Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting First Elk Hunt....

Thats probably a good idea, but I don't know how much meat you could carry in a normal backpack. (never tried). I will have to comment on the jeans though. I don't think I have ever killed an elk when I was not wearing jeans. They do get wet, and it can be uncomfy, but I don't see it as a big deal. I guess if you are sitting on wet stumps it could be a deal breaker though. I hunt pretty much everything in jeans, except when wandering through deep snow. It is likely you will not have snow, based on my experience during that time of year around Elk City. Just my $0.02. Your host knows a lot more about the area than I do though.

A lot of that country is rugged. ATV's can only get you so far. Even if legal, I highly doubt you could get one very far off a road because of all the downed timber. I would buy a bear tag too...just in case.

In preparing for your hunt, get a good map of the country you're going to hunt and a good compass or gps unit. Then study the map so you're pretty familiar with the territory before you set foot in it. I've seen to many folks get turned around or gone down the wrong drainage in elk country to not suggest this. Spend your time hunting instead of trying to find your way out.

When people talk about fleece, they are referring to polyesther fleece. It's fuzzy, lightweight and insulates well. Since it's synthetic it does not soak up moisture and even though anything can get wet, fleece will dry very quickly.

KC

Buy something with Vibram style tread. You can either go all leather and waterproof it well ( After trying many of the "new technology" waterproofers, I've gone back to Biwell wax), or buy a pair of boots with a Gore-Tex lining--but you still need to waterproof the leather and/or the synthetic. Except for the coldest of late fall/early winter hunting, I don't wear insulated boots.

I tend towards synthetic clothing rather than wool for most situations. Synthetic is less expensive--usually. Staying dry is the first consideration--from your own sweat or the weather. Synthetic/wool clothing will wick well and dry out quickly.

You don't need a spotting scope for most elk hunting--spend the dough on more pressing needs.

A daypack for hunting during the day is all you need--most first time hunters carry too much gear anyway. Decent backpacks have become less expensive in recent times--$150-$200 will buy a fairly good one. Check Mountainsmith packs.


Casey

[/quote] I will have to comment on the jeans though. I don't think I have ever killed an elk when I was not wearing jeans. They do get wet, and it can be uncomfy, but I don't see it as a big deal. I guess if you are sitting on wet stumps it could be a deal breaker though. [/quote]

It simply amazes me that someone would recommend cotton jeans for a late October elk hunt in this area. Especially to someone who has not hunted elk before. North Idaho is often wet in the fall. Not only might you be a bit "uncomfy" you could wind up dead.

A couple years ago I picked up a father and his 12-year-old son walking down a mountain road in the dark. The son was darn near froze and shivering like crazy. The boy was to the point of starting to have difficulty walking because he was so wet and cold. From their story, a few hours earlier a herd of elk ran across the road in front of them and they grabbed their rifles and bailed out after them. The inch of wet snow didn't look too bad, but a couple hours and a few miles later they were soaking wet in their jeans and sweatshirts. The term "cotton kills" was not made up because people get a little uncomfy.

I agree with Lonny. I've seen several hunters get into the same very serious trouble he described.

Cotton kills.

L. W.

WOOO HOOO!!

I just scored a Columbia Gallatin Range Wool Jacket and a pair of Columbia Gallatin Range Wool Pants...both for less than $65 bucks...as long as it is in pretty decent shape, and nothing happens between now and them arriving, I don't think I did too bad .

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