One thing that has worked for me that I might want to share with others has to do with clothing. The rapidly changing weather conditions in elk country is something most eastern whitetail huntershave to see to believe.The best system I have found is to have a universal Gore Tex shell - hooded camo parka and camo pants/bibs. Get the stuff that has a soft finish - like Cabela's silent suede or Rain suede. It will keep you dry and won't make you sweat bunches when exerting yourself. Quality Gore Tex hiking boots as well. As a warmth layer underneath the shell, you want polar fleece. Bring various thicknesses, to where you can put it all on if it gets really cold or just use a thin layer if it's not bitter cold. The base layer next to your skin in crucial. I like the Underarmor Cold Gear for active cold weather hunting, but many of the poly pro type long underwear is equally good. Main thing is to get that moisture away from your skin and transport it out the the polar fleece, where it can eventually evaporate out through the breathable Gore Tex. A dry hunter is a happy hunter.

And for a sunny mid day in August, you will likely be taking all this stuff off for five or six hours and hunting in long sleeved tee shirt and camo jeans - only to put most of it back on for the last 1/2 hour of legal shooting hours. So you also need a pack big enough to tote this stuff when you start shedding layers.

Also, never underestimate the value of quality socks. I like the Smartwool (various thicknesses), and use a very thin poly pro sock liner next to my skin.

One last thing - always bring a spare release, if you shoot a compound. One of my companions lost his in 2005 -took it offwhile eating a sandwich and couldn't find that spot again. Of course he got a 25 yard shot at 6 X 6 bull later that afternoon. Ever try to shoot a Mathews Outback with fingers? "My kingdom for another Tru Ball" . . . . . . Heck, bring a completebackup bow if you have one.