What in your Elk hunting daypack

[jtwalsh62]

was just wonder what you guys was carrying in the field . You know this is my third year out there and I am looking at stuff that I did not uses the last two times
ex-glove   gloves, head net, rope, flaging. game bags, water purifer/blader,  headlamp. knives. first-aid kit, rain poncho, gps/compass, ex string ,book,  binoc, rubber bunts, fire starter/lighter snacks/lunch,

[twitchstick]

3 days Food/ water/snacks
Rain gear
Wool socks/hat/gloves
Extra layers
"Possible Bag"- a dry bag with first-aid/survival/comfort medications
Cord/rope
Game bags
Radio if with groups/cell sometimes
Water purifier
2 good knives
Camera if I remember
Marking tape
Saw of some sort(kife saw combo/hack saw blade with electical tape for handle)
Bow repair stuff and extras
Some locations small 3 wt fly rod
30 gal trash bag/great survival tent/liver bag ect..
Calls
Bino's sometimes spoting scope
If I hunt longer more food,a tent or bivy,sleeping bag.

[twitchstick]

And two head lamps

[PAPA BEAR]

my pack has:
two knives
waterproof fire starter
snake bite kit
100 ft braided rope
knife sharpener
calls
gps with extra batteries
water
some sort of high protein snacks
binocs (rarely use them)
toilet paper (in a ziploc)
extra archery type gear
jacket of some sort when its cold out or will be cold.i'm sure i'm forgetting some things but i try and keep it light.ahhh...two or three flaslights to.almost forgot the first aid kit.

[lpcjon2]

In mine I have an IOU written to myself for an elk trip.Its what I wanted for years but I have to wait for the kids to grow first.I am jealous!

[elknut1]

Here is the list of essentials that I highly recommend! I have not adjusted the weight & items for a few years now; it appears to be perfect for our hunting style!

 Water Bladder, min 60oz 100oz is Better--
 4 Elk Bags-
 Wyoming Pack Saw-
 Orange flagging tape-
 Food for all day-
 Back up energy bars 5-
 Space Blanket-A Good One!
 Large plastic garbage bag- can be used for many things including a shelter or work surface!
 1 25' & 2 50' 1/4" nylon rope-
 Water Purifier Carbon Straw
 Roll of Athletic tape-Emergency Use
 Celox, Stops Severe Bleeding
 Ziplock bag of matches,lighter,fish hooks,flies,20' fishing line,small packet magnesium flakes-
 2-knives & carbide sharpener-
 small leatherman-
 mini mag & petzel headlamp flashlights-
 4-extra AA batteries, fits all my units-
 Garmin GPS 130-
 Compass & maps-
 small notebook & pen in ziplock bag-
 6-rounds .357 spare bullets-
 Extra longbow string-
 Eye glasses-
 Baggie with aspirin, benadryl for bee stings, vicadin for bad muscle/leg pulls-
 Disposable camera,36photos-

 All this goes into my Eberlestock X2 for all day hunts or 2200 Pack for 2-4 day bivy hunts! Both have outside the pack meat carrying capabilities!  It weighs 14#-15#

  ElkNut1

[Ragnarok Forge]

lpcjon2,

Bjorn is coming up to hunt out of my early elk camp this year.  Another trad ganger is welcome any time.  Our tags are over the counter.  My early season hunting area holds tons of elk and is only moderately tough country so it is huntable by anyone.  Lots of hills and small mountains, and fairly heavy brush.   I have tents, camping gear, etc... that you can use. Your costs, airfare, food , license and tags, and if timed for when I plan my hunts no car rental costs.  It is not that expensive to set up a great elk hunt.  I am blessed to live 2 minutes from deer hunting and 30 minutes or less from good elk hunting, and 2.5 hours from great elk hunting.  

Put a plan together, save a few bucks and come on out for a hunt. I will be happy to play host for you.  I put Tricia 20 feet from a 6 X 6 coastal Roosevelt last year.  A bit later it was 18 yards from a yearling.  Of course two days before early elk started and we were deer hunting.

I normally hunt Labor Day weekend and two to 5 days after for elk at the coast that is a great time to hunt them.

My hunting pack is loaded with

Skinning / gutting knife
Tomahawk
Leatherman
waterproof fire starter
300 feet 550 cord
knife sharpener
calls
gps with extra batteries
Head lamp with extra batteries
water
food for 2 days - light weight
binocs 8 X 24
toilet paper
Extra socks - 1 pair cotton - 1 pair wool
Extra shirt and pants
jacket
Stove
Tiatnium pot and cup
Signal Mirror
Bright signal panel
Game bags
Water purifier
Poncho - for making emergency shelter

I carry a fair amount and have used it when I needed to stay overnight by my butchered elk.  All due to getting done butchering after dark late and was a few miles from the truck.

[jhg]

I don't like to carry more than 15lbs total, pack and contents.

Extra batterys
two AA flashlights
10' of 1/4 braided rope-soft
3 20'lengths para cord
flagging
2 pieces 1/8" x 3/8ths x 4" diameter rubber band
water filter
game bags
2 jumbo trash bags
fire starter
extra socks
head band
flash light headband
shell
48" cloth sewing tape to measure deer/elk relative size vs antler size.
small camera
unscented sunscreen
first aid kit mainly for triage
brown TP and weightless shovel
pen
small notebook

My map and compass are always w/me as are the knives, food, and clothing. If I plan to bivy than add a Svea 123, spoon, cup, tea kettle and Marmot down bag.

joshua

[lpcjon2]

Lowell,Thank you for that offer after my move to Georgia I will start to put some loot away and maybe I can take you up on that offer.Thanks Tim

[wapitimike1]

Sorry boys I gotta keep this one high so I don't loose it. I was gonna take a Banana and a bottle of water! Looks like I need a Bradley Fighting Vehicle from some of these lists.
Thanks for the input. I would have been whoofully unprepared!!

[ishoot4thrills]

Ain't you all forgetting something?!?........................BABY WIPES! Seriously, they are very handy for multiple uses, other than for just the obvious!

[Whip]

Good lists above.  A couple of things I add are a small nylon tarp to lay meat on as I quarter and cut meat.  And some white vinegar and a small spray bottle to spray down the meat to keep off the bees and flies.  Works great!

[ArkyBob]

Wow, I can't believe no one has listed a compass yet.  Although I do carry a GPS, I don't go hunting (especially big country) without a compass and a map.  Too many things can go wrong with electronics to completely trust one.

[ArkyBob]

Sorry jhg, I missed it on the first read.

[jtwalsh62]

Hey WHIP tell us more about the Vinegar

[screamin]

Originally posted by jtwalsh62:
Hey WHIP tell us more about the Vinegar

ya no kidding. you using it straight or dilute in a little water?

[Brian Krebs]

Where people get into trouble here in Idaho elk hunting is carrying so much stuff that when they do get onto elk- they literally kill or injure themselves.

 I bow down three times a day in the direction of where Elknut lives- I like his list- and how light it is.
 This is not when you want to carry 60 pounds on your back while hunting!

 I carry a small water filter on me- I can fill up a water container and drink any water through the filter- or sip straight from a creek.
 I keep it in a pocket - so its always there.
Dehydration is a killer. Most hunters are used to high humidity - here it might be single digit - and it may be in the 90s on the last day of the hunt.

 Think of your blood as thick as water; well after few hours of hiking ( and seeing an elk or hearing one bugling- or both: will put you into hyper-gear) it will be like syrup.

 Drink all you can when you can- if your not sweating; you can write your name in the dirt.

 I have seen people drink a gallon in a few minutes. That is dangerous too - but - you will be motivated.

 I often hunt from my cabin; and I carry the water filter; a 'space blanket'; a lighter; a file; my knife on my belt; and my skinning knife; my wallet with my ~license and tags~ and a flashlight.

 Way to many times I have seen people start out with enough stuff to last for days; in a heavy backpack; that after the third or forth day- gets left behind.
 of course- that will be the day you need something in it.. that is why I take the minimum in my pockets.

 And really - really - really- if you have never spent the night in the woods unprepared- stay the night in your backyard and test your mettle.

 Patrick McManus suggesting perfecting 'MSP' [modified stationary panic] if you get lost; you put all your stuff on the ground; take a step to the side and jump up and down and scream and when your all done and exhausted - your no more lost than when you started. And your gear is right there.

 If you have a few essentials in your pocket- well it will be there when you realize: you forgot where you put your backpack down.

 Nothing more exciting or demanding than elk hunting. Be prepared  

[Brian Krebs]

can you tell elk season starts for me soon?    :D

[excelpoint]

Although we dont have Elk over here in Australia we do have Sambar which are nearly as big and live in our nastiest high country. I thought I would list what I carry over here which is
basicly what I will be carrying when I come over to Colorado in September this year.

Pack is a Badlands Superday

*Small lightweight plastic sheet (ideal for game preparation)
*Jetboil Personal cooking system. Great for all water based or dehydrated meals as well making a nice hot cuppa.
*Sea to Summit kitchen pouch containing tea, coffee etc as well as flattened half toilet roll and Sea to Summit folding cup.
*First aid kit containing all the usual stuff along with hospital grade wound dressings.
*Game bag (big enough for whole deer carcass)
*Myall skinner, bone saw, Mora skinner and boner.
*Medium and fine diamond file.  
*Garmin Gecko GPS
*2 BIC Lighters and small wind up torch
*Soldiers water filter
*Space blanket and instant heat pads.
*Survival band made of about 4m of para cord. Hand made by Derek Webster from the TBGA bowhunting forum
*Blast Match firelighter
*15' of 500# para cord
*Truglo bino bivy with Vortex 8X42 bino’s
*Bag with spare bow string, small game heads, broadheads and allen key for limb bolts.
*Tape measure
*Camera mount that fits over nock on arrow.
*5 watt UHF radio
*Silva compass
*Map of hunting area
*Head Lamp
*Camera

Plus food and water for the day.

[Tree Killer]

Just out curiosity I dumped out my hunting pack and took inventory.

 

Hunting license and elk tag
Knives
Flat file
Folding saw
2 bundles of rope
4 thin elk size game bags
Roll of surveyors tape
digital camera
small tripod
Headlamp
4 AA batteries (usually 8)
Container with extra mouth calls
Aleve
Carmax Lip goo
Small first aid & survival bag(lighter,matches,candles,bandaids,whistle,etc)
2 liteweight emergency blankets
2 plastic Zip-ties
Bug repellent
Extra windicator bottle
Rite in the Rain memo pad and short pencil
Power bar
2 water bottles

In addition I have room for food and an extra water or Gatorade.

I use one of the emergency blankets to lay the meat and quarters on while butchering after I put it in the thing bags. I hate getting dirt even on those bags! They're really thin and light, and work great for chores like this.

I don't own a compass or GPS. I know it sounds weird, but I've never been turned around and always know where I'm at.