RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
First Time,
SW Colorado? Other dangerous game -- during elk season -- essentially zero. You may see lion track but it is VERY unlikely you will ever see lion. Your elk rifle (or even a deer rifle being used for elk) will be enough for any rare, rare chance you may have of even seening a lion or bear -- let alone having a defense issue. If you were hunting up by Yellowstone (NW Wyo) or Glacier (MT) it might be a little different story (grizzlies). Colorado is pretty tame. Side arm -- too much weight and bother -- every shed ounce is precious if you are hunting in the San Juans.
Looks like you are going to acquire a pretty good list so I am not going to delve into that with one exception -- GPS! I know this is a guided hunt and you are supposed to be " cared for." However, a lot of the hiking/riding is done in the dark and if you are just " following along" you will go home with many of the " secrets" left behind. Besides we' ve seen the posts where the guide and the client got seperated an things got interesting.
With a GPS:
(1) you' ll be able to take care of yourself to a greater degree if circumstances demand it,
(2) you' ll be able to " re-live" your hunt or plan the next one by uploading the info up into a computer mapping program like " TOPO!" ,
(3) you may be able to do your own trip without a guide in later years if you start acquiring the navigation and orientation information needed right from the start.
You don' t have to get the most expensive one.
Make sure it is a convenient size with a durable antenae.
Get the computer cable and map software for it.
PRACTICE -- PRACTICE -- PRACTICE at home.
Always name your way points --- don' t leave them as a number.
It is easy to master but DON' T wait until the week before the trip!
Never Go Undergunned,
EKM