Getting ready for Idaho.....

[Roger Norris]

I almost NEVER hunt away from my home state of Michigan. But this year at Compton, some of the boys and I were bidding on a 10 day hunt in Idaho. We were kinda messing around, trying to get the bid rolling. Low and behold, we won the bid for a ridiculously low price. Suddenly, a  bunch of us were headed out on an elk hunt.

I had been preparing for hunting season prior to that, but now it was serious and specific....I have already posted up pics of the 2 dozen Douglas Fir arrows I have prepared. I had also been fairly good about the gym...I am always about 15 pounds overweight...

We are hunting out of a cabin, so a day pack works rather than packing all of our gear in. So in addition to the gym, I have strapped on a 30 pound day pack and my hiking boots and hit the stadium stairs at the local Highschool. Real world boots/socks/backpack/steps are a HUGE difference from the stepper at the gym. This heat is making all the more difficult.

The fun part of this prep-work is the gear list. I know I have to carry water in my daypack, along with the standards...knife, rope, small saw, compass, minimal first aid kit.....I am resurecting my GPS, I haven't used it in years. I found a very light, compact tarp at REI that I might pick up. It has been suggested to me that I need some form of water purifier. Parachute cord seems like a good idea, I usually have 5 10'  pieces and 1 50' piece.

Most of my arrows have field points on them right now, but I do have 6 that I have put Ace Hex Head Blunts on. By time I leave, my dozen or so most perfect shafts will have the Ace Express 165 grain heads on them.

I have suspended my treestand practice, and am shooting more from the ground....from odd positions and various distances.

I think my biggest dilema is clothing....here in Michigan I sit more than move, and my clothing reflects that. It sounds like anything can happen in Idaho during September. Fred Assbell was in the same area last year, and he said it was pretty warm. Other guys say 10 inches of snow would not be odd. Thank gosh that Tim, Eric and crew are driving out (I'm flying). I am going to meet them a week prior and give them my gear. I will have all the stuff I need.

I am enjoying this a great deal. Like anything in life, you really LEARN when you come out of your comfort zone and try something new. If anyone has advice for this trip, my ears are wide open.

[ron w]

Go prepared for anything and have a great time....nothing like the high country to stir the soul. You will never forget this trip!

[Maxx Black]

Roger, enjoy the hunt and take lots of photos for us. Maxx

[John Scifres]

I have been to Central Idaho twice during September elk season.  First in 2006 wherer the weather was extremely variable.  20's some days and 70's others.  Think layers.  I took a moderately heavy wool jacket and was glad for it at times.

Here's the   Photo Album  for this hunt.

In 2008 our hunt was almost completely hot.  Temps were 50s at night and 70-80 during the day.  We had one rain storm on the last day but no cold weather at all.  I only have a few pics of camp posted for that hunt.

[Roger Norris]

Great pictures John, thanks!

[Missouri CK]

Roger,

I've been to south central idaho and northern idaho for three different elk hunts.  I never encountered what I would call cold weather.  The mornings were brisk but all the the days unsually ended up hot. I would focus on warm weather gear especially the way this years weather has been.  Layering would get you through most of the cooler stuff and if you ran into a freak snow storm it usually doesn't last but for a day.  

I think you have a great plan going.  Toughening up your feet is a great idea.  After you get done with the stairs do some walking on uneven ground as that gets your ankles used to the twist and turns of odd terrain.

Uneven shooting positions are the norm.  We worked on running for a brief stretch up a hill and then trying to shoot while your out of breath.  It's hard to do but realistic practice for out there.

Good luck and have a great time!

Where are you going (general area)?
Chris

[T Folts]

Roger I am looking a first lite merino wool for layering, also other merino wool, socks short sleve's and long sleve. I just ordered a pair of pants from first lite at 50% off.

[Roger Norris]

That sounds about right Terry. I'm thinking light layers, stuff I can move in without sweating up

[Bob Moran]

Roger,
I worked a couple of summers in the Nez Perce NF, central Idaho and saw snow in mid August, so be prepared for wet snow. A tarp is a wise addition to your day kit - silnylon is very strong and lighter than coated nylon. I'm totally envious of you - have a great hunt!

[Ray Lyon]

Binoculars and boots/socks. Concentrate there first. Next, get a good daypack that holds all your gear without pulling down on your shoulders. Bison Gear is great stuff.  A wool vest is good to have but other than that, I had light layers for Montana and Colorado. I like the light weight merino wool long underwear. Silk is great too.  Practice at big targets to help your range estimation.

[Roger Norris]

Binoculars.....thank you

Stopped at Cabelas today and bought some decent socks....if they work well I'm going to buy more.

[Lost Arra]

I'll be in the Sawtooth Wilderness in a few weeks for backpacking+fishing. I don't know where you are hunting but I'll report on the weather

[John Scifres]

Here's my   Pack List  from last year's CO elk hunt.

Here it is laid out...

 

...and packed up...

 

...and on my back...

 

...and in use.

 

I love backpack elk hunting.  I wish I was going ths year.

[TWP]

http://kuiu.com/thehunt/

Check out Jason Hairston's stuff also. Good boots, good wool socks and either wool or synthetic clothing to layer and you are golden. May need rain gear too. As for water, I use iodine tabs, while other folks like pumps. Check out the Havalon knives as well.

I highly suggest the Elk Nuts Playbook to take with you as well. Kind of a cheat sheet for elk hunting. Have a blast!!!!

[arsurveyor]

I'm flying up to Utah to meet up with some buddies to hunt south Idaho.  I'll be there opening day 8-30.  This will be my third trip.  Beautiful country.  Be sure to get a deer tag too.  The deer tag is good for a bear or Mt. Lion in lieu of the deer.  Therefore your set for anything that crosses your path.  Also you can get a wolf tag for around $35.  That being said, I've not yet seen a bear, lion or wolf in Idaho.

[tzolk]

Roger, where at in Idaho? The wife and I just got back from Sandpoint (upper panhandle). We are planning on moving there within the next year. Beautiful land, mountains pretty much up there. As Nick Lidstrom said,"gotta get your legs" if you're going to hunt up there. You will have a great time no matter what. Cheers!