My brother and I are planning to go probably 2018 or 19 just wondering if you guy have any gear recommendations such as types of tents you guy are using should we get one with a stove and other gear we should get. We are from PA so hunting out west is a whole new world to use so any tips would be grate Thanks

A big wall tent with a stove would be nice to have but no one from us last year had one. We all used whatever we had for base camp. The temps in September were around 25-35 at night and 60-70 during the day. If you have a sturdy large tent, it will work fine, just make sure you have a good sleeping pad and bag. Make sure you have extra space in it to store gear and stretch out in case you get some rain days. If you plan to spike out get something light and small, every # counts, the lighter you go the more $$. One thing I will add to my trip this year is more quality food for base camp, those MH meals are only good if I'm not in base camp. Always bring some onions, never know when you might need to cook up some heart :) see you in 2018

Hennesey Hammock tents. In the mountains it is rare to find a level dry stone free place to lay on the ground. If you are doing an out of state DIY, unlikely you will want to mess with the weight and hassle of a cot or wall tent.

If you have those resources, more power to you; but I like to carry it all in on my back and camp where find a good spot.

Kifaru makes tents and stoves they are backpackable. 100% American made right here in Colorado. Pricey though! Proper fitting hiking boots were the biggest game changer for me, especially important if your over fortyish! Big animals that usually go down a long hard ways from the road, you really need to have your packing system down.

How far from the trail head are you guys setting up base camp?

We have done several trips to Colorado bowhunting in September. On most of our trips we fly with a 60qt cooler with our 8x10 tent, tarps, propane stove & lantern, pots and pans, utensils, and other camp gear inside. One bowcase shared for two bows and arrows. We also each carry a duffle bag with personal gear, sleeping bag and pad, and bivy tent and backpack. This set up has allowed us a comfortable base camp and Flexibility to spike camp out if needed. Although we have had some chilly mornings we never needed a tent heater. If you drive out you may bring more gear, but don't over pack. Buy the best 5-15* sleeping bag and insulated air pad you can afford.

I don't go real far in, just try to get up and in past the hard climb. Do your homework scouting, lots of elk less than a mile from the road. Three years ago I shot at a cow and seen a few bulls less than three thousand feet from from the blacktop and it was a gentle slope walking in. There was good forage over the hill from where we found the elk but their was easy road access also so there was people probably pushing the elk over to us which was a spot most people wouldn't look for them but I had heard the elk were moving back and forth across this road so I went scouting and found them.

As I mentioned above Colorado September elk hunts can be done very simply. Morning temps are 20-40^ and warms to 65-80* in the afternoon with chance of a passing thunderstorm/hail etc. As sunsets the Temp drops to 45-55* and back to morning temps. Try to dress in non cotton clothes in layers to adjust accordingly and always carry light weight raingear. For tents buy ones with a full or 3/4 fly and sturdy poles. Times each person x 2 or 3 for tent sizes. We have gotten by with 3-season 5 person Coleman tents (for two) and since upgraded to Cabelas nylon tents. Don't buy any with ground level vents (cold). Invest money in good 5-20* sleeping bags and insulated air pads, good boots and backpacks, the best you can afford. The propane stove and lantern can be bought for $40-50 dollars, and kitchen gear and other camp gear brought from home. If planning to backpack hunt, this is where expensive lightweight gear is needed. For first trip, plan to hunt with roadside camp with SUV to be mobile to other areas. Find the elk and hunt. Enjoy and be safe.

Hunting public land means backpacking in away from the roads. I realize there are exceptions, but I would plan on lightweight backpacking gear and bivy hunts well away from the truck. A base camp is nice to come back to for a few creature comforts (better food, bigger tent.) The ultralite gear can get expensive, but the ounces you shave mount up. You will need a durable pack, or pack frame if someone does score. You can always pack a light load of meat out with your hunting pack, and exchange for a meat hauling pack for the amount of trips it takes. if you can tolerate a tarp vs tent, that would be cheaper, and light. Get a good 20 degree or colder sleeping bag, and pad. High quality hiking boots that are broken in are a must ! The great thing about your trip is you have a few years to gear up. Buy one thing at a time as you can afford it, and get the good stuff. I use a cat can alchohol stove and stainless cup to cook mountain house meals. It costs virtually nothing, is super light, and you can get fuel at any groc/gas station (Heet fuel additive) I just never could see spending big bucks on these backpackers stoves that are heavier than mine, and fuel is a specialty. I could go on all night, but the best thing you can do is start accumulating gear and do local backpack trips, you need the exercise anyway to get in shape. Have fun ! You will love the scenery, and that alone is worth making the trip out.

We are thinking a base camp and bringing a small tent as well just incase. How are you guys keeping the meat if you get one early on in the hunt and what are you doing for food?

Our backpacks also double as meat hauling packs. When we have an elk down we do the gutless method an hang the boned out meat in game bags suspended in shaded trees.(this will stay ok for a couple days) We then make a trip to town the next day to a meat processor to be cut, packaged and frozen for the trip home. We fly the meat home in coolers or waxed boxes with us as checked baggage and 4-day ground ship our gear home. We usually food shop at the last big town before heading into the National forest. We prepare simple normal dinners with fresh meats, veggies, and salads. Breakfast consists of eggs, bagels, or oatmeal and lunch is meats, snacks etc. We also buy some dried Lipton sides such as noodles, rice, mashed potatoes and foil packs of chicken or tuna for backcountry meals or regular camp meals.

Find out where the nearest meat processor is before you start your hunt. If you kill an elk, get it to the processor within two days. The processor will cut, package and freeze it. You pick it up on the way home.

If you're car camping, can cook and grill the same foods you would at home. If you're going to spike camp, take a lot of freeze dried food.

If you get an animal down (hopefully). Get the skin off of it as soon as possible and get it into some good shade under a pine or such. It is pretty warm during the day in Colo mountains and the hide holds a lot of heat for many hours. Elk is great eating, so don't blow it after you are successful. One wheel game carts work very well on getting elk out if you have two hunters. Half an elk at a time boned and saves your back. Good Luck - Elk hunting is addictive so plan on wanting to do it again and again. Native Coloradoan

The attached link is an elk hunting seminar by Aron Snyder and Chris Roe. They cover alot of your questions.

I get mine to the meat packer and when I pick it up I buy some dry ice to pack it in for the trip home.

Nothing on this site works from a smart phone for me anymore. You will have to copy and paste the link. If that doesn't work, Google 1shotgear, it's also on their homepage

https://youtu.be/FAULo-pxlMM

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here