I'm going on my first elk/mule deer hunt this September in the Absaroka-Beartooth wilderness in Montana. It's a pack in hunt 16 miles in so once we get there we are there untill the hunts over. 6 day hunt plus a day packing in and out. The outfitter sent me a "what to take list" which is somewhat vague , anyway I have a starting out list. At the top of this list it says "50lb weight limit for gear per hunter"......"2 smaller-medium duffels is better than one large duffel"....."weight of rifle excluded from limit". They recommend to bring 2 pairs of boots, rain wear, wool coats, pants, etc...etc. So I started getting all this stuff ready.....packed my duffels (my family thinks I'm crazy) and I know that I am over the limit by more than a few pounds. So the question is what to leave out?

So what is the basic clothing, boots, gear, etc needed for a hunt like this.

Thanks for your help NBH

neweboarhunter,

How about you post the list/description/weight of the items you have so far that is putting you over 50 pounds and we'll try to trim it for you....

If everyone posts what they think you should take, then we'll have you at 115 pounds quick and easy and I doubt that is the direction you want to go.

What season/dates and elevation will you be hunting?

Good Luck and Good Hunting,
EKM

I agree with ELKampMaster post a list of your gear & we can help delete what you do not need. By the way I hunt in the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness. I can tell you what I would bring & what I would leave off of your list.
Who is you outfitter, I might know him?

I am not sure what kind of hunting you are used to, but for elk hunting you will probably be doing a lot of walking in steep, high elevation country. That makes the long johns and boots you take much more important than hiking around in flat low country. If you don't own a premium pair of long johns, ones that WICK MOISTURE, you need to buy a pair. And if your boots don't support your foot and ankle well, you need to invest in a better pair. I talk from bad experiences trying to "get by" with cheap boots and long johns and paid with being cold and blisters.

With long johns, think wicking ability, not warmth. When you hike in the mountains, you sweat no matter how cold it is, and if your long johns hold moisture instead of wicking it (which is what cotton does) you will be cold.

One way to cut weight is with a good quality down sleeping bag. Whatever you take, buy quality because being cold all night is miserable.

I realize that this doesn't answer the question you ask, but hopefully it will be useful info.

TOILET PAPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am kinda in the same boat as you are neweboarhunter, I have question My outfitter said we will be around about 8,000 to 10,000 feet in some time is September, I bought a 4 or 3.5 pound sleeping rated at -7 to 20+, is that to warm or to cold, or what sleeping bag shoud I get. Thanks guys.

In addition to what's been said, describe the camp setting once in the area you will hunt. This will also help to ID the right gear.

The tents are big white guided tents, I am sure they have wood or gas heaters in them, I would hope so at least.

Here is a list:

sleeping bag 5lb
thin foam pad
2 - boots leather hikers
socks -8
underwear -8
long underwear -2
blue jeans -4
wool pants -1
T-shirts -8
long flannel-4
sweatshirts-2
medium weight carhart coat-1
wool coat-1
jersey gloves-3
sock hat- 1
drop point knife-1
skining knife-1
binoculars-1
compass-1
GPS-1 (have not bought this yet but will have before trip)
rain pants-1
rain coat-1
ammo-2boxes
small first aid kit
personal latrine articles
flashlight- one small
flashlight- medium
matches
lighter
small strobe light for signaling
small day pack
silver space blankets
orange vest
extra pair of eyeglasses
very small kit with screwdriver to fit screws on scope mounts and action and cleaning kit.
duffels themselves
game bags --The outfitter does not supply these, seems odd to me

This puts me at arond 75bs

I will be hunting out of a drop camp with wood stove heated canvas wall tents. It is the Montana early season hunt--I pack in September 23 and out September 30. Im not sure of elevation. I know we cross Wallace Pass and I believe the Outfitter said was around 10,000'. The terrain ranges from thick timbered mountain sides to open hillsides and bowls.

Wolf Killer,

The outfit I'm booked with is Black Otter Guide Service out or Pray Montana. The owners are Duane or Ruth Neal and Gary or Shelly Francis. The camp were staying at is on Grizzly Creek. Duane told me it was a 16 miles one way from the trailhead south of Pray.

Thanks, NBH

If you can afford it get an ultra light weight sleeping bag.

Remember that you will wear one pair of boots going in so don't include that in your weight.

Cut your socks and underwear down to four pair each. These you can rince and hang to dry inside the tent while you are out hunting.

Cut your jeans down to three pair.

Cut your T-shirts down to four.

Cut your flannel shirts down to two.

Your Carhart jacket is heavy so bring a lighter, actual weight, jacket.

Cut you gloves down to one pair of mittens with the cut out for your fingers. These are much warmer than gloves and will allow you to expose your fingers if it gets too hot.

Make sure your binos are compact and light weight.

Cut your rain gear down to a good poncho.

Cut your ammo down to one box.

Drop the two flashlights and the strobe light. Instead but two LED headlamps. These are about 1,000 times lighter, much smaller, most have a built in strobe, leave you hands free, and you don't need to pack all of the heavy batteries. The batteries will last about 50 times longer as well.


Also if you go a little over weight you can strap on your day pack and put some stuff in it.