stream crossings

Your choice of cots will save or waste a lot of weight.

The Cabelas outfitter lodge tent 12ft. x 12ft. is good for 4 guys and cots. Not heavy. Study and will not blow down. No fly or ground cloth needed. Unless you have a canvas wall tent of course. Replace the stakes with spikes and bring a small hammer.

Leave your pistols at home - not needed in Colorado

[saddlesore]

Sorry,but do you mean the West Elk Wilderness? Who is the outfitter ( Tenderfoot?)

I use to pack in a lot. 35 pounds of personal gear will give you about everything you need. If 120 pounds is your limit and the outfitter is supplying the camp, you will have more than enough. Even if he is not, splitting out the camp between four, you will still have enough weight restriction to do you. I 'd sure want more than one set of clothes each, warm, cold". Extra socks, extra underwear, long johns . One pair in the first season gets pretty rank after sweating and you will.. When you down an elk those clothes get grimy and you will need to wash them out. Staying clean in elk camp will go along way to keeping you healthy. Start with what you want to a take and then weed out the needs from the wants to get your weight down.

Find out if the outfitter provides rifle scabbards. If not,get one.Do not plan on riding with a rifle slung over your back.It will be extremely uncomfortable,it is dangerous, if you come off the horse, you have 30 inch piece of steel strapped to your back, and at the very least, you will probably break your stock or screw up your scope

Food, Try steel cut rolled oats. It will stay with you longer than regular instant. Add little brown sugar to it, dehydrated hash browns and a breakfast bar will do you good. Lunches, jerky, granola bars, dried fruit, trail max. I use Costco trail mix, but combine it with their berry trail mix that has more nuts and dried berries in it. Dinners, you will need protein. Mostly you can find dried vegetables to reconsitute. I stay way from those freeze dried meals that you eat out of a bag. For their $9+ per bag ,there are lot of things you can make cheaper and better tasting meals. Since it is only a 5 day hunt,I'd take some ham and a few frozen steaks, bacon. You can buy enough dried ingredients to make spaghetti sauce, concentrated tomatoe paste can be bought in a tube and the pasta is light weight.That will give you carbs.

Unless you are going for the outfitter only packing you in, the items in red should be supplied at the camp.

Leave all your high techy gadgets at home. By the 2nd day you will be leaving them in camp, trying to get the weight down in your day pack

Small Flashlight/Batteries/LED Headlamp
Elk Calls/Scents
Camera
Knives/ Skinning/Large/Small
Pauncho, Rain Suit
1 Road Flare or Fire starter
Ear Plugs (for snorers)
Sleeping Bag
Pillows
Foam Sleeping Wedge
Water Tablets
Chemical hand/toe warmers
Binoculars
Topo Maps
Elk game bags
Handsoap
Chapstick, hand cream, sunscreen
Small Axe
Small Rope
Day Pack
Clock
Compass
Toilet paper/ handi wipes
Personal meds
Rubber gloves, Nitril, Yellow Kitchen
Bic lighter
Small mirror
Painters light plastic sheet
First aid kit

CAMP
Tent
Spatula
Coleman Stove
Propane Fuel
Coffee pot
2 lanterns/mantles, propane lantern/propane
Large Axe
Small/Large Bow saw
Washbasins
Salt/Pepper
Matches
Fold up chairs
Fold up table/picnic/ pack table
Ca opener
Water Jugs/ fold-up/ collapsible/igloo
Plastic eating utensils
Paper plates,,bowls,cups
Paper towels
Large Skillet/pot

[Timber]

Plus another important thing, if you are pushing the gear weight limit wear extra clothing/gear on the ride in.

[Tigger]

merino wool base layers wont stink compared to synthetics. Trust me, I know this.

Make sure you have an exact list of what the outfitter is providing.

[Deanmac]

Deanmac will NOT be cutting any corners in the grub box. Trust me on this. His camp will dine with a wonderful southern flair.

DM, wondering if the camp supplies a woodstove, gas stove, water?

Thanks, Elkduds, hope to eat well.

Wood stove, gas stove, water, but we need to filter ( I bought a outfitter type filter system) https://www.katadyn.com/us/us/428-80191 ... amp-6l_usa ) Plenty of cook pots and fry pans (9 piece set I think , I have already asked that question.

[Deanmac]

Sorry,but do you mean the West Elk Wilderness? Who is the outfitter ( Tenderfoot?)

[/color]

Yes Eagle Mt, Jon Sund

[Deanmac]

I am assuming they are supplying nothing except the ride in? (tent?)

No all we have to take is our hunting stuff, food, paper products, plastic spoons and forks, sleeping bag and pad. Everything else is provided by outfitter.

[Deanmac]

Platypus Gravity Works 4 L Complete Water Filter Kit

Bring one complete set of cold weather hunting clothes, and one complete set of warm weather clothing. No more. Easy to bring too many clothes.
Don't forget the balaclava, headband, sun hat, stocking cap - gotta have the right head wear for the conditions

lightweight "ground chairs" are just like a recliner at midday

pack your hunting day packs ahead of time. Divy up the required equipment in the kill kit so there is not redundancy. Divy up survival and fire making gear. I always leave camp prepared for an unexpected overnight if required (bare bones).

have a detailed topographic map, and a GPS with decent topo

Consider hiking poles if you have guys over 45 years old - they can really help on the steep stuff and stream crossings

Your choice of cots will save or waste a lot of weight.

The Cabelas outfitter lodge tent 12ft. x 12ft. is good for 4 guys and cots. Not heavy. Study and will not blow down. No fly or ground cloth needed. Unless you have a canvas wall tent of course. Replace the stakes with spikes and bring a small hammer.

Leave your pistols at home - not needed in Colorado

Good advice thanks,
I have this water filter: https://www.katadyn.com/us/us/428-80191 ... amp-6l_usa

Tent and cot is provided by the outfitter.
I have already gotten the outfitters map from Topo and will make maps more detail maps of the hunting area.

I will add ground chair to my list.

Thanks on the clothes, I tend to take to many. I just got a new parka from Cabela's, one of the Herter's 3 in 1 types that has removable liner. Did not really have a heavy coat. Also got a Rain Suit AGO , but it is heavier than I expected so I might take it back.
Both were on sale and I had store credit for the purchase.

[Deanmac]

Plus another important thing, if you are pushing the gear weight limit wear extra clothing/gear on the ride in.

Great point, A guy I talked with that has hunted this camp for years during 3rd season, told me he wore in all his heavier stuff. Coat, Boots, etc.

[Deanmac]

Sorry,but do you mean the West Elk Wilderness? Who is the outfitter ( Tenderfoot?)

Find out if the outfitter provides rifle scabbards. If not,get one.Do not plan on riding with a rifle slung over your back.It will be extremely uncomfortable,it is dangerous, if you come off the horse, you have 30 inch piece of steel strapped to your back, and at the very least, you will probably break your stock or screw up your scope


[/color]

Outfitter provides scabbards for the ride in.

Good list of food items, some I had not thought of, thanks.

Outfitter will provide all the items on your red list, except the paper and plastics eating items.

[Timber]

I would also suggest a small 8x10 tarp to saddles list. They are lightweight and priceless when you need them! With the 120 pound limit per hunter, you should be in great shape to get your needed supplies in for a very comfortable camp!