RE: Must have for elk hunting
 

don't forget the GPS along with a topo map and compass, a pair of hatchets works well for quartering out along with the bone saw, dry socks are always handy,maybe some bear spray and most importantly a good hunting partner and a littlegood luck.[/align]

RE: Must have for elk hunting
 

From the way you worded the question I'm going to start from once the Elk is down. All the survival gear I am assuming is already with you. Especially proper clothing, water and GPS. In order of operations I would recommend the following:
First I will make a list for if you are far into the woods and a a long way from a vehicle.
1. A great knife for skinning and gutting elk.
2. Portable Saw
3. Large Backpack & meat bags.
4. Skin, Gut and bone meat put in bags and start walking ASAP toward the waiting vehicle with cooler filled with ice for meat.

If you are close to a vehicle:
1. A great knife and portable saw.
2. Rope & come-along to hoist elk on a sturdy tree for gutting skinning and quartering...or whatever you want to do with it.
Have waiting ice chests filled with ice go home and butcher the quaerters to your liking and wrap with plastic, butcher paper and freeze. In my opinion both deer and elk are better tasting when you do not age the meat prior to freezing. Everyone that has tasted my elk and deer meat has said it was the best they have ever had!!
That is primarily because of how quickly I get the meat cooled down, buthered up, wrapped and put in the deep freezer at home.

RE: Must have for elk hunting
 

If you are packing meat for a long way, leave the bones with the guts!!!!!!!!!! I have knives, a sharpener, meat bags, frame pack, and a rain poncho. The poncho gets spread next to the elk with the meat sacks and knives on it. The elk gets boned on the spot. The weather is warm and the meat will spoil if not taken care of properly. I also have some antibacterial hand cleaner to clean my hands off after gutting, If the weather is real warm. I also have plastic sacks on me. The meat sacks get double bagged and sealed at the top by tying a goose neck. At the bottom of the drainage is a deep glacier stream. The meat gets submerged with rocks on it. The meat inside stays dry and the creek acts as if you were putting the meat into a refrigerator. When the cool morning comes, the meat gets packed out. Bacteria control is the key when dealing with an animal that is down. Also pop the hind quarters, the neck(remove the windpipe, and open under the front legs.)A knife sharpener is good to have also. I have a Kodi pack and in it there is a caping knife, a skinning and gutting knife, and also a small saw for cutting the antlers after caping.

RE: Must have for elk hunting
 

if you have never been at the top opf the mountain without TP then you do not realize how serious that post is


take the tip and do not forget

RE: Must have for elk hunting
 

Consider some baby wipes after usingthe toilet paper. also put several in a sealable baggie for use to clean your hands after boning your elk. most hunters don't get far (less than a mile) off the roads, so survival stuff is usually dead weight to them, but if you get off the roads any distance, all the survival stuff previously mentioned is good to have. 2 sharp knives and a stone/steel for use at the kill site. compass and gps (and know how to use both). the list goes on and on. you might do a search for items in a backpack or something like that. i believe the list has been discussed many times here. good luck on your hunt.

RE: Must have for elk hunting
 

folding fillet knife, and a stone to sharpen with. and ofcoarse a camera.:D we want to see pics.!

RE: Must have for elk hunting
 

youre right -most hunters don't get off the roads and for that I'm grateful. If youre one of those types, bring the TP because you will need something to wipe your #%*(*( with when you see the animals that those that are willing to get away from your diaper rash bring out of the woods.:D:)Especially pre & post rut. During the rut, you might wanna pack some PP&H so when that big bull comes at you and you drop your gun you'll be able to get some relief!

RE: Must have for elk hunting
 

I will tell you what,with proper clothing the must havesare as follows.
1. Tag
2.A good pair of boots and socks
3.Good optics
4.A good sharp knife and sharpener
5.A good order weapon and familar with.
6.A good pack
7.20 ft of rope
8.Food,water and the necesities to stay a night in the woods to survive.(matches,hot-sticks,pack of lipton soup mix,can of sardines,small tin cup,small first aid kit.)
With that you can hunt elk anywhere,this is a bare minimum.Also don't forget the TP,the first time you wipe your butt with pine needles and rocks,you will wish you had some TP.That first case of chapped a-- hurts and you don't wanna walk anywhere take that from a vet of elk hunting.
BBJ

RE: Must have for elk hunting
 

2 Well conditioned lungs
2 well conditioned legs.

Don't go hunting without them. Your exerience will be alot more enjoyable and productive.

RE: Must have for elk hunting
 

I'm far from a veteran but I'll give you my take on it.
Seems like when I'm in the bush for an extended period of time is Ice becomes a problem..I do most of my hunting solo so a game cart or tobagon is part of my gear. The days can be kinda long and the nights lonely so some good reading material is always on hand. I also keep a daily journal on my hunts. A pistol is also part of my gear whether I'm hunting with a gun or bow. When I get back to my camp I'm so exhausted that I don't have the energy to fix a 5 course meal and like to keep it simple and make sandwiches and soup, its a lot less clean up.
Just one thing, don't forget your alarm clock.
Good luck.

Bobby