What goes in a day pack for an elk hunt?

QUOTE by oneounceload:

OP - don't forget your blaze orange. When I lived in CO years ago, it was mandatory.


Still is mandatory. Solid Blaze orange (No patterns) Vest and a Solid Blaze orange Hat/Cap.
 
If you need to ask this question (no shame in it), you should hire a competent guide. Novice expeditions into the back country, especially in mountains, can turn lethal in a hurry. You're not going camping, and your military training won't do you a whole lot of good. If you're going alone, stay close to your truck, and consider where that elk is in relation to your truck before you drop him.
 
greensteelforge "If you need to ask this question (no shame in it), you should hire a competent guide".

WOW the guys just asking for opinions. That's what we do here.:eek:
 
Everybody starts somewhere. If the OP has common sense he should be fine. No need to hire a guide unless you are after a huge trophy bull and not a meat/thrill of the hunt Elk. Hunting the mountains isn't rocket science and it doesn't need to be made out like it is.

You're not going camping
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uhh, yes he is, hunting is camping/hiking with a gun. Most of the replies (including mine) would be no different if somebody were asking about camping and hiking in the Rockies. Save for one fact, he needs to have a quality pack frame (with a shelf) and be ready to use it. I'd keep the frame with me while out & about, it really sucks to down an animal and have to hike all the way to camp to get the frame that you could have been using to haul the essential survival gear.

your military training won't do you a whole lot of good.
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Pretty general statement dont you think? If he said he went to "Advanced Logistical Administrative Scool", yeah, you'd probably be right. I went USMC mountain warfare school and I'd say it would be helpfull in mountain hunting. Funny thing is, his handle just says that he is retired military (likely Artillary). This means he could have served a fair amount of time as a forward observer and has had some pretty good training that would apply. Try not to make assumptions. He is just asking for a little inside advice from people who have hunted similar terrain/weather.
 
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Hunting the mountains isn't rocket science and it doesn't need to be made out like it is.
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If someone has never been in that back country, and at those altitudes, it can damn sure be deadly. When I lived in Rifle there were always reports of out-of-state hunters getting lost, some perishing from exposure due to an unexpected storm, etc.......

I wound up buying the US Armed Forces Survival Guide back then - always took it, even if just 4-wheeling for fun

Keeping an awareness of what is happening around you - weather-wise, terrain, etc. is important
 
I'd also bring at least one change of socks per day
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Yep. Last year in seven days I changed clothes once, underwear twice, and socks every day.

And it was 20 below the first night. Take a very good bed roll.
 
After hearing all the horror stories from the above respondants, about the hazards of 8-9-10,000' elevations Im stupdified. Apparently those altitudes cause sleeplessness, headaches, nausea, impotence, and pre mature tire wear. This is quite a relief to finally know its not actually me but the altitude that is causing all my problems. I live at over 9000' elevation and regularly work at up to 12,000'. All these years my wife and kids thought it was just me being wierd. Having lived and worked here all my 50 + years and being on local rescue teams I can suggest the following. A good spacebag and a mini 6oz wind and waterproof tent, plenty of water and high energy snacks. And most of all one of the new personal distress locator devices. These help rescuer find you in minutes instead of days if hurt or ill.
 
30-, For a lowlander like me, 9K elevation is like doing drugs that make me lightheaded and goofy... BTW, The highest elevation is near me... 300 and some odd feet above sea level and I have to climb 250+ feet to the "summit":o
Brent
 
just a quick suggestion...

ziploc bags...put at least your undershirts and underwear in ziploc bags, prior to movement, so if you run into inclement weather, at least your balls'll be dry...i can be either cold, wet, tired, or hungry...but once i'm all four, it's a bad day
 
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